- All songs are in a specific key, such as G major or D-flat minor. The key determines what chords may be used in the song, and the chords determine what scales the soloist can use. A thorough knowledge of scales and chords provides the solo guitarist with the necessary knowledge for creating interesting arrangements of songs. Chords can be voiced on the guitar in numerous ways, chords can be substituted for other chords, and chords can be implied with one or two notes. All of this knowledge allows the solo guitarist to sound like two or three musicians and not just one.
- A metronome is a timekeeping device that is an essential practice tool for all musicians. Practicing with a metronome helps to build speed, dexterity, rhythm and timing. Solo guitarists need an excellent sense of time because they can't rely on anyone else.
Set the metronome at a slow speed, such as 40 to 50 beats per minute. Practice all your scales in a serious of eighth notes (two notes per beat), triplets (three notes per beat) and sixteenth notes (four notes per beat). Gradually increase the speed of the metronome once you are able to play through the series without difficulty. A few more sophisticated techniques include playing five notes and six notes per beat. Another rhythmic technique is to play a dotted eighth note rather than a straight eighth note, to give your solos a swing feel. The first beat of the eighth note lasts a little bit longer than beat. - One of the most useful techniques for a solo guitarist is to incorporate walking bass lines into the arrangements. This technique is similar to the left hand of a piano player. Acoustic blues guitar masters such as the Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake and Mississippi John Hurt played bass notes on the lower strings with their thumbs while they picked the melody notes on the higher strings with their fingers. This style relies on an alternating bass pattern, with the emphasis on the first and third beats of the measure.
Jazz guitarists such as Joe Pass use a more sophisticated approach because of the more complicated harmonic structure of jazz. Pass and other jazz guitarists imitate the walking bass patterns of the upright bass. The technique involves moving bass notes up and down the fretboard on the sixth and fifth strings to anticipate chord changes and to produce a sense of movement. - Guitar players develop their chops and skills by imitating and stealing licks from their guitar heroes. Copying licks from records and CDs helps to develop your ear as well as providing you with essential ideas about phrasing, dynamics and other guitar tricks. Magazines such as "Guitar Player" and "Guitar Techniques" also provide articles and forums that are a great resource tool for learning guitar licks. Guitar soloist collect licks and ideas and have a vast reservoir or library of knowledge as a foundation for improvisation. Blues guitarists, jazz guitarists, rock guitarists and country guitarists all have standard licks on which they rely heavily.
- Technique and knowledge have to be put into practice before it feels comfortable and natural. You will find that some things work and some things don't. The goal is to reach a point where you can easily play solo without too much thought. Guitarists and other musicians refer to this as being in the zone. Experience is the key to becoming a good solo guitar player.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -