Here's a GREAT exercise, someone shared with me. He said that he got it from one of his lessons with Scott Henderson. (He went to GIT).

It's a single string exercise. The skinny E string is a good place to start.

Play along to a song you know.

As you ascend the string, play a chord tone (or an extension), over each chord in the progression.

EX. Over Em7 Am7 D9 GM7

Over Em7, you could play the open E0.
Over Am7, you could play E3.
Over D9, you could play E5.
Over GM7, you could play E7.

Keep ascending. When you get to the top, descend.
Then flesh it all out, with slides, and bends, etc.
Repeat on each string. Then, each group of 2 strings. Etc.

This really makes me think more. Keeps me on my toes, and is a fun challenge.

jim hall was one person who really championed this technique as does bill frisell.. it can be an ear opener too..

Yeah, I could see Jim Hall using this. He really does the motific thing. And this can really help to develop that skill.