Theory related- Manu Chao

[parmezans]

Hi! This is my first post on TalkBass. I started playing bass about a month ago, after 1 year of playing classical guitar. Almost everything I ever learned was self taught.
I own a Squier Standard Jazz and a Fender Rumble 10x AMP. A lousy Behringer UF100 guitar (will try it on bass) stomp box is on it's way, I was curious and it was a bargain. On to the subject.
Since I started playing bass, I got more interested in music theory.
So, my question is, in Manu Chao's "Me gustas tu", the chord progression is Bm, A, Em, Em. Over the final Em, if you pay attention, a small break is played, notes B, D, C# and then back to the B to compliment the B chord again. With my (shallow) musical knowledge, I can't figure out why the D and the C# sound good over that Em.
Manu Chao - Me gustas tu - YouTube

G|-----------4----------|
D|---4---2-2---2--------|
A|-2---0---------2-5-4-2|
E|----------------------|

Here's the song and the (close enough) tab.

[Stick_Player]

Perhaps you are in E Dorian -- E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E?

[parmezans]

Well, that would do it.
Thanks.... I didn't quite get to modes yet.

[mflaherty]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonchord_tone
Check out passing tones, anticipation, neighboring tones, etc.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by mflaherty

Nonchord tone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Check out passing tones, anticipation, neighboring tones, etc.

Yes and chromatic movement is also a good choice. It does not have to follow THE RULES if it sounds good. The rules are guidelines that you can bend - if it sounds good. Chromatic runs are a big part of what I do.

I know, that drove me crazy right at first.

[Otso]

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

Perhaps you are in E Dorian -- E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D, E?

+1

And the D would be the first extension (the 7th) of the E-minor triad. The C# can also be seen as the 13th of the chord, but it really IMO functions as a passing tone (a diatonic/scale one).

[bigboy_78]

Originally Posted by parmezans

Well, that would do it.
Thanks.... I didn't quite get to modes yet.

You don’t really need to understand modes here. E Dorian is probably right, I’m a little anti-mode and would say B minor, and here is a little exercise to see why.

The chords you have are Bm A Em. Write out the notes for each of these chords.

B F# D A C# E E G B

In chromatic order we have (starting on D, just because) D E F# G A B C# D or the D major scale.

Dmaj is relative to Bminor which is why the C# is the choice of note.

E Dorian is the same note choices, but I seem to link everything back to a generic Major/Minor scale

[parmezans]

Originally Posted by bigboy_78

You don’t really need to understand modes here. E Dorian is probably right, I’m a little anti-mode and would say B minor, and here is a little exercise to see why.

The chords you have are Bm A Em. Write out the notes for each of these chords.

B F# D A C# E E G B

In chromatic order we have (starting on D, just because) D E F# G A B C# D or the D major scale.

Dmaj is relative to Bminor which is why the C# is the choice of note.

E Dorian is the same note choices, but I seem to link everything back to a generic Major/Minor scale

You ALMOST explained it so I can understand. What I don't get is why is the C# the note of choice? Neither Dmaj or Bm chord contain C#?

[bigboy_78]

C# is just a passing tone back to the B and to create movement.

The basic theory is you can use any note from a scale and it will sound correct-ish with any chord created from within that scale. Chord tones will always sound right, scale notes give interest, notes which do not appear in the scale will in general create dissonance.

Play the same passage but hit C natural instead of C#. It’ll sound not quite right.

[Jazz Ad]

Je ne sais pas, je ne sais plus, je suis perdu.

[parmezans]

Oh, so I play the C# because it's between B and D in Dmaj scale? (in this case)

[bigboy_78]

Pretty much. You're just following the scale from where you are, to where you want to be.

[MalcolmAmos]

Chromatic movement - you may go out for awhile, but, when you come back in it sound good again. And sounds like you knew what you were doing all along.

[Stick_Player]

Originally Posted by bigboy_78

You don’t really need to understand modes here. E Dorian is probably right, I’m a little anti-mode and would say B minor, and here is a little exercise to see why.

The chords you have are Bm A Em. Write out the notes for each of these chords.

B F# D A C# E E G B

In chromatic order we have (starting on D, just because) D E F# G A B C# D or the D major scale.

Dmaj is relative to Bminor which is why the C# is the choice of note.

E Dorian is the same note choices, but I seem to link everything back to a generic Major/Minor scale

I would disagree. The absence of an A# or an F#/F#7 chord suggests that this is NOT B Minor. AND, the OP has indicated "the chord progression is Bm, A, Em, Em. Over the final Em".