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In a Rut???


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Posted

I was thinking that at one time or another we all sometimes get into a rut. So how about we all come up with ways that you might use to break free?

 

One way I can think of is to sing a line. Either to a progression you jam to often or to a 12 bar blues or just to nothing.

 

Then try to duplicate that line on your guitar.

 

Anoher way might be to restrict your self to just two strings. You must improvise a whole chorus or again the ubiquitus 12 bar using only two strings. Make them non adjacent strings.

 

Play in a certain key and DO NOT play the tonic.

 

If you have a different instrument in your house make up a line or riff on it and transpose it to your guitar.

 

Write down on a piece of paper a random sequence of notes. Use these as the roots of a progression and try to improvise over it.

 

 

Any other ideas out there??

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Posted

Originally posted by Bluemusic

Write down on a piece of paper a random sequence of notes. Use these as the roots of a progression and try to improvise over it.


 

 

I did a similar thing with a non-musical friend of mine. She would say a series of random chords and I'd try to make a riff from it. In first shot I made my most orginal (and pretty cool) riff, ever! Sometimes, inspiration comes when you least supsect it...

 

Great post by the way!

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Posted

Pick up a different instrument. Playing several instruments will help you develop musical ideas that transcend idiomatic playing on each of those instruments.

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Posted

Originally posted by Bluemusic
Write down on a piece of paper a random sequence of
notes. Use these as the roots of a progression and try to
improvise over it.

Anybody remember the Steve Allen Show from the 70's? Steverino used to get 5 volunteers from the audience to play 5 random notes on the piano, then Steverino would instantly compose and perform a song based on the 5-note theme. Some were beautiful, some were pretty wacky, but all were brilliant. Steve Allen was a true show biz legend who is sorely missed.

Michael D.

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