Major scales over chords

Dear All,

If I am attempting to come up with a melody using the A major scale and the key of the song I am improvising over is in the Key of A will the A major Scale notes still sound good over the minor chords in the key of A? Or do you have to change the scale to account for these chords?

Also should you match the scale with the key of the song ? E.g. If song is in key of c, improvise using c major scale ?

Thanks

tim

Originally Posted by: Sleepers Hill

If I am attempting to come up with a melody using the A major scale and the key of the song I am improvising over is in the Key of A will the A major Scale notes still sound good over the minor chords in the key of A? Or do you have to change the scale to account for these chords?

The entire concept of a key signature is that all the chords in that key are built from the notes of one particular scale. If you want to use a chord that isn't in the key, or a series of notes that aren't, then you alter or adjust the scale you are using to incorporate that chord or those notes.

I don't know what your knowledge or skill level is. With that in mind you might want to have a look at these tutorials on the basic relationship between scales & chords.

Scales And Chords Relationships

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=426

Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=427

Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=428

Once you've got those concepts as a foundation, then you are ready for these tutorials on improvisation.

Introduction to Improvisation For Beginners

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876

Improvisation in a Major Key

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483

Improvisation in a Minor Key

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

And more! :) These tutorials are aimed at a classical guitar context. But, if you are curious about how scales & chords work in a compositional sense, then you might get something out of this tutorial on how melodies are essentially functional harmony in the context of a key signature.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=167

Mary Had a Little Lamb

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=166

Dear Christopher, [br][br]Thank you very much for the swift reply. That has really put my mind at ease. I am very new to the guitar and I am currently on Guitar Fundamentals two and I was chugging along nicely and then suddenly I had a complete overload of musical theory and became very confused.

However, thanks for putting me in the right direction and thank you for the great links to tutorials. I will check these out and will continue working my way through guitar fundamentals 2. [br][br]Thanks again! [br][br]Kind Regards [br][br]

Tim

You're welcome for the reply! Glad it helped.

Originally Posted by: Sleepers Hill[br]That has really put my mind at ease. I am very new to the guitar and I am currently on Guitar Fundamentals two and I was chugging along nicely and then suddenly I had a complete overload of musical theory and became very confused.
[/quote]

In general your music theory knowledge or learning should match pace with your technique & physical skills.

The GT course curriculums are all designed to give you a little theory, then a lot of practical application of that theory. I know it can get overwhelming at times, with so much to learn! But hang in there & be patient with yourself.

[quote=Sleepers Hill]

However, thanks for putting me in the right direction and thank you for the great links to tutorials. I will check these out and will continue working my way through guitar fundamentals 2.

Thanks for letting me know where you are in the process. I encourage you to continue working through GF2. The tutorial links I gave you can wait. Or if you have time they can be a great suppliment to the course.

Please ask more questions when you have them & best of success!