Viewing the fretboard

[Earthday]

I know how one views the fretboard is about as individual as it gets, but I was just looking for some tips.

Lets say for example you're playing over a chord progression of Amaj, Gmaj, Dmaj, Dmaj. You can't find all these chords in any major scale, so I wouldn't see any one scale - like I would if that were the case. Usually I would see the scale that runs through the chords, and also see the chord of whatever root note I'm on that's in the scale. What I see is first the major arpeggio of the chord I'm on. I then see "double function" notes. For instance when I'm on the A, I see B as a great choice to connect with G because it is the 2 of A major and is a chord tone of G. I also see the C# as a good flavor note because it is a chord tone of A. When I'm on G, I still see the B because it is a chord tone of G and is the 6 of Dmajor. However I no longer see the C# as anything but a lower chromatic note, and see it as a weak one because it also functions as b5. When I'm on the D, I see the C# again because it is the 7 of Dmajor and a chord tone of A.

But beyond notes that seem to obviously work/obviously not work in that context, I have a hard time seeing my options. If I play around a bit I will find notes my ear likes, but I don't understand how I would approach such a progression if I were asked to improvise or solo using beyond the basic strong notes.

Any tips or any flaws in my thinking would be appreciated.

[ras1983]

If i was given the progression ahead of time and i had time to analyse it, i would treat the progression as a key change from Amaj to Dmaj (with the Gmaj being the lydian mode of the Dmaj scale) and i would highlight a semitone movement between the keys. Alternatively you could treat it as a key change from Emaj (with the Amaj being the lydian mode of the Emaj scale) to Dmaj.

The possibilities are really limitless and its amazing how my ears are increasingly able to understand the variations different musicians can put on the same progression.

If i was given the chart and asked to improvise from the first go (which I'm still working on doing as second nature) i would be inclined to focus on the chord tones. i.e. i would imrpovise by mainly using the arpeggios of the chords

[Jazzerbone]

I must chime in...

Sounds like you are over complicating things. The chord progression could easily and would most likley function as a 5, 4, 1 progression in the key of D. One Key. All in D. Yes it fits in the scale.

4 chord: G - G B D
5 chord: A - A C# E
1 Chord: D - D F# A
D Major Scale - D E F# G A B C# D

Very common. I don't see any reason to start bringing modes into all of this. Little bit of over kill. Don't overthink things.

Past that the question seems kind of vague. What style of music do you play? Is the song a ballad or faster?

Also keep in mind, you're a bass player, not a guitarist. Much of the time (style pending) all that really concerns you is 1 and 5 of each chord. A few passing tones here and there, but much more and things get too busy. Listen to the radio if you don't believe me.