Originally Posted by: barry brightI never learned how to play scales completely. I don't know which ones to learn.[/quote]
If you haven't already you should start in the Guitar Fundamentals 2 course. I cover intervals & scales from a total beginner perspective.
http://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=2
Since you are an intermediate level player & have copied leads all you are after here is the conceptual understanding of how scales work. After chapter 1, then skip down to chapter 7 in which I teach systematic ways to practice scales.
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=451
After you start getting the hang of the GF2 beginner scale exercises, then start to work on Anders's rock or blues courses. He does a great job of showing how to start making licks, riffs & melodies with very basic easy to understand scale patterns. And he uses chords often as a gateway into those ideas! You'll probably get the most out of starting at Level 2.
In rock, jump into chapter 2 where the lead ideas start.
http://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=rock2
In blues 2, jump in at chapter 1 where the scale ideas start. Then chapter 2 Anders applies those ideas to real blues licks!
http://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=blues2
[QUOTE=barry bright]I consider myself an intermediate guitar player as far as being a copycat. But I can't improvise. I get lost on the fretboard during a solo.
The way to approach improvisation is:
1. Know which scale(s) or key(s) you are working in.
2. Target chord tones.
3. Build a vocabulary of pre-established licks you can play in any given situation.
I cover some of those ideas in these tutorials.
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=876
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=483
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=491
I cover the idea of how to approach them using pentatonic boxes as references in these tutorials.
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=217
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=232
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=826
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=244
Hope this helps! Ask more if necessary & best of success with your guitar playing!
