MUSICAL TEMPLATE EXAMPLE 3:
In this example we will analyze a minor key groove that will fit into an exception rule. This is
track ten on the Rock Jam Tracks Audio CD.
EXAMPLE PROGRESSION 3: Bm – F#
This is a cool, mellow rhythm in the key of B minor. The chords are moving fairly slow, with
tons of musical time on each chord. So this jam lends well to treating each chord as a separate
event. Even though there is an F# major chord in the progression, this jam has a real dark
minor vibe to it. That should tell you automatically that major sounding lead elements will
probably not work well. Analyzing the chords, we have a I minor chord (Bm), going to a V
major chord (F#). This minor key jam with a V major chord is the exception to the Minor
Pentatonic rule I spoke of earlier. This jam screams out Harmonic Minor over the V chord.
Exception rule:
When you have a jam or song with a I minor chord going to a V major chord you have to be
careful. Even though we are in minor key, Minor Pentatonic & Blues would not sound great
over that major V chord (F#). That scale won’t relate to that V major chord, just the Bm chord.
In this jam the V chord is F#. That chord is made of the notes F#, C#, Bb. In the B Minor
Pentatonic scale the notes are B, D, E, F#, A. The b7 is an A note. So if you play that scale
over the F# chord and you hold on that A note over the F# chord there will be a rub as the F#
chord has a Bb note. Another less than perfect note is if you play a B or D over the F# chord.
Again the F# would rather hear resolution to the Bb note or C# note as both notes are in the F#
chord.
Treat each chord like a separate event:
- Over the Bm chord try B Minor Pentatonic & Blues, B Aeolian, B Dorian, B Minor arpeggios.
- Over the F# chord try B Harmonic Minor – Harmonic Minor sounds awesome over the V
chord in a minor key jam.
KEY POINT: As soon as you see a V major chord in a minor key jam then BAM! – hit the
V major with Harmonic Minor over that chord.- Try B Aeolian over the Bm chord then switch to B Harmonic Minor over the F# chord and you
will be wowed!
KEY POINT: Remember that the keynote in the Harmonic Minor Scale is the major 7
th
.
It’s located one half step behind the root. You get great tension and release playing that
7 th, and then going up a half step resolving to the root – try it as it is awesome!