Scott Henderson Discussion

[Steve99]

Hi guys.

Perhaps like some of you guys, I have developed a few good phrases / licks based upon the harmonic minor scale. This may not be used in Scott's playing much (as far as I can hear), but is an interesting sound in it's own right. Ofcourse this scale (in the key of E) would be as follows:
E,F#, G, A, B, C, and Eb.

Does anyone know any basic chord patterns or vamps that would be good to develop improvisation over this scale?

Note that I have used a very basic one, such as Em => B7 (ala. 'Paint it Black' by the Rolling Stones), but I'm getting a bit sick of that one by now !

Does anyone else have any vamps or patterns that may be worth trying?

Thanks in advance.
Steve.

[fenderfanatic]

For the harmonic minor scale, the obvious one would be a m(maj7) chord. Joe Satriani is a good guy to listen to for that scale. You could also make up your own changes like Em(maj7)/D7(b9)/Cmaj7(#11)/Gmaj13

[Steve99]

Hi 'FenderFanatic'

I hadn't thought of Joe, even though I do have a couple of his CDs.
It seems like a few 'shredders' are pretty fond of that scale also eg. Paul Gilbert, etc does some ggod stuff with it, too.
What I'm trying to say, is that there is no real shortage of ideas (licks, runs etc) for the scale, but I just wanted some nice backing patterns to put some of the ideas into a musical context.

I shall certainly experiment with a few of the chords you mentioned tonight.

PS > I love fenders also (owning a 60th Anniversary model as my first fender). I am also in the process of purchasing a Luke Music Man guitar ASAP.

Cheers.
Steve.