Here’s a fun little 1/4/5 tune I use sometimes to introduce guitar students to the 12 bar blues. We can call it “1/4/5” because it uses the first, fourth and fifth chords in a key. In this case, we are in the key of E, so E is 1, A is 4 and B is 5.
That only makes sense of course if you can see how the E major scale is spelled. Following the pattern of whole and half steps in a major scale (W/W/H/W/W/W/H) from E we get: E | F#| G#| A | B | C# | D# | E . E is one, F# is two, and so on. 1,4 and 5 in E are E, A and B and so those are the chords that fit our 1/4/5 pattern in E.
The cool thing is, if you know what numbers you are playing you can easily move them to a different key! This 1/4/5 pattern in the key of C, for instance is C, F and G, or 1/4/5. C major scale is spelled C | D | E | F | G | A | B | C . C is one, D is two and so on; 1/4/5 in C will be C, F and G.
The numbers don’t change! The notes change though, because they have to accommodate the key you’re in to be expressed in the correct position. The numbers also dictate what melody notes might sound nice on top of the chord structure.
Interestingly enough, all notes are some number in any key; understanding what that number is and playing that note with authority is something that jazz players do… and they can make it sound as easy as breathing. Even a little example like this hot dog tune could have a profound effect on your own playing, if you keep an open mind.
An active mind produces ideas
A quiet mind produces insights.
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