Small observations, and my experiences on improvising.

[UltimaRage]

Alright, today, I decided that I am going to post an advice post that may turn into a column or something. I am going to have a website soon for misc. guitar info, techniques, artist information, and of course my own recordings and stuff like that. By the way, I've been playing for about 3 years, I don't use any scales when improvising, and, not to brag or anything, I can play better than some of my friends that have been playing for 5 years. I wish I knew some people that were really good. Anyways, time to start my informative advice column. This may or may not be helpful to you, I'm just speaking my mind about some experiences in my music-orientated life. Lets start out with what some people think is a mystery- improvising and soloing. When I improvise, I don't use any scales. I want to, but whenever I start trying to learn a new scale, I just kind of veer off and then I start messing around with my own stuff, which isn't necessarily bad, but it does show a lack of disipline. I play about 2-4 hours a day, sometimes even 5 hours, and I continually notice improvements. What I really am trying to get at is that you dont necessarily NEED scales, but they are more of a thing to lean on when you're not as creative as you usually are at any given moment. The only scale I know is the Pentatonic Minor scale, and I know all five positions for it, but I don't use it too often, especially with metal. When I improvise, my mind subconsiously kind of makes up a little melody that fits to what I am soloing to. So, when you are improvising or soloing, you don't have to think of it simply as a solo, just think of it as another song that fits with the first song. It helps you to be more creative, and also something that makes you more creative is thinking about your guitar in a different context. Don't think of it as an instrument for just metal, rock, or shred, but instead just associate it with music. This may sound really like common sense, but you'd be suprised on how many miss this. They just think guitar, rock out, not guitar, emotional instrument. Strong Emotion also helps creativity. The next time you get really angry, sad, or just some other really strong emotion, mess around on your guitar. Emotion fuels creativity to a very extensive degree. Check out this link to another post that has a little thing I recorded in it. The thread is called Crazy Composition (http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3097)

[szulc]

I have a newsflash for you.
You are playing scales!
Maybe you don't know hat they are called or have a pattern memorized for them, but you are playing within the context of diatonic scales. I listened to the wma file. It is a poor quality recording so it was difficult to tell exactly what you were doing.
I heard som arpegiatted taps and then some minor scale stuff.
The ideas were definately based on minor scales, whether or not you realize it.

[Unhorizon]

Originally posted by szulc
I have a newsflash for you.
You are playing scales!
Maybe you don't know hat they are called or have a pattern memorized for them, but you are playing within the context of diatonic scales. I listened to the wma file. It is a poor quality recording so it was difficult to tell exactly what you were doing.
I heard som arpegiatted taps and then some minor scale stuff.
The ideas were definately based on minor scales, whether or not you realize it.

Exactly

[UltimaRage]

Originally posted by szulc
I have a newsflash for you.
You are playing scales!
Maybe you don't know hat they are called or have a pattern memorized for them, but you are playing within the context of diatonic scales. I listened to the wma file. It is a poor quality recording so it was difficult to tell exactly what you were doing.
I heard som arpegiatted taps and then some minor scale stuff.
The ideas were definately based on minor scales, whether or not you realize it.

I apologize. Clearly my point was missed. The point of my thread was play what sounds good instead of learning and memorizing patterns. I'm just talking about what works for me. I know that I'm playing scales without knowning exact stuff.

[LarryJ]

I was in pretty much the same situation as you, but playing over some backing tracks really opened my eyes.

I always wanted to play scales, since I read how they can be used emotionally/to sound distinct/fit but I was too undisciplined to learn them and properly utilize them. Anyways just today playing over EricV's 'canyon of spirits' backing track really drove the point home, that scales are great to know. It seemed like I couldn't play a single note that didn't sound great, just because I was locked in the scale and key...

I guess the question really is, if there's a difference between improvising, and messing around. I too can think up tons of stuff without playing a scale, or knowing what I'm doing. 95% of what I do is unconsciously thought up, or when I'm noodling randomly...but when your playing over something more advanced than a few droning power chords, your might end up being lost. I can think up alot of great stuff by myself sitting in front of my amp working it out, but if I was asked to take a solo over a song in a band situation, theres no way I could pull off something incredible or truely inspired from start to finish, let alone something that fit perfectly and didn't sound out of place without knowing what I was doing.

It just depends on where you want your playing to go. Personally I see learning the scales and modes as just another step in the road to being a complete guitarist...

I would call you a great songwriter, if you have the ability to think up great riffs/licks consistantly, but that doesn't nessicarily mean your a great soloist, if you understand what I mean. The reason your better than your peers is probably because you spend so much more time with the guitar in your hands then they do, again we're similar in that regard. If your really spend all that time practicing, it can't hurt to try and work out a practice schedule.

After 4-5 years of doing the same thing as you, for the same amount of hours, I can tell you I've pretty much hit a brick wall. I mastered most techniques and can play very fast, but its become clear I need to work on isolating problems and practicing specific area's if I am to ever improve past my current ability. I'm still trying to build up to a schedule, its tough work but I know it will pay off.

Perhaps your experiences will be different though, who knows...take this for what it's worth, as my advice to you, but I wouldn't be suprised if you end up feeling like me a few years down the road. Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Larry