Scales and Solos

[emuellerx]

Hey guys, what's up?

I've been taking lessons for awhile now, and I think I'm learning a lot. One thing I'd like to learn more about though is using scales for soloing stuff. I really only know 1 or 2 scales. What other scales (common or uncommon) can I learn so that I have more options for the sound of soloing? I'd also like to learn this type of thing for improvisation during jam sessions. Is there a good website with different scales I can browse through?

[Mr. Badguy]

www.cyberfret.com (http://www.cyberfret.com/scales/index.php)

That's where I've learned a good deal of my scales from. Which scales have you studied up on so far, and do you know any pentatonic scales? If I may make a humble suggestion, I'd suggest learning the pentatonic 7th, and just going all out with that baby! :thumb: It's a lot of fun once you get to playing around with it. Hope this helps, friend. :chug:

Edit: Hm, I was just looking around Cyberfret and I couldn't find the 7th, so I'll just tab it out for you.

E |--|--|1-|--|--|--|4-|
B |--|--|1-|--|--|4-|--|
G |--|--|--|2-|3-|--|--|
D |--|--|1-|--|3-|--|--|
A |--|1-|2-|--|4-|--|--|
E |--|2-|--|--|--|--|--|
______________________
3 5 7

Sorry if that's a bit confusing, but basically, the numbers from 1-4 within the tab represent the fingers that you should be using, and it's set up like a fretboard, so the 2 on the sixth string represents your middle finger, second fret. Scales are read left-to-right, bottom-to-top, so play every note listed on each string before going up another string. Enjoy. :)

[chris hog]

depending on what type of music you play is gonna depend on what type of scale you want to be soloing with.I recomend you learn the Major scale shape, the minor scale shape,the blues scale shape and the pentatonic scale shape.ask your teacher to go over these with you, or go on that "cyberfret" website and look them up, but these 4 scales should cover you for a while mate.

[mutant!]

E |--|--|1-|--|--|--|4-|
B |--|--|1-|--|--|4-|--|
G |--|--|--|2-|3-|--|--|
D |--|--|1-|--|3-|--|--|
A |--|1-|2-|--|4-|--|--|
E |--|2-|--|--|--|--|--|
That scale sounds fcuked up. You sure it's right?

Anyway, learn the major scale (not the pentatonic major, the "normal" (heptatonic) major). Then learn how to modify it to get different scales. For example, if you flatten (lower by one fret) the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes, you get a natural minor scale (or the Aeolian mode, same thing). Flatten the 7th and you get the Mixolydian mode.

http://www.musictheory.net if you're having trouble.

[emuellerx]

thanks guys, all helpful