Great advice, Brad. I also have this problem sometimes on tunes where
someone decides to play it "uptempo". Another way to state it is to
determine the basic tonality and not stray too far, but to find just
a note or two that will reflect the changes. So for example, if a
tune is mostly in C and goes to A7, instead of thinking A7, I might
look at it as playing in C, but changing the C to a C#. Of course,
you can always play the blues (can get old after a chorus, though),
or work on some all-purpose pentatonics. Another approach is to take
the existing melody (assuming that you know it or can read it), and
play the same notes but backwards, in different rhythms, etc. - with
a little practice, your solo will sound a lot like the original tune,
but different.
I am curious about your comment on using a chord solo. I'm at the
point where I can play a lot of heads as a chord melody, and can solo
in single notes, but I'm still having a tough time doing an
improvised "chord solo". I've sort of been easing into this trying to
use a "shout chorus" idea, and I'm actually sort of excited that it's
forcing me to think about my single note lines in a more melodic way
instead of running arpeggios, scales, etc. But any ideas you have on
this would be appreciated.
-Jim
--- In jazz_guitar@y..., Brad Rabuchin <bradrabuchin@e...> wrote:
Steve, One suggestion I would make as far as surviving a solo over
a tune you
don't know is to get the big picture. By this I mean don't get hung
up trying
to hit every change. As you're comping, (or if you have a chance
to glance
at it beforehand) try to get a sense of the form of the tune and
what the key
(as in important) chords are. Much of the time those will be chords
functioning
as either the "I" or "V" of whatever key you're in at that point in
the tune.
Try to come up with a simplified overview of the tune. Then, when
you solo,
focus on playing over and connecting those few important chords.
And always
keep in mind where the tune is heading next. Don't worry about
about all
those chords you're leaving out. You can always work on the tune at
home and
add them to your solo next time. {This technique also works good
if you
know the tune but the band is just playing the thing to fast for
comfort}
Another suggestion: you can always try a comp(chord) solo.
Sometimes
that's an easier way to get through a tune you don't know.
Later,
Brad R
Steve Gorman wrote:
I hope I can get some new ideas here - I have recently began
playing with a good 6 piece combo - two saxes, clarinet, upright
bass, drums and me on guitar. I am getting the calls because I can
solo, the other guy that they were using only plays rhythm. 80% of
the time I am playing rhythm also, just supporting the horns,. but
sometimes I am called on to solo. Most of the tunes I know pretty
well, (Real Book) but I am not too familiar with some of them. Solos
can get pretty weak when you lose your place! I am probably going
to practice this week on soloing without taking my eyes off of the
chart, if I can keep track of the changes I can at least play
SOMETHING.
Of course having the tunes down stone cold is the ultimate
answer, but are there
any suggestions for faking it till then???
Steve
