[PsychoRythum]

I know which scales and mode to use on pretty much any chord, and I'm always aware of the chord tones and scale tones, but for some reason I think my improvisations don't sound that good.

My favourite guitar solo ever is the one Bill Nelson plays with Be Bop Deluxe on a song called "Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape" on the "Live! In The Air Age" album (don't worry, whether you're familar with the song isn't important). The chords he solos over are Cmaj7 for 2 bars and then Fmaj7 for 2 bars (repeat over and over). Now, I solo over these chords and while my solo won't be bad, Bill Nelson's is so much more beautifully melodic than mine, and I can't figure out why.

I thought maybe it's because I'm not making sure I start and end phrases on chord tones, or at least don't emphasise the chord tones enough. But that doesn't fix it. It could be my phrasing that's wrong, it could be my dynamics, maybe my articulation (I don't playing many bends or vibratos because I'm not very good at those yet)...I think the most likely problem may be my ear.

I know it's complicated, but please help if you can. What's wrong?!