hey guys i know its been a while since anyone around here has seen me, but i was informed my help might be needed at this forum by a fellow bassist. im sure the site above has all of this in much more professional terms but this is a quick fix for ya.
heres the basics- a scale consists of 8 notes. this is the pattern of intervals- (W= a whole step, H= a half step)
W W H W W W H
- so for a basic scale, take C, the notes are
C D E F G A B C
this pattern applies to any and all keys.
now when you want to apply the scale to music, especially when you're looking at chord changes (think improvisation), the name of the chord will tell you exactly what scales go along with it, and therefore the notes that will fit into the music.
a chord is made out of the principle parts of the scale- the root (the first note), the third (3rd note), the fifth (5th), and in jazz generally the seventh (one before the top of the scale). jazz can get even more confusing in adding 9s, 13s, 11s, etc but we won't get into that.
the name of the chord determines the scale to be used for its structure, in our case we'll use C.
so if we want to create a C major (major meaning nothing done to it- no sharps or flats added), we use the root, 3rd, and 5th.
C E G
in jazz, the seventh is added, so in a C major chord it becomes
C E G B
the chord name C7 implies a flatted seventh, making the chord "dominant"- just a phrase used in the jazz world to describe the quality of the chord.
C E G Bb
in order to make a chord "minor", the 3rd is flatted as well. this is another distinct sound that is dark and somewhat dissonant.
C Eb G Bb
The term diminished is used for chords with a b7, b3, and b5.
C Eb Gb Bb
An augmented chord sharps the 5th and flats nothing.
C E G# B
To figure out where scales come into play, you must figure out what key you are put into with the different chords. This is called the "mode" of the scale.
for example: in a Cmajor chord, CEGB, no sharps or flats puts you in the key of C. In a C7, the one flat puts you into F. For major, use the C scale. for dominant, use F.
there is so much more, this is just to get you started. my email is
sonatina6287@hotmail.com . if you have questions, i'll be glad to help.
. Good luck.
Linear Mode
