Help with Theory & Solos

I have been playing for about 2 or 3 years and am self taught ive learned other peoples solos and stuff but i want to learn where to start for learning to write my own solos theorywise any help would be appreciated

cations for the pentatonic scale that I had never thought of before. first of all, the pentatonic scale is great starting point for creating solos. I'm sure you probably know it by now if you have been playing for 2/3 years. If you don't, there are some helpful lessons about the pentatonic scale here at guitartricks (just do a search) and at many other sites.

Take the solo from Stairway to heaven for example, that uses the A minor pentatonic scale exclusively for almost all of the solo. Learning that solo for me opened up a lot of ideas and appli

Yeah I've heard of and have used pentatonic scales to improvise stuff and write some just off the cuff stuff. But, I was wondering more towards using modes and other theory to sit down and really write one out beforehand.

I have the same this layout for :cool: all the keys

Chordhouse.com

A huge help would be to learn and memorize all of the scale/modal patterns and positions. Also you need to be able to recognize what key and chords you are playing over. that should get you started. if you need charts of the scales just e-mail me [email]dshahinian@comcast.net[/email]

Learning modes will open up a lot of new doors for you. There are lots of good resources out there--check out: Modes, by Tom Kolb.

mine come to me in my dreams...

Well, yea, use the stuff those guys are saying, but don't plan your solos. Music, for the most part in my opinion, is about improvisation. Just start jamming and then don't think about the solo. Eventually you'll get a basic idea for the sound of the solo.

ya, i was taught the modes quite some time ago, and not too long ago I just randomly began to improv using the modes and I was surprised by how well I was able to form a solo. Just learn the modes and some scale patterns and then just jam with a friend or something, and the solos will come soon enough.

Whether you're self-taught or previously had difficulties finding a serious teacher who actually knew what they were talking about in relation to music theory and how to proceed that into improv./solos...it's normal to feel frustrated when trying to expand your horizons and options. I think it's still probably best to find a teacher who is willing to work with you to help you fulfill the goals you have in mind. This way, you'll know what you're learning is accurate, and you'll also receive efficient and faster results. \m/

~*Krystle*~

Originally Posted by: Nick LaytonLearning modes will open up a lot of new doors for you. There are lots of good resources out there--check out: Modes, by Tom Kolb.

I just got done studing modes again, I'm beginning to think that they are no more important than the circle of 5's, just another way to get there. As I hear other players explain them I begin to think that that they are giving me a bunch of heady retoric. That isn't necessary. :)

Originally Posted by: Julian Vickerscations for the pentatonic scale that I had never thought of before. first of all, the pentatonic scale is great starting point for creating solos. I'm sure you probably know it by now if you have been playing for 2/3 years. If you don't, there are some helpful lessons about the pentatonic scale here at guitartricks (just do a search) and at many other sites.

Take the solo from Stairway to heaven for example, that uses the A minor pentatonic scale exclusively for almost all of the solo. Learning that solo for me opened up a lot of ideas and appli

Julian', Albert collins constantly starts his licks by bending the 7th up to the 1st. Is he using a mode

Originally Posted by: rightturnonlyI just got done studing modes again, I'm beginning to think that they are no more important than the circle of 5's, just another way to get there. As I hear other players explain them I begin to think that that they are giving me a bunch of heady retoric. That isn't necessary. :)

There's a lot more to modes than just another way to do the same thing. Modes are in fact the complete opposite. There a way to do something completely different. When you take a scale, you're working with a selection of intervallic steps. When you change the root note, but stick with the same notes, all the intervallic steps change order. Everything is based around and compared to that beginning note. When playing a melody in Ionian, moving from the root to the 3rd, you're hitting a Major 3rd. If you lowered your root note a mere 1/2 step and switched to Locrian then you're changing the Major 3rd to a Minor 3rd. And all the other steps have changed as well. The Perfect 5th has moved 1/2 step down and is now Diminished.

For example, here are the intervallic steps comparing the traditional Major scale (Ionian) to Locrian. Capital letters

Ionian
W W H W W W H
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Locrian
H W W H W W W
b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8

As you can see, most of the only types of intervals that remain the same are the 4th and the octave. Granted, it can take some time before the unique sound of a given mode clicks, but the more you work with them, the more you'll pick up on it. But bear in mind, that all of this is determined by where you start.

I guess it all depends on what kind of music you play. Theory wise Yes scales are top priority. I wouldn't say just focus on the pentatonic scale though. i've been playtin about the same amount of time but all my solos were vbased off that scale and i became confined to it. Honestly I would learn majors and minors first. Bein harmonic and melodic minors. Then i would start learning modes of the scale, then pentatonic. Start with it get it memorized then move on. it's not the most important