Improvising blues scale, positions, chords,...
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 13:58
Hi Dave.
I received your book about improvising a week ago and I need your nice help in order to clarify some questions.
It is supposed that knowing the chords and the notes who composed them you'll be always in the right place, but Where we left the blues scale here?
Playing by the chords mean in some cases that you're playing notes out from the blues scale,then Why I want this scale?
Is there an easy way to memorize all this stuff? Sometimes is overwhelming.
I think the only way in order to be a real improviser is to know the notation (not the scales) in every harmonica and to have the ear for distinguish the chords.
Can you be a good blues - rock man only knowing blues and major pentatonic scales?
Thanks in advance.
To be a great improviser is generally straight forward... copy... use... copy... use... and give it MANY years. My job is to help speed up the process for you. Theory can help this. Knowledge of the notes on your harmonica (just one harmonica is fine... we use the C harp), the chords you're playing over (starting with 2nd Position is a good idea) and some scales such as the Blues Scale and Major Pentatonic scale are all helpful.
Yes, reading music can also be helpful. It all gets down to how much time you have to devote in your practice time. As long as you're getting a good hour in each day, working your study songs and such, then you can use extra time on music theory. Notes of most importance go in this order: chord tones... scale tones... outside tones. The Blues Scale and Major Pentatonic Scale (as taught in Improvising Study 9) are all helpful and are generally constructed with what I just described in mind (combination of chord tones, scale tones and outside tones).
Take your time, enjoy the process and just learn as much as time allows. Follow my suggested Lesson Plans on the site... you WILL get there... work hard... but give it the time it takes... don't be in a hurry... it WILL come.