Noob question: note choices

Technique
#1

I am playing liturgical music (light/lively pop). My music is standard notation ( for the singer) with chords. I am just getting comfortable with arpeggios…
The key is Dm and my chord progression is Dm F C G. for each chord I’m playing root-3rd-5th. Everything is cool until I get to the G chord.
Noob question: The 3rd of G is B and not in the key of Dm. do I:

  1. play G-Bb-D (making the chord a Gm)
  2. play G-C-D (root-4th-5th)
  3. play G-B-D (cause those are the chord tones for G)
  4. Tom, you are over thinking it and are too f’n compulsive.
    thanks for your input.
    Tom
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#2

I think you are perfectly safe playting a B. My in person teacher sometimes gives me lyric sheets with chords, and instructs me to ignore the minors. Treat it as a D.

That being said, I’d be tempted to play a Bb; those half steps are very bluesy and I’m partial to that. Try out both and see what sounds good to you.

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#3

Or you could just do root-fifth for the last bar. That would work well and resolve nicely to boot.

#4

The key of Dm (F) has one flat, Bb.

The G chord is not in the key of Dm either, Dm is: Dm, Edim, F, Gm, Am, Bb, C.

Dm, F, C and G are though included in D dorian. (Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim, C)

If they’re playing a G, play tones that go with G.

#5

I’m a noob also however I believe that you can simply play the notes contain in G, if for whatever reason you don’t like how R-3-5 sound in G then play it differently :man_shrugging: Like someone said stick to R-5 or even just roots or maybe a fill of sorts or whatever fits the tune (I understand why it bothers you that R-3-5 doesn’t work in G, I’m kind of the same mentality but over the last year learning bass I’ve figured that we have to just go with it sometimes)

#6

The problem is that as @sshoihet said, the key of Gmaj should technically not be in a Dm progression; Gm is, but not Gmaj.

So, to stay purely diatonic, he should play Bb and not B.

However, the G might have been in the progression on purpose, be it actually D Dorian mode and not Dm, or even just to resolve to a major chord on the last bar. While this would be anharmonic with the overall progression this might be an intended effect.

So, to be safe in both cases, root/fifth is definitely safe there either way, and would be a good thing to go with. I would let other instruments cover the third in that case regardless; my instinct for that one would be to have the bass maining the root note.

Another option is to find out if this piece is actually in D Dorian and not Dm, in which case G-B-D is just fine.

But, YMMV. Lots of different ways that could go.

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#7

Here we go again with modes, modes, modes. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

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#8

Hey, it’s not MY progression :rofl:

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#9

Noob question? :laughing:

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#10

The easiest solution would be to shake up that 1-3-5 routine and play 1-1-5 or 1-5-8 or something similarly “safe” for the G chord.

3 Likes
#11

Yeah, I still think this is the best bet.

Another option might be to alternate, something like

1-3-5 / 1-5-1 / 1-3-5 / 1-5-1

that nicely plays both a major and minor third where appropriate, accenting the chords; it also shakes things up a bit, and solves your problem in the end

4 Likes
#12

Ah, yes, sorry, you had that covered already :grin:

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#13

You had a good idea though so I riffed on it in the edit :rofl:

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#14

It’s like a group improvisation :wink:

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#15

WARNING
Whatever you do do not frustrate yourself with any music theory outside of what is taught in the B2B course. Additional theory will come in time.

Just have fun. :+1: :+1: :+1:

#16

Yes!

The chord notation has power over the key signature.
You have to play to the momentary chord.
Key signature / the key of a song is a general sketch - like telling people - “most of the stuff in here will be, pretty much, close to these 7 notes… ish… unless it isn’t.”

And - as @joergkutter and @howard said - root and fifth (or root, fifth octave) are your bestest friends.

Everyone here has basically covered everything - but I wanted to make the different priority and power of the chords and the key signature clear.

Hope it helps!

5 Likes
#17

If it sounds good, it is good. Music theory isn’t mandated regulation

4 Likes
#18

Play the arpeggio of the chord no matter the key.