Soloing, one of the many more glamorous qualities of playing guitar and any instrument. Soloing provides a nice "intermission" from the other main, reoccurring parts of the song. It helps to snag your attention so you make sure you keep listening. I will talk about some of the basic things that goes behind making a solo, or soloing.Arpeggios help to provide a melodic or even harmonic layout in a song, and can be used effectively in soloing. These arpeggios help outline a certain chord, and give it some melodic value. The notes are usually the 1st (tonic) 3rd (mediant) and the 5th (dominant). These are the most simple aspects of a chord that help give it its tonal value, and helps the listener easily define it. Vogl demonstrates how an arpeggio is played, "... instead of strumming a G chord, play each note one after the other. This is an arpeggio. There are different ways to use arpeggios. ...would be in accompaniment to a song ... Another way of using arpeggios is in the process of soloing," (Vogl 55).
Solos are usually one of the more memorable moments in a song, and is unique. Each solo and how it sounds is determined by who is playing it. Every musician has their own creative process, and arpeggios is a good way to begin. "It would be good to learn and seek instruction on how to use them in your own soloing technique," (Vogl 55). Arpeggios are great, and can be used to refine your own soloing technique, also said by Vogl.
Here I am playing "Roundabout" by the English rock band "Yes". The guitar solo has an aspect of arpeggios going on, and is quite tasteful, showing how a simple concept of theory can be applied to such a high level of playing. This knowledge of arpeggios helped to open my vision in the world of soloing, and to increase my inventory of available tools for it. Excuse my mistakes, as I have not played the song in forever.
What is your favorite solo of all time? Let me know in the comments!
Wow, Jeremiah! This is an astounding blog, you were really thorough in your elucidation, and with that you helped me gain a better understanding about what a soloist could potentially perform. That was really beneficial, I cannot thank you enough! Although despite the fact that you made slight mistakes, your performance was absolutely phenomenal! It was breathtaking, I was engaged in your performance the whole time. As a soloist myself, my favorite (at the moment) would have to be Chaminade (concertino for flute). It's such an exquisite song, especially since a variety of sentiments become enabled when you listen to it. I aspire to be able to play this song one day even though it is challenging. I'm sure you've been in this type of situation before where the piece itself is intricate. But this will motivate you to become better as a musician! To finish my point, essentially, you are an exceptional musician. Practice makes perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, Chaminade's Concertino is quite difficult. Thank you for the compliment! I really appreciate it. I think that soloing in music really enables so many different emotions and it can convey a whole different mood to a song. I wish you luck in your learning of Chaminade's Concertino! :)
Delete