here's a diagram of the afore-mentioned pentatonic scale. This one has all the patterns associated with A-minor (or C major).:


... and here's a great link to guitar backing tracks:
http://www.guitarbackingtrack.com/
if you learn all the pentatonic patterns in Am, sliding the patterns up two frets turns it into Bm, down two frets is Gm.
Have fun, and rock on!

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Yeah, beautifully explained by the above posters.
Once you are used to these patterns, you'll find yourself going back and forth in groups of notes with hammer-on/offs, bends etc. creating your own licks. You'll soon find it easier to learn other scales. It's a great feeling when you are able to think of a lick and then play it. It does of course take practice but you'll surprise yourself at the progress you can make.
Now you know the "trick", we'll be expecting some scorching Texas blues within 6 months.
Goodonya.

[quote="phreddybee"]practice,practice practice!

that is your first and most important tool. learning scales will help. maybe some lessons even.

one thing about learning songs is to learn easy ones first. then take it to the next level, and soon you'll be where you want to be.

+1

cheers

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It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting - paulo coelho

cool link, thanks for posting

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

No Problem SBLS....

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forgot one critical part, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Hey trwells, I've got a plan for you. Google a slow blues backing track and improvise very short solos. The kind of solos where you play only a few notes and you listen to the song, and then you play some more short licks. And most important, you tape yourself so you can hear what you played. This way you'll have a constant access to your recordings and you'll be able to evaluate your progress over time. You will also find what works for you solo wise, what you like and what you don't like. Best of luck.

How's that working out for you Tess, Claude you old fashioned thing you

What I like about old fashioned tape recorders, is that you don't need plug-ins, updates, usb, they never freeze and they do the job well enough for me. Great pic ladies.

Does get a bit complicated all these new gadgets Claude, I used to be the guy people called on for help with technical problems...now though I have to get my son to tune the TV, don't even ask me about DVD players , dongles or interfaces you'll just get a blank stare

Ripitup, I still have a few years ahead before retirement and I hope that the technology won't take another giant leap too soon. I use no computer when I play guitar, no way I'm gonna get stuck with the wrong software. I reckon the importance of the stuff, I just don't want it near me when I'm at home.

While your learning the scales, do your self a BIG favor, and take the time to learn the notes as well.

Don't just learn just the patterns.

L.A.

Scales. Lots, and lots, and LOTS of scales. Not just your basic blues,pentatonic s*** either, get in various "jazz" scales, other things I really can't remember the names of at 4 AM, etc..


Get a teacher. A good teacher. You can get good teaching yourself, but you'll get GREAT if you have someone that actually knows what they're doing showing you. And make sure it's not one of those asshats that tries to change your actual playing style, aside from correcting things that are actually negative and will bring your playing down.

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Favorite bands:

Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

+1 on YouTube. It is great for demos on licks. I have found certain musicians who have posted many vids on my fave style, the blues and it's fun.You have to learn from musicians who have "it" and are willing to pass it on. Also listen to your heros and copy them until you develop your own stylem I don't think there is a trick or shortcut only A LOT of practice. Best of luck.

This is the best advice. Learn to play properly!