WHAT SHOULD YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN TAKING A SOLO?

www.scottpaddocksaxschool.com
In today's video, we dive into the mind and talk about the thought process to taking a solo. The ultimate goal is to clear you mind and play what you hear and feel, but.... there are a few steps you have to follow to make it to that point. This tutorial comes from a comment in one of my last videos.
SKYPE LESSONS: Yes, I give Skype lessons! And, if you sign up for one (or more) you will see immediate results. From tone, and tonguing to style and improv, I can help get you headed in the right direction. For more info contact me via: www.scottpaddock.com or through Instagram @scottpaddocksax
INSTAGRAM: @scottpaddocksax
www.scottpaddock.com
Scott Plays:
P. Mauriat 67RX Influence alto sax
Barkley Brazil Kustom Pop 7 Blue mouthpiece
Legere Signature 2.25 reeds
BG Silver Duo ligature

[@bettan21]

You explain it in a way that makes me believe that maybe, maybe, I can reach at least some level of improvising skill. Thanks!

[@ScottPaddock]

👍👍👍

[@MRGIGI666]

He gives us hope...

[@michaeldean9338]

This cat is such bad-azz! Really breaks it down so you can more than half understand. Love his videos!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks Michael!

[@richardsynnott3652]

Hi Scott. The thing I like most about your videos is the sound you get on your horns. It’s bright, crystal clear, powerful and free-blowing, and it sounds effortless. From the sound Point of view, you’re skating on ice, while I’m trudging in the mud.

[@ScottPaddock]

Thank you! That's the sound I'm going for.

[@zababit]

Just want to thank you. I am a 58 year old who can make a tenor sound nice but am technically challenged. Your approach is the clearest and most direct I have ever experienced. You have a great way of cutting through to the very most important detail. You're a gun mate Thank you, Paul, Melbourne

[@sevketgul6761]

You are a great asset for us. Thank you. Coach SHEV GUL London

[@Ramen_Sensei]

Thx So Much Scott!!! Your videos always teach me a lot!! 👍👍

[@marciosaxs]

Hi Scott, that's exactly what I was looking for. Amazing explanation and wow... great opening solo. Thanks a lot! 👏

[@sleepy-beagle]

Excellent insight into how to improve yet again. Thankyou Scott.

[@marydunn8513]

Your videos always make me want to grab my sax and give it a try.

[@pepecetina]

What a great pair of question and answer! Thanks for this video, Scott. I'm sure we have always wondered what is on the mind of the heavyweights when they are hitting a solo.

[@frankdienst9589]

Once again. A great video.

[@medicussapiens]

A great lesson on a much neglected subject! Thanks Scott.

[@GodfroySir]

Thank you Scott, I would love to add more than one thumb up! The path is long toward the top of the mountain, so, finding someone to guide you during the process might also be a good advice... Again, thank you for all your videos, they are so helpful! 👍👍👍

[@rogerlachance632]

Thanks Scott. Your explanations are always practical and to the point. Keep doing those videos.

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks Roger!

[@mburton120]

Pure gold. Thanks for explaining tonal centers.

[@ScottPaddock]

I'm going to dig a little deeper into them in a future video.

[@johnclarke7828]

Thanks Scott, that was an excellent video with really clear and concise information.

[@ScottPaddock]

😁

[@AshwinSax]

Spot on Scott.👍💟🎷

[@marydunn8513]

After listening to one of your videos, I always want to go get my horn and try what you have just taught. Very motivating!

[@jamespetrone1104]

Best explanation of the break down of chord changes and how they are related by their tonal centers! Wow, you just made this all seem possible :) Thank you Scott!!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks James, I plan on digging deeper into this subject in a future video.

[@markmarsden9459]

Excellent advice

[@josefmoveyourself7234]

Great explanation Scott 👌🏻🎷🙏🏻

[@kevindelmastro]

These videos are well done and informative. Thanks for posting. I’m sharing with my friends, too!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks for sharing Kevin!

[@radhadiaz4488]

Very nice job, Thank you!!

