Death of the Guitar Solo

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:49 am

I think Brian hit on the essential element: done right. That can be anything from no solo, to an all out orgasmic shred fest, IF it resonates emotion from the listener. As we all know there is a lot of music out there with no soul, but when an artist finds expression through their choice of voice, that is where the magic and power of music prevails. I choose to speak through my guitar (among other instruments).

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:51 am

From Spiral Scratch! Great stuff.

As for Brian's comments in "Post #3134", well put.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:04 pm

My band does "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent every time we play to a standing ovation, so I don't think people dislike guitar solos, considering the song is basically a 9 minute solo.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:02 pm

You do live in Nugent country though Steve.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:45 pm

Oh yeah, playing to the people who grew up on Nugent, Seger and the MC5. Unfortunately, now we are more well known for Kid Rock, Uncle Cracker and Eminem.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 7:49 pm

"now we are more well known for Kid Rock, Uncle Cracker and Eminem."

Shudder... But just my opinion.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:09 am

"now we are more well known for Kid Rock, Uncle Cracker and Eminem."

You have my condolences Steve.

No Great White Buffalo?

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Aug 18, 2006 6:11 am

Lots of opinions on soloing. I'm not that old, but I definitely see a trend towards mediocre in many aspects of our lives. That applies to music, as well! To me, the 'I don't care attitude' of grunge and nineties music in general started ushering in poor musicianship.

Many kids just plugged into distortion boxes and hammered out power chords. They didn't have a strong background in melody, so their vocals and lead work stink. Many young drummers seem really limited these days in the number of styles they can play.

Young guitarists, particularly when comparing their work to the 60's, 70's, and 80's, are lacking in good fundamentals. Who can you truly compare from grunge and today's rock and other genre's that can hold a candle to Clapton, Beck, Page, Felder, Van Halen, Rhoads, etc? Or who can compare today to the great rhythym and lead players from Motown back in the same 'old' time period?

It just seems to me that the younger kids are producing music that is mediocre because that has become an accepted 'norm' in their lives. They like ****** guitar playing because many don't know any better. They like rap for the same reason and they think the garbage coming out of Carey, Clarkson, Spears, Simpson(s)... the list goes on, is good even though it has no bloody melody.

I laugh when I see one of today's 'hot' bands appear on Leno or Letterman. It's just a marvel to hear how truly sucky they are live. It's amazing to think these bad musicians are making money hand over fist for such awful work.

Ah, we are seeing the dumbing down of America

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:11 am

Well said Alex!

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:38 am

Thanks Alex that crystalized my thoughts on this subject precisely. I held back because I had to consider that to some at least, comments from me along those lines might be considered egotistical, because I am a product of the era that you draw comparisons to.

Again well said, IMO.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 9:26 am

I dunno.

I feel like thirty years ago, all there was was "rock" music and very few variants - you pretty much had to take it or leave it, solos and all.

Nowadays, you have lots of options when it comes to "rock". Many popular bands, all getting heavy radio airplay, are still playing extremely complex music with plenty of solos and prog tendencies - Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed and Cambria, The Mars Volta, Dream Theater, etc.

Lots of bands are playing much simpler music, but are putting emphasis on the song - obviously, you don't have to be a virtuoso to write a good song.

If you want to hear solos in modern rock, you can. If you don't want to, you don't have to.

Personally, I have very few solos in my music, if any - and it has nothing to do with my playing ability or what's en vogue. I just look at myself as a composer more than a "guitar player" or a "bass player". I write heavily layered indie/folk music - I do scores for string, woodwind and horn players and sometimes don't even end up playing anything on my songs.

I am a student of composition and have immersed myself in writing music that is friendly to people, lyrically powerful, and yet has that bit of self-serving complexity without the outlandish-ness of 70's prog rock. I torture myself writing songs instead of killing myself with a metronome playing along to Yes and Rush records - how can you call what I do "sucky"? It's all art, and just because you don't like it doesn't mean it sucks.

So you can probably imagine why a comment like "We are seeing the dumbing down of America" strikes a nerve with me - I AM the America you're talking about, and to you, I AM killing the guitar solo, and I can't say I care all that much.

bitzerguy · Post by **bitzerguy** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 11:01 am

It seems that a lot of the comments I have read seem directed to rock/blues music only. While it is my favourite genre, I do like to listen to many other genres. These other genres also have a lot of solo work.

I like what I am hearing in the country and country rock genres from younger players. Brad Paisley is one who leaps to mind. Great solo work, fantastic player. He's not alone.

I realize that many here do not share an interest in as many different genres, but IMO these Death of a Solo comments really only relate to rock.

It seems to be quite alive and well in other genres.

...Dean

expomick · Post by **expomick** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:01 pm

As for the previous comment dismissing rap, well, that's interesting.

For all the **** rap that is out there(commercial, derivative, etc), it's still a vital music/art form.

Personally, not one that dominates my CD player, but that doesn't negate it's popularity/importance and influence.

We must be showing our age (all of us) when such a genre is dismissed.

Remember, rock 'n roll was also similarly
dismissed by the "purists" of blues, classical music, etc.

Someone most likely used the term "the dumbing down of America" in reference to the Beatles, the Stones and their ilk; the ones we now elevate to Musical God status.

(Still can't stand guitar solos!!!!)

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:45 pm

Thanks Dane and Brian for your kind comments.

And Mick, you have a good point of how, at that time, older listeners dismissed some of the 60's stuff. Interestingly, that period is now venerated, hallowed music. However, I don't think 90's and newer will be regarded that way. Too weak melodically and instrumentally. Just my stupid opinion.

I thought of that while I was writing the previous post. You made a great point in referencing what critics of 40 years ago were saying.

karl_teten · Post by **karl_teten** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:39 pm

Alex is hitting the nail on the head. I strongly believe that there is a dumbsizing going on in music and other art forms besides life in general in the world today.

Studying the 20th century you will see an evolution of music and other art forms that strongly changed each decade. Even the 90's had a change with Grunge. Since the beginning of the 21st century, this decade has seen nothing but regurgitation of past music art forms. 90% of the acts that are on todays television talent shows would not have passed on The Gong Show back in the 70's! Most label signed music performers today resemble groups from your local amateur talent night 20 years ago.

One thing I find very unprofessional is the appearance of most groups you see on Letterman/Leno/Conan. I don't think you have to wear a suit but something somewhat better than looking like you just dragged yourself out from under a greasy truck oil change would work a little better. The 90's was the 'Salvation Army' look. Now it's a 'slacker-stumble bum' look.

I am also a student of composition (25 years now). I too immerse myself in music that is people friendly with powerful lyrics. I haven't heard people friendly music with powerful lyrics coming from new talent in over 20 years.

I have yet to see or hear any new performer that has the substance to withhold a career of longevity like the greats from the past. The industry is just using todays kids as 'flavours of the week'. Music today has become as disposable as drive through food. If you don't belive me, go down to your local favorite CD shop and go look in the used section at all the 5 and 10 year old **** that they can't get rid of!