Soloing in A minor

[George Mabry]

I understand that I can solo over a track in the key of A major by using box 1 of the pentatonic scale at the 5th fret. But what about a track in the key of A minor? I tried using box 1 at the 5th but it doesn't sound right.

 

[Elio]

I understand that I can solo over a track in the key of A major by using box 1 of the pentatonic scale at the 5th fret. But what about a track in the key of A minor? I tried using box 1 at the 5th but it doesn't sound right.

Box 1 starting at the 5th fret will get you the minor pentatonic scale, which should work perfectly over a blues in either A major or A minor. Are you sure the track is really in A minor? If so, can you post a recording so we can hear what it sounds like, or a link to the backing track A video would be great to see what you are doing, but audio will work as well.

 

[PapaBear]

They should both work, but they are going to sound very different. Elio's suggestions would be a big help to sort it out for you.

 

[Jim_Schmidt]

To state the obvious: are you sure you're using Box 1 of the minor pentatonic? If you were using the major pentatonic, that would explain your outcome: sounds good over major, bad over minor.

 

[Paleo]

I tried using box 1 at the 5th but it doesn't sound right.

You would actually play Box 1 with your first finger at the 2nd fret (F#m= Relative minor of A Major) with your pinky on A at the 5th fret to play A Major pent.

Box 1 with your first finger on 5th fret A would give you Am, but would also be C Major (Relative Major) from your pinky.

1st finger on A = A minor (& C Major)
Pinky on A = A Major (& F#m) = Box 1 "shifted down" 3 frets from A to F#
The "infamous" 3 fret rule.

Every Box is both Major and its relative minor.

The chord you are playing over will be the determining factor, not the box.

If you play A minor Box 1 over an A7 or Am chord, it will sound minor (A minor).

If you play the exact same A minor Box 1 over a C or C7 chord, it will sound Major (C Major).

To sound A Major over an A7 or A Major chord you would move Box 1 down 3 frets to F# or play Box 2 from A.

 

[Paleo]

Wouldn't it seem more "logical" that A minor pentatonic Box 1 should sound "right" over a song that is actually in the Key of A minor and it would sound "wrong" over a song in the Key of A Major?

Keep in mind that a "Blues in A Minor" is in the Key of A minor, while a "Blues in A" isn't actually in the Key of A Major.

Key is the key word.