Part II
What else, besides chords, can we do with intervals?
Now that you have a basic understanding of the concept, I can introduce you to some new scale sounds.
So far, we have been concentrating on the major scale, yet there is a lot of great music that is based on minor sounds as well.
So, let's learn a minor scale.
The most commonly used minor scale is constructed of the intervals 1 - 2 - b3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7 - 8.
In the key of C, that would give us C - D - Eb - F - G - Ab - Bb - C.
This scale is so common, that it is usually refered to as "the" minor scale (just like "the" major scale).
Each new scale that you learn should be approached in the same fashion as when you first learned the major scale:
Start by working out the intervals up and down each string.
Once you're comfortable with where the notes are, practice the scale along with the pedal tone MIDI, paying particular attention to the sound of the scale. This is very important. As you aquire new scales, you need to become familiar with the "flavor" that distinguishes each one from the rest. It's helpful to assign some sort of adjective to the sound of the scale, eg., sad, happy, wierd, spacey, scary, bluesy etc... This way, you will be able to draw on a particular scale, because you want to create a certain "mood". This is also helpful in determining what scale is being used by another player.
Once you get comfortable with the sound of the scale, play the chord progression MIDI and begin improvising with the new scale.
This lesson is divided into six parts:
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