Does the position matter if we do not use the F#
Hello David and all,
From the Music Theory Study 2, I understood that the difference between 1st and snd positions is that 1st position has F and 2nd position has F#. If we have the song that does not use F or F#, does it mean that we can say that we are plying in the first or second position and it would not matter as the final melody will be the same? Thank you.
Anton
David,
If it only depends on what note we end, why do we have the rest of the note in the key? I thought that if we are using a specific key is because it is a set of notes that sound well together and if some note from different key ventures in, it would spoil the melody.
Best,
Anton
There are MANY sound/note options in a key Anton. Which one you choose, depicts the "color" or "quality" of the key. You will learn this as you go through your lessons. Here are some common examples (all referencing G as the home base)...
G Major - G A B C D E F# G
G Mixolydian - G A B C D E F G
G Dorian - G A Bb C D E F G
G Natural Minor - G A Bb C D Eb F G
G Harmonic Minor - G A Bb C D Eb F# G
G Phyrgian - G Ab Bb C D Eb F G
and for solo scales...
G Major Pentatonic - G A B D E G
G Minor Pentatonic - G Bb C D F G
G Blues - G Bb C Db D F G (it's okay to use the same note name twice in a soloing scale)
and the list goes on. Major (known as the Ionian Mode) is the most common one used, and the one used as references for other modes like these (we say, "It's like major, but lower 'this' note"). So, in the end, you can use ANY combination of notes. If it sounds good, depends on the tradition of the music you're playing within, and your own creativity.
David,
Thank you for the thorough explanation. This is very helpful!
Cheers,
Anton
My pleasure
Hello Anton.
Another name for "position" is "key." The most important element of playing in a key/position is in how you phrase. For example, if you start on 2+ E and play some holes/notes that sound good to you and come back to E, then you're telling the listener that you're in some form of the key of E.
In your example, if the melody you play moves away from G, and comes back to G, then you're in 2nd Position, key of G, whether you use the F, F#, or neither. If your melody moves around and sounds like it resolves well to C, then you're in the. key of C, 1st Position.
Does this make sense?