This is an updated version of a backing track I posted in this lesson on chromatics. I expanded each section giving us a little more time to explore and develop ideas before switching gears in the subsequent section.
🎸 E Minor Modal Jam Track | Em7–Bm7–Am7 to G7–C7 Groove
This jam track moves between two contrasting sections:
Section 1 (8x):
Em7 (4 beats) | Bm7 (2 beats) | Am7 (2 beats)
Section 2:
G7 (8 beats) | C7 (8 beats)
The first section lives in an E minor modal world — smooth, moody, and perfect for melodic development.
The second section shifts into a dominant blues/funk pocket, creating a lift in energy before resolving back to Em7.
🎯 Soloing Suggestions
🔹 Over Em7 – Bm7 – Am7
Think E natural minor (E Aeolian):
E F# G A B C D
Great options:
• E minor pentatonic
• E natural minor
• Target chord tones (especially the 7ths!)
Chord tones:
Em7 → E G B D
Bm7 → B D F# A
Am7 → A C E G
💡 Try landing on:
-
D over Em7
-
F# or A over Bm7
-
C over Am7
This makes your lines sound intentional instead of just “running a scale.”
🔹 Over G7 – C7
Now we’re in dominant territory.
Over G7:
• G Mixolydian
• G blues scale
Over C7:
• C Mixolydian
• C minor pentatonic for blues tension
💡 Emphasize:
-
F over G7
-
Bb over C7
Those notes signal the harmonic shift and make the section pop.
🎶 Practice Ideas
• Build one simple motif and develop it over all 8 repeats of Section 1
• Increase intensity when G7 hits
• Use bends and blues phrasing in Section 2
• When returning to Em7, resolve strongly to E or G
This track is great for:
✔ Modal phrasing
✔ Voice leading
✔ Connecting minor and dominant sounds
✔ Building dynamic contrast in solos
This uplifting, euphoric pop jam track is inspired by the energy and emotional lift of Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan.
The track is in G Major and uses the following chord progression:
G – Am – Em – C
It’s designed to give you that big, theatrical, neon-pop feel — perfect for soaring melodies, expressive bends, and confident, singable lines.
I find this progression to be easy to play over, making it alot of fun!
🎸 Improvising Tips:
G Major scale works beautifully over the entire progression.
G Major pentatonic is especially strong for catchy, vocal-style phrasing.
The G major pentatonic contains five notes: G – A – B – D – E (It’s simply the G major scale with the 4th and 7th degrees removed.)
Try:
Targeting chord tones on strong beats
Building intensity as the progression cycles
Leaving space between phrases to create that “anthem chorus” feel
Plug in, turn it up, and go full spotlight mode.