IMPROVISING and SOLO PLAYING

Improvising--or soloing--means creating a new melody or musical phrase supported by accompaniment from the other musician(s).

Any good musician will tell you (1) there is nothing improvised about improvising: you must work at it so you know what you are doing; and (2) a good solo makes the whole band sound good: in the same way that a good lead actor will not outshine the supporting cast, but rather get the audience more involved in the plot, use your moment in the spotlight to “tell a compelling story.” In fact, many improvisers compare soloing with telling a story.

This is by no means a complete guide to improvising but rather some tips to get you started.

CHORD NOTES AS ANCHOR POINTS-- (If necessary, review section on chord building) The Root, Third and Fifth of a chord you are soloing over will always sound very solid.

SCALE NOTES AS CONNECTING POINTS-- Passing notes are used between anchor points. If a song is in the key of G, use notes from the G scale in different patterns and rhythms and you can’t go wrong.

PENTATONIC SCALES-- are widespread in popular music soloing. Try these two common approaches:

MAJOR PENTATONIC-- on major key of the same name. For example, in key of C major, play C major pentatonic.

MINOR PENTATONIC-- for a Blues or Rock sound, in the key of D major, play D minor pentatonic (= F major pentatonic).

VARIETY-- A singsong or monotone delivery will soon bore an audience or put them to sleep. Variety is the spice of life--and of your solos.

RHYTHM Challenge yourself to start musical phrases at different times; for example, if you started the first idea on beat 1 of the 1st measure, try starting your next idea on the end of beat 3 of the 5th measure.

VOLUME Start soft and increase volume gradually, or follow a loud passage with a sudden soft melody...

RANGE If you have been playing notes in the middle of the guitar neck, try a section up or down for contrast...

RESTS-- Just as an effective speaker will pause for effect, or to let the audience reflect on a point, do not “ramble on” in your solo; good musical phrases include plenty of silent moments.

KNOW WHEN & HOW TO STOP-- A good solo--just like a good story--has a satisfying and definite ending.

REFERENCES

- A Modern Method for Guitar by William G Leavitt, Berklee Press Publications

- Step One: Play Guitar by Artie Traum, Amsco Publications

- The Essential Guitar Guide by Dale Churchett, Internet