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Which Scale over G, C, D?

Discussion in 'General Instruction [BG]' started by Brooks, Jul 19, 2003.

  1. Jul 19, 2003 #1
    Brooks

    Brooks

    Apr 4, 2000
    Middle East
    A friend asked me to come up with a bass solo for one one of his songs. Song is in the key of G, and changes are very simple G G C D

    It's played at 90bpm, with a very 'atmospheric' and oriental feel, with tablas and some Afghan percussion. Which would be the right scale(s) to use over this..something exotic and/or unusual?

    For couple of bars of the solo there is only bass and percussion, so I could even change to another key and create tension before going back to G.
     
  2. Jul 19, 2003 #2
    cassanova

    cassanova

    Sep 4, 2000
    Florida
    This is nothing but a I-IV-V pattern.

    Its hard to say what kind of line you can put over it, since we dont know if its a G7-Cm7-D etc.

    Im assuming that its just major chords though.

    Tell you're friend to at the least learn the 3 scales involved here, then use notes in those scales to connect the changes.

    Sorry, but asking someone to write out a line for you is IMO weak, thats his job, not ours.
     
  3. Jul 19, 2003 #3
    Brooks

    Brooks

    Apr 4, 2000
    Middle East
    All 3 chords are majors, and I am not asking anyone to write a line for me..was just wondering which unusual/oriental-sounding scales might fit over these changes.
     
  4. Jul 19, 2003 #4
    arose11

    arose11

    Sep 30, 2002
    Kalamazoo, MI
    you could use Emin(or aeolian i guess), A dorian(A min w/ a #6th), phrygian scale (starts on the 3rd or B, all u need to do is use a G major but start and end the notes on B) would be cool too, which gives a cool exotic tone to it w/ the flat 2nd. anywho hope it helps(god, i hope im not scaring you w/ my unorganizedness:D ).

    peace,
    andrew rose
     
  5. Jul 24, 2003 #5
    Aaron

    Aaron

    Jun 2, 2001
    Seattle, WA
    you could try C# super locrian over G and D and C lydian dominant for C.

    But there are hundreds (well, there are infinite, but you get the idea) of scales you could play over these chords.

    Experiment with modes, and all the scales you know.
     
  6. Jul 24, 2003 #6
    Brooks

    Brooks

    Apr 4, 2000
    Middle East
    No, you didn't scare me at all.. A phrygian suggestion really worked great for this tune..gave it just the right amount of 'exotic' feel. Thanks for suggestions guys!
     
  7. Jul 24, 2003 #7
    j b scott

    j b scott

    Nov 14, 2002
    Melbourne, Australia
    perhaps harmonic minor scales which is if i remember jsut minor with sharpened 7th, can give an oriental feel for sure!

    i have heard that it is a good idea to stay away from 'scale hell' when everything is overanalysed and you are restricted, but asking for a recommended scale is far short of that.

    anyway, have fun, personally i like that progression, because ALOT can be done with it, id go up to the 24th fret on the g banger to make things interesting.:bassist:
     
  8. Jul 24, 2003 #8
    Brooks

    Brooks

    Apr 4, 2000
    Middle East
    You are right..it is a fun progression, but I wanted to stay away from the typical I-IV-V feel for the solo, it just didn't match the song...and yeah...was a good excuse to go all the way up!


    BTW... those err...in your sig are kinda droopy... try (·)(·) .. a lot perkier ;)
     
  9. Jul 25, 2003 #9
    peteroberts

    peteroberts

    Nov 24, 2001
    San Francisco, CA (finally!)
    you sure none of those are dominants? Common mistake - if the chord has a maj3 and a maj7 it is a MAJOR chord. If it has a maj3 and a min7 it is a DOMINANT. I have heard too many people call dominants major because it has a Maj 3.

    So are they REALLY all major? That would make for an interesting sound, and the progression would not be diatonic.
     
  10. Jul 25, 2003 #10
    Samie

    Samie

    Dec 13, 2000
    Madrid, Spain
    Em pentatonic all the way dude!! You can also try Bm pentatonic or altenate between Em pentatonic or Bm pentatonic.

    You can also play D major scale! it will sound really cool.

    forget fancy scales, the bass sound great in solos with pentatonics and simple powerful stuff..

    Go for it :cool: :bassist:
     
  11. Jul 25, 2003 #11
    Pacman

    Pacman Layin' Down Time Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 1, 2000
    Omaha, Nebraska
    Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
    Not quite true, at least in practice. With the major 7th, it's usually referred to as a 'major 7' chord, not just major. I got the impression from the original post that they're triads he's talking about, not 4 note chords.

    Remember, dominant chords are major in tonality.