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GMC Forum _ Collaborations _ Collaboration - Combine Licks Into A Modern Rock Solo

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 11:01 AM

Hi everybody

It's been a while since I've done the last collab. Here is an interesting one where you can show how creative you are when it comes to producing a nice solo using licks only.

I have done a GMC lesson on this backing track and it should be published soon.

I am big fan of good and tasty rock licks. Some of you might have noticed that I usually pay attention to melody in every solo. I almost always develop it with slow long notes and speed up later. We won't use this approach here. In this collaboration I want you to try to make a solo from bunch of different licks and still get the same effect without going for a specialy developed theme. You can go for each lick about every 2 bars and when your lick is connected with the previous one they should work together as a melody. Remember, we don't need a theme as a melody, only bunch of licks but wisely structured so that we can hear the whole solo as a complete strong unit.

Please look at the chart below. I left you a chord progression and scale options below each chord. You can notice that you can play A minor pentatonic licks over the whole track. For those more experienced guys there are modal options so you can feel free to use them as well. You can use any technique from tapping, arpeggio, picking etc... but we want to hear that you made a solo of licks.

The backing track is 110bpm and you should start your solo from the bar 3.

Please follow instructions from this list:



The deadline is January 27th (3 weeks from now). All levels are welcome to participate and there is no limit of participants.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. ruben_mcn
2. maharzan
3. Sensible Jones
4. jafomatic
5. rlejr
6. NoSkill
7. Toroso
8. Ruzz
9. Rated Htr
10. Staffy
11. JamesT
12.
13.
14.
15.

 

 backing_110.mp3 ( 679.18K ) : 712
 

Posted by: ruben_mcn Jan 6 2010, 12:05 PM

I will give it a try Emir tongue.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 12:10 PM

QUOTE (ruben_mcn @ Jan 6 2010, 11:05 AM) *
I will give it a try Emir tongue.gif

Sure man. Thanks for joining smile.gif

This one shouldn't be hard. You have a full freedom to play rock licks you know and make a solo out of it.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 6 2010, 12:36 PM

m in!

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 12:50 PM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jan 6 2010, 11:36 AM) *
m in!

Thanks smile.gif

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Jan 6 2010, 12:52 PM

I would love to give it a go Emir but my POD driver has been acting crazy since yesterday and I can't record anything man!

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 01:08 PM

QUOTE (Pedja Simovic @ Jan 6 2010, 11:52 AM) *
I would love to give it a go Emir but my POD driver has been acting crazy since yesterday and I can't record anything man!

Too bad when that happens. Check new drivers on their website. You can record take anytime during next 3 weeks I hope you can fix it by then.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jan 6 2010, 01:11 PM

I'd like to try this one Emir!!
biggrin.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 01:47 PM

QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Jan 6 2010, 12:11 PM) *
I'd like to try this one Emir!!
biggrin.gif

Added smile.gif

Posted by: jafomatic Jan 6 2010, 01:57 PM

Mmm, challenge-tastic. I'd like to hop in for this.

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 02:10 PM

QUOTE (jafomatic @ Jan 6 2010, 12:57 PM) *
Mmm, challenge-tastic. I'd like to hop in for this.

Sure man, I will add you.

Posted by: rlejr Jan 6 2010, 03:22 PM

Hi Emir..... I'd like to take a shot. Will be my 1st collab entry.

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 03:31 PM

QUOTE (rlejr @ Jan 6 2010, 02:22 PM) *
Hi Emir..... I'd like to take a shot. Will be my 1st collab entry.

Welcome man. Use this thread if you have any questions.

Posted by: NoSkill Jan 6 2010, 03:32 PM

In if I can.

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 03:54 PM

QUOTE (NoSkill @ Jan 6 2010, 02:32 PM) *
In if I can.

Why not smile.gif

Posted by: Toroso Jan 6 2010, 04:39 PM

May I try? smile.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 04:46 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Jan 6 2010, 03:39 PM) *
May I try? smile.gif

Sure man smile.gif It's been a long time.

