This Beginner's Guide to Guitar Soloing™ is brought to you by the following sponsors:
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Chord Movement
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As stated previously, playing an effective solo means more than just finding notes to fit
over chords. Inflection, dynamics and phrasing play important roles in any good solo. Let's
look at one more element that is a key component to improvisation, chord movement
or chord function.
In the broadest possible sense, chords have one of three functions, they (1) introduce a
tonality, (2) create tension or (3) resolve tension. Let's use a simple example everybody
knows; Happy Birthday, and examine it line by line for function.
Happy birthday to you introduces tonality
Happy birthday to you no change
Happy birthday dear someone creates tension
Happy birthday to you resolves tension
To be effective, every song relies on motion. Motion is created by the cycle of
tension and resolution.
Your solos should build on the function of the chords within a song. One excellent tool to
put all of the elements of a solo together is the 12 Bar Blues.
Click to learn the 12 Bar Blues
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