[golfbuddy]

I'll start with the premise that there are no stupid questions so here comes stupid question number 1.

If I'm playing a simple 12 bar blues. e.g. G7, C9, D9 etc, and I want to solo over this. Do I change from the G blues scale to the C scale and then to the D scale on each chord change? Or, can I play the in the same scale in each chord? If you see what I mean.

I have tried playing over a backing track but it doesn't sound right. In fact, I'm getting bluer and bluer but I aint singing the blues.

[si16]

This certainly isn't a stupid question.

In your example the key is G so you would stay with the G blues scale throughout. However when the chords change you should select for the strong notes of your phrases the notes from the scale that are also chord tones in the current chord. Use the other notes from the scale selectively.

For example :-

G blues scale - G Bb C C# D F

G7 - G B D F

C7 - C E G Bb

D7 - D F# A C

The red notes shown in each chord are also notes from the G blues scale so when D7 is playing you would use D and C from the scale as a starting and ending point for your phrases. Using the F note from the scale over D7 will give a great bluesy flavour (it clashes with the F# in the D7 chord) but you will need to resolve the effect it creates by playing a chord tone. Other notes from the scale will give different sounds. Experiment and see which ones you like.

[golfbuddy]

Thanks for the great reply si16. That really makes sense. I will give it a go.

[si16]

Great. Once you get that under the fingers then try adding in non-scale notes too.

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi golfbuddy ...

The other way to play over any old tune including 12 bar blues is to not look at the fretboard in terms of scale patterns that tend to box you in, but as chord patterns that stretch the length of the fretboard. The mindset is to take it one chord at a time, seeing the array of notes shifting for each chord. That way, by using the ever-shifting arrays and using another 'in-between' notes to link up when you so desire, you wind up using all 12 notes, not just 5 or 6. Makes for much more interesting possibilities. Here's an example:

[golfbuddy]

Once again greatful thanks. Cheers Kirk