Posted by: Toroso Jan 6 2010, 05:39 PM

QUOTE (Emir Hot @ Jan 6 2010, 10:46 AM) *
Sure man smile.gif It's been a long time.


Yes, it has. I have a question, probably a really dumb one, and I don't even know how to ask it.

I can do the pentatonic part.

But if I want to use the alternate scales you have provided, do I simply reference the indicated scales
and play anywhere on the neck. Or would they only be appropriate in specific positions?

See it is dumb... dry.gif

Posted by: Ruzz Jan 6 2010, 05:41 PM

That shouldn't matter much Toroso, since it is the same tones in every position smile.gif

I would like to give it ago.
This will also be my first collab entry biggrin.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 06:28 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Jan 6 2010, 04:39 PM) *
Yes, it has. I have a question, probably a really dumb one, and I don't even know how to ask it.

I can do the pentatonic part.

But if I want to use the alternate scales you have provided, do I simply reference the indicated scales
and play anywhere on the neck. Or would they only be appropriate in specific positions?

See it is dumb... dry.gif

heheh no it's not dumb. This is the place where you can ask anything related to this collab.

You can play anything anywhere, I am not asking for any specific position. All I am asking is to have a solo made of licks rather than melodies and themes. For example you want a dorian lick. You can search for some GMC lessons in Dorian mode and grab a cool lick from there. Find a good place to stick it into your solo and make sure that it fits with the next and the previous one so that whole solo together makes sense, not just randomly thrown licks. It is entirely up to you where on the neck you are going to play things. Just be in the right scale and make something that sounds cool. For example, almost every Zakk Wylde solo is made of licks. You play a lick then resolve on some nice note, then go for the next one, etc... until you make the whole solo.

I hope this helps.

QUOTE (Ruzz @ Jan 6 2010, 04:41 PM) *
That shouldn't matter much Toroso, since it is the same tones in every position smile.gif

I would like to give it ago.
This will also be my first collab entry biggrin.gif

Welcome Ruzz smile.gif I added you on the list

Posted by: Toroso Jan 6 2010, 06:42 PM

QUOTE (Ruzz @ Jan 6 2010, 11:41 AM) *
That shouldn't matter much Toroso, since it is the same tones in every position smile.gif


Eh, well smile.gif this stuff still gives me trouble here and there. Actually, when I saw the topic heading,
I only saw 'Combine Licks Into A Mode', so now I got modes on the noggin...

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 06:47 PM

QUOTE (Toroso @ Jan 6 2010, 05:42 PM) *
Eh, well smile.gif this stuff still gives me trouble here and there. Actually, when I saw the topic heading,
I only saw 'Combine Licks Into A Mode', so now I got modes on the noggin...

hahah but that's not the whole topic. You're missing some letters smile.gif

We need rock licks here. You don't need to use modes if you don't want to. Use pure A minor pentatonic if you want. There are thousands of licks that can be played with it.

Posted by: Rated Htr Jan 6 2010, 07:14 PM

I might do one take once I get back to london if there's no problem smile.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 08:00 PM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Jan 6 2010, 06:14 PM) *
I might do one take once I get back to london if there's no problem smile.gif

Ok, I added you.

Posted by: Staffy Jan 6 2010, 08:17 PM

Well, I'm not any good at modern rock solos, I guess I have to make some studying since my solos always sounds old.... But I will make a try if there's room!

//Staffay

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 6 2010, 08:51 PM

QUOTE (Staffy @ Jan 6 2010, 07:17 PM) *
Well, I'm not any good at modern rock solos, I guess I have to make some studying since my solos always sounds old.... But I will make a try if there's room!

