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What scales with this progression?


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Posted

You got some options. It's helpful if you understand the relationship of chords to scales. Then it will be easier to understand.

 

But rather than get involved in that (you can research it on your own on Google) let's try to keep it simple.

 

The chord progression you listed is in the key of C.

 

Since it starts on the C chord you could play the C major scale. You could also play the A natural minor (C major scale starting at A note). Am is a substitute for C-major. Try it.

 

You could also play Am pentatonic which will give you a very familiar rock vibe.

 

You could try the other pentatonics like Em pentatonic or Dm pentatonic. You may or may not like the sounds.

 

You could also play C-blues scale.

 

You can mix your scales going from one to another during your solo. Experiment.

 

Use your ear to follow the chord changes throughout your scales. This takes some practice. Jam over your progression and listen.

 

Think of your solo as a melody you are creating spontaneously.

 

Those are some options. Have fun. Make music.

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Posted

....playing through those chords, the obvious scales to use to me sound like the Cmajor scale + Cmajor/Aminor pentatonic. If we look at the notes in the chords:

C = C E G
Am = A C E
Em = E G B
G = G B D

Write all those notes out = A B C D E G which are all in the Cmajor scale plus contain both the Cmajor pentatonic and Aminor pentatonic

there are other options, but this is the simplest.

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Posted

> C - Am - Em - G

The gennation approved method gives :
C = C E G
Am = A C E
Em = E G B
G = G B D

Removing duplicates, you have a set of notes made of CDEGAB.

Obviously the Cmajor scale (CDEFGAB) would fit, your progression being I vi iii V in the key of C major. C major pentatonic would of course do (it is made of C D E G A) and the use of B could help you resolve to the C chord (B is the leading tone to C) at the end. You could use Em pentatonic(EGABD) / G major pentatonic (GABDE) on the last two chords.

But in reality any note would fit if you like some dissonance ...

Hope that helps.

Edit: sorry for the duplicate answer, I was typing while others were posting.

  • Members
Posted

Thanks a lot to all of you. I'm new at this and I know a little theory goes a long way, but I've been spending way to much time analyzing what I should try to play before even trying. I'm just ready to play my guitar.

Thanks :thu:

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