I hope this is appropriate to post here. It’s only the second time I’ve posted anything, my first being a couple of years back. I’m still a beginner (in standard) and welcome any criticism.
This is obviously a solo to a Comfortably Numb backing track. I’ve tried to get as close as I currently can to a simplified version of the first solo (rather imperfectly), but the second part is just me improvising.
A couple of confessions. Firstly I had a few false starts, and the final choice was from 3 recordings that I managed to complete, all with flaws. This version originally contained a note where I hit the wrong string which rather ruined the whole thing, so I patched it with a couple of seconds from one of the other recordings. I hope this is in order.
Justin’s YouTube channel pretty much got me started three and a half years ago and at the age of 71 I keep trying.
Yes, I find just improvising to a backing track much easier than trying to reproduce a “proper” solo. Unfortunately I find myself going round the same circles until I’m bored, and that’s where I’ve been for about 18 months. The next step up (which I take to be fitting notes to the current chord) is such a huge jump it seems too daunting.
I thought I’d try a bit harder to learn something, so that’s why I’ve been learning the first solo here. I’m hindered by fingers that won’t seem to move fast enough, a lack of good technique leading to string noise, inaccurate bends, timing, etc, and an inability to remember the sequence. The tension here in the first part is me trying to concentrate on getting it right, coupled with something approaching fear as soon as the camera is rolling
It needn’t be. You can start really simply - get a slow loop with just two simple chords and just play a few notes from the chord, perhaps just one or two notes per chord. It’s awesome practice to get you thinking about the underlying chords that are passing by.
Completely normal of course - just do more of it! The more you do, the easier it gets - I record myself all the time these days - nothing fancy, mostly just propping up an iphone on a table.
Dave there are 2 main directions to take for following the changes which will help.
The first is simply change the scale you’re using when the chords change. For example if the song you’re soloing over is a 1 4 5 chord progression in let’s say the key of C the chords would be C F G.
So you can simply change the from the C Major/Pentatonic(Major or minor) scale to the F Major/Pentatonic(Major or minor) scale or G Major/Pentatonic(Major or minor) scale as the chords change.
To keep it simple at first stick with one scale shape like the E shape(pattern 1) for each chord change.
The second is to stick with the parent scale in this case the C Major/Pentatonic(Major or minor) scale and target the chord tones of each chord by starting on the R 3rd or 5th of each chord. Because the notes in the Chord C F G are all in the C Major scale you can follow the chord changes with in the scale it’s self.
This takes a little more thinking and planning.
I thought that was awesome! Sounded great with the backing track and I liked the improvising a lot. Sounded super clean for someone who is “a beginner”
Sounded good to me.
Soloing is not exactly my forte, but sing the solo then try to play it. As for speed - some of us are built for comfort - some for speed.
2 notes in 10 seconds will most likely always sound better than 10 notes in 2 seconds.
Good work David.
A timeless solo, both part 1 and 2.
I sensed alot of the tension you were referring to, as some of the first part became a little disjointed.
Its just a matter of relaxing into it a bit more. Working on reducing tension, as an actual practice item, I have found can be very beneficial.
I noticed with a lot of your bends that you are pushing up with your fingers, rather than utilising the natural rotation of your wrist. This makes it difficult to consistently hit the correct pitch and maintain the correct timing.
Of course, Dave Gilmour makes it all look so natural.
Lots of stuff to like in the improv, and you seem to be navigating your way around the fretboard pretty well. This is a good foundation for your next move into more chord based soloing, so dont be too intimidated. What else would we rather be doing .
As some others have said, start targetting chird tones over just one or two chords maximum. Using triads is particularly helpful in this.
Sounding very nice Dave, super tone for this tune.
As for the recommendations, I agree pretty much with everything people have suggested so far.
That first solo is surprisingly hard to nail - I know you said you simplified it, but all the essentials were there. There were a few tiny timing issues, but sounding really good for three and a half years work!
Hi Shane, thanks for your comments and for pointing out the bend issue. It’s something I’ll have to work on. Perhaps it will fix the “howling cat” sound I seem to get on bends
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quite a following in Aus now but not too many over this side:roll_eyes: