Short songs

[John Harmon]

I have a question about playing short songs, such as Together Again or Rosewood Casket. Basically 4 lines with no chorus or bridge. Not problem to take a break if someone is singing but if you just want to play the song, how do you "stretch" it out? Go to lower strings maybe, a little harder to do with a 6 string. Or go way up the neck? Thanks for any insight. John

[Per Berner]

Nothing wrong with a short song. Sometimes it's a blessing.

[Doug Beaumier]

...how do you "stretch" it out? Go to lower strings maybe, a little harder to do with a 6 string. Or go way up the neck?

Yes, play it in a different octave, higher or lower. If you "run out of low notes or high notes" on a 6-string, jump back to the original octave to complete the melody or improvise something to fill in. The low (or high) melody doesn't have to be exactly like the original melody. It's usually more interesting to make it a bit different. Think of it as improvisation.

Or play a totally improvised section in the same octave. And then go back to the melody.

Or modulate. For example, play the normal melody, then play a low melody with some improv, and then modulate either a half step or a whole step and play the melody. Done!

[John Harmon]

Yes Per, my playing a short one is a blessing . Thanks Doug, I don't think improv will work for me. Don't quite understand it, but going back and forth between octaves would work. Thanks for the suggestion. John
BTW Doug I got started with one of your books and thank you for it. I don't do well with tab either but it helped me see what was going on.

[Joseph Lazo]

Segue into another song in the same key

[John Harmon]

Joseph I guess that would work also. Thanks