“I was recording a solo and didn’t have much direction for it, so I was just swinging in the dark. Luther Dickinson gave me this piece of advice…” How a former Black Crowe changed Samantha Fish’s soloing style forever
Fish gives her take on what makes solos memorable – and why flashy playing doesn’t speak to the soul
(Image credit: Kevin & King)
Blues guitarist Samantha Fish is no stranger to searing solos. However, she has recently recalled how one piece of advice from a former Black Crowes member was crucial in helping her change her perspective on soloing and redefine her playing style.
“I remember being in the studio with [former Black Crowes guitarist and North Mississippi Allstars guitarist and co-founder] Luther Dickinson and when we were working on my Wild Heart record,” she says in a new interview with Guitarist.
“I was recording a solo and didn’t have much direction for it, so I was just swinging in the dark. He gave me this really simple piece of advice that has helped to shape my approach since.
“Start with a simple melody, something people can sing, and build from there. Random riffs and flashy shit don’t really speak to the soul. The memorable moments are built off of strong melodies, and sometimes it’s so easy that we miss it entirely. Reinforce the hook or create one when you have the opportunity.”
In a Total Guitar interview from earlier this year, Fish also talked about her admiration for Slash's approach to soloing. “The best guitar players know how to tell a story and he’s definitely one of them. It’s not about coming out of the gate and saying everything you know, it’s about having a conversation with its own varying nuances. You take the time because there’s an art to storytelling."
She continued, “When you figure out how to do that on a guitar, that’s when you start using it most effectively. It’s all about the dynamics, and Slash has always done that really well.”
Janelle is a staff writer at GuitarWorld.com. After a long stint in classical music, Janelle discovered the joys of playing guitar in dingy venues at the age of 13 and has never looked back. Janelle has written extensively about the intersection of music and technology, and how this is shaping the future of the music industry. She also had the pleasure of interviewing Dream Wife, K.Flay, Yīn Yīn, and Black Honey, among others. When she's not writing, you'll find her creating layers of delicious audio lasagna with her art-rock/psych-punk band ĠENN.