//Staffay

There is always room in my collabs Staffy smile.gif I heard you playing man, your playing is full of tasty rock/blues licks. I am sure this is not a hard task for you. You're on the list smile.gif

Posted by: Toroso Jan 6 2010, 11:03 PM

QUOTE (Staffy @ Jan 6 2010, 02:17 PM) *
Well, I'm not any good at modern rock solos, I guess I have to make some studying since my solos always sounds old.... But I will make a try if there's room!

//Staffay



You'll do just fine Staffy! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 6 2010, 11:55 PM

Hi Emir,

that's a very nice backing track!

may I ask what wah did you use? cause it souns fantastic, imo

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 7 2010, 01:26 AM

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Jan 6 2010, 10:55 PM) *
Hi Emir,

that's a very nice backing track!

may I ask what wah did you use? cause it souns fantastic, imo

Hahah you won't believe. It's a wah from Amplitube 2 plugin. I was moving it by mouse in realtime while I was exporting the final mix smile.gif Didn't really get it the first time but the 5th was ok smile.gif

Posted by: jafomatic Jan 7 2010, 11:16 PM

All right, figure I'll post early-ish and re-record if this isn't ... uh, "licky" enough.

Full "mix" for fun  EHCL_jafo_full.mp3 ( 1.4MB ) : 225

Wet solo  EHCL_jafo_solo_wet_stereo_honestly_emir_the_mono_one_is_next.mp3 ( 1.4MB ) : 176

Mono MP3... supposedly  EHCL_jafo_solo_mono_in_theory.mp3 ( 1.33MB ) : 206
(I swear the "pro" argument works better if you ask for mono .wav)

Posted by: Staffy Jan 7 2010, 11:55 PM

QUOTE (Emir Hot @ Jan 6 2010, 08:51 PM) *
There is always room in my collabs Staffy smile.gif I heard you playing man, your playing is full of tasty rock/blues licks. I am sure this is not a hard task for you. You're on the list smile.gif


Nah, You've right Emir, this seems to be a simple chord progression....., but in my day's all was improvised - eg. there was no actually lick-playing and I'm still bad at playing pre-defined licks, since I rather go for just improvising and then clean up my playing if necessary. But I also realized since I went back to the music, that nowadays this is a must if You shall be able to play those fancy, speedy faster-than-the-lightning kinda stuff... smile.gif (borrowing the term from another thread...)

//Staffay

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 8 2010, 03:36 AM

QUOTE (Emir Hot @ Jan 7 2010, 01:26 AM) *
Hahah you won't believe. It's a wah from Amplitube 2 plugin. I was moving it by mouse in realtime while I was exporting the final mix smile.gif Didn't really get it the first time but the 5th was ok smile.gif


hahah, If you would've told me: It's the "horsie whatever" I would've gone out and buy it! sounds awesome! hehe

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 8 2010, 04:34 PM

UPDATE:

My take on this backing is now live on GMC. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Building-a-Modern-Rock-Solo/

It might help you for some ideas.

Posted by: JamesT Jan 8 2010, 05:16 PM

I'll give this a try too if it's ok.

It's going to be a tough one I think cause most of my improv solos (however poorly written tongue.gif ) are focused on just sort of making my way around the fretboard and playing whatever comes to mind. I think this is an area though where I could improve a lot if I would go about studying "pure" licks and working on ways to adapt them to the song or key, or whatever that I'm playing in.

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 8 2010, 05:42 PM

QUOTE (JamesT @ Jan 8 2010, 04:16 PM) *
I'll give this a try too if it's ok.

It's going to be a tough one I think cause most of my improv solos (however poorly written tongue.gif ) are focused on just sort of making my way around the fretboard and playing whatever comes to mind. I think this is an area though where I could improve a lot if I would go about studying "pure" licks and working on ways to adapt them to the song or key, or whatever that I'm playing in.

Thanks for joining. I hope you can manage to play some cool licks in this one. I don't think it's that hard

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 9 2010, 11:26 AM

QUOTE (jafomatic @ Jan 7 2010, 10:16 PM) *
All right, figure I'll post early-ish and re-record if this isn't ... uh, "licky" enough.

