Phrasing

There is a lot to study when it comes to phrasing. One area where guitarists tend to struggle is with ending a phrase. Often times phrases tend to go on and on without any clear separation. Let’s discuss what can we do to create stronger phrasing by completing our phrases. Start by making your phrase clearly end and rest for at least a few beats. This doesn’t mean that it needs to resolve, just that it needs to end. Now the next phrase will have a clear beginning which will be given a clear end as well. Make your phrases conversational. Question and answer is one of the best examples of this. End one phrase that doesn’t resolve then start and end another that does. Again we are clearly ending both phrases. Play your phrases within two and four measure groups. It is great to step out of this mold, but make sure you have a strong grasp of especially four measure phrases. Divide a thirty-two bar tune into four measure groupings and practice starting and ending phrases within those groups. These concepts and exercises will help make improvisations more clear and easier to follow for the listener. Think about how conversations and discussions sound. There is always a need to take a breath at some point when giving a talk or conversing. Take time to breath between musical phrases too.