GMC Forum [Powered by Invision Power Board]

Posted by: tflava Jul 13 2013, 08:22 PM

Hello,

My question is what the best scales are for reggae lead or solo's.

And if you make a solo do you need to take every scale by the same chord or if a piece is in a major i can use the a major pentatonic scale?

Thanks in advance

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 15 2013, 01:48 AM

Hi man! This basically depends on the song/backing but the most used scales are Pentatonics, Minor and Major scales. We have some really cool Reggae lessons at the site that will give you ideas about scales an licks that you could use:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/reggae/

Check it out and let me know if you need more help. Also feel free to post here backings and songs in which you would like to play solos.

Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 15 2013, 09:30 AM

Gabe is roght at this point. Most of popular reggae song we know is based on simple minor/major scales. Of course no one never said people didn't or won't use other scales. Some artist from various music styles try to add some flavour top their music by messing with harmony.

This is the problem - the question is a bit wrong because there are no particular scales that create the style. It's the genre trademarks such as specyfic note compinations in melodies and MUCH MORE IMPORTANT and individual - RHYTHM.

If we two chords like C major and G major we can play either bossanova, polka, reggea or even metal. It's not the scale (C-major) that specify the genre, it's the rhythm. So.I advice You to take a close look at how the reggea players build the phrases.

Ups. Sorry Gabriel...I've didn't noticed that this is Your section,. while writting the post. You can delete the post if You like.

Posted by: tflava Jul 15 2013, 09:38 AM

Ok thank you all for the advice.

I got some songs like stir it up where i play the real solo.

But i also have a lot of reggae songs where i make in improvisation. some time i use minor scale and sometimes pentatonic.

Thanks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 16 2013, 03:47 AM

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Jul 15 2013, 05:30 AM)

Gabe is roght at this point. Most of popular reggae song we know is based on simple minor/major scales. Of course no one never said people didn't or won't use other scales. Some artist from various music styles try to add some flavour top their music by messing with harmony.

This is the problem - the question is a bit wrong because there are no particular scales that create the style. It's the genre trademarks such as specyfic note compinations in melodies and MUCH MORE IMPORTANT and individual - RHYTHM.

If we two chords like C major and G major we can play either bossanova, polka, reggea or even metal. It's not the scale (C-major) that specify the genre, it's the rhythm. So.I advice You to take a close look at how the reggea players build the phrases.

Ups. Sorry Gabriel...I've didn't noticed that this is Your section,. while writting the post. You can delete the post if You like.

don't worry mate and thanks a lot for the addition!

QUOTE (tflava @ Jul 15 2013, 05:38 AM)

Ok thank you all for the advice.

I got some songs like stir it up where i play the real solo.

But i also have a lot of reggae songs where i make in improvisation. some time i use minor scale and sometimes pentatonic.

Thanks

Do you have any video of you improvising?

Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 16 2013, 01:22 PM

Ufff...i did some mess...and wrote so fast that there are some grammar mistakes damn

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 17 2013, 05:51 AM

QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Jul 16 2013, 09:22 AM)

Ufff...i did some mess...and wrote so fast that there are some grammar mistakes damn

hahah no problem! I'm having problems with the key "D" in my keyboard...

Posted by: tflava Aug 1 2013, 08:50 AM

ehmm maybe i can make an improvisation from a number.

But how can is show it to you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 1 2013, 03:07 PM

QUOTE (tflava @ Aug 1 2013, 04:50 AM)