(one chorus of "Softly, ...") First clip on the forum from me...

[Helgo]

Hi everybody.

I joined this beautiful forum about two weeks ago.

I really enjoy listening to stuff that other members post. It really shows
that this is a place for players of every level.

Also, I enjoy connecting what people write to how they are playing.

So I decided to put my cards on the table and show you just a little thing
I played, one chorus on "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise":

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18409946/hel...f%20softly.mp3

It´s an organ playing friend of mine and me jamming with an irealb Backing.

Please feel free to write an honest feedback. Constructive criticism is the only way to evolve.

I think I am pretty aware of my weaknesses (and some strengths, too) and I feel that this little clip shows pretty good where I stand right now.

Thanks in advance for listening
and commenting,

Cheers,
H.

[Soco]

Hi,
nice job on this. I would suggest a couple of things.
"softly" has a really strong melody and I would probably start out a solo with some phrases that is based on the melody.I might also come back to the melody maybe in the middle or most likely to then end when I am building down the solo. 2nd of all I would suggest more pauses/rests in the solo.
Let's say that you end a phrase on a D. If you take a rest for a few beats start out on the same note again and try to follow up on your phrase.
Most guitarists don't work of motifs as much as for instance sax-players or piano players. It is possible to play a whole chorus based on one idea or motif if you develop it right.
3rd I would suggest working more on rhythm and time feel. Most of your phrases are played with good time-feel, but the faster triplet lines aren't lining up. Put the metronome of 2 and 4 and play short statements and really try to lock in with the grove.
I would also suggest to use the whole register of the guitar a bit more after a while, it sounds like you are pretty much staying in the same position. Also adding some chords or two notes together might be good, especially if you are playing longer solos.
You have a good sound and good skills on the guitar if you work on this and keep on playing you will be able to take it to the next level easily. Looking forward to hear more.

[Helgo]

Hi Jostein.

Thank you very much for your time and for your suggestions, which are very valuable and helpful to me.

As for your suggestions: These are all topics that I am aware of and your mentioning them reassures me on the path that I am planning to go down in the coming months:

working more on rhythm and time feel. (...) use the whole register of the guitar (...)

Position playing and improving my timing are the main area of my practice at the moment and I really hope to be "fluent" in the 7 positions of the majorscale and it´s arpeggios by Easter 2012.

2nd of all I would suggest more pauses/rests in the solo.

That is another good point. In opposite to my earlier behaviour a couple of years back, when I just kind of "freezed" when I was unsure of what to do I now developed the habit of "blabbering on" when I am musically insecure.
(proved ol´ Helgo-technique in "real life", too, LOL)

start out a solo with some phrases that is based on the melody.I might also come back to the melody (...) work of motifs (...)

And another good point. I recognize this in people´s solos more and more often (my ear gets "trained" to recognize) and I hope that I will be abled to do this in the future. For now, I always try to keep this in mind but at the moment I feel I am too busy getting comfortable with the basics. ("First things first"...)

You have a good sound and good skills on the guitar if you work on this and keep on playing you will be able to take it to the next level easily. Looking forward to hear more.

Thank you so much for these kind words. "Taking it to the next level" would be great and I am working steadily on achieving that.
We´ll see...next year around this time the world will hopefully look different.

I am planning on posting tracks from time to time, to keep track of my progress and to gather valuable suggestions from other players, such as your´s.


Thank you for your time and thoughts,
Cheers,
H.


ps: Will the tracks of your currently released CD "Release of Tension" be available on itunes anytime soon? Or will I have to set up a CDbaby account?

[jayx123]

Helgo, nice take on this.
My only suggestion is to work more on swinging on the A part (the B part was swinging good) and also maybe give the imrov a more minor flavor on the minor 2-5-1s on the A part.

[Helgo]

Hi Jay.

Thank you for listening and thank you for your feedback.
The swing-thing is a good observation and I will work on my minor 2-5-1s for sure!

Thanks,
Bye,
H.