This is simple. If it sounds good then it works and there are no certain set of rules. Just go with it

here's something you can do. Figure out what key the song is in. Typically, its the last chord in the progression or the last chord of the song. It holds true for a lot of rock songs and will work mostly work for easier stuff that isn't overly complex. Next, learn the blues scale and play that scale corresponding to the key signature. The blues scale kicks ash because its a pattern that you can just shift up and down the fret board. So if it ends in the C chord, then find the C on the low E string and that will be the root for your solo. I do this when I improv ZZ Top and other rock based songs and it usually works pretty well once you've gotten used to the notes/patterns.

Here, read and practice this.

Solo Guitar - The Blues Scales - 12bar Blues Guitar

Go up and down the scale until you know that pattern then just play with it and you'll develop your skill as you go. Oh, and the difference between the major and minor scales are shown as the note in BLUE. This is the blue note which is a good way to put some feeling into that baby.

Thanks for all the help. Ive been working on my scales for a while. Ive got a few of them down. I was just having trouble with knowing what to play over a chord progression. But i think im starting to understand more. I guess you could say im working on the alphabet (scales) and im starting to make my way in to forming words (licks/phrases.) Ive found that jam tracks are very useful.

Ive got some questions for you all. What makes a good guitar player? Is the ability to play fast really important? For example, Is steve vai automatically a better guitarist than BB king just because he can play faster? Vai can play way faster, no doubt. But ill always enjoy listening to BB king more than i enjoy vai. I guess its just a matter of personal preference, but i want to know what you think. I guess what im trying to say is, the more technical a guitarist is, the better he is?

I'm going to go with a halfway answer.

Steve Vai and BB King are just as good as each other.

HOWEVER.

Its ****ing bull**** when people claim a fast player has no 'soul' or feeling. Or prog bands. Or any other sort of highly technical music. People who don't believe in what they're doing get nowhere in music. Those bands mean every note just as much as the bluesmen. The nobodies and bedroom shredders are the ones to level that accusation at.

Not every slow half step bend denotes feeling. Not every shred passage denotes the absence of feeling. Both have their place and the greatest players use that to their advantage, including Steve Vai.


Oh, and just to note - Any guitarist who is really good at playing slowly, can probably play pretty damned fast when they want to just by virtue of having a ****alod of practice.

Good answer. I think some people tend to believe that if someone doesnt play really fast, then they arent very good.

I have another question. Does anyone mix the minor pentatonic, the blues scale and the dorian mode? the blues scale contains all the same notes as the minor pentatonic, it just adds the 2 blue notes. Why use the minor pentatonic when you can use the blues scale? Also, the dorian mode contains all the notes of the minor pentatonic, it just adds some notes. So, when you combine the dorian mode and the minor pentatonic, all you are missing is the 2 blue notes. Just add the 2 blue notes to the dorain mode and you have a combination of the minor pentatonic, the blues scale and the dorian mode.

I just want to through out that most of those guitarists are all equally good in the whole scheme of things but that really doesn't matter. A great guitarist who has a firm handle on all the technical aspects of playing isn't worth his/her nail clippings if they can't play with emotion. Wether it be slow or fast, melodic or chaotic, emotion should go into everything. The absence of emotion makes everything seam flat and it feels and sounds like its missing something. Also, having technical skill does not mean they can write, which is more important in my eyes. Being a great guitar player is good, but they're are limitless amounts of those. The true legends, like Vai or Satriani, achieved their spot in the sun for being excellent MUSICIANS. Don't sacrifice musicianship for technical skill. They go hand in hand but musicianship and creativity is where the real magic happens.

My point is the exact opposite. People tend to assume that if someone plays fast they don't mean it.

Its the complete opposite for me. Most people I know think that its all about speed.

Speed is easy, to be honest. Especially if you play melodies that repeat a sequence of notes maybe 3-5 notes long. What's hard is long melodies, imo. Because, it requires more energy of precision, memory, and focus.

I agree. Its not that hard to play the same lick over and over at a high speed. But i guess people like vai and satriani dont do that. they seem to shred up and down the fretboard