[@guillermoarrazola4935]

Scott : Great tips . Wish I could spend a lot time with you. I will keep watching your videos. I am an old guy trying to learn to play the sax . Alto and Tenor. Thanks. Bill Arrazola Weston, Fl

[@ScottPaddock]

Hey Bill! Thanks. You can - there are about 300 lessons available in my Sax School! You'll start hearing results from the first day.

[@CliffieVanR]

Many thanks for underlying the fact that much hard work is necessary before you can just 'play what you hear'. It's nice to know I'm on a journey rather than just some schmuck who will never get there.

[@ScottPaddock]

Keep at it and you will definitely get there

[@macmcclenton9296]

Right video at the right time!

[@ScottPaddock]

😁😁😁

[@DovidSal]

Two things: .- excellent input.. like always. .- I can see and feel a more relaxed approach in the way you articulate the message you are conveying; definitively a great personality trait to reach a bigger population who will benefit learning from you, with your experience , the way your are perceived and knowledge. Four thumbs up!

[@ScottPaddock]

👍👍👍👍 Thanks!

[@bigalreed1]

Scott I haver been playing for a few years and what with the Lockdown you have really woke me up I have bought a P mauriat influence Alto due to you and I love it I have also purchased your Syos mouthpiece for my tennor and I love that too .Keep it up enjoy your videos

[@ScottPaddock]

That's awesome! I hope you are digging the new gear.

[@davesaxoligist]

Scott you sound is just sick.That altissimo is crazy love it.

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks Blaine!

[@annekamanda6290]

I've always wanted some sort of guide like this and its just fate cause this just got recommended for me ,,thank youuuuu for this video🎩 😁 👕👍Great! 👖

[@smoke09able]

A lot of good advice as always!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks Rick!

[@MexSax]

Even though I am not a English native speaker, the way you explain is really clear and simple. Brilliant explanation !

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks!

[@iraildooliveira994]

Que som maravilhoso 'What a wonderful sound' 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@ScottPaddock]

😁😁

[@Michael-ol7wm]

Great video Scott and great intro you played before you started your video. Thank you for sharing your videos

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks!

[@Michael-ol7wm]

@@ScottPaddock you are so welcome Scott. I appreciate all that you do to help all of us grow in playing. Though I'm almost 60 years old. I'm still learning but I haven't grown much. It's hard for me to retain and remember. So I have stepped back and lost interest in playing. But I still love music and watching your videos.

[@rondenorscio7984]

Another great video Scott. I am an intermediate player Scott, but I embrace improvising a solo. I will normally listen to the cord changes with my eyes closed, and let my fingers go to work. You have given me, and your other followers some solid advice! Thanks again!

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, that is actually how I learned. I didn't know how to read chords until I was well into improv. Coming at it from the theoretical side definitely has its advantages.

[@rondenorscio7984]

@@ScottPaddock I have learned a lot from your videos. I know the the basic chord structures, and I ask my lead guitar player to give me the chord charts when soloing. I have a long way to go though. I wish I was still living in New Jersey so maybe I could catch one of your shows. I'm in California now, and if you do come to the San Francisco area for a gig let me know. Thanks again!

[@MrFumiste]

Thanks Scott for an other great and clear vidéo ! The content is so rich it could easily be exposed in several lessons.

[@ScottPaddock]

This one covers a lot of territory!

[@MrFumiste]

@@ScottPaddock yes it does !

[@coajrmusic]

The moral of the story.....love it...

[@cousinbilly1259]

Hey Scott, Just ordered a p mauriat 67rx.....Thanks for the inspiration, Bro.....Your ardent student, cousin Billy

[@ScottPaddock]

I LOVE that horn. It's got such a huge sound.

[@thesaxman]

That is an awesome video, yeah that road is very long especially if you don’t really know the way and get sidetracked...man it is hard to keep focus and building mental and physical skills on the axe to get to that elusive easy improv that doesn’t sound like a bunch of scales with no emotion. Playing scales and patterns without reading them and being able to name and figure out notes and scales by the sound of them in time has proved for me the most difficult area. I’m sure others must have the same problem...love your approach and yes playing from 10years old certainly shows.

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, the hard part is definitely making that transition away from just sounding like scales and patterns. Start doing it on the easier songs that stay in just one or two tonal centers and that will make the process a lot easier.

