When applying a guitar solo to a blues progression it is important to know what scale or scales will work and what will sound good. The most basic blues progression is constructed around I, IV, V progression in twelve bars. In the blues, these chords all tend to be the same type of chords, typically: seventh, major or minor chords. So, for example, a regular twelve bar blues will contain all seventh chords, a minor blues: all minor chords and a major blues all major chords.
If we take the blues progression containing only seventh chords, we will find that one scale will not fit these chords perfectly, in a musical sense. If we try to match a scale with the chords, we could play the mixolydian mode over the I chord, in the same key of the I chord. We could take this approach to the other chords and play the mixolydian mode in the same key over the IV chord and V chord. This is one approach to solo over this type of progression.
When a blues progression is composed of entitely major chords, it is best to use the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode. The major pentatonic scale would also work well in this example. Both scales contain the notes which match these major chords perfectly.
When a blues progression contains just minor chords, it is best to use the natural minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode, or the minor pentatonic scale. These scales will sit perfectly over these chords when soloing with the guitar.
What I would like to do now is explain the most common blues guitar scale and when it is best suited. This scale is simply called the blues scale and it is the minor pentatonic scale with a flat 5 added to it - R, flat 3, 4, flat 5, 5 and flat 7. Now remember I mentioned that the most common blues progression is constructed entirely with seventh chords(R,3, 5,flat7). This is the scale of choice to play over this type of progression. So you might be wondering why this scale has a flat 3 or minor 3rd in it - it doesn't make musical sense using a minor 3rd over a major 3rd! Well, put simply this is what gives the blues such a distinctive sound - the flat 5 also gives this "bluesy" sound.
So there you have it, to find the correct scale to play over a blues progression, typically a I, IV, V chord progression, firstly look at the I chord. If it is a seventh chord you could use the mixolydain mode as described previously, or just use the blues scale. Using the key of A - you would use the A blues scale. If it is a A major or A minor as the I chord you would use the A major and the A minor scale respectively. You could also just use the A blues scale over these two progressions as well, or a combination. You have plenty of options available, so have some fun and experiment with these various blues guitar scales.
If we take the blues progression containing only seventh chords, we will find that one scale will not fit these chords perfectly, in a musical sense. If we try to match a scale with the chords, we could play the mixolydian mode over the I chord, in the same key of the I chord. We could take this approach to the other chords and play the mixolydian mode in the same key over the IV chord and V chord. This is one approach to solo over this type of progression.
When a blues progression is composed of entitely major chords, it is best to use the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode. The major pentatonic scale would also work well in this example. Both scales contain the notes which match these major chords perfectly.
When a blues progression contains just minor chords, it is best to use the natural minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode, or the minor pentatonic scale. These scales will sit perfectly over these chords when soloing with the guitar.
What I would like to do now is explain the most common blues guitar scale and when it is best suited. This scale is simply called the blues scale and it is the minor pentatonic scale with a flat 5 added to it - R, flat 3, 4, flat 5, 5 and flat 7. Now remember I mentioned that the most common blues progression is constructed entirely with seventh chords(R,3, 5,flat7). This is the scale of choice to play over this type of progression. So you might be wondering why this scale has a flat 3 or minor 3rd in it - it doesn't make musical sense using a minor 3rd over a major 3rd! Well, put simply this is what gives the blues such a distinctive sound - the flat 5 also gives this "bluesy" sound.
So there you have it, to find the correct scale to play over a blues progression, typically a I, IV, V chord progression, firstly look at the I chord. If it is a seventh chord you could use the mixolydain mode as described previously, or just use the blues scale. Using the key of A - you would use the A blues scale. If it is a A major or A minor as the I chord you would use the A major and the A minor scale respectively. You could also just use the A blues scale over these two progressions as well, or a combination. You have plenty of options available, so have some fun and experiment with these various blues guitar scales.
About the Author:
Clause N Dillon, a musician for over twenty years, has compiled an easy to follow and practical guide to guitar scales and lead guitar, and is available FREE for a limited time by clicking the blue text : Bass Guitar Scales or Pentatonic Guitar Scales