Full "mix" for fun  EHCL_jafo_full.mp3 ( 1.4MB ) : 225

Wet solo  EHCL_jafo_solo_wet_stereo_honestly_emir_the_mono_one_is_next.mp3 ( 1.4MB ) : 176

Mono MP3... supposedly  EHCL_jafo_solo_mono_in_theory.mp3 ( 1.33MB ) : 206
(I swear the "pro" argument works better if you ask for mono .wav)

Cool take man. You can leave it, it works for me.
Thanks

EDIT: Just seen your comment in the file smile.gif Why is it 18 bars, man?
Because you can leave your last note longer and not crossover to the next take smile.gif It will work like this I tested it in the loop.

QUOTE (Staffy @ Jan 7 2010, 10:55 PM) *
Nah, You've right Emir, this seems to be a simple chord progression....., but in my day's all was improvised - eg. there was no actually lick-playing and I'm still bad at playing pre-defined licks, since I rather go for just improvising and then clean up my playing if necessary. But I also realized since I went back to the music, that nowadays this is a must if You shall be able to play those fancy, speedy faster-than-the-lightning kinda stuff... smile.gif (borrowing the term from another thread...)

//Staffay

We don't need anything faster than the speed of light. Up to speed of light will perfectly do smile.gif hahaha

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 9 2010, 02:10 PM

QUOTE (Emir Hot @ Jan 8 2010, 04:34 PM) *
UPDATE:

My take on this backing is now live on GMC. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Building-a-Modern-Rock-Solo/

It might help you for some ideas.


awesome lesson Emir! just watched it

Posted by: maharzan Jan 9 2010, 02:12 PM

just a question.. I am guessing that the last 2 Am bars will be ignored in the final mix from each take right? So it goes from G to Am7 (to the top).. I have completed my composition so wanted to know if we can leave the last 2 bars.. kind of odd on me.

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 9 2010, 02:21 PM

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Jan 9 2010, 01:10 PM) *
awesome lesson Emir! just watched it

Thanks Daniel smile.gif

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jan 9 2010, 01:12 PM) *
just a question.. I am guessing that the last 2 Am bars will be ignored in the final mix from each take right? So it goes from G to Am7 (to the top).. I have completed my composition so wanted to know if we can leave the last 2 bars.. kind of odd on me.

You can resolve on some note on those bars. Could be your last note. Check how Jafomatic did it. Those bars won't be deleted, the loop will continue with the next take.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 9 2010, 05:33 PM

Okay, not sure if I fit into the criteria but anyway I just wanted to try here it is. I thought making a video would look cooler. wink.gif

Forgive the last long note. I didn't intend to do it but it didn't stop. lol. The long note is shortened in the mono below.



Heres the mono version.. delays are prebuilt on my G-Force (used on this).. hoping its not a problem in the mix.. Let me know and I will do it without the effects again.

 maharzan_collab_mono.mp3 ( 541.46K ) : 154
 collab.mp3 ( 1.06MB ) : 131
 

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 9 2010, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the video. I need mixed audio as well as solo track. This is for me to better align things in the project.

To be honest about your solo I didn't hear many licks. It was more developed on a melody basis than the licks. If you want to leave it you can. I will make a comment on what I have available.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 9 2010, 05:53 PM

Ok.. so what exactly do you mean by licks? smile.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 9 2010, 06:12 PM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jan 9 2010, 04:53 PM) *
Ok.. so what exactly do you mean by licks? smile.gif

A short cool sounding phrase which has a start and the recognisable end smile.gif That's not really a melody, rather a phrase on its own. We need a bunch of these to construct the solo.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 9 2010, 06:18 PM

Thanks Emir, I will see what I can come up with then.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 11 2010, 04:10 PM

QUOTE (maharzan @ Jan 9 2010, 05:33 PM) *
Okay, not sure if I fit into the criteria but anyway I just wanted to try here it is. I thought making a video would look cooler. wink.gif

Forgive the last long note. I didn't intend to do it but it didn't stop. lol. The long note is shortened in the mono below.

