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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Composing A Solo

Posted by: bballkid2076 Nov 2 2007, 05:41 AM

i've been playing for about 2 months now and have just realized that i cannot create a solid solo. while I know many scales and licks in those keys, my solos sound simply like a bunch of fast licks pieced together. Any suggestions on how to fix this and write a solo? thanks!

Posted by: The Uncreator Nov 2 2007, 07:03 AM

When playing fast licks, its best to end them (or start) with something that shows your done with the lick, or setting up for another, or beginning one. For example, in the video below, Marcus starts out with a simple lick, 3 or 4 notes, which sets the solo up for something alot faster, notice also, the really fast lick from 0:16 - 0:21 ends also with a few simple notes, some with heavy vibrato, and some with bending, it is the period at the end of the sentence if you will, i find it if you end a fast lick or set of licks like this, it sounds more complete.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/historical-failure-solo/index.htm

To quote, i belive the GMC Mastermind himself, Kristofer Dahl, he said something like this

Sentences are formed by words.

Now, with guitar, a sentece is a phrase, and a phrase is composed of licks, or the "words", and when playing fast, its best to end it with a period. that period is what i mentioned above, a slower lick, maybe only 1 or 2 notes, is a great way to end your "sentence".

Of course, there are exceptions, like a sudden ending with a sudden stop of a fast lick can be cool.

Well, hopefully somewhere in this rant you found some help.

Posted by: mattacuk Nov 2 2007, 07:11 AM

That is a really useful post ! i will use this myself when creating new stuff

Posted by: The Uncreator Nov 2 2007, 07:12 AM

Glad you found it useful

Posted by: mattacuk Nov 2 2007, 07:17 AM

mental note to self, a simple sweep tapping arpeggio is not an entire song

Posted by: The Uncreator Nov 2 2007, 07:29 AM

I think there is a song called carrie that has a single note solo actually

Posted by: exorcyze Nov 2 2007, 09:21 AM

This is also refered to as "phrasing". A common way for most styles of music to indicate that your "sentence" ( as it was well stated above by The Uncreator / Kristofer Dahl ) is done is to provide closure, a sense of resolution. The simplest way of resolving a phrase is to go back to the root - it provides an aural sense of closure, and also keeps the phrasing based around that note giving a tonal center to the piece for the listener.

I'm sure some of the theory masters may be able to provide some more in-depth information on this or some other common ways of finishing a given phrase ( and / or maybe lead-in / transition techniques between phrases ).