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The chords we are given = Am > Dm > G > E or C (optional alternates)
And The Rules are…
We CAN’T change:
The chord order (So, Dm > G > C > Am sounded good to my ears, but I can’t use it)We CAN change:
Tempo
Style
Genre
Play rhythm vs leadSince it’s not specified, we could change the number or bars per chord. Like, we could play 33 bars of Am, then wrap it up with 1 bar each for Dm G and E (or C). But I reckon that would be not in the spirit of the challenge. I also think if I were to try to create a 12-bar arrangement, that would be tampering with the chord order, so that idea is out. Or if I wanted to play like Am Dm Am Dm G C G C that would also not meet the specs.
So what options are we left with? I’m down to just playing that sequence on my looper, then laying down some lead improv. But that seems too easy. So at this very moment I’m trying some more creative stuff, like maybe give 7 beats of Am > 1 beat of Dm > 7 beats of G > 1 beat of C, then repeat, or ???
Have you got any interesting thoughts?
Sunjamr Steve
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Or if I wanted to play like Am Dm Am Dm G C G C that would also not meet the specs.
why not? You can go on and forth G and C (kinda Keith riffs) as
long as you follow the main progression.And you can use 7, sus, passing etc chords! These give some spice to the progression.
To play the chord progression and make some improv over it seems not too easy to me, well if you want to make it sound interesting.
The only challenge for me are the many options we have with styles, rhythm, tempo.
More Blues!
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The imposed chord progression (as I understand it) is
Am Dm G E
or (this is an exclusive or: XOR)
Am Dm G CYou can change the harmonic rhythm (again, as I understand it). So you could have
|Am – – – |Dm – – – |G – E – |
or
|Am – Dm – |- – – G |E – – – |
or …The progression with E is definitely tonal whereas that with C will probably sound more modal. There are endless possibilities for you to exploit!
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No matter if I play this progression fast or slow or in different rhythms, it sounds unresolved. I wonder if a certain lead over this Progression could change that.
If I would only use this progression as a rhythm, I would chose Denise‘s approach and play every chord extension in the book to make it a) interesting and b) may be get to some point near a resolve.
Right now, I am experimenting/noodling hoping that something useful comes out of it.-
When I played the E chord and then finished with a E7 it sounded resolved and satisfying to me. And when I played the Am at the end it sounds definitely resolved (but forbidden😵).
To me, the G is more of an obstacle somehow.
I like this challenge, it forces us to be creative.I wonder if a certain lead over this Progression could change that.
I think, yes..
More Blues!
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So, I’ve been playing around with it and found I was getting bored after 20 or 24 bars so I split it up in the middle with a bridge section of CGCG GDmGDm CGCG. It’s beginning to grow on me.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
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So I have been strumming around with it as well… If you play A Minor/D Minor/G/B Diminished to C it resolves nicely. You don’t even have to play the whole diminished chord Just play a B it slides nicely into the C Maj. chord. I am not sure how the E chord would fit into this but that is my solution.
John
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I’ve already recorded my post and uploaded it to YT because I’m leaving for Greece in a few days.
I took the following liberty: Before I go to E in the 4th bar, I briefly insert the Am chord again. That makes the whole thing a little more interesting, in my opinion. In any case, I’m quite happy with it, especially as I only had a few days to do it.
I hope I’m not breaking the rules. But a bit of creative freedom must be possible, right?Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be in spring 2025There will be a detailed announcement here in the forum a few weeks before.
I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
Since I first posted this, I built a strum track on my looper, where I just played one bar each of Am > Dm > G > C and looped it ad infinitum. I found it really easy to start off playing improv in Am pent 1st position, then just carry on into the higher and lower Am pent positions all over the neck. That C can be easily led into the following Am by any of several short fill licks that you probably know by heart. Then as Jean-Michel says, you need to just make sure that you end your whole performance on Am. Or you could do it like Neil Young and just end it on some unresolved note that leaves the listeners stressed out and feeling unfulfilled.
Sunjamr Steve
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When I played this chord progression the first time (trying with the C option), I found my self playing “Don’t Cry” by the Guns & Roses, even though I’m not absolutely a fan of them, but I couldn’t help it 🤣! But, of course, I’ll try to “compose” (big word!) something very different! At the end, it’s a chord progression and you can play it in may ways (rhythm, number of beats per chord etc.) and whatever you want with it (if you’re a talent in composing, I’m not,and for that reason it’s a good challenge for me 😅!)
Guido
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After careful consideration, consultation and experimentation, the chord progression makes better sense.
Playing the A minor-D minor-G maj-Bsus-C maj-works nicely.
I just added the Bsus before the C major and it serves as a nice passing chord right into the C major. Or, you can walk into the C with a simple B note; amongst other things. I think this is going to work.John H.
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