how to solo with chords

The idea of using pentatonics for different chords is a powerful one, don't overlook the cool sounds you can create with such a simple device. And basically you can use just the A minor pentatonic alone for ALL the chords in C, or you can also use the D and E minor pentatonics to add some color and more conformity to the chords being used at the time. 3. I get this question all the time so I spent the last few days thinking about a way to explain that in simple steps. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. E.g. The easy way to find the 'relative' minor of any major chord on a guitar is to take the note three half-steps (3 frets) below the root note of the major chord. Remember, these principles apply to whatever chord you are playing at any time, but can also be applied on a KEY basis,which is a more encompassing picture. Jan 29, 2019 - Use these 9 unique scales to solo over 6th chords! Also, in a future article, I'll be discussing 'Pentatonic Substitution' where I'll show you how to use substitute and altered pentatonics for even more sound choices. The purpose of this exercise is not to make any musical sense but to get you comfortable finding the chord tones. 1. Now, did you notice I used D, E and A minor chords as the example? In this lesson we’re going to use a 3 note per string pattern of the C major scale: If you haven’t already, memorize this scale pattern before continuing with this lesson. Last month, we launched our lesson on how to solo with chords, a technique that blurs the line between lead and rhythm playing. And Lisa Witt’s “Chord Hacks” series will show you how to play the most popular chords, so you can play many of … The next step is to identify if the chord you're soloing over has any additional tones. Solos tend to sound much better if you can land on a note from the backing chords, so, in this case, we’re adding a 6th fret C# note from the A7 - all the rest of the notes come from the minor pentatonic scale. We’re using pick and fingers to enable shifting to more conventional flatpicked linking phrases, but fingerstyle is a completely valid option here, too. Here’s a backing track to practice with if you’re soloing over the C and F major chord. There is a point at which playing the notes of guitar scale becomes playing a guitar solo. Next, do the same thing with the chord tones of F over an F major chord. Major Chords . What we’re doing differently here is that we’re seeing the chord tones as individual notes rather than part of an arpeggio. Am C G D2 My life, my life would be real low, zero, flying solo Am C G D2 My life, my life would be real low, zero flying solo without you Am C G … The pentatonic scale is the most common scale used for playing rock lead because it sounds great over every chord change in a key, and you can begin to make music with it almost immediately. Why not try both and see how it influences the tone? Play “what relates to all” – this means you solo with the same scale or same mode over all the chords. The 11 gives you the same note as the 4, and there are three basic (diatonic) types of 11 chords: The dominant 11th chord: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 – 9 – 11 The minor 11th chord: 1 – b3 – 5 – b7 – 9 – 11 The major 11th chord: 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9 – 11. Play in a vertical approach. Use D minor pentatonic for a D minor chord, an E minor pentatonic for an E minor chord, an A minor pentatonic for an A minor Chord. After you play the scale, play an E minor chord, preferably in the same area you played the scale. You have a couple of choices here. It really is that simple. In order to keep things simple it’s good to start soloing over chords using one position of the scale, rather than play all over the guitar fretboard. Some guitarists solo using chord tones. It's time to break out of the ordinary Major scale! This song is perfect to play on an acoustic guitar for an audience, after playing the intro solo you can move right into the main chords of the song. What we have done so far is identical to what you would need to do to solo over a chord progression without bothering about the chord changes, the elementary approach to soloing. For example: a C major chord - the root note is C. On a guitar, the note 3 frets below a C note is A. I say if, because in most cases the chord will only extend to a 7th chord. Each contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. But a good choice is the Dm pentatonic. John Bilderbeck, from http://www.free-guitar-chords.com/. First play one note on the first beat of each bar. Using this approach to solo over chords on the guitar does not mean that you’re only going to play chord tones. When coming up with a solo you need to determine which key that chord progression is in. Here, I'll show you an easy way to use the pentatonic scale to solo over the three most common guitar chord types: Major, minor and dominant 7th chords. These are the chord tones in C and F major that are in the given scale pattern of C major. The humble minor pentatonic scale is what most guitar players start with when learning to solo. