LearnGospelMusic.com Community

Gospel Instruments => Gospel Guitar => Topic started by: funkStrat_97 on June 09, 2009, 05:44:06 PM

Title: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: funkStrat_97 on June 09, 2009, 05:44:06 PM
We may not get the opportunity to strut our stuff that often, but when it comes to solos; do yo you take the time to analyze the chord structure (which is almost always a I-IV-VI-V or some variation of that) and "compose" a solo, or just go for it?
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: jlynnb1 on June 09, 2009, 06:06:47 PM
depends on the vibe of the song...although i'm, always aware of the chords i'm playing over and try to bounce melodies off them. i think solos should be full of tension and resolution....so that's my mindset. that's where scales/modes help me, because i'm always aware of the tnesion notes that are available over any given chord.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: melrhyne on June 09, 2009, 06:28:20 PM

After studying 1-4-5's for years ;D, I just go for it!
Practice makes personalization easier, and what I mean by personalization, is the spin that YOU the individual, put on the tried and true soloing formulas.
When I play, I want people to hear me thru the instrument.
It's my chosen way of communicating.
Therefore, I want to say things in a certain way. With a certain touch. Choosing specific things to say. How to say them.
This is all a matter of taste, and taste is the way we process and manifest all that we've be taking in.
'Trane played different from 'Newk, who played different than Charlie Rouse, who played different from Ike Quebec.
The all were privy to basically the same devices, but had different tastes. Passionate about different things.
So practice, exposure, and taste is what makes a solo what it is.

Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: kodacolor on June 09, 2009, 07:25:42 PM
I don't solo.  I do riffs everyonce in a while.  I learn the melody and find out what scale works with the song so I can branch off from the melody. 
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: SanctifiedGuitar on June 09, 2009, 08:00:38 PM
I mainly go for it, but if it is a rehearsed song, I study my approach.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: JayP5150 on June 10, 2009, 06:09:29 AM
Pretty much seat-of-the-pants with a nod here and there to the underlying structure. I'm pretty unschooled lol.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 10, 2009, 06:55:34 AM
yeah I wish I had a more musical approach to my solos.  I just kinda go for it too...
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: funkStrat_97 on June 10, 2009, 09:23:06 AM
My approach to soloing (which I rarely get to do) varies depending on the song.  I hardly ever sit down and work out a solo and pretty much fly by the seat of my pants.  I wish I was better at soling, and I know it will come with time an practice - both of which are in short supply at the moment.  I like my share of shredders (Greg Howe :), Satriani, Gary Hoey, etc.), but I have found that the few songs I do get to solo or noodle around on work better wtih simpler and slower ideas (of course, if I were really good then I could....).
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: uriahsmusic on June 10, 2009, 09:26:48 AM
...I generally see everything as Major, Minor and Dominant.....a few chromatics and I am done.....(in the words of the late great Joe Pass)
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 10, 2009, 04:41:41 PM
I don't solo.  I do riffs everyonce in a while.  I learn the melody and find out what scale works with the song so I can branch off from the melody. 
Kodacolor(what kind of name is that?)But anyways,my Lakers lost,can cry on your shoulders.Please,please :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 10, 2009, 04:55:44 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix4TNJvVk8M&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix4TNJvVk8M&feature=related)
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: kodacolor on June 10, 2009, 05:19:47 PM
Kodacolor(what kind of name is that?)But anyways,my Lakers lost,can cry on your shoulders.Please,please :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(


(http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/340xgi.jpg)

Please, Mr. Rown, stay on topic.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 10, 2009, 06:11:13 PM
([url]http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/340xgi.jpg[/url])

Please, Mr. Rown, stay on topic.
THAT IS SOOOOO COOL. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 10, 2009, 06:43:23 PM
([url]http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/340xgi.jpg[/url])

Please, Mr. Rown, stay on topic.



