Most songs use more than one chord, so as a lead guitarist you need to
be able to solo confidently through chord changes. In many
cases, one
scale will be compatible with all the chords used in the progression.
In
other cases, you'll find the chord changes are less confined to a
diatonic key.
Video
Lesson
Soloing
over two-chord backing tracks
The
below backing tracks have been written specifically to introduce you to
soloing over chord changes. They are simple, 2 chord progressions over
which you can use one single scale.
Using what you've learned in the video, think about starting and
landing notes through each chord change, carefully selecting your notes
and building your phrases. Let your ears be the judge of what sounds
good!
Each track is set at 88
BPM, so nice and steady! Remember to set your media player
to "loop" so you don't need to keep clicking play when it ends.
Let's start with the example that was used in the video...
A progression that resolves to A major (the 1/tonic chord) from B minor
(the 2/ii chord). As A major is the tonic chord, we use the A major
scale. This track is an example of how not all progressions have to
start on the tonic chord.
A 1-5 (I, V) progression in the key of G major, therefore G major is
our scale. Remember, you can play this pattern an octave higher, beyond
the 12th fret, so I've marked on the 15th fret at the root position.
A progression that makes use of the B Dorian mode/scale. This is
because the relationship between B minor and E major can be related to
the 2 and 5 chords of the relative A major scale. Therefore, the 2nd
and 5th modes (Dorian, Mixolydian) come into play respectively.
You could technically play the related A major scale (see above)
over these two chords and it would work. However, as B minor is our
tonic chord, it's related mode (Dorian) becomes the dominant scale.
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