Solos and improv

[Tone]

What's the secret to good soloing and improv?

[Pinshlo]

To relax:)

[cin]

Good drugs. ;)

Just kidding, tone is right, relax, don't think about playing, and just err, play.

This may sound a little weird, but don't just play and mumble around with a bunch of notes, say something.

How do you say stuff on the guitar? With notes, or phrases. If you learn a new language, it is hard to say what you're really trying to say, so learn all your scales and arpeggios and all that, so when you do want to say something, you don't have to think about how to say it.
That goes back to my original statement about not thinking about playing.

[motorcycle loop]

I like to try to create an environment, using keys. Examp: If your song is sad, put it in a minor key, especially D minor. If you want a barren feel, put it in G; upbeat in E or F, etc.

[pardo]

Well, learing the modes will help you unlock the fretboard and be able to play everywhere. However, your playing will be fairly generic and will likely sound like everyone else out there.

That said, all my favorite players are unschooled. They made up their own vocabulary on the guitar, so they sound unique.

I'd have to say the 2 best things you can do is:

1. Put on your favorite record and just noodle along - find out what works and what doesn't work. If you hear a lick you like, rip it off. I'd start with blues records - the progression of blues tunes isn't gonna throw your for much of a loop and it'll also introduce you to playing through basic changes.

2. Hum stuff in your head and find those notes on the guitar. Not only will you tear down the wall between your head and your fingers, but it will allow you to play with your own unique "voice".

When it all comes down to it - do whatever keeps you interested in the guitar and playing.

Good luck man!

[jonjonbolt80]

soul it's all about soul... listen to really old blues. robert johnson any one with blind in front of their name

[Matt]

Just mess around until you find something that sounds good.

[Nathaniel Manx]

PRACTICE YOUR ASS OFF!!!

... and when its time to make donuts just get comfortable and let it flow.

[jonjonbolt80]

get a looper and jam along

[Greyskull]

Practice. You won't get any better of you don't do the work.

Good drugs might help, might hurt, but are definately better than bad/cheap drugs.

[TheWizard]

hey man let me tell you somethin( i feel like jim morrison in waynes world 2 )... there is no trick soloing. you just play. you ****ing listen to music and play. to hell with guitar lessons because they might be able to teach you the notes and scales but no one can teach you the passion that all the greats put into it... watch SRV tapes or Hendrix tapes and just watch how much the music means to them. then come back and ask how to solo :D


and try not to trip acid right before playing your first big gig... my mistake...

[fatstrat69]

jam with others, drum machines, or get a 4 track, this will let you get the groove. Drilling your techniques and harmonic material will allow u to pull it off when improvising...
Get david lucas burge's Perfect Pitch... its ingenious :). You will be able to sharpen your perception of music and sounds/noises in general.

[Tone]

Thanks! :)

[Alkio]

I think that the best way to learn solos and stuff is to find a friend who plays guitar and just jam around as much as you can.
Also buying delay-pedal and playing around with it by yourself can help you inprove your skills..

:)

[540SLTD]

If you have a computer (who doesn't today?), use a MIDI sequencer software (I use Cakewalk). Select a few bars of just about any tune and let it play in a loop and jam along. It's like having your own band at your command. Sometimes I can practise for 20-30 minutes on one loop and not because I feel obligated but because it's so enjoyable. You can also vary the tempo so it's like using a metronome but without the tedium. Then choose another tune and do the same thing. Use some tunes in major keys, minor keys, of different styles, and experiment. Who said practising is boring?!

[Alkio]

Practising isn't boring if you remeber to always try new learn things (and if you have some kind of looping device).

:)

[Hasselhoff]

3 words: Two handed Tapping. I know that it's an old, probably "cheap" trick and no one does that anymore. My band hates that i do it, cause it doesn't really go with our punk/ska style. But, once you get it down, you'll feel like you're that much better and it makes writing solos easy and fun. It may be a lost art but it is hard so don't knock it til you've tried it!