Approaching Composition: Crafting Your First Solo

Okay, so I'd just like to talk to you a little bit about ways to approach composing a solo for the first time. This can serve as a checklist of things to bear in mind, consider, and experiment with that can help you create a really authentic-sounding stylistic solo.

Get In The Zone

First of all, the most important thing is to sit back, put the guitar down, and listen to the space that you've got to fill with your solo.

• What's going on in there?
  • What's the drummer doing?
  • What rhythms are involved?
  • What are the chord changes?

It's crucial to get a good sense of the vibe. If you've reached this point in a song, you're probably familiar with many of the chords you'll be playing over and the key of the song. But if you're unsure, it's essential to identify:

• What key are you in?
• What scales might you use when starting your improvisation?

Structuring Your Solo

Next, think about how you'd like your solo to be structured.

• How much time do you have?
  • 4 bars?
  • 16 bars?
  • 32 bars?

This will dictate how hard you can go from the start. It's easy to fall into the trap of launching in with your flashiest licks only to realize you have 30 more bars to fill. Instead, we want the solo to:

• Start strong
• Build to a big finish before transitioning to whatever comes next, a bridge, breakdown, or drum solo.

Consider the general shape of your solo, which will often be dictated by the time you have.

• Can you take your audience on a roller coaster ride?
• Or will it remain fairly flat due to limited time?

Also, from a practicality point of view:

• Where was your last chord?
• Are you starting your solo too high on the neck if your last note was deeper?

Think about a smooth transition in and out of your solo so it sounds professional.

Understanding Chords and Notes

As I mentioned, knowing the chords you're playing over is essential.

• Track your chords: You should be able to stop yourself at any point within your solo space and identify the underlying chord (e.g., C minor 9 or D7).

Be aware of where those chord tones are so you can target them.

• Consider these extensions as you delve into ninths and elevenths, accent them.
• If they're featured underneath your playing, it can create a pleasing sound.

For example:

• If you have a C minor 9, make a note of the D note within that chord, and feature it at the right moment.

The Power of Space

Another critical aspect is not filling all the space.

• Reflect on your favorite solos, many contain an element of space, not just relentless notes.
• In contexts like funk, soul, or classic rock, it doesn't need to be a wall of notes.

Having space and definition between phrases is something your ear enjoys. Also, remember:

• You don't need new ideas all the time.
• Reusing rhythmic or melodic phrases from earlier in the song helps integrate your solo within the piece.

This technique can create a sense of continuity, making listeners more engaged.

Practical Example

A personal example to illustrate this is from the "Mind the Gap" solo I did for my grade 8 performance.

• The transcription at bar 5 features a G minor 9 chord followed by a C minor 9 chord.

I approached this part compositionally and wrote it out instead of working from an improvised solo, especially since there were a lot of changes. At that point:

• I aimed to feature the ninth interval in the G minor 9 chord.
• I created a phrase outlining all the notes in that chord, then took the same rhythm for my C minor 9 chord.

It's one of my favorite moments in the solo. You can imagine the chords behind the phrases thanks to the chord tones and rhythmic similarity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, don't feel pressured to fill your space with all new content.

• Steal from earlier phrases.
• Create themes.
• Repeat phrases you like that complement chord changes.

I hope this guide is useful! Good luck with composing your own solos.