Key question


Mglambo
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
Mglambo
Full Access
Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
01/14/2019 5:00 am

Was jamming with friends today. One of the guys started playing a blues tune and said "just 2 chords on this one...D and E.

I got the nod for a lead and started playing in D major pentatonic. It sounded ok but not great.

After the song ended the guy said. "you know that song was in A."

So my question...in this case since the 2 chords were back to back, should I have figured that those were the 4 and 5 chords and the key was A, even though there was no A (or root) ever played? Thanks!


# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
01/14/2019 12:24 pm
Originally Posted by: Mglambo

So my question...in this case since the 2 chords were back to back, should I have figured that those were the 4 and 5 chords and the key was A, even though there was no A (or root) ever played? Thanks!

Any time you are improvising (soloing) you should be aware of the key signature & the chord progression, then build melodies.

You can just solo over each chord as it occurs. And sometimes that's the only way to handle an unusual chord progression. For example, if one or more chords aren't in the same key signature.

So in this case it would have been fine to play D major pentatonic while the D was happening. But as soon as the E arrives it's time to adjust! For example, to E major pentatonic, or mixolydian.

Also, in that particular case just playing as if you are in the key of A major isn't going to work, because that's more of an ambiguous modal chord sequence that never resolves to a tonic. So maybe some blues licks in A major or minor pentatonic that outline the IV & V chords.

But that's a non-standard progression. It's best to know how to solo over a complete chord progression that has a full structure & resolves. Then you are better able to adjust to a special case like that one.

I have a whole series of 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

Improvisation in a Major Key Series 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2318

Improvisation in a Minor Key Series 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2329

And these that focus on soloing over chord changes with blues licks might be helpful also!

Major Notes In Minor Pentatonic 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217

Major Notes In Minor Pentatonic 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232

Hope that helps! Please ask more if necessary! Best of success!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
Mglambo
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Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
Mglambo
Full Access
Joined: 10/22/18
Posts: 26
01/14/2019 3:52 pm

Thanks Christopher....as usual it's a little complicated ....I'll definitely check out those lessons!


# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
01/15/2019 3:19 pm
Originally Posted by: Mglambo

Thanks Christopher....as usual it's a little complicated ....I'll definitely check out those lessons!

You're welcome! Take it one step at a time. It can be overwhelming considered all at once. But if you just tackle it in manageable segments, you'll find it's very easy to graudally understand & apply.


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 4

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