What is the purpose of a solo?

Subject: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: MichaelM
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 03:12 PM

I just realized that I have a built-in resistance to instrumental solos in the midst of a song. I have no clue as to the purpose of a verse or chorus of instrumental improvisation. I often have worked in a reiteration of the melody into an arrangement (but now realize that I have no idea why). What I play isn't jazz (where the tune may become a kite to be played out as far from its origin as possible). Why am I separating the verses with an instrumental pause?

A few groups I played with demanded an instrumental solo from me. Once it was created,though,I tended to stick with the same solo lick every time.

Thoughts?

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Kim C
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 03:36 PM

Solos and other instrumental breaks help to give songs variety and interest. Especially with some of the traditional ballads, that are very LONG, and are all verse and no chorus, an instrumental break is a welcome change of pace for the players and listeners.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 03:39 PM

Practically speaking, sometimes a solo can give you time to catch your breath. Provide a break in the action, if you're doing a longish song. I think they should further the impact of the words, not show off any hot licks one may, or may not have. I also agree that some songs don't need a solo.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:06 PM

You have asked a really good question--there are several answers, of course, depending on what kind of music you play, and what that music is for--

The first answer(and the main one) is to kill time--A lot of songs only have three verses and a chorus, or anyway, people only know three verses and the chorus, and if it is a quick tempo, that takes about a minute and forty seconds--throw in a solo on the chorus and a repeated verse at the end, and you are right there around two and a half minutes, which is just about the right amount of time(there is a recent thread where we discussed why this seems like the right amount of time, but I forget the name of it)--When you play for a dance, people want the tunes to last a bit longer anyway, more like 4 minutes and up, and of course, you may need your songs to last longer because you don't have a lot of material (a singer/guitarist who doesn't have intros and solos for each can burn through about 20 songs in a 45 minute set)

The Second answer is--to satisfy the creative needs of people in the band (or, less charitably, "ego") that is, to give them a change to show off some chops, do a little thinking, and to give them something to look forward to, so the won't always complain about how talented and unappreciated they are--

The third answer is to take the music down a level be more background music (often people want to hear music, but not necessarily have to pay attention to it, and it is easier without vocals)

The fourth answer is that you play mostly instrumental music(not necessary to be jazz for improvisation, and not necessary to improvise, either, a lot of instrumental music is totally written out)

These answers don't necessarily help you with the real question, which is, "how do I figure out what to play when it is my turn to solo?"

Your idea about working out a solo and and using it repeatedly is a real good one(although it is better not to use the same solo in every song, I have seen many rock and blues guitarists who do just that). The truth is that you are going to do a lot better if you work something out ahead of time than if you "improvise", and, while you don't get extra applause or extra pay if the solo is spontaneous, it can be embarrassing if you try to make something up on the spot and it doesn't work out--(Lee Koenitz, the sax player, told a story about being really stoned one night while he was working with Stan Kenton's Orchestra--he stepped up to take his solo, and he was listening to get a feeling, and before he knew it, the break was over)

I once had a pick-up job with a country band who used the same instrumental break in every tune--it sounded a lot like"QuackQuack here, QuackQuack there, Here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quackquack"

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:28 PM

Then of course there is the Ballad of St Anne's Reel (probably lots of others too) that I don't feel work anything like as well without the instrumental (the actual reel) between verses.

Jon

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Don Firth
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:28 PM

In ballads and some songs, an instumental break (provided you don't distract the audience with a display of technical razzle-dazzle) can provide a dramatic pause in the narration.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: SharonA
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:41 PM

As a solo performer, it's a handy way for me to save my voice during a long evening's gig; otherwise, I'd be constantly singing, speaking to introduce songs, and speaking with the audience members during breaks... and hoping my voice would hold out till the last note of the last song!

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: dwditty
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:49 PM

MTed, you made me laugh with the quack-quack stuff

Solos are, I am convinced, a conspiracy by all the world's musicians that can do them to prevent those of us that can't from ever achieving any real success in the music business. I usually play alone - guitar and voice. I try not to just strum chords, but do a little picking as I sing. When it's time for a solo, about all I can do is pick the same thing. So, there you have it, Michael. If you can play a solo worthy of being called a solo, then you are in on this conspiracy and have no business asking the question.*BG*

dw

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:56 PM

I guess I can't comprehend how this question would even be asked. Most music I enjoy, from Blues to Rock to Celtic to Bluegrass, features two components : the song, and the musicians. The solo is a chance to let the musicians express themselves outside the basic framework of the verse structure. A good solo gives emotional support to the plot and theme of the song. I often, when playing harmonica with my group, have a basic structure to my solos, but I usually depart from this structure to "stretch out" a bit. Without that kind of spontaneity, music would sure be a hell of a lot less fun, both for the performer and the audience.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: JeffM
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 04:58 PM

Michael, the solo I would love to see YOU play is one note on each of your Laskins.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 05:26 PM

Good question -I suppose for the same reason we have choruses -to add another dimension to the song. Sometimes they seem so right, and as an unaccompanied singer, when I sing this type of song without the benefit of the instrumental, it destroys the rythmn. I guess its just part of the poetry...

