A question on minor blues

First of all, I'd like to excuse my bad english, I'm from Germany, so my english is not the best.

Here is my question:
I've practised some major 12 bar blues songs. And I like the sound of the mixolydian mode very much. So my question is: What mode could I play, if I improvise to a minor blues, if I don't want to use the pentatonic scale all the time?

Hi Stephan,

Personally I use the pentatonic for blues with the flat 5th. You could also solo with the idea of rhythmically targeting chord tones which Christopher Schlegel covers in this tutorial:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

And I'm sure he can give you some more ideas, he's got so many lessons.

Originally Posted by: Stephan84What mode could I play, if I improvise to a minor blues, if I don't want to use the pentatonic scale all the time?

Everything depends upon the chords you are soloing over. So when you say "a minor blues", what chords do you mean?

You could use the dorian mode if the one chord is minor but the four chord is major. For example, A minor (i), D major (IV), E minor (v). Or you could use the aeolian mode if all your chords are minor. For example, A minor (i), D minor (iv), E minor (v).

But a lot of minor key songs typically modulate. For example, A minor (i), D major (IV), F major (VI) E minor (v). Notice the D chord has an F#, but the F major has an F! So you might want to alter the mode you are using. Play dorian when the D is happening, switch to aeolian when the F happens.

And of course, if there is an E major (V)or E7 chord (V7) then it's time for harmonic or melodic minor!

Everything depend upon context. In the most general sense use this strategy: target chord tones.

These tutorials show how to do that:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

Thanks for posting the link, Neal! :)