Modes: Help!

[dvalukis]

I've been playing guitar for almost 10 years now and I still solo like I just picked up a guitar for the first time:BANG. I know what notes are in every key, I know the "boxes" to play in, but my improv just sounds terrible. Does anyone know where I can find some good help with soloing, specifically modes?

Are modes exclusive to the progression? For example #41 is in the key of G, but the progression starts on an Am7. So does that mean the basic solo for the verse prog. would be A Dorian?

Any help in any fashion would be awsome. Thanx in advance.

[darbini]

I'm just starting to learn this from my guitar teacher(5th lesson). He's right off of US 19 in Clearwater and is really helping me out(played for awhile but did it backasswards with no theory or discipline) and could probably help you out considerably. He's helping me fill in those important creative gaps in my playing.

[Kyvek]

on the subject of getting better/more creative with your solos, I would recommend really listening to other players on different instruments. I've been studying the way jeff coffin solos with the flecktones, and trying to learn as many of his licks on bass/guitar as I can. it has really helped me solo with a different approach. hope that helps! oh and learn what tim is playing with dmb/tr3...he has a very unique style; I'm sure everyone could learn a thing or two from him :lol

[MGH4007]

There are so many things to be said, I'm on my iphone right now so I can't post an essay. I'll try to get back later.

[dvalukis]

I'm just starting to learn this from my guitar teacher(5th lesson). He's right off of US 19 in Clearwater and is really helping me out(played for awhile but did it backasswards with no theory or discipline) and could probably help you out considerably. He's helping me fill in those important creative gaps in my playing.

Thanx. You think you could PM me with his info?

on the subject of getting better/more creative with your solos, I would recommend really listening to other players on different instruments. I've been studying the way jeff coffin solos with the flecktones, and trying to learn as many of his licks on bass/guitar as I can. it has really helped me solo with a different approach. hope that helps! oh and learn what tim is playing with dmb/tr3...he has a very unique style; I'm sure everyone could learn a thing or two from him :lol

Never thought of that approach. It seems like Tim learns from himself. Like he goes off into a meditation while playing and then listens back to what he played and teaches himself how to play like hiself. Sounds paradoxical, but he really is insane, lol. I'll try that out. Thanks.

There are so many things to be said, I'm on my iphone right now so I can't post an essay. I'll try to get back later.

Look foward to it.

[VanHorneDog]

post something, maybe you dont suck as much as you think you do?

EDIT: you cant be worse than "the edge" on smooth rider right?

[Kyvek]

post something, maybe you dont suck as much as you think you do?

EDIT: you cant be worse than "the edge" on smooth rider right?
when did the edge play with dmb? this sounds just awful...

[darbini]

when did the edge play with dmb? this sounds just awful...

It was at like JazzFest or something about 3-4 years ago maybe, it was bad

Here it is: 4-29-06
http://dmbalmanac.com/TourShowSet.aspx?id=453056264

[VanHorneDog]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brdYPAOF1KM

not gunna lie i could easily play that. maybe even do one better. no flow what so ever.

[Kyvek]

didn't he rank relatively high on rolling stone's "best guitar players" list? I hate U2...and I hate the group of people who keep encouraging them and their's...

EDIT:: referring to magazines saying edge is one of the best guitar players...not saying I hate U2 fans :lol. However they do need to be held responsible for what they're doing...

[VanHorneDog]

didn't he rank relatively high on rolling stone's "best guitar players" list? I hate U2...and I hate the group of people who keep encouraging them and their's...

EDIT:: referring to magazines saying edge is one of the best guitar players...not saying I hate U2 fans :lol. However they do need to be held responsible for what they're doing...

he is a studio guy i guess. just becuase you dont have improvisation skills doesnt mean you cannot play the guitar well, and vice versa. however, most good improvisers are steller musicians. becuase thats the hardest thing to do in music IMO.

[zajDmB1]

didn't he rank relatively high on rolling stone's "best guitar players" list? I hate U2...and I hate the group of people who keep encouraging them and their's...

EDIT:: referring to magazines saying edge is one of the best guitar players...not saying I hate U2 fans :lol. However they do need to be held responsible for what they're doing...

That whole atmospheric, semi-tempoless sound that the Edge is famous for is pretty uniquely his. Whether or not he can improv well, and whether you like it or not, the Edge is a ridiculously influential player, which is what RS goes for over actual technical skill.

