Solo of the Month (SotM) #127 - Challenge

stratman3142

The challenge is now open and ends at midnight 24th May 2026

Discussion:

Thanks to @fastonebaz for this backing track.

Continuing the plagiarism of blues tracks from last month's SotM

You can download the backing track from the link below:

https://app.box.com/s/588evz87pvvrh8lrlj7pwesexsvt502z

You can hear track on Souncloud below:
https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sotm127-fastonebaz-phteven-ray?si=fbd1e9f0bd754d9387c9f5202a110b8e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Track info from @fastonebaz:

Title: Phteven Ray Gun Blues

Tempo: 120bpm

It's a straightforward bluesy shuffle.  Any similarity to anything else is entirely 

coincidental....  

Phteven Ray Gun Blues

120bpm 

 

E, E, E, E 

A, A, E, E 

B7, A7, E, B7 

 

E, E, E, E 

A, A, E, E 

B7, A7, E, B7 

 

E, E, E, E7 

A, A, E, E 

B7, A7, E, B7 

E, E9

General Info

Record your solo over the top of it and then submit it (ideally in mp3 format) to solos@thefretboard.co.uk

Also, feel free to post on how you approached the solo on this thread, which will add a bit more interest and maybe we can learn something from each other.

There should be headroom to record your solo. Try to set a level without excessive master limiting, because we want to avoid loudness wars.

Voting will start soon after the submission deadline, with each voter selecting their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

First choice gets 5 points - Second choice gets 3 points - Third choice gets 1 point

The order and scores of the top three entries will be announced soon after the voting ends.

No prizes. It's just for fun.

As people submit their entries, I'll post them below to hopefully promote some discussion on approaches used for the solo:

https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sets/sotm-2026-05?si=13066d5a84c84a27964eb2965a7a9677&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

digitalkettle

1, 2, 3...11, 12.

12? Aaargh!

Bellycaster

Sent one in. Took advantage of the dull bank holiday weather to get the real blues feel

fastonebaz

digitalkettle said:

1, 2, 3...11, 12.

12? Aaargh!

Don't worry Digi, next month I'm sure there'll be something in 13/7 timing for us to wrap our heads around  

flying_pie

I recorded a riff alternating 6/4 and 7/4 for last month's ROTM. I think it's G mixolydian off the top of my head. Happy for Pete to use that here if we really need something that complicated 

stratman3142

Bellycaster said:

Sent one in...

It's in the playlist.

digitalkettle

flying_pie said:

I recorded a riff alternating 6/4 and 7/4 for last month's ROTM. I think it's G mixolydian off the top of my head. Happy for Pete to use that here if we really need something that complicated 

For the record, I don't need complicated!

stratman3142

flying_pie said:

I recorded a riff alternating 6/4 and 7/4 for last month's ROTM. I think it's G mixolydian off the top of my head. Happy for Pete to use that here if we really need something that complicated 

I've got one more in my stash, which is from @flying_pie in the style of Boomer Rock for next month. It's not 1,2,3...11,12 but, to me, it sounds a bit like 2, 4, 6, 8 (Motorway) if those number are OK with everyone.

If I don't get any more in the mean time, I might start raiding some riff of the month entries.

digitalkettle

stratman3142 said:

flying_pie said:

I recorded a riff alternating 6/4 and 7/4 for last month's ROTM. I think it's G mixolydian off the top of my head. Happy for Pete to use that here if we really need something that complicated 

I've got one more in my stash, which is from @flying_pie in the style of Boomer Rock for next month. It's not 1,2,3...11,12 but, to me, it sounds a bit like 2, 4, 6, 8 (Motorway) if those number are OK with everyone.

If I don't get any more in the mean time, I might start raiding some riff of the month entries.

I liked your last RoTM (only just listened to it)...would work well (maybe before you started thickening-up the harmonies).

flying_pie

I've another in my DAW. Just need to finish it off. It''s not 12 bar blues, metal or classic truck. I'll get that in soon

digitalkettle said:

stratman3142 said:

flying_pie said:

I recorded a riff alternating 6/4 and 7/4 for last month's ROTM. I think it's G mixolydian off the top of my head. Happy for Pete to use that here if we really need something that complicated 

I've got one more in my stash, which is from @flying_pie in the style of Boomer Rock for next month. It's not 1,2,3...11,12 but, to me, it sounds a bit like 2, 4, 6, 8 (Motorway) if those number are OK with everyone.

If I don't get any more in the mean time, I might start raiding some riff of the month entries.

I liked your last RoTM (only just listened to it)...would work well (maybe before you started thickening-up the harmonies).

Thanks. Obviously it wasn't recorded as a backing but I could tweak it, and cut and paste a few more bars as it's quite short 

fastonebaz

I could probably rustle a couple up for a future ones

fastonebaz

oops I've been away and forgot about this one.  Still have a little time left to have a crack at it.

stratman3142

Mine's in the playlist.

fastonebaz

Sent one in.

Charvel San Dimas, bridge pup coil tapped (JB)
Tubescreamer
Amp
Cab
Compressor
EQ
Valhalla Supermassive reverb
Master limiter


Not really my forte, but jammed over the track for a while and then recorded a few takes and picked the final one.

stratman3142

fastonebaz said:

Sent one in...

It's in the playlist.

I see you've called it 'Wibble'. That reminds me of a very old joke about Colonel Smythe and his faithful butler 'Wibble'

Colonel Smythe is taking a bath and lets out a long fart.

Wibble appears at the bathroom door with a water bottle.

Colonel Smythe says: "What are you doing with that water bottle Wibble"

Wibble replies: Sorry sir; I thought you shouted "What-about-a-water-bottle-Wibble"

fastonebaz

That is a great tale,  but I'm afraid I've never heard of Colonel Smythe or his butler Wibble   

fastonebaz

I called it wibble coz I was trying to wobble the opening notes as much  as I could with super forced vibrato  

Benz3ne

Hoping to find the time to get an entry in. It might (sorry in advance) be similar to the last submission with respect to it being a crappy phone recording.

stratman3142

Entry closes tomorrow (24th May) at midnight

flying_pie

I've sent something

I suppose it had to be done, given the zeitgeist

stratman3142

flying_pie said:

I've sent something

I suppose it had to be done, given the zeitgeist

It's in the playlist. An Avant-garde approach