SOLOING

 

 

Before I start this article with the issue "emotion" I first would like to give a few general hints on soloing.

Always remember that when you play at home and record yourself, the result of your sound is often far less than when you would record in a fancy studio where the mix is near perfect. This might sound logically, but it's a stimulating idea that your practicing and playing will be extra rewarded once playing/recording in a more professional situation. Playing with old and worn out strings decrease the quality of your sound a lot and makes the guitar sound out of tune. Play as much as you can. When possible, practice scales and other techniques while watching t.v. Don't forget to train your pinky as well. This finger is often forgotten but is very useful for playing scales and patterns in a correct way.

This time I want to emphases the emotion part in guitar playing. In the last article I already mentioned that emotion is an important substance of your playing otherwise there is a chance the technical side is overriding the total playing.
By adding extra blue and ghost notes you can make a solo more interesting and catchy. Also the way you hit the strings is of importance, giving detail and expression. The real emotion however comes from the inside of you. I will try to explain this.

If you practice scales and copie solos from other guitar players and just perform them without feeling what you're playing, this will also come out that way: technical, neatly and probably nothing to be ashamed about. On the other hand, if you play and really are in the moment where you experience that certain thoughts and emotions (that are part of you) give you feedback in to your playing then listeners will hear this.
So when playing you could dig into yourself a bit, trying to find the person in you that has these emotions and thoughts.

Suppose you want to play a sensitive solo in a ballad then think of something sad or when you want to play a screaming solo think of something that let this kind of soloing come out in an intense way.

When I recorded "Home baked" I got stuck with a certain solo that just didn't wanted come out the way I intended. I got a bit frustrated and angry and played the solo again in this mood with the result that the solo came out the right way. Getting in touch with yourself helps to develop your own style and the way you sound.

A good example of a guitar player that performs with emotion and feeling is

- Gary Moore -