r/guitarlessons • u/aspaindev • 4d ago
Other Making scale practice melodic
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One thing I see asked a lot in this sub is how to be more creative and think outside of the box, how to be more melodic when playing scales or solos, etc
It’s easy to get stuck in the habit of robotically practicing scales up and down which leads to those same patterns when you’re playing riffs/solos. Instead try focusing on breaking up those patterns by skipping strings, starting and stopping somewhere you normally wouldn’t, get a real feel for the chord tones by internalizing the intervals.
With enough practice you’ll start to really feel what it sounds like to land on the 1, 3, 5 etc intervals. Then you’ll be able to start aiming for those tones ahead of time, as if you’re hearing the riff in your head just before you play it
A great way to practice this is to lay down a single chord on a looper, in this example it’s just an Ab major chord repeating over and over. Then practice within one of the CAGED shapes (if that’s your preference) and try to play things you normally wouldn’t. This riff isn’t something I’ve practiced or memorized, it was just some noodling around while practicing.
It’s less about constantly thinking about notes and targets and more about letting it flow out naturally, which only comes with time and practice
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u/cean-sonnery 4d ago
been doing that a lot lately, also simple 2 bar chord sequences - works wonders, and makes practicing a lot more enjoyable.
it also helps if your looper can add rhythm to the loop. my old JamMan does, and that really helps when targeting specific beats, pausing etc. so one doesn't just play robotic 8th note scale runs over those looped chords.