[The Dude]

Hey Dudes, Probably A Very Easy Thing To Do, And I Know Loads Of Guitarists Who Can Do It, But How Comes I Cant Solo!!!!!!!!!!???? My Guitaring Has Improved Alot Over The Last Year (i'm Now Onto Songs Like Parisienne Walkways, Whereas Before I Was Proud Of Wonderwall) And I'm Not Far Off I Just Cant Go The Whole Way And Do A Decent Guitar Solo. Anybody Else Suffer From This Problem??

[randomaire]

I think when you're beginning, the words describing these things make it seem a lot harder than what it is, if you actually look at how Apreggio works its really not that difficult to understand, I think if you look at the actual notes on the fretboard when these terms are described it becomes completly clear.

[Justapicker]

Originally Posted by randomaire

I think when you're beginning, the words describing these things make it seem a lot harder than what it is, if you actually look at how Apreggio works its really not that difficult to understand, I think if you look at the actual notes on the fretboard when these terms are described it becomes completly clear.

That's true. The terms can seem confusing to the uninitiated, just as computer teminology sound like gibberish to people who don't use them.

Arpeggio literally means "broken chord". Chords are derived from scales, using (for major triads) the 1st, 3rd and 5th note in a scale. To play an arpeggio you take that scale it's derived from and play those notes. For a Cmaj chord you take the C maj (aka ionian mode) scale
C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

and play those notes (1,3,5)to create a C maj arpeggio. You can play them anywhere on the neck in any order.

A good exercise is to just record yourself playing a C chord over and over and then practice playing variations on the arpeggio as you listen to it play back. Create little melodies and riffs using all the C, E, and G notes you can find on the neck.

[Mother-ANiMal]

You should also try some classical or spanish stuff, it would make your fingers feel more free and you would get rythums and melodies down quicker

Originally Posted by The Dude

Hey Dudes, Probably A Very Easy Thing To Do, And I Know Loads Of Guitarists Who Can Do It, But How Comes I Cant Solo!!!!!!!!!!???? My Guitaring Has Improved Alot Over The Last Year (i'm Now Onto Songs Like Parisienne Walkways, Whereas Before I Was Proud Of Wonderwall) And I'm Not Far Off I Just Cant Go The Whole Way And Do A Decent Guitar Solo. Anybody Else Suffer From This Problem??

How well "locked In" to the backing rhythm are you? The critical thing is timing and one you have that the phrasing will suggest itself to you. I often start by trying to imitate the rhythm track strumming chord for chord and just go from there. Focussing too n=much on the notes can produce some very unmusical outcomes.

[garydavis]

Try playing nirvanas one sting solo of the man who sold the world on NY unplugged... sounds really good but very simple, thats the firs solo I learned. But I'm not into much into that sort of playing.

But if you really want to become a lead guitarist, learn scales...

[Kevin Bowling]

Some great advice here regarding scales, chord tones and the like but I think I can simplify all that. A solo is nothing more than a way to give the singer a break and keep the song from getting monotonous at the same time. Basically all you're doing is "singing" the melody with your guitar. In short, a simple way to get started with solos, learn to play what the singer is singing, note for note. Build from there by putting your own "twists" into it. Go up an octave, down an octave, bends, vibratos, etc... Remember, the singer has to stop to take a breath now and then, so should the guitar. Took me a long time to figure that out. If I'd known it years ago it might have came easier for me.
Something to think about, anyway.

[Keidon]

Originally Posted by Kevin Bowling

Some great advice here regarding scales, chord tones and the like but I think I can simplify all that. A solo is nothing more than a way to give the singer a break and keep the song from getting monotonous at the same time. Basically all you're doing is "singing" the melody with your guitar. In short, a simple way to get started with solos, learn to play what the singer is singing, note for note. Build from there by putting your own "twists" into it. Go up an octave, down an octave, bends, vibratos, etc... Remember, the singer has to stop to take a breath now and then, so should the guitar. Took me a long time to figure that out. If I'd known it years ago it might have came easier for me.
Something to think about, anyway.

Yeah, not bad advice, although not all solo's should sound like the melody, even tho I do a fair bit of that at times. It possibly could be said (again) that to play some notes that "you sing" in your head is a good way.

I do totally agree with "Breath" bit. Ssooo, Listen more to SAX solo's and that's exactly what you will hear
- "Breathing" - too many guitarists don't breath in their playing.
Just go flat-out with Sheets of notes. And remember - always have fun !!!

