When you hear Am...

am is the relative minor to C

Making The Relative Minor Do Something More

Now, let's move away from just using the relative minor chord, and start using the relative minor *key*. We're going to move away from the I-IV-V progression for the next two things I'll show you.
First, we're going to explore the relative minor key to mix two chord progressions into one. Consider this: I-iv-ii-V or, in C major:
C -> Am -> Dm -> G
See how the Am seemed to lead into Dm which seemed to lead into G? How did that work? Well, considering only the two middle chords, Am->Dm, we see that this is actually a i-iv progression in the relative minor key, meaning that Am and Dm work together much in the same way that C and F do in C major. But that's not all. Am and Dm work together, but Dm leads into G. Musically, this is because the ii chord has much the same function as the IV chord. So, considering this progression, it has the same function as the very first progression I showed you, but uses the relative minor to entirely change the way it sounds.
Finally, we're going to embellish this a bit by working with the v chord in the relative minor to work with us in the major key. As a starting point, try this chord change:
C -> E
See how they seem to go into each other? This is I-iii, which works really well (and is also the beginning of David Bowie's "Major Tom", if you were wondering). Now, using C as an anchor, here is a really neat progression that brings together the major key and its relative minor:
C -> Am -> C -> Em -> C -> Am -> Dm -> G -> C
Do you see how heavily we were relying on C? This is because we are fundamentally in C major, not A minor. If we stray too far from C major by just going straight into an A minor chord progression, we'll get that lost feeling where our ear is trying to figure out which key we're in. Plus, the minor key doesn't really have a i-iv-v progression that does the same thing as the I-IV-V in the major progression (take a look at jslick07's excellent lessons on chord progressions to understand why). Try it! Do: C -> Am -> Dm -> Em Can you see how it doesn't *quite* work as well?

musicman100


am is the relative minor to C

Making The Relative Minor Do Something More

Now, let's move away from just using the relative minor chord, and start using the relative minor *key*. We're going to move away from the I-IV-V progression for the next two things I'll show you.
First, we're going to explore the relative minor key to mix two chord progressions into one. Consider this: I-iv-ii-V or, in C major:
C -> Am -> Dm -> G
See how the Am seemed to lead into Dm which seemed to lead into G? How did that work? Well, considering only the two middle chords, Am->Dm, we see that this is actually a i-iv progression in the relative minor key, meaning that Am and Dm work together much in the same way that C and F do in C major. But that's not all. Am and Dm work together, but Dm leads into G. Musically, this is because the ii chord has much the same function as the IV chord. So, considering this progression, it has the same function as the very first progression I showed you, but uses the relative minor to entirely change the way it sounds.
Finally, we're going to embellish this a bit by working with the v chord in the relative minor to work with us in the major key. As a starting point, try this chord change:
C -> E
See how they seem to go into each other? This is I-iii, which works really well (and is also the beginning of David Bowie's "Major Tom", if you were wondering). Now, using C as an anchor, here is a really neat progression that brings together the major key and its relative minor:
C -> Am -> C -> Em -> C -> Am -> Dm -> G -> C
Do you see how heavily we were relying on C? This is because we are fundamentally in C major, not A minor. If we stray too far from C major by just going straight into an A minor chord progression, we'll get that lost feeling where our ear is trying to figure out which key we're in. Plus, the minor key doesn't really have a i-iv-v progression that does the same thing as the I-IV-V in the major progression (take a look at jslick07's excellent lessons on chord progressions to understand why). Try it! Do: C -> Am -> Dm -> Em Can you see how it doesn't *quite* work as well?

Sorry, I think you missed the question...er, both of them.
 

I did say Am is the relative minor to C major, so you could think the key of C or Am when playing "Ghost riders in the Sky, for example.

Jonbouy

 I normally have to work out what Bapu thinks he wanted to do after the event. 

More accurate, I suppose.

Karyn

Jonbouy

I normally have to work out what key I'm in after the event.

Does it really matter on drums?  Be honest now....

What about my chromatic cowbells?

They cost me a scale.

8 notes.

Karyn

Jonbouy

Karyn

Jonbouy

I normally have to work out what key I'm in after the event.

Does it really matter on drums?  Be honest now....

What about my chromatic cowbells?

They cost me a scale.

8 notes.

If you only have 8 then you're limited to one key anyway...

But I have ALL the cowbells, 8 notes was the cost.

What sticks do I need to play in Am though?

Karyn


Pickup sticks? 

Could I use the ones in my Ker-plunk set then, they look similar?

Karyn

Jonbouy

Karyn


Pickup sticks? 

Could I use the ones in my Ker-plunk set then, they look similar?

Sure, just be careful not to loose your marbles...

I lost those ages ago.

My Buckaroo horse sent them flying all around the house.

When I hear Am I just smile.

(But I'm kind of simple like that.)