Piano Guidance
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What scale is Bohemian Rhapsody?

Summary: Bohemian Rhapsody The solo is based in the key of Eb major and uses a combination of the Eb major pentatonic scale, as well as the Eb major diatonic scale.

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Summary: Bohemian Rhapsody

In this Bohemian Rhapsody guitar lesson Ollie skilfully guides you through the solo played by Brian May. The solo is based in the key of Eb major and uses a combination of the Eb major pentatonic scale, as well as the Eb major diatonic scale. We will not only be looking at the licks, but also the techniques that make this solo perfect.

The First Lick - Eb Major Pentatonic

The first lick is a really cool major pentatonic lick, using the first scale shape. Ollie walks you through the notes clearly in the video, but let's just recapp the pentatonic shape you are using. This content is unavailable on mobile devices, please view through a desktop or laptop browser for the optimum experience.

Bohemian Rhapsody 1

The Second Lick - Eb major scale

We then move to a linking, very melodic lick. This is a great little lick that can move you from the first shape all the up to the 4th in one swift movement. The lick is based very much on the 3rd shape of the diatonic scale, as shown below. We've also highlighted the notes you are using. This content is unavailable on mobile devices, please view through a desktop or laptop browser for the optimum experience.

Bohemian Rhapsody 2

The Third to Fifth Lick - Shape 4 (C Shape)!

We then have a section of the solo that is all based around the 4th shape of the pentatonic & diatonic scale. Brian May really makes use of this scale shape here, by using it for some very quick little runs. We're are mainly using the diatonic (full scale), which is shown below, but it's also worth showing the pentatonic shape that is there as well. This content is unavailable on mobile devices, please view through a desktop or laptop browser for the optimum experience.

Bohemian Rhapsody 3

The Sixth Lick - Returning to shape 3 (D shape)

We then return to the D shape, or shape 3 of the scale to do another melodic lick. Once again, Brian May really focuses on creating a melodic sound, rather than a more classic bluesy lick or rock lick. This is where the diatonic scale really works well... When using it for melody! This content is unavailable on mobile devices, please view through a desktop or laptop browser for the optimum experience.

Bohemian Rhapsody 2

Final Lick - The crazy notes!

This part of the solo is moving away from the basic key and really targeting certain chords underneath rather than just the overall scale. This is a very constructed part of the solo, which has been very well pre-thought out by Brian May and Queen as it reflects parts that the rest of the band are playing. For us, we just simply need to learn the notes to be able to complete the solo!

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What does B flat over D mean?

The Bb/D chord is a so called slash chord. On the left side of the slash you have a chord, on the right side just the lowest tone (bass). This chord is pronounced „Bb over D”. The Bb/D consists of the following tones: Bb (1), D (3) and F (5)

To reduce data transfer, sounds are not downloaded by default. Choose your preferred setting: The C/E chord is a so called slash chord. On the left side of the slash you have a chord, on the right side just the lowest tone (bass). This chord is pronounced „C over E”.

The C/E consists of the following tones:

C (1), E (3) and G (5)

The bass E is part of the chord here. That doesn't always have to be the case in a slash chord! This major chord with a major 3rd in the bass is probably the most common slash chord at all. There's almost no pop or rock ballad, where you can't find it. In most cases you'll find it where the bass is ascending or descending diatonically (in half or whole steps).

Example chord progressions:

Fmaj7 C/E Dm7 respectively Dm7 C/E Fmaj7

C C/E F G

For those who already know the diatonic chords of a major scale: the major chord with its major 3rd in the bass often replaces the chords on the IIIrd or VIIth scale degree of the major scale. Therefore the C/E chord often replaces the minor chord on the IIIrd scale degree of the C major scale or the chord on the VIIth degree of the F major scale.

Diatonic chords of C major:

C Dm Em F G Am Bdim*

Em and Bdim replaced with slash chords:

C Dm C/E F G Am G/B

Diatonic chords of F major:

F Gm Am Bb C Bm Edim*

Am and Edim replaced with slash chords:

F Gm F/A Bb C Dm C/E

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