Probably a basic theory question (blues)

[Mjark]

Here's really simple chord tone move. In a dominant blues if you play the major third of the I and go one fret up on the beat as it changes to IV it sounds really cool. In C it would be E to F.

[122 Vega]

Originally Posted by Mjark

Here's really simple chord tone move. In a dominant blues if you play the major third on the I and go one fret up on the beat as it changes to IV it sounds really cool. In C it would be E to F.

I'll have to look into that once I know what a dominant blues and a Major third are!

[122 Vega]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzxAhS1CI3I

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by Mike Simpson

I know the "theory people" will beat me about the head and face with a bat for saying this.... But, for some styles of music, too much theory can have a negative effect on how " musical " a player sounds. The " theory player " can begin to have a sound that primarily appeals to other music theorists.

I call bull****...

I hear a lot of unmusical players who can't play very well, and obviously don't know any theory either. (you know the ones, they play in the same "box" for every solo...)

[klasaine]

Originally Posted by Mjark

Here's really simple chord tone move. In a dominant blues if you play the major third of the I and go one fret up on the beat as it changes to IV it sounds really cool. In C it would be E to F.

Or go down one fret to Eb - the b7 of F. Very hip, very common.

[Mjark]

"I'll have to look into that once I know what a dominant blues and a Major third are!"

All blues that's not minor is dominant. I'm not much of theorist but what little I have managed to learn has been helpful to me. Learn the major scale, everything derives from it. The major 3d is the third degree - Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do. All chords have a Root, Do a 3rd, Mi and a 5th, So. Blues needs 4 part harmony and here it gets a little strange, in a I IV V each chord is dominant and has a 7th Ti. A domnant 7th is flatted.

Sticking with the C scale, C D E F G A B C the B or 7th becomes Bb. I would suggest before you start lessons that are solely about Blues or or any kind of music you learn the major scale and how to harmonize it. You'll get a lot more from what you turn to afterwards.

[jbmando]

The "books" call a blues in which the I, IV and V chords all have the b7 a dominant blues, as opposed to just playing the triads for I and IV.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by jbmando

The "books" call a blues in which the I, IV and V chords all have the b7 a dominant blues, as opposed to just playing the triads for I and IV.

I always found that strange. Playing a 7th on the one & four sounds funny and I rarely hear that in actual songs.

But if you look at most of your basic piano/guitar/vocal song books, they seem to make most of the guitar chords 7th's for some reason.

[klasaine]

Originally Posted by greggorypeccary

I always found that strange. Playing a 7th on the one & four sounds funny and I rarely hear that in actual songs.

But if you look at most of your basic piano/guitar/vocal song books, they seem to make most of the guitar chords 7th's for some reason.

Because it's so common to have the 7th somewhere in the band, even if the guitar isn't necessarily playing it. The overall tonality is dominant.
Here's a good example: Freddie may not ever play an actual '7th' chord voicing but he certainly implies dom7 with the licks behind/between the vox as well as his vocal melody and the keys players are constantly hitting and emphasizing the '7th'.
*I rarely hear (dominant) Blues as being only triads on the I and IV.

[Mjark]

Someone is playing the 7th. Often the bass player covers it. Most blues bass figures contain the dominant 7th.

[Mjark]

Oops! Ken got here before me. He's more credible anyway.

[greggorypeccary]

I was referring specifically to guitarists hitting the 7th chord voicing. I agree that someone is often playing it, especially with piano and horns in the band.

So I guess you answered my eternal question of why music books always make the guitar chords 7th's.

I've alway had the philosophy that if other players are hitting all those other notes, it's best for the guitar to keep it simple.

[Mjark]

I use 7ths all the time, 3 notes without the 5th.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by Mjark

I use 7ths all the time, 3 notes without the 5th.

Me too, well, sometimes, I guess. Other times 9th chords, or simple triads. It depends on the song and we need to mix it up so as to not get bored.

But I haven't played blues much for a few years anyways....

[binkydognose]

Theory discussions remind me of computer programing. I read them anyway. Learn songs OP, feeling first. Learn theory as your temperament allows. The boxes could be all you ever need.

[klasaine]

I'm surrounded by assassins.

[jbmando]

I don't know why some of y'all even read this forum.

[klasaine]

Those that ridicule the striving towards excellence are usually very successful at achieving mediocrity.

[binkydognose]

Ridicule?! Apologies if I came off that way because I truly admire you theory savvy. But sometimes you guys walk the line between inspiration and intimidation (*to me*). The OP asked a simple question.

[Seasicksailor]

Stop arguing and answer my question in the thread next down!