Harmonic Minor Scale

[Paul Marossy]

I was goofing around with the Harmonic Minor Scale this morning. It sure is a fun one to mess around with. I think I feel a new tune brewing...

[YL West]

I went right from the natural minor into this when I was learning to play. It has a great feel for metal. Its like a dark minor or a "minor man's minor". I can't say I use it too much anymore but its just a step away and I certainly use that raised 7 as a passing note a lot. I think it is a perfect fit for the feel of some of your tunes Paul.

Yngwie J Malmsteen always comes to mind. You know he added that "J" so as not to be confused with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens!!!

BTW- Goofing around is the #1 way to come up with good tunes. Its my preferred method!

[Paul Marossy]

Yeah... however, the way I am using it has more of a gypsy feel to it, but in a cool way. :-)

[YL West]

How about Melodic Minor. I always hear such great things about it and how its a staple of jazz, but rarely use it to satisfaction. It always sounds wrong to me even when its supposed to fit. Perhaps I am playing it too linear because of my lack of comfort. Or maybe I need to develop an ear for it.

Chip should chime in on this one! ; )

[Paul Marossy]

My tune called "Wild Ride" is using the Melodic Minor scale for a good part of it. I guess it's harder to make it work when you are playing over chords as opposed to just playing legato melody lines...

[Eb7+9]

hey Paul,

can you post some of this so we can hear what you're working on - I'm curious ...

[Paul Marossy]

Not sure what you mean...