Seventy percent of my time as a session guitarist is spent soloing and/or coming up with parts.
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These can also be considered mini
Seventy percent of my time as a session guitarist is spent soloing and/or coming up with parts.
These can also be considered mini solos or licks. Or, as we call them from a songwriting POV, hooks. A memorable little snippet that repeats through the song. Or maybe just a part to wake listeners up during the second verse.
Now, how do I come up with something out of nothing? I rarely get to hear the song before I am called to play on it. I like that word "play." That's what I am doing. Playing around with various ideas. No one expects instant magic, but it has happened. Sometimes it's quick and easy, and sometimes it's like pulling teeth. You just never know. So how do I do it? Where do the ideas come from?
One word: Experience.
Let's remember one thing right off the bat. When a person is hired to play, they are usually hired because the person who did the hiring has heard them play already. There is usually a sense of confidence. When these jobs come in the mail, I try to send back several solos and parts. Give more than is asked of me. Now how do I do it.
There are several tried-and true-methods I call upon to get me started. Here's a brief list of my top 10 life savers!
01. I SING THE SOLO FIRST. We guitarists use our hands. We fall into patterns. Now sometimes that's a good thing. But if you want to be original, sing it. It takes away your finger patterns and muscle memory and forces you into uncharted territory and new licks.
02. DECIDE ON A RHYTHM PATTERN. Begin with something slow and think whole