Nicko Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Inspired by the 50 Basslines everyone should know I immediately thought "Teenage Kicks". The thread wants Song, Bass player and Scale. I don't want to play it, but everyone should know it. So I got thinking about the scale.. This is way beyond me, given how simple the song is. So the verse is C#, C and A# The chorus is G, G# and A. More properly I guess the verse is C#, B#. A#. And before you pedants start, yes there is such a note as B#. This bit could be C# major (Tonic, maj7th, maj 6th) but to me it resolves to the A# so its A# minor, (min3, 2, 1 progression) I think its obvious that the chorus has to be a modulation, because the chorus resolves to A. My musical theory isn't great but I can't think of any scale with two consecutive half tome steps. Which I guess means G# is a passing chromatic. Does that mean the C# is also a passing note. Put me out of my misery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Are you talking about 'The Undertones' version? Just had a quick listen (and that was too long ) on Da Tube. Sounds like it's in D major to me. D... /...C# / B minor../.. C# / etc (Bar Before the chorus an A major instead of the C#). Chorus. G G# A (all major). So all in all - Key of D Major. In the link bit, it sounds like a Dsus before the C#. Of course, If you are talking about another tune - Ignore my ramblings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 The Undertones' 'Teenage Kicks' is indeed in D, the chords used being D, Bm, G, and A. Arguably G# appears as a passing chord. The bass plays the roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Oh yeh? Now identify these ... [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/snake-579682_640_zpscnkkryru.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/snake-579682_640_zpscnkkryru.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1128.photobucket.com/user/h4ppyjack/media/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/scales-36417_640_zpswapjvzpy.png.html][IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Just%20Stuff/Sundry/scales-36417_640_zpswapjvzpy.png[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1439473783' post='2843165'] Arguably G# appears as a passing chord. The bass plays the roots. [/quote] Yep, as does the C# as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1439474178' post='2843171'] Yep, as does the C# as well. [/quote] You are of course correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 (edited) [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1439473397' post='2843155'] Are you talking about 'The Undertones' version? Just had a quick listen (and that was too long ) on Da Tube. Sounds like it's in D major to me. D... /...C# / B minor../.. C# / etc (Bar Before the chorus an A major instead of the C#). Chorus. G G# A (all major). So all in all - Key of D Major. In the link bit, it sounds like a Dsus before the C#. Of course, If you are talking about another tune - Ignore my ramblings. [/quote] Thats how I heard it too, pretty much straight D major key wise although the passing C# in the verse is a slight harmonic anomaly since to be strictly in key it should be diminished. Edited August 13, 2015 by bassman7755 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 i hate playing that song why would i want to spend time disecting it (apart from the fact that my theory is absolute pants) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Oops we've always played it lower starting in C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Just for reference: the general rule is that, in simple harmony, every scale should have an A B C D E F and a G. The OP's description of a sequence of notes as C#, C and A# is not 'wrong' but it is clumsy. It is better to think of the sequence as Db, C and Bb. Same notes but easier to read on a written score (less accidentals etc) and less confusing. The theory doesn't work with the G, G# and A because that is not a diatonic sequence but a riff the climbs in semitones (i.e. the parent 'scale' is changing with each chord) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1439478810' post='2843237'] Just for reference: the general rule is that, in simple harmony, every scale should have an A B C D E F and a G. The OP's description of a sequence of notes as C#, C and A# is not 'wrong' but it is clumsy. It is better to think of the sequence as Db, C and Bb. Same notes but easier to read on a written score (less accidentals etc) and less confusing. The theory doesn't work with the G, G# and A because that is not a diatonic sequence but a riff the climbs in semitones (i.e. the parent 'scale' is changing with each chord) [/quote] eh? duh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1439478810' post='2843237'] Just for reference: the general rule is that, in simple harmony, every scale should have an A B C D E F and a G. The OP's description of a sequence of notes as C#, C and A# is not 'wrong' but it is clumsy. It is better to think of the sequence as Db, C and Bb. Same notes but easier to read on a written score (less accidentals etc) and less confusing. The theory doesn't work with the G, G# and A because that is not a diatonic sequence but a riff the climbs in semitones (i.e. the parent 'scale' is changing with each chord) [/quote] To be fair I did say "[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]More properly I guess the verse is C#, B#. A#." with the expectation that someone would tell me there's no such thing as B#.[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 For some reason, the OP wants to play the verse in Db (C#) and the chorus in D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 (edited) [quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1439479586' post='2843252'] eh? duh [/quote] I think the intention was to say that, in basic harmony, each note letter should occur once, and once only, to make reading much easier. If there's already a 'B', for instance, a 'Bb' would be best written as 'A#'. If there's already a 'D', a 'C#' would be preferable to a 'Db'. This way there are no duplicates of the scale notes. There are, of course, exceptions, such as the complete chromatic scale, but they're not considered as 'simple' scales. Hope this helps. Edited August 13, 2015 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1439481326' post='2843272'] For some reason, the OP wants to play the verse in Db (C#) and the chorus in D. [/quote] That might explain my problem working out what scale it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1439481619' post='2843284'] That might explain my problem working out what scale it was. [/quote] No problem. I was just wondering, why you might be complicating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1439482083' post='2843289'] No problem. I was just wondering, why you might be complicating it. [/quote] I played this so often but I couldn't think what the notes were without a bass in my hands and the benefit of muscle memory. Just goes to show have s**t some online tabs are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1439481326' post='2843272'] For some reason, the OP wants to play the verse in Db (C#) and the chorus in D. [/quote] Well spotted, maybe its the jazz version ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1439481500' post='2843282'] I think the intention was to say that, in basic harmony, each note letter should occur once, and once only, to make reading much easier. If there's already a 'B', for instance, a 'Bb' would be best written as 'A#'. If there's already a 'D', a 'C#' would be preferable to a 'Db'. This way there are no duplicates of the scale notes. There are, of course, exceptions, such as the complete chromatic scale, but they're not considered as 'simple' scales. Hope this helps. [/quote] ta, i think i can play the song (with protests ignored) just dont know the notes, and as i dont write music knowing theory isnt important ( time constraints also mean learning is difficult) i'd love to know it as noodling would be easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 [quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1439469694' post='2843103'] Inspired by the 50 Basslines everyone should know I immediately thought "Teenage Kicks". The thread wants Song, Bass player and Scale. I don't want to play it, but everyone should know it. So I got thinking about the scale.. This is way beyond me, given how simple the song is. So the verse is C#, C and A# The chorus is G, G# and A. More properly I guess the verse is C#, B#. A#. And before you pedants start, yes there is such a note as B#. This bit could be C# major (Tonic, maj7th, maj 6th) but to me it resolves to the A# so its A# minor, (min3, 2, 1 progression) I think its obvious that the chorus has to be a modulation, because the chorus resolves to A. My musical theory isn't great but I can't think of any scale with two consecutive half tome steps. Which I guess means G# is a passing chromatic. Does that mean the C# is also a passing note. Put me out of my misery. [/quote] I think your record player is running a bit slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 It's D major. There's no need to shoehorn passing notes or chords into the overall tonality of the song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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