 Copyright 2015-2016 by Dan Amerson

All rights reserved.

Module 7 - Guitar Solo Tracks Dan Amerson

Let's cut straight to the point.

There are two guitar tracks that you can use in most situations.

1) Blues Track: This track plays over any and every chord. This is the "safe" option, though
it's by no means a bad choice; using the blues track is an extremely musical option. As a
matter of fact, most guitarists play exclusively on this track.

2) Modes Track: This track uses your knowledge of the modes to add flavor to your soloing.
Because the modes are interconnected, you can use the mode arpeggios to solidify the
modes track in your mind. The modes track often touches the 9th scale degree of the root.

You can also easily switch from the mode arpeggio to its respective mode. The modes that
you need to know in the Modes Track include the Mixolydian, Locrian, Dorian, and the
Lydian.

Compare this to the Blues Track, which uses your knowledge of the Ionian and the Aeolian.
  Copyright 2015-2016 by Dan Amerson
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i) Blues Track
The Blues Track is relative to the root, despite which chord is being played; for instance,
even if you're playing the IV7 or the Vth, the blues track fits over the I (the root). The track
changes depending on the blues progression (there are three blues progressions).

Major Blues: The blues track involves the major blues scale on the root.
Minor Blues: The blues track involves the minor blues scale on the root.
Dominant Blues: The blues track involves the minor blues scale on the root.

With every blues progression, you can still play the blues scale all over the neck. We've
seen this in Module 4.
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ii - Modes Track
There are two conditions to respect when it comes to playing the modes track.

1. Appears over a Dominant 7th chord

2. Played over a Dominant 7th chord

Since the Dominant 7th is based upon the Mixolydian mode, there are other positions (i.e.
mode arpeggios) that can be used to add musicality to your soloing.

Let's review the modes involved:

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Mixolydian: Major scale with a ♭ 7th.

Locrian: Minor scale with ♭2, ♭5, and ♭7.

Dorian: Minor scale with major 6th.

  Copyright 2015-2016 by Dan Amerson
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Lydian: Major scale with #4th.

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iii - Interacting Blues Track and Mode Track

If you're playing on the I7 chord, the root of the Blues and Mode track are the same. This
gives you plenty of liberty for playing solos.

However, when you're playing on the IV7 chord, the root of the Blues track is on the I root,
while the Mode track's root is on the IV note.

The future sections will explore these interactions in greater detail.