Are guitar solos passe?

[Tedster]

I am not referring to verse/chorus verse/chorus solo bridge chorus out...

 

I'm referring to like what "Eruption" was to "You Really Got Me".

[Dr. Ellwood]

"If you guy's are having trouble finding guitar leads in todays music, maybe you should be looking toward heavy metal"

 

Gezzz things CAN'T be that bad can they? wow how depressing is THAT! how about Jazz or Blues or Country?

[Xplorer]

Originally posted by Tedster:

I am not referring to verse/chorus verse/chorus solo bridge chorus out...

 

I'm referring to like what "Eruption" was to "You Really Got Me".

I know what you mean. But it just doesn't seem to be out there anymore. I'd say it's quickly fading, unless of course its a solo artist like Wingwang Malmsteenie. Any spotlight solo's I've seen recently have been metal bands.

 

I really like to see the band take some time and pound out some licks, as long as it's tastefull and short. I think if people stuck to that, the solo's might start to make a comeback.

[Tedster]

Having read the posts...it seems like this is the tone from many who catch what I'm getting at...

 

"If the guitar player can do something interesting, unique, and new...then I say go for it".

 

Good answer...if we're performing for other guitar players. But, what if we're using a brief spotlight solo to build excitement from the audience? Not a real long spotlight opus, a brief "audience excitement generator".

 

IMO, the best guitar solos even invoke elements of comedy. "Eruption", for example. I remember being wowed the first time I heard it, and then busting out laughing at the part where Eddie went into that "violin exercise". Steve Vai, Ritchie Blackmore and others have all incorporated comedy into their solos...sticking in a little excerpt of a silly melody in an otherwise too self-indulgent bit.

 

But, I would offer that...even if you're not George Lynch or Zakk Wylde...tossing a brief spotlight solo at the beginning of a ass-kicking song can be a great excitement-builder for the crowd. Not in front of every song...just a key piece.

[Bbach1]

This is an excellent thread. How many times I put on some Allman Brothers to listen to the long solos always spanked in between the chorus lines. I love listening to the two leads playing against each other.

Hey, we need rhythm and bass, especially to get the women shaking their stuff, but as a guitar lover, I'll take a "great" solo any day. I don't mean the "I can play scales really fast and do bends and hammer ons and pull offs and don't really understand harmonics" solos. I mean great solos. I mean music that speaks to the rhythm of the song. Yup. Solos. They'll never be passe in my music room.

[Justus A. Picker]

The "spotlight solo" probably isn't fashionable today but as a form of musical expression it's far from passe. I'm not a huge fan of the pre-composed solo wankfest as a mandatory part of a show, but if it's a spontaneous, improvised "let's see what I can get out of this plank today" thing it can be very cool.

[Tedster]

But, I'm talking about the solos that don't speak to the rhythm of the song...because the song hasn't started yet. No bass, no keys, no drums, no vocals, no rhythm guitar...

 

Just WHOMMMMMMMMRRRRRR....meeedly meedly meeedly MEEE~EE~EE~EEE~EE~~~~~~

[Dr. Ellwood]

Originally posted by Tedster:

But, I'm talking about the solos that don't speak to the rhythm of the song...because the song hasn't started yet. No bass, no keys, no drums, no vocals, no rhythm guitar...

 

Just WHOMMMMMMMMRRRRRR....meeedly meedly meeedly MEEE~EE~EE~EEE~EE~~~~~~

OH THOSE!! TEE HEE HEE ...YEAH gotta have those!!

[Darklava]

If i was asked to do it yeh but i don't push it.

[Tedster]

Originally posted by Darklava:

If i was asked to do it yeh but i don't push it.

Well, and that's kinda what I'm getting at...as if being "asked" to do one kinda defeats the purpose. Something like that, IMO, should almost be spontaneous. It can be prearranged to the point where you have something worked out...or at least a rough draft, but whether or not you do one is kind of dependent on the moment...being hit by the spirit, so to speak.

[Dr. Ellwood]

Yeah, like the time I saw Jonnny Winter ..walk onto the stage, turn around, faced his amps and Holy Toledo... just cut loose for about two minutes of the most inspired, tear your face off lead work I ever heard, I mean it was scarey!! what a friggin GENIUS!!!!

[Darklava]

Originally posted by Tedster:

Originally posted by Darklava:

If i was asked to do it yeh but i don't push it.

Well, and that's kinda what I'm getting at...as if being "asked" to do one kinda defeats the purpose. Something like that, IMO, should almost be spontaneous. It can be prearranged to the point where you have something worked out...or at least a rough draft, but whether or not you do one is kind of dependent on the moment...being hit by the spirit, so to speak.