PS-Go listen to The Joshua Tree and Unforgettable Fire. They are ridiculously brilliant albums.

[Ryan R]

ok ill explain modes since no one else will lol:

there are 7 different modes total in each key
there are 7 different basic triads in each key

so with those two facts look at C major (easiest key to work with)

C D E F G A B C

the I (one) chord in this scale is CEG

now lets say we used the same NOTES of C major, but we made the i (one) chord a different chord, such as D, the chord would be DFA.

now that the D is the i chord, lets use the notes of C major

D E F G A B C D.

above is a mode. all you do is take a note in any scale, and treat that note as the root, using the same notes as the key you pulled the note from.

these are all the modes in C and what they look like:

1. C D E F G A B C (Ionian)

2. D E F G A B C D (Dorian)

3. E F G A B C D E (Phrygian)

4. F G A B C D E F (Lydian)

5. G A B C D E F G (Mixolydian)

6. A B C D E F G A (Aeolian)

7. B C D E F G A B (Locrian)

above are all the modes of C. im sure you can see a pattern each name next to the series of notes is the name of the mode. these names are the same for each key. so if you made a scale using the 4th note of a scale, it's ALWAYS called lydian. but as you can see each mode corresponds to what number note (1-7) of the scale youre using.

The modes Ionian and Aeolian are as known as the major and minor scales respectively. So for example if someone said lets play in C Ionian, thats just a fancy way of saying "lets play in C major".

i hope that helps

[dvalukis]

That whole atmospheric, semi-tempoless sound that the Edge is famous for is pretty uniquely his. Whether or not he can improv well, and whether you like it or not, the Edge is a ridiculously influential player, which is what RS goes for over actual technical skill.

PS-Go listen to The Joshua Tree and Unforgettable Fire. They are ridiculously brilliant albums.


Sorry to go off topic on my own thread. I haven't checked it in awhile, but this jumped out at me cause I like giving credit where it's due. The unique Edge sound was actually introduced to him by a friend, Michael Brooks. He's an awesome musician/producer/composer everything. He pretty much rocks. http://www.answers.com/topic/michael-brook

Not saying Edge isn't a great guitar player. Just wanted to set the record on where the sound came from.

[dvalukis]

ok ill explain modes since no one else will lol:

there are 7 different modes total in each key
there are 7 different basic triads in each key

so with those two facts look at C major (easiest key to work with)

C D E F G A B C

the I (one) chord in this scale is CEG

now lets say we used the same NOTES of C major, but we made the i (one) chord a different chord, such as D, the chord would be DFA.

now that the D is the i chord, lets use the notes of C major

D E F G A B C D.

above is a mode. all you do is take a note in any scale, and treat that note as the root, using the same notes as the key you pulled the note from.

these are all the modes in C and what they look like:

1. C D E F G A B C (Ionian)

2. D E F G A B C D (Dorian)

3. E F G A B C D E (Phrygian)

4. F G A B C D E F (Lydian)

5. G A B C D E F G (Mixolydian)

6. A B C D E F G A (Aeolian)

7. B C D E F G A B (Locrian)

above are all the modes of C. im sure you can see a pattern each name next to the series of notes is the name of the mode. these names are the same for each key. so if you made a scale using the 4th note of a scale, it's ALWAYS called lydian. but as you can see each mode corresponds to what number note (1-7) of the scale youre using.

The modes Ionian and Aeolian are as known as the major and minor scales respectively. So for example if someone said lets play in C Ionian, thats just a fancy way of saying "lets play in C major".

i hope that helps

I understand. Thanks for the detailed explanation. But what happens when you bust out "Best of What's Around". There's a couple chords (or many) in there that wouldn't fall into a single mode. How the heck would you improv over that if you'd never heard it?

[darbini]

I was told that the chords to use with the C Major scale were C-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-Bdim. Now can I use any of the scales listed above to solo over any of these chords? Or would I have to use the C Ionian scale but in different positions when playing in C? I don't have my next lesson until next week and we were just getting started with this so naturally I'm a little eager to know what's up. In other words, if I play a F-Am-Dm-C progression could I play any of the modes over that progression or does it have to be Lydian-Aeolian-Dorian-Ionian or instead the Lydian mode but in different positions?


Do I use below to play over the chords at will or do I adjust to play them over certian chords?

