Here’s a really useful extension to the Root 5 Major scale pattern – instead of carrying through we can simply transition up into the relative minor pattern and get a little more use out of the fretboard. This extension is really useful for changing patterns, or even just to use for soloing!
In this series, we’re going to learn about creating solos. In part 1, we covered the progression for Ain’t No Sunshine that we’re working with. In this one, we’re looking at the scales we’ll be using over that progression. If you’ve been following the School lessons in order, you should already be familiar with the scales presented in this lesson. We’re using the pentatonic minor, and the three position climb. If these patterns are totally fresh to you, it would be best if you go back and review those previous lessons first.
These scale patterns provide the notes you need to improvise a solo! So the first step is to become really comfortable using just the scale in the context of the jam track – listen to yourself as you play and take note of how each note sounds with the track.
This lesson is on how to use scales to follow a chord progression. This is a more advanced technique, because as we’ve covered many times before, when you’re just getting started soloing, by all means just stick in ONE scale; there is no need to be constantly shifting around. However, once you’re more comfortable with your scales, and you’re looking for a little extra challenge, this is a good direction to explore.
This G major scale can be used for more jazzy solos – and it’s particularly good for bass lines – but it is most beneficial for solidifying technique. Although this scale starts on the 3rd fret, we play it in the 2nd position, so that means starting the first note with the 2nd finger.
Here’s the tab for the scale:
In this lessons we will be looking at how to move scales starting on the the 6th string to start on the 5th. This is relatively easy way to add more variation and positions to your playing, but also a very good way of getting to know the fretboard.
Please make sure you’ve gone through the various lessons mentioned in the beginning part of this lesson.
Okay – here are the tabs for the lesson. The first set of three is for the A pentatonic minor scale. The second set of three are for the A diatonic minor scale, and the final set of tabs are for the G major scale.
Chromatic notes are great for spicing up solos or melodies and for breaking away from the more predictable notes in a key. There are normally used as passing notes/ tones between two notes of the key’s scale. Be sure to also watch the written version of this lesson as well, which you can find here.
If you ever wondered why we use bass scales, this lesson will be a great place to start finding out.
One of the more advanced ways to play the bass is to actually follow the chord progressions by changing scales with the chord changes.
Understanding the relative major and minor and how that relates to scales and chords is one of the most important parts of guitar theory you can learn.
Prior to going through this lesson, please make sure you’re familiar with the material in Colin’s lesson on I IV V.
Before watching this lesson on using the minor 7th in scales, you might want to first watch the Minor 7th Chords lesson.
Ok, so you know some scales, and now you want to really figure out how to cover the fretboard!
This lesson on scale integration assumes you’re already familiar with some of the scale patterns, and really takes a closer look at how they overlap, how they can be moved around, and how you can really dominate your fretboard!
The three scale patterns covered in this particular lesson are the pentatonic minor, the pentatonic minor 3 position climb, and the diatonic natural minor.
If you’ve never played a scale before in your life, then THIS is the place to start.
The pentatonic minor scale is the most universal scale, meaning you can apply it to an incredibly broad selection of musical genres. It is used in blues, rock, metal, country, pop, R&B, funk, gospel, bluegrass… the list goes on and on.
In short – you need to learn this scale!
Here’s the tab for the scale in this lesson:
