What scales or patterns and things like that does T-Mac use regularly?

it's pretty neoclassical sounding, so I'm guessing harmonic minor and lydian/phrygian sounds

in the couple songs ive worked on, he uses natural minor and the major scale. I've been founding it matters on your phrasing more than the scales. I can't say i can really play anything else beside harmonic minor and the major/minor scales. I can play really neo-classical sounding stuff.

I can not recall T-mac ever using the harmonic minor scale... for the first two albums he stayed pretty strictly to minor and major, and on freedom to fly he started using more modes. Nowadays, you can catch him using any scales.

I think he did use it on the odd occasion. The main melody to 'Hundreds and Thousands' (C Harm minor) springs to mind, but without whipping out some Tmac Cds I'm not sure what other tunes he used it in.

I've heard him use most scales over the years including Harmonic minor but he seems to shy away from using the darker or Easten sounding scales IMO.

T-Mac uses the Harmonic Minor a lot but doesn't use the modes too often. Edge of Insanity, Autumn Lords, Hundreds of Thousands, and The Vision. He doesn't overdo the harmonic minor which is what I like most about him. Yngwie is a great player but he really makes him music too predictable by constantly using the harmonic minor scale. T-Mac has found the right blend. Thus why he is my favorite shredder.

I agre that!!!

Agree X2. I love Yngwie and he remains my biggest influenece as a guitarist but I'd love to hear him branch out, like TMac and incoprorate some Lydian, Locrian etc in his playing. Suppose but at the end of the day he's the man and it's his perogative to do things his way.

I was just guessing :P I REALLY need to get my theory chops up