In the past I used to construct solo of simple melodies I could whistle. I though it's no use to impress people by playing fast because there's always someone who's faster than you.
It was a very good year...
 
I watched Danny's guitar solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CviLT74hm8c
I began to think: "why play slow if you can play fast". Yesterday I had to record a solo (tempo 126 bpm, slower than Happy To Be Alive) but currently at least 30% s too fast for me to pick 1/32th notes. So let's TAP!
 
Result: http://youtu.be/xR7lVkpGqCk
 
 

Aww shucks, I'm sorry Panu. :) You know though.....in a world where people are either afraid to play, can't play or just choose not to show their chops, I think it's abreath of fresh air when someone can do something well to where it's not over-kill. As long as we keep it melodic while giving the piece a story line of sorts, I say let your heart sing whether it be fast or slow.
 
You played well....good melodic tapping brother! :)
 
This won't sound good on anything as it was a test project I was screwing around with....mixed on crap speakers, a bunch of beta plugs and other weird things....modified version of Headcase....I got lucky on the performance and have always liked this...but this is the kind of stuff I like to play on guitar. Yeah it's overkill and not for everyone...but I think we can get away with a little flash as long as we keep it melodic with a theme.
 
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4909348/Gimme%20A%20Skull%20Job.mp3
 
Glad to have ruined you....but hopefully you still keep some of that slow hand thinking at bay because if everything is super fast and obnoxious....we not only lose ourselves but our audience. :) Good job Panu! :)
 
-Danny

Danny, don't worry... Generally I'm not in hurry when playing solos. :) 99% of time I play with my mind, not with my fingers. I remember someone saying "If you can't understand your melody, then how do you think anyone else can?". And "if you don't have any meaning for a note (or a bunch of notes), it's rubbish!". I though this for a while and made a holy decision to play always meaningful melodies that come straight from my soul. Sounds deep but that's how it is.
 
Until yesterday..;) OK, just kidding. That tapping solo does not have a single random note - fingers follow my mind all the time!

That's a good way to think my friend. At the end of the day, play what you play and enjoy it. I hear a whole lot of music that I think is horrible that people are proud of these days. Nothing wrong with doing what you feel in your heart. We play for us...not other people, ya know? :) If others like our creations, that's icing on the cake. If not, that's ok too. I've always held this saying close to my heart: "If all the birds in the forest chirped the same song, oh what a boring place this would be." :)
 
-Danny

The only thing that I can tap these days are my feet, and even they are slowing down. Nice tapping work out.
 
Peace and Blessings, John

> We play for us...not other people, ya know? :)
 
That's one of the first fundamentals to keep in mind, even when playing in front of screaming chicks... :)

Thanks John.  And keep on tapping your feet.
 

Danny Danzi
in a world where people are either afraid to play, can't play or just choose not to show their chops, I think it's abreath of fresh air when someone can do something well to where it's not over-kill.

 
yea, damn right! our lead guitar player is sooooo good, he is - technical-wise- probably one league over the rest of the band. I always encourage him to play the wildest, fastest solos that he possibly can! if you have guitar hero in your band, why not show off. after all, it's called a "show" for a reason he just has to keep in mind to tame his guitar beast a little when the solo is OVER!
 
hey panup, nice tapping! but tempo 126...come on, you can do faster...get your nuno bettencourt out!

 
 
 

panup
Danny, don't worry... Generally I'm not in hurry when playing solos. :) 99% of time I play with my mind, not with my fingers. I remember someone saying "If you can't understand your melody, then how do you think anyone else can?". And "if you don't have any meaning for a note (or a bunch of notes), it's rubbish!". I though this for a while and made a holy decision to play always meaningful melodies that come straight from my soul. Sounds deep but that's how it is.
 
Until yesterday..;) OK, just kidding. That tapping solo does not have a single random note - fingers follow my mind all the time!

 
1# on this approach!  (sorry to interfere)
 
b.t.w. ...these boots were made (in Finland) for tapping...
 

 
Happy tapping !

best regards,
Daniel

> nice tapping! but tempo 126...come on, you can do faster...
 
Yeah, sure I could but the song was so slow... I swear it does not sound good if I tap 160 bpm over 126! :D