Robben Ford Discussion

jconstant · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject: Oasis scale question

Does anybody know what scale Robben is using in bars 105 and 106 of Oasis on the Art of Blues Solos DVD? The chord is an Ebm4(Ebm11) and it's almost an Eb minor scale but he's playing a C instead of Cb(B).

Thanks [/list]
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

loek · Member Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 44

eb melodic minor[es fges ab bes c d eb

renico00 · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 32

I have not seen Art of Blues or know anything other than what you've written here, but he may just be playing a major 6 (dorian sound) which he does very commonly. One could think of it as melodic minor, but if he's not playing a natural D, then it won't have a melodic minor sound. Of course, without knowing the other notes around it, it's impossible to say what he's actually 'thinking', but I suspect he is either thinking Eb Dorian scale or an arpeggio within that scale.

Of course, there are lots of other general options to play over Ebm11: other modal options of Eb phrygian and Eb aeolian, Eb melodic minor, Eb harmonic minor, Eb diminished, E diminished (although it has a maj 3rd - symmetrical scales are their own 'thing'), arpeggios and subscales (pentatonics) of these scales, and the list goes on and on. Context is everything and not all of these are going to sound great over every instance of Ebm11. If you want to understand Robben's playing, learn the modes (names don't really matter - just the concept), melodic minor, and diminished. These three scales and arpeggios within them are pretty much all he uses.

jconstant · Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

Thnaks renico00,

The notes of this little run over the Ebm4 are Eb, C, Ab, Eb, Db, C, Bb, Ab, Gb, F, Eb, Db, C, Bb, Ab, Gb, F, Eb, Db, C, Bb, Gb

Does that help give you a better idea?

Personally, I tend to not think in modes but rather in key centers and superimposing scales over chords and this one just isn't clicking with me.

Thanks for the help.
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

renico00 · Member Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 32

I think I understand what you mean by 'superimposing scales over chords.' So, in this solo Robben's superimposing the Db major scale over an Ebm11. This would technically be Eb dorian, but it does have the same notes as the Db major scale (enharmonically equivalent) starting on the 2nd degree (Eb). Robben could be thinking about other things when playing this. For example, the first three notes are an Ab maj triad.

bluenote · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

Hey J.C. did I miss something? I have the "Art of Rhythm Guitar" which I am embaressed to say I havent had time to view yet, but did the DVD for "Art of Blues Soloing" come out? I didn't see it on Amazon yet? You mention seeing this weird scale in the blues soloing book. 'splain Lucy.
thanks.
Bluenote.
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medical marijuana

AlChuck · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:56 am Post subject:

The Art of Blues Solos DVD came out in late winter (Feb or March). And I see it on Amazon.. in fact I'm pretty sure I bought it from Amazon...

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: Art of Blues Soloing

Bluenote,
It is on Amazon right now; but the strange thing is that it doesn't come up if you search for Robben Ford under Music. Go to the movies tab and search for Robben and it will come up that way.
Frank

jconstant · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:58 pm Post subject:

jconstant · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:03 pm Post subject:

bluenote · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks Guys, I have ordered my 'art of blues soloing". And I will start watching the Rhythm dvd while waiting.....actually ,I cant wait already. thanks again.
Bluenote.
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