Guitar Theory tips?

[JayJayeeeeee]

Hi, I don't really know what to call what I'm asking but I was wondering when playing chords is better to solo from the corresponding Scale (C Scale solo for a continuous C Chord for example)? And if so would it be alright to mix up with other scales?

I'm trying to improve on soloing since it's one of my weak points.

[JohnStacy]

The answer to this question changes a bit depending on the genre.

However, a thing I've found that simplifies the whole thing to a good starting point is to emphasize chord tones on strong beats, and you can really do whatever you want otherwise.

For example, if you have a C chord, you could play chord tones on the downbeats like:
C E G C G E C

Then on the upbeats add some notes a step or so away:
C F E Ab G B C D E Db C

F is a half step above E, Ab is a half step above G, B is a half step below C, D is a whole step below E, and Db is a half step above C.

 

By just thinking about where you put your chord tones in the lines relative to strong beats, the scale choice doesn't matter as much. I practice this by playing a solo of only chord tones on downbeats to get familiar with the progression, then practice adding other notes between to fill in the gaps.

I hope this helps!

[JayJayeeeeee]

1 hour ago, JohnStacy said:

The answer to this question changes a bit depending on the genre.

However, a thing I've found that simplifies the whole thing to a good starting point is to emphasize chord tones on strong beats, and you can really do whatever you want otherwise.

For example, if you have a C chord, you could play chord tones on the downbeats like:
C E G C G E C

Then on the upbeats add some notes a step or so away:
C F E Ab G B C D E Db C

F is a half step above E, Ab is a half step above G, B is a half step below C, D is a whole step below E, and Db is a half step above C.

 

By just thinking about where you put your chord tones in the lines relative to strong beats, the scale choice doesn't matter as much. I practice this by playing a solo of only chord tones on downbeats to get familiar with the progression, then practice adding other notes between to fill in the gaps.

I hope this helps!

Your advice was a great help it was really great for a frame of reference which is exactly what I was looking for, I'm gonna practice this more in my sessions. Thank you!