Need Help with Ascending and Descending Solo's
Hey Ya'll, I'm learning new stuff every day here, but I'm having trouble connecting longer runs in my soloing, I know alot of licks but I'm having trouble putting longer runs together, Ascending and Descending, I play alot out of the minor pentatonic but I'm learning how to expand beyond that but still having trouble getting longer runs instead of just Licks! I would really appreciate any input on this. Thanks, Poppa J
# 1
Originally Posted by: Poppa J... I'm having trouble connecting longer runs in my soloing, I know alot of licks but I'm having trouble putting longer runs together, Ascending and Descending ...
There are several ways to start visualizing & playing all over the fretboard.
You can learn small chunks of the diatonic major & minor scales, then play them in repeating octaves or pentatonic boxes.
Major Scale Patterns & Positions
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=453
Minor Scale Patterns & Positions
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=887
Then you can learn to link them together in order to visualize & play them across the fretboard:
Visualizing Fretboard Scale Patterns Series 1
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=419
Visualizing Major Scale Fretboard Patterns Series 2
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=898
Visualizing Minor Scale Fretboard Patterns Series 3
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=898
Visualizing Chromatic Scale Fretboard Patterns Series 4
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=462
You can also play strictly in diatonic modes in one position, 3 notes per string from low to high across the fretboard, then learn to link the patterns together.
Modes Across The Fretboard
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=370
Practicing The Modes Of The Major Scale
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770
You can also connect the pentatonic boxes in various ways:
Pentatonic Major Scale Exercise
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722
Pentatonic Minor Scale Exercise
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185
Connecting Pentatonic Patterns Series 1
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=737
Pentatonic Connecting Series 2
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=843
Pentatonic Connecting Series 3
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=914
Pentatonic Connecting Series 4
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1217
See if some of those tutorials help you master the fretboard! Have fun. :)
# 2
Originally Posted by: Poppa JHey Ya'll, I'm learning new stuff every day here, but I'm having trouble connecting longer runs in my soloing, I know alot of licks but I'm having trouble putting longer runs together, Ascending and Descending, I play alot out of the minor pentatonic but I'm learning how to expand beyond that but still having trouble getting longer runs instead of just Licks! I would really appreciate any input on this. Thanks, Poppa J
Definitely start by learning a scale sequence and apply that also over a back track to help you master this sooner rather than later. There is a ton of scale sequences but start with one you like and are n easy one mentally to grasp - this wil give you the best results and also opening your mind to the possibility of longer runs actually being a possibility for you my good sir:)
# 3
+1!
You can take it a step further and also work up the fretboard in one sustained direction ascending and then go back down the fretboard without stopping. Do this with a backing track and try quarters first then eighths etc. Then once you feel comfortable you can start composing your own lines and hit target notes in your runs - hope that helps!
Also just realized that you can do groupings of notes through the octaves and that can get you on your way to creating longer runs fast. Take the first two strings of any scale and learn them starting on each octave and that can give the motion of a long run that you don't have to think of a ton of notes.
Regards
You can take it a step further and also work up the fretboard in one sustained direction ascending and then go back down the fretboard without stopping. Do this with a backing track and try quarters first then eighths etc. Then once you feel comfortable you can start composing your own lines and hit target notes in your runs - hope that helps!
Also just realized that you can do groupings of notes through the octaves and that can get you on your way to creating longer runs fast. Take the first two strings of any scale and learn them starting on each octave and that can give the motion of a long run that you don't have to think of a ton of notes.
Regards
# 4
Originally Posted by: Poppa JHey Ya'll, I'm learning new stuff every day here, but I'm having trouble connecting longer runs in my soloing, I know alot of licks but I'm having trouble putting longer runs together, Ascending and Descending, I play alot out of the minor pentatonic but I'm learning how to expand beyond that but still having trouble getting longer runs instead of just Licks! I would really appreciate any input on this. Thanks, Poppa J
If you know a few cool licks, why not think about connecting them? Take a few minutes and think about how you could go from "that cool lick" which ends on a certain note to another cool lick just by for example putting a few notes between them.
To make it clearer, think about playing a little lick on the top 2 Strings and change it so the last note is on the third string and then repeat it.
Besides that I would listen to georgeking and learn some cool sequences, maybe start with going two notes up then one doen then two notes up again etc.
Now rock! ;)
# 5
I think that learning one-string scales will also help you a lot, because you can use that to link together the various scale patterns. Legato on one string is an art form all to itself, so take one scale pattern you know, play a lick, and link it to another scale pattern via a one string scale and then do some licks there.
Also, I would say that while being able to move around is very important, I think that many players lack the vocabulary and phrasing to do it well. The NUMBER ONE most important thing, in my opinion, in soloing, is the phrasing. This will give you a voice and unique musical identity to which people can relate.
As you are learning these new ideas and skills, focus on how it will help you make phrases. Guitar Players like Prince, who only uses 3 of his 4 fingers to play, make it onto 100 greatest guitar players of all time lists and such, based solely on their phrasing. I mean, the guy doesn't even use his pinky to play. Like, literally.
Also, I would say that while being able to move around is very important, I think that many players lack the vocabulary and phrasing to do it well. The NUMBER ONE most important thing, in my opinion, in soloing, is the phrasing. This will give you a voice and unique musical identity to which people can relate.
As you are learning these new ideas and skills, focus on how it will help you make phrases. Guitar Players like Prince, who only uses 3 of his 4 fingers to play, make it onto 100 greatest guitar players of all time lists and such, based solely on their phrasing. I mean, the guy doesn't even use his pinky to play. Like, literally.
# 6
The thing that really helped me with this obstacle was learning how to connect scales across the fretboard using the CAGED system. You learn five major scale patterns based around common chord shapes, and you work to connect them together.
Ben Lindholm and Andy Gurley both have great tutorials on this topic. It really does make a difference in helping you connect your scales, and from there you can better improve your runs and knowledge of the fretboard.
Ben Lindhom - CAGED Tutorial
Andy Gurley - CAGED Tutorial
Ben Lindholm and Andy Gurley both have great tutorials on this topic. It really does make a difference in helping you connect your scales, and from there you can better improve your runs and knowledge of the fretboard.
Ben Lindhom - CAGED Tutorial
Andy Gurley - CAGED Tutorial
Douglas Showalter
# 7
