This track features a very dark and atmospheric slow two-chord change. Not a lot of chord movement in this jam, which leans toward melodic and expressive playing over each chord. When soloing, leave lots of space and really work the notes and be expressive.
What relates to all:
- Since we are in minor key we can utilize B Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales over both chords.
B Minor Pentatonic & Blues: B, D, E, F, F#, A
(see all the scales diagrammed out in the written lessons section of this series)
- Furthermore, we can usually solo with a minor mode over all the chords when soloing in minor key. That mode is usually either Aeolian or Dorian and to find out which you have to analyze the chords.
If we analyze the chords we see that there is no major IV chord and no minor ii chord so we can also utilize B Natural Minor scales over both chords as those scales “relate to all”.
If you are not familiar with Natural Minor you can use the concept of major vs. relative minor and play major scales. Every major key has a relative minor key that has exactly the same notes in it. The relative major of B minor is D major. B Natural Minor scales have the exact same notes as D Major scales:
B Natural Minor = B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A
D Major = D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#
(Same notes – just emphasize the root of the mode, B.)
Play all your D Major scales but focus on and emphasize the B notes for B Natural Minor, (B Aeolian). Start on and resolve licks to the B notes as well as other strong chord tones within both chords.
Treat each chord as a separate event:
- Over the Bm11 chord try some B minor type arpeggios and over the Asus2 chord try some A major type arpeggios.
- Also over JUST the B minor chord you can play B Dorian. The Dorian mode sounds great over minor chords. 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.
Since Dorian is the second mode in any major key, to play B Dorian in this jam we have to ask what major scales 2nd note is a B note. The answer is A. A Major has the same notes as B Dorian:
B Dorian = B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A
A Major = A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#
(Same notes – just emphasize the root of the mode, B.)
Try playing A major scales but start on and emphasize the B notes and you will be playing in B Dorian. Give it a try and get creative with these modal techniques!
You can also try some A major pentatonic and A major triads over the A chord.
A Major Pentatonic = A, B, C#, E, F#
- Just remember that when treating each chord as a separate event you have to be very aware when the chord change so you can change scales appropriately. Don’t get caught playing the wrong scale or arpeggio over the wrong chord as often that may not sound very good.
- Mix them all up, combine, vary, be melodic, and get creative with them. Remember…..it’s all about the sounds and moods you want to create and what sounds best to your ears. So go for it and swing for the fences!