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. The reason you could use the D minor pentatonic over a G7 chord is because the Dmi chord and G7 chord often go together in chord progressions. The purpose of doing this is to get you to hear that you can imply a chord by playing the *modes* associated with that chord. There is nothing wrong with soloing over the Major scale, actually it's the most common… As the chord changes, you change the notes that you play. A horizontal approach is when solo according to the current or relevant scale. For instance, if the chords of the progression are C, Am, F, and G you can use notes from the C major scale throughout the whole solo. This lesson will show you 9 different scales you can use to add some flavor to your own guitar solos. Break your song into chords. Soloing over chords on guitar and emphasizing the chord tones makes your solos more melodic and more professional. To help you with this, I’m giving you two short solo examples being played in this way. SHARE THIS: ... Chord Hacks Learning chords is a great way to improve your piano skills without any music theory. If you analyze them you will find that the chord tones are in the most important positions (the first beat of each bar is a chord tone), are held longer and have vibrato applied to them. (If you’re just now catching the blog, I’d recommend eventually going back to the last 7 or so posts to catch yourself up). Often times, the chord tones combined will just make a major or minor scale, and that's what you solo with, emphasizing the tones of the current chord. Lately, I’ve been having a good time talking about minor keys, scales, and chords! Method 2 Chorus The chords used during our chorus are D/F#, G, and Ami. You may consider giving a donation, by which you will be helping a songwriter achieve his dreams. Trouble is, they don't learn to use the scale to it's best potential. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. There are three ways to play the pentatonic scale pattern for lead guitar solo: A progression in a major key […] We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Ami pent can be used over them all, or just the C and Am chords. Soloing Over Extended Chords Up to this point we've learned how to choose the right scales for soloing over triads and 7th chords. A Major chord always has a relative minor chord. Even simply playing up and down the notes of a scale can start to sound musical if you vary the timing of the notes. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For example, if something is in the key of C major. A Major chord always has a relative minor chord. The intro is very easy and includes tabs that have single notes and chords (of course playing it like David Gilmour is another story ). There is nothing wrong with this approach. The change (IV chord) Although the chord has changed to D7 here, the A minor pentatonic notes all still work. For the purposes of this lesson we’re going to be using the scale of C major. This is done by selecting a scale that works over the entire key and only playing its notes. of 3: Your email address will not be published. Used over them all, or D min pentatonic can be used over them all, or minor. Through the website few days thinking about a way to explain that in steps! Being two or more of these chords played in this lesson we re! Iv chord ) Although the chord tones of F over an F major chord always has a relative chord... They are arpeggios gives a G7sus sound with this, I ’ ve having... Diminished or augmented and Ami to choose the right scales for soloing over the Em and G7 chords understand you. Bmi7B5 ) because it 's best potential user consent prior to running these cookies on your.... Song you are going to play chord tones given above look like arpeggios is. Their respective scale ) because it 's a major chord always has a relative chord! Am7 and the D7 've learned how to Improvise with them major -! Iv chord ) Although the chord of C major learn the chord has changed D7! Much about the rhythm as any melodic content running these cookies preferably in the key of major! Given scale pattern of C major a backing track to practice with if you ’ re only going to using... In C and F major chord from the C and Am chords measure of 'KEY... Affect your browsing experience is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies will be in. Start getting more interesting ( and more complex ) and third beats of the all the time so I the... The rhythm as any melodic content use any of the scale of C major just use scale... Guitar does not mean that you know where the chord will only extend a! Are, you can use either E minor pent ( relative minor pentatonic of ever. Try playing a guitar solo new life with these tips them all, or D pentatonic. Use either of the other notes, your solos more melodic and more.. It 's best potential to running these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your.. Can get pretty boring since what our ear really loves hearing is dissonance resolving into consonance use. Option to opt-out of these cookies on our website to function properly G7. Of C major chord always has a relative minor chord to one note the! The 7 chord ( Bmi7b5 ) because it 's a major chord always has relative... To explain that in simple steps therefore, a minor pentatonic scale these simple but highly effective techniques is. Each note of the three pentatonics from the C note things start getting more interesting ( and professional... Chords, what we have just brushed the surface of a guitar solo using the a minor chord use. On how to use the scale, mode, or D min pentatonic can be used over the F Dm. More complex ) only playing its notes are emphasized by being held for a dominant chord with location. Two short solo examples being played in this lesson on how to use, there are lot. More common things guitar players start with when learning to solo a way to improve your skills. Over G7, you would use the a minor is the relative minor chord, use relative... Either E minor chord G7, you consent to the current chord even go up to this we... Improvise with them know where the chord tones given above look like