So your saying we get done with a song the fans

are going wild and i just drop to my knees and

start soloing with my teeth spin it up in the air

catch it behind my back go in to a eruption type

of thang then burn my guitar?

Can i be in your band cuz i don't think the fellas would go for that...i can see them rolling their eyes now

[Gruupi]

I guess the reason soloes became unfashionable is that for a while they were almost considered mandatory. So every decent guitarists, drummer, bassist, tuba player felt that they needed to take a solo every set. That lead to many people who really didn't have much to say musically boring audiences with some fast licks and scales.

 

There just needs to be a balance. If an artist can make a solo instrumental statement then by all means they should go for it. If they are just playing a solo because they think they have to, or because they heard someone else do it and they thought it would be cool, then please spare the audience from your self indulgence. There are not many rock musicians left that have both the chops and the musicality to pull off a decent 3 minute improvisation, its a shame since when it works it can be the highlight of the show.

[Tedster]

Keep in mind, I'm NOT talking about a 5 minute wankfest. I'm talking about 20-30 seconds at most of guitar sizzly sizzle...leading up to a song intro.

 

If you read what I was saying, Dark, I was sort of suggesting that "the moment should dictate whether or not a guitar solo is appropriate". But if you want to play with your teeth, be my guest...

 

Scenario A: You're playing a live show, say an outdoor festival type gig. There are a few disinterested parties half watching you. Not much of a crowd, sort of all ages...retirees, families with kids. Your set is kinda stiff as a result.

 

Scenario B: You're playing a live show, say an outdoor festival type gig. The band has been pumping, there are crowds pressed right up to where you're playing, dancing and partying. The end of each song is met with whoops and applause. The atmosphere is electric..you're tearing it up. It's the last number...and you've got a scorcher planned...you're gonna go out with a bang.

 

Now...if it were me...scenario A would never, ever get a solo. The energy, the moment, just isn't there, not at all. If you play a solo, it won't pump up the crowd. It'll more that likely just piss off what few listeners you DO have.

 

Scenario B is another story. The moment is right. It's still your option as to whether or not to go for it...but, at least the atmosphere is DEFINITELY conducive to putting some brief fireworks before the song.

[Bluesape]

I try to keep my solos under 12 minutes.

[Darklava]

If you read what I was saying, Dark

http://webpages.acs.ttu.edu/michill/steve%20martin.jpg

well excuuuuuse!!me!

[Eric Iverson]

Well, what's "passe" in one circle is mother's milk to another. I don't think hot lead guitar probably means the same thing today to most kids as Hendrix meant to me as a kid and EVH a few years later, but there are still plenty of people who enjoy hearing a good guitar solo, and even endeavor to do it themselves!

 

I agree with Picker that lead guitar can and should be more than "mindless wanking". We shouldn't judge the art form solely by the excesses of some people, who actually were probably very good at what they did. Just too much of a good thing....

 

And there is a certain amount of responsibility on our part to listen to what the artist is actually doing, not just ten seconds' worth, and now "this guy sucks." The guy might have spent ten years getting to the point where he could do those ten seconds well...

[picker]

As far as spotlight solos, where the band leaves the guitar-hero-in-residence on the stage to whizz his wizardry all over the frantic throng, I'd say it really depends on who the guitar hero is. One of my favorite live albums of all time is Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes "Survival of the Fittest". Nugent, who was at that time the reason for the band, took a number of spotlight solos that ripped my head off. I didn't have any problem with it then, I don't now. On the other hand, I have been to concerts where great guitarists, people whose playing is beyond reproach by the likes of me, didn't play one spotlight solo(at least not of the sort Sweaty Teddy did) and lost my interest after about 45 minutes. Phil Keaggy is that way. I mean, he is the nicest guy in the world, and he does everything possible with and without loops, and it's great. His mastery isn't in any sort of question, but after you've seen it all, what then?

 

I have no doubt that any of us could come up with two to five minutes of dazzling guitar if we worked on it for a while. But a solo like that is as much about showmanship as it is chops. It's about making the hard stuff look easy and the aesy stuff sound hard. It's not enough just to play fast and flashy, it's about involving the crowd, pulling them in on rather than leaving them on the "outside" to marvel at your ability. That is what makes good music of any sort, solo or ensemble.

