Incorporating chords into solos

itsthewoo

So, I've been searching all over the place for some resource on this, and I can't seem to find any.

I've gotten my rhythm playing down, and I'm starting to seriously practice arpeggios and scales/modes, but I'd like to incorporate chords into solos. I see it done all the time during guitar solos for gypsy jazz as well as other jazz styles, but I'm still not entirely clear on the choice of the voicing/chord, especially since the chords are often used melodically rather than just as a rhythmic hit.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Mark DS

You might find these videos helpful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKfCn738U8 to start; there are four of them (at least).

Michael Bauer

I don't know where you are, but Barry Warhaftig of the Hot Club of Philly is particularly good at using chords in his solos. You might try contacting him via their website. Tell him I said "hi".

The early Robin Nolan Lick Book had some ideas for using chords in soloing, and you can take snippets from his chord solos and fill in the gaps with single notes until it feels right. To be honest, I can't remember if the later Lick Books had chord solo ideas.

itsthewoo

Block chords! That's what that technique is called. Thanks very much!

lacrossehotclub

I recently came across this version of Everybody Loves My Baby by Fats Waller. There's a swingin' chord solo at 1:20. Lots going on - block chords, chromatic shifts, slides, Dark Eyes quote, b5 subs - but feels accessible with a bit of work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dvsf7nv5Vg&feature=related

Leadsheet available here http://www.wikifonia.org/node/5977


Anyone happen to know who the guitar player is?

itsthewoo

Looks like it's Al Casey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Casey_% ... itarist%29

That solo is pretty damn swingin'. It's a great recording for sure.

MichaelHorowitz

itsthewoo wrote:

So, I've been searching all over the place for some resource on this, and I can't seem to find any.

I've gotten my rhythm playing down, and I'm starting to seriously practice arpeggios and scales/modes, but I'd like to incorporate chords into solos. I see it done all the time during guitar solos for gypsy jazz as well as other jazz styles, but I'm still not entirely clear on the choice of the voicing/chord, especially since the chords are often used melodically rather than just as a rhythmic hit.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Study the three and four note voicings that Django used on the treble strings. The Gypsy Rhythm book has them all in the chord dictionary in the back. Also, study Django's unaccompanied pieces, he does extensive chord melody passages in those pieces.

Good luck!

M

Guillaume

Over on the French forum there is thread on this topic with some tab examples you might find useful

http://guitarejazzmanouche.com/forum/vi ... =4&t=23553

Let me know if you have trouble with the French, I can help. Pretty self explanatory though.

Guillaume

Guillaume

And I just remembered the Givone book has a section on chord solos.