Originally Posted by: Sleepers HillIf I am attempting to come up with a melody using the A major scale and the key of the song I am improvising over is in the Key of A will the A major Scale notes still sound good over the minor chords in the key of A? Or do you have to change the scale to account for these chords?
[p]Yes, you've got the right idea.
The entire concept of a key signature is that all the chords in that key are built from the notes of one particular scale. If you want to use a chord that isn't in the key, or a series of notes that aren't, then you alter or adjust the scale you are using to incorporate that chord or those notes.
I don't know what your knowledge or skill level is. With that in mind you might want to have a look at these tutorials on the basic relationship between scales & chords.
Scales And Chords Relationships
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=426
Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 1
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=427
Using Scales to Connect Chords Exercise 2
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=428
Once you've got those concepts as a foundation, then you are ready for these tutorials on improvisation.
Introduction to Improvisation For Beginners
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876
Improvisation in a Major Key
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483
Improvisation in a Minor Key
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491
And more! :) These tutorials are aimed at a classical guitar context. But, if you are curious about how scales & chords work in a compositional sense, then you might get something out of this tutorial on how melodies are essentially functional harmony in the context of a key signature.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=167
Mary Had a Little Lamb
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=166
Christopher Schlegel
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