C Ionian_____________D Dorian___________E Phrygian___________F Lydian
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l----------------------
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l----------------------
-----------2-4-5--l--------------5-7--l-----------------7-9-l---------------7-9-10-
-----2-3-5--------l--------5-7-9------l---------7-9-10------l-------7-9-10--------
-3-5--------------l--5-7-8------------l--7-8-10-------------l--8-10----------------
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l-----------------------

G Mixolydian__________A Aeolian__________B Locrian
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
-----------2-3-5-l--------------5-7--l-----------------7-9-l
-----2-3-5-------l-------5-7-8-------l---------7-8-10------l
-3-5-------------l-5-7-8-------------l--7-8-10-------------l

[Ryan R]

I understand. Thanks for the detailed explanation. But what happens when you bust out "Best of What's Around". There's a couple chords (or many) in there that wouldn't fall into a single mode. How the heck would you improv over that if you'd never heard it?

well he moves in and out of different keys (or i guess in this discussion ionian modes), so there really isnt a lot of mode playing here. like the start is in a C major/A minor type of thing, then goes into an A major thing... for something like that you basically need to know your scales. but you need to know youre scales before you can know your modes, because you derive your modes FROM the scales.

and remember what makes the mode is the I (one) chord, the chord that is the center, tonic, or reslutant chord. the concept isnt so much that you play different modes each chord, but it's about ONE chord being feature as the tonic. others can be played, but the one feautred the most is what mode youre in. so let's say you're in D Dorian (which features a Dm chord). you can play the Dm chord for a bit, then go to Am, then back to Dm. just because you changed to Am doesnt mean youre in a new mode, because Dm is still the chord thats being tonicized.

and for improv you need to train yourself so that when you hear a song (well a song that changes keys a lot and you've never heard it before) you know EXACTLY what key its in. i have something called "color hearing" where whenever i hear a song or chord, i can tell what key its in by associating it with a color that i "hear", so i could do this easily. people play me notes, chords or songs all the time, and after a second i them tell them what it is. also people with perfect pitch can do this as well. however if you dont have something like "color" hearing, or perfect pitch, you can train yourself to regognize keys that songs are in.



I was told that the chords to use with the C Major scale were C-Dm-Em-F-G-Am-Bdim. Now can I use any of the scales listed above to solo over any of these chords? Or would I have to use the C Ionian scale but in different positions when playing in C? I don't have my next lesson until next week and we were just getting started with this so naturally I'm a little eager to know what's up. In other words, if I play a F-Am-Dm-C progression could I play any of the modes over that progression or does it have to be Lydian-Aeolian-Dorian-Ionian or instead the Lydian mode but in different positions?


Do I use below to play over the chords at will or do I adjust to play them over certian chords?

C Ionian_____________D Dorian___________E Phrygian___________F Lydian
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l----------------------
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l----------------------
-----------2-4-5--l--------------5-7--l-----------------7-9-l---------------7-9-10-
-----2-3-5--------l--------5-7-9------l---------7-9-10------l-------7-9-10--------
-3-5--------------l--5-7-8------------l--7-8-10-------------l--8-10----------------
------------------l--------------------l---------------------l-----------------------

G Mixolydian__________A Aeolian__________B Locrian
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
------------------l-------------------l---------------------l
-----------2-3-5-l--------------5-7--l-----------------7-9-l
-----2-3-5-------l-------5-7-8-------l---------7-8-10------l
-3-5-------------l-5-7-8-------------l--7-8-10-------------l

pretty just read what i told the person above because they were confused about the same thing. but what you have above IS correct, however the concept of modes is not nearly that strict. but as for positions, learn how to play scales ALL the way up the neck. learn how to solo from open strings and the first fret all the way up to the 12th fret and beyond. also learn where notes are. this way you can play ALL the modes in ANY position. right now you have to move up and down the neck like crazy to play different modes. you could play ALL the modes in a single position, and move freely when you wished.

there are also some short cuts for playing modes as well that i could explain but they would prob be slightly confusing. if you learn all the scale shapes for major (there's about 5, depending on who you ask), i can easily show you. let me know when you have them down SOLID. as in you can play them BLINDFOLDED lol

[dvalukis]

post something, maybe you dont suck as much as you think you do?

EDIT: you cant be worse than "the edge" on smooth rider right?


Here: http://rapidshare.com/files/199205638/Messin_Round.mp3

Just got Pro Tools and this was a good excuse to make something. I did the lead in one take so that it could be as close to improv as possible. I'm not terrible, but I just feel like I hit a wall. It's on the verge of being decent lead, but I just can't bust out. It's just very spastic with no direction.

