This is a fun jam track in the key of D that has a lot of dynamics. So you can really bring the playing intensity up with your soloing as the track changes intensity. There is also a lot of different soloing avenues to try over this jam.
With this jam you can get both major and minor tonalities utilizing Pentatonics. Technically this jam is in the key of D major. But because it’s a rock jam and there are power chords you can also treat it with minor devices if you want that dark minor bluesy vibe.
As with many rock styles Minor Pentatonic and Blues is one choice over all the chords. Many players go to minor pentatonic first as its one of the most common scales utilized in most musical genres.
D Minor Pentatonic & Blues – D, F, G, Ab, A, C
(See all the scales diagrammed out in the written lessons section of this series.)
For a sweeter and happier sound try D Major Pentatonic over all the chords. D Major Pentatonic is the same as B Minor Pentatonic. D Major and B Minor are relative major and minor and consist of the same notes:
D Major = D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#
B Natural Minor = B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A
If you tend to think more in terms of Minor Pentatonic or just know those shapes then play all your B Minor Pentatonic scales, but start on and emphasize the D notes and it will be D Major Pentatonic. By shifting those scales to the root, D, they take on that real major happy sweet sound as opposed to the darker, bluesy minor sound.
D Major Pentatonic – D, E, F#, A, B
B Minor Pentatonic – B, D, E, F#, A
(Same notes – just emphasize the root of the mode, D.)
Remember that it all comes down to the sounds. What moods and textures that you want to create with the music. So try lots of soloing avenues and see what sounds best to your ears.
I also utilize the Dorian mode over all the chords in this track. You have to use your discretion as modal playing is all about the sounds and moods. I personally like the darker minor rock sounds over this jam so I suggest try soloing with D Dorian.
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. If you want to learn more about modal playing, major scales, and Dorian please see the coinciding written lessons in this series.
Try mixing D Minor Pentatonic & Blues as well as D Dorian over all the chords for some cool tones.
Cool sounds can be created by switching from the 5-note pentatonic scales to the 7-note Dorian scales. Also listen for the different sounds you can create with minor and major tonalities as well as mixing them together. Fun stuff, give it a try and keep on rocking!