Hi Tomo,
Thanks for reading my message. I would really appreciate your advice on your blues lessons and how to combine the solo and vamp/comp (I don't know the right term) parts? I have a goal by the end of the 2024 to do a slow blues improv in E with another guitarist.
I've been studying your blues: foundation lessons & recent live private YT video using triads and wondering if I'd be correct that for taking a solo I should:
-use phrasing of some kind (don't just play a scale)
-use one string solos using the pentatonic scale (and maybe blues scale)
-when using triads use the top note and bottom note (I was thinking earlier when I asked you why those notes, (and you said don't worry about the why) I thought about harmony, so there is definitely something about the two notes you use and how they combine and sound together. Are they a 5th apart? a 3rd? a 6th? anyways...lol)
-maybe emphasize the R 3 7 of the chord???
Now the bigger question is what do I play when the other artist is soloing. Should I be doing a shuffle bassline or should I be trying to do something like you teach in the R 3 7 shuffle in your technique section? I just want to keep the groove and not mess up too much since this will be the first blues improve I'll be taking part in. Secondly, what is it called when you hold down the rhythm when someone solos? Is there a musical term?
Oh finally would there be a typical bpm, 60bpm or 90bpm?? for a slow blues jam? If so I'd like to work up to the speed with a metronome to prepare.
Thanks
Your advice and knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Have a good day! :)
Thank you so much for sharing! So happy to hear that! You're very welcome! My pleasure!
I love playing E Blues! Very deep topic in rhythm guitar & soloing.
There is no wrong or correct approach in soloing! We should so anything that you are interested and hit wrong notes deeply so you will know it.
Great question!
1) Phrasing. Do not make your own! Only learn from old records. Intro, short melodic solo or melodies in blues music.
2) Learn blues shuffle bass line with a metronome.
3) Learn swing blues with R 3 7
4) Learn triads on 1,4,5 chords.
5) Record yourself while you are practicing or when you are practicing your soloing.
Limit things!
Simple solo with less notes.
Simple solo with less strings.
Simple solo with interesting rhythms & space.
Triads with bottom note & top note is just an idea... you need to cook them with something!
These are approches & ideas so that if you only play correct notes.... a little boring?
Can you ask a little less topics? Maybe 3 things?
Less is more effective!
When other is playing solo... you need to learn...
1) Simple Shuffle riffs (rhythm guitar)
2) Shuffle Bass Line ( a few choices)
3) R 3 7 groove
4) A little bit more colorful 9th chords
Those are choices and you can prepared.
But until you play with Joe Bonamassa or John Mayer or Eric Clapton...
I feel different each times so I have a few ideas and I would choose good one for each person with each feel.
Thank you!
Tomo
Comping
Hi Tomo,
I'll try to simplify the questions next time. However, I did only ask about the right word for comping, the tempo of a slow blues jam and what to do while another person solos. And I was just confirming what I do when I take a blue improv solo. Sorry if there are too many questions to ask.
Good job! I love simplicity and limitation! When I was young, I wanted to learn everything... but not great idea to do everything.
Comping! Yes! Play something tasteful to another person's solo. Very difficult to do!
No problems. I think it's better to stay focus on one thing and maybe a few things. Best to write something less than one page paper. When I ask questions to my students (in private lessons) if my student wrote two pages, then I always ask that student to write everything in one page. Think about one full glass of water! You can not pour more than one cup!
Thank you.
Tomo