This is a rocked out track that builds dynamically as it moves along. When soloing over this track try following the dynamic. Play softer on the softer parts and then build up the intensity to mirror the rhythm dynamic. Play along with the rhythm a few times to get the vibe of the track and to feel the rhythmic build. This rock jam screams out minor pentatonic and natural minor.

What relates to all:

Since we are in minor key we can utilize E Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales as one soloing option over all the chords. E Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales relate to all.

E Minor Pentatonic = E, G, A, B, D

Furthermore, we can usually solo with a minor mode over all the chords when soloing in minor key. That mode is usually either Aeolian or Dorian and to find out which you have to analyze the chords.

As we analyze the chords we see a minor iv chord, Am. That points us to utilize E Natural Minor over all the chords. Remember our key point for minor key soloing. When playing over all the chords in minor key, what “relates to all”, you can always use Natural Minor Scales, (Aeolian Mode), UNLESS there is a major IV chord or a minor ii chord, in those cases use the Dorian Mode. For more on that read the Minor Key Soloing in the written lessons section of this series.

So try E Natural Minor, (E Aeolian Mode), to exude a sad, modern, darker sound. The Aeolian Mode is a seven-note scale often used in blues, rock, jazz, and many other musical genres. It is also called Natural Minor or Pure Minor.

Aeolian is considered a minor mode and is always the 6th mode in any major key. Aeolian produces a sad, dark, and mournful sound that is different than minor pentatonic and Dorian. It adds melodic half steps and more lick and string bending avenues. Natural Minor scales sound great over minor chords.

If you are not familiar with Natural Minor you can use the concept of major vs. relative minor to play major scales. Every major key has a relative minor key that has exactly the same notes in it. So you can use that to your advantage. The relative major of E minor if G. E natural minor scales have the exact same notes as G major scales:

E Natural Minor = E, F#, G, A, B, C, D

G Major = G, A, B, C, D, E, F#

(Same notes – just emphasize the root of the mode, E.)

So if you know some major scales or just more familiar with major scales, play G major scales but start on and emphasize the E notes and it will then become E Natural Minor. This is the crux of playing in the modes of the major scale, shifting tonality to the root of the mode. In this case, to the E notes.

Also try mixing E Minor Pentatonic & Blues with E Natural Minor, (E Aeolian mode). You can create killer sounds going between the five-note pentatonic scale and the seven-note Natural Minor scale.

Treat each chord as a separate event:

• There is a lot you can try here as you have time on each chord to get creative and experiment with different soloing and improvisational avenues.
• Over just the Em chord try E Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales, E Natural Minor (=G major), E Dorian (= D major), and E minor type arpeggios.
• Over just the Bm chord try B Minor Pentatonic & Blues, B Natural Minor (=D major), B Dorian (=A major), and B minor type arpeggios.
• Over just the Am chord try A Minor Pentatonic & Blues, A Natural Minor (=C major), A Dorian (=G major), and A minor type arpeggios.
• Over just the C and D major chords there is enough time to try a quick major lick or device. Over the C chord try C Major Pentatonic or a C major type arpeggio. Same thing over the D chord but just move up a whole step to the key of D and blast away!