Solo guitar piece for an audition

**Cygnus X-1** · 05-27-2005, 00:56

I've got an audition coming up for a placement in a music course. Thing is, i have to play something unaccompanied on the guitar that shows off my current ability. I've hit a snag in this department, as i'm really trying to find something that no easy, but is interesting enough to both:
a) Show me off as a potential applicant
b) Keep the panel's interest, so it'll probably have to very.

Another problem is; I lack an acoustic guitar. So i'm limited to an electric.

I was considering Led Zeppelin - Bron yr Aur Stomp, but alas, it's tuning is in C and, having an electric only, that won't work for me unless i get some heavy strings and alter the neck a bit (which i do NOT want to do)...
I was also considering Wish you were here, and singing along, but i have a truly terrible singing voice, so that idea's out too...

Can anyone help me out here? Any and all suggestions are very much appreciated...

**Big King Sanctaphrax** · 05-27-2005, 01:25

Borrow my acoustic. You'll definitely be able to use the old one, if not the newer one.

**Cygnus X-1** · 05-27-2005, 01:36

I COULD... but that thing isn't the easiest thing to play bron yr aur stomp on, y'know?

Not that i don't appreciate the offer or anything.

Maybe i'll write something spanishy. That always sounds badass *breaks out a phrygian mode*

**Big_John** · 05-27-2005, 01:57

i have no idea about playing guitars so any suggestion i give is probably horribly inappropriate for many reasons.. but what about:

jimi hendrix? (all along the watch tower? ending of little wing?)
something from jeff beck?
hotel california?
cortez the killer?
comfortably numb?

**Togakure** · 05-27-2005, 02:29

Why not play something original? Well-thought-out original works tend to impress panels much more so than covers. You could use a digital delay, set it long, play a rhythmic element, then solo over the top of it. Add a nice intro, outro and voila. Can even return to silence in the middle, play a new rhythmic part and capture on delay, and solo again, featuring different themes and techniques on each. Focus on rhythms and solo techniques that show off your particular strengths. Vary dynamics and tempos to keep it interesting. No automation, just a delay used creatively (if that's allowed). One very neat trick is to use a long delay to capture a solo line, then harmonize with that line the second time through ... .

Just some thoughts. Good luck with your audition.

**Cygnus X-1** · 05-27-2005, 02:36

Harmonizing with your delayed solo lines? Goddamn, that's an awesome idea. Gets some use out of my expensive digitech delay unit too

.

I was thinking of doing something original, so i'll sure give it a try. Thanks for the advice.

Big_John, your suggestions weren't innappropriate at all! But the thing is, the lead parts to those lines would mean i'd have to stop playing the rhythm, so it'll sound pretty weak...

Cheers guys.