Heres the mono version.. delays are prebuilt on my G-Force (used on this).. hoping its not a problem in the mix.. Let me know and I will do it without the effects again.


Nice that you uploaded your take on a vid! good one!

I would suggest that the guitar is a little out of tune

Posted by: maharzan Jan 12 2010, 07:20 AM

ha! Daniel.. you caught me there. wink.gif I never check the tune.. lol. I need a guitar that never goes out of tune.. haha. I will check from now on. But I just looked at this thread after I have done another take. sad.gif My bad. Thanks Daniel for your heads up.

Anyway, I just recorded 2nd take and I am still stuck in that melodic melodies... Perhaps I just like it too much. I can't get away from it. Its so interesting when you can just come up with so different composition on the same backing track so I though I would just post it.

Hope you like it.

 collab_take_2.mp3 ( 1MB ) : 159
 collab_take_2_mono.mp3 ( 514.83K ) : 134
 collab_take_2_dry.mp3 ( 514.83K ) : 130
 

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 12 2010, 09:41 AM

Thanks for the upload. There could be more licks but you said you like it like this smile.gif

Posted by: maharzan Jan 12 2010, 01:25 PM

Thanks Emir. Ye.. I need to understand what licks really mean. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Jan 13 2010, 07:48 PM

Emir I don't have to many "licks" at my disposal, as I mentioned somewhere at the beginning of our MTP.

I recorded something today, not sure if it what it should be, but no better way to find out, than by doing it;)

 with_backing.mp3 ( 680.19K ) : 220

 without_backing.mp3 ( 680.19K ) : 197


EDIT: if it is "good" enough, than I will rerecord the same thing, just to make it cleaner here and there.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 14 2010, 07:00 PM

QUOTE (Marek Rojewski @ Jan 13 2010, 07:48 PM) *
Emir I don't have to many "licks" at my disposal, as I mentioned somewhere at the beginning of our MTP.

I recorded something today, not sure if it what it should be, but no better way to find out, than by doing it;)

 with_backing.mp3 ( 680.19K ) : 220

 without_backing.mp3 ( 680.19K ) : 197


EDIT: if it is "good" enough, than I will rerecord the same thing, just to make it cleaner here and there.


nice!

Posted by: JamesT Jan 17 2010, 06:33 AM

I think I sort of played over my head on this one. The timing at the end is pretty bad and the legato stuff sounds rushed. I'll spend some time between now and the 27th to smooth it out, but I'm not sure how much better it can get at this point. My fingers aren't really cooperating at that speed. Some of it sounds pretty cool though. smile.gif ...

 20100116_AminorLicks.mp3 ( 1.33MB ) : 178


 20100116_AminorLicks_noBT.mp3 ( 1.33MB ) : 137
 

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 18 2010, 06:51 PM

QUOTE (JamesT @ Jan 17 2010, 06:33 AM) *
I think I sort of played over my head on this one. The timing at the end is pretty bad and the legato stuff sounds rushed. I'll spend some time between now and the 27th to smooth it out, but I'm not sure how much better it can get at this point. My fingers aren't really cooperating at that speed. Some of it sounds pretty cool though. smile.gif ...

 20100116_AminorLicks.mp3 ( 1.33MB ) : 178


nice James! really liked it!

Posted by: rlejr Jan 19 2010, 06:56 PM

Emir,

Attached is my bit.

I want to say that the backing track is great. Very inspirational to solo over and very well recorded/mixed.



