Jamming together -- questions on chords and keys

[Aaron Saunders]

Ok, when, say, I'm jamming with a guitarist (which, in two years of bass playing, I never even have done -- ) it's a pretty generally accepted rule of thumb to obviously play in the same key. Short question -- should we be playing the same chords too? I mean, say we're playing in C, and he busts out a diminished B, should I start playing one too, or would it sound fine to play an E minor?

I've only ever played together with only one person in a jam situation, and he was a drummer. All the melody and key stuff and whatnot was left up to me, so I as long as I kept it grooving, I could go anywhere I wanted to on the fingerboard.

 

[jazzbo]

Congratulations on jamming GOTHIKA. In my humble opinion, spend as much time as you can jamming with others, it really helps develop many aspects of your playing.

This is a good thread, but a long read: Using Chords and Scales

If you're both playing in Cmajor, regardless of what chord he plays, you're never really going to be that far off. Sure, some things are going to work better than others, but a lot of that is left to you to discover what your ear likes and doesn't like.

A simple answer: if he moves to Bdim, should you also? Yeah, probably. I mean, most of the time, that's what we're doing, we're supporting the chord being played. You can do this by playing the chord notes, and/or their extensions. And observe, that as you play chord extensions, essentially you're acknowledging scale tones.

It's nice that you have a guitarist to jam with now, as the melody and key stuff will now be reinforced by someone, and it's going to open up your ears, big time.

An additional thing to remember is that because the guitarist says he's in C, you should make sure it's C major, and not C mix or C blues, or pentatonic, or anything of the nature.

Sometimes it's good, actually I always prefer this, to have a previously agreed upon chord sequence. 12 bar blues is always good, and can be played in any rhythm, not just a shuffle or boogie blues. 12 bar is the foudation of rock music, so it's concepts are solid ones to learn.

 

[peteroberts]

I am not sure why you would play in E minor if the guitarist went to Bdim? If you wanted to sub, wouldn't G dominant (mixolydian) work better?

 

[Aaron Saunders]

I am not sure why you would play in E minor if the guitarist went to Bdim? If you wanted to sub, wouldn't G dominant (mixolydian) work better?

I was just tossing out random chords in the key, not what would actually happen at the time.

Thanks jazzbo! Exactly what I wanted to know.

 

[_j_]

Sometimes it's good, actually I always prefer this, to have a previously agreed upon chord sequence. 12 bar blues is always good, and can be played in any rhythm, not just a shuffle or boogie blues. 12 bar is the foudation of rock music, so it's concepts are solid ones to learn.

I would agree that it's good to decide on a chord progression both of you will be playing when you first start jamming with other people, but eventually you'll want to be able to just use your ear. Makes things more interesting IMO. Jamming on the same progression over and over again bores me pretty quickly.

 

[RyanHelms]

*peteroberts - I am not sure why you would play in E minor if the guitarist went to Bdim? If you wanted to sub, wouldn't G dominant (mixolydian) work better?*

Sure, if you play everything but the root, B dim is spelled B, D, F, "G#". Diminished is a little more, uh, esoteric, when it comes to subs.

But, if you're in C and the guitar plays the ii7 (D-7) you can make it a Bb mj9 by hitting Bb. Or play Eb and you make the whole thing Db mj b5 add 6,9. (try it, it sounds really cool!)
The point is, you can name practically any combination of notes theoretically. If you hit a "wrong" note, you're only ever 1/2 step from a "right" note...

It helps to talk about it for a minute before you start jamming, but just keep going if you get tangled up and if you're both listening to each other things should smooth out.

 

[Jazzin']

I am not sure why you would play in E minor if the guitarist went to Bdim? If you wanted to sub, wouldn't G dominant (mixolydian) work better?

yah, i was confused too when i saw Bdim and Emin working together, a G7 should work better.

you should try to follow the leader when jamming, its good to know what everyone is gonna do before you start. so you dont fall into traps like that.

 

[Jazzin']

*peteroberts - I am not sure why you would play in E minor if the guitarist went to Bdim? If you wanted to sub, wouldn't G dominant (mixolydian) work better?*

Sure, if you play everything but the root, B dim is spelled B, D, F, "G#". Diminished is a little more, uh, esoteric, when it comes to subs.

But, if you're in C and the guitar plays the ii7 (D-7) you can make it a Bb mj9 by hitting Bb. Or play Eb and you make the whole thing Db mj b5 add 6,9. (try it, it sounds really cool!)
The point is, you can name practically any combination of notes theoretically. If you hit a "wrong" note, you're only ever 1/2 step from a "right" note...

It helps to talk about it for a minute before you start jamming, but just keep going if you get tangled up and if you're both listening to each other things should smooth out.

i doubt the guitarist will be playing the 6th in the chord.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Jamming isn't about following the guitarrist. Jamming is using your ears, heart, and mind to musically communicate with someone else. 0 Theory involved. Even non-musicians can jam, as long as they can express themselves through making noise of some sort.

 

[Jazzin']

well yah ur right, but its good to be able to follow along. if you cant follow along, everyone will just be playing anything, and chances are, everything will be completely different.

 

[LowEndLobster]

well yah ur right, but its good to be able to follow along. if you cant follow along, everyone will just be playing anything, and chances are, everything will be completely different.

Lucky, most humans have these things extruding from the side of their heads. Ears. Plus, in a jam you usually don't "follow" someone else. Instead you give personal input with your own music. Make it fit using your ears and your head, you know, that thing resting on your neck.

 

[Jazzin']

Lucky, most humans have these things extruding from the side of their heads. Ears. Plus, in a jam you usually don't "follow" someone else. Instead you give personal input with your own music. Make it fit using your ears and your head, you know, that thing resting on your neck.

well i know that we have heads and ears, but u still gotta play depending on what the others are playing. and comp when they solo.