in regards to your questions about II-V-I progressions there are many
answers. In my opinion, you shouldn't limit yourself to one "scale", or
"mode" or "arpeggio", in fact there are limitless possiblities on how YOU can
make music based on these progressions, other than ONE absolute scale for all
situations. Take in all the different approaches you can, by lessons,
listening, and practicing, and dig deep to find many ways to play the II-V-I,
in many styles.
I like to stress chord tones, and build my lines off those in one way or
another, because they are the purest form of the chord quality at hand. Scale
passages become secondary at that point and are used (for me), as vehicles to
approach chord tones or tensions within the music. yes, you should know
scales and such, they are tools, but making music out of them is your
mission. It's like swinging a hammer into the air, without building
something! Then you begin to sound like you're playing with a purpose!
Hope that helps!
Mark A Corradetti
NASHVILLE
Electric bassist/session dude