Working Out a Solo

To take a deeper look into what I'm doing to prepare for recording, I can boil it down to one word - selecting. One of the things I was least prepared for the last time I went into the studio was what 5 songs to select for recording. Fortunately I met with the producer and he made me cut it down. That's a big thing to consider, and this time I haven't figured out how many songs are manageable in what time I have.

I eventually worked out some great solo material the last time I went into the studio that I was extremely proud of, but it took a lot of preparation. There's only so much you can plan unless you've been playing the song for years and know exactly how it should sound. My songs are fresh and this will be the first time a second guitar part will be played over them.

I am also writing in a bubble, such that no one hears my lyrics before they are finished. Just like the guitar solo I have to make sure the lyrics are nice and tight, with maybe a little wiggle room for discretionary changes. I'm going through every song one after the other, over and over, selecting what will be the final composition.

A great example of this is one song called "Heartstrings," which I am considering recording. I'm currently trying to work out a guitar solo, but the lyrics and chord changes are what make it a song people raise an eyebrow at. I am personally rooting for "Heartstrings" to make it onto the second half of the album. I just don't know how long this album will be. The better I make everything now, the better chance it has, so now I'll go back to work fine tuning each bit of it.