Root Notes

[tomtom]

okay, so i know that for a E major chord, the root note is E, but what about E minor, or E seventh, or E major 7?

[ebe9]

They are all "E" hence the name: e7 or e minor.

The "E" identifies it.

[tomtom]

so if i'm following my guitarist, and he plays an Em chord, i'll just play an E?

also, if a song is in a minor key, are major chords still use-able?

[ebe9]

Yes, you can just play the E.

You can still use the major chord, but it would be better to use the E-minor scale.

Basically when one is playing a chord, they are playing 3 notes out of a particular scale (be it major, minor, etc.)

Basically have a hunt around in the resources section to try and dig up some scale charts, that way you can learn the "shapes" for each of the scales and use the appropriate one depending on what the song calls for.

[tomtom]

i know my scales, tis just that i've given a gitarist friend a song to write for, and he was curious as to which chords to use.

the song is in E minor, and yeah, he was wondering whether to use minor or major chords

[ebe9]

so if i'm following my guitarist, and he plays an Em chord, i'll just play an E?

also, if a song is in a minor key, are major chords still use-able?

Let me actually fill that out a bit more.

A chord is a collection of 3 or more notes played at the same time out of a particular scale.

What you would be looking at is what notes make up a scale, they will vary depending on the scale.

So when your guitarist is playing a E Minor chord, look at the notes within the E Minor scale and work with those.

Genral rule ofthumb is to use the 1st (root) 3rd, 5th and perhaps 7th.



Best idea would be to pick up a copy of "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It is a very good book and covers right from the basics up to more advanced concepts and provides good coverage of theory.

[ebe9]

i know my scales, tis just that i've given a gitarist friend a song to write for, and he was curious as to which chords to use.

the song is in E minor, and yeah, he was wondering whether to use minor or major chords

If the song is in E Minor then he would be using minor chords.


But, here is the great thing. Have a look at the notes withing the E Minor Scale and you can utilise those as well in Major or Minor format.

The best bet is always to listen to what you come up with and what sounds good, then go on from there.

[Aukai]

if its E minor he plays an E minor chord...

[tomtom]

okay, thanks guys, all i wanted to know

[Low_End_Communications]

Your song may be in a minor key, but there will be major chords that fit in that key. Of course, E major certainly isn't one of them, but I can think of G maj, D maj, C and maybe others. The notes are still in that scale. Tell him to start learning about chord progressions, it'll help a lot when you guys are writing songs.

[PainKiller8191]

i like how the B7 chord sounds over an Emin scale