Diatonic modes-beginner question.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 540 posts since 8 Jul, 2015 from Canada
Hello all, new to music theory. Got a quick question of Diatonic modes;
I am a little confused, since certain scales, eg) A minor and C major are comprised of the same notes, If I am playing in A minor, wont I essentially have access to all the same chords as I would if I was in C major?
What separates the sound? Is it based off the tonic, and the revolving around the chord progression back to the cadence or the 'root'? Or should the chords I use in the A minor scale also be minor chords (like minor triads etc.) to really get that 'minor feel'?
Sorry if the question is hard to understand.
Thank you!
I am a little confused, since certain scales, eg) A minor and C major are comprised of the same notes, If I am playing in A minor, wont I essentially have access to all the same chords as I would if I was in C major?
What separates the sound? Is it based off the tonic, and the revolving around the chord progression back to the cadence or the 'root'? Or should the chords I use in the A minor scale also be minor chords (like minor triads etc.) to really get that 'minor feel'?
Sorry if the question is hard to understand.
Thank you!
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- KVRist
- 441 posts since 30 Apr, 2007
It's about the tonic. Consider two of the more notoriously common pop progressions. One has pattern like C->Am->F->G. The other has pattern like Am->F->C->G. Same four chords with a small change in the order. The first one is C major but not the second one.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 540 posts since 8 Jul, 2015 from Canada
- KVRAF
- 25053 posts since 20 Oct, 2007 from gonesville
On paper, of course you see the same harmonies in both. The thing, though, is that you'll need to watch certain of these as they lean heavily towards a resolution at C major. The tritone B & F in harmonies particularly. So vii in C, B D F, as ii in A minor is a little problematic... depending. IF you are working in a truly *diatonic*, I mean tonal environment, you may have the notion that you can work a move BACK_TO A minor; but if you are thinking really 'modally', ie., you're interested in A Aeolian,(which corresponds w. 'natural minor' as you have given it here)... well, you have to recognize that tendency with your G dominant 7th and B diminished and so forth. So the things Nystul indicated are the good bets... for the rather non-classical, regular pop tune and what-not moves. Less is more; rather than think "I have all seven of these chords, just the same as C major". C major is its own thing as is A natural minor as you have it AFAIK.
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- KVRAF
- 6804 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
I missed you here Jan.
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