soloing

[taylor414]

I have been playin but never got into learning scales, modes all that good stuff, when i play i go by ear and jsut solo that way so i actually dont know what im doing i just go with what sounds good over the song, wheres a good start to learn how to really solo and know what im doing instead of just playing by ear? Even though i heard that jimi hendrix would just do this to, if a note didnt sound good hed sjust bend or slide up to a note that would, dont know if that is true or not though...... anyways any good suggestions?

[onid41]

i wish i can help you but i need help with soloing as well...

[Carl_SWE]

Just practice. A good idea might be to record your solo so that you can listen to it when not playing.

Then you either find out that you totally suck at timing and that it sound much worse than you thought before. Or you'll find that you are a natural at timing and hitting the right notes.

[snapoffmode]

sorry i posted a reply on the other section of the board and didn't see this one.

[Carl_SWE]

hi there,

i'm not very good with solos but here's what i've learned so far. you'll need to know 2 things so you don't have to play the "trial and error" style of putting a solo together.

first you'll need to know what key the song is in. lots of times it's the first or last chord of the progression

the second thing you'll need to learn is the scale for that key. it's actually easier than it sounds..... if you used the blues scales....the patterns are all the same....they just are moved up or down the neck. i believe it's the same for the minor scales as well.

that's pretty much it for basic soloing. after you get that part down, you can learn how different scales are interrelated and therefore you can mix up your solos. and because you're playing a note from the scale...it will always sound good within the chord progression that's playing because each of those notes are notes within the chords that make up that progression.

and don't be discouraged to learn some scales. you can "cheat" like i do and just learn the different patterns rather than each individual note name....yes yes i know....bad. as long as you know where the root notes within the scale...you're in good shape. a little trick is to start your solo/lick, whatever on the root note and end it on the root note.

good luck.

[Carl_SWE]

The minor pentatonic (blues) scale is the same just that you add 2 extra notes. One on the A and one on the B.

At least I think that's right.


Two excercises you could try:

1. Play up and down on the same string and find out what sounds good. Then add the string underneath that one and so on. Exactly like learning scales but string by string instead of moving up the neck. I find this easier, but maybe it's just me.

2. Pick a song that you like and jam to it by hitting the notes. You'll catch on rather quick on which notes that fits with the song. 'Tis easiest to start out on one string and adding more strings with time. When you feel comfortable with just hitting the notes (and trying to fit your "solo" with the song's tempo) then add a little hammer ons and bending etc. This is not only fun but also a very good way to learn your guitar. Hell, try closing your eyes while doing it.

The hardest thing about improvising and soloing is actually the timing. I mean, I can hit a lot of notes that sounds great. Fast too. But if one note is a little off then it will sound like crap.

Rather play the wrong notes with a good timing than the other way around.


This is just my thoughts on soloing.. I'm not nearly good enough to be taken too seriously.

[taylor414]

thanks for the information, i have a couple scale books i just never got into readin them, i wish i took lessons when i was in high school but i wanted to just teach myself and save money, so far i have done good with it so im gonna try learnin how to solo now.

[MWR]

Sing little phrases and try to play them. You don't have to be a good singer the point is to play what you hear in your head. You'll obviously want to start simple and go from there or else you'll get discouraged.
This is a really good exercise but you'll also want to put in the time, as tedious as it is, to learn basic theory.

[YouNeverNo41]

What i did when i first started soloing was just staying slow. Just practice being on key and being smooth, speed will come with the more you practice

[Carl_SWE]

Sing little phrases and try to play them. You don't have to be a good singer the point is to play what you hear in your head. You'll obviously want to start simple and go from there or else you'll get discouraged.
This is a really good exercise but you'll also want to put in the time, as tedious as it is, to learn basic theory.

That's great advice!

[MattyTrane]

Dont limit yourself to pentatonic either please, it limits you tremendously...learning modes will be alot more useful in the long run, and like that other kid said they're patterns that just move around. You just have to know where to play them to be in a certain key.

[Carl_SWE]

Dont limit yourself to pentatonic either please, it limits you tremendously...learning modes will be alot more useful in the long run, and like that other kid said they're patterns that just move around. You just have to know where to play them to be in a certain key.

Please.. Pentatonic is the coolest there is.

But okay, learn the pentatonic (major and minor) and then learn some spanish gypsy scale (there are several, I believe).

That's all you'll ever need.

[myxomatosis]

This is from Trey Anastasio (new guitar world):

sing with your guitar (like NWR said)

Forget what you've learned - don't use too much technique - don't just play scales

Stick to 3rds and 7ths - Have your lines end on the 3rd, 7th, or 9th.

There's more, but I"m not typing them all

pluss I could be copyright infringing them

[two_stepper10]

Dont limit yourself to pentatonic either please, it limits you tremendously...learning modes will be alot more useful in the long run, and like that other kid said they're patterns that just move around. You just have to know where to play them to be in a certain key.

Please.. Pentatonic is the coolest there is.

But okay, learn the pentatonic (major and minor) and then learn some spanish gypsy scale (there are several, I believe).

That's all you'll ever need.

Pentatonic scales are really cool to play but the ones I like more than those are Jazz scales. Jazz scales are alot of fun! 8)

[taylor414]

I think i play some pentatonics i just dont know im doin it, i can bust out the solo in johhny be good, someone told me thats a pentatonic then shit like crazy game of poker, i just dont think i Know wat im doin when i do it yea know