TRACK 2 – D Power Cord Rock D5-F5-G5 100 BPM Key of D 2:49 min
Similar to track one above this is another rock jam using power 5th chords. We are in the key of D, and the chords
in this jam are a I–b3–IV or D-F-G. So again we have a fairly wide-open jam with a few avenues to try. In this jam
there still is not much time given on each chord, so again you will probably be playing more of what relates to all
than soloing over the chords independently.
What Relates to all the chords:
- D Minor Pentatonic & Blues over all the chords. Minor pentatonic sounds awesome over rock jams. This is not
a real major sounding or ballad jam, so Minor Pentatonic & Blues works well. - D Dorian over all the chords. Dorian would be the mode that applies to all chords and it is the 2nd mode of the
major scale. D Dorian is the same as C Major. So play C major scales but start on and emphasize the D notes for
D Dorian. The tip off to why to use Dorian is that we have a IV major chord in the progression. When there is a IV
major chord or a II minor chord you want to use Dorian instead of Aeolian. - Mix both D Dorian and D Minor Pentatonic & Blues over all the chords for some killer sounds.
Treat each chord like a separate event: In this jam you don’t have much time on each chord. There is not much
time to solo independently over each chord. You are probably going to solo with what relates to all as explained
above. You have the most time on the D5 and G5 chords.
- D Aeolian (=F major), or D Dorian (=C major), over the D5 chord or some Dm arpeggios over the D5 chord.
Minor arpeggios like Dm, Dm7, or Dm9 will sound dark and cool over the D5 chord. - Blast a G major arpeggio or G major lick over the G5 chord.
TRACK 3 – G Major Ballad G-D-Em-C 74 BPM Key of G 4:15 min
In this jam we have a very major sounding ballad in the key of G major. Since it is so ballad major sounding we
know that minor pentatonic and blues will NOT work over all the chords. We have to seek out other soloing
options that gel with the major feel of the jam. However, we can use Minor Pentatonic & Blues over the minor
chord, Em, individually – so just don’t throw Minor Pent out the window for this jam as yet.
What Relates to all the chords:
- G Major Pentatonic over all the chords. For any major key jam you can use Major Pentatonic over all the
chords. Major Pentatonic relates to all in this jam. G Major Pentatonic is the same as E Minor Pentatonic. G Major
and E Minor are relative major and minor. If you think more in terms of Minor Pentatonic or just know those
shapes then play E Minor Pentatonic scales, but start on and emphasize the G notes. It will then be G Major
Pentatonic and have that real major happy sweet sound as opposed to the darker, bluesy minor sound. - G Major Scales - major scales in a ballad jam usually work well. At first emphasize and resolve to the G notes.
Then for a bolder solo statement try landing on the chord tones of each individual chord when the chords change.
Major is also called Ionian mode and the relative Minor of G major is E minor. So if you know your Natural Minor
scales play E Minor scales over all the chords but emphasize the G notes to make it sound Major.
Treat each chord like a separate event: In this jam the chords are moving slower than the previous two jams
and you have a full slower measure on each chord. This lends more to treating each chord as a separate event
and soloing over each chord independently. Try mixing it up with these:
- Over the G chord play G Major Pentatonic, G Major scales, G Major arpeggios
Some like the sound of the Lydian mode over major chords but I prefer using the Lydian mode over major7
chords. In this jam G Lydian over the G major chord will sound the sharp 4 (#4) of the Lydian mode. This note
sticks out and you need to check it out for yourself to see if you feel it’s a pleasing note (G Lydian=D major).
Remember that with the modes you have room for creativity, use your discretion. - Over the D chord play D Major Pentatonic, D Major scales, D Major arpeggios
- Over the Em chord play E Minor Pentatonic, E Aeolian, E Dorian, E Minor arpeggios
- Over the C chord play C Major Pentatonic, C Major scales, C Major arpeggios