Here is something that I described before. Essentially, you're running the major scale of the key a whole step down from the key you're in, over any chord in that key.
In this example, I'm using the Lydian mode of E major, over the IV chord in F#.
If you know your modes, you'll know that the Lydian is a major mode based off the 4th interval of a scale. (
See T-Bock's post, here for details)
Here's the scale (descending):
A, G#, F#, E, D#, C#, B, A
Notice, if you run those same notes from, E to the E an octave above, you'll have the E major scale.
I'll add a directional change to flesh out the run:
A, G#, F#, E, D#, C#, B,
C#, D#, C#, B, A
Then place it over the chord:
A-C#-D#-F# / A, G#, F#, E, D#, C#, B, C#, D#, C#, B, A
I know what you're thinking,
"Where's the B?"This is a
root-less chord. If you're playing in a band, the bass player would play the B. If you were playing on an organ, your foot would play the B. For piano, you can also play it with your left-hand, and chord in your right, then immediately play the run with your right hand.