Think I'm just going to take lessons or start ripping off other people's solos.

[VanHorneDog]

Here: http://rapidshare.com/files/199205638/Messin_Round.mp3

Just got Pro Tools and this was a good excuse to make something. I did the lead in one take so that it could be as close to improv as possible. I'm not terrible, but I just feel like I hit a wall. It's on the verge of being decent lead, but I just can't bust out. It's just very spastic with no direction.

Think I'm just going to take lessons or start ripping off other people's solos.

really best thing you can do. lol

anyway i listened to ur clip. i get what you are saying, im pretty much in the same boat. The one thing that does help too is playing with other musicians, it is really hard to render a good climactic motion in music by simply playing by yourself (especially improv wise). this is why it takes so long in studio to lay things down, but live sometimes you do things you never knew you could do. I def do this.

plus playing off of other peoples rhythms and tempos will help with variety in solos. learning modes and getting instruction should help. but their comes a point were theory is useless without practical application.

[41 Step]

ALL OF YOU are wrong.

#41 is in the key of E minor. Use that scale to solo over it.

/thread

[dvalukis]

really best thing you can do. lol

anyway i listened to ur clip. i get what you are saying, im pretty much in the same boat. The one thing that does help too is playing with other musicians, it is really hard to render a good climactic motion in music by simply playing by yourself (especially improv wise). this is why it takes so long in studio to lay things down, but live sometimes you do things you never knew you could do. I def do this.

plus playing off of other peoples rhythms and tempos will help with variety in solos. learning modes and getting instruction should help. but their comes a point were theory is useless without practical application.

Thanx for the input. Sipping Coffee is excellent.

ALL OF YOU are wrong.

#41 is in the key of E minor. Use that scale to solo over it.

/thread

:multi

[Ryan R]

ALL OF YOU are wrong.

#41 is in the key of E minor. Use that scale to solo over it.

/thread

FAIL. sometimes its in G major..... which is technically the same thing

Edit: but really its E minor.

[dvalukis]

FAIL. sometimes its in G major..... which is technically the same thing

Edit: but really its E minor.

Same thing and you know it.

[Ryan R]

Same thing and you know it.

yeah yeah both use the same key sig and shit

[dvalukis]

yeah yeah both use the same key sig and shit

lol, just joshin'

[zajDmB1]

Sorry to go off topic on my own thread. I haven't checked it in awhile, but this jumped out at me cause I like giving credit where it's due. The unique Edge sound was actually introduced to him by a friend, Michael Brooks. He's an awesome musician/producer/composer everything. He pretty much rocks. http://www.answers.com/topic/michael-brook

Not saying Edge isn't a great guitar player. Just wanted to set the record on where the sound came from.

I was actually thinking when I wrote that the Edge probably didn't invent that sound/style, but I didn't really feel like researching it at the moment hah. So I'm glad you knew that, thanks ha. But regardless, no matter who invented it or who showed who, the Edge is the person that is the most well known for it, which could be bullshit depending on how you look at things and dole out praise. But still, I think it's fair to say that most people that do that have gotten the idea from early U2.

[dvalukis]

I was actually thinking when I wrote that the Edge probably didn't invent that sound/style, but I didn't really feel like researching it at the moment hah. So I'm glad you knew that, thanks ha. But regardless, no matter who invented it or who showed who, the Edge is the person that is the most well known for it, which could be bullshit depending on how you look at things and dole out praise. But still, I think it's fair to say that most people that do that have gotten the idea from early U2.

Agreed.

[Ryan R]

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php

best site ever. it taught me every scale. and if you look at the modes, they use the same pattern as major and minor :eek

that big discovery taught me how modes are part of scales and such. but use that site and learn like C major up the whole neck. once you know how to play all the positions of a scale in just ONE key, you also instantly learn how to solo in EVERY other key as well, mainly because they use the same pattern for basic major and minor. once you know this, learning other people's licks will become much easier as well.

[VanHorneDog]

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_scales.php

best site ever. it taught me every scale. and if you look at the modes, they use the same pattern as major and minor :eek

that big discovery taught me how modes are part of scales and such. but use that site and learn like C major up the whole neck. once you know how to play all the positions of a scale in just ONE key, you also instantly learn how to solo in EVERY other key as well, mainly because they use the same pattern for basic major and minor. once you know this, learning other people's licks will become much easier as well.

modes are really just the idea of the route note. you may be playing in the Key of C but using a G scale of some sort when the chord progression changes over to a G chord works. honestly i know what im talking about, i just cant say it becuase i didnt learn it techinically like.

