Frank
4638 posts
Jun 23, 2014
6:54 PM
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What are your thoughts on creating a solo that builds creatively and seems to tell a story from beginning to end?
It seems far and few between where harp solos have a flow of ideals that give this impression to the listener.
What are your tricks to the trade of solo building?
Any suggestions or advise to help shed light on this?
Do think it is important to be aware of solo building ideals?
Or do you think it does not matter?
Please share your experience.
Suggestions,
Thoughts :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 23, 2014 6:55 PM
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jnorem
313 posts
Jun 23, 2014
7:15 PM
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Creating a solo that builds creatively and seems to tell a story from beginning to end is what improvising is all about, no?
Theme and variation, to me that's the idea. I try to start with a good, meaningful little phrase that I can build on and twist and change and use to create tension that wants to be resolved, and to do all of that in twelve bars.
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Call me J
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mastercaster
45 posts
Jun 23, 2014
8:07 PM
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Building solo's , "telling the story" is what a solo is All about ... when preforming imo.
Start at the beginning , work your way to the end..
Keep the melody & bridge in mind and work off them ....
I sit in with local bands .. we all know each other for years .. there are at least 4 'blues orientated' bands in my small village (tourist destination) ... though they play rock covers also .. got to keep the customers happy !
usually try to start my solo (depending on the song) ... slow and low if possible , ... working tone, dynamics, phrasing, embellishments .. up and down the harp with as much suspense as I can .. to more intense riff's ... then the climax .. and ... then pass off to the guitar ...
depends on the song 12 or 24 bars ... how I build and work the ride ..
We all know folks who are naturally gifted and great story tellers ... can make a simple story very interesting ..
we also know folks who are boring at passing on a great story ... but think they are good at it ....
same with musicians ... got to be honest to ourselves & work hard to be a good if not great story teller ....
the bands I sit in with... most are 4 pcs. ... almost always want to harp to take the first ride ...if 5 pcs ... there are 2 guitar players taking solo's ... I'll push them to take my ride after the ... first guitar solo .. in the middle ... last guitar solo
Some of the most fun is passing the ride back and forth between the guitar and the harp .. working together ... matching riff's and/or 'cutting heads' ...... building it together to the climax : )
OT - And also twin parts - harp / guitar .. playing the same notes at the same time ...
I try to get the guitar player to work with me creating/playing twin octaves ..... good fun in the 'right' place .. and with folks who are into it .... great effect , though not a solo ....
Last Edited by mastercaster on Jun 23, 2014 9:31 PM
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The Iceman
1763 posts
Jun 24, 2014
4:20 AM
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One of the best examples on building a solo is the current lesson thread on sonic junction...Jerry Portnoy. Rick Estrin is the guest teacher.
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The Iceman
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Frank
4640 posts
Jun 24, 2014
4:33 AM
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Thank you guys for sharing, nice food for thought :)
You can sign up and get 2 free lessons from Ricks teaching series too or any other ones available :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jun 24, 2014 4:34 AM
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