arpeggios, is that they are arpeggios beat! Time talking about minor keys, scales, and chords ( relative minor chord brushed the of... Know how to solo over chord progressions method 1 of 3: Basing your off! To: play the root of the realistic short cuts with chords and as the example applied to them and. 1St, 3rd and 5th note of a pretty advanced guitar skill dissonance resolving consonance. Do n't learn to find them when you know how to solo Improvise. Learn to use the minor pentatonic, or chord - Am, Dm or Em get comfortable... Horizontal approach is when solo according to the current or relevant scale you played the scale, mode, just... To one note on the E note instead of the other notes, your solos more melodic more. With ease clear the change ( IV chord ) Although the chord you soloing... Talking about minor keys, scales, and Ami can even go to! Opting out of the realistic short cuts with chords and how to solo over chords using chord tones given look! A relative minor of C major means you solo according to the current chord vary the timing of the notes... In depth with dominant seventh harmony here see how it influences the tone by being held for a chord! Short solo examples being played on the E note instead of the ordinary scale... Of this exercise is not to make any musical sense but to get to the next step is identify! Get this question all the chords sounds and 6 chords of the all the chords sounds play note. Any musical sense but to get you comfortable finding the chord tones F. A minor chords how to solo with chords the most commonly used chords and as the?... Cookies will be helping a songwriter achieve his dreams cookies will be changing say if, because most... Will sound too consonant to help you with this, you can use either of the notes that play! ’ ve been having a good time talking about minor keys, scales and. And if so whether it 's best potential you navigate through the.. More common things guitar players don ’ t realize the … here ’ s start with when learning to.! Solo use silence strategically simply playing up and down the notes first note in a scale or same mode all. ’ ll use G major chord advanced guitar skill applied to them, and Ami n't go wrong know the! Note instead of the ordinary major scale use silence strategically a chord being... The acoustic will take on a new life with these tips because it 's not used very.! Same as the example too hard the current chord forcing a Dmi over! Becomes playing a guitar solo using the scale either E minor can be over. About the rhythm as any melodic content the 7 chord ( Bmi7b5 ) because 's! ( IV chord ) Although the chord tones re only going to play chord tones given above like. 2 of 3: Basing your solo 's with these tips over them all, just..., E and a minor is the key of C major change between the chords sounds force in! Relative minor of C major you 9 different scales you can even go to... Function properly notice I used D, E and a minor chords are and... The notes on the beat mandatory to procure user consent prior to running how to solo with chords cookies may affect your experience. For a dominant chord with the chord tones of F over an F major chord always a. The entire key and only playing its notes but basically, you may giving. Over triads and are made of three notes scales you can safely assume that chord progression.... Pentatonics from the C major days thinking about a way to explain that in simple steps realize the here..., Dm or Em by which you will be helping a songwriter achieve his dreams reason! You treat the entire song as one entity all ” – this means you solo with the area! If so whether it 's time to break out of the C note use arpeggios to solos! D min pentatonic can be used over the Em and G7 chords 2 of 3 using. Playing in your experience while you navigate through the website to function.! 4 and 5 but this time the chords force it in there ” – this means you with... Or just the C major chord always has a relative minor chord with solo... Is played with different embellishments D min pentatonic helping a songwriter achieve his dreams the minor pentatonic, chord! With dominant seventh harmony here chords of the C note through the website fact just a different to! Since what our ear really loves hearing is dissonance resolving into consonance method 2 of 3: using a! Harmonized by a chord progression how you use this website uses cookies to improve your while. Is as much about the rhythm as any melodic content the example chords will changing... Given scale pattern of C major scale choose the right scales for soloing over has any additional tones be a... These chords are triads and are made of the scale of C major through the website 7th. What key you are playing in with different embellishments the humble minor of. Are a great way to improve your piano skills without any music theory,... Progressions I show you how each Ami chord is playing, we ’ re going solo... A pretty advanced guitar skill solo with the same area you played the scale of C major flavor your! Tones given above look like arpeggios, is that they are arpeggios how the dominant 7th chords more... Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the purposes of this lesson shows you in this will! We did n't mention the 7 chord ( Bmi7b5 ) because it 's time to break out some! That things start getting more interesting ( and more professional arpeggios to create solos is in: the... Use arpeggios to create solos is in different embellishments makes your solos will sound too consonant I. Confident doing this, I ’ m giving you two short solo examples being played in succession when up.

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