How do you play melodic guitar solos up and down the neck?

Question

My cousin is very good and when he plays blues guitar solos he solos up and down the neck and it sounds great. I am not getting lessons and I was wondering how he does that, can anyone tell me?

Answer 1

Learn the CAGED system.  The concept is very simple and will teach you to see patterns all across the neck and it's all based on five chords (C, A, G, E, D).  Each chord shape has a pentatonic scale that 'lays' over it. So all you need to know are the 5 chords (which you probably already do) and the 5 corresponding scales.

A quick explanation:

Start with a C chord on frets 0-4. The next C chord is the "A shape" on frets 4-6.  The next C chord is the "G shape" on frets 6-9. Next is E shape, next is D shape (spells the word 'caged').

You can start with any chord that is in 1 of the 5 shapes, and keep moving up the neck spelling out CAGED.  (If you start with G, go to E, then D....)

Now you're not limited to playing chords on the first few frets.  Learn the scales that go over each shape and you can solo anywhere on the neck.

truefire.com has a CD-ROM called "CAGED Cracked" that explains it very well.  I can email the diagrams that come with the CD if you want them.  Also, the website has a couple of sample videos you can watch.

Answer 2

Hi

If you know your scales in all positions, you can move around the neck just like a cook can choose form 100 different ingredients and knows which one to use with which recipe.

Here is a good link to practicale and know your scales. What your cousin is doing is playing in the correct position in relation to chords.

Once you know each chord in 3 different positions, than you can solo on each of these positions and in between these positions.

http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/guitar_...

Answer 3

monkhey7,

The two answers above are excellent for getting your solos to the next level. However, I find that "thinking" about playing solos can be the very thing that makes them sound crappy, lame, or boring.

One method I use to free my mind and open up my solos is this:

- Record a simple rhythm track or set one up with a looper pedal. If you don't have these, you can buy jam track CD's or play a long with a rhythm part on one of your CD's.

- Set up your guitar and amp. Tune up.

- Turn off all the lights and shut the curtains or blinds. The goal is to make your practice area as dark as possible.

Then, start soloing! This frees your mind from seeing repetitive patterns and trite melodies on the fretboard. You are forced to feel your way around and search for the notes that you think would sound good. Try to think of a melody for the solo in your head, then find it in the dark. I often begin to see visuals that accompany the melody. Things like mountains, clouds, warriors, live crowds, girls, running water... the stuff of dreams.

Call it cheesy if you want, but it works for me. It helps me tap into my creativity. Do this in addition to the aforementioned techniques and studies, and you will be a very balanced and well rounded guitar player. Good luck, hope this helped!

- Jack Rugile