I don't think scales when I play, just like I don't think 'left foot, right foot' when I walk, or 'up-stroke down-stroke' when I pick. It's all internalized. I may play scales or scale fragments at some point or another, but it has pretty much passed into my subconscious.



Of course, I had to learn scales just as I had to learn to walk and alternate pick.



Learn the major and minor pentatonic scales, in 5 forms. Use those to learn 5 forms of the major scale. Derive from those 5 forms for the dorian mixolydian and aeolian modes as well as harmonic and (jazz) melodic minor. Play triad and 7th chord arpeggios from each degree in all of those scales and modes (except the pentatonic, although you can do a similiar cool exercise with that).




JC

Hi Jeremy,
I totally agree with you.Ive been myself a guitar teacher for the last 25 years (in Lisbon-Portugal).

Scales,arpeggios,fragments of the main melody,patterns,etc,those are elements for improvising,but having a clear notion of "tempo" and "rhythm" is the most important.

Improvising is knowing where the "Song-Theme" is!
This skill is essential;without this it doesnt help to know all scales or arpeggios.

Thought Id share some boring info with you all... I had my very first guitar lesson, at 46 I finally started... My teacher, a 24 yo local took me under has wing, gave my two types of scales to practice and taught me most of Hotel California, and yes... my fingers are so sore today but hey.. that is the way it goes.
Paul.

Learning to solo is a gradual process. Much more thinking goes into it in the early stages. As you get more experience you start to think more in terms of what you want to hear.

It also depends on the style of music. Jazz tunes and tunes with more chords are easier to approach if you have a good working knowledge of chord tones.

Blues on the other hand can be approached with just the pentatonic/blues scale but can be made more interesting with a few chord tone sprinkled in.

If you really want one scale to master I would have to say it would be the major scale. Knowing it well will allow you to access other things by simply altering what you know slightly.