[Kyvek]

modes are really just the idea of the route note. you may be playing in the Key of C but using a G scale of some sort when the chord progression changes over to a G chord works. honestly i know what im talking about, i just cant say it becuase i didnt learn it techinically like.

I know what you mean. Look at a Gmajor scale:

e:|--------------------------------------------
b:|--------------------------------------------
G:|--------------------------------------------
D:|-------------2-4-5--------------------------
A:|-------2-3-5--------------------------------
E:|--3-5---------------------------------------
Now, use the SAME scale, containing all the SAME notes, but start and end on the A instead of the G:


e:|--------------------------------------------
b:|--------------------------------------------
G:|--------------------2-----------------------
D:|-------------2-4-5--------------------------
A:|------2-3-5---------------------------------
E:|---5----------------------------------------
^^^ that's the second, or Dorian, mode (called A dorian). It's all meant to give you a different sound, while still using the same chord progression. Soloing over a Gmaj7-Cmaj7-D7 progression with a G major scale will sound a bit boring. However, use a G mixolydian scale, and BOOM sounds a little spicier. That's, IMO, the practical application of modes today. Back in the day, churches only let people play in the key of C (so as to only use the white keys on the piano), and to get different sounds, they would switch modes. Not sure if I'm beating a dead horse, but this kind of explanation made the most sense to me when I was first learning. :thumbsup

[Ryan R]

modes are really just the idea of the route note. you may be playing in the Key of C but using a G scale of some sort when the chord progression changes over to a G chord works. honestly i know what im talking about, i just cant say it becuase i didnt learn it techinically like.

yeah i already put up a massive post that explained modes completely, i dont know if you saw it. i just saying this site was the starting point for me several years ago when i started to learn about them

I know what you mean. Look at a Gmajor scale:

e:|--------------------------------------------
b:|--------------------------------------------
G:|--------------------------------------------
D:|-------------2-4-5--------------------------
A:|-------2-3-5--------------------------------
E:|--3-5---------------------------------------Now, use the SAME scale, containing all the SAME notes, but start and end on the A instead of the G:


e:|--------------------------------------------
b:|--------------------------------------------
G:|--------------------2-----------------------
D:|-------------2-4-5--------------------------
A:|------2-3-5---------------------------------
E:|---5----------------------------------------^^^ that's the second, or Dorian, mode (called A dorian). It's all meant to give you a different sound, while still using the same chord progression. Soloing over a Gmaj7-Cmaj7-D7 progression with a G major scale will sound a bit boring. However, use a G mixolydian scale, and BOOM sounds a little spicier. That's, IMO, the practical application of modes today. Back in the day, churches only let people play in the key of C (so as to only use the white keys on the piano), and to get different sounds, they would switch modes. Not sure if I'm beating a dead horse, but this kind of explanation made the most sense to me when I was first learning. :thumbsup

well im not really sure youd want to use a G mixolydian scale, because the chord that a mixolydian scale outlines is a Major/minor7th chord, or simply a 7th chord. The major 7th and the minor 7th would clash and not sound as good when you hit the Gmaj7 chord. If you switched up the the chords a little bit you would prob have better results, or if you used a different mode. for those chords dorian would most likely work best, but youd use a Dm7 instead. just a thought. you have to think a little bit before you just go out and try playing a mode.

[Kyvek]

yeah i already put up a massive post that explained modes completely, i dont know if you saw it. i just saying this site was the starting point for me several years ago when i started to learn about them



well im not really sure youd want to use a G mixolydian scale, because the chord that a mixolydian scale outlines is a Major/minor7th chord, or simply a 7th chord. The major 7th and the minor 7th would clash and not sound as good when you hit the Gmaj7 chord. If you switched up the the chords a little bit you would prob have better results, or if you used a different mode. for those chords dorian would most likely work best, but youd use a Dm7 instead. just a thought. you have to think a little bit before you just go out and try playing a mode.

Oops good point :thumbsup I didn't mean maj7, meant just 7 :lol yeah, the minor 7th wouldn't sound great with those two maj7 chords. Sorry, was not thinking clearly.

