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Step 1
Learn chromatic scales. The chromatic is the basic "do-re-mi" scale. Knowing it is crucial to a guitar solo for a rudimentary sense of what notes sound good in relation to what the rhythm guitar is playing. Try soloing up and down the chromatic scale over your blues progression.
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Step 2
Learn pentatonic scales. The pentatonic is a different kind of scale that includes a five-note octave and can be played on a certain three-fret length of the fretboard. Use your pentatonic in relation to the chord progression and get used to playing it over your rhythm guitar.
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Step 3
Use complex chords. Adding notes to your basic bar chord will add to your blues style. Your basic major bar chord is (with the fretboard barred) your fingers on the A and D strings 2 frets higher than the bar, and your finger on the G string one fret higher than the bar. To add other notes, extend your finger (pinkie or fourth) up onto another fret. Try different chords until you hear one you like.
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Step 4
Practice sliding and bending notes. Blues masters get a lot of mileage out of one note, sometimes repeated throughout the composition. A guitar with good strings should allow for bending notes, pushing the strings higher or lower then their regular position.
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Step 5
Explore the fretboard. With the compositional tools you've acquired, try to improvise without adding dissonant notes. This is sometimes a process of trial and error; you have to play what's bad to know what's good.








