Finding a scale around G#, A, and A#

[RmoniK]

I have never facepalmed as much when reading this forum than with this topic. Seriously.

Alistair, really? So even if it sounds good, you'll stop, just because you're not capable of explaining it in music theory?

And it's NOT. Eb blues. Just because that's the only scale that you know of that fits the notes, doesn't make it that. The root note is one of those 3 notes, and i'm guessing A, since 50 percent of dubstep tunes use chromatic progressions from the root note. (the middle one)

Stop being all theoretic and go make some fucking music. This is starting to get ridiculous.

OP, if you still have troubles figuring it out, post a clip of your bassline.

[Mad_EP]

It's just simple chromaticism... not a specific key.


You can make a couple different keys work - usually around the root.

- If your progression is G# A A#... then the most likely the root appear to be G#, in which case you could probably base the rest of the key in G# minor, where the (natural minor) scale is G# A# B C# D# E F# G#. In that system, the A in your bassline is really a G-doublesharp (Gx).. which on a keyboard will be the same as A, but G-doublesharp would be the correct enharmonic name.

- If your bassline is A A# G# A (or something similar).. then with the root being A, the most likely key would be A minor, but probably being played with harmonic minor scale which would be A B C D E F G# A. In that system the A# is still an A#

- It really would only be G minor if your bassline was G G# A Bb (same on the keyboard as A# but Bb is already in the key of G minor) and the scale would be G A Bb C D Eb F G.


**edit: of course, again - all this is theoretical. G# A A# could work in A minor (with a harmonic minor scale) - there is no reason the 7th can't be the start of the bassline. It isn't often done, but that doesn't mean it can't be done if set up right. How the pitches fit rhythmically can have an effect on what key it is etc as well. Music theory doesn't write the music for you, it just helps narrow down some possibilities if you are lost at sea.

[ascent]

Why don't you just play some notes until it sounds good init

[benjam]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ3GreS0pwg/T ... Bmusic.jpg

If you cant follow this then gtfo

[Alistairr]

my advice is screw the track and start again, this time remember ur mistake and make the next track more chord friendly.

Leading one from this, how do you all begin composing a bassline or melody? Do you have a scale in mind then start feeling your way around?

I know two keys off the top of my head. C# minor and G# major.

However the stuff I'm attempting is a lot darker, so a lot of my progressions are based around very small intervals. Should I just look up scales that cater to this or what?

I'm not confident enough to just play it by ear, and would rather be sticking to a recognised key/scale, even if it is a bit more exotic and out there.

i have definitely a chord in mind when i compose a melody or bassline, i tend to play by ear, i no some chords and scales, but im not as clued up as the others theres no need to be in my opinion, (fair play if u do ) to no ur chromatic harmonic appagegio in gminor 7th lol, keep it simple, dont try and make it this great masterpiece cause u will fail.

[djbmc]

I think ppl need to remember that music came first and scales and keys were developed to help explain why some notes sound good together and others don't, of course if you're having trouble moving your sequence of notes onwards and want some kind of scale to work in then you're right to try and figure it out. That doesn't mean that what you're playing are all notes within a standard western scale, it could be a plain diatonic progression.

There are also things such as auxiliary notes and passing notes that may explain it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonchord_tone

[.onelove.]

How do you know what the root note is?

I've never understood for instance, why A minor is supposedly different to C major, when they're using the same notes? How would you be able to tell one from the other.

[Zkeeto]

Thanks guys I will def try these methods. Some of them are still confusing to me but I'm gettin a better understanding of it all. I really appreciate all the informative help with this guys.

Eat bass- I will post it soon but I'm still in the process
of shaping the sound

[Alistairr]

[.onelove.]

What?

[RmoniK]

the root note is what your whole tune is made around. (if there is no modulating)

It's the one note that you can keep playing over the entire tune without it sounding weird.

[mks]

The root note is the tonic or one of the chord that you are in "At the Moment". In Jazz, you usually have many chords in a tune, you are not just staying on one root note for your whole tune. The root note is often played by the bass and the rest of the instruments form the chord around that.

You should base the scale that you use off of the key of the moment, however long that may be.

I agree with Mad EP about the chromaticism. I probably wouldn't just use one scale for that progression. It also depends on where those notes fall on the beat, whether it is a strong beat or a weak beat. This is where you would use your passing tones, meaning that you play outside of the scale. This usually happens on a weak beat.

Also, Hypefiend, with those Major and Minor modes you posted up. The V will be a Dominant not a Major. For a chord to be a Major chord, it must have the sharp 7th. That is what gives a Major chord it's sound. Chords can really be broken down to Major, Minor and Dominant. All chords will be some sort form of these. It really depends on what the 3rd and the 7th are doing. My jazz teacher used to tell me that if you had to break any chord down to just two notes, play the 3rd and 7th as those will describe what type of chord it is.

[wearecorsairs]

this is a funny thread
just make a tune innit

[mks]

this is a funny thread
just make a tune innit

Yeah, maybe put some drums in that tune and maybe a bassline. You should add some chords maybe, perhaps a melody. How about a riser? That would be funny...

[wearecorsairs]

in what tune?
i'll do whatever i want with my tune thankyou very much

[wearecorsairs]

rather just get it remixed by someone big when we have all the basic stems finished tbh, got enough tunes on the go!

[Artie_Fufkin]

Use the twelve tone system to make all of your tunes. All of them. Forget what everyone here is telling you and just do that. That's what Rillex does.

[mks]

F F# G G# A A# B C C# D D# E

These are all of the notes that you really need to use. Don't worry about the other ones...

[hifi]

chromatic scale

[wearecorsairs]

dunno if it worked any better

Soundcloud