9. The following chord progressions are very common and create a feeling of movement.
Progression 1.
A minor, A minor major seventh, A minor seventh, A minor sixth (also called D ninth first inversion).
The above progression sometimes has the additional chords: F major, E major or E dominant seventh. Usually one scale is used over ALL these chords. The most common scale choice is A minor pentatonic which is: A,C, D, E, G, A. (R, b3, 4, 5, b7, R/8)
This avoids having to change scale types for each chord.
But for those who want to change the scale for each chord over Am play:
A Dorian minor = A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7, R/8)
A Natural minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, R/8)
Over Am maj7 play:
A Harmonic minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7, 8/R)
A Melodic minor = A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, 7, R/8)
Over Am7 play:
A Dorian minor = A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7, R/8)
A Natural minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, R/8)
Over Am6 play:
A Dorian minor = A, B, C, D, E, F#, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7, R/8)
Over F major play:
A Natural minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7, R/8)
Over E major or E dominant seventh play:
A Harmonic minor = A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A (R, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, 7, 8/R)
A Mixolydian = A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A (R, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7, R/8)
Progression 2.
Am, Am7, D/F# (D major first inversion) Fmaj
Over Am, Am7, D major play A dorian.
Over F major play A natural minor.
Progression 3.
Am, G maj, F maj, E7
Over Am, G, F, play A natural minor
Over E major or E dominant seventh play A mixolydian A, B, C#,D, E, F#, G, A
Fifth mode of D major scale. Or play A harmonic minor starting on the E or fifth scale degree.
(Phrygian Dominant - Mode 5 of Harmonic Minor)
Progression 4.
Am, Am#5, Am6, Am7.
Over A minor and A minor sharp fifth (flat 6th) play A natural minor.
Over Aminor sixth and A minor seventh play A doian minor.
Progression 5.
A maj, Amaj#5, Amaj6, A7.
Over A major play the A major scale (A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#,A)
Over the A major sharp fifth play the F# harmonic minor scale (Ionian #5 - Mode 3 of Harmonic Minor) F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E#(F), F#
Record the given examples with the indicated scales using quarter then eighth notes.
Remember you can record the chord progressions or have a friend play them.
Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.
All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
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