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I often practise soloing without any backing, because I like to hear the changes and the form in my head rather than rely on a backing track. I feel that I don’t know the tune properly until I can do this. Also I like to hear whether I can imply the changes well in my single-note lines. Using a backing track tends to disguise this, at least in my experience.
But I agree it’s not easy, I think it just takes a lot of practice, you have to use whatever methods it takes to get the structure of the tune clear in your head so that you can keep your place. For a new tune I might play it slowly and play a chord at the beginning of each bar, or every 2 bars, and combine this with very simple lines to start with.
Also I practise the tune away from the guitar. If I can’t mentally play the whole melody and comp the chord changes in my head then I don’t know it well enough. Ideally I should be able to mentally play a complete solo as well, then I’m really getting somewhere.
Anyway here’s a solo blues thing I did some time back, you can hear I played some chords at the most important points to sort of hold it together, hope this gives you some ideas.
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09-06-2020 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by grahambop
Great playing !
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Originally Posted by ragman1
I do my way but it is not so far from your way despite what you said, it helps.
This is a virtual duet, without a metronome.
The beginning is a mess.
Box
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What I said will help, of course, although it would be up to you in the end. But listening to me playing won't, will it? Someone else being able to do it won't help you. That's all I meant. But you wanted to hear it, so...
I have to say I've known a lot of sax players. They love to sit alone somewhere and doodle away, trying things out, learning tunes or whatever it is. Maybe you're different :-)
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Your box clip.
My immediate reaction is it's too complicated. Slow down. Get the rhythm really clear and steady. Play simpler stuff. If you must do continuous 8ths, fine, but 16ths are probably a bit ambitious at this stage. To keep time needs fluency in what you're playing. Unless you're just playing something memorised, improvisation needs to be spontaneous. That's the test, if you like.
We have a saying: KISS. Keep it simple, stupid. It's not very polite but it's a good message.
When you can go round the simple stuff, then complicate it. Patience and perseverance!
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Originally Posted by ragman1
I am not playing alone, it's a metronome, it's a tool, like you said, if I were accurate it wouldn't sound like this. It is not perfect, it is not horrible, it is like it is.
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Hey, for god's sake! See, that got me moving. My leg was bouncing and the feet were moving. It had a great feel and the timing was brilliant. No problem there, you were really good.
But, honestly, guitar is slightly different, really it is. Miles Davis said once he didn't like guitar and I agree with him. Unfortunately it's the instrument I bond with completely. Just my luck
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Originally Posted by ragman1
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I see by your You Tube site you're a multi-instrumentalist, which is impressive, but do you play with other people?
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Originally Posted by ragman1
I used to play in duets too with drums, bass or piano.
Now I've got a project with another trio (sax, piano & bass).
I rarely play the guitar in a band even if I play it everyday (it's part of my job) but in another context, I've never tried on a live situation (jazz), for the bass in a live context it's every time I can, I love the bass and I feel more comfortable.
I tried one day to play the guitar in a duet (two guitars), I loved comping but for many reasons it didn't happen.
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Originally Posted by Lionelsax
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some say the blues is easy to play..and yes its ONLY three chords ..right?
the Kenny Burrell example "Blues for Basie" is just a perfect example of how hip those three chords can be transformed into
a very cool composition..
How i do it..
I take the first four bars (and the pick up) and work with them until I can make the changes smooth..by that I mean the feel of the changes..not the sound..that aspect is another study in and of itself
then I try it in several keys..and then in different neck positions...then play with some inversions and see if they work as a chord run..
then go for the next four bars and repeat the above..and then the final four bars..and of course then the entire progression
I dont use a metronome and add just enough swing to keep the tempo moving at a steady pace..
when I feel ok with it..then i will work on trying to get Kennys sound...(which may not happen..but I still will try..I know--hopeless romantic..)
as far as the original post not being exactly 12 bars...dont count mechanically the blues has some stretch in its nature..thus the bending of notes and using chromatic lines in places and of course the countless turnarounds (which can produce parts of their own tunes..) so some chords may be held a bit longer or not as long --again its the feel your playing ..
some top blues players..if their work were analyzed by a click track..they would show some speed up on some bars and some slow down on others...but the feel will be a complete 12 bar progression
there is some site on the web showing a Jimi Hendrix tune with this dynamic..and unless its pointed out..your not going to notice...or care..
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I listened to the first video in the OP. The rhythm wasn’t bad, but it didn’t have the drive it could have. It’s ok to push and pull on the time a bit, but if there’s not an underlying pulse that’s solid the drive won’t be there.
Since your time issues seem to be greatest when you are playing the most complex rhythms, maybe you should do some syncopation & subdivision exercises.
Jens Larsen talks about those issues in the middle of this video.
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Originally Posted by Lionelsax
pour la 2ème phrase, c'est pas sur, enfin ça dépend qui ... comprenne qui pourra
En tout cas, c'est bien français ce genre de comportement.
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Originally Posted by Lionelsax
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Count the beats aloud as you play
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Originally Posted by mhch
Apply yourself to the music, that's what we're here for.
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Originally Posted by christianm77
(It might be possible while regurgitating something memorised but it would have no feeling).
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Originally Posted by grahambop
Autumn In New York (solo guitar) by Grahambop | Graham | Free Listening on SoundCloud
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Originally Posted by ragman1
Drummers eat this stuff for breakfast.
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Originally Posted by Lionelsax
I’m quite pleased that it passed for a 7-string!
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Originally Posted by christianm77
See, there I am, trying to make some notes/lines sound nice. That has all my undivided attention, nothing else is happening, I'm communing with the tune. But I'm supposed to be counting 1-2-3-4 in my head at the same time? What a distraction!
Never. But what I do do, I've noticed, is sort of pulse internally with the rhythm. Same thing with dancing. Not that I do that any more.
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Originally Posted by ragman1
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Sounds like it comes right out of a book. I'm not a fan, Christian, just the way it is.
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Originally Posted by ragman1
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (Christian Scott)
Today, 12:32 AM in The Players