ORIGINAL SOLO IN STYLE OF TIM REYNOLDS FOR OSW

[Locarius]

I would actually be interested in the process you used to construct it. Other than 'just whatever sounded good'. Since I want to excel in improv it would be cool to try to figure out a process that could be used in improv solos.

[2Stepleadguitarist]

I play leads that change modes, and alternate timing, and tons of theory stuff I'm sure. But, I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I just try anything, and I mean absolutely anything, until it turns into something like the OSW solo. That solo in particular I wanted to define that solid fast acoustic chopping, because I was disgusted with Reynolds' cheats. I didn't want the delays, or the reverb, or the gates. I wanted the lick to be like fluid pouring over the rhythm. To accomplish that I had to start on the tail end of the third beat. And I needed to play it in a place that would land me right on top of the slide down on the 1 count.
In reality, to create that solo I had to break it into loops on acid pro tools, and create it one lick at a time. So I played that semi chromatic intro until it was crisp and clean. Then I moved on to the slide down, and I could easily identify the notes that sounded good, and were commensurate with that slide on the rhythm.
So for the sake of tone I did the slide down on the D and G strings and after a little tinkering came up with some quick bends and hammerons to put me back on time for the slide up. That was tricky. It had to be smooth but the gaps were 5 frets and in awkward places. The ending is what I struggled with for the longest time. the slides were not all the same, and weren't placed where reference markers on the neck helped at all. But like I said. I broke it into enough to chew, and through trial and error came out right on the one count of the bridge, which in fact is not a single note but a harmony, it just doesn't show through. You might also have noticed that it requires 6 bars to play. I didn't mean for it to land that way, but once I heard it I knew it couldn't be changed for the sake of balanced measures. If I heard your style I could probably help more. I could also chart that solo. Whatever you think will help.
I definitely suggest downloading acid or some other music editor and putting whichever song you want to write a solo for on a track. Pick where you want your solo, then decide if you want it to be fast, jazzy, leggato, or more of that progressive hybrid solo I wrote. Be sure to cut the section you are working on into short loops, and perfect your chops bit by bit. DO NOT STOP WRITING THE SOLO. Be sure when you start that you can write the solo through without interruption or it will end up sounding like two different solos stuck together. IT's impossible to keep a good solo idea if you take breaks for more than enough time to rest your fingers and let them get accustomed to the stretches, slides, bends, and pull off's. If there is something specific you want to ask that I'm not saying let me know. I'm not much of a teacher. Also, if you have a specific type of solo from a song that you like then listen to it and reference it. Be sure to record your progress on a tape or into your pc editting software or recorder. Really hope that helps. If there is a song in mind that you want to write a lick for then let me know. I'd like to take a crack at coming up with something for it. I generally improv, and do not write solos, so it would be fun, especially for the straighter tunes instead of the jam songs. Like don't drink the water.

[MWR]

Nevermind 8)

[Locarius]

So you built it around the idea you had for the slides. I think I understand.

I am not really looking to make a solo for anything in particular, just I like to see how other process this sort of thing in their brain, because right now I am at the point where I can mindlessly noodle all over the fretboard, but it usually lacks structure. I guess its all about thinking ahead.

Thanks.

[2Stepleadguitarist]

I really don't know what to tell you. I just heard it in my head when I listened to OSW and thought of tim reynolds. I think that's the way it always happens except getting it out of your head is the hardest part.

[HCHaikuWarrior]

No, my brother is the singer and drummer.
if you check out http://www.dmbtributeband.com you can hear how awesome he is at the drums. We have a new sax, and violin player now, but a lot of the clips are still pretty good. People drive from hundreds of miles away just to see him play and sing at the same time.

how many hours do they practice?

[2Stepleadguitarist]

The new group practices for about 5 hours twice a week, and I also practice original material and new dmb with individual band members on most of the rest of the weeknights for 3-4 hours. Myself and my brother (drummer) practice original tunes nearly every day.

The clips on the current http://www.dmbtributeband.com website are in fact 10 months old. My brother had lung surgery because his lung collapsed 50% at a show and he still played the last set that way. So we went on 3 month hiatus until just recently. In that time we hired and fired and now have a new sax player who is Leroi's equal, a piano player who could be Butch's old teacher with is talent, a solid bassist with a funk background, and a new singer songwriter to front our original material for an upcoming show we're headlining for Deep South Records here in NC.

Please check in on the website in the next month for material with the new group. I don't mean too toot my horn here but we played our first real gig with the new group last night (8/2), and not only had a line backed down the sidewalk to get in the door, but had audience members standing on table tops, and holding their cell phones in the air for friends to hear the show. I estimate the venue took in 10-15K. I sincerely believe we've at least become as tight as the DMB themselves, and hope that we get a record contract from our show in three weeks. But, on the note of practicing. We only resolve issues with the music at rehearsals. The real practices are the shows. They truly guage our capabilities and allow us to work on our performance as a whole, individually, and in relationship to crowd participation.

[2Stepleadguitarist]

zzzzzzzz

[2Stepleadguitarist]

zzzzzzzzz

[MattyTrane]

wake up slacker

[CBalvarez]

What about the Tripping Billies, they have to be the best tribute band. And why do you want to spend all your talent on a tribute band, why don't you use it to write your own shit and become somthing, do you just not have the creativity for your own songs? And I like that hybrid guitarist thing alot, I may have to start calling myself that lol, good work man.

[2Stepleadguitarist]

It's common for us to hear that the tribute bands that are local to a region that a person is from are the best, but those old clips on our site are no indication. We are the new best tribute, otherwise our radius of touring wouldn't outstretch every other tribute, and we wouldn't be performing with platinum artists for $3500-$5000 a night. We also, do write our own material, but the idea is to play one or two originals at each show and sell our own discs after the show is over to our target audience. Just check back on our site http://www.dmbtributeband.com at the end of this month after I upload the show we're headlining for Deep South Records, you won't swear by tripping billies so much. You might also appreciate our originals. They are very very original. Thanks for the hybrid guitarist comment.

[katie]

AHAHAHHAAA! Great job! I love how people back dave up, that's awesome. you can't do that with the regular cd's, only the downloads?

great idea!

[ocean]

wow. alright, your solo was great. but man... your bro... if he tried a little less to sound like dave he may actually sing at the right speed.

[2Stepleadguitarist]

I agree my brother tries to sound like dave, but until I hear Carter sing lead vocals while he's playing I have to believe my brother, despite his voice, is the most talented drummer I have seen. To be able to do both at one time at only 19 yrs old where Carter is in his mid to late 40's. I can't bring myself to criticize the vocals. Imagine, when he isn't being held down by being the lead vocalist how the drums would sound if they already sound just like Carter now.