Re: hi all beginners and those who like to explain or just guitartalk.....
Hey guys- just a quick suggestion when learning scales... don't just learn the scales for what they are (don't learn the scales just based on the patterns) in order to be able to effectively solo, you need to make sure you know at all times, no matter what key you're in, where the notes in the given scale are... you should be able to play the same licks all over the neck... also, if you are having some trouble remembering where some notes are, think of the scales in octave terms, like this:
Cmaj:
G F E D C B G F E D C B G F E D C B
-15-13-12------------------------------------------------------------
-----------15-13-12--------------------------------------------------
-----------------------12-10-9---------------------------------------
--------------------------------12-10-9------------------------------
------------------------------------------10-8-7---------------------
--------------------------------------------------10-8-7-------------
That is part of the C Maj scale- the same 6 notes (G, F, E, D, C, B) played in 3 different places on the neck- if you ever get lost when playing a scale in an odd place, remember that (if your playing on the low E, A, D, or G string) that the same note you're playing an octave lower is down 2 frets 2 strings lower (for example if you're playing an A on the G string (14th fret) then the lower octave of that note is the A on the A string (12th fret)) If you're playing on either the high E or B strings, you'll just need to go down 3 frets and 2 strings (ex. if you're playing a G on the E string (15th fret) the lower octave of that note is the G on the G string (12th fret))... Also, I cannot stress enough how important it is to know every single note youre playing- you should be able to hit any note anywhere on the neck and automatically know what note it is- it should come as easy as reading... make some flashcards up and practice that until you can get the note without hesitating- this might seem tedious at first, but in the long run it becomes so much of an asset- I can't tell you how much easier it got to play when I finally memorized the notes everywhere on the fretboard... One more thing: If you're soloing- don't forget that you DO NOT have to play notes only from the one scale you're thinking of- don't forget to add in some harmonic minor, diminished, straight Major or Minor (and all the modes), or Major and Minor Pentatonic, even add some odd scales in there too- the more you know and know how to use effectively the better (personally I love adding in harmonic minor to pentatonic- I've noticed that Joe does this sometimes and it creates a really interesting sound)... also dont' be afraid to play a wrong note here and there- if you land on a note that fits within the context of the song, as long as you don't hold onto that wrong note very long, it will sound alright...
Hopefully this made some sense- if you have any questions about anything I said- don't hesitate to ask... sorry if some of it doesn't make any sense- I just kinda kept writing with things that came to mind and I didn't read it over (oops haha)...
Hope this helps and keep playing,
Scott
http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128
