Writing a Song

afarid

When writing a song in the key of "G" can I use the E major or a A major chord even if it is not in the key of G. And if I can than which key do I solo in.
I would appreciate it of you guys can help me out.

Thanks

moster78

afarid wrote:

When writing a song in the key of "G" can I use the E major or a A major chord even if it is not in the key of G. And if I can than which key do I solo in.
I would appreciate it of you guys can help me out.

Thanks

Although A and E are in G Major, if I remember enough of my music theory, they're not major chords, but minor.

You can solo in either G major, or the relative minor, which is E minor. Hope this helps.

afarid

Can I use A major and E major in the key of G major

moster78

afarid wrote:

Can I use A major and E major in the key of G major

I don't think so. Here's the scale of G Major: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G

Now while A and E are in there, they're in the ii and vi positions. From what I remember, the chords in a key go like this. Anything in caps in major, lowercase minor, and since its major, the seventh, F# in this instance is diminished.

I-ii-iii-IV-V-vi-vii*-I

So you have G major, A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F# diminished, and then back to G major.

Again, I hope this makes sense and I'm not just talking out of my ass.

afarid

Thanks man, and you are not talking out of your ass. However what do you make of songs like "alive" which has E, G, D, A all major chords in the chrous. Are they playing in different keys.

surferdude

afarid wrote:

When writing a song in the key of "G" can I use the E major or a A major chord even if it is not in the key of G. And if I can than which key do I solo in.
I would appreciate it of you guys can help me out.

Thanks

My 2 cents is that if you are writing a rock song then who cares. Write what you feel and think sounds good. One of the beauties of rock and roll is that there are no rules.

moster78

afarid wrote:

Thanks man, and you are not talking out of your ass. However what do you make of songs like "alive" which has E, G, D, A all major chords in the chrous. Are they playing in different keys.

Aside from all the theory, I should've just said, if it sounds good, do it!

Pearl Jam and toast

surferdude wrote:

My 2 cents is that if you are writing a rock song then who cares. Write what you feel and think sounds good. One of the beauties of rock and roll is that there are no rules.

^^^

Monster is correct in all of that stuff but i have to agree with surferdude.


Some of the most effective solos in rock music are during parts of the song that change key ("Don't Fear The Reaper" - B.O.C., "Driven To Tears" - The Police, I think Rhinocerous by the Smashing Pumpkins all come to mind).

Novawind

moster78 wrote:

I don't think so. Here's the scale of G Major: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G

Now while A and E are in there, they're in the ii and vi positions. From what I remember, the chords in a key go like this. Anything in caps in major, lowercase minor, and since its major, the seventh, F# in this instance is diminished.

I-ii-iii-IV-V-vi-vii*-I

So you have G major, A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F# diminished, and then back to G major.

Again, I hope this makes sense and I'm not just talking out of my ass.

You just tied a whole lot of loose ends in my music theory knowledge. Thanks!

moster78

Novawind wrote:

You just tied a whole lot of loose ends in my music theory knowledge. Thanks!

You're welcome. But really, thank wikipedia for clarifying everything I thought I remembered.

armanHammer

Disregard all this theory for a moment and just listen. Do you like it?!