Here's a Neat Trick for Improvising

[Offshore Angler]

We've all been there - midway through an improvised bluesy or jazzy solo and it just feels totally stale and even though the notes you're using are correct it just feels - meh.

Here's a tip that Warren Haynes shared that he got from Miles: When it's feeling stale, reverse your phrasing. Be silent when you would normally be playing and play where you would normally leave space. It's an amazing trick. Every time I use it within a few bars a new, interesting motif arises (condenses from the aether?) and it's off to the races usually accompanied by a huge smile from the bass player.

Just thought I'd share. It's bailed me out several times. Try it, you'll like it.


Chuck

[OldStrummer]

Cool! That's something I'll try. I recently started focusing on letting notes "breathe," (like a singer - take a breath so your notes don't just run on and on). I've done this as a running routine: When a path becomes routine and boring, just go the other direction. It works! Thanks!

[Offshore Angler]

OS, a good technique to open up a solo is to focus on your vibrato, which will also ensure that you stay locked in time as you allow for half and whole notes. Tap your delay to a quarter note and use 16th note vibrato. Instant Eric Johnson. I hear Lukather doing this too.

The thing with vibrato is you need to be dead-effing-balls accurate with timing. Practice quarter, eighth and sixteenth note vibratos at multiple tempos as part of your standard warmup. You'll never need a flanger again. When you master locking the vibrato and delay timings your sound will go from thin to huge.

Chuck