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Can I ask a Music Theory Question?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:53 pm
by YISH313z
I am getting back into my tangent on getting my compositions to sound Damn good rather than mundane and average, but I have always tussled with Chord Theory or specifically Progressions. Aside from the usual things found on the web that help tremendously, I thought I would ask you guys in aid on this perplexing issue.

I am currently writing a Ballad in the key of C Minor/Eb Major(The song switches to Major at the Bridge),

Upon finally getting to the Chorus of the song neither C Minor or Eb Major lends itself to an illicit emotional response, specifically as the Diatonic Root Chord of the First Bar of the Chorus...but Lo and behold I stumbled upon the Ab Major Chord, which is the Major IV of Eb Major and the 6th of the C Minor.

This lead me to Spell out the Ab Major Scale and I found the Eb Major was the V of that Scale,

Does this have any significance in regards to modulation perhaps?


Both of these scales share 4 common Chords

Ab Maj as IV and I
Eb Maj as I and V
Cmin as vi and iii
Fmin as ii and vi,

Also Gmin albeit Diminished in the original tonic

Re: Can I ask a Music Theory Question?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:11 am
by Neil B
Nowhere near my music rig at the moment, and not particularly awake either, but with AbMaj you could incorporate Bb (or is it BbMin) and then go to G Maj - gives a sort of monastic feel but may provide the emotion you need, especially if vocals carry the mood.

Re: Can I ask a Music Theory Question?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:21 am
by YISH313z
Please elaborate when you have time, im not seeing Gmaj in either scales only Gminor and diminished respective of the 2 scales I mentioned.

Re: Can I ask a Music Theory Question?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:52 pm
by jhulk
you stubbled on the key of 5ths

is used a lot in r annd b and jazz as a circle of 5ths

Re: Can I ask a Music Theory Question?

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:15 pm
by siriusbliss
You can trick also these into inversions using 3rds and 5ths in the bass.
You could also try adding in some 9ths in place of the ii, and so on - unless you want to avoid sounding 'jazzy'.

example - try a C maj with Eb bass or EbMaj with G bass.
avoid using 'blocky' tonic chords.

I'd also try using C Aeolian scale (Eb maj starting from C to C) for melodies.

Have fun,

Greg