question on adding diversity to style

Im new at this, and ive only been playing guitar for a year. well, not really playing till i discovered S.R.V a few months ago. Now ive really improved. i have the blues scales down and when i solo when me and friends are jammin, i get self concious and seem to my self like im playing the same "white noise" each song. They cant tell what im talking about, and say ive really improved, but i can.


So.... Can anyone give some input/advice on/for scales, modes, solos, keys, influences, etc. to add flavor to my style? (Rock/Blues/metal) My biggest influences already are S.R.V., Jimmi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash. although i do like to through a little classical in sometimes.

this is my first ever forum, so sorry if its stupid.

Well, how about playing a harmonic minor scale? It sounds kind of "exotic" with the raised scale degree 7 and should help diversify your scalar knowledge a bit more. I'll post an example below.

A Harmonic Minor - A B C D E F G# A

To figure out a Harmonic minor scale, just take the Natural Minor and raise the 7th scale degree half a step.

Hope this helps.

be carefull with the harmonic minor as you can only play it at certain times. for instance, in purely modal theory the fith chord of a minor key is a minor chord. but for ages people have played a majour chord. this means the key has to be slightly changed, and there you have it, the harmonic minor.

i would advise that you learn the the majour and minor scales and learn a bit of theory. then also when u improvise over chords listen to them carfully, try to work out what notes are in the chords. try to use these notes when you play. obviosly dont stick ridgidly to them, cos then u would just be doin arpegios .this method should give u the ability to give ur improvisation more form. mainly keep practicin and jammin as it will help develope your ear.

------5----------------------
----5---8-5-------------------
-7b---------7----------------
------------------------
------------------------
-------------------------

i know this lick has been exhausted to the point of cliche, but practice doing every different picking combination you can with it. how about adding in some speed and doing this?

-------5-5---5--8-8-5-5---5-
-----5-----8-------------8--
--7b-----------------
-------------------
-------------------
-------------------

and so on. i look at licks in the sense that you have two ways to diversify them: your right and left hand. take an easy lick, put a spin on it as many ways as you can, even if it sounds goofy or downright dumb. chances are, those alternate approaches to licks will help you in countless ways down the road. take advice from hendrix in the fact that chords AND lead licks are not static--they can be altered and played in many different ways.

Also, try listening to something different, something completely outside your comfort zone. Take note of the different musical ideas that you encounter, and try to incorporate them into your playing.
Most of all, relax and enjoy yourself, and new ideas will flow more freely. :)

Originally Posted by: jiujitsu_jesusAlso, try listening to something different, something completely outside your comfort zone. Take note of the different musical ideas that you encounter, and try to incorporate them into your playing.
Most of all, relax and enjoy yourself, and new ideas will flow more freely. :)

Truth. Good advice.