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
