Here we have a slow blues jam in the key of E. This progression is a I-IV-V 12-Bar progression with a slow change to the IV chord. This is a slow tempo track so you have lots of time on each chord. This is perfect tempo wise if you to choose to solo by treating each chord as a separate event.

Since this is a major key I-IV-V blues jam its wide open and there are many options to consider. Much depends on what type of sounds you prefer or what emotions and moods you want to create. Are you feeling the sweet major sounds, or the minor bluesy sounds, or a combination of both?

Remember that with major key I-IV-V blues, swings, and shuffles you can usually use Minor Pentatonic, Major Pentatonic, and The Dorian Mode over all the chords. These types of blues jam are wide open for many possible soloing opportunities. As soon as you hear these very identifiable blues progressions you know that they are wide open and you can go hog wild if you wish.

What Relates to all the chords:

For that minor bluesy sound try E Minor Pentatonic & Blues over all the chords:

E Minor Pentatonic & Blues = E, G, A, Bb, B, D

For that sweet major sound try E Major Pentatonic over all the chords:

E Major Pentatonic = E, F#, G#, B, C#

Here is a little trick to make it easier to get to Major Pentatonic if you are not familiar. E Major Pentatonic is the same as C# Minor Pentatonic. E Major and C# Minor are relative major and minor so both are constructed from exactly the same notes:

E Major Pentatonic = E, F#, G#, B, C#

C# Minor Pentatonic = C#, E, F#, G#, B

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

If you think more in terms of Minor Pentatonic or just know those shapes then play all your C# Minor Pentatonic scales, but start on and emphasize the E notes and it will be E Major Pentatonic. By focusing on those E notes it will exude those sweet, happy, major sounds.

Try E Dorian over all the chords. Dorian is the 2nd mode in any major key. To determine E Dorian ask what major scales 2nd note is an E note. The answer is D. So E Dorian is the same as D major:

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

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

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

Try playing D major scales but start on and emphasize the E notes. Resolve to and focus on those E notes and you are playing in E Dorian.

Try mixing E Minor Pentatonic, E Major Pentatonic, and E Dorian over all the chords for some killer sounds. Experiment, explore, and keep trying new and interesting things on the instrument.

Treat each chord like a separate event:

In this jam the chords are moving pretty slow so you have a lot of time on each chord. This is perfect for treating each chord as a separate event. Remember to listen to the rhythm and time your changes so you change your scale or landing notes as the chords change. Here are a few avenues to try:

• Try moving Minor Pentatonic & Blues scales over each chord. Play E Minor Pentatonic & Blues over the E chord and then play A Minor Pentatonic & Blues over the A chord and then B Minor Pentatonic & Blues over the B7 chord. Listen to how each pentatonic scale sounds as it outlines it’s corresponding chord.
• Try moving Major Pentatonic scales over each chord. Play E Major Pentatonic over the E chord,, and then play A Major Pentatonic over the A chord and then B Major Pentatonic over the B7 chord. Again, listen to the sounds of each scale and how they sound over each corresponding chord. It’s all about the sounds that you can create.
• Try mixing Minor Pentatonic and Major Pentatonic over each chord. For example try E Major Pentatonic over the E chord and then switch to E Minor Pentatonic & Blues over the A chord. Then try E Major Pentatonic over the B7 chord . Listen to how well this technique outlines and implies the chord changes.
• Try B Mixolydian over the B7 chord. Remember that Mixolydian is one of the modes of choice when soloing over 7th and 9th chords. Mixolydian is the 5th mode in any major scale. So to find the corresponding parent major scale for B Mixolydian ask what major scales 5th note is a B note. The answer is E, so B Mixolydian = E major:

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

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

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

Play E major scales and licks but start on and emphasize the B notes and you are now playing in B Mixolydian. Keep coming back to and resolving to those B notes while playing E major scales and you get the mood of B Mixolydian.