 Mod_Rock__rlejr_mixed.mp3 ( 1.07MB ) : 148
 Mod_Rock__rlejr_solo.mp3 ( 1.19MB ) : 130
 

Posted by: ruben_mcn Jan 19 2010, 08:34 PM

SO here is my take hope u guys can give me some pointers tongue.gif (to help me solo better )
[attachment=19957:Ruben_no_backing.mp3][attachment=19958:Ruben_Wback.mp3]

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jan 24 2010, 12:21 AM

Hi Emir,
I know you recommended heavily overdriven sounds but this gave me a bit of a David Gilmour feeling so mine's not as 'rock' as it could be! Still, hope it's OK though!!
biggrin.gif

[attachment=19996:Emirt_s_...olo_wbt..mp3]
[attachment=19997:Emirt_s_...olo_nbt..mp3]

Posted by: NoSkill Jan 24 2010, 12:58 AM

Here is my take:

http://www.box.net/shared/49zdzlrdfh
http://www.box.net/shared/2j1zpjbjqh

Cheers!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 24 2010, 04:23 PM

QUOTE (NoSkill @ Jan 24 2010, 12:58 AM) *
Here is my take:

http://www.box.net/shared/49zdzlrdfh
http://www.box.net/shared/2j1zpjbjqh

Cheers!


Nice take mate!

Posted by: NoSkill Jan 24 2010, 04:27 PM

Thanks, Daniel!

Posted by: enforcer Jan 25 2010, 01:09 PM

I am extremely busy these days, but I would be dead before I miss this collab. I wanna take a shot bro! smile.gif

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 27 2010, 05:43 PM

Sorry guys for not getting back to you these days. First I had a computer trouble then I had a car trouble than the PA trouble etc... Besides I've been busy as hell. Today is the last day for submission. I will take what you guys have as I really have no time for any corrections anymore. However for those that haven't submited material yet they can do tomorrow while I am mixing the track so I'll just add them into the project as I'm working on the mix.

QUOTE (enforcer @ Jan 25 2010, 12:09 PM) *
I am extremely busy these days, but I would be dead before I miss this collab. I wanna take a shot bro! smile.gif

Hi man smile.gif If you want you can still record something. Read above

Posted by: Ruzz Jan 27 2010, 08:02 PM

Hey Emir..

Something has recently come up, and I am neither not able of making it in time..
Just wanted to give you a heads up..

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 27 2010, 08:50 PM

QUOTE (Ruzz @ Jan 27 2010, 07:02 PM) *
Hey Emir..

Something has recently come up, and I am neither not able of making it in time..
Just wanted to give you a heads up..

Ok Ruzz, thanks for the msg.

Posted by: Staffy Jan 30 2010, 11:56 AM

Hi Emir!
I've got totally into that jazz thing the other day and forgot bout this collab... sad.gif
I know I'm faaaar to late with this, but posting it anyway.
Anyway, I did some takes today, and if You haven't done something with it yet, You might be able to use it...
Otherwise, dont mind... It is such a groovy background so I just couldn't stop myself from doin this one...
Btw. dont blame me for trying some shredding stuff here - blame the guitar !!! laugh.gif

Gear used:
Brian Moore Guitar with Roland VG-99 straight into the mix.

//Staffay

 CombineLicks_Staffay_wBT.mp3 ( 749.7K ) : 187
 CombineLicks_Staffay_noBT.mp3 ( 1.1MB ) : 173
 

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 30 2010, 07:21 PM

Thanks Staffy. I will add it, just finishing the mix.

Posted by: Staffy Jan 30 2010, 08:17 PM

QUOTE (Emir Hot @ Jan 30 2010, 07:21 PM) *
Thanks Staffy. I will add it, just finishing the mix.


Cool Emir! smile.gif I hope You can use it, it just struck me that it wasn't mono, although I removed the reverb...

//Staffay

Posted by: Emir Hot Jan 30 2010, 08:27 PM

QUOTE (Staffy @ Jan 30 2010, 07:17 PM) *
Cool Emir! smile.gif I hope You can use it, it just struck me that it wasn't mono, although I removed the reverb...

//Staffay

No problem it will work smile.gif

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