Quote:
Originally Posted by ericmknight1906  My question is what is the best method for identifying the correct scale to use for any given song??Up until now I thought that the major scale covered everything but apparently that's not true. Now true enough, most gospel songs sound the same with the root 3, 5 and the maj7 chord but every now and then , I come across a song where the major scale just doesn't seem to flow well. therefore, I'm making a special effort to become proficient with the minor and dominant scales. Any advice would be appreciated. |
True - gospel like rock and country will 99% of the time be major, however, to be sure you have to look to the chords used. For example:
The hymnal's key signature will tell you what key/scale you are to use. The key signature is shown on the sheet music just beside the time signature at the start of the song, i.e. For example;
I Need Thee Every Hour has four flat notations (b's) shown so that means the song is in Ab -- or Ab's relative minor key of F minor. The notes in Ab and Fm are the same, so are the chords - it's how the chords are used that tell what key you have. If the chords used revolve around Ab, Db and Eb it is Ab major, but, if they revolve around Fm, Bbm and Cm then the song is in F minor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_fifths http://www.musilosophy.com/chord-charts.htm
Now most hymnal sheet music will not show you the chord names so presume it's Ab major - or read (identify) the chord notes in the bass clef.
Now if you are using lead sheet music or fake chord you look first to the key signature (and hope there is one) lets say there is one # shown. That means your key is G or G's relative minor Em. To tell which one you have to look to the chords used - if the chords revolve around G, C, and D major you're Major, however, if they revolve around Em, Am and Bm your in G's relative minor - Em. What the chords resolve to (V-I major or V-i minor) is what you are looking for.
Other ways to tell - if
every verse ends with the same chord that is your key.
Another way is to list every chord used in the song, cross out all the duplications, ignore the fancy extensions, you are looking for major, minor, dominant (b7) and diminished chords. Put them in alphabetical order and then see what key has those chords. Not some of them all of them.
If you only have notes shown (no chords) do the same thing you did with chords and see what scale they all fit into. That's your scale.
Hopefully your sheet music will just tell you what key to use.
Some memory pegs:
See God Destroy All Earth By F#irey C#haos. C has zero sharps, G has one, D has two etc.
Fat cats go down alleys eating birds is the order of the sharps. C has none, G has one the F#, D keeps the F# and adds the C# etc.
Farmer Brown eats apple dumplings greasily cooked is the order of the flats and also the order they come in. F has the Bb first then Bb adds the Eb, then Eb adds the Ab, etc.
Have fun.
