[Dixielandjazz] Getting into your Solo

[Russ Guarino]

I was told, by an old pro, that a good solo tracks the melody line from time to time.  The audience likes it because they then know
where the solo is coming from.  The idea is that when the soloist flies away, the audience doesn't know what is going on.
I tend to do that and I've had to work on getting back to the melody once in a while.

Russ Guarino


Stephen G Barbone wrote:

> Jim makes a good point. Listen to the last notes of the previous solo
> and then repeat them, or expand on them. That is, unless there is a
> lot of applause. Then you may want to wait for 2, 4, 6, or 8 bars
> before you start your solo.
>
> On familiar tunes, practice coming in on the first bar, and then
> practice coming in on those bars mentioned above. Keep the melody in
> mind and you will be able to seamlessly get into a coherent solo. By
> knowing what the first chord of those bars is, and starting from
> there, you should be able to practice your beginning.
>
> Another thing worth mentioning is that solos should have a coherent
> end. That makes it easy for the next soloist to begin.
>
> And finally, IMO, solos should be coherent and build throughout. That
> means a logical beginning, a build up of tension and release
> throughout and finally that coherent ending which makes it easy for
> the next soloist to begin.
>
> Those learning how to solo may wish to start on what ever bar, with
> the first couple of melody notes in that bar, and then take off on the
> improv.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>
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