How does the harmony work on the intro of Sweet Caroline

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guitarturtle
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Mon Dec 02, 2024 2:08 pm

Hello. I was wondering how the harmony works on the intro of Sweet Caroline. I could be wrong but it seems all the notes aren't contained in the A major scale.
Intro: E drone note
1. B C# D (2, 3 , 4)
2. D E F# (4, ??, 5)
3. F# G# A (5, 6 ,1)

There is no E in the A major scale. So where does that come from ( E major scale?), and why does it work? I would love to have Neil explain this and how to built harmony guitar solos (concept).

Also, if I harmonize the 3rd or 5th or other note on a guitar solo, does the pattern remain the same as the first guitar or do I need to work out an entire second solo? ..tricks to the whole harmony game.

Thanks for your time consideration regarding the custom lesson. either way please let me know. Thank you.

Terry


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TGNeil
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Fri Dec 06, 2024 6:08 pm

Thanks for the post Terry,

I addressed some of this on the Weekly Update. A couple things though-

The note E is part of the A Major scale, and harmonizing a melody just using thirds above is done, as in the intro to Sweet Caroline, and countless Everly Brothers songs. Sometimes you just use the next higher (or lower) chord tone, which means it could be a 4th if the melody note is the 5th of the chord. That would make the harmony note the root.

Neil


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