composing/improvising around chords

[Araillac]

I understand songs will be in a certain key like C and I play stuff around the C scale. But what does it mean if the chords played are E A D? If I understand my chords right, those are the roots correct? should I just play E A and D? or should I learn all of the chords and play the chords or just random notes that make up the chord? Also, when they tell me the chords, are they referring to bass chords or guitar chords? Thanks in advance.

[DocBop]

Chords come from scales so the notes of the chords aren't random in diatonic harmony. As far as key songs have a key, but they don't always stay in one key. Songs will change key or even borrow chords from keys with same root like C major and C minor. So a simple chord progression might actually be in multiple keys. Simple example is a common progression today A, C, G, D. That is in two key A major (A and D) and A minor (C and G). If you were to try and play that as one key your ear would tell you some notes aren't working.

Even playing in key there are notes to avoid/require special handling and you ear tells you that. This is where learning a little theory is handy to know so you know whether its is an avoid note or a key change.

[cowsgomoo]

Originally Posted by Araillac

I understand songs will be in a certain key like C and I play stuff around the C scale. But what does it mean if the chords played are E A D? If I understand my chords right, those are the roots correct? should I just play E A and D? or should I learn all of the chords and play the chords or just random notes that make up the chord? Also, when they tell me the chords, are they referring to bass chords or guitar chords? Thanks in advance.

a chord is a chord, regardless of whether it's played on a guitar, a piano or whatever... an instrument's ability to play chord voicings will differ according to the limitations of the instrument (i.e. you can't usually play 5 note chords on a 4 string bass), but when someone talks about a chord in the general sense (as opposed to, for a example, a guitar chord fretting 'shape'), it's the same thing: a bunch of notes being played simultaneously

there's no such thing as a 'bass chord'... there are bass chord voicings (or 'shapes' if you like), but forget the idea of 'bass chords'

handy hint.. when a guitarist says 'these are the chords'... they usually mean 'I want you to play root notes under these chords'... never, ever, EVER will a guitarist want you to actually play chords on your bass while they play guitar

anyway... E, A & D are all major chords... if it's just the letter on its own, the chord is straight major

I would suggest the next thing you learn is how chords relate to keys, because when the guitar player says 'duuuuh, the chords are like, E, A & D', you need to instantly be thinking 'E, A & D... they're all the primary chords of the key of A major.. so I should probably choose notes from A major'... and you won't be surprised when he goes 'hey I got a cool and original idea for the bridge.... F#m7 !!!!'

[mambo4]

When a bassist is "playing the chords" of a song, it almost always means they are playing a bassline that supports the chord of the moment. Usually I am thinking less of playing in the song's key and much more of playing to the chords as they come along.

for most music, In practice, this boils down to connecting root notes together in a rhythm appropriate for the style.

a good starting point is to stick with roots, fifths and octaves of the chords as they come. This may seem too simple at first, but it will allow you to focus on rhythm more.

In addition to the roots, fifths and octaves, you can throw in the other chord tones, and non-chordal passing tones as your ear determines.

Minor and major Pentatonic scales are worth learning as they can be very useful for improvising a bassline over chords, since they don't contain any "bad" notes that clash with the chords.

ultimately every chord implies one or more scales, there are many links around here (in my signature for one) to further info on chords/ scale relationships. But don't be scared by the ammount of info: Chord tones and pentatonics will take you a long way -far enough to let your ear begin taking you new places.

also: find transcriptions (with chord names) of the songs you like and study the bass lines. break em down bar by bar and ask yourself how that guy is playing along with the chords. This will help immensely!