I need help with a blues solo

So on a lesson it said that a good blues solo (using A minor pentatonic scales), is better when it has a few major notes thrown in it.

So how do I know what notes to play that would make it sound major sometimes?

It said to find a major third, how do I do that?

Thanks.

I did three tutorials on that (20 lessons in all):
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244

Just to make sure that I understand the tutorials (thanks, by the way), when playing the D7 and E7 chords, are you still using the Am Pentatonic scales (with the F# and G# respectively) and starting on either D or E during a lick, or do you shift to the Dm and Em Pentatonic scales (while adding F# and G#), since both scales also fit in the key of Am? My understanding of scales is rudimentary, but I guess what I'm asking is if you would ever incorporate the F or B at any point while playing in Am?

Originally Posted by: Kurgan1536Just to make sure that I understand the tutorials (thanks, by the way), when playing the D7 and E7 chords, are you still using the Am Pentatonic scales (with the F# and G# respectively) and starting on either D or E during a lick, or do you shift to the Dm and Em Pentatonic scales (while adding F# and G#), since both scales also fit in the key of Am?
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Good question. In those lessons I am keeping things simple by always using the A minor Penatatonic scale as the point of reference. But in the long run, you can shift to the D minor Pentatonic shape or position if you want when the D7 chord comes along.

In fact you can even look at it like this: play A major pentatonic and add in the minor 3rd and minor 7th of the scale. The point is that a scale is a great reference point or "background" to keep in mind. But the real crux of the biscuit is to target chord tones: play notes from the chord that is happening at the time! The scale provides the passing tones in between the chord tones. Make sense?
[QUOTE=Kurgan1536]
My understanding of scales is rudimentary, but I guess what I'm asking is if you would ever incorporate the F or B at any point while playing in Am?

Sure, but only when I want the sound of those notes while certain chords are happening. I could and do play the B during the E7 chord, because it is a note of that chord (the 5th). The F sounds a little more "jazzy". I don't use it in those tuts. When playing, I would throw in the F on the E7 as a flat 9 or the D7 as a passing tone to the F-sharp; now that's a nifty "bluesy" sounding idea.

Thanks so much, Chris. I'll keep that in mind while I'm practicing today.

another option is to play all of the notes in between the 2 notes you would normaly play for a pentatonic scale, so that would give you 4 on the low E string (Frets 5, 6, 7, 8), 3 on the A, D, G (Frets 5, 6, 7) strings and finally 4 on the B and E strings (Frets 5, 6, 7, 8). It sounds a little more chromatic, but is an excellent excercise to recognize with your ears the difference a half step or whole can make. then through trial and error discover those unique sounds on your own, and what personifies your style the best.

J