alrighty I was thinking about guitar solos while I was listening to the wall.. okay what is it? the guitarist what, goes crazy or composes off the top of his head while writing the song? or is it while playing the song? the idea I got from solos is that it's totally up to the guitarist to make whatever notes he wants, the song is their canvas and they can play whatever they want... maybe even show off... SO it's sorta... well improvised right, whatever the guitarist feels... BUT is it right for guitar solos to keep changing everytime the song is played live? if not, the guitarist writes the solo, so it sounds the same every time played live, then it loses it's well, freedom, creativity, spontaneity, because it's practised and rehearsed.... I know I'm looking way too deeply into this, but what is a solo really?
well, really... a guitar solo can be something composed and rehearsed and perfected, like any string of music that one could play. but a solo with true feeling is improvised, off the top of one's head, to fit the mood of that particular moment. it really all depends on the type of music... if it is something formulaic and radio-friendly, then the solo was probably carefully arranged. if the music is more rooted in the blues, jazz, or experimental genres, then the solo would likely reflect the spontaneity and genuine emotion of improvisation.
It depends on the song. Some solos should stay intact. Some songs lend themselves to a little exploration.
Hmm... Well, I believe that the true definition of a "solo" would describe the music as spontaneous. A riff would be pre-formualted. However, a studio recording's solo is usually planned and pre-formulated. A live solo, however, is almost always spontaneous. Take The Who for example. I have heard about 4 live versions of the song "Young Man Blues," and every version's solo is different. The riffs are always the same, but the solos always show differences. Also, not all studio solos are arranged. Take The Velvet Underground's "Sister Ray." All of the solos, applying to guitar and keyboard, in the 17-minute song are spontaneous. It really just depends I guess...
It really should all be about spontaneity, not just complete free form anarchy. Yeah, there have to be some boundaries (loooooooose ones) but the important thing is keeping the whole thing real. Music should always be real and connecting with the audience, and putting off some kind of emotion. If you're playing the blues, you gotta feel that emotion down deep. But...I think the most important thing is for a solo to get you dancing. It should never really be about flash. Clapton said the perfect solo is the one note solo. But like you said, it should be the moment when the guitarist is the painter, and you connect soul to soul.
What the hell are you guys talking about? Improvisation is all based around scales. You pick a scale and play notes around it, playing what sounds good. Most musicians(well, me at least) have riffs that they like, and remember them. Then when they do have a solo, they play them in the desired order, often mixing in notes with the scale they are in. Now I'm sure alot of guys get really into it, but I can assure you they've probably played alot of those riffs before.
improv is in the key of the song, which might change during the solo the best of the best are totally liberated and transcend the scales, fusing the fretboard into a palette of tonal colours which may be instantly accessed as the player sees fit. a superior & varied technique paired with deft rhythmic prowess and a *liberated* scalar knowledge allows the guitarist to reach great heights. The best players also know when to throw caution to the winds, take chances, and think outside the box.
Solo is just another way to show to people what you really feel. That's why i like improvisation, you can allways "say" what's on your mind...
