This advice is even useful for keytarists. jarre . in>doors . helsinki . solo by miemo via flickr
Improvising can be difficult, and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut playing the same old licks over different tunes. Sometimes we all need a kick in the pants to get the improv juices flowing. So here’s a quick list of 5 ideas that might help you squeeze out some more inspired solos:

1. Stray from your roots. Start your solo on any note but the root note of the chord your playing over. How about the 3rd, or the seventh? Ninth?? SHARP 11th???

2. Dynamics and Articulations. Keep your playing interesting by varying the dynamics and articulations. Mess around with this a little bit. Try bringing emphasis to important passages by playing softer in the moments leading up to them. Instead of ripping through a section, play some notes short, and other notes longer. Dynamics and articulations are often overlooked by most amateurs (especially rock guitarists, who usually just want to turn everything all the way up and play as many notes as possible), but when properly manipulated can give even the simplest passages significant depth.

3. Register. I’m not talking about the Selective Service here. Register refers to playing mostly in the lower range of your instrument versus playing mostly in the higher range. Maybe you could build your solos up by starting in the lower register before moving into the higher register. Maybe the other way around would work better. Combine with dynamics and articulations to really get something happening. Dynamics and articulations are often overlooked by most amateurs

4. Play Less. The most beautiful things in life are simple. If you’re stuck in a rut musically, stop thinking so much, play fewer notes, but make each one count. Have I mentioned dynamics and articulations yet?

5. Listen. Pay less attention to yourself, and listen to the music that’s being created by those who are gracing the stage with you. Sometimes, we feel like we need to be playing something and filling up every inch of sonic real estate during the entirety of our solos. Instead, take your hands off the instrument for a bar or two. Listen. Play off of what the other players are giving you. Pick up that rhythm being played on the ride cymbal, or the riff that the bass player is laying down.

Take these 5 tips to heart, and you’ll find yourself making more satisfying music. Now quit reading and go practice.