[coldethyl]

I've heard it said that soloing is like making a statement with your guitar. But like you would if you were talking, you would pause every now and then. Your voice might vary in modulation as you speak. Sometimes when you vocalise a statement, you also emphasize certain things over others, and that's how soloing should be.

If someone speaks at (what may seem like) 100 mph, it's quite difficult not only to understand what they are saying but also difficult to WANT to hear what they have to say. But if they speak slow enough to understand, then it's more likely that the listener will take it in and absorb it. It's almost exactly the same as soloing with a guitar.

Hope I haven't confused anyone. Sometimes I have trouble expressing myself with words. That's probably why I'm not such a brilliant guitar player.

[Keidon]

Nicely put Neil. Fully agree !

Like if it .............. Pauses.........and then speaks out.................and then says some more.........
like this a bit................... we love the sounds of silence............ as much as the sounds
............................. of the musical notes........that's truely awesome eh man............

So.
Be-do-bop-bop ------------ do-dum-de-do-dar-dar!!!------- bwe-bop-te-do-dat-dat
she-do-be-da-do-bop-day ------------------- bwa-bwa-te-do-bwa-bwa!!! ---------Tah-Dah!!!! - -

[krissovo]

I cannot add to any of these wise words apart from one thing, from what I have been looking at with PT is well worth the money and I have learnt so much. All I need to happen now is that my fingers follow my brain.

Here is a list of what I found easy-ish, still trying to master them but I am almost there

Oasis - Live Forever, has a nice small solo using the C scale with bends, slides and vibrato

Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze, this is a slide and vibrato monster the lead parts are good as well. The actual solo is a bit mental but good fun to play.

In fact any Oasis solo is quite easy, the easiest is the Inportance of being idol as that is very lazy.

[Kevin Bowling]

Keidon,
I meant that, mainly, as a starting point. Melodies are meant to be embellished. Very good point about the sax, or any horns for that matter. Guitarists should listen to horns for inspiration. Some of the best advice I ever heard was to "Imitate everything you hear".

[jhoita]

Originally Posted by coldethyl

I've heard it said that soloing is like making a statement with your guitar. But like you would if you were talking, you would pause every now and then. Your voice might vary in modulation as you speak. Sometimes when you vocalise a statement, you also emphasize certain things over others, and that's how soloing should be.

If someone speaks at (what may seem like) 100 mph, it's quite difficult not only to understand what they are saying but also difficult to WANT to hear what they have to say. But if they speak slow enough to understand, then it's more likely that the listener will take it in and absorb it. It's almost exactly the same as soloing with a guitar.

Hope I haven't confused anyone. Sometimes I have trouble expressing myself with words. That's probably why I'm not such a brilliant guitar player.

Hi Coldethyl

Never heard it explained like that.

Reminds me of Japanese Art ...... "Doesn't really matter how much you put into the painting .... what matters is what you are able to leave out."

Thanks for this thread everyone.


PS: Hi Kevin Bowling ....I'm with you ... I find it brings out the creative juices.... opens me up to the world ...helps to see a bigger picture. Thanks kevin

.
.

[doug russell]

Hey Kevin, nice to hear from, I haven't been on wholenote for a long time.
I know can give some valueble tip's, and also some of that sense of humour that I am used to hearing from you. Welcome good buddy.

[Keidon]

Originally Posted by Kevin Bowling

Keidon,
I meant that, mainly, as a starting point. Melodies are meant to be embellished. Very good point about the sax, or any horns for that matter. Guitarists should listen to horns for inspiration. Some of the best advice I ever heard was to "Imitate everything you hear".

It's ALL good !

Hey Kevin I hope I wasn't offensive eh -
Just bringing another perspective as many do.

Hey we have the same initials KB.
Have a good one!

[johnbullard]

The bird said "yeah learn your scales then FORGET ABOUT THEM AND JUST PLAY"
The bird being Charlie Parker one of the greatest alto sax players to live on this earth.
FORGET ABOUT THEM AND JUST PLAY???? Oh I get it ..Once you get the scales under your fingers then you have them. So you don't need them anymore on that level. Now you need to just listen to the music and let your fingers do what they have been trained to do. They will respond to your ears and character if you let them. The scales if you practiced them enuff ways :up down: and patterns that is :135 246 357 468... then make up your own patterns; repeat patterns up the scale...Skip fourths skip fifths etc...there are a multitude of patterns to make. Here is an idea Play the major scale up note by note two octaves then start on the second note and repeat the exercise going up to the second note an octave higher. Then third, then fourth, etc... These ARE THE MODES more later