Here are 3 simple but hugely effective tricks of the trade that can really spice up a solo that most begginers or intermediate players might not know of that can make the world of a differance in a solo.#1 Switch between your pick and fingers during a solo.If your burning up the fretboard playing with your pick and then want to slow it down a bit (especialy in a blues number)switch to playing with your fingers even if it is just your thumb or index finger,the whole vibe and feel will change drasticaly then when you speed up you can go back to the pick.#2-Slap that toggle switch back and forth between the neck and bridge pickups.This is a favorite move I picked up from watching JEFF BECK ,AND HENDRIX WAS BIG ON THIS TOO,SIMPLE BUT A DIFFERANCE MAKER.#3 This one I like with a lot of gain and I favor the g string . During a solo hit an open harmonic on the 5th fret-G or 7th-D OR 9TH -B AND PULL DOWN ON THE STRING BEHIND THE NUT for a wild floyd rose sounding trick.I hope these help some people out and for those who have some other cool and simple tricks in there bag please share /KEEP ON ROCKING

You can change where you pick the strings for an instant change too. I like to shift down about a quarter to half inch from the saddles sometimes. It's like switching pickups without even hitting the switch.

The switch wiggle trick is particularly effective if your bridge pickup isnt wired to the middle tone control. Take all the tone out of the middle tone and wiggle away, it gives a nearly wah sound. Hendrix used it on voodoo chile slight return on the intro where he plays a B and A bent up to B on the G and B strings.

_________________
No no and no

Dynamics dynamics dynamics! (Or, loud and soft.)

Gets so exhausting listening to a guy who plays flat out the whole time. Take it down, bring it back up. Quiet and loud licks back to back, or vary the attack within a single lick. Sometimes a whole number that's quiet: makes the next one kick more.

Asked to explain Pink Floyd's success, Dave Gilmour replied, "dynamics". He said (jokingly) that once they realised audiences responded better when you don't play everything at the same level their sales immediately started picking up...

Also, nice to set the amp just on "breaking point", where it sounds clean when you pick quietly and begins to overdrive as you pick harder. A key to expressive playing.

I think a major reason Jeff Beck is so popular is that he is a highly dynamic player. A crucial lesson for a beginner...

Cheers - C

Great sugguestions. I find space or pauses in music gives it a great dynamic as well. Various picks attacks.

Ruts I find myself falling into are the same ole licks or an over abundance of artificle harmonics. Can't help it was cutting my teeth in the hairband 80s so its not MY fault

_________________

Great post Straycat....I appreciate all the little tricks and suggestions. Like Mr. Jinks I find myself following the same old patterns and I want to slap myself.

+1

When I saw him a couple of weeks ago, the whole band had a keen sense of dynamics. Using fingers instead of picks on every tune except "Scatterbrain" helped to fine tune those dynamics.

I'm sure that there must be many clips on you tube that show this too.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi

Great tips for us Newbs!

Thanks,

Regards.

_________________
2006 Custom Shop Stratocaster Pro CC
2007 Parker NiteFly M
2008 Art & Lutherie Ami Cedar
2010 Seagull Entourage Rustic CW QI
2008 Blues Jr. Texas Red Ltd edition