This track is a very dark, atmospheric track featuring all synthesizer sounds. The track is just variations of a Dm9 chord. The key is D minor and since there is just one chord and no changes its wide open for creative soloing options.
This track is all about the sounds, textures, and what mood you want to create. Try to come up with melodic licks that can be repeated and varied. Leave lots of space and try to catch the vibe of the track.
Remember that with any mode or scale it’s not enough just to know the scale shape, you also have to know how to use the scale and apply it in a musical situation. Application is key, so keep studying the relationships between chords and scales and how they are applied musically.
- For soloing over this track with a bluesy sound try D Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales:
D Minor Pentatonic & Blues Scale – D, F, G, Ab, A, C
(see all the scales diagrammed out in the written lessons section of this series)
- Key point for minor key soloing, and burn this one into your brain. When playing over all the chords in minor key, what “relates to all”, you can always use Natural Minor Scales, (Aeolian Mode), UNLESS there is a major IV chord or a minor ii chord, in those cases use the Dorian Mode. For more on that read the “Minor Key Soloing” written lessons in the written lessons section of this series.
- So try D Natural Minor, (Aeolian Mode), to exude a sad, modern, and dark sound. The Aeolian Mode is a seven-note scale often used in blues, rock, jazz, and many other musical genres. It is also called Natural Minor or Pure Minor.
Aeolian is considered a minor mode and is always the 6th mode in any major key. Aeolian produces a sad, dark, and mournful sound that is different than minor pentatonic and Dorian. It adds melodic half steps and more lick and string bending avenues than Minor Pentatonic.
Natural Minor scales sound great over minor chords. And, at times, you can also use Natural Minor over all the chords in a minor key progression, more on that in the written lessons section.
If you are not familiar with Natural Minor you can use the concept of major vs. relative minor to play major scales. Every major key has a relative minor key that has exactly the same notes in it. So you can use that to your advantage. The relative major of D minor is F major. D natural minor scales have the exact same notes as F major scales:
D Natural Minor = D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C
F Major = F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E
(Same notes - just emphasize the root of the mode, D)
So if you know some major scales or just more familiar with major scales, play F major scales but start on and emphasize the D notes and it will then become D Natural Minor. This is the crux of playing in the modes.
- Also try both and mix D Minor Pentatonic & Blues with D Natural Minor, (D Aeolian mode). You can create killer sounds going between the five-note Pentatonic scale and the seven note Minor scale.
- The Dorian mode also sounds great over Minor chords. I prefer to use Aeolian, (Natural Minor) in this jam but try Dorian and see how it sounds to your ears. Remember it’s all about the sounds and moods that you want to create.
The Dorian Mode is a seven-note scale often used in blues, rock, and many other musical genres. Dorian is considered a minor mode and is always the 2nd mode in any major key.
Dorian produces a mystical, minor sound that is a bit sweeter than Aeolian. There is only one note difference between Dorian and Aeolian – the 6th note:
Dorian Mode = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7
Aeolian Mode = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7
Remember that Dorian is the second mode in any major key. So to play D Dorian in this jam we have to ask what major scales 2nd note is a D note. The answer is C. C major has the same notes as D Dorian:
D Dorian = D, E, F, G, A, B, C
C Major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B
(Same notes – just emphasize the root of the mode, D.)
So try playing all your C Major scales but start on and emphasize the D notes and you will be playing in D Dorian. Give it a try and get creative!
There are no other chords in this track but variations of D minor. So you don't have to worry about other chords and chord changes. As stated above try D Minor Pentatonic & Blues, D Natural Minor, (same as F Major), and D Dorian, (same as C Major). Also try D minor and F major type arpeggios. And remember when soloing modally to always emphasize the root of the mode, in this case, the D notes.
To learn more about the modes and modal playing be sure to read the written lessons on Modal Playing in the written lessons section of this series – fun stuff!
Now put on the track and just get lost in it – and remember………your playing is an evolution!