Guitar Scales???

Question

I have been playing guitar for a couple of years and I can read tab but recently I have been ttrying to learn scales and I have ran into a few problems. If I am playing a song that has the chords D-A-C-G in it should I play the scale of the chord or the scale of the key of the song?

Answer 1

this is an important question that most guitarists don't bother to explore. the answer is "either." but your choice has ramifications. you can stick with the scale of the key of the song, which is a simpler, easier approach. you can also vary the scale with each chord--obviously more difficult but you can get more variety in your solo or lead work. either way, one important thing is not to clash wrong notes with wrong chords. that can happen if you choose the wrong scale for the progression--for example, in the chords you listed, if you chose a D major scale, one of the noted would be c#--if you play this note over the C chord--clash! so if you use only the scale of the key of the song, you still must be aware of which notes you are playing over which chords. with the second method (playing scales to match each chord) this is somewhat reduced, because you know that scale matches that chord, but you have to pick the scale properly and you have to watch out for carrying a note that belongs with one chord over to the next chord with which it may clash terribly.

Answer 2

A typical rule is that the first chord of your progression is going to be the key of the song. Of coarse there are instances where this is not the case, but its always a good starting point.

I would advise that you take whatever scale you know very well, and look up and study its modes. With modes you are basically playing the same scale but altering it to suit your need for the implied key. I cant explain it that well, but if you look it up I'm sure you'll get the idea.

You could also learn some arpeggios for the D A C and G chords, and run through them over the appropriate chord. Have fun experimenting!

Answer 3

You are always playing the scale of the chord you are on, but it can also be the same chord as the key of the song.

Answer 4

The simple rule of thumb answer is the key of the song. However, using improvisation and how things sound, you can sneak in notes from scales of the chord. The bottom line is it has to sound good.