lead solo question

Well, I'm really getting ahead of myself with this question (I'm just transitioning now from GF1 to GF2) so maybe this doesn't even make sense, but I can't help that my curiousity sometimes outpaces my current skill level. My question is, if you are playing in a box, solo-ing over a chord, when the chord changes, is it more common/advisable to stay in the same box (finger position) and just start emphasizing different notes, or alternatively, to move to a different box of the same scale - perhaps one where the tonic note of the new chord is on the 5th or 6th string. For the purposes of this question, I'm assuming that one is not shifting to a different scale altogether (one with different notes) although I gather that is also often done.

edit: I guess the question is "Is it better to stay in the same box if you have all of the same notes available as any other box, or is advantageous to be in a box where the tonic note of the chord is down on the 6th string or the 1st couple fingers of the 5th string." Not sure if that clarifies my question or confuses it.

Originally Posted by: dlwalkeMy question is, if you are playing in a box, solo-ing over a chord, when the chord changes, is it more common/advisable to stay in the same box (finger position) and just start emphasizing different notes, or alternatively, to move to a different box of the same scale - perhaps one where the tonic note of the new chord is on the 5th or 6th string.[/quote]

Both can be done. Frequently it's better for beginners to stay in the same position, or use the same reference point (or scale pattern).

Originally Posted by: dlwalke For the purposes of this question, I'm assuming that one is not shifting to a different scale altogether (one with different notes) although I gather that is also often done.

Again, both can be & are done. :) But, again, it's also advisable for beginners to learn to stay in one key, before modulating or changing keys or scales.

I did a blog post about this covering a lot of the details & with links to GT tutorial that will show you how it works.

https://www.guitartricks.com/blog/how-to-play-a-guitar-solo

[quote=dlwalke]I guess the question is "Is it better to stay in the same box if you have all of the same notes available as any other box, or is advantageous to be in a box where the tonic note of the chord is down on the 6th string or the 1st couple fingers of the 5th string." Not sure if that clarifies my question or confuses it.

That's a good observation. When you are learning it can help to keep things as simple as possible. However, it's important to learn as much as possible to have more musical options available to you, to expand your tool kit. In the end it just depends on what sounds you want to use.

This is a series of tutorials on improvisation that show how to play lead melodies or solos. But these assume you already have a certain level of knowledge & skills.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876

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

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

Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary & best of success!