AKARSH SHEKHAR
How To Become Better At Improvisation
• Record yourself and listen to yourself : Today it is extremely easy to record yourself , either in a more professional way or using resources as simple as a mobile . This method should be part of your daily study routine and is one of the easiest ways to improve . In this way you will be aware if you are playing too much , if it is boring , if it does not make sense , etc . And it is that when we are playing , we are not so aware of what we are doing ( although it should not be like that ).
• Sing :
Even if you don ’ t have a good voice , it ’ s important that you sing everything you play . In addition to developing your ear , you will avoid playing excessively ( a typical defect of guitarists that wind instruments do not usually have ) and you will realize where your phrases have to “ breathe ”.
• Repeat the same lick in a different octave : A resource widely used when playing is to repeat the same lick one octave higher or lower , using the same bend , slide , or expressive resources .
• Repeat a sequence : Another type of repetition is to play a sequence , that is , a small melodic motif , but starting on another note .
• Play by ear : Every musician must develop his ability to play on his instrument whatever he hears by ear . You can practice both with the guitar and without it . And it is not only important to know the notes , but also to be able to pay attention to details such as fingering , the resources of expression , or the feeling .
• Use arpeggios of the chords in a melodic way : In styles like jazz or gypsy , the use of arpeggios to solo over harmonic progressions is essential . Unlike scales , arpeggios are more melodic and clearly define harmony .
• Chromatic notes : Chromatic approximation notes are an effective way to “ play off ” and give your solo more movement .
• Play the melody : Sometimes we get confused about wanting to do fancy things and strange things , when in a solo the most natural and effective thing is to play the melody with the appropriate variations ...
• Vary the dynamics or intensity : It is one of the most important expressive nuances and if you learn to use the great dynamic palette of your instrument , you will make your solo more entertaining and interesting .
• Use only one string : Playing a single string is a good exercise to improve your phrases because , being more limited , you will develop more creativity and play what your ear really asks for , and not what your muscle memory has learned
• Anticipate the notes of the next chord : In this way , you will give your phrases greater directionality .
• Use pedal notes and double strings to give more solidity to your solos .
• Use your low strings : While it is true that when playing melodies it is normal to use the first 3 strings , you can also use the low strings of your guitar to give your solo more projection and weight .
• Use snippets of familiar songs in your improvisations : It will attract people ’ s attention .
• Imitate the human voice : For this you have to use all the technical resources available on your instrument , paying special attention to bending , slurs , and vibrato .
• Focus on the rhythm : More important than the notes you play is the rhythm or rhythm you use . Also , try to alternate passages of fast notes with long ones and thus avoid monotony .
• Reserve the high register of the guitar for the highest and most intense moment of the solo .
• Tell a story : A solo is nothing more than a story within a theme and , therefore , it has to have a beginning , a middle , and a definite end .
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