For some reason, and just remember this im very very embarrased about saying this. I cant solo over the 12 bar blues. Whats wrong with me?? It just doesnt sound right???? Is there a certain Key you should play in. Because i think im using A Minor Pentatonic right now. I dont know this sucks. I suck. Damn this really sucks.
Someone want to help me!!! Its the one of the most simple, and basic things to do on a guitar, and I cant do it. There has to be somethign wrong with me. Because ive seen total newbs playing over the 12 blues just fine. Sounding great. But not me. Whats wrong with me. I feel like crying. Ok maybe not that far. But i am a little depressed. Because all the hard work i put into my playing. Just cant even cut it for a simple 12 bar blues solo!!!!

This post has been edited by Ryan: Jul 1 2007, 05:40 AM

Dont be embarrased!
If you're playing the 12bar blues in A, a A minor pentatonic should fit perfect
I dont know really, have you checked out Gabriels and Kris' blues lessons? Without those I wouldnt be able to play blues at all. Those lessons are really great, I think that is just what you need.

Yea, already know them, and even Gabs Saranceno lessons. Hmm the basic 12 bar blues when doing the power chord 2 fret on the A string, and open E. Isnt that in the key of E??

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mjTztfsJxCQ theres a 12bar blues if you're not 100% sure how its played.

Improvising blues looks quite easy I guess, but it requires practice aswell as shredding.

I hope I could help.

Also if you havnt yet to check out Marcus's Neoclassical blues lesson, that might also help you in the Blues Realm , so to speak
-- john

Can you solo over the 12 bar blues with modes?? And if you can. Will it sound right?

Yes. Gabriel does it in one of his lessons. I actually decided to learn some modes earlier today so I could do some variations in my blues improvisation! Guess that will have to wait for tomorrow anyway.

Yeah, you can solo over anything with any scale, and it will sound right if you do it right There's no "right" scale for various kinds of music. Some scales (say, wholetone) just require more thought than others (say, pentatonic scales), and some lend themselves easier to the sound of the genre (like minor pentatonic with an added flattened 5th for blues), but will also more easily sound like cliches.

However, if you are having problem getting basic 12 bar to click, I would ignore anything other than basic pentatonic until you get the feel for it. Its great that you have the knowledge of modes and such - hold it in reserve though until you get the basic vibe and the basic blues going, then as Kaneda says, the sky is the limit!

Regarding your earlier question - Open Estring and 2nd fret A string gives you a power chord of E5. Combine that with a A5 and B5 and you have the chords for a 12 bar progression. If you play the E minor pentatonic over the top of that (I would suggest the box with the root note of E on the 12th fret of the bottom E string) you are all set. Keep it simple - restrict yourself to that one box - you should be able to get a decent solo out of just that box if you are doing it right. When you have that down, you can think about adding other boxes and passing notes for variety.

Keep working it until you get something that sounds bluesy!

Let us know if you need any more inspiration - and maybe even post a recording on the members upload board so we cn help you along in the right direction!

This post has been edited by Andrew Cockburn: Jul 1 2007, 03:23 PM

Alright thanks andrew, and kaneda!!! I shall do that. I was just wondering is there a lesson on passing notes?? Because i understand that they are the passage from one scale to the next or something to that effect, but i really dont understand what notes to use i guess you could say!! Are they notes outside of the scale your using now?? Or are they just certain notes that are in the scale that combine with the next scale?? Or what?? Maybe I jsut ahve this passing note thing all wrong i dont know!!

Notes outside the scale that you just throw in. In Pentatonic, the b5 is such a common passing note that the Pentatonic Scale plus the b5 is called the Blues Scale. You can throw in any extra note you want really, I often throw in chromatic notes between notes in the pentatonic as hammerons/pulloffs to speed up my playing.

Ok, thanks a bunch Andrew!!