How can I back a G Pentatonic melody?
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- KVRist
- 57 posts since 15 Sep, 2003 from Visalia, CA
I have a kalimba that's tuned to G pentatonic and I'm having trouble knowing where to start with adding other instruments. I have a guitar book that shows me I can play a pentatonic scale over Maj, Maj6, and Sus2 chords... but how much room does that really give me for a chord progression? where can it go? I'm too used to having the freedom of a chromatically tuned instrument, I need a few hints!!
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- KVRist
- 105 posts since 4 Aug, 2008 from Atlanta, GA
kindlingmania,
A pentatonic melody will sound good against any diatonic chord progression - that is a progression that stays in one key. So, try some progressions in the key of G. You could try something simple like - G - C, or G - D7, or G - Em. Or you could try a standard progresion like G - C - D or G - Em - C - D7. Also, you could try Bm - Em - Am - D7 - G. This one will have a very strong forward motion since it also follows the circle of fifths. Play with some of these and see which ones you like better. You could also try some progression in E minor for a different flavor. Let me know if you need any suggestions for E minor progressions.
- Ken
A pentatonic melody will sound good against any diatonic chord progression - that is a progression that stays in one key. So, try some progressions in the key of G. You could try something simple like - G - C, or G - D7, or G - Em. Or you could try a standard progresion like G - C - D or G - Em - C - D7. Also, you could try Bm - Em - Am - D7 - G. This one will have a very strong forward motion since it also follows the circle of fifths. Play with some of these and see which ones you like better. You could also try some progression in E minor for a different flavor. Let me know if you need any suggestions for E minor progressions.
- Ken
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 57 posts since 15 Sep, 2003 from Visalia, CA
sorry I meant G maj pentatonic, which also translates to E min pentatonic, right?
KLS: thanks, I'll see how those work behind some of the melodies I've already come up with.... but what about Maj6 and Sus2 chords mentioned as fitting well with a pentatonic scale in my guitar book? (Guitar Grimoire: Chords & Voicings to be exact) can I simply substitute any maj chord in the progressions you gave me with a maj6, and any M7 with a Sus2?
KLS: thanks, I'll see how those work behind some of the melodies I've already come up with.... but what about Maj6 and Sus2 chords mentioned as fitting well with a pentatonic scale in my guitar book? (Guitar Grimoire: Chords & Voicings to be exact) can I simply substitute any maj chord in the progressions you gave me with a maj6, and any M7 with a Sus2?
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- KVRist
- 105 posts since 4 Aug, 2008 from Atlanta, GA
Yes, you can add a Maj6 to any chord without affecting the quality of the chord. It will just give that chord a little extra "coloring" and make it sound more interesting. A Sus2 will probably sound better in a I, IV, or V7 chord. That would be G, C, or D7 in the key of G major. Suspended chords like Sus2 and Sus4 have a dissonant sound and tend to exert a downward pull to resolve to the major triad. My advice is to try these out in different places in your progression to see what you like. IMHO suspended chords have a better impact on the listener when they are not overused. Drop one into your piece every now and then and give your listeners a surprise.
- Ken
- Ken
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 57 posts since 15 Sep, 2003 from Visalia, CA
clueless: I took music theory a few years back but I'm a little rough with it. I'm sure if I had the volumes of guitar grimoire on scales and progressions I wouldn't have needed to ask, but V7 and minor chords weren't in the charts that gave me the maj, maj6, and sus2 chords.
when I just play around with any chords till i find something I like and go to my book and it gives me a list of scales that can be played over them it's a whole lot easier than having one scale and hardly anything on all the chords that can fit with it... I admit I barely know what I'm doing, but thanks to KLS, and no thanks to you, I'll be a lot less frustrated figuring it out...
when I just play around with any chords till i find something I like and go to my book and it gives me a list of scales that can be played over them it's a whole lot easier than having one scale and hardly anything on all the chords that can fit with it... I admit I barely know what I'm doing, but thanks to KLS, and no thanks to you, I'll be a lot less frustrated figuring it out...
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- KVRAF
- 2285 posts since 20 Dec, 2002 from The Benighted States of Trumpistan
You can also do some really creative things... just because your lead instrument only has five tones doesn't mean you have to use five (or eight) tones in the backing. The same tone will sound completely different in different settings. Try several reharmonizations, perhaps in a continuous sequence of variations. And depending on your tolerance for dissonance, you can throw literally any chord at that sucker...
Wait... loot _then_ burn? D'oh!
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- KVRAF
- 2285 posts since 20 Dec, 2002 from The Benighted States of Trumpistan
+1!My spies inform me thatclueless wrote:I apologise in advance, but...
8< ----- >8
f**king PLAY ALONG TO IT UNTIL YOU LIKE HOW IT SOUNDS!!!
Hmm, I think I recant my previous advice... lol
Wait... loot _then_ burn? D'oh!