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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Newer players should take a solo on a jam??
Newer players should take a solo on a jam??
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rogonzab
345 posts
Jul 16, 2013
11:15 AM
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Hi,
I am a newer/intermediate player, I had being playing on a (street) jam for a couples of months so far, but I always feel bad when is my turn to take the solo.
All the other instrument low the volume and I am all alone in front of the audience and start making some riffs and stuff but I cant play by myself yet, so I need the band to tell me the groove, the chords, the silences.
Is very stressful to take the solo for me, I feel good when the band is playing and I comp or play some fills but when is my time to solo I am just praying for the solo to end. Every time that the solo start I try to make eye contact to a guitar player so that he can take it (so far no guitar player has refuse to do that)
I ask the question because musicians always assume that a player wants to take the solo, I guess that is the point for some people to play in a jam/band, but to others (like me) is not the ultimate goal, I just want to play in a few songs and have a good time.
What do you think? how can you tell that a newer player should be take the solo, how do you know that he/she is ready?
Jams host please tell us what do you think.
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The Iceman
1019 posts
Jul 16, 2013
11:19 AM
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You can play a solo just using 2 hole inhale, surrounded by the groove.
Just pick and choose your timing.
(Listen to Neil Young's one note electric guitar solo in Cinnamon Girl to see what I mean. Miles Davis used to get his young side men to listen to this exact solo as inspiration.)
It's easy.
Then, from there, you can build your confidence and add a few more notes as time goes on.
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The Iceman
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Rgsccr
180 posts
Jul 16, 2013
12:00 PM
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In the past year I have regularly been going to one of the best blues jams in the Seattle area. Top players are in the jam band and/or are featured guests. In addition, some of the best musicians around regularly stop in to jam. When I first got up to play I was worried that I would be out of place, out of tune, out of rhythm, etc. - you name it. Strangely, I was not really nervous. Like you, I was an intermediate - been playing a long time, could bend, but no experience playing with good musicians. What I found, at this particular jam, was that the musicians and the audience were really nice, encouraging and forgiving. I have improved a lot - from practice every day, lessons with Jerry Portnoy, and, in large part, by playing at these jams regularly including taking solos. I certainly made plenty of mistakes early on (and still do), but I am getting better to the point where good musicians are telling me I am getting there and adding something to the song. So - sorry for the long answer - I would say just do it (take solos) and it will get easier and better as you go along. I will say I was given great advice when I first started at the jams by a pro who is a friend. He said listen, listen, listen to the other players, and don't play over the singer or others taking solos. I think following this from the start went a long way to gaining acceptance. Rich
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Jul 16, 2013 12:03 PM
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LSC
470 posts
Jul 16, 2013
12:59 PM
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I would also add to what Rgsccr advised to get yourself some backing tracks to jam along to at home. There will be spots for soloing etc. I think Jerry has some on his Sonic Junction site and I know there are loads of others around.
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LSC
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lumpy wafflesquirt
727 posts
Jul 16, 2013
2:42 PM
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if they look to you for a solo just shake your head and decline. I do if it's a tune I'm not confident about.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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FMWoodeye
748 posts
Jul 16, 2013
3:48 PM
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I'm with lumpy. You can gracefully decline. And when you DO solo, I'm with Mr. Iceman. You can keep it simple. I joke about playing a solo with nothing but a 4-hole draw, a two-hole shake and the Mannish Boy lick, but it can be easily done. 12 Gage Dan has a You Tube video entitled low-hanging fruit. You might want to check that out.
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FMWoodeye
749 posts
Jul 16, 2013
3:54 PM
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I could tell you a long story that would fit with this thread....but it's pretty long, and I haven't even had ONE cocktail yet.
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Rick Davis
2111 posts
Jul 16, 2013
4:26 PM
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Just tell the jam host and/or the singer in your jam set that you do not want a solo. It's no problem. Heck, it just means more solo time for others. They'll be happy about it.
But I would encourage you to try. You may just surprise yourself. Keep your solo very simple and people will think you sound great.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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falconer
32 posts
Jul 16, 2013
5:55 PM
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@Rgsccr, I live in the Seattle area, can you tell me where this blues jam is?
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Rgsccr
181 posts
Jul 16, 2013
7:17 PM
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Hi Falconer,
It's on Tuesdays at 8pm (I'm about to head out) at Elmer's Bar in Burien - around 150th and Ambaum Blvd. SW.
