This exercise is from the Jamzone.

In Parts 1 and 2 we learned & used the A natural minor scale to create a solo, and now we'll do the same with the A7 scale practiced in Part 3. The A7 scale is a major scale, so sounds different to the A minor scale. If you compare the upcoming solo with the minor scale solo in Part 2, you should be able to notice a difference in feel.

The rules for this game are very similar to the rules we used for the A minor scale in Part 2:

• Create at least one repeating melody (called a phrase).


• Each phrase should last for at least one cycle of the backing chords (A5 - G5 - D5).


• Use techniques, such as slides and vibrato to enhance your phrases.


• As usual, use ONLY the notes from the A7 scale learned in Part Three!

We discussed phrases in Part 2. Here we use them again in the same way, but notice the difference we get in terms of feel from the solo. That's because the A7 scale is a major scale. It is constructed differently to the A minor scale, and although there are many shared notes, the difference is still quite strong:

A minor scale: A B C D E F G A
A7 scale: A B C# D E F# G A

The A minor scale is nice because it has no sharps or flats. This means we can compare other A scales easily and see the difference. For example, with the A7 scale - just find the sharp or flat notes and you'll automatically have found the different notes between scales. In the A7 scale, it's the C# and F#. Even though only 2 notes are different to the A minor scale, there's still a significant difference in the melodies created. This is largely down to the C#, which is a major third (notice we start our melody on that note). It is the third note which determines whether a scale is considered major or minor. It's surprising the effect just a couple of small note changes can make!

Because the backing chords are just powerchords (neither major or minor) we can experiment very freely with our scales for soloing. But if there were major or minor chords in the backing music, we'd have to be more careful with the scales we use for soloing to avoid nasty note clashes. The most typical clash is playing a major third (C# in this case) over an A minor chord, (which has C as the minor third).

Learn what you can from this ActionTab then go back to the Backing, loop it and start soloing for yourself. Make sure your fingers know the A7 scale first. Remember that your own phrases don't have to be fast or complex - that kind of thing will come the more you practice!