[PinkFloydDudi]

I too am working on my soloing technique. Knowing your modes and scales like the back of your hand is the first step to even standing a chance.
With that being said....when soloing, you are playing SCALES, not chords.
So no matter what mode you are in, you still have the same notes to pick from

One tip I've realized is that its not what notes you play in the scale that matters, its the notes you use to do the fills. So here you go, as a little suggestion:
1) Learn your BLUES scales! Major and minor stuff is great for chords and progressions, learn the blues scales! (in C it would be: C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb)
2) Have a melody that you can sing in your head, and play on your instrument. Don't expect your fingers to just suddenly play random notes (in the scale) and make a solo melody out of it. Its not going to happen. You have to know what melody you want, and play the notes that you hear in your head.
3) Sing along with your solo. You have heard Butch taylor do his "scat" over his solos...do that. Sing the note you want to hit and hit it at the same time. If they don't match, you aren't playing it correctly.
4) Perhaps trying singing a lick, maybe 6 or 7 notes. Then play it. Did they match? If not, keep practicing.
5) Start simple. Miles Davis could solo for 3 minutes using 1 note. Now up it to 2 notes. Play just those 2 notes in 1 rhythm for 2 measures...then switch the rhythm of those 2 notes and play that same rhythm another couple of times. Now up it to 3 notes, etc..etc..

6) Very important: "Improv is not about when to play, its about when not to play". Don't be afraid of space! You don't have to sit there and run up and down the neck of your guitar to have a good solo.

7) Once you are able to get a simple melody, fill it in with extra notes. This is where the hammer-on's happen and slides and stuff like that. For example if you are playing in C, and you want to go from "G" to "B" for individual notes...hit G...then do a quick "A-Bb-B" type chormatic run to get to that B.

8) Know your chromatic scale! Easiest scale to do right! The question is not do you know the scale...its how fast can you play it. Jordan Rudess, the keyboard player from Dream Theater, can play an 88 note keyboard up AND down chromatically in around 10 seconds. Thats about 15 notes per second.
"BULLSHIT"...(i heard you say it!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Byb28Cp50

I'll stop there, considering I'm in a damn DMB tribute band and can't do half the things I just mentioned above. Hopefully they give you a few tips.

[zajDmB1]

All these things people have said are great, but honestly, I think you should just start worrying about soloing over the basic chords/scales before you work in the modes. It will just confuse you. If you REALLY wanna start playing over the modes wait til you find a song with like a long vamp or something. So if there's a part that holds over E or something, it might get boring staying in the normal E scale. But I think you should get a lot more comfortable with the normal scales first before you even bother with modes.

[Ryan R]

All these things people have said are great, but honestly, I think you should just start worrying about soloing over the basic chords/scales before you work in the modes. It will just confuse you. If you REALLY wanna start playing over the modes wait til you find a song with like a long vamp or something. So if there's a part that holds over E or something, it might get boring staying in the normal E scale. But I think you should get a lot more comfortable with the normal scales first before you even bother with modes.

yeah thats true. honestly just learn like your basic pentatonic scale, then pentatonic blues, then major, then minor, then the modes, then harmonic minor, then the modes of harmonic minor, then symmetrical scales, diminished scales, whole tone scales.... after that just make up your own! hahaha

[PinkFloydDudi]

yeah thats true. honestly just learn like your basic pentatonic scale, then pentatonic blues, then major, then minor, then the modes, then harmonic minor, then the modes of harmonic minor, then symmetrical scales, diminished scales, whole tone scales.... after that just make up your own! hahaha

Not sure if you put a bunch of thought into that order or not, but anyone else reading...its actually pretty damn accurate as to a great progression that people should go through when looking to imrpovise.

Well said. :thumbsup

[Ryan R]

Not sure if you put a bunch of thought into that order or not, but anyone else reading...its actually pretty damn accurate as to a great progression that people should go through when looking to imrpovise.

Well said. :thumbsup

haha thanks man. no that's actually the order i learned everything in and was just listing it them off the top of my head.

[Ryan R]

also people who want to learn to solo, go buy John Petrucci's "Rock Discipline", Paul Gilbert's "Intense Rock", or basically any guitar video you can find on youtube. these lessons helped me tremendously. they might be kind of advanced for some though but if you learn the licks and memorize the lessons you will improve DRAMATICALLY

[VanHorneDog]

Thanx for the input. Sipping Coffee is excellent.


no worries and thanks. i never mentioned that your clip showed you have nice touch.