solo breaks

[Gandalf_33]

I would like to know what approach people have the most success with as far as learning how to take the solo in the middle of the song and then get back to the rythm after the solo right where your supposed to be. Is this something people can develope or does it come naturally to most of you. It doesn't come really natural to me. Sometimes when I am off doing a solo I am not real aware of where exactly the rest of the band is espeacially if its a particularly long solo. This is why I often pre-construct all or part of my longer solos. I know I should be able to come right back into the song.

[TheDirt]

My band communicates pretty well in this area. We have when the solo should start in about every song. The length of the solo varies depending on what kind of mood I'm in. If I'm playing pretty sh**ty, then I'll signal the cutoff with a nod to the other guitarist. If I'm playing good, I feel like I oculd go on forever, and I probably would, but the other guitarist knows how long is long enough, and when he gives me a nod, I know I'm 8 bars from closing time.

If this doesn't work for you, then you could instead have your song set up like so (just an idea, not a rule)
Intro, Verse1, Chorus, Verse2, Chorus, [bridge (opt)], 16Bar Solo, Chorus, Outro.

You see, with this type of setup, you know that your solo starts after the bridge and ends 16 bars later. You should have no problem with the timing. It all come down to how much you've done it, and how well you know your band. Practice and you'll get better.

[Gandalf_33]

Thanks. I always know when I am going to do the solo its just that sometimes I don't know when I am coming back. I think your right about the experience thing. I feel like I am getting more in tune with what is going on around me all the time while I am soloing. Its cool that you and your other guitarist work like that. I'll have to see if my other guitarist us up for that.

[Tele Master]

When going from a solo to rythm I like to use the "slide all the way to the first fret technique". Say you are at the 12th fret, then u just pluck the string and slide to the first fret, or to whatever fret the first chord is on. Adds some effect and gives you a second to collect your "rythm" thoughts. Of course this doesn't work for all songs.