I agree with Sean. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Here is what advice I have to offer to you:
– Work on your timing. Do this by practicing everything with a metronome and do the same with backing tracks.
– Next mix up your note values in a cold calculated manner. So simply play your scales over the backing track making sure you are changing the note groupings as often as possible.ie. start off playing straight sixteenth notes, then go into some triplets, then some eight notes etc. Basically this will improve your phrasing and allow you to get comfortable with different note groupings.
– Transcribe your favourite player’s solos. Try to replicate ever little inflection in their playing. This will improve your dynamics and control by forcing you to play different notes in subtley different ways. If you don’t have the time to transcribe entire solos, pick out the licks you like the best. It is important to make a note of the chords they are played over so you are aware of what context the lick is in. This will allow you to start placing ideas in context.
– Instead of trying to build a big lick library, try to make variations on these licks as soon as you have learnt them. The goal is to integrate many different ideas into your playing to create your own style.
– Play less. Use space to your advantage. A good exercise is to imagine you are playing a horn. You can only play so many notes before you have to breathe. Try this with guitar. It can help develop more vocal phrases.
– Record yourself playing as often as possible and try to pick out what you like and what you don’t. This will help you see where you need to improve and where you need to make changes.
This is only a few ideas as the world of improvisation is a big topic. However, hopefully you can take something from this. One other thing…you mention playing over chord changes. First get comfortable playing in the same key and work on your improvisation here first. Worrying about key changes is just giving you something else you need to think about when you are trying to hone your improvisational skills. And remember…even the pros are constantly working on and honing their skills. Its a life long journey and one that should be fun! With practice, determination and time…you will get the results you want.
Andy
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