What scale could be used for this progression? Em C D B

~~Lord Larehip~~ · 02-04-2015, 08:16 AM

The scale is E minor:

E F# G A B C D E

It's the same as G major--the F is sharped in both cases. Again, the key is E minor or G major (the signature of both look the same). All the key signature really tells you is what scale you're using. You can't play any other scale over this or will be out of tune. Maybe you meant mode. Which mode you use depends on the effect you want. Try Dorian--that's always a good one:

F# G A B C D E F#

But it's the same thing, you say? It's just starting in a different spot? Aye, that it is. But the relationships between the note positions are different. Notice in the E minor scale listed above (called Ionian mode), for example, that the first two positions are E and F# which is a whole step. Now look at 1 and 2 in the Dorian mode: F# and G, which are a half-step apart. Yes, that makes a difference.

Or you can play in Ionian mode and let the bass play in Dorian. We do that in jazz a lot.

Have fun.

02-04-2015, 08:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
~~Lord Larehip~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 899	The scale is E minor: E F# G A B C D E It's the same as G major--the F is sharped in both cases. Again, the key is E minor or G major (the signature of both look the same). All the key signature really tells you is what scale you're using. You can't play any other scale over this or will be out of tune. Maybe you meant mode. Which mode you use depends on the effect you want. Try Dorian--that's always a good one: F# G A B C D E F# But it's the same thing, you say? It's just starting in a different spot? Aye, that it is. But the relationships between the note positions are different. Notice in the E minor scale listed above (called Ionian mode), for example, that the first two positions are E and F# which is a whole step. Now look at 1 and 2 in the Dorian mode: F# and G, which are a half-step apart. Yes, that makes a difference. Or you can play in Ionian mode and let the bass play in Dorian. We do that in jazz a lot. Have fun.