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

That's funny K.C.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 10, 2009, 06:53:10 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

That's funny K.C.
She got me good Gibby.That`s knocking a brother upside the head 8)
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: gtrdave on June 11, 2009, 07:02:46 AM
I just play.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: funkStrat_97 on June 11, 2009, 08:51:20 AM
Kodacolor(what kind of name is that?)But anyways,my Lakers lost,can cry on your shoulders.Please,please :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Oh ye of little faith; the Lakers shall prevail.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: reindale on June 11, 2009, 01:25:23 PM
I've always been shy about soloing. A few things/ideas I have been working with to improve my creative juices are as follows:

Start with a 2 or 3 note riff, play that until it feels like a part of the song, then add something before that riff, then add a little something after that riff. Treat the 1st riff as a small tree, then add branches to that tree, that's the stuff before and after. Sometimes change the last note of that riff, play that change twice, change the last note again and play that change twice, then play the original again. I never looked at solos like this, since I have been lately, I've been coming up with new ideas to throw into my playing. It's given me numerous ways to improve my approach. I've still got a ways to go but this idea really helped me out. Last but not least, the lighter the touch, the quicker to move to the next note. One mistake I've always made was playing the notes to hard, or rather pressing to hard when it wasn't necessary.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 11, 2009, 02:20:32 PM
Oh ye of little faith; the Lakers shall prevail.

keep telling yourself that...
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: jivejong on June 11, 2009, 02:37:19 PM
New to the boards, so my first post.

I just recently got on-board playing Gospel church that gives me ample time to play leads.

Here's my approach:
The first thing I do is listen. I listen to see if the organ player is going to do something, or if the choir or lead vocal is doing something. If the coast is clear, and the moment seems right, I go for it. If not, I'll just compliment the groove.

When I do play a lead, I think of the guitar as another vocalist. I don't play anything shredding unless the tune calls for it, but that's very, very rare. I just play melodic lines that compliment what's going on around me.

I usually don't work things out beforehand, unless it's a signature riff. I just figure out the chord changes, and play stuff within them as I feel.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 11, 2009, 05:03:25 PM
Oh ye of little faith; the Lakers shall prevail.
Man, i sure hope so :P
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 11, 2009, 05:30:43 PM
New to the boards, so my first post.

I just recently got on-board playing Gospel church that gives me ample time to play leads.

Here's my approach:
The first thing I do is listen. I listen to see if the organ player is going to do something, or if the choir or lead vocal is doing something. If the coast is clear, and the moment seems right, I go for it. If not, I'll just compliment the groove.

When I do play a lead, I think of the guitar as another vocalist. I don't play anything shredding unless the tune calls for it, but that's very, very rare. I just play melodic lines that compliment what's going on around me.

I usually don't work things out beforehand, unless it's a signature riff. I just figure out the chord changes, and play stuff within them as I feel.



Welcome to LGM!!! Thanks for the input  8)


Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ubc_rown on June 11, 2009, 06:08:27 PM
     Relax,keep it simple,target notes,tasteful.You are the human being.Master the guitar.You are the boss.Make the guitar sound,and do as you see fit.I refuse to let an instrument,defeat me.No-way,not in this lifetime.The devil is a liar.May sound cocky,but this is my approach 8)IT DO NOT HAVE TO BE FASSSSST
             I hope my Lakers win tonite :'(
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: GMansAxe on June 12, 2009, 12:05:05 AM
Peaks and valleys + less is more with a taste of the unexpected?  at least that?s the goal.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: funkStrat_97 on June 12, 2009, 06:25:21 AM
keep telling yourself that...

Ahem...like I said, the Lakers shall prevail!!!



     Relax,keep it simple,target notes,tasteful.You are the human being.Master the guitar.You are the boss.Make the guitar sound,and do as you see fit.I refuse to let an instrument,defeat me.No-way,not in this lifetime.The devil is a liar.May sound cocky,but this is my approach 8)IT DO NOT HAVE TO BE FASSSSST
             I hope my Lakers win tonite :'(

