Scales.

[ibanezjunkie]

i have 2 scales sheets, scales with 3 notes per string, and scales that have variations (2 or 3 notes per string). the Ionian, Dorian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian.

i tend to use a mishmash of 3 and 2-3 note per string scales, what do you guys use for improv etc.?

 

[oldguy]

Pentatonic + chords.

 

[pes_laul]

play notes in the key until they sounds cool

 

[kiteman]

All 12 notes. ancake:

 

[Ro3b]

Major and minor pentatonic, blues, dorian, and mixolydian. But I'm a pretty low-tech soloist when all is said and done; I'm almost never putting names on the scales I'm using as I'm playing them. It's more like "ok, let's play that lick again an octave higher, and then use that shape that looks like a little dinosaur to get up to the tenth fret, now do that kind of high widdly bendy thing, now PICK SLIDE! Ah."

I still have a hard time parsing the locrian and lydian modes when I hear them, and phrygian is kind of eh. If I were into really technical metal or the neo-classical thing, I'm sure it would be a different story.

 

[wingsdad]

Ears.

 

[bigG]

If ya know the minor pentatonic scale, all those other scales w the fancy names are simply different versions of same: add a note here, drop a note there, change this note, change that note...when you look at all of the variations, it all boils down to the fact that you really can't hit a wrong note, and if you do hear a clinker, just bend it or slide it...or, you'll learn what doesn't work for a given tune/situation and learn to leave it out next time.

That's the simple version. Just play around w it and see what fits. Soon you'll have a cache of licks and you'll add and change the more you play.

My .02

 

[ZMAN]

Practice this scale in it's entirity, and move it up and down the neck, In different keys. Add lib off of it and you will improve immensely in your playing.

 

[bigG]

ZMAN, that first diagram (as shown) is the extended Am pentatonic scale - 1st position, and also the Em pentatonic scale - second postion.

If a player can get those down, pretty much the sky's the limit! Good on ya for posting that. Should be alot of help to alot of players. :beer:

EDIT: for newer players, the Am pent scale begins w root note on 6th string, 5th fret (first position) - the Em pent scale begins w root note on 5th string, 7th fret (second postion)

 

[tunghaichuan]

when you look at all of the variations, it all boils down to the fact that you really can't hit a wrong note, and if you do hear a clinker, just bend it or slide it...or, you'll learn what doesn't work for a given tune/situation and learn to leave it out next time.

Word. And if you're playing jazz, just hit the same clinker again and the audience will think you meant to play it. :rotflmao:

tung

 

[ZMAN]

ZMAN, that first diagram (as shown) is the extended Am pentatonic scale - 1st position, and also the Em pentatonic scale - second postion.

If a player can get those down, pretty much the sky's the limit! Good on ya for posting that. Should be alot of help to alot of players. :beer:

EDIT: for newer players, the Am pent scale begins w root note on 6th string, 5th fret (first position) - the Em pent scale begins w root note on 5th string, 7th fret (second postion)

Yes I discovered it in a book I bought in 1984 and hardly used. When I took the guitar back up about 18 years later I now realized what it was and it has been my the single most effective scale. I find I can improvise off it for many many songs. I also have the inside diagonal form, and I will post it as well.

 

[ZMAN]

This is the inside diagonal form. and how to move it up the fretboard,
One more. From a 1984 Hall Leonard book.

 

[pes_laul]

i have 2 scales sheets, scales with 3 notes per string, and scales that have variations (2 or 3 notes per string). the Ionian, Dorian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian.

i tend to use a mishmash of 3 and 2-3 note per string scales, what do you guys use for improv etc.?

http://www.modemaster.com/ It's you friend

(The link is having problems working on my computer but that's probably due to slow internet)