A really great way to get better at your soloing, melodies,harmonies, and RHYTHM is to learn to how to be a creative accompanist. Ask any seasoned jazz guitarist and they’ll probably tell you the same thing.
If you are able to give someone else a good background, it will let YOU be able to see and hear MORE possibilities when it comes time for you to be in the foreground.
For one, I suggest exploring as many different inversions and extensions you can add to the basic chords so as to let the lead guy have something more to draw from. Also rhythmically you can do certain things to change the mood and what not. This lets you become more focused on the music and the aura you can create.
The hard part for most shredders and other lead players (I used to have this problem) is letting someone else have some breathing room. A lot of the time the background can be more interesting than the lead just because of the LITTLE things like playing against the time (offbeats) and subtle extensions that create an ambience for the audience, and it gives you’re lead guy different ideas.
Try it out, you’ll be amazed at how many different possibilities there are if you take some time out of the spotlight for a bit.
-Carlito
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Régisson Silva // Jan 9, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I agree with that!!!
First, to give a good background to a soloist instrument you have to know very well the possibilities of your instrument. All the inversions, extensions and substitutions to the chords of a progression. Second, you have to be “well conected” with the others musicians of the band, good to know the “accent” of your bass player or whatever one that is going to support you on the background. I think that a good idea is listening to pianists, because they normally give a complete background.
After few months of practicing you’ll start to get the feeling and your hearing will be developed, consequently you will be a better guitar solo.
2 Jeff // Jan 10, 2008 at 2:05 am
Great addition! I love rhythm guitar and especially chord comping in a jazz setting. It really is great experience to practice chord voicings, voice-leading, and just getting your rhythm tight & solid. Often find it much harder to accomplish all these things than it is to actually ‘solo’
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