First solo attempt ever.

DerekSlide · #1 August 25th, 2008

YouTube - My first Solo attempt ever.

I forgot I've done this about a week or 2 ago I was testing out my new woody XL pick up.

allthumbs · #2 August 25th, 2008

Hmm, your bends are a bit flat. Need to bend a bit more to get to pitch. Some vibrato on the bent strings would sound good. Hard to get a feel for the solo without an underlying chord progression. A stand alone solo has to be very melodic if the ear is going to be able to follow it.

DerekSlide · #3 August 25th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Hmm, your bends are a bit flat. Need to bend a bit more to get to pitch. Some vibrato on the bent strings would sound good. Hard to get a feel for the solo without an underlying chord progression. A stand alone solo has to be very melodic if the ear is going to be able to follow it.

Thanks I'm still no good at solo's what so ever. and I don't know if I should even consider them until I have 2 years down my belt at least.

allthumbs · #4 August 25th, 2008

You need to understand chord progressions first so you can fit your solo's over them. You need to learn what notes will fit over the chord and how they need to change to fit over each chord in the progression. That is not a short term goal. Takes a great deal of time and practice.

DerekSlide · #5 August 26th, 2008

Allthumbs, Funny you mentioned that because I'm finally learning progressions now even though its just slide guitar.

eddiez152 · #6 August 26th, 2008

Derek,
The main thing is your trying. You'll get there. Just follow what allthumbs suggested.

eddiez152 · #7 August 26th, 2008

Derek,
Have you been going over some of Kirk's lessons? Pick a couple and stay with them.

DerekSlide · #8 August 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiez152

Derek,
Have you been going over some of Kirk's lessons? Pick a couple and stay with them.

Just the finger style lessons.

Right now I'm learning 5 jazz chords that can be turned into the blues.

thodwris · #9 August 27th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerekSlide

Thanks I'm still no good at solo's what so ever. and I don't know if I should even consider them until I have 2 years down my belt at least.

I think that you are doing a descent effort.Too bad I can't help you with pointers.Don't get discouraged though,it is the worst thing to do!Be patient,keep working hard and the results will be only a matter of time.And trust me,time is relative...The best of luck trying to improve...
All the best,
Theo

DerekSlide · #10 August 27th, 2008

Thanks Thodwris and specially doing the solo on an acoustic guitar

windsong · #11 August 29th, 2008

you are moving along quite well, are you stomping your foot

SlickCat · #12 August 29th, 2008

Derek,
I told you....your getting better, others can tell too.
Keep going man, never give up! This time next year you will be a kicking blues player.

Fong · #13 October 2nd, 2008

Not to knock allthumbs, cause he is great and that advice is very sound advice, but as he says, that is a LONG term goal.

In the short term...

Your second finger, you don't seem to use it much, except when reinforcing a bend, reinforcing is good, but you should definitely try and use it a little more, I also didn't see you use your little finger at all.

I would recommend playing through some very basic scales, the Pentatonic Minor would be excellent place to start as it has both 3 and 4 fret notes which will help you practice with your little finger....remember 1 finger per fret (for the time being) add in a little blues note every now and again and you will be using all 4 fingers.

You should really also practice some finger walking excercises using all 4 fingers.

1 2 3 4, 2 3 4 5, 3 4 5 6...etc etc along each different string. This will help build up strength in the fingers you are not currently using, will also help build up some rudimentary muscle memory and get your fingers used to going down in patterns.

Your timing seemed pretty good, so once your fingers get up to speed you should be able to play along to things.

DerekSlide · #14 October 14th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fong

Not to knock allthumbs, cause he is great and that advice is very sound advice, but as he says, that is a LONG term goal.

In the short term...

Your second finger, you don't seem to use it much, except when reinforcing a bend, reinforcing is good, but you should definitely try and use it a little more, I also didn't see you use your little finger at all.

I would recommend playing through some very basic scales, the Pentatonic Minor would be excellent place to start as it has both 3 and 4 fret notes which will help you practice with your little finger....remember 1 finger per fret (for the time being) add in a little blues note every now and again and you will be using all 4 fingers.

You should really also practice some finger walking excercises using all 4 fingers.

1 2 3 4, 2 3 4 5, 3 4 5 6...etc etc along each different string. This will help build up strength in the fingers you are not currently using, will also help build up some rudimentary muscle memory and get your fingers used to going down in patterns.

Your timing seemed pretty good, so once your fingers get up to speed you should be able to play along to things.

Thank you Fong, I will take all the advice and put it to practice.