5-4-1 What key is it? - Page 8

muddywaters · #**141** 12-09-2003, 12:57 PM

It's a 5-4-1 progression, 1 being the root and the key. The song you are discussing is normally played with the 1 being F but you can always change that. But in classic rock you play 1-4-5 or 5-4-1, that indicates the progression but the one always indicated the key. Don't confuse this short hand for rock with a numbers system out of Nashville, a completely different monster. At least thats how we communicate it in our band. Peace

Brad Johnson · #**142** 12-09-2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by muddywaters
It's a 5-4-1 progression, 1 being the root and the key. The song you are discussing is normally played with the 1 being F but you can always change that. But in classic rock you play 1-4-5 or 5-4-1, that indicates the progression but the one always indicated the key. Don't confuse this short hand for rock with a numbers system out of Nashville, a completely different monster. At least thats how we communicate it in our band. Peace

Okay, I'll play along.

This song has a FOUR chord progression. How could it be a 5-4-1... the first and last chords are the same?

It would have to at least be a 5-4-1-X

Would that be 5-4-1-5?

muddywaters · #**143** 12-10-2003, 08:32 AM

In describing the song, to me it has only three notes, and they can best be described as 5-4-1
in relation to the key of F, based on previous
posting. We actually play it 5-4-1 in the key of A. The 5-4-1 just describes the progression
of the notes in relation to the scale and given this little info any first year player on the bass could probably follow along after the first
run thru on the song. Just a short hand way to comunicate what to play and a good way to know which scale to stay in for runs, passing notes, etc.

**Pacman** · #**144** 12-10-2003, 08:42 AM

Muddy, did you bother to read the rest of this thread?

muddywaters · #**145** 12-10-2003, 09:27 AM

I just did read the almost all of the post and I have mis-spoke and that was due to my ignorance and reading the posts didn't help. I talked with my guitar player with 20 years on the road experience and who has taught me to play bass the last four years. I thought I knew more and didn't. He said the song is written in the key of C. If someone checks out the music thats what it will say. He explained to me in our short hand that it would be played 1-7-4. He also went on to explain how alot of rock songs are f**ked up and don't follow any rules and said therories are just that and won't apply all the time. I will sneak off into the corner now.