Learn To Use Simple Scales For Great Guitar Solos
By Paul Kleff
This guitar lesson will show you how to use two simple scales that are the basis for many great sounding guitar solos. A cool thing about the layout of the guitar neck is that it is not necessary to learn a large number of guitar scale fingerings to create guitar solos. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that some of your favorite guitar players only know a small number of scale fingerings—it is their ability to use them creatively that makes their playing sound great.
Today we will learn two simple movable pattern scales on the guitar. These scales are used in rock, pop, blues, country and metal songs. They are very simple to learn. By the end of this lesson you will understand how to use them all over the guitar neck.
Two Scales, One Fingering Pattern
The first of our two beginner guitar scales is the minor pentatonic scale. The minor pentatonic scale has a dark, bluesy sound to it. Here is the pattern in the key of A:
Today we will learn two simple movable pattern scales on the guitar. These scales are used in rock, pop, blues, country and metal songs. They are very simple to learn. By the end of this lesson you will understand how to use them all over the guitar neck.
Two Scales, One Fingering Pattern
The first of our two beginner guitar scales is the minor pentatonic scale. The minor pentatonic scale has a dark, bluesy sound to it. Here is the pattern in the key of A:
Here is the scale in the key of A in neck diagram form:
Play through the scale pattern several times so that you become familiar with its sound. If you play an A minor chord each time before you play the scale your ear will really start to hear the sound of the scale.
When learning guitar scales it is very important for you to:
The major pentatonic scale uses the exact same fingering as the minor pentatonic scale. By positioning the fingering in a slightly different way, we are able to create an entirely different sounding scale that opens up a new range of soloing and improvisational possibilities. It is very important that you have a good grasp of the minor pentatonic scale first before moving on to the major. If you have done your homework on the minor pentatonic, this will be fairly easy for you.
Here is the major pentatonic scale in the key of A:
When learning guitar scales it is very important for you to:
- Learn the sound of the scale—some sound dark, some bright—you will hear that each guitar scale has a different character to its sound. Learning guitar scales means you need to know the sound of them as well as the fingerings.
- Memorize them so that you can visualize them on the guitar neck. One way to practice this without your guitar is to create neck diagrams and write them out. You must be able to “see” the scale pattern on the guitar neck.
The major pentatonic scale uses the exact same fingering as the minor pentatonic scale. By positioning the fingering in a slightly different way, we are able to create an entirely different sounding scale that opens up a new range of soloing and improvisational possibilities. It is very important that you have a good grasp of the minor pentatonic scale first before moving on to the major. If you have done your homework on the minor pentatonic, this will be fairly easy for you.
Here is the major pentatonic scale in the key of A:
Notice that the A major pentatonic scale uses the exact same fingering as the A minor pentatonic—the only difference is that the major pentatonic is positioned three frets lower on the guitar neck (closer to the headstock.)
The major pentatonic scale has a brighter sound to it than the minor pentatonic. Play an A major chord before you play the scale to help you hear the sound of the scale.
While both of these scales are considered beginner guitar scales, they are widely used by players of all levels and styles. While simple, the pentatonic scale patterns are very important.
Playing A Guitar Solo
Record yourself playing an Am chord and an Em chord. Play 4 strums (or beats) on each chord, switching back and for at least a minute. You don’t need to create a fancy recording—you can even use your phone to record them.
Now play back the chords you just recorded and play the A minor pentatonic scale over the chord progression. Can you hear how the notes in the scale sound good over these two chords? Let your fingers get used to the patterns and your ears become familiar with the sound.
Now try creating a melody or guitar solo over the chords. As I said before, do not let the idea that these are beginner guitar scales make you think that the scales are not great sounding!
Now record yourself playing a chord progression using an A major and D major chord like the first progression you did. Now play the A major pentatonic scale over these chords. Do you hear the difference? The major pentatonic is much brighter and “happier” sounding. Different scales create different mood.
Create a guitar solo using the A major pentatonic scale over the A major and D major chords. You can play the notes in the A major pentatonic scale in any order—experiment and find combinations of notes that you like. When learning guitar scales, the best way to become familiar with them is to start using them right away.
As mentioned before, you can practice away from the guitar by drawing out these patterns over and over again. You can practice learning guitar scales without even having a guitar in your hands.
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