very simple theory question

[CJ]

ok, i'm trying to write a simple song. i've got a rhythm that i was to play a solo over. problem is, i've never been too great with theory, and i'm not sure what key my song is in. i thought i could just take the notes from what i've played, and see what scale they fit into, but it appears what i have is just chromatic. i'm not sure if i'm doing this wrong, or maybe what i have is just chromatic. i'm basically playing two arpeggios, one starting on the low E 5th fret, going to 7th fret A and 9th fret D, adding on with a 10th fret on the D. then everything is dropped down two frets (a whole step?). at least that is the basics of what i have.

could anyone tell me what key this might be in?

thank you. (an explanation would be much appreciated as well) :)

[TwilightOdyssey]

You can call the 1st one AmAdd9; you can call the 2nd one GmAdd9

[CJ]

thanks very much for the quick reply. however, i don't quite understand what that means. i'd appreciate it if you could explain further, but all i really need is a scale that i can use to solo over these arpeggios... unless what you mentioned was a way to get me a scale to use.... what you mentioned were types of chords, correct?
thanks.

[Antag]

Strictly speaking, you've described the notes to an A madd9 (A minor add 9) followed by G madd9.

But you've also stated that you play them as arpeggios rather than chords, so I guess the way you play them could affect the key (i.e. I'm assuming that you play them down to up using the lowest note as the "root").

I guess you could start with A natural minor (or Aeolian mode if you want to call it that).  All the notes except the Bb on the 8th fret of the D-string appear in that scale.  You could throw in a chromatic "fill" to make it fit, or just stick with A Aeolian.  Without hearing your riff I'm not sure how it would work musically...

[CJ]

ok, thanks very much antag and TO. i guess i'll try throwing in an Am solo and see how it sounds.

[Antag]

Just had a quick play in GuitarPro & I reckon that the G sus 2 arpeggio sounds pretty good over those chords.

There isn't really one scale that truly "fits" in the sense of having all the notes contained in the riff (i.e both arpeggios/chords).

Remove the Bb & you can choose between A Minor (by adding an F) or G Major - aka G Ionian/A Dorian (by adding an F#), or remove the C & you could easily fit an E blues scale into it.

[CJ]

i'll upload the song in a new thread in this section, if you could take a listen and see what you think.

[Johnny Mac]

Your ears will tell you if its not right.

[CJ]

Your ears will tell you if its not right.

my ears don't work too well. i'm getting better. not too long ago i would try to play any note over anything and i couldn't tell the difference.

i think this sounds close, take a listen if you could.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Perhaps the most important thing my teacher taught me was you can play any note on top of any other note. There is such a thing as dissonance as a compositional tool.

However, if you're lookin for mass acceptance in the Western world, you're better off sticking to Western theory.

[CJ]

Perhaps the most important thing my teacher taught me was you can play any note on top of any other note. There is such a thing as dissonance as a compositional tool.

However, if you're lookin for mass acceptance in the Western world, you're better off sticking to Western theory.

very true. but for the most part, especially for me since i'm not any good yet... the more traditional i stay, i think the better i'll be off.

[Matt77]

There is loads you can do with that.
As well as all the other good stuff mentioned, you could view it as changing key when you shift down a step and play something like:

A harmonic Minor on the first bit
G harmonic Minor on the second bit

Alternatively you could also try A Dorian on the first bit and G Dorian on the second bit.

Or a mix, A Harmonic Minor then G Dorian

Most important is to enjoy playing it

[CJ]

There is loads you can do with that.
As well as all the other good stuff mentioned, you could view it as changing key when you shift down a step and play something like:

A harmonic Minor on the first bit
G harmonic Minor on the second bit

Alternatively you could also try A Dorian on the first bit and G Dorian on the second bit.

Or a mix, A Harmonic Minor then G Dorian

Most important is to enjoy playing it

thanks for that. never really thought of that, or thought that would work. i might try that... i still haven't decided on whether or not the solo i have fits. thoughts would be appreciated.

[JDC]

I've never really played over arpeggios but one thing you could try is playing scales that fit each chord

I believe I read about this on a jazz theory website, but I can't remember if you need to share common notes or not when changing the scale

one other thing I read was there are no bad notes, just bad resolutions

[Johnny Mac]

Your ears will tell you if its not right.

my ears don't work too well. i'm getting better. not too long ago i would try to play any note over anything and i couldn't tell the difference.

i think this sounds close, take a listen if you could.

If your new to all of this then try Pentatonic scales you will find it a lot easier than harmonic minors and modal stuff. Then have a go at those as your phrasing improves. Well thats what most teachers would have you do.