What does this need?

[BrianS.]

Just some basement wanking that possibly could turn into a song (for my own amusement).

This was one take of several, no punch-ins or anything...so there is some technical mistakes and parts where it is fairly obvious that I'm thinking about what to do next.

As an improvised solo, how does it rate? What does it need? Things I think it may need are:

play around with the basic melody more (heard at the beginning)

more licks, or "themes", rather than running around between scales

more technically interesting "tricks" (?). Maybe that's the same as licks.

I don't know. Be my guitar teacher.

Oh, there is NO production or tonal experimentation here. I just used preset tones on the MicroBR. I couldn't figure out how to do a fadeout, either, so...

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What does this need?

It's not bad, but sounds pretty aimless; it doesn't build to any kind of climax.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: What does this need?

Good point. It is aimless. If anyone could bear to post some (general) ideas, this might be a good place for "solo structure 101".

Thanks!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What does this need?

Hmm, not really sure. I know for myself, I enjoy solos that can stand as a miniature song within the song. I would advise listening to a lot of melodic soloists.

Do you know music theory at all? Playing modes off of the chords in the riff is a great way to open up your expression.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: What does this need?

I heard peaks and valleys... not aimless to my ears. Wanking and playing scales is actually easier to ultimately achieve than writing and playing "themes" and catchy melodies or "hooks".

Think of your guitar solos as conversations. You are essentially "speaking" through your note and rhythmic choices with the listener.

Have you ever heard yourself talk like in a recording? Listen to great public speakers and great minds give interviews... study their rhythms and note choices in their speech.

The better speakers and interviewees vary their note and rhythms to keep the listener's attention so they can better remember what was said.

A lot of conversations don't have an intro, tension, climax and resolution like good stories have. Many conversations are meandering and somewhat pointless as far as melody and rhythm are concerned, but are still great opportunities to learn something from.

The best solos teach us a bit about ourselves or reveal a truth or honesty that we know deep down inside to be true but have never heard someone articulate so well as to give us a sense of universality and profundity.

Watch Charlie Rose at night on his talk show and listen to great minds bounce incredible ideas back and forth... listen and notice their rhythmic choices and pitch decisions as they try and convey a special knowledge or thought.

The interplay between Joe Zawinul, Jaco Pastorius and Wayne Shorter in the 70's fusion masterpiece "A Remark You Made" is conversational music at it's best. The song is essentially a conversation two people are having over something very emotional and tender. Listen closely how the individual instruments speak to each other providing both sides to this intense and emotional conversation between two individuals. You hear emotions that run the gamut from friendly discourse to chit chat to verbally emoting and then finally back to resolution.



I cut a solo earlier last Spring that details the past year where I lived in a certain house on a certain street. I tried to contain all of the heartache, angst, laughter, longing and love that I experienced while I lived there. The guitar playing is conversational and emotive. It's important for me to convey my heart when I play... if you are honest with your playing, your heart will shine through whenever you touch the strings. I'm not that prolific and don't have the time to do a lot of these, so if you have seen or heard this before I apologize.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What does this need?

Sounds fine. I'd slow it down and play it with more feeling. More emotion. I didn't hear a lot of phrasing - make that guitar talk. Make it sing. Make it scream with longing for a desire unsatisfied. Or satisfied.

Vai and Satch are really good at taking little simple melodies and infusing them with emotion. So are all the great players.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: What does this need?

Thanks for all the food for thought. I will use it wisely...

Do you know music theory at all? Playing modes off of the chords in the riff is a great way to open up your expression.

I have a basic understanding of music theory. In this instance, the chords behind the solo are just A and E root-V power chords, and I was basically playing within the A minor and E phrygian scales. Key of C, I guess you could say.

Zen...Awesome guitar work!

Thanks again. The conversation has sparked some ideas for me.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: What does this need?

Needs more cowbell.

 

[DankStar]

Re: What does this need?

The backing part could use a switch up after a few bars, forcing your lead to switch up as well. Otherwise, cool stuff. Leads are sometimes only as powerful as the stuff behind them.

I should add I'd be hard pressed to solo that long off the cuff and keep coming up with licks, kudos!

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: What does this need?

What you are playing is fine and nicely delivered. Its the harmonic structue you are working with that is holding you back.
The solo would be more interesting if it had more interesting chord structure backing it. Just sitting on Am all day would be monotonous for nearly any player. Try setting down a backing track that has chord and key changes (ie. a song structure) and then choose scales and arpeggios that outline the chord structure. That way all you have to do is add your own phrasing and identity to something that has its own inherent beauty and shape.
Playing the changes versus sitting on one scale is the difference between surfing and paddling.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: What does this need?

Yo Brian! Cool playing there! I enjoyed it.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: What does this need?

Thanks for listening, and all points are well taken. I think I'll take the little bit of melody line in the beginning and see I can build it into something more interesting. Might take a month...or a year...