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ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,834
ChristopherSchlegel
Full Access
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,834
03/27/2014 1:35 pm
Originally Posted by: wmlkb8310Guitar tricks teaches songs and scales but how do you know what scales to use? Do you play the scale for the key you are in or the chord being played? When do you use minor pentatonics?

Great questions! In general, yes, you play the scale for the key you are in. In some cases all the chords are in the same key & this neatly follows the idea of staying in key. In other cases you'll have to alter the scale or even change keys & play a different scale in order to follow the chords.

The relationship between scales & chords is covered in depth in the courses. For example, in Guitar Fundamentals 2:

www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=426
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=427
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=428

Anders does a great job of explaining it as it is used in the genres of blues & rock in the Blues & Rock Style Courses.

www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=blues1
www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=rock1

If you've already gone through the courses, there is also this series on improvisation that goes more in depth into the topic of how to play in key & balance that with following the chords.

www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491

As to how to incorporate the pentatonic scales, have a look at this series of tutorials!

www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=826
www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244

Hope this helps! Ask more if necessary & best of success!

Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory