Re: [Harp-L] what to do during the guitar solo

Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> · Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:28:19 -0500

On Jan 9, 2005, at 10:45 PM, Garry Hodgson wrote:

as i'm starting to play with other people, i could use a little
advice about what to do when i'm not soloing.

 advice will be hard to give. It all depends on the group.
 that is, how
to acompany well.  when the guitarist is soloing, should i not
play at all?

 Some don't like you to, some DO like you to. Depends on what you can 
add. I would check ahead of time.
 or play occasional accents?  quiet rhythm patterns,
following what the drummer and bass are playing?

 This can also vary. Sometimes on CERTAIN tunes, the guitar may not 
appreciate help as they have a set way of handling their solo and may 
not want extra notes. Conversely, on the very NEXT tune, they may feel 
the extra notes are a bonus. Sometimes if the group has a leader (such 
as a keyboardist) the leader decides.
  octaves
following the chord progression?  or what?

 Yes, what you said, but at THEIR option.

there was some mention a while back of playing behind the guitar,
but i got no explanation of what that meant.

 Playing behind the guitar is just what you said. accents, chords, 
(more or less like the horn section playing accents behind James 
Brown's singing)

i'd really appreciate any advice, tips, exercises, useful mindsets,
whatever, that anyone could give me.  give me something to work
on come jam night.

 Find out what you can do to ADD to the whole enchilada. Proper mind 
set would to be flexible, fluid, relaxed.

thanks

----
Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs
Be happy for this moment.
This moment is your life.
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