I have been playing guitar for years and I know plenty of scales, modes and licks. However I seem to have some problems writting solos that have any kind of kick behind them. Can anyone help me with the writting and compsing of lead because on my own I just go up and dow different scales.

I have a few tips or tricks I use...Its not really about what notes you play...Its more about what notes you dont play.

# 1...I find if you pause for no reason what so ever when soloing it can create emotion if done right or if you end lick or riff on the right note...This can be applied to vocals as well...

# 2...In relation to above...whatever last few notes you end that last riff with before pausing or stopping then when you start again start with the same last few notes you ended with...I hope that makes sense.

# 3...I mix my lead up...for instance I play a 3 or 4 second riff on the high notes(12 fret up) then my second riff might be a low or medium fret riff(meaning any where form 0 to 11th fret...It seems to create feeling.

# 4...I record a simple progression...then I solo over it...Then I throw out the simple progression and replace the simple chords with more complex chords with the same root notes...so if the chord was D I would look for some cool D related chord to put behind the lead...Sometimes this works and creates some kind of different emotion...Try it

These things work for me when Im stuck...It might not work for everyone...

Great points spidercents,

You could also end on the 4th degree to add tension. Jeff beck does this alot. Also try playing in 6th,3rds etc.. building up the tension. Arpeggios also come in handy.... Remember simple is sometimes better and the sound of silence is also music.

Here's a file showing how to play in 6ths...

http://www.theguitarfiles.com/guitarfile21.html

What helps me if my solos get stale(sound the same) or if I just can't up any thing good, it to learn a bunch of my favorite rifts and solo in one sitting and then start soloing right afterward.

You gain some of the artists style and this is great because it is an artist you like.

My personal recommendation is to get ahold of the "Real Book" or some other fake book and learn to play some melodies. Also, of course, you can study and learn the licks of great guitarists whom you admire. You can get books of licks by famous guitarists from Mel Bay Publishing, in standard notation and TAB both, usually. Everybody gets stale sometimes. My recipe is to go study, and increase the knowledge base so as to have more information to draw on when the inspiration comes back.

-- Jack
http://www.guitar-vacation-retreats.com