[@bwade8786]

Good video ty

[@jazzm45]

Hi Scott Thanks for that, it explains a lot of what I have been thinking about recently, as my playing is progressing. I will be working on Loverman this week. I will analyse the chords exactly as you have described. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again : Martin

[@ScottPaddock]

That's a great tune! When I play it, I do the A section down an octave the first time using subtones.

[@Nestor_Fernandez]

Hi Scott, awesome lesson on how to start working our way through a progression, I have a suggestion for a next video and that would be to show an example of a chord tone map on a jazz standard of your choice Thanks for the Masterclass!!

[@ScottPaddock]

That's on my list! 👍

[@alessandrobomfim2299]

Thumbs up in advance just due to the intro... LoL!!!! All the vídeo content is always awesome!! Thanks a lot!!!!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks!

[@ByCiceroAudoPoetryandMusic]

Bom demais!!!!!

[@mirekglimasinski3034]

Jesteś saksofonistą wszech czasów ☺☺☺

[@noamilano4977]

Scott, AWESOME video!! Your video is always encouraging. Can you make a video/material that elaborates on 12:33 stuff? Can you give a large list of standards grouped by levels? I want to practice a song that is at my level, but I don't' wanna practice a song that I don't really dig. I'm also interested in a modal song that uses just 1 or 2 scales.

[@ScottPaddock]

Hey Noa, I'm launching a sax school next month that will do exactly that. Everything will be grouped together by playing level. A good song to check out for modal is So What/Impressions, Little Sunflower, Mr. Magic, etc

[@noamilano4977]

@@ScottPaddock wow, that's great! I'll be sure to check that out next month. Thanks for the modal list!

[@pamelatrent9674]

This was honest. There was no 'You'll get there FAST by doing [ fill in the blank ]. It'll take time. I'm working on scales but I will start incorporating the chord outlines. Thanks!

[@ScottPaddock]

👍👍

[@tjonsax]

That solo woz ASTONISHING... Do us a vid how u done that ascending trill...

[@ScottPaddock]

I already did. It was a few years ago, I think it's called Crazy Chromatic Trill Lick - check it out!

[@enriqueernesto738]

@@ScottPaddock isn't it the cannonball Adderley trill?

[@richardolson8651]

Great stuff Scott Dick

[@enriqueernesto738]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to note down some licks for popsongs or one or two choruses for a standard, that can serve as a launchpad and safety net for the improvisation?

[@REBart58]

Fantastic stuff, clearly explained as usual! Blue Bossa, what a great song. It was this one that gave me a lot confidence in taking my first simple solo. Thanks for your videos they are always excellent.

[@mattsax_music8439]

This is a really helpful video, so thank you! But, would you say it would be better to memorize songs as numbers rather than chords. I feel like it would for the sake of thinking about chords and it’s translated to every key easyish so is that something you would recommend? And if you ever get a new bari and don’t need that one in the back I’ll take it😂😂😂 but for real thank you for all your amazing and down to earth content!!!!!!!!

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, definitely. Numbers make your life so much easier.

[@kathypearson949]

Thanks for your "What Should You think About When Taking A Solo?" What would be a good educational manual to purchase in regards to the above?

[@ScottPaddock]

I'm getting ready to launch an online sax school next month that will did super deep into these concepts. I recommend checking it out once it's launched. I'll be making an announcement on my KZbin channel in the near future.

[@gregleroy1]

👍🏼

[@estebanmarquez1860]

Hi Scott! How old are you? And when did you start playing Sax? Thank you! I love your videos!

[@ScottPaddock]

I started when I was 10 😁

[@viejonazo8968]

@@ScottPaddock awesome in 30 years and just started 5 months ago (: i have improved a lot since then, thank you so much for your videos you are awesome. Have you recorded any song? Would love to listen to you!

[@sax.beatsbykevin2631]

How to use Effects on the sax?/ Does a good mouthpiece really matter? How does it make a difference?

[@ScottPaddock]

I don't much gear content, but that might a be a good one to do.

[@lesleydavidfoster6115]

What is the logic behind the choice of Bb as a transition chord and what do you play over it?

