Scales/progressions

I'm not good at finding the right scales fore different progressions. Until that happens (the theory) is there a program where I can put in the chord progression and have the different scales shown for that? I know about the modes (Lydian/Dorian ect)

Originally Posted by: kave01... is there a program where I can put in the chord progression and have the different scales shown for that?

I don't know about a program. But I do know that I have covered this topic extensively in these tutorials:

Introduction to Improvisation For Beginners
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876

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

Regarding the modes, they are all simply the major scale starting on a different note each time. So, once you know which key (i.e. which scale) a chord progression is built from, you can assign an appropriate mode to each chord in the progression. I do that in this tutorial starting at lesson 7.

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=519

How do you figure out what key a song is in? That is where the above lessons on improv come in. :)

Here is a great book that not only teaches you a ton of scales but how to use them as well!

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Soloing-Contemporary-Guide-Improvisation/dp/0793581869

Lot's of info but it's organized really well.

Nate Savage

One thing you want to start thinking about is this concept of "Chord Tone Soloing." Scales and modes are very essential to the guitar and having an understanding of how they work is key. But, don't let this concept stump you if you don't feel super confident about it. Another way to work with soloing that is outside of this concept is playing chord tones of the chords you are playing over. You can never go wrong by playing solo melodies using only notes of the chords. This is assuming that you know the notes on your fretboard some what, and you have a basic understanding of what notes are in some basic chords. For example:

Here is a progression with a 4 chords;

G / Ami / C / D

You can sit and wonder what scales to play, etc.; but especially in the case of simple chords like this, playing 'chord tones" will really sound great. Here are the notes that make up each of these chords;

G - G, B, D
Ami - A, C, E
C - C, E, G
D - D, F#, A

When each of these chords come up, only play notes from each chord in your solo. Trust me, it will take a minute to simply work up the discipline to work through this without wanting to noodle around (as I often do as well.) But, I guarantee if you work through this your soloing will improve and sound very melodic.

Keep working through your scales, modes, etc. Those will always help, but keep this concept in mind as you practice. At the end of the day you want to "say" something with your soloing, and this will help you get there.

Hey kave01,

The theory part is something that will come on and off the guitar. Study chords and scale theory and how they intertwine. Then write out your own progressions based off whatever scale you choose. Writing things out and reviewing them regularly is a great way to keep the theory sharp in your mind.

Pentatonics are a great way to start playing over progressions. For example if you have a regular diatonic progression like G major, D major, E minor, C major you could use the pentatonic scales that go with those chords. IE G major pentatonic over G major and D major pentatonic over D major. It's kind of like what the other post said about chord tone improvising but you have 2 more notes to choose from in every pentatonic scale over each chord.

You probably won't want to do this all of the time because it can get old and sing songy sounding pretty quickly but it is a great/fun way to start playing over chords.

Nate