Diatonic modes-beginner question.

[shonoob]

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!

[Nystul]

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.

[shonoob]

perfect, clear and concise! thanks for your help

[jancivil]

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.

[tapper mike]

I missed you here Jan.