Changing keys

[Thared33]

Ok, I admit, I'm not such a theory guy, but now it's time to finally learn this stuff.

How do you switch keys? Say I'm playing an A major scale... to switch to another key, it has to be a key that's within A major, correct? Or does it even matter and I can switch to just any note at all? An A major scale (it can work starting in any key I believe, but I'll use A) would be (I think) A B C# D E F# G#, so to switch keys, I'd have to switch to one of the notes above, no? And you might notice that I'm not a flat/sharp guy (I don't know the difference), so I just use nothing but sharps.. like A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# at all times.

Another question - Within playing a major scale, some of the modes are minor, correct? If I do switch keys to a tone within an A major scale which is a minor one, I shouldn't be limited to just that minor mode alone, right? For example, I could play an A major and then switch to a minor mode within A major, and play the minor pentatonic... or something. The Aeolian is the 6th mode of the major scale, and is also the minor scale if I understand correctly, but not the only minor mode in the regular major scale.

Is the following major/minor mode thing accurate? major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished? I understand the principle of major and minor, but not diminished (I know how to play a diminished whole half and half whole scale and a diminished arpeggio though). I was thinking that I could just play A major, and when I get to a note within A major that's minor (B, C#, F#) to just play any kind of minor scale, but of course it doesn't sound right...


The gist of this is that I don't want to be limited to just 7 notes for the ENTIRE composition.. that would be boring. Of course I make riffs and melodies, etc, but putting them all together is a bit hard since I don't know how to 'blend' everything.




Sorry for the stupid questions, but it's time to finally learn this stuff. I haven't had anyone show me anything and I know it'll pay off to learn it

[courtney2018]

What you're talking about really is the chord progression. Just because you start off with Amaj doesn't necessarily mean that that is the key of the progression. However, if you wanted it to be the key, then the note structure you have listed is correct.

You can't just play notes in any which order and hope they're going to sound good. There are sequences (chord progressions) that sound the best. Call them "rules" if you want. Google "guitar chord progressions" and you should come up with a bunch of stuff that will show you nice progressions to use that sound good and with which type of music you're wanting to play.

For example, alot of rock will do the very basic I-IV-V progression. Think of it as 1-4-5. In your key above that would be A-D-E.

While playing that progression during a song - as if it's the main verse - sometimes a song will change keys to go into the "chorus". I use my ear to figure out what I want to use. There is no wrong or right really. Music theory lays down the ground rules, but it's up to you to use that as a guide and ultimately come up with something. You can go by the rules or not. It's up to you.

Try playing the above progression and then go to the chorus with C-Emin-Aminb3. Read that last chord as A minor with a flat 3. Play a Amin chord but don't fret your first finger on the 2nd string 1st fret.

It all depends on what mood you want. What I did is kinda sad and contrasts alot with the main progression. You have to figure out what your song is about and make the progression around the story of your song. But now we're starting to get into song writing.

Next question - II and III of a key are also minors. In Amaj that would be B and C# (Dorian and Phrygian respectively). If you stayed within Amaj, those two right there and F#, which is Aeolian (also noted as VI) are the only minors you could play. If you play any note not listed in the Amaj scale you'll be playing in a different key.

The next quesiton about maj-min-min-maj-maj-min-dim is correct. It's the law. Just accept it as you did 1+1=2. As for playing scales within Amaj here are the modes: Major Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aeolian (or Minor) and Locrian. I'm not going to get into all these as it's alot to cover in just one post. Look them up and learn them. In Amaj if you want to solo you could play the A major mode, or the B dorian mode, or the C# phrygian mode, or the D lydian mode, or the E mixolydian mode, or the F# aeolian mode, or the G# locrian mode. Each mode as a mood of their own. Which one to choose is up to you as they foreshadow the chord progression and gives the song it's mood.

The best thing that you can do with the next $45 that you spend is to buy Doug Doppler's Diatonic Theory on DVD. After going thru that you will know.

[choubix]

hello,

I heard of that dvd drom Satch's student.
how good is it? what exactly can you expect after viewing and practicing? what kind of student is it intended to?

(i must admit that i am really bad with theory, just been playing the fuitar on/off practising songs and licks...)

thanks!

[courtney2018]

It's for beginners on up. Once you finish you should know the fret board very well, as well as theory.

[choubix]

good! exactly what I need... a teacher on my laptop for $45. that's not so bad.

I heard he was available by email also to the people who ordered his dvd. that's rather unusual... anyway: before asking a question there must be a few hours of practice!

thanks for your feedback on his dvd

[satchbooger]

If you do as Courtney said and play 1-4-5 in Amaj (A-D-E).
You can also substitute in A mixolydian - same as Amaj but with a b7
Its also the Dmaj scale

You could then also change keys to say a chord progression of F#min-Amaj-Emaj
and play F#min scale(aeolian) which is just the relative minor of Amaj

-Keith