Chord req: betcha can do this

Subject: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: Stonejohn
Date: 26 Oct 99 - 01:40 PM

Okay, I understand about the basic blues scale, for example: C,D#,F,F#,G,Bb,C. Okay? So what I don't get is how you make chords outta that. Someone wiser help me please?

Thanks, sj

Subject: RE: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: Jack (who is called Jack)
Date: 26 Oct 99 - 03:20 PM

I'll assume that what you are talking about is the Pentatonic five-tone scale, with a 'blue note' added between the third and fourth tones, that works so well creating melodies for blues.

I - flatIII - IV - flatV - V - flatVII

I have not studied this, so take this with a grain of salt.

One of the roots of the blues were african-american 'moans' and 'field hollers' that made extensive use of the modified pentatonic scale you describe. As the blues evolved musicians incorporated the melodic ideas from these songs and began to integrate them with traditional western harmonies based on the Tonic - subdominant - dominant chords. With some modifications, like the reliance on the flatted instead of the major 7th, they discovered a happy marraige between the modified pentatonic melodies and these chord progressions. They did not create the chords based on the pentatonic scale.

I suppose that some kind of harmony theory based on the pentatonic scale alone is possible. It may even be well know to real musicians, unlike myself. It would be its own system, and I imagine it would be somewhat spare, having far fewer notes and intervals to work with.

Best Regards

Subject: RE: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: Magpie
Date: 26 Oct 99 - 06:40 PM

Hi Stonejohn,

I recommend that you get yourself a book on the subject. One I can reccomend is Sara McQuaid's THE IRISH DADGAG GUITAR BOOK, on OSSIAN Publications, ISBN 0 946005 931.

She gives a very good explanation of how the chords are built. I mean, even I understood it!

Give it a try, it's a very good book, and it also features a lot of other information that is handy to a guitarplayer.

Magpie

Subject: RE: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: _gargoyle
Date: 26 Oct 99 - 11:07 PM

Ordered the book tonight....

Any cross-instrument-references are wonderful...It is amazing what can be found in "Voicings."...(all simple...and yet complex to an ear listening for nuances.)

Subject: RE: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: Stonejohn
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 12:29 PM

Thanks for your help. Jack (w.i.c.j.): I've heard that the diminished chord is also usable. Know anything about that?

magpie: Any idea where I can find that book? I live at the back end of nowhere you ever heard of.

Again, thanks for your help,

Stonejohn

Subject: RE: Chord req: betcha can do this
From: Magpie
Date: 27 Oct 99 - 03:04 PM

Well Stonejohn, I'm in Norway, so ...

But I hae the address of the publisher: OSSIAN PUBLICATIONS CO. LTD., P.O. Box 84, Cork, Ireland.

E-mail: [e-mail]

Internet: http://www.eirenet.net/ossian/

Besides, any bookstore with a hint of self respect would/should be helpful in ordering it. Just tell them the title and this number ISBN 0 946005 93 1.

As the title says, it's mainly Irish music in it, but the music theory-part is really god, no matter what kind of music you play.

Good luck, Magpie