Summary: Blues music doesnâ??t always follow the rules of traditional music theory and harmony. Specifically, you find minor 3rds applied to major chords, and progressions that switch keys on each chord instead of staying in one parent major scale. For example, letâ??s say that youâ??re playing over a G major chord, which in blues-based music would likely be played as G7 or G9, maybe even a G13. Because the chord is major, you play the G major pentatonic over it. But another option is to play G minor pentatonic. The minor 3rd in the minor pentatonic scale clashes with the major 3rd in the chord, but this is what we know and love as the blues sound. You can even mix both the major and minor pentatonic scales, getting a series of notes that are use in many blues and rock and roll songs such as Chuck Berryâ??s â??Johnny B. Goodeâ?? and Jimi Hendrixâ??s â??Red House.â?? Adding in a b5th from the so-called blues scale increases your note choices even more and allows for chromatic lines that are common in country and jazz. Blues songs are typically based on what appears to be a 1 4 5 chord progression, but since each chord is some form of dominant 7th, each chord is actually a V chord from a different major scale. Blues players usually opt for a minor pentatonic scale played over the whole progression, but other options include incorporating the major pentatonic or switching scales on each chord. The influence of blues music on popular music is widespread. You hear blues elements in music styles such as rock, alternative, heavy metal, country, folk, and jazz. This free guitar lesson is based on Guitar Theory For Dummies Chapter 15. Learn more about the book and watch a free video trailer at: http://www.guitar-music-theory.com/guitar-theory-for-dummies/
