Solo is an instrumental loss in a song, often at the climax of a piece. At the moment of performing a solo, the musician takes the forefront and, in fact, shifts the vocalist to the background. Solo selection is an important part of working on a piece, on which the success of the entire team of performers and the song itself depends.
Instructions
Step 1
If you are picking a solo from a song by another composer (for example, when preparing a cover version), there is no need to accurately copy the author's manner and observe all the details. Some cover bands leave only the harmonic base and the vocal part from the original version (and even then partially), and all the melodies and plays are composed anew. So learn the chord structure of your solo first.
Listen to the piece several times. Take in all the fabric at the same time first, and then turn your attention to the bass. From the third listening at the same time, try to repeat it on your instrument (if necessary, transpose up an octave).
Step 2
Record the bass part as chords arranged in measures. Each beat of a measure must correspond to a specific chord. Above the bass, write the structure of the solo: where the instrument plays, where is the pause, where are the long durations, where are the small ones. Note also the strokes used by the singer-songwriter: bends, slides, tapping, slap, etc. At the same time, try to indicate the notes that sound at the same time (better in the form of step numbers).
Step 3
Rework the solo to suit your needs: either copy it exactly or rewrite it. The second option is preferable, since there can be no exact copying, and the listener, getting used to the original, will perceive your innovations as fake. Therefore, keep only the general principle of the structure of the solo.
Step 4
When choosing a solo for your own piece, include only the rhythm section of a specific section in the midi editor. Start improvising. Consider the instruments that act as side voices: pause while playing them. In their absence, there is a lot of freedom, organize the phrasing as you see fit.
Step 5
Play the steps of the current chord. In this case, it is not even necessary to perform a specific step, it is only important to indicate the desire for it. But, if your taste does not accept the lack of stability, place the chord steps on the strongest beats. Fill the rest of the space with side sounds.
