Tips for rock soloing/improv?

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Tips for rock soloing/improv?
Topic Started: Oct 20 2009, 02:46 AM (140 Views)
axis177	Oct 20 2009, 02:46 AM Post #1
Member Posts: 28 Group: Members Member #9,253 Joined: October 11, 2009	Well, frankly, I'm horrible at really rocking out and shredding. Every time I start messing with a scale or just trying to get a solo out, it ends up getting too rhythmic and bluesy for my tastes, and nothing really screams rock and roll to me. I can do rather sloppy legatos and know a couple of good riffs, but even then, I just can't get into it. So anyone got any advice to get into it? Maybe a scale or something that will really get me into the groove? I mean, I play old rock songs especially from KISS and AC/DC all the time and really try to dissect what makes the solos, but I still can't get the feel for what makes or breaks it.



monwobobbo	Oct 20 2009, 02:57 AM Post #2
Posts: 988 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	best advice stop trying so hard and let it flow. there is no shortcut to playing great solos. i've been playig for over 30 years and although it took me a long time to come to this conclusion i finally did, i'm not a shredder and never will be. not to say i can't play fast or do a good solo but bottom line is my talents don't lie in the shred part of soloing. practice makes perfect so thats the best way to begin. i often jam with Cds (vinyl in the old days) and solo to the vocal melody of the song. if you can get your solos to flow like a vocal line thats half the battle. if you checked out my thread with my original stuff (You Did Right ) you'll see what i mean with the song Project 7. the leads are set up to sound as if someone is singing. just keep at it and it will come.
	and now for something completely different


areyouthefarmer	Oct 20 2009, 09:19 AM Post #3
Newbie Posts: 19 Group: Members Member #8,698 Joined: July 31, 2008	I always found it easy to get stuck in a rut but these days it's easier then ever to find that inspiration. I used to rely on other guitarists to help me out. I would hang around a few decent guys and watch what they do and it would always inspire me. These days you can watch youtube and although it's not the same as being there, it's still great for picking up ideas - something us old-timers never had, so no excuses lol. Seriously though, there is so much online these days that running out of ideas shouldn't be a problem.



Rampant	Oct 20 2009, 10:37 AM Post #4
Immortal (well, ...so far!) Posts: 350 Group: Top Contributor! Member #8,896 Joined: October 7, 2008	Keep the ideas coming, dudes, as I'm right at the genesis of jamming and improvising. At the moment, it's blues improv with the basic pentatonic pattern. I'm trying to slowly build up my proficiency and repertoire with bending, doublestops and hammer-ons/pull-offs. Haven't got speed, yet, but this will come... So any ideas or suggestions for expanding my vocab will help me along the way Cheerz Mark H
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voodoorider	Oct 20 2009, 02:50 PM Post #5
Garry Posts: 658 Group: Members Member #8,964 Joined: November 3, 2008	Here is a very very useful lesson from my favorite youtube chap He's worth checking out in all the other videos too! http://www.youtube.com/user/robchappers?blend=3&ob=4#p/u/128/-4cqMukfUZI
	Guitars: PRS CU 22 R/W neck Organic Classic Heritage H-150 Fender Eric Clapton Strat PRS Santana SE Freshman FA400J Amps: Orange Rockerverb 50 Traynor YCV40T VOX AD60VT Zoom Fire 15


axis177	Oct 20 2009, 09:59 PM Post #6
Member Posts: 28 Group: Members Member #9,253 Joined: October 11, 2009	@Voodoorider Hehe yeah I remember this guy from his demo of the Satchurator. Sounded like a really laid back guy and good guitarist, so I'll check out his lessons @Areyouthefarmer I do a lot, but like, with the variation of rock and no real 'sound' to strive for, at least to my ears, because of the variations of rock sounds (GNR to AC/DC for example) I just can't get ideas for solos. @Monwobobbo Yeah, I checked it out, and in terms of playing against vocals and synching up, I can do good enough. Well, I'll see. Besides, I've never had any formal tutoring, so I guess with years of that, I'll be able to develop my sound.



monwobobbo	Oct 21 2009, 02:02 AM Post #7
Posts: 988 Group: Moderator Member #8,625 Joined: June 23, 2008	Axis it takes time and patience to get where you want to be. a big part of it is just going with the flow and not over thinking it. when i write songs i never work out the solo ahead of time. instead i jam with the backing track untill i find something that works. then i may refine it some or just go with it and see what happens. don't be bummed if your first efforts aren't "stairway to heaven" or "eruption " quality solos. one step at a time and you will get better. not everyone is going to be able to come up with steve vai solos etc so just find your voice and work on it.
	and now for something completely different


axis177	Oct 22 2009, 01:47 AM Post #8
Member Posts: 28 Group: Members Member #9,253 Joined: October 11, 2009	Yeah, I know. I just keep instinctively trying to rush things because not to sound cocky, but rhythmic bluesy stuff really comes naturally to me and feels easy while being somewhat distinct, so I keep subconsciously feeling like Rock should be just as easy, even though I know it's two very different things.

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