JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Jun 21 2006 04:18 PM
As mentioned in my intro I'm new to surf guitar. Hopefully you all can save me a little time by setting me on the right path in terms of music theory for surf.
As I pick apart songs, Miserlou for example, I note that the scale used is nothing I've seen before. Other songs are more melodic and "major scale", but many seem to use an Arabian sounding scale (or sometimes Spanish).
Also, I'm not great at picking out chord variances in recorded music, but most of the chording I've heard in surf music seems to be simple major or minor stuff (1st, 3rd, and 5th), with the melodic/harmonic interest coming mostly from the lead.
So I guess my questions would be:
Are there any scales used widely in surf that I should learn (and wouldn't necessarily know coming from a rock/blues past)?
Is my observation about chords above accurate?
I'm looking for generalities here...
— Don
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Jun 22 2006 03:42 PM
Jet:
whoa...this is a broad question, so I will stick to the "Dick Dale" scale part for now.
According to Dick: his "sound" comes from his mimicing the playing style of the Oud or Bouzouki. A sort of Greek-style "rebetiko" ("rebel") music.
For the Nikos Roubanis' penned tune, "Miserlou", Dale used a scale typically called the "Byzantine Scale" or sometimes called the "Gypsy Scale".
the formula for the Byzantine Scale: 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7.
In othe words: Root, half-step, one-and-a-half-step, half-step, whole-step, half-step, one-and-a-half-step, half-step, root.
you can check out exotic scales on the web:
http://www.jazzguitar.be/exotic_guitar_scales.html
http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php?qqq=FULL&scch=E&scchnam=Byzantine&get2=Get
good luck,
-dp
Last edited: Jun 22, 2006 15:47:48
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drpluto
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 124
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Posted on Jun 22 2006 03:44 PM
Thanks for the links DP. I love playing funky new scales
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Jun 22 2006 05:10 PM
Thanks dp, good stuff!
— Don
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Jun 23 2006 05:20 AM
dp
Jet:
whoa...this is a broad question, so I will stick to the "Dick Dale" scale part for now.
I'll add another one I 've been foolin around with lately. this one sounds middle eastern - for a more turkish sounding oud-sound (to my ears at least): 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7 1
i.e. for example d e f g# a b c d
use lots of fast hammer ons /pull offs at the available halfsteps. works wonders with a D-tuned 6th - you can use low three strings as heavy low drone
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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butchdelux
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 250
Port Fierce, Florida
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Posted on Jun 23 2006 07:36 AM
I'm not much of a theory guru - but for some material I find that the harmonic minor scale fits into some nice Spanish and/or Middle Eastern sounds (depending on how it's played): 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 . I use the Phrygian scale alot as well...1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. (note: I had to look these progressions up - I don't know them on paper, but I have some idea how they work on a fretboard. "Musical algebra" was never my strong suit).
— The Disasternauts
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