Lead phrasing and timing

[paTz0r]

I am trying to devote my free time this summer to improving my lead guitar skills. I know many scales, sequences, patterns and licks. But, when I listen to my own improv recordings I notice 2 main flaws:

1. I still don't have good phrasing with my lines
2. I have a lot of trouble with spacing out my lines and phrases so that the lines dont feel so incoherant and rambling on.

I think the main reason I have these problems is that when I practice lead stuff I will listen to a backing track and just play through scales and licks but with no real organization or sense of a 'solo'. It mainly turns into fretwanking and sloppy shredding.

I know that I need to practice this myself, but I would really appreciate and tips on working on my lead playing. Especially things that may have helped you along the way.

Here are a few examples of the flaws I described above.

http://www.missouri.edu/~pecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Am7-CM7%20Jam.mp3 (http://www.missouri.edu/%7Epecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Am7-CM7%20Jam.mp3)
http://www.missouri.edu/~pecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Emaj%20to%20C%20lydian%20jam.mp3 (http://www.missouri.edu/%7Epecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Emaj%20to%20C%20lydian%20jam.mp3)
http://www.missouri.edu/~pecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Pats%20Dorian.mp3 (http://www.missouri.edu/%7Epecyq2/Band%20Stuff/My%20tracks/Pats%20Dorian.mp3)

[scruffles]

For phrasing, the best exercise seems to be holding your breath when you play a line. Saxophone and trumpet (and other woodwind and brass) players actually have to do this, so they're forced to have decent phrasing, but you can artificially force yourself to do this when you play guitar. And don't worry about needing to hold your breath to have good phrasing forever, because it will come naturally over time. Another piece of advice is to just study the phrasing and soloing styles of great guitarists such as Chuck Schuldiner, Frank Gambale, Paul Masvidal, Jason Gobel, John Scofield, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Andy LaRocque, Vince McAllister, Alex Skolnick, John Petrucci, Mike Romeo, etc. and apply some of their techniques to your playing.

[widdly widdly]

Somethings you might like to think about...

Phrases

You need to break you solo up up into sentences or it becomes very difficult to follow and people will stop listening and you will just go on and on noodling away and there is not much point to doing that now is there?

Pretend your are talking or singing and match the phrasing of your guitar to the way you are phrasing you words. Steve Vai recommends this and it works and lends you playing a lyrical quality.

Melodic Shape

Your phrases will have a shape. They might be going up or down or jumping around. Thinking about the shape of the lines you play will help give them a melodic quality. Rather than thinking scales all the time try thinking in terms of shape as well.

Rhythmic Variation

You can play a solo using a single note if the rhythm is interesting enough.

Repitition.

Repeating ideas helps your solo sound memorable. With no repitition it just sounds like a stream of notes and becomes boring. You don't have to repeat exactly, you can play an idea, then play a slight variation, then another slight variation etc. This sounds good and helps you get more mileage out of the ideas in your solo.

Call and Response

Try playing your solo like you are two players instead of one. Play a short phrase then respond with a another phrase. If you do this on different areas of the fretboard the effect will be more pronounced.

Dynamics

Using loud and soft passages, crescendos etc. is an easy way to add interest to your playing.

Story Telling

You leads need to be constructed on a macro and micro level. They should flow like a story instead of being a bunch of crazy licks wedged together. You might start off slow and soulful, establish a melody then add to and add to and build to crazy noodle fest conclusion. Thinking at this level will make for more memorable and exciting leads.

There is a really good Scott Henderson video called Melodic Phrasing that I got most these concepts from. If you can find it, check it out. It helped my lead playing heaps.

[paTz0r]

thanks, those sound like really good tips!

[hairballxavier]

Testify!

Say it like you mean it.

No nice kiitty cat Buulshhit

And if that donht work, scrpe guitar strinngs against speaker horns till everyonwe leaves.