Developing a Solo Set

[callouscallus]

My first reaction to the OP question is no, it's not enough to hold and audience's attention.

[alltunes]

Im working on repertoire at the moment, building a list of about 20 tunes that I know really well and can improvise over. It occurred to me that this could be the basis for a solo set. Ive played in small combos and jams but haven't developed my chord melody to any degree of competence so a solo gig has always seemed out of reach. There is a sax player I know who does this, although he incorporates a bit of singing too. (He isn’t willing to form a duo before you ask).

I was wondering if it’s possible to play solo guitar gigs mainly using single line playing; intro, melody, followed by a couple of verses of improv, back to the melody and out. I could comp with chords for a few bars to break it up a bit, add some bossa tunes perhaps.

Backing tracks may be required but as I live in something of a jazz desert Im not sure what else I can do unless I lock myself away for a couple of years to learn chord melody.

Any thoughts?

check out this vid

[StormyMonday]

I've been working on a solo setlist for a while now as well. In my case no looper and not really a jazz gig as that's not the venue's thing. More guitar instrumentals some of which are jazz songs, others not. Putting the songs in an orderly setlist and playing them while recording has helped me a lot. My guitar abilities have limits and because of that I need to be careful not to get repetitive in how I approach the set. So I vary the material wrt genres, for example I'll play something by Lee Ritenour and follow it with a Joni Mitchell or Beatles arrangement. Some songs are chord melody others single notes with comping. I'll also use different effects; I'll play a Weather Report song using a lot of delay for Jaco's parts. Stuff like that to give the audience a variety of things to hear.
That has allowed me to put together an interesting setlist (well at least to me) but it's just one part. The other part, when I've seen people like Kenny Burrell, Jim Hall, Sco etc play solo they're not playing for 3 hours. In most cases it's one set, a great set, but that's not what the place I play at is looking for. Since I'm old and increasingly decrepit the next aha I hit was playing through all 3 sets I put together I couldn't get through it. Disclaimer I'm recovering from surgery that affected my hand so that's an impact, but I've realized that some of the arrangements I put together were just too much for me. I could play all of them but I think they wore me out a little fast. That's probably a weakness in my approach, so I've had to take a few off the list until I figure out ways to play them that are easier on my hands. In their place I put songs that are not at all challenging to play, but that people like. Beatles tunes are good for that among others.
So those are challenges I've run into, maybe give you some food for thought. I might never get back to be able to play a full gig but my duo partner wants me to put some of my solo stuff into our setlist so it's time well spent. Hell just the learning that comes with it is time well spent. Best of luck!

[porter.fitch]

Before you commit to building a repertoire with a looper, try playing some of the simpler tunes you know with a bass note added where it's convenient. You don't have to play every single one; context will fill in a lot. You might be surprised how satisfying a melody (that outlines the chords) plus a well placed root note here and there can be.

You can always add a looper later, but you're unlikely to develop a solo voice without one if you learn to rely on one.

I think playing live to pre-recorded tracks is tacky, but I'm sort of a curmudgeon.

[DestinyT]

check out this vid

Thanks for sharing this.

He compares what he's doing to juggling improvising melody, chords and bass.

To me, it also feels as if he's riding the flow of time, and that's what makes it so compelling and holds your attention in a way that's immensely satisfying.

[nbs2005]

1452241[/URL]]Before you commit to building a repertoire with a looper, try playing some of the simpler tunes you know with a bass note added where it's convenient. You don't have to play every single one; context will fill in a lot. You might be surprised how satisfying a melody (that outlines the chords) plus a well placed root note here and there can be.

You can always add a looper later, but you're unlikely to develop a solo voice without one if you learn to rely on one.

I think playing live to pre-recorded tracks is tacky, but I'm sort of a curmudgeon.

This is what I’m trying to do blended with chord melody. I play a 7 string so I’m always thinking about how I can use those bass notes that are available to me while soloing around the melody. For me personally I don’t like to go too long without a chord ringing. So far I can occasionally pull this off successfully at an open mic, but it needs a lot more work.

[porter.fitch]

This is what I’m trying to do blended with chord melody. I play a 7 string so I’m always thinking about how I can use those bass notes that are available to me while soloing around the melody. For me personally I don’t like to go too long without a chord ringing. So far I can occasionally pull this off successfully at an open mic, but it needs a lot more work.

It's hard stuff! I find that conceptualizing chords as melody + bass with one inner voice is much more flexible, and may lead you to some sounds that you wouldn't get otherwise. I tend to think bassline + melody, add a note in between where I need to clarify the color of the chord, and use bigger chords for moments of emphasis.

[befiddled]

I really think Scofield shows the way - refer to the earlier posted video of him playing solo and using a looper. Interesting to note that he doesn’t invest much in creating his loops - frankly, they’re a bit ragged. It’s also interesting that for the standard he plays (Indiana), he simply plays a percussive loop without any harmonic content. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s a genius.

[pilotony]

Take the time to learn the basic Chord Melody style.

Conduct an experiment. Visit local venues that offer incidental music. Do any of the guitarists just play single lines? Or, do any of the pianists just play single lines? I think you may have to "bite the bullet" and begin learning a basic method to add chords and passing notes to your solos.

Tony D.