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01/01/2004 8:01 pm
OK ... so ... I've got this cool power-chord riff and i want to do a melody to be played over this progression ... what scale should i use? minor? major? pentatonic??
I think i read somewhere that since a power chord is neither minor nor major, you can use any of the notes from both ...
Help?
Anybody??
m/_ Peace out _m/
Manti
01/01/2004 9:26 pm
You heard right. The major or minor quality of a chord (or scale) comes from the 3rd... a major 3rd for a major chord, a minor 3rd from a minor chord:
1-3-5 = Major chord
1-b3-5 = minor chord
Since a power chord is really just a fifth interval (1-5), you can use the major OR minor scale over it, and it will sound fine.
Tom
Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL
02/01/2004 8:18 am
You can use whatever scale you want, but it's better if you use at least the notes from the power chords (i.e. D5 = D-A, E5 = E-B). At the very least use a key that includes the roots.
For instance, I'd play a melody in G major over G5-B5-C5-D5, but I'd use G minor over G5-Bb5-C5-D5.
02/01/2004 10:57 am
Exactly.
Even a power chord riff can be in a major or minor key.
For example a riff with A5 and C5 is probably in A minor, while one with A5 and C#5 is probably in A major.
A riff that included only perfect 4ths and 5ths is neither, i.e. A5, D5, E5, but even then there could be considerations.
For example if there is a vocal melody, that could be major or minor.
--
Helgi Briem
hbriem AT gmail DOT com
02/01/2004 9:25 pm
oh yeeees... nice...
gotcha
m/_ peace
manti