[Justus A. Picker]

Originally posted by Picker:

As far as spotlight solos, where the band leaves the guitar-hero-in-residence on the stage to whizz his wizardry all over the frantic throng, I'd say it really depends on who the guitar hero is. One of my favorite live albums of all time is Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes "Survival of the Fittest". Nugent, who was at that time the reason for the band, took a number of spotlight solos that ripped my head off. I didn't have any problem with it then, I don't now. On the other hand, I have been to concerts where great guitarists, people whose playing is beyond reproach by the likes of me, didn't play one spotlight solo(at least not of the sort Sweaty Teddy did) and lost my interest after about 45 minutes. Phil Keaggy is that way. I mean, he is the nicest guy in the world, and he does everything possible with and without loops, and it's great. His mastery isn't in any sort of question, but after you've seen it all, what then?

 

I hear Keaggy completely differently than you do. He's so melodically innovative that when he's "on" he can mesmerize me with a 20 minute solo. Not that he's always inspired though, I've caught him on many nights when his improvisations were lackluster. Better than anything I could come up with but not his finest.

[GuitarPlayerFL]

Originally posted by Big Red 67:

No. I do have to say I don't really solo anymore. I am working on serving the song more and me less.

That means you are an old man.

[Hairfarmer]

Originally posted by Tedster:

[QB] Having read the posts...it seems like this is the tone from many who catch what I'm getting at...

 

"If the guitar player can do something interesting, unique, and new...then I say go for it".

 

Good answer...if we're performing for other guitar players. But, what if we're using a brief spotlight solo to build excitement from the audience? Not a real long spotlight opus, a brief "audience excitement generator".

 

This more or less reflects the reason I only solo for 60 seconds at the end of one of our originals. The particular song is always positioned at the end of our third set, for many reasons. One would be because by this time, it's approaching midnight or so, and if the alcohol has flowed (and it always does), the patrons eat up a solo. Another reason we do it when we do, is for an added measure of suspense to keep them in the club until they have to be lead out by bouncers. It seems to work.

 

As for adding comedy, the solo is never the same two nights in a row. It's always an improvised mix of emotionally played chops, but the middle of the solo is always good for a few bars from a whimsical them song...the Stooges intro, Looney Tunes theme, Get Smart, Flintstones them, Jetzons theme, etc., and then a close with a dynamic shred that always leaves them ready for the next set.

 

It seems cliche' and somehwat passe' to me everynight that I do it...but it still gets excellent response, so we've kept it in the show. When it fails to produce results, or my fingers become so arthritic that the chops arent there anymore, I'll be the first one to pull the trigger on it. But, even after that time comes, I'll still take joy in watching others solo. It's like dancing...if you've got moves, cut a rug BABY!

[Arjay]

No.

 

Hi Tedster. Holy cow. I haven't logged in here since 2002. Hope all is well with you.

 

Rick.

[chubby]

any kind of solo for soloing sake is all the time crap

[Tedster]

Heya Arjay, where ya been?

 

Chubster...I will put forward that it's not soloing for soloing's sake. Mainly to build audience excitement.

[Sleaze_Disease]

Originally posted by chubby:

any kind of solo for soloing sake is all the time crap

That's just a generalization that really isn't true. To say that every solo that is done for "soloing sake" is crap is a narrow minded way to think. Sure, some of it could be a bit much at times, but they don't all suck.

 

And I agree with Tedster, it's more of a way to get the audience pumped up, but they all don't suck.

[Tedster]

Thanks, S.D...

 

There will always be naysayers. (shrug)

[Bbach1]

Well, let me inject another one of my incredibly well thought out insights into the "pre-song solos".

 

If you feel it, go for it.

[Hardtail]

Guitar solos aren't passe! MORE GUITAR! MORE GUITAR!

 

http://www.mtv.com/onair/beavisandbutthead/images/mainpage/meet_cast.jpg

[Hardtail]

Originally posted by Xplorer:

If you guy's are having trouble finding guitar leads in todays music, maybe you should be looking toward heavy metal. Leads are back, and better than ever. Heavy metal is becoming, again, one of the genre's of music that demands smooth, accurate, and thoughtfully composed leads. The days of covering up shitty playing with mounds of god awful grunge distortion are over, and the caliber of music and musician is rising dramatically over the past 5 years, and hopefully the shitty metal bands that have been treading water in the sea of MTV will soon drown. Trivium, All That Remains, and Between the Buried and Me all are wicked bands with great leads.

Really? All I ever hear from any new metal bands is Drop D, muddy sludging, diad chord cranking shit! Oh... and Cookie Monster is always the lead singer. That little bastard gets around.

[Darklava]

http://www.doobiebros.com/i/newspics/DoobBike2.jpg

Nice!!