Finding a Scale for a Chord Progression

by Wes

Question: I just came up with a chord progression. Do you have any tips on how to pick a scale to make a solo and lead work over? Thank you very much.

Answer

Before learning how to solo over chord progressions I would strongly advise getting comfortable with playing over individual chords.

I'm working on a lesson series which takes you through this process. Currently, the first lesson is up - soloing over chords - so please take a look at that lesson.

In a nutshell, you must know the chords you are soloing over. Without this knowledge you are merely guessing which scales and notes to use.

If you are not at the stage where you can identify a major or minor chord, for example, then you will need to spend some time in the chords section of this site familiarising yourself with the different chord types.

Only then will you be able to identify the chords in your progression and correctly identify any compatible scales.

For example. Let's say the chord is E major. You could play the E major scale, E Lydian, E Mixolydian, E Phrygian Dominant - all major scales... but as well as these choices you need to also think about the context E major is being played in. The more you experiment with different scales over different chords, the more your ear will develop to hear what works and what doesn't.

Unfortunately there is no short way around it. Soloing over your own chord progressions is definitely more towards advanced level, so it must be worked towards patiently and persistently. Here's the link to the first lesson again:

Soloing over chords - part 1