98 PREMIER GUITAR NOVEMBER 2009 www.premierguitar.com
One of the most popular tactics used in blues soloing is call-and-response phrasing. Quite literally a conversational device, the call and response can be used to
great effect in drawing in listeners as they anticipate how your musical conversation will play itself out.
Similar to the traditional blues lyrics format, call-and-response phrasing usually comes in groups of three consecutive phrases: introductory phrase, an exact or
close repeat of the introductory phrase, and a resolving phrase.
This solo uses call-and-response techniques to navigate two choruses of a 12-bar blues in A. In the first chorus, each call/response/conclusion spans four measures, making a total of three sets of call-and-response phrases. The second chorus, however, takes a different approach by extending the phrasing, resulting in
one long call/response/conclusion section.
From Amazing Phrasing
(00695583)
Phrasing Ideas for Creating Memorable Solos
Call and Response
BY TOM KOLB
PREMIER CLINIC
