Stanley C did this too - he had a catalogue of solo "openers" to begin solos with, until he lit onto an idea. Which in his case didn't take long to happen..
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What do you think about when taking a solo?
- Thread starter HELLonWHEELS
- Start date
"Every wrong thing I play right now will all be forgiven if I can just stick the landing..."
"How come none of those guys comp for me?"
I think the silly answers are highlighting the point that it's not really what you think during the solo that matters as all the thinking that you did in preparation.
This is probably apocryphal, but I'll share it anyway. Please bear in mind I'm paraphrasing...
When asked about his mastery of solo (chord-melody) playing, Joe Pass said: "Many people think of notes, I think of melodies. Just as when we learn to speak, we don't think of letters, we think of words, then phrases, somewhere around there, we inject inflections, and so on. So, in reality, I'm not playing a solo, I'm kinda giving a speech on a subject I know very well. Just as I wouldn't give a speech reciting the ABC, I would not just play a scale because the notes seem to fit..."
Since I've ever heard that from my guitar teacher (a long time ago, in a ...), my entire approach to making music got shifted... It's not about scales and speed. It is about SAYING SOMETHING...
More directly to the OP, I would start by re-stating the theme. Heck, repeat the whole melody line on bass. That's what Jaco would do (To begin with...
)
When asked about his mastery of solo (chord-melody) playing, Joe Pass said: "Many people think of notes, I think of melodies. Just as when we learn to speak, we don't think of letters, we think of words, then phrases, somewhere around there, we inject inflections, and so on. So, in reality, I'm not playing a solo, I'm kinda giving a speech on a subject I know very well. Just as I wouldn't give a speech reciting the ABC, I would not just play a scale because the notes seem to fit..."
Since I've ever heard that from my guitar teacher (a long time ago, in a ...), my entire approach to making music got shifted... It's not about scales and speed. It is about SAYING SOMETHING...
More directly to the OP, I would start by re-stating the theme. Heck, repeat the whole melody line on bass. That's what Jaco would do (To begin with...
)
I don't really care for, or even like taking solos these days, especially in a rock context. Maybe if I played jazz, I dunno. When I'm forced to, I think "how short can I make it and make it a statement that fits the song", and I just try to give it an interesting arc, even if it means my solo is super minimal, yet melodic. I have no interest in trying to show off speed (but in my younger days, look out....I could wank with the best of 'em).
Hate solos, cause I suck. I can throw in some solo type fills all day long if the focus isn't on me but once that bright light hits me in the face and its go time, I suddenly can't remember if Ive ever even played bass guitar let alone soloed on one. So yeah I'm thinking just get it done and try not to embarrass yourself.
A theme, usually the chorus melody, another theme in a distantly related key to answer it, variation that brings both themes together, theme B, theme A, back to song.
I don't think anything, I've had years of private horn lessons to go along with lots of school jazz band as 1-2 or 2-1. I never made 1-1 stick, but that guy was a soulless mechanical player. I ended up stepping down to bass bc the other guy sounded like he was grinding bone with hamburger when he tried to lock in with drums.
It's more about being in the moment of your improv repeatably so you can refine what you wanted or needed to say.
Arguably it's the same mindset as memorizing a solo on a sheet, just less "you".
It's more about being in the moment of your improv repeatably so you can refine what you wanted or needed to say.
Arguably it's the same mindset as memorizing a solo on a sheet, just less "you".
This is probably apocryphal, but I'll share it anyway. Please bear in mind I'm paraphrasing...
When asked about his mastery of solo (chord-melody) playing, Joe Pass said: "Many people think of notes, I think of melodies. Just as when we learn to speak, we don't think of letters, we think of words, then phrases, somewhere around there, we inject inflections, and so on. So, in reality, I'm not playing a solo, I'm kinda giving a speech on a subject I know very well. Just as I wouldn't give a speech reciting the ABC, I would not just play a scale because the notes seem to fit..."
Since I've ever heard that from my guitar teacher (a long time ago, in a ...), my entire approach to making music got shifted... It's not about scales and speed. It is about SAYING SOMETHING...
More directly to the OP, I would start by re-stating the theme. Heck, repeat the whole melody line on bass. That's what Jaco would do (To begin with...
That's deep brother. When giving a speech you generally have the content nailed and focus on things you need to do to enhance delivery, like making eye contact, speaking clearly, controlling rate/tempo, using emphasis and dynamics properly, controlling and using non-verbals, etc. I could see situations were all of these ideas would relate to performing a solo.
The same thing I do when I'm playing my pocket. Mostly what mode the scale is in, and if there are any chord changes, how do transcend them and make it seem logical
This is my position too. I don't take them. I've heard so many bad ones and I don't see the need for me to add to that lot. I don't think in those terms. I don't need the spotlight and I'm not a lead voice.
Very few solos on any instrument are inspired and truly add to the song or tune. There are plenty on record but how many takes did it take to get them? It's an overrated concept. I see my role as support to the band and the foundation for the harmony and rhythm of the music. If someone has something appropriately musical to add to the song that will enhance it then go for it but too often it's just "check out my chops?"
