Guys,
Looking for any tips or techniques for improving- specific scales to use?
Any simple techniques for improvising over pop church music?
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- KVRian
- 1068 posts since 25 Jul, 2007 from Calgary
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- KVRAF
- 16826 posts since 8 Mar, 2005 from Utrecht, Holland
Trial & error?
Mostly a pentatonic scale (and its derivates) is the basis.
Mostly a pentatonic scale (and its derivates) is the basis.
We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. 
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
My MusicCalc is served over https!!
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- KVRer
- 3 posts since 18 Jan, 2013
Chord tones.
Example chord peogression: Cmaj (c e g) dmin (d f a) G7 (G B D F)
Sticking to the listed tones is a great start. Experiment with adding extensions or passing notes.
Biggest tip: exploit the 'a' that is common between dmin and g7 for smooth voice leading.
Example chord peogression: Cmaj (c e g) dmin (d f a) G7 (G B D F)
Sticking to the listed tones is a great start. Experiment with adding extensions or passing notes.
Biggest tip: exploit the 'a' that is common between dmin and g7 for smooth voice leading.
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- KVRist
- 211 posts since 28 Apr, 2009 from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
In church, I usually add a couple notes to the pentatonic scale. I've heard this scale called "country blues." See this YouTube video by Paul Bollenback for a good explanation/demonstration.
I modify this scale slightly over minor chords. Sometimes I add a few more notes and turn it into a dominant scale. In fact, if you watch the above video very closely, Paul Bollenback does this very same thing towards the end without even realizing it. Dominant scale is also good to play over sus chords, which I see a lot in church tunes.
Chord tone approach can also work. On hymns and older songs, you can have a lot of fun with diminished chords.
Contemporary Christian Music is the worst style of music ever invented so it can stand lots of room for improvement. If you can apply these tips, your playing will have more of a gospel, soul, or jazz feel.
That's all I got.
I modify this scale slightly over minor chords. Sometimes I add a few more notes and turn it into a dominant scale. In fact, if you watch the above video very closely, Paul Bollenback does this very same thing towards the end without even realizing it. Dominant scale is also good to play over sus chords, which I see a lot in church tunes.
Chord tone approach can also work. On hymns and older songs, you can have a lot of fun with diminished chords.
Contemporary Christian Music is the worst style of music ever invented so it can stand lots of room for improvement. If you can apply these tips, your playing will have more of a gospel, soul, or jazz feel.
That's all I got.
Drugs and alcohol have never helped me creatively, but for others it seems to be an essential part of the process. 