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 05:37 PM

One reason noone's given, I think, is that a solo - or an instrumental break, since it's only a solo if it's one musician given a chance to show off, as opposed to ensemble playing - can be a way to allow the missing words of the next verse resurface. Takes the panic out of it. If the lines don't come back it makes it less obvious when you sing the last verse over again, or people think that's how it's meant to be. Dramatic effect.

A bit like the way you can get a single note improvisation instead of chords which is really a way of faking it while you work out what the hell key you are supposed to be playing in.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 06:09 PM

dwditty,

Technically, you realize, everything you do is a solo!

Somewhat more seriously, next time, when it's time for a solo, instead of picking the same thing, pick something different--not something more techically demanding, just something different--instead of your regular picking pattern, just play an arpeggio on each chord, or play a walking bass on the first chord, and arpeggio on the next--walking bass on the next, and throw a Chuck Berry lick(or some other single note thing) in for the last measure- Mix and match--

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: MichaelM
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 08:22 PM

More, more, more!

So far solos (exaggerating for comic intent) - make songs that are too short longer - make songs that are too long seem shorter - keep the audience hooked (dramatic effect) - give the audience a mental time-out - give the egos/creative juices of the instrumentalists a workout - enhance/support the song - allow a period of musical wallpaper - give the singer a rest - allow for a senior moment

Why do we bother with songs at all? It seems the solo is the musician's most versatile tool.

Michael

P.S. Jeff, I would love to accomodate but the rest of my lifetime is devoted to getting everything to concert pitch at the same time.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 Jul 01 - 10:21 PM

In another thread, we have been discussing, among other things, John Cage's 4'35", which eliminates the music all together, and is simply silence--it works, too!

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: InOBU
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 10:40 AM

I find solos handy for 4 reasons.
1, Irish music needs to have some dynamics built into it, droping down to one instrument helps...
B. It gives me a moment to put down the pipes and slap - up band members who are being bad little monkies on stage.
3. It gives me a moment to run off stage and see what is happening on West Wing,
Cheers, Larry

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: dwditty
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 11:02 AM

Thanks, Larry, that's two good laughs in one fairly short thread.

dw

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 12:19 PM

Even classical music has solos, but they are called "Cadenzas".

alex

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 02:22 PM

Most of the reasons for instrumental breaks listed here seem to be justifications based on practical need. While these are, indeed, important I have always felt that the most successful instrumental breaks that I have heard help to move the song forward in some way. This could be by emphasizing (or playing off) the melody, introducing a new element into the melodic or rhythmic flow (change in key, possibly), or to set up the song's resolution in the following verses or choruses.

I have always enjoyed instrumental breaks that surprise you by pulling out the song's implication, rather than those that say "Look at ME! My parents paid for a lot of lessons!" Unfortunately, in my experience guitar wanking sells a h*ll of a lot more beer than subtlety.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: GUEST,Celtic Soul
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 02:57 PM

Depending on how it is handled, it can definately enrich a song. We use several, and have found that they break the rhythm in a good sense.

This same notion is why I love Dave Matthews so much. No "A - B, A - B" in his stuff.

I also think that tagging an instrumental piece directly after a song (in the same, or a complimentary key) is also a nice way to make a piece unique.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 05:15 PM

"Senior moments" indeed. I'd have you know I've been like that with words since I was 18.

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 07:28 PM

McGrath, they do say that boys reach their peak at about age 18. Women, on the other hand, pass theirs at about 34.

:)

Ebbie

Subject: RE: What is the purpose of a solo?
From: Tiger
Date: 19 Jul 01 - 11:00 PM

Jon - you're right on about the break in St.Anne's reel.

Just heard a group in Boston do it with a fantastic fiddle break.

I'm trying to learn to flatpick it now - won't be the same as a fiddle, but when you're playing alone, what's the choice?

On second thought, you might be able to pull it off on harmonica. Anybody done that?