Mirek Patek - Posted - 11/21/2012:  03:04:48

Inspired by Doub's thread at banjohangout.org/topic/249692 , I shortly explored the hexatonic scale C D E G A B (without F).



I've applied the principle of moving scalar chords (I.e. catch some voicing and move it to the next one using only the notes of the given scale - in case of normal C major scale you may get those well known C7maj, Dm7, Em7, F7maj, G7, Am7, Bm75-).



Surprisingly in case of the hexatonic scale (and starting with C7maj) one gets only two types of four-note-chords.



In case of your 5-string banjo tuning it is:



CEGB = C7maj = 5-5-5-9 (GCEB) on the fretboard

DGAC = D74sus = 7-7-8-10 (ADGC)

EABD = E74sus = 9-9-10-12 (BEAD)

GBCE = C7maj = 10-12-12-14 (CGBE)

ACDG = D74sus = 12-14-13-17 or 0-2-1-5 (DACG)

BDEA = E74sus = 14-16-15-19 or 2-4-3-7 (EBDA) [OK, this is unplayable down the neck].



If we take only part of these chords, it can be better playable (especially as we have three fingerpicks), e.g.:



CEB = 10-9-12-X

DGC = 12-12-13-X or 0-0-1-X

EAD = 2-2-3-X

GBE = 5-4-5-X

ACG = 7-5-8-X

BDA = 9-7-10-X



I has nice ambiguous sound.



Mirek



P.S. Octatonic (eight-note) scales have been explored here: banjohangout.org/archive/194299

grapeape605 - Posted - 11/21/2012:  05:28:15

Man that helps a lot with trying to learn this and another way to make it easier in fast chord change situations. Thanks

pearcemusic - Posted - 11/21/2012:  09:12:59

thanks for the "nod" Mirek. Yeah that note set has lots of 5ths, 4ths, even 2nds, major 3rds and minor 3rds ..... BUT NO tritone !!!

It removes that strong tonal pull to the key center .... very nicely ambiguous ...

mikey5string - Posted - 11/21/2012:  16:35:48

cool. harmonizing scales is a great exercise and can lead to some cool ideas.

I did this with the pentatonic scale, then used the "chord" shapes I found in my improvising.

mikey5string - Posted - 11/21/2012:  16:44:21

Mirek



The chord names are a little confusing. The notes C E G B make a CM7 chord, sometimes there will be a little triangle in place of the M. This differentiates it from the dominant chord which is usually just written C7. 

"C7maj" sounds like there should be a dominant chord and a major 7.....



Not sure how you would notate D C A G but I wouldnt call it a 7th chord as it lacks the tritone (C F#)



Besides the M7, They all sound sustained to me.



maybe someone has an idea?

Edited by - mikey5string on 11/21/2012 16:45:30