Just as training wheels can help a kid learn to ride a bike, scales can help an improviser learn to surf standard chord progressions, including turnarounds such as the II-V-I Robert Megantz of San Jose, California, gracefully navigates in the example below. “Notice how the diminished scale works perfectly in this context,” prompts Megantz. “The upper four notes of the V chord, D7b9, are the same as the notes of a diminished 7th chord built one half-step higher. In other words, F#, A, C, and Eb—the 3, 5, 7, and b9 of D7b9—also spell an Ebdim7 voicing. This phrase is a straightforward linear use of this concept, but, even so, it sounds pretty hip. To spice things up, both the G major scale in bar 1 and the Eb diminished scale in bar 2 can be played using different intervals, arpeggios, and changes in direction.”

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Want to help the world play better guitar? Submit your candidate for Reader’s Challenge (preferably notated and on cassette or CD), along with a brief explanation of why it’s cool and how to play it, to Guitar Player Reader’s Challenge, 2800 Campus Dr., San Mateo, CA 94403. Include your name, address, e-mail, and phone number. Materials won’t be returned, but we will listen to all submissions. You’ll hear from us if your lick is chosen.