You must have money on the series or something  :D.  But with regards to the actual topic; solos don't have to be fast...they don't have be slow either.  If you do to much of any one thing, it gets old.  I believe that every techicqe that can be applied to the guitar has validity.  The thing is that while it's great to have a versatile vocabulary of tecniqes, you need the wisdom to know how to add something to a song rather than just be like "hey look at me, I can play really really faaaaaaaaaaaaast".
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: made2praise on June 13, 2009, 02:49:17 PM
major and minor pentatonics, alot of dorian, phrygian, aeolian, and ionian, and a key ingrediant is you can't be afraid to be wrong. Not for our glory, but HIS.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Dr. Rob on June 27, 2009, 07:51:48 PM
This is a great question. Over the years of playing Gospel music, primarly as a lead guitarist, I have learned a few things. First, a series of well placed soulful notes is more important than a fast riff. Second, milk your notes through slowly bending the strings and then, when you land back on your note, vibrate your fingers against the fret board. Do not be in a hurry. Third, if you want to jam out, play fast and funky with the least amount of effects. I tend to use reverb with just enough gain to begin to break up the sound. In some Gospel songs, a screaming lead with lots of distortion is cool, but any up tempo, more traditional song does not need much effect to be powerful. Just some ideas I have found helpful..... 
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: jlynnb1 on June 27, 2009, 10:34:41 PM
I just play.

i know what you are saying...and i do as well, but wouldn't you say that all the time you've spent learning scales and how they sound over chords, iuntervals, passing tones, etc all speak to your playing as you play?? and while you may not specifically think "i'm really laying on the Lydian over the IV chord here"...your knowledge of the #4th and the tension it can bring (the lydian scale) would probably guide you to hit certain notes because of it??

not trying to put words into your mouth, just elbaorating on what i think you were saying...
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Abe on June 29, 2009, 02:58:03 AM
This brings up a good question I'd like to get your feedback on:

Have you eve been asked if you play rhythm or lead(solo)guitar?
   
My answer is both.

What's your response?
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: jlynnb1 on June 29, 2009, 09:28:29 AM
This brings up a good question I'd like to get your feedback on:

Have you eve been asked if you play rhythm or lead(solo)guitar?
   
My answer is both.

What's your response?

that i play guitar...period.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 29, 2009, 09:58:20 AM
This brings up a good question I'd like to get your feedback on:

Have you eve been asked if you play rhythm or lead(solo)guitar?
   
My answer is both.

What's your response?

Well if there are two keyboard players, more than likely you will play more lead than rythmn...unless they break the music down and want you to play pretty chords. 
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: funkStrat_97 on June 30, 2009, 07:01:53 AM
This brings up a good question I'd like to get your feedback on:

Have you eve been asked if you play rhythm or lead(solo)guitar?
   
My answer is both.

What's your response?

More often than not (at least in my case); the term "lead guitar" is typicaly used to make the distinction between guitar and "bass gutiar".  But my thinking is that if I were primarily a bass player, I'd just say I play bass (silly keyboard players  :D).
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: JayP5150 on June 30, 2009, 08:33:34 AM
The rhythm/lead question is equally annoying as 'do you play acoustic or electric?'

I play the guitar.

Rhythm, lead, electric, acoustic... It's all part of just playing the guitar to me.
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: ed_shaw on June 30, 2009, 09:04:06 AM
I agree with that. I feel at the same time I am always playing rhythm and always playing lead, so the question has no meaning to me.
Still, if the arrangement calls for an instrumental verse or instrumental chorus, and it is on me, I try to imitate the
lyric lines as best I can.
I like what people in the thread have said about "no fear," because
without a score on the stand, I have to rely on the remembered song,
no big deal, but hope I hit a good note when it matters. There is no guarantee of that other than "The Lord will supply."
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Gibby on June 30, 2009, 10:37:42 AM
The rhythm/lead question is equally annoying as 'do you play acoustic or electric?'


Cosign!!!  :D
Title: Re: What's Your Approach to Soloing?
Post by: Abe on July 01, 2009, 01:35:05 AM
The rhythm/lead question is equally annoying as 'do you play acoustic or electric?'

I play the guitar.

Rhythm, lead, electric, acoustic... It's all part of just playing the guitar to me.

Thank you all. Good responses. I was thinking I was the only person asked that annoying question.  8)