[st_jo]

this question has been asked before, i read it and i also read the answers. however, i didn't save or remember them.
so:
how does one determine which scales to play over which chords? also, which scales over which chord progressions?
also, when is the "right" time to change keys?

[AX7221]

I'm sure you can see that repeated questions aren't a big hit, however I'll give it a shot (if i can).

There is only 1 steadfast rule for determining this, it works everytime, and it's simple too. If it sounds good then you can do it, if it doesn't sound good then you can't.

I bet that is a very unsatisfying answer so I'll go on. There are so many exceptions and different ways to go about it that if you tried to come up with a strict way of doing it you're putting yourself into a box.

One way that I do it is I figure out what the root is, then I find a scale that has the relative chords for that progression. Just say C, G, Am, Em. The key of C is: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. So that looks good. The maj/min (uppercase/lowercase) for major keys are I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, viiº, I. so the chords fit that, so i can play the C major scale with this. It turns out that the scale G major also has these for it's relative chords, so can do that too. But I can skip scales all together and instead focus play the notes that are contained in the chords too.

Or for a blues progression in C: C C C C F F C C G G C G, I can play the C major blues scale (C, D, D#, E, G, A, C) for the I chord, then the F major blues scale during the F chord, then G major blues scale during the G chord.

So basically we are lost for rules to help us figure things out...but in return we get the freedom to do things based on style and preference, and to do things our own way.

[Tekker]

how does one determine which scales to play over which chords? also, which scales over which chord progressions?

Check out PlaneTalk!

Honestly, I wouldn't even bother with trying to play scales/modes over chords or progressions. You're just spinnin' your wheels IMO. PlaneTalk is a much better method that will allow you to make music without the limitations of scales.

The more I play using the PlaneTalk method the more I love it! I've only been going at it for about a week (whenever it was that I finally got my soundcard fixed...) and I have already seen a HUGE improvement in my leads.

when is the "right" time to change keys?

This is something that is completely up to you to decide. It's kind of like asking what's the best chord to come after C major?

If it sounds good to you when you change keys, then it is the right time.

-tkr

[st_jo]

thanx for the patience. i get ususally about 20 minutes every few days to go online so digging is very consuming.
i appreciate the attention i received for my questions. i suppose i already knew the answers except i was thinking that i am missing something else. you know, the ol' "you don't know what you don't know" syndrome..... i wanted to be told that when you are in the key of G and are playing a Bm chord, use the F#7 arpeggio while running back to the GMaj..... or something similar.
perhaps i will afford Plane Talk soon, i was just looking for a kick start that lit my fire.

hey AX7221, you use the Major Blues scale much? me likey the minor blues mucho.

[Tekker]

Originally Posted by st_jo

i wanted to be told that when you are in the key of G and are playing a Bm chord, use the F#7 arpeggio while running back to the GMaj..... or something similar.

Ok, I see what you're looking for... Here are a few techniques on Modulation (changing keys):
Modulation

perhaps i will afford Plane Talk soon, i was just looking for a kick start that lit my fire.

The method shown in PlaneTalk allows you to follow the chords so you always know the best notes to play, instead of just randomly noodling through scales.

I can't really give away to much, but PlaneTalk will be the spark that starts your fire..... and the gasoline too!

-tkr

[AX7221]

Originally Posted by st_jo

hey AX7221, you use the Major Blues scale much? me likey the minor blues mucho.

I don't a whole lot because I don't play the blues a lot either. Take for example the A Blues: A, C, D, D#, E, G, A. And now look at the C Major Blues: C, D, D#, E, G, A, C. They both have all the same notes. The only difference is the root. The root, which is the reference point. So if I'm playing in A Blues I might inadvertanly switch my reference point to C, so I would be playing C Major Blues. But I may not realize that my reference point has switched, I would just like the way that it sounds. So I wouldn't make a huge disticntion b/w which I am playing at any given time. But for the record I like the minor sound better .

[st_jo]

i like the minor sounds as well. if it's too happy sounding i get a bit nauseated.