Lyrical Soloing

[scott]

I'm just an old fart who sings a bit ...

... and I'm just an old singer who farts a bit. :rolleyes:

[epauley]

Hmm…doesn’t it seem like redbaron should have muddhole’s avatar? Ha! Sorry guys…couldn’t resist.

I have read accounts that the music industry is in trouble, principally because of technology. Thanks to technology, consumers can be more select in what they listen to. The downside to having greater options is fewer people have parallel experiences. So, how does this relate to this topic? Let me return to my niche theory (now, don’t sigh) and use Rock to illustrate my point.

In the beginning, Rock and Roll was a very broad category of music. Performers as varied as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Dwaine Eddie, along with many others were influenced by R&B, country, blues, folk, jazz and gospel. As technology progressed (e.g., more specialized FM radio stations) Rock and Roll divided into multiple and much smaller subdivisions. Consumers had the freedom to listen to what they liked as well as avoid everything else. Jimmy Page and George Benson were suddenly at different places on the radio dial. Society’s common experiences became less and less common.

Ironically, with many more choice, we choose less. Numerous musical niches have formed even smaller vacuums. A great guitarist from a particular genre is unlikely to be heard in a broader market. They are still inventing fantastic guitar solos but listeners must seek them out and spend time with their offerings (another result of overwhelming choice is that we jump from experience to experience).

The good news is places, like SWW forums, unite a variety of artists who influence each other. In effect, technology brings the likes of fooks, young wild bill, mickey and yes, even gator together to the same place in time and virtual space.

Instead of lamenting my friends, let’s celebrate that we’re on the edge of a new frontier. Any guitarist worth their salt, young or old, cannot deny the instinctive desire to advance the craft.

Finally, an aside… all the guitarist mentioned above in this thread are amazing. I am a big Satriani fan but David Gilmore (IMO) is among the greatest when it comes to expressing emotion that fits any given theme.

[Wedgebill]

Your Missus buy you a new soapbox for Christmas Ed ?

Young or Old, I've been lovin' to hear people play geetar for 50 years or more now and for me the greatest thing of all is SWW is allowing us all to get together, do it, listen to it and talk about it.

The music industry has been totally corrupt as far back as I can remember :rolleyes:


Old Father William

[epauley]

Okay, I promise to step down. The soapbox is reserved once again for gator.

[gatorjj]

No no Ed, you wrote enough for both of us!

[epauley]

Once again, the trap is sprung!

[gatorjj]

I'm a Moderator...and therefore I'm watching you....

[Muddhole]

I think what your overlooking is the over popular use of drop tuning. Everyone does it and honesty I think it takes away from soloing. I have yet to hear a great solo from a dropped tune song. Maybe I haven't heard enough but from what I have heard it's pretty lame.I was talking with Kurdt Vanderhoof from Metal Church a while back and I asked him about drop tuning and he said it's crap. LOL Old School guy.. He pretty much said that instead off drop tuning "learn to play better riffs!!" I hear ya about the fresh new talent. i know one guy here who is 20 that blows me away by far and he has taken the classical route and puts it in his metal. That should be the way to go but Muddhole is right. The new generation doesn't want to sit and learn they want to play and they opt for drop tuning because in my opinion is easier than the old standard. And it's sad..

Eddie Van Halen drop tunes on Unchained and probably others.

[ShredRex]

He does on 5150 too, but that is a very tricky tune to play. I believe in both cases it is only the E string tho.....not a full drop or funky alternate tuning.

I personally despise and detest 1 finger power chords and think they should be banned....there that should open a can of worms Let the flaming begin!!!

PS - Don't hate me because I am beautiful!

[gatorjj]

Sorry ShredRex, I hate you because you are beautiful! :rolleyes:

[GuitarSlinger]

When I play drop d, I usually am doing power chords with five strings. I love the full sound of these type of chords.

[pooterpatty]

Drop tuning is cool when it's done tastefully, but I agree that it's overdone. I mean, Led Zeppelin knew how to make a song heavy without using ANY electric guitars. Now they're making special guitar amps that will handle the extra low end for these clowns because they think they have to tune their guitars down to B to be heavy.

But I digress, too much talk of how it used to be back in the old days will show my age, and pretty soon I'll be sitting on the front porch reminiscing with Uncle Bill

[Wedgebill]

New guys on the porch buy the beer !!!!

[epauley]

Here, I must agree with the beautiful Mr. ShredRex (of course, now we have to hate you) and the rapidly aging pooterpatty. I never use one finger power chords. For me, it’s akin to drawing with a ruler.

That being said, I think it is acceptable to employ so-called tricks (I prefer techniques) when it’s allows the guitarist (such as EVH) to create an otherwise impossible phrase.

Of course, I don’t own one of those newfangled self-playing Line 6 guitars like our beloved Wild Bill.

[ShredRex]

Ah Ed you flatter me!

LOL

Gator just creeps me out at times!

LMFAO