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First Steps towards Getting Improvisation
Today was a big win day for me. I completed my first milestone of my new goal to work on improving my improvisation by looking at the scale shapes and started and worked on finding the melody notes for yesterday’s lesson. I found the melody all over the neck and played around before starting today’s challenge. The fretboard layout started to sink in as I play around with it. When I see the tabs for the lessons cords I realized I was pretty close on my melody and nailed that base walk piece. It was gratifying to be able to begin to apply the FW information and apply to a song that was familiar. Being familiar with song/cord progression really helped. Great first step in my goal to improve my improvising because I honestly just struggled getting it from the other lessons. Now to next milestone to practice the scales and do the same for next weeks lessons and eventually record some of my licks for a song.
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4 Replies
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This is a GREAT post- at least for me. I want to begin to learn the “bigger picture”.
I can play scales fairly easily, within any of the 5 “root shapes”, starting on any note, anywhere on the fretboard, ascending or descending. And be able to “continue on” to the next root shape and keep going till I run out of frets. Not TOO much problem.
I do NOT have the exact scale pattern- (for EACH root shape)- actually MEMORIZED yet. I just play the scale from the root-note (“1”), using the major scale formula (WWHWWWH ascending, or HWWWHWW descending).
At this point, I’m trying hard to see the NEED to memorize each note location as in a “rigid-memorized pattern”, rather than just play the scale from the formula(s). Wiser people than I– whom I think a lot of– have told me that I need to do this, though, so I will.
Even with all of this, I am struggling to find the “big, larger, picture” of why this is all so necessary. I just can’t seem to “put it all together”. Is this for learning the fretboard overall?- OK, yes, good stuff. For playing big solos? Well……..
Maybe for me, I don’t feel like I need to be able to play solos like Keith Urban or George Harrison, or short improv licks like Vince Gill……
I think I just look at improv-ing and soloing as kind-of “fun” things to mess around with, rather than an absolutely necessary “must” thing to learn……
I don’t wanna be “lazy” about it, but I think I pretty-much just wanna have a decent/somewhat respectable amount of know-how if I’m trying to play along with others—- and be “good” with that.
And also just have FUN when I grab a guitar- even if it’s just me practicing by myself. I don’t EVER want it to be “work”, or a never-ending, uphill, struggle.
Again- your post is great! A really BIG win! And many others may be watching, hoping there are some good replies. I know I will be.
theoldcoach
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Thanks for the feedback. The more I learn the more fun I have playing around. Sometimes I play way too long especially when it’s fun. I’m learning that when it’s hard and frustrating that’s when some learning is really happening.
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Great win @Jacklcm . Understanding the fretboard is key to being able to improv well. I’m far from understanding everything. My brain quit absorbing details as I aged. It’s a complete crapshoot now. Keep up the great work!
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Thanks for the feedback. I originally wanted to work on guitar was to keep my mind working in retirement. I think it helps. Now I just have fun doing it.
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