How To Combine Single Lines And Chords In Your Soloing

Guitar is a great instrument, let's say it

Guitar is a great instrument, let's say it.

It allows you to play melodies, chords and also to in your solos.

But, How do you blend chords and melodies?

I have spent loads of time listening and studying Joe Pass, Martin Taylor and pianists like Bill Evans.

And one of my main hurdles, I guess, was to find a balance between melody and all those lovely voicings I was studying. Most methods give you all those voicings with no practical examples on how to internalize them into your phrases.

So I started to listen carefully to what great players do in different contexts (e.g., duos, trios, or bigger ensambles) and gradually developed my personal preference for when a chord should appear in my solo. After exploring numerous styles and incorporating all the material, I noticed that there is no standard rule...but yes, the technique you use will immensely affect your choices. I like playing both fingerstyle and with the pick.

When I play fingerstyle, I always seek for a balance between basslines, chords and single lines. So, in such a context, most of my chord voicings would catch the 5th and the 6th string. This fills the lower register and, combined with bass melodic movement, gives the feeling that lots is happening in the background.

When I play with bands that include a bass player, I try to stay away from the 5th and the 6th string as much as possible, and use voicings built on the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st string.

I think that a very useful method to practice chord phrasing is to not just learn chord voicings on their own, but to build chord lines. Here's what you can do immediately:

1. Create a very short chord phrase using two or three voicings

2. Repeat it several times and play it in different keys

3. Stay with it a week or so

4. Start merging it into your language while you practice standards where the harmony suits them (or where you think they suit to the basic chord changes)

5. Then forget about it.

Very soon youll find yourself using those voicings more and more often until they become second nature.

So here it is. A practical strategy to merge chords into your solos. I hope this method will give you great results. Try to find your own variations, open your ears and let your musical preferences be the ultimate judge. There is no right or wrong in music, remember that!

Now go to your practice room and play some music!

by: Francesco Amico

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