"Can't lose the thread"

**emanresu** · 02-11-2026, 04:17 PM

When doing a solo. A busy one. Busy busy solo for whatever reason.
And you cling on the last note played and start as soon with the next phrase as possible - to not lose the thread.

Does it sound familiar? Any thoughts?

**Mick-7** · 02-11-2026, 04:33 PM

For me, that's a new tune issue. That is to say, if I'm intimately familiar with a tune's harmony, I can see the big picture - or hear the big song - and I don't get bogged down in trying to connect the dots.

Ask yourself, why did I "lose the thread"? The answer will reveal your shortcoming.

**Jimmy Mack** · 02-11-2026, 04:35 PM

THat sounds like walking on a tightrope without stopping to enhance the show a bit.
No pauses or breaths, no air ??
Was listening to Pat Martino's El Hombre yesterday - man the guy hardly stopped. AS great as he is on that album, it's a bit of overplaying but wonderful??
My wife on the other hand - said, "turn it off already. That's not music"

It depends on what you like to hear, play, or say. How many times have I heard people say " a piece of music/solo should resemble a conversation. I'm sure we all know someone who talks endlessly and won't let another's words stop them!
To me that's intolerable.

My thoughts.

**Mick-7** · 02-11-2026, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack

That sounds like walking on a tightrope without stopping to enhance the show a bit. No pauses or breaths, no air??

Was listening to Pat Martino's El Hombre yesterday - man the guy hardly stopped. AS great as he is on that album, it's a bit of overplaying but wonderful??
My wife on the other hand - said, "turn it off already. That's not music"

It depends on what you like to hear, play, or say. How many times have I heard people say " a piece of music/solo should resemble a conversation. I'm sure we all know someone who talks endlessly and won't let another's words stop them! To me that's intolerable.

Very true, Jimmy, too busy is too much, slow down and smell the rosewood.

**jameslovestal** · 02-11-2026, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Mack

THat sounds like walking on a tightrope without stopping to enhance the show a bit.
No pauses or breaths, no air ??
Was listening to Pat Martino's El Hombre yesterday - man the guy hardly stopped. AS great as he is on that album, it's a bit of overplaying but wonderful??
My wife on the other hand - said, "turn it off already. That's not music"

It depends on what you like to hear, play, or say. How many times have I heard people say " a piece of music/solo should resemble a conversation. I'm sure we all know someone who talks endlessly and won't let another's words stop them!
To me that's intolerable.

My thoughts.

I agree, which is why I'm such a fan of Jimmy Raney.

**rpjazzguitar** · 02-11-2026, 08:39 PM

Recording the events and listening back to what went wrong.

Are we talking about losing your place in the song? Or, are we talking about losing the direction of ideas you're trying to develop in the solo?

If it's losing place, and assuming it's not something going wrong with the band ... then, usually knowing the tune really well will help. Making sure you aren't so loud that you can't hear the bass and/or keys is important. Don't ask me why I mention that.

For when you're still having trouble, a saying comes to mind. "Some players count, others hope".

If it's losing the thread of the improv, I have no idea how to make any suggestion. It all depends on how you approach improv and you'll find a broad diversity of approaches by reading this forum.

**pamosmusic** · 02-11-2026, 08:43 PM

Try and make the drummer play with you. That’ll make you think about rhythm. If the drummer isn’t paying attention to you, you’re probably too busy.

But yeah: I’d agree with Mick (if I understand him) … playing every measure is usually the result of insecurity with the changes.

**wolflen** · 02-11-2026, 09:29 PM

..

**emanresu** · 02-12-2026, 05:18 AM

Oh, I didn't mean losing the place in the form.
I meant the need to play even when the thoughts are not there..
Kinda like when you have to say something in a conversation without knowing much about the topic.
Sometimes we say shit just by reacting without having anything valuable for the input

**Mick-7** · 02-12-2026, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by emanresu

Oh, I didn't mean losing the place in the form. I meant the need to play even when the thoughts are not there.

I try to avoid that. Of course everything you play can't be fresh but it's worth striving for.

**ragman1** · 02-12-2026, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by wolflen

..

I like that one :-)

**ragman1** · 02-12-2026, 08:16 AM

If I lose the thread it's because I've forgotten it. Or I'm bored. Otherwise I just play as it comes out. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it usually does if the preparation's there.

**emanresu** · 02-12-2026, 03:13 PM

The difference of the feeling is very subtle - when having good thoughts or having none.
Our brains are geniuses of doing mind-tricks to ourselves.
I know when I am in super-perfect state of mind for a solo. But am completely incompetent to make it happen. Nor (at least) to know when "it is the time".

**grahambop** · 02-13-2026, 04:58 AM

When this happens, just take your hand off the guitar.

As Miles said to Coltrane when he said he couldn’t stop playing, ‘Take the horn out of your mouth!’

**JazzPadd** · 02-13-2026, 05:56 AM

Context matters, I suppose. I mostly play at jam sessions so no pressure to entertain the audience or make a recording for posterity. So if I have nothing to say as a soloist, I'll sit out, or if the tune is already in motion I'll wave off my turn and comp for other soloists.