GUITAR THEORY: Mastering Your Scales & Modes Video

http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers a viewers question...

Q: I would like to know how to improvise more melodically over a chord progression in any key; being aware of the scales and mode positions for the shapes along the length of the neck that one can use to solo over a specific chord. And, how to pick out the chord tones and strong notes - i.e. resolving a lick/riff to the root and including the chord notes, etc... Also, some advice on practicing the scales/modes around chord progressions would also be ideal.
- Ashley Smith -- England

A: There is no doubt that Practicing scales and modes is certainly vital for developing a strong ability to solo melodically. However, there are many players like you that are finding difficulty with developing this skill. The key to tapping your full potential in this department will have to be the mastery of several concepts...

1). Practicing scales with a goal in mind of stretching your skills with them. In other words, never get stuck into a rut of constantly practicing scales day-in / day-out in the exact same way.

2). Learning other players; lines, guitar licks and phrasing styles. So, what I'm saying is, find a handful of guitar players that you really dig and learn at least an album's worth of their rhythm and lead lines. Yes, you heard me correctly -- I said Rhythm & Lead.

3). Practice composing melodies when you practice improvisation. It is simply not enough to sit around working on jammin' out in a random unstructured way every practice session when you play along to jam tracks. Spin that jam track and practice composing something every single day you play the guitar!

The complete lesson article for this video will be available on the Creative Guitar Studio website shortly. Follow me on Twitter for lesson posting announcements:
http://twitter.com/andrewwasson
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i learned the major ...
i learned the major scales from berkelys musical notation books with 1rst and 4rth finger stretches is there a reason i should learn? them the other way

@ndsherb Good eye.?
@ndsherb Good eye.?

6:20, what picking? ...
6:20, what picking? technique did you use?

my guitar? playing ...
my guitar? playing is so unorganized :(

there are only 5 ...
there are only 5 tuning? knobs on the guitar on you shirt!! what??

Great teaching!? =)
Great teaching!? =)

Great video my ...
Great video my friend! :) One question: what type of fretwire you are using?? Looks like Dunlop 6100? How do you like it? Thanks and take care!

Good lesson. If ...
Good lesson. If you studied Steve Vai melodies...I wonder if you found the same similarities between his main melody in 'For the Love of God...and the main and most used melody in the intro to the 1970's Tv show? King Fu with David Carridine. The opening sequence where he's walking in the desert.'..

wow nice lesson? ...
wow nice lesson? really nice

you look like the? ...
you look like the? guitarist from megadeth dude! The 1st guitarist

This is great, I ...
This is great, I can play dozens of scales,? but applying it is difficult.

Which strat? is ...
Which strat? is that? And which pickups do you have on?

andrew, you are? a ...
andrew, you are? a super fab tutor, very helpful thx Berh

@melctram It's in ...
@melctram It's in the description box. twitter [dot]? com / andrewwasson

Thanks!!! how about ...
Thanks!!! how about your twitter account ,Please.. ?

@Radu4x Ah Romania! ...
@Radu4x Ah Romania! I'm curious, have you heard of the band Blue Embrace? I hear they have?? a fan base out? there. Greetings from the U.S.!

Excellent. Thank ...
Excellent. Thank you!?

great lesson! ...
great lesson! probs? going to help me out loads

Some very very good ...
Some very very good stuff there. I am a relative newcomer to the world of guitar playing but? you can tell this bloke has been there seen it done it,, damn he really does have the t shirt as well. Just the knowledge in this vid is enough to keep me going for,,, man !!!

amazing sir ur just ...
amazing sir ur just great teacher and human.thanks 4? this important scince/.....

Wow great ...
Wow great instructions. For those not? quite at this level yet, we've got a couple videos for beginners up on our channel.

good advice!?
good advice!?

What a truly great ...
What a truly great teacher you are. I have a teacher and he is amazing but both of you together have brought my playing along to a level that has surprised me. Again I just want to say a big thankyou to you, great lessons. I have? also listened to your album and i will be buying it, great playing man. thx

i love you.? thanks ...
i love you.? thanks so much

Dude? this is ...
Dude? this is excalty what I been lokking for!! Thank you!1!!!

Dude you are such a ...
Dude you are such a big help. Thank You! A thousand, and a thousand more times.? Your Awesome.

The only way to ...
The only way to make anything? easy is through lots of hard work. Practice,practice and more practice.

Very constructive ...
Very constructive advice on scaling and modes. Easy? to catchup and understand. congrats.