The Next Step

[Jaded]

Hey there,

I've been playing just under two years now. #I've learned the scales and chord positions and can "improvise" decent sounding breaks at bluegrass speeds in jam settings.

However, I still struggle with improvising melodic as opposed to licks based breaks. #To use someone else's description my notes sound "appropriate for their setting" but don't have much to do with the song being played usually.

Thus far I have really not spent much focused time learning, but I've been invited to join a local band and I'd really like to devote some time to improving, particularly in the areas of incorporating more melody in my playing, improve my kickoffs and endings and improving my backup beyond a straight rhythm chop.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on instruction materials or learning methods y'all would recommend for learning to play and then later improvise around the melody to songs and generally what approach you would take if your goal was to be able to get 15 songs stage ready by this time next year.

Thanks,

J

[Ron Landis]

I don't think there is any "formula" that can be taught how to incorporate melody into an improvised break. This is something that comes with developing an ear for music in general. I would suggest just keep playing as much as you can and work on as many different melodies you can even if they are outside the bluegrass genre.

[Michael H Geimer]

Jaded,
I'm pretty much right where you are, but I joined that band. Actually, I was already in a band, but 'replaced' myself with a different guitar player, so now I play mandolin.

I imporvise all my breaks, but definately script out any kick-offs. During breaks I concentrate on mimicing the melody as best I can. When I lose the notes of the melody line, I will at least continue to mimic the phrasing of the vocal line. In essence, holding on to whatever I can of the original vocal line. It really helps give shape to the overall break, as it remains familiar to the listener on a base level.

This sort of practice has improved my lead playing enourmously, but I still have a lot more work to do.

Definately join that band!

- Benig

[solerydr]

I have the exact oposite problem as you. I can improv very melodic licks but if I have to improv speed licks, I have to build up to it or play something Ive worked out in advance. Ive been playing for about 2 yrs, but Ive played gtr for 20. If your more experienced on gtr you might try developing a melody technique on it then transposing to mando. My band has been playing live for about 8 months, and were building quit a following. As a matter of fact, weve got a promoter putting a trip to Japan together for us and another band. Click the sight below and go to the MP3 page and listen to Lost Pines. I do 2 melodic solos that you might like if your into some melodic stuff. We dont consider ourselves blugrass by any means. We incorperate to many influences to be specific.

[Jaded]

Thanks for the responses so far. Benig, I did join the band, which is why I need to learn 15 songs It's everyone in the groups first experience with such a thing, so our "band leader's" goal is to try and focus on getting 15 or so songs ready for next summer.

Joining the band is basically the reason I want to try and focus my efforts a bit more, rather than just kinda meandering along like I have been.

I'm actually now in two bands it seems, so I suppose I should at least have plenty of motivation to practice.

J

[Zed]

Joinging the band will be a great way to solidify your playing and provide much needed motivation as well. It forces you to nail some things down. As Benig mentioned, it can also make you pay more attention to melody playing, which can be much more demanding than just plowing thru some licks. As i've said in another thread somewhere, it takes more skill and technique to keep the melody intact and do something creative with it than it does to run thru your 1/2 dozen pet riffs.

[Michael H Geimer]

15 songs by next summer, eh? Seems about right, but I hope you'll think about playing some 'starter gigs' in about six months.

It's my opinion that bands - and people - often wait too long before getting out in public. After about six months, a band has usually 'settled in' with each other's different swings, and rhythms. That's the time to get out in front of people, at least on some basic level.

Now, often a group still feels like they have to work out 'this break', or 'that change' better lest they embarrass themselves in front of a crowd. But honestly, those first gigs as group will offer many surprises and present many unanticipated issues no matter how much preparation goes into it beforehand. By getting out live 'sooner' rather than 'later', you can start working out the details of stage performance early on - like what to do if you just can't hear the person who usually feeds you a cue. The small details of your arrangements will naturally evolve and work themselves out, and your audience will liklely never notice the 'simplified break' you threw in 'cuz you weren't up to speed with your 'real one'.

Chances are people will enjoy hearing your music, and that's the best part ... so why wait any longer than you have to?

There is just no more 'tried-and-true' method for whipping a band into shape than playing live! Break a leg when you're all out there!

- Benig