View Full Version : Help Needed w/ Guitar Solos
UncleSam527
26 Nov 2003, 10:12 PM
So I'm getting fairly decent at chords (power chords, major chords, barre chords some...) and now I'm giving the solos on my tabs a shot. I suck at it- help is needed for a five-month player on an el crapo acoustic. Thanks.
learn your scales, in every key possible. It all comes from the scales.
Real Ray
27 Nov 2003, 09:30 AM
art's advice is good.
Two other things I would add: You may want to use a variety of picks to see what feels best. I use the hard nylon Dunlop Jazz III picks. I play blues/jazz, so this pick works well for me, as I don't hammer away at chords. But I started as a rock player using the typical large flat pick. Good for a certain style of playing, but the smaller, more pointed pick will give you a bit more dexterity. So play around with picks.
The other exercise with your scales, should be alternate picking work. Look around on-line or at a music store for some sample picking exercises. A lot of beginners start playing by ear, and picking all downstrokes.
Mattbro
27 Nov 2003, 02:09 PM
Yes, learn your scales! Start with pentatonic scales. These will get you by in just about any rock setting. If you practice regularly, you could be soloing well enough to impress people within six months. Also regular major and minor scales (the do-re-me-fa-so-la-ti-do stuff). I use those a lot. Also don't underestimate the value of instructional videos.
Good luck!
BakedAlaskan
27 Nov 2003, 05:48 PM
Originally posted by Mattbro
If you practice regularly, you could be soloing well enough to impress people within six months.
I can't remember who said it but I always liked"Play guitar for four hours every day and on your birthday,anniversary,holidays and vacations you celebrate and only play three hours a day".
Originally posted by Mattbro
Also don't underestimate the value of instructional videos.
Exactly.Check out the pawn shops in your neighborhood before you hit a music store.
Originally posted by Mattbro
Good luck!
What he said.
PEACE
afgrijselijkheid
27 Nov 2003, 08:51 PM
15 minutes a day is better than one hour once a week
sebakoole
28 Nov 2003, 09:28 AM
The best advice I ever received from a guitar teacher was "think in terms of SOUNDS always!" Thinking about it now, it's obvious, but at the time it didn't seem so. I would always try to visualize the fretboard to figure out my next note without thinking of the pitch.
Now, I don't even take guitar lessons, I just do ear training lessons. So, yeah, definitely do scales until you're sick of them and then do them some more. There's no substitute for repetition when it comes to learning music. But always think in terms of sounds. Maybe even put the guitar aside and try to hear the whole solo in your head first, then pick up the guitar and find the notes for it.
Mattbro
28 Nov 2003, 10:32 AM
Originally posted by sebakoole
Maybe even put the guitar aside and try to hear the whole solo in your head first, then pick up the guitar and find the notes for it.
Exactly. That's how I do it. I'll often have a solo completely worked out in my head before I even pick up the guitar. Of course, the solo will then change a little as I refine it on the fretboard, but definitely the basic framework falls into place in my head.
However, in my opinion a beginning guitarist should definitely be more concerned with developing a foundation of technique rather than writing solos.
Alex_K
28 Nov 2003, 12:47 PM
Damn, i wish i could play guitar. I think about buying one for years now, but i would probably never practice (other than all those classic rock star poses of course). Then i would become the Dieter Bohlen of Heavy Metal (probably only Mattbro will know what i am talking about).
Wow, this was probably my worst post ever.
Mattbro
28 Nov 2003, 01:04 PM
Originally posted by Alex_K
Then i would become the Dieter Bohlen of Heavy Metal (probably only Mattbro will know what i am talking about).
You've just ensured that I'll have nightmares for probably the rest of the year.
Metallifreak
28 Nov 2003, 01:35 PM
Originally posted by bluedaddy19
15 minutes a day is better than one hour once a week or you can just play until your finger start to bleed.
Mattbro
28 Nov 2003, 02:06 PM
If your fingers start bleeding that's a sign you're doing something wrong.
afgrijselijkheid
28 Nov 2003, 08:30 PM
Originally posted by Metallifreak
or you can just play until your finger start to bleed.
well not everybody has the time for that - my piont was it's better to get to it a little everyday than a lot every so often
Originally posted by Mattbro
If your fingers start bleeding that's a sign you're doing something wrong.
That's what crazy glue is for.
IMO, if you have to FORCE yourself to play, perhaps you shouldn't bother.
Alex_K
29 Nov 2003, 07:13 AM
Originally posted by Mattbro
You've just ensured that I'll have nightmares for probably the rest of the year.
:D
"You're my heart, you're my soul..." SHREDDING SOLO "whatever comes after You're my heart etc."
Mattbro
29 Nov 2003, 08:10 AM
Originally posted by Alex_K
:D
"You're my heart, you're my soul..." SHREDDING SOLO "whatever comes after You're my heart etc."
Aarrggghhhhh!!!!! My freakin' ears!!! Somebody make him stop!!!
Metallifreak
29 Nov 2003, 02:43 PM
Originally posted by bluedaddy19
well not everybody has the time for that - my piont was it's better to get to it a little everyday than a lot every so often just try to play atleast 15 mins or whenever you feel you had enough... and the bleeding thing i said was like a dedication thing because i love my ESP. hey what type of music do you guys play?
Mattbro
29 Nov 2003, 06:23 PM
I play cock rock! Visit www.adrenalinekings.com for a sample (sorry to spam).
Metallifreak
01 Dec 2003, 09:06 PM
Originally posted by Mattbro
I play cock rock! Visit www.adrenalinekings.com for a sample (sorry to spam). its' not spam when it's an answer to a question. the music is cool! man
Foots
02 Dec 2003, 01:02 PM
I was wondering if jazz solos are also based on the pentatonic scale. Or are they totally different.