Jump Scales for Guitar Improvisation - How to "PLAY OUTSIDE" using 251 Soloing Concepts

Most guitar lessons about "outside playing" use the sidestepping technique, which is basically just based on moving scale patterns. In some cases, it does work. But generally speaking, it has no melodic foundation.

In my opinion, the better approach would be to base your lines on chord substitutions like 251, walk-up chords, secondary dominants, or modal interchange. This will allow you to play sophisticated lines while maintaining melodic integrity.

Guys like Greg Howe and Alex Hutchings... They play sophisticated lines but still remain super melodic.

The cool thing about the 251 cadence is that it's very accessible. It allows us to quickly superimpose advanced jump scales on the 5 chord for a "hipper" sound.

What are Jump Scales though?

Jump scale is a new term but the concept behind it is actually not new at all. You probably have already heard about avoid notes. And jump scales are basically just standard scales where the avoid notes are taken out. For this reason, most jump scales are 6-note (hexatonic) and 5-note (pentatonic) scales.

If you find the standard scales and arpeggios a bit scholastic-sounding, and you prefer to have a more lyrical and melodic approach to your guitar solos, then jump scales are for you.

"It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play." - Miles Davis

There are 2 kinds of jump scales - linear and non-linear. And the difference between the two is that non-linear jump scales have syntax rules. It's much like learning a new language where there are rules in grammar.

All these are thoroughly discussed in this course in the context of the 251 cadence. This will save you a lot of time doing trial and error. Once you understand these concepts, it's only a matter of practice before you can improvise freely on 251 chord progressions.