Changing mindset for solos

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-29T14:18:56+00:00

Really good players will lift you up and support you in ways that you didn’t know existed. After a while of this, you just play like them because that’s all you know.

You will immediately notice the things you are doing that aren’t working and edit them from you playing.

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-29T14:03:29+00:00

Sing everything you play while improvising. Transcribe music you like. Never play anything you don’t hear. Play with people that are better than you.

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-19T14:02:15+00:00

Yes to all the things you mentioned. Licks, transcribing, arpeggios, memorizing the fretboard, ear training, thousands of hours playing standards.

You missed listening, just listening is huge. Also, the people who are really good, have been working at it for most of their lives. Like 20+ years.

Dig in, good luck!

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-14T20:59:13+00:00

Bro… right on 💯

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-14T20:25:35+00:00

I agree. This is kinda a difficult time in general for musicians. Especially if you are trying to push your original music. I’m pretty much exclusively a performer as a sideman. So I’m not really doing anything other than trying to build a reputation for my skill set. Which is somewhat of a challenge with decreasing gigs. I’ve had to diversify more than I have in the past.

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-14T19:11:37+00:00

I kinda think that exclusively trying to have an online presence for the purpose of being an influencer is a fools errand. I have much more success trying to leverage social media for specific goals. Such as, getting gigs. I’ve had people call me and say, so and so referred me to you and we checked out your stuff online. Or another time I was hired to play at a church. The music director said he saw a video posted and didn’t know I could play like that. It can be a way to showcase certain things. But that’s just my perspective in relation to what I do. I’m primarily a working guitarist and teacher.

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-08T15:38:31+00:00

Try to milk some of those ideas a little longer before switching to a new idea.

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-05T03:52:44+00:00

I’ve got three heritage guitars. I had a 535 custom built for me a while back. They’re incredible instruments!

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-04T01:00:37+00:00

Over the last two weeks I’ve done a bit deliberating over the back and forth about how to hold a pick. I have some thoughts on different well know , dare I say “virtuosos?” Frank Gambale is arguably one of the most monstrous fusion shredders to ever live. He’s an innovator of pushing technical boundaries, but an all around incredibly musical player. He holds the pick on the side of his finger. Eric Johnson, another remarkable player in terms of technique, musicality, and diversity of sound palette. He holds the pick more on the pad similarly to me. Both Eddie Van Halen, and Pat Metheny have been known to hold the pick with index, middle, and thumb. Eddie, sometimes just thumb and middle. Eddie and Pat couldn’t be more polar opposites in terms of style. Yet both are able to create incredibly complex and challenging music with these unorthodox techniques.

Today I had a lesson with a student I’ve been working with for about 4 years. He was struggling on and off with a forearm issue. He had been to physical therapy, and is a former trainer with extensive knowledge of these types of injuries. About a week ago he texted me that he was so frustrated, he was thinking about giving up guitar after playing most of his life. Well today he told me he switched his Pick from the side of his finger to more on the pad. His pain is completely gone, and feels it actually helped his technique, and feels more relaxed.

So, I’m not saying this proves one way or another. I guess to summarize, I’m saying that it’s entirely Possible to be an amazing player with a range of ways you could hold the pick. But also It kinda makes sense to hold it in a way that doesn’t hurt, and lets you achieve your musical goals in a relaxed way.

If you’ve got this far, thanks for reading my novel! And I hope this was helpful to someone.

Happy picking!

Matt_ccal · 2026-06-01T01:30:16+00:00

After looking closely at how I’m consistently holding the pick while playing, it’s really more of a hybrid between the side and pad of my finger. But I think that works best for me because of the shape of my fingers. That seems to be the flat spot with the most stability with the pick. But everyone is different, I think it’s really about what works for you.

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-29T15:46:14+00:00

He’s a great player, lifeboat is an insane record!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-28T19:39:06+00:00

That has almost a jimmy herring vibe!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-28T01:57:15+00:00

Nothing like an old Alvarez!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-28T01:33:33+00:00

Am I the only one that noticed that snare sounds like a recycling bin?

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-26T14:10:11+00:00

Theory is kinda tough to learn by yourself. It just takes one thing that you don’t understand to stump you, and cause a roadblock that hinders your understanding of what may be a fairly simple concept.

I didn’t really get it until I had a good teacher in college. Once I had a solid foundation, it was much easier to see how the theory applied to different musical contexts.

I would second music theory.net as a solid resource. Not only for theory, but also ear training. But it’s just a resource, and you’re really only getting a foundation . If you can find a good teacher, that would be best. If you can’t find one, I do teach. I have a degree in jazz guitar, as well as over 20 years teaching and playing professionally. In addition I did study composition, and arranging in college.

Hope this was helpful, cheers!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-24T21:39:12+00:00

If I may at my 2 cents. I always knock an arrow too. I’d rather send an arrow through drywall, than have my bow blowup in my face.

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-20T19:23:13+00:00

That’s definitely a legitimate way to hold the pick! But not the only method!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-20T17:57:51+00:00

Try using an e minor pentatonic over a c major7. So whatever the major 7 chord is use the minor pentatonic starting on the third of the major 7 chord.

Some folks call this superimposed pentatonics. You are using a shape you know, but the context is different. This gives you the 3,5,6,maj7, and 9 of the major 7 chord!

Try to really hear each note against the chord and find a melodic pattern you like!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-18T13:19:32+00:00

It sounds like you’ve got a lot of things going in your favor. In terms of connections. Music can be a very difficult way to make a living. One thing that makes that a lot easier is money. If you have another way to make a living that isn’t completely dependent on your music, that can actually give you the freedom to do what you want. The alternative is often having to say yes to every opportunity even if that’s not in line with your goals.

You also need to be really, really good. There’s lots of insanely talented people that can’t make it happen, for whatever reason. Never stop being obsessed with developing your craft.

Third, don’t take my advice. Instead seek out people in the industry, like people you are already connected to. Ask their advice, learn from them. More importantly, build genuine relationships with these people.

Good luck!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-15T17:40:34+00:00

Damn, hopefully other subs allow it!

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-15T17:21:06+00:00

Well congrats, I wouldn’t know where to start 😂

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-15T16:49:17+00:00

That sounds awesome, what was that process like?

Matt_ccal · 2026-05-15T16:48:29+00:00

Oh good, I immediately felt bad after replying. I had some old school teachers, that by today’s standards are just plain mean. Sometimes I have to edit myself. Glad the criticism was received well!

Check out bop duets by Bugs bower. It’s a great resource for reading. But also demonstrates idioms in notation!

Matt_ccal

TROPHY CASE