OK... here we go....
First, I took a very typical C major chord progression. This way all note choices are natural (for now). The chords are Cmaj Amin Fmaj Gmaj - can't go wrong. Here's the backing track:
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/backing_track_loop.mp3Now, we begin soloing over it. First thing to remember is, the notes of the chord will always work. In other words, over Cmaj you can always play C, E, G; over Fmaj you can always play F, A, C; etc.
First example: using only the root of each chord, for the whole measure. Sounds like this:
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/roots_only.mp3Second example: using root and 5th of each chord, each for half a measure (more or less). You can play either note first - generally it's a good idea to practice looking for the closest-available chord tone. So, if you played C, G over the Cmaj chord, you may want to slide up two frets to the A, and E down; from E to F is just one half step; etc. Look for the nearest available when you can; skip around every now and then. Sounds like this (or better):
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/roots_and_5ths.mp3Third example: same idea, only this time using just the root and 3rd.
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/roots_and_3rds.mp3Now we'll begin using all three notes of each triad, but still only using two notes per measure. In other words, for each chord, you'll have to choose which two out of the three you're going to play. Practice looking for the nearest note, try to hold over one note from the next chord when possible (more on this later), and of course skip around every now and then. Here's my rendition:
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/roots_3rds_5ths.mp3Starting to get a bit more complex! Next example is beginning to add 7ths notes when convenient (in other words, begin removing the limitations once you get the idea).
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/roots_3rds_5ths_7ths.mp3Eventually, you'll get to the point where you can use any note in the scale. Normally, you play the notes that are not in the chord briefly, and dwell a bit longer on the chord tones. However, you'll hear me breaking this rule everywhere. Also, notice that I threw in some non-scale "blue" notes, an F# and an Eb, here and there. This is borrowing from the parallel minor pentatonic scale - always a resort for soloing.
http://www.44lbs.net/ilia/note_choices/example01/entire_scale.mp3Some more progressions (as well as minor progressions) coming soon.
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