Improvising With Guitar Scales

by Alex
(North Carolina)

When improvising can you combine scales and play from that or when you play in a certain key you have to only play in one scale or can you like mix up and play in multiple scales? like combining the G pentatonic minor with the major or something else.

ANSWER

Hi, Alex--

Knowing what scale or combination of scales to use requires that you spend some time learning music theory.

For example, if you are soloing over chords in the key of G Major, you have several choices and can combine them as your ear hears fit. These choices are mainly:

G Major
G Pentatonic Major
E pentatonic Minor
E natural Minor

Beyond this are the modal scales. You can use only one scale or combine any of the appropriate scales.

Lynne