https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:23:57 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/paged/2/#post-66627 Thu, 26 Aug 2004 21:12:05 +0000
As a small exercise, make up a chord progression with any random chords - it doesn't really matter what chords, just make sure you take note of them (write them down for instance). Then record it, rewind, hit play, and play the chord tones for each chord. You could just use 1-3-5-3 (the 3 relying on whether the chord is major or minor) as quarter notes over each chord to start off with. For instance, play FACA over an F, BbDFD over a Bb, and BbDbFDb over a Bbm.


Hopefully it gives you some ideas.]]> Guitar Players Discussion argus https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/paged/2/#post-66627 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66625 Thu, 26 Aug 2004 21:06:55 +0000
Could you expand alittle more on what you mean by using the chord tones to create a solo?

I think I have the general idea of what your talking about but if you can give a short example that would be great.

Chris Say you're playing over C-F-G... You could just noodle around in C major, but if you were using chord tones you'd concentrate on playing one or more of the CEG in the C major chord, the FAC over the F major, and GBD over G (or GBDF over G7). This is where arpeggios pay off.

This approach is also really useful if you're playing over a non-diatonic progression. Say you threw a Bb in there, making it C-Bb-F-G. You could use the chord tones for all the chords - over Bb you could use the notes BbDF (the rest of the chords I covered before). Even though the key is C, the harmony strays from C major when you hit the Bb chord. If you were playing the notes of the C major scale for the whole progression as you could over the first one I showed you, you'd find that the B in the C major scale would clash with the Bb in the Bb major chord.

We could extend this to a slightly more out-there progression as an example - G#m-C#-E-B-D. Let's look at the chord tones for all these - G#BD#, C#E#G# (C#FG#), EBG#, BD#F#, DF#A. These don't fit into any one scale, because all in all we use EFF#G#ABC#DD# - 10 notes out of 12. In this case you'd be best off concentrating on mostly just chord tones for all the chords.

If you're just playing in one key, then you can do pretty much anything, but if not then chord tones can really help. Even in one key, focusing on chord tones can really help you get a sense of what's going on.

Finally, if you play chord tones there is absolutely no chance of you hitting a bum note.]]> Guitar Players Discussion argus https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66625 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66622 Thu, 26 Aug 2004 20:35:36 +0000 Find the first note of the solo, and the last note of the solo. Now you know where you need to start and were you need to end up. 99.9% of the time they are the same note (probably a different octave but the same note) thats the Key or Root of the overall solo.
Now take the solo and break it down into licks. Again learn the first and last note of the lick first, this will make it easier to figure out what comes in between. once you leaned the first lick do the same with each lick. This will make it easier because you only need to concentrate on smaller portions of the solo at a time, and if the guitarist is using more than one scale in the solo it will be less confusing.

Remember to listen to the lick over and over till you could here it in your head when it is not playing anymore.

Or if your like me and hate transcribing solos. Learn the opening lick, the ending lick, any of the licks inbetween that really stick out of the solo. Figure out what scale they are from and improvise the rest. It will still sound good and it will add your style of playing to the song.]]> Guitar Players Discussion markminni https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66622 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66110 Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:54:52 +0000 http://planetalk.thatllteachyou.com/chordtones/

There's even a little movie.

Kirk]]> Guitar Players Discussion planetalk https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66110 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66103 Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:47:56 +0000
Could you expand alittle more on what you mean by using the chord tones to create a solo?

I think I have the general idea of what your talking about but if you can give a short example that would be great.

Chris]]> Guitar Players Discussion cnev https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66103 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66087 Mon, 23 Aug 2004 20:23:42 +0000
If the solo was a good one, the player wasn't using patterns, he/she was creating melody. Patterns don't create melody, at least not memorable ones. Melody loves chord tones.

So try forgetting about the scales and the modes and the clutter, and start plotting out chord tones. The scales/modes will take care of themselves once you do that ... or at least that's what happened to me, about 30 years ago. Once I realized that great melody is based around chord tones, I never looked back.

Of course, you may well be talking about scales/modes being used AS a solo. If that's what you mean, then disregard this. I have no advice for that kind of playing, as it leaves me cold.

This is just my advice, of course, but I have been playing since 1961, so I do feel like I know what I'm talking about.

Kirk]]> Guitar Players Discussion planetalk https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-66087 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65922 Sun, 22 Aug 2004 09:00:00 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion Snoogans775 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65922 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65913 Sun, 22 Aug 2004 05:16:05 +0000 Other scales like the Dorian are used, but not as frequently. The Mixolydian is used in blues frequently.

If you listen to any particular artist for awhile, you get to know their playing style and favorite scales.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65913 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65835 Sat, 21 Aug 2004 17:18:15 +0000 Guitar Players Discussion blutic1 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65835 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65786 Sat, 21 Aug 2004 06:48:19 +0000
When you say faster solos, could you give a few examples?

You say you recognize cliches. Well, most super fast playing is performed with certain techniques which could be considered cliche's. For instance 3 notes per string runs, or tapping. You listen for that.

I am no way a super-fast metal type player. But when you hear this type of playing I think you have to listen to the overall sound if you know what I mean.

I don't think having a problem with super-fast playing is unusual at all. It is like that electronic kid's game Simon. It's easy when it flashes 3 different colors and tones one second apart. But when you have to follow and remember 15 different random notes and colors, it's tough. So there is nothing wrong with you at all.

Your buddy either listens to these solos over and over many times, or he is slowing the solo down. They have players for that.]]> Guitar Players Discussion Wes Inman https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-players-discussion/learning-solos-by-knowing-modes-scales-etc/#post-65786