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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Blues scale soloing clarification?

1 reply [Last post]
Thu, 02/10/2022 - 12:15
duganderson
duganderson's picture
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Joined: 04/09/2020

I think I've watched all of the videos related to improv and music theory.  A couple queestion to clarify.....

When soloing using the key of G blues scale......When you are on chord change IV, should you avoid notes of the G blues scale that are not chord scale notes of the C chord?  When your on the IV, can you add notes of the C blues scale that are not part of the G blues scale?

Also....

When soloing using blues scale in G, when you are on chord change V, should you avoid notes of the G blues scale that are not chord scale notes of the D chord?  When your on the V, can you add notes of the D blues scale that are not part of the G blues scale?

AND

On Chord I, you can play the whole G blues scale, not just the chord tones, right?

If the anwer is super complicated to these questions, feel free to give me your recommendation for a beginning soloist and improviser.  

Thank you!  Doug

 

 

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Thu, 02/10/2022 - 13:20
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Doug. Use the G Blues

Hello Doug. Use the G Blues Scale throughout the entire progression. When on a chord, emphasize the notes from the blues scale that are in that chord. Playing the C Blues Scale for the IV7 is an option, but in most cases (except for slow blues), it sounds a little bit too "outside" for my taste. Same for the V7. A side note... add the E for the IV7 and F# and A for the V7, these sound good.

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