Improvising over chord changes

[toddw7]

One thing I love about Steve's playing is how he plays over chord changes. Often he seems to be able to pick the strongest note on each change. It feels very good to listen to

Does anyone have any book/video recommendations on how to improvise over chord changes?

Thanks!
Todd

[Ricky Stringfellow]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6751428345" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is a pretty cool vid.

[toddw7]

Thanks. This is good stuff.

My favorite Steve Vai solo (All About Eve) seems to use this approach (probably not consciously, of course.)

[Stephen Brown]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 6751428345
This is a pretty cool vid.

Marty's why I purchased a Jackson Kelly, back then.

[cosmic ape]

two words, guide tones...

[toddw7]

I will look further into guide tones. Those are usually the 3rd and the 7th, I believe?

[Stephen Brown]

I will look further into guide tones. Those are usually the 3rd and the 7th, I believe?

There are a couple of different methods of approach/systems of thinking.

Knowing where & what intervals are in a chord is the correct foundation to learn. Takes some time but is worth every effort. They are road maps to your neck.

A book will take you so far but a teacher with passion is the best combination.

[burnt out]

Chord tones in general can't hurt either.

Also the highest voice in the chord voicing is usually heard as the melody note.

Because when you strum a chord with a downstroke, the highest voice in the chord
voicing is the last note heard by the ear, so it sticks in your craw.

Another thing to consider is that when playing chord inversions, the ear is always able
to detect the root note. So if you play a C chord,and then play an inversion of a C chord, you still
hear it as a C chord.