Lesson Learn to Solo Part 2 (Piano/acoustic guitar) over vi-IV-V-vi (Dm-Bb-C-Dm) by James Graff

Basic rules to playing a good solo (Analyse: how do the "noodling" solos in the video fit - and break - these rules?):

1. Play simple, catchy, melodic phrases separated by plenty of pauses (you could spend only half the time playing!! especially in the first section of the solo) and sustained notes (use smooth, slow, controlled vibrato that is in time with the beat and tempo of the music!)

2. Solos should have a start or intro, a buildup and an ending - basically try to cut your solos into 3 or 4 sections:

1st section: STATEMENT/INTRODUCTION Simple 3, 4 or 5 note phrase or melody (keep it in the pentatonic scale - major or minor - the same as the song itself!!)

2nd section: REPHRASE Repeat and slighty change or modify this first simple phrase or melody (I did say to keep it SIMPLE and CATCHY= easy to repeat! for you and the audience) - change a note or two or the rhythm slighty

3rd section: BUILDUP build the solo and tension - start to climb the scale - climbing is always good here - move up in pitch gradually or quickly - get a little crazy - play fast and add some passing tones beneath some of the pentatonic notes - be flashy - show some chops

4th section: RESTATEMENT or ENDING - You can restate the first catchy phrase/melody an octave higher or bring the solo all the way up (ending with a flurry of notes) or bring it all the way down to a low note - whatever "leads" best into the next section of the song - try to end on a soulful, emotional, high or low sustained, vibrato note - the 1st, 3rd or 5th of the key you are in (or entering!) (C E or G in the key of C - the 1st and 3rd usually make the most sense)

Musicality=emotion and communication - make it simple, clear, understandable, memorable, tasty!

Try to "write" out (and record at home) your solos before you play them in public or on record - and over as many different progressions and "grooves" as possible- improvising a solo on the spot requires that you have already learned and written many, many, many solos over similar chords.

Acoustic Guitar Lesson Learn to Solo over vi-IV-V-vi (Dm-Bb-C-Dm) by james Graff on a Yamaha AXP-8 stereo 6 string acoustic/electric guitar (D'adario medium acoustic 13-56) tuned down a 1/2 step - for bending notes!

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• blues
• jazz
• pentatonic
• phrasing

[becky8610]

i really need to know how to do that. i know my scales but i dont understand how you just go onto a completely different note and start playing. explain it to me pelase its so confusing hahah

[JamesHGraff]

Hey! Have you read and done every thing that I recommend in the video description?? Do you play guitar or keys? (I have a bunch of keyboard videos that I am working on...please be patient...I have LOTS of video) I would recommend to try to play mainly the root and the fifth of the key you are soloing in and try to stick to the pentatonic scale tones (with a brief passing tone between the 4th and 5th tones (of the key) - which is the BLUES note - and between the minor 7th and Root (of the key).

[JamesHGraff]

And as I say in the video description: SIMPLE 3, 4 or 5 note phrases - REPEAT the same 3 notes - in the same or only slightly different rhythm - over and over - make it incredibly "CATCHY" easy to sing along to - impossible to forget!!!

That is the essence of a great solo these days: TEACH the audience a three or four note phrase - and the mess around with that phrase: speed it up, change the octave play the same rhythm but change a note or two...please let me know how I can help you!

[JamesHGraff]

"If you ask I will attempt to teach you ANYTHING you wish to learn about music (songs, chords, riffs, leads, improvisation, theory, composition, etc.) on ANY instrument of your choice - voice, stringed-bowed & plucked: guitar, bass, violin, viola, banjo, pedal steel, etc. woodwinds: sax, flute, clarinet, etc. brass: trumpet, etc. percussion: drumkit, congas, etc.-including maintenance, some repairs or even sound reinforcement, recording, OR ANY magic/bar trick OR investment advice!! Just ask!!"

[Oswlek]

Nice lesson.

[JamesHGraff]

Thanks!

[theshark562]

can u bend notes on an electric acoustic of a semi acoustic?

[macsam10]

teach me "ONE" BY metallica plzz the first solo not the intro one but the second. thanks!