How to Improvise in Different Keys

This is part 7 of 33 of the series The Fundamental Mandolin Framework

How To Instantly Improvise in Any Major or Minor Keys

Learn how changing keys using Major Scale Pattern 1 is literally as simple as “shifting” up or down.
Learn to pay attention to the root notes that “feel” like “home.”

STEP 1: WATCH the entire video to get an overview of how to change keys using Major Scale Pattern 1.
STEP 2: PRACTICE improvising in at least these 3 different “Major” keys: A Major, C Major, D Major. What you will do is this:
- Select the first key, say C Major.
- Next go to YouTube, and search for “C Major Backing Track”.
- Then pick a track that sounds interesting (as long as it’s in the right key) and begin improvising over the track using Major Scale Pattern 1 starting on the “keynote” (which would be C in this case).
- IMPORTANT: Don’t worry about making mistakes, sounding good, or any of that stuff – just explore and have fun! We’ll worry about making your soloing sound great later.
- NOTE: I have included a few Major Key backing tracks below for you to improvise with if you prefer.
STEP 3: REMEMBER the major root notes, marked in green on the chart. Focus on the feelings you get when you play those “home notes” for the major scales and memorize their locations in Major Scale Pattern 1.
STEP 4: SELECT a different key and repeat step 2.
STEP 5: CONTINUE moving Major Scale Pattern 1 to play other major keys until you have had enough fun improvising, then check out the bonus lesson below on playing in minor keys with Major Scale Pattern 1

How playing minor keys using Major Scale Pattern 1 is literally as simple as “shifting” up 3 frets! This makes the Major Scale Pattern 1 a relative minor scale.
See how this works with any Major Scale Pattern, due to the relative major/minor principle. Every major scale has a minor scale that shares the same notes!
The name of the minor scale comes from the 6th degree of the major scale. In the scale shown below, I’ve marked the 6th scale degrees of Major Scale Pattern 1 with red color to indicate that the minor scale root will be on those notes when you shift the pattern up to play in a minor key.

WATCH the entire video about using Major Scale Pattern 1 to play in minor keys.
PRACTICE improvising in at least these 3 different “Minor” keys: Gm, Am, Bm. Visit YouTube and choose backing tracks that appeal to you in each of those keys. (I have also included some minor key tracks below that you can use.)
REMEMBER the minor root notes shown in red. The root notes have changed since you are playing in a minor key with major scale pattern 1. The minor key roots are marked in red above. Focus on how those “home notes” for the minor scales “feel” when you play them. Memorize their locations.