Where to start
One key, one form, one scale and one habit. Fifteen minutes a day over a backing track.
Start with one key (A), one form (the 12-bar blues), one scale (A minor pentatonic, box 1 at fret 5) and one habit: 15 minutes a day over a backing track.
You already have the raw material. What turns pentatonic noodling into blues is three things, in this order:
- Always know which bar you are in. The form is the map. Solo with the chord names in your head.
- Follow the changes. Land on the 3rd or b7 of each chord as it arrives. This is where your theory finally meets the fretboard.
- Phrase like a singer. Two-bar question, two-bar answer, with space between. Fewer notes, more bends and vibrato.
Do not learn more scales yet. Get these three working in A, then move keys.