Smooth Jazz Guitar: Blog

So.... what makes Clapton's solos sing, Hendrix's solo's burn, Charlie Parker's solo's sizzle? The key ingredient---- A lyrical, vocal quality to their playing. Do this: put on one of your favorite solos on any instrument and listen carefully a few times. Then, put on some Stevie Wonder or Pavoratti or Sarah Vaughan and listen again very carefully. Do you notice the lyrical/ vocal similarity of the flow of your favorite soloist and how it has a similar quality to the aforementioned vocalists? This is the the key and it separates the men/woman from the boys/girls as regards their soloing. Is there any thing you can do to help achieve this quality? Well, read on......
 
I came up with a drill of which I got the basic idea from master jazz educator Jamie Aeborsold. It goes like this:
Play one of your favorite chords on a guitar or keyboard and sustain it. Now, listen "in your head" and let a melodic phrase flow out( keep in relatively short to start, 1-2 bars max). Now, attempt to sing [...]

So, another blog entry from yours truly-hot off the press. So, why do you play music? I'm serious, I want to know. Write me and let me know your inner most feelings on the subject.
 
As for me, I can state without reservation that when I don't play I feel like half a person.There is a completeness that I feel when the ideas are coursing thru me and out my fingers onto the strings that nothing else in life comes close to. Thereare definite sensations involved but it is not just a body sensation, its more a sensation I experience as a spiritual being. Its a feeling of instantaneous creation such as the same creation that goes into making the world around you. When I'm really plugged into it and soloing on a high level, its like there is no space separating me from the members of the audience listening and we are all one in the overall creation in progress.
Yeah!! Fun stuff to talk about! So let me hear some of your feelings on the subject.
Best, Greg

I base my improvisational approach on the famous saying by Charlie Parker, " First really learn your instrument. Then, forget all that sh-t and just play!"I take that to heart. I have worked for hours on end, year after year to really learn every note on the guitar neck. Technique wise I mainly have stressed alternate picking, but I also incorporate a good deal of slides, hammer-ons/pulloffs and sweep picking. I dont put alot of attention on technique anymore other than to warm my fingers and hands up.I listen to all kinds of music, especially but not limited to jazz players. I listen to harmony and progressions, attempting to work out the logic of them, as well as the lines played through these harmonies. I try to analyze the rhythmic ideas of the melodic lines as I listen. Somrtimes I dont do any of this, I just sit back and let the music affect me emotionally and spiritually.When I solo, I kind of just reach for a melodic idea and it usually just pops out at me to shape how I want. [...]

Hi!Now that I have you in here, here goes: I've been playing guitar now for 43.5 years and I've amassed a lot of information on guitar playing, jazz, rock, blues, technique, music theory, various other styles, arranging, composition, improvisation, etc,etc,etc.....So, let me help you out! Send me the questions that you've always wondered about in any category regarding music, and I'll put in thru the old noggin and see what I can come up with for you, or if I don't know the answer I'll make up something very convincing sounding! ( this last comment is a joke of course!)So, get them questions flowing and see if you can stump the band, namely, me!Best, Greg Smithguitarist

Before you get the idea this is going to be a droll dissertation on the subject of percussion and subdividing beats, have another thought. This is a fresh look at time and how to utilize time to realize your dreams as an artist or as a successful human being for that matter.
 
So right into it. Have you ever had a feeling of overwhelm trying to work out how the heck you were going to be able to achieve the ability to solo fluidly on your instrument on any tune? Or how would you ever be able to memorize all the tunes your band plays so you didn't have to have your head buried in a chart on stage? Or, one of the predominant one these days, how could you ever get down all the technology to be able to create a successful internet marketing strategy where you weren't stuck on the computer all day 'stead of playing your instrument or writing songs? I'm sure you've thought of your own " How will I ever.." at this point. Well, how about a simple, practical, down to earth approach utilizing [...]