It's run by Billy Shew, who does a great job, and musicians like Hank Yanda, Jeff Mason, Brian Lee, Mark Reilly, Dean Reichert, Rod Cook, etc. are in the jam band as guests or just drop in to jam. Billy also runs a jam at Dawsons in Tacoma on Thursdays which is great too. Rich Greenberg
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Jul 16, 2013 7:18 PM
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capnj
124 posts
Jul 16, 2013
8:17 PM
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Rogo its time to take the bull by the horns if your in the right key,take a 12 bar solo,soon you will do a 24 bar.The harp is a lead inst.,I only say this is because you can't be shy,tactful yes,but cut it loose for gawd's sake.Your worried about something,you shouldn't even worry about you got the chops use them,and don't think about just let it flow,if your in the groove,you will fall into the pocket perfect.
Last Edited by capnj on Jul 16, 2013 8:27 PM
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Baker
312 posts
Jul 17, 2013
5:24 AM
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The thing to remember about open jams is that one of their functions is to encourage up and coming players. To allow them some experience in a live situation. Good jam hosts realise this and will hopefully put you up with other musicians who can aid this process. Don't feel you have to play like Kim Wilson, you're there to learn and improve.
Like Rick says, if you're really not comfortable, just tell the band leader before you start that you don't want to take any solos. However, like he says I would encourage you to have a go.
If you're not feeling up to it now get in the woodshed. Start learning licks and work on stringing them together, this is a good way to start to learn how to improvise. If you can string enough different licks together to last for 12bars then you're winning. Download some jam tracks and practise in the privacy of your own home until you feel happy that you can do it. Keep it simple, don't worry about making a few mistakes. That's how we all learn.
It's something that you should definitely strive to do. It will improve many aspects of your playing and your musicality.
And it's fun!
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Rgsccr
182 posts
Jul 17, 2013
11:16 AM
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To add a note (pun intended), last night at the jam I went to things went generally pretty well for me. However, toward the end of the second set I got to do, the guitar player I was up with called out a Ray Charles country western song (can't remember which one now). I took a solo but felt lost as I don't listen to this kind of music and don't have a good feel for it. Afterward, I asked people how it sounded and got the impression that I wasn't awful. So, it wasn't a bad experience - I learned something, in particular, my friend who is a pro harp and trombone player, suggested ways to approach that type of song, and no harm was done to me or anyone's ears (I think). The rest of the night was great and I had fun and got some good feedback on my playing. As Baker said, it should be, and normally is, fun.
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harmonicanick
2002 posts
Jul 17, 2013
11:32 AM
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@Baker
Good post mate
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jbone
1301 posts
Jul 17, 2013
7:28 PM
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Speaking as a former and maybe future jam host, it's my job to get everyone who wants to, up on stage, for at least a song or two. I like to speak with all who sign up and get an idea of what they are up for, ie who do you listen to, how long have you been playing, etc etc. I would much rather have a player tell me they just want to play along than some of the hot dogs I've had to deal with in past jams.
On my stage, everyone gets a shot if they want it. If you sound good you get a double shot. I've had players pretty much try to take the stage over, esp if they have a few of their friends there who can make a lot of ruckus. To a point this can be tolerated but pas that point it's unplug amp and thank the jammer time. In other words don't wear out your welcome, play by the very liveable rules and take your turn. Play nice and we'll have you back.
Jerry Portnoy has espoused the idea of harmonica and a rhythm instrument, just like good guitar teachers. With that in mind Rogo, you are on the right track. If you are offered a solo part you can use a head shake to decline and just keep doping a rhythm thing. No harm. To me this is part of learning well and later maybe doing some great things with a harp.
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6SN7
333 posts
Jul 18, 2013
6:41 AM
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Its excellent that you are going to jams and I hope you become more comfortable in the future so you play solos all the time.
Here's my advice. A 12 bar solo is like telling a story. Beginning, middle and end. The trick is to make up a story, and practice it until you get it right. Then , when you are at the jam, tell that story. Practice it before hand, blow and draw the notes clean and sure, create the tension the solo demands, work at it.
This is much better than going to the jam and when they point to you, you just play what comes into your head. Thats a risky venture, yes many do it, and many that do it (like beginner-intermediates) sound like shit. Sorry for being the bearer of bad news....
Don't over play or show off, spend 95% of your time making the grtoup sound good (which might include NOT playing) and then shine during your 5%. I like Iceman's advice of playing one note to start. Personally, I would not get up there and blow one note, it might sound like Neil Young but I think (and this is me) Neil Young is not a blues harp player (and he would tell you that.) Telling a story is better than playing one note solo.
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