How do you find what key a solo is in? Specifically, if anyone is familiar with the song, I'm working on "Glad" by the Wood Brothers. It sounds like it's something in E but I can't quite figure out exactly what scale.
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How do you find what key a solo is in? Specifically, if anyone is familiar with the song, I'm working on "Glad" by the Wood Brothers. It sounds like it's something in E but I can't quite figure out exactly what scale.
There will be four Sharps in E: F#, G#, C#, & D#. That's for E maJor. But, it's easier to tell by what "maJor" chords are in the song. So if it is in E, you'll have E, A, & B major chords. You'll need to analyze the chord structure to get the key. Also, watch for modulations, like a V/V chord. In E you'd sub an F# instead of an f#, then resolve to B.
I know this may seem difficult, but music theory is pretty easy once you learn the basic rules.
The main chords in the verses are E7, A7, and G#7....I think.
The chorus has other weird chords that I haven't tried putting a name too yet (other than what I think are a few 7th chords). It walks some chords up the fretboard and back a couple times with some weird chords.
total E for that one.
Tug, not just the key but the mode as well. Or is it a bebop, pentatonic, Hungarian minor scale?
Just use your ear. Without gettign realy overcomplicated, if a song is in G the solo scale could easily be C since the G sacle has one sharp (F#). So if it's a G7 chord you flat the 7th tone, the F#, and now you have no sharps - the C scale ( all the white keys.)
So, just use your ear to figure it out. The rest will come with time.
Chuck
So far I'm thinking it might be in whatever mode in E that's the equivalent of the D major scale. I haven't gotten all the way through the solo yet so I could be mistaken. There could be a raised or lowered note in there that's throwing me off.
I do think it's something in E though.
Unless I am listening to the wrong song, the solo is over and E7/A7 groove and he is playing pretty straightforward minor/major pentatonic blues. I suggest that you learn the solo, note for note, and figure out the technical details later. That can be a good learning experience.
That's probably the right song, and I'll probably be taking your advice. Last time I practiced that song I spent too long trying to figure out the scale and only got through the first part of it. It's not difficult to get note for note.
tug, that's the way to go. Remember this: theory explains practise. That is to say, theory explains what we already do. No one came up with a particular theory of music out of thin air which then dictated how he would write (well, Schoenberg did, but let's not go there.). We play and improvise according to conventions that developed over a long period of time, but most good players violate those rules all the time. Of course, if you know the basic pattern - what is "supposed" to happen - then it is easier to figure out the little excursions a good player takes.Quote:
Originally Posted by tugboat
Knowing the particular scale or mode in which a solo is played can help you figure it out, but don't expect that players always conform exactly to the scale. If a player's style really interests you, then try to learn bits and pieces or full solos, note for note. You may discover that he is playing in a particular mode but breaks the rules in consistent ways, and that knowledge will really add to your own playing. Get some software that allows you to slow down a solo, and pick it out note for note. You will learn a lot.
If you have any related questions, feel free to send me a PM.
Great advice Dr!!! My second theory instructor in college taught that same tenant of musical understanding. The basic principle of Zen, learn everything you can and then forget it.
Great advice Doc! Thank you very much! It makes sense too. Sometimes I get caught up in trying to understand things and forget to just play and have fun.
I used to use a freeware application called "Best Practice." You could slow the song down without changing the pitch. Additionally, you could slow the song down AND change the pitch - useful for hearing - and learning - Robert Johnson in the correct keys. And you could pitch shift a song just slightly without slowing down - useful for songs where you are just a few cents off because the varispeeded the tape when tracking or mixing/mastering.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc W
I use Capo for that. It's been useful for Van Halen so far cause I'm too lazy to tune down.