Subject: RE: The three chord trick
From: Pip Radish - PM
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 07:03 AM

'Presumably there are some combinations of notes which sound so "different" that you'd never actually want to use them'

Well, just give it a try! For what it's worth, what really sounds discordant is two notes 1/2 step apart played simultaneously. However, even this is used fairly frequently, when playing major seventh chords. Harmony is all about resolving discords and the balance between consonance and dissonance (a bit like life, really).

" - just as (I seem to remember) there are a couple of modes which are more or less theoretical & have no real-world use"

Actually, I think it's just the locrian mode, which one can use when playing over a half-diminished seventh chord, although there are "spicier" variants (i.e., ones with more dissonance).

For what it's worth, what I've found to work best for me with respect to scales and modes is to learn all the major scales inside and out (as best one can) and otherwise to play by ear. However, I have practiced other scales (not modes so much, except for the natural minor scale) and it's fun and worthwhile, but learning to play by ear is more important, in my opinion.