Tomo Fujita Guitar Wisdom

Hello everyone! I am quite new to learning music/guitar and I have a question regarding soling over chord progressions.

If playing in the key of Bb minor, for example, I-bIII-bVI-bVII progression (I minor, bIII major,bVI major and bVII major), when soloing do I follow each chord: when in I use Bb min pentatonic, when in bIII play the Db major pentatonic, bVI the Gb major pentatonic and bVII major pentatonic? Conversely, can I just stay in the Bb minor "5 pentatonic positions" at random?

In other words, do I play anywhere in the Bb minor pentatonic positions or do I strictly follow the progression and stick to each position per the chord being played?

I hope my question makes sense! To follow or not to follow chord progressions....... that is the question.

I recommend that you watch each “Improvisation” lesson several times. Then, watch some of the soloing Demos. You will see that Tomo’s approach to improvisation is to create melodies that follow the chord progression, and to use bits and pieces of pentatonic scales sparingly, but tastefully. To be melodic, or not to be melodic . . . that is the question.

Very well... thank you very much! You just answered the big question.... now on to the Improvisation lessons!

Thank you,

Alberto

Here is Tomo's comment:

"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. Regarding pentatonic scales: you want to think about phrasing and rhythm, rather than just positions. And try to feel each note against each chord."

Hi! For everyone’s sake, I’ll try to make this short... First let me say that in your example, your progression is simply I-III-VI-VII, no need to flat. (A bIII implies a iidim for example).

If you look closely at the notes of the Bb minor pentatonic scale (position 5), the 5 notes are always the same no matter the position, so these notes will always sound “right” in your progression. Your job as a musician is to use those notes tastefully (melodically and rhythmically) over the chords in your progression.

This may seem like an oversimplification, but it’s not really. Our job is to make MUSIC!

Anyway, hope that helps... feel free to comment if there are any questions or concerns.

Don Yacos,

Thank you very much! I believe I understand it well and I appreciate your clarification.

Alberto

You’re welcome!