Spicing up chord progressions!

[BassPhenomenon]

Ok this has been a problem for like a YEAR now... It's a hurdle I just CAN'T seem to overcome.

I've spent countless hours learning scale shapes etc etc, but for some reason it's just a fleeting concept.. Overtime, since I never really understand how to apply them in more than a box shape, they simply just fade from my memory. I'm sick of relearning these shapes, or referencing them. I want them to be my tools of expression, ready to be recalled at will.

One use I know of, but can't grasp, is using a scale to suppliment a chord progression. To keep it easy I'll call on examples from the key of C. Again, to keep it simple lets use a I IV V IV prog. so C F G F.

So here I play CCCC then FFFF then GGGG now F..... I'm in the last measure and instead of just strumming three more times I wanna add some melody to link back to the C chord.. well how the heck do I instantly recognize the C scale over top of the F chord shape? I know there has got to be a trick to this but it's eluded me all this time.

I guess what i'm asking is how YOU GUYS recognize WHERE you are in a scale at any given point where you decide to add some improv 'spice' to a progression. Do you just recognize the closest box shape and add notes from that, or is there something more?

The box shape method to learning scales doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere except very frustrated. Any insight is much appreciated!

-Bass

[crusty]

No tricks.

You're not hearing what you want to play. I guarantee that's your biggest problem. When you play those three chords and then want to play a melodic fragment to link the chords together, do you hear the notes in your head? You have to, otherwise forget it. Hear the notes, find them, then play them.

As for understanding, that comes with time, and only after you've learned lots of songs (like 50+ songs) . That's when you can study theory and it will make sence.

[BassPhenomenon]

Thank you for your response.

I'm not entirely sure that is my problem... I spend most of my day composing in my head, even without access to instruments. Often even listening to other music I make adjustments to the notes (in my head) in such a way that I feel it sounds better.

I can easily think to myself "doo doo dee da CHORD" but in a jam I don't have time to work out "doo doo dee da CHORD" for 5 mins... Nor do I want to in the future since I could save that 5 mins for something more productive... No the problem lies within me being able to see scale shapes over the fretboard position I'm using at any given time.. In fact I'd LOVE to know how to make whats in my head come out of the amp... It just... never happens.. and THAT is the problem!

I sure don't know 50 songs but if this will help my understanding I'm going to start on this right away. I love learning awesome tunes.

Thanks a bunch crusty,

-Bass

[Hack]

In fact I'd LOVE to know how to make whats in my head come out of the amp... It just... never happens.. and THAT is the problem!
Yeah, that's the problem for everybody. I still have trouble getting what's in my head to come out the guitar, and I've been trying for almost 40 years.

Time, study and practice. There is no substitute.

[BassPhenomenon]

hmm but practice WHAT would then be my next question.. I have time and I'm more than willing to put in the effort but sometimes I'm just at a loss for what to do next.

Thanks man,

-Bass

[OwNaGeR]

Crusty is correct.

You're saying that you want to be able to jump into a scale over certain chords and you want to be able to retain the memory of boxes and such.

As far as memory goes, there is nothing to do but memorize the boxes. Use them every day. If you do that, they will not fade from your mind.

As for improv, you just have to feel it. You have to feel it and hear it in your head and then transcribe it to guitar instantly. Make up some licks in your head and practice getting them onto guitar. How do I know that this is your problem? You're saying 'I can't play what I want on guitar..." Well, think about it and transcribe it.

Hell, screw the boxes. Who cares about boxes? Play whatever notes your mind is telling you to play. If you're in the key of C and you want to play a D# note and bend it 1 1/2 steps, do it. It'll sound good to you, because that's what you want.

Or you can just NOT think about what you're trying to play and let the notes flow. I do this a lot while improvising. No need to create licks in your head... let your mind tell your fingers where to go without you thinking about it. This, my friend, is beautiful music.

[BassPhenomenon]

Hell, screw the boxes. Who cares about boxes? Play whatever notes your mind is telling you to play. If you're in the key of C and you want to play a D# note and bend it 1 1/2 steps, do it. It'll sound good to you, because that's what you want.

I strongly believe that in order to bend the rules you must have a firm understanding of them first.... Be well grounded in the fundamentals. Yeah sure I can play whatever I want as long as it sounds good, but that won't help me learn scales... which is the topic of my post.

I've answered my own question anyways, I'm looking into the 'caged' system and it seems to be the next step in my progress. Thanks dudes.

-Bass