[@ScottPaddock]

The Bb is actually the 4th and is a pretty common way to move to the next key.

[@larryscroggins7290]

Hi Scott. Thanks so much for this. Another excellent tutorial. On "All The Things You Are," I think of the first 5 bars all being in the same tonal center of Fmaj--vi, ii, V7, I, IV and then switching to Dmaj. Same for the bars 9-13 (Bbmaj). There's nothing I see in the melody to suggest this is wrong. What do you think? Am I missing something? Another example is "Fly Me To The Moon."

[@ScottPaddock]

When doing a tutorial video sometimes you have to simplify so it's a bit easier to see the concept. My concept in this was seeing chords grouped together in a key signature.... IV chord has an Eb which would then would lead to further explanation. If I were teaching this in a lesson, I'd do it the same way, and then in the next lesson explain the IV chord. I try to cover as much info as possible in under 15 minutes. But yes, I think of the transition chord as the IV chord in F major and that pattern continues.

[@larryscroggins7290]

Scott Paddock Thanks, Scott ... makes perfect sense ... one of the many things I like about your tutorials is how focused and accessible they are ... cheers ...L

[@joeblankenship377]

I know all the chords and the scales but I still get lost when the chords change on every measure. I think about what I'm playing as I play it, and after I finish the line, I'm not always sure how long the phrase lasted and which bar I ended up in. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking to myself "Oh well, maybe you should practice by playing really simple phrases so you're not too distracted from where you are in the changes."

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, this is perfect timing. Figure out how the chords go together. Here's a big hint.... when there are a lot of chords they almost always end up on a MAJOR 7 chord. That's usually going to be the tonal center and all of the chords around it are supporting the root chord. This is not a 100% rule by any means, but might make finding the main chord easier.

[@benhur959]

Whats the most common chord structures in jazz solos?

[@ScottPaddock]

There isn't really a most common chord structure (meaning for a whole song) but in jazz songs the 2, 5, 1 chord progression reigns supreme. It's everywhere and all over the place combined with other 2 5 1s.

[@daltonfreire6328]

It's not so easy to play a solo over just one chord. To play "a capela" helps to improve groove and vocabulary

[@Craig2760]

The answer is easy, “nothing”. If you feel the need to think about what to play you haven’t prepared or practiced sufficiently. The guys I play with refer to it as “grocery list” playing. You should be able to think about the groceries your going to buy on the way home from the gig while you are playing what’s in front of you or your turn at the solo mic. Be prepared or stay home and practice.

[@ScottPaddock]

This video is meant for people who are learning how to improvise. It takes a long time of figuring out what to play before getting to the think of nothing stage. I actually refer to that as the end goal in the video.

[@dextergordon3655]

Why don't You classify the transition chord Bbmaj7 as the 4th degree of Fmaj tonality?

[@ScottPaddock]

When doing a tutorial video sometimes you have to simplify so it's a bit easier to see the concept. My concept in this was seeing chords grouped together in a key signature.... IV chord has an Eb which would then would lead to further explanation. If I were teaching this in a lesson, I'd do it the same way, and then in the next lesson explain the IV chord. I try to cover as much info as I can in under 15 minutes.

[@dextergordon3655]

Thank You. Bbmaj7 beeing the 4th mode of F is lydian and has an E. Isn't it meant to be lydian here?

[@johnanderson5978]

Where did you get your P Marriott 67RX influence

[@ScottPaddock]

From P. Mauriat :-)

[@johnanderson5978]

@@ScottPaddock so you mean from the headquarters where they manufacture it

[@mikeciul8599]

Everything you're saying here is supported by science: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaiymZmjrsx7r68 It was interesting that you talked about closing your eyes, since the study found that improvising brains are very similar to dreaming brains.

[@ScottPaddock]

I just watched the video. Thanks for sharing it.

[@keithridenhour7033]

you tear it up Scott, havent heard you in a while you are getting better. Ksaxman.com

[@lamduanjazz]

Are you buddhist teacher?

[@marydunn163]

Man that strap looks really uncomfortable. can’t see a girl/woman ever using that.

[@ScottPaddock]

It's actually super comfortable, especially for a harness where you can still move your horn around, but you are right, it would not work out very well for a female.