Just started playing with a new band that's doing originals. They have a new tune, it's a poppy/rock song in A. It's practically a I-IV-V progression, 4/4 time. Think Nicky Hopkins/Stones. Anyway, it's mostly based around this A-D-A-D-E, with a Bm thown into the chorus and an F#m (minor 6th) throw into a bridge.

They want me to do a short solo/improv over the Verse part. I've tried doing it in both an A blues scale, and an Amaj. penta. scale. But neither seem to fit as well. I was wondering if because of that minor sixth thrown in, I probably need to do something a bit different. Any suggestions would be great! thanks

You've got to learn some licks.

I can't think of a 1-scale solution, especially not knowing how fast the chords are going by, and not really knowing the sound of the song.

Try using "slip notes" on each chord-- that is, using the 2nd as a grace note to the 3rd. The grace note happens on the beat.

Mess around with raising the 3rd of each chord a half-step (to the 4th) and then back.

Arpeggiate the chords in 16th notes.

Play parallel 3rds in the A major scale.

Hello Steve,

I'm pro'lly not that much of an expert yet on improvisation, but my help wouldn't hurt right?

If i were you i'd try something with in the blues scale of F# (3 semitones below A), which is simply A pentatonic with a additional flattened third (so: f#, a, b, c, c#, e, f#)
I use that technique rather often, and you could just try fiddling around with it a bit and see if something nice comes up. When switching chords you can use the same 'technique', so when you're on the D chord, try playing the blues scale of B (three semitones below D); or, in other words, D pentatonic with a flattened third. Of course, use your ears.


Edit: oh wait, it's a rock song. Hmm. Wel, for opening up and i the bpm ain't to fast, i like using some major 7th note every now and then. On the A chord that would be a g#, and you'd guess it, you could play something of an E chord in the right hand, switching over and forth between that and the root (A) chord. Youtube link would help here

Thanks for both tips. After playing with it more, it seems the major pentatonic is the most fitting (or F#blues). I do slip in that the blue note (C) at times. It actually slides nicely from the C#-C-B-A. Makes for a fun, easy set of notes to fool around with. Also thanks for the tip on the throwing in the 2nd/4th. Sounds good when timed well. I think a lot of it was just getting more comfortable with the song.

Cheers