How do you apply scales to a chord progression??

I understand how scales and modes are formed but I do not understand how to apply them when improvising over a chord progression.

Do you juggle between scales as the background chords change or do you play one scale for the entire song assuming the Key dosn't change?

Lets use the pentatonic to keep it simple. In the Key of G if the chord progression is G C D does that mean I play the G pentatonic scale when the G chord is happening and then switch to the C pentatonic when the C chord changed over OR do I just play the G pentatonic for all the chord changes?

What happens if there are both major and minor chords going on. Do I switch between major and minor pentatonic scales?


Sorry for all the questions.

Originally Posted by: ics1974I understand how scales and modes are formed but I do not understand how to apply them when improvising over a chord progression.[/quote]
Do you understand how chords are formed from scales? This is the thing you need to do in order to understand how they are related.
[QUOTE=ics1974]
Do you juggle between scales as the background chords change or do you play one scale for the entire song assuming the Key dosn't change?

I did tutorials covering precisely this material.

Scales And Chords Relationships Series 1
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=426

Using Scales To Connect Chords Exercise 1
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=427

Using Scales To Connect Chords Exercise 2
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=428

Then after you do those you can look at applying them to the skill of improvisation:

Introduction To Improvisation In A Major Key
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483

Introduction To Improvisation In A Minor Key
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

Hi Chris,

Yes I understand how chords are created I just do not how everyone chooses what scales over the chord progression. I would think you would need to change the scale to work with the chord going on. I will look at your tutorials.

Thanks

What style of music are you playing? If you're playing rock n' roll or blues in the key of G then the G pentatonic minor scale will work for the entire progression. If you're playing R&B or COUNTRY: the G pentatonic minor and/or the G pentatonic MAJOR scales would work.
If you really want to learn the theoretical basis for chords and scales: Christopher Schlegel's tutorials are the way to go.
Take care.
Doug

Originally Posted by: drf46What style of music are you playing? If you're playing rock n' roll or blues in the key of G then the G pentatonic minor scale will work for the entire progression. If you're playing R&B or COUNTRY: the G pentatonic minor and/or the G pentatonic MAJOR scales would work.
If you really want to learn the theoretical basis for chords and scales: Christopher Schlegel's tutorials are the way to go.
Take care.
Doug

Rock and Blues.
I learned that melody loves chord tones so your strong notes should be chord tones from the same background chord being played.
In my example the band is playing a G C D progression and I am playing lead guitar.
If your melody ONLY use the G minor pentatonic you have the 1 3b 5 for the G "chord tones" in the scales making this actually G minor. The C chord tones you have the 1 and 5 to play with. The D cord tones you only have the 1. This seem a little limiting as the chord tones should be your stong notes and the remaining scale notes should be more passing or connecting notes to other chord tones.

note: below when I say 1 3 5 I mean the 1 3 5 to make up the chord not the scale numbers.

This is why I'm asking if you switch scales as the background chords change.

Does this make sense?

Thanks

Ok I did the tutorial and see how this makes sense using the Major/Minor scale.
I guess it's the pentatonic scale I have an issue with. It just seems so limiting if you don't change the scale to work with the current chord going on.

I am traveling and have limited time right now. So I will get more into this next week. For now I wanted to say...

Look at my Major Notes in Minor Pentatonic tutorials.
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244

Originally Posted by: ics1974
note: below when I say 1 3 5 I mean the 1 3 5 to make up the chord not the scale numbers.

Big clue: the 1 3 5 that make the chords ARE scale numbers. That's where they come from! No difference between them. :)

Basics of Music Theory:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=495

i understand what you're asking, and in a simple answer: no, you would not change scales every time you change chords. this goes into what chords you are playing, though. if it is "diatonic" (or the roots of the chords are found in the scale and no notes of the chord violate the notes of your scale) then you can rock and roll your way to the bank with just one scale. changing scales gets more into classical and most definitely jazz playing. classical pieces modulate to different keys, obviously warranting a new scale, and jazz music contains extended chord harmony (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) that will sound bad against your diatonic scale at times, so jazz players work in "changes" (they outline the scale tones relating to the chords being played) but that's heavier than you want to be in at your state of learning, so just focus on the easier stuff, like rock/pop/metal/blues/reggae/what have you.

hope that helps.

Hi Chris

So you are adding in the major 3 to a minor pentatonic. I see.
Let me see if I fully understand.
1. You look at the chord progression and determine what scale contains most if not all the chord tones. That is the one you use.
2. The strong notes you choose from the scale are the chord tones from the background chord. As the chord changes your new strong notes are that of the new chord.

Next question. What happens if there is no background chord being played?
i.e You are playing without a band or a backing track. How would you improvise a melody without a chord progression? Do you just pick a Key and use the scale without thinking chord tones?


Thanks