When to flatten and when not to?
Hi David,
While I understand why one plays the F7 on the 1 and 5 chord (as availability of the 7th note is problematic and the F7 has a bluesey sound), I don't understand why you would chose to flatten a note when the scale note is freely available and arguably easier to play e.g B (3rd of the 1 and 7th of the 4 chord)? Especially given that the overiding music principle is to stick to the notes of the chords that the band is playing wherever possible?
I guess my question is:- is there any logical 'rules of the road' as to when to flatten and when not to or is it simply discretionary in terms of whenever the flattened note sounds more bluesey. For instance are there any 5th notes that should be flattened across the 1,4,5 chords?
Thanks,
Ravi
Thanks David. That makes sense now and I think I understand. When playing blues are there any 5th notes that are commonly flattened within the i, IV, V progression. Latly, would you recommend any lesson I go back and recap on? I have been through the music theory and improv lessons but maybe there is one in particular that I should refresh on?
Many thanks,
Ravi
Yes Ravi, the flat-5th, flat-3rd, and flat-7th are all part of the blues scale. When a song is dark/bluesy, those are good notes.
A player typically plays the blues scale in the key of the song (G blues scale when in the key of G for example), and then emphasizes the notes of the chord they're playing over.
Another way to approach the use of the blues scale is to use the I7 Chord blues scale (G), IV7 Chord blues scale (C), and V7 Chord blues scale (D) when on those chords. This is less typical, and can carry more disonant possibilities.
This is all covered in the Music Theory lessons on the site, as well as the Improvising Studies.
Hello Ravi.
The Dominant 7th Chord is the chord typically played by the band in the blues. That's a major triad with a 7th added a minor 3rd from the 5th (or a minor 7th from the Root).
To play B over the IV7 Chord, where the band is playing Bb, is very discordant... a note to avoid.
If the band is playing very light (not bluesy), the flat-7th should be avoided (the note will sound wrong).
So, if the band is playing bluesy, a flat-7th is in play, so you will want to match them by playing it. If the band is playing light (typically meaning that the band is playing a triad with a major-6th), then the flat-7th will sound dissonant in the context of that lighter feel.
In regards to flatting other notes (like the flat-3rd of the blues scale), again it's based on how bluesy the band is playing... from bluesy to minor, the blues scale will sound real good, so use that. If the band is playing light, don't play the blues scale, use the major pentatonic scale.
So, in all cases, it's what the band plays that influences what you play.