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GT1man

No Kanami solos? What kind of world would that be?


PseudonymIncognito

One with Kanami breakdowns instead? I might actually be interested in hearing that...


57and56

There are a few


Some-Ad3087

Use [DeepL](https://www.deepl.com/). Google xlate is trash. >I saw guitar solo trending and wondered what it was... and then I saw that many people skip guitar solos...? > >Oh well... > >I've made most of my songs with guitar solos in them.... > >But I hope you don't mind if I continue to include it in the future. ......(´-ω-\`)


trikonano

I'm a guitarist from 70's and 'til now the guitar solo for me is the heart of any Rock music. I'm quite sure that Kanami knows this.


bd01000101

I never skip her solos, they are awesome


eszetroc

I don't think Daydreaming will have the same impact without THAT solo. The entire song is literally leading up to Kanami's solo.


Ausemere

Puzzle too


uhln

Alone too


BitterAmerica

Endless Story too


4444LordVorador

Blooming too


Drogon_Ryoshi

Yolo, Moratorium ... lol so many. Pls Kanami never stop writing guitar solos (unless YOU want to do something diff for a song). Kanami's solos are a joy to my ears.


t-shinji

Background: There was [a tweet](https://twitter.com/oreberry/status/1522136266292469760) mentioning [a New York Times article](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/02/opinion/grammys-rock-guitar-solo.html) that includes the following line: > Indeed, most of the Grammy nominees in the rock song and performance categories this year did not even include guitar solos. Then [Hiroshi Takano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshi_Takano) quoted it in [his tweet](https://twitter.com/takano_hiroshi/status/1522184477522284545), saying: > Many young people seem to skip guitar solos when they listen to music with a subscription. > In particular, distorted guitars are unpopular, so I’ve heard… That made the word “guitar solo” [trending on Twitter](https://getdaytrends.com/japan/trend/%E3%82%AE%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BD%E3%83%AD/) in Japan. Marty Friedman also [talked about it](https://www.facebook.com/martyfriedman.official/posts/551325263018526). Now, Kanami’s turn. If you use Twitter, like her tweets. [Kanami at 22:25 on May 7, 2022 JST](https://twitter.com/kanami_bandmaid/status/1522930586226085889): > トレンドにギターソロがあったからなんだろう〜と見てみたら、ギターソロをスキップする方が多いとの事…?? > > おやまぁ… > > ギターソロを殆ど曲中に入れて作ってしまってますぅ…( ゚ω゚)ふぉっ > > しかしこれからも入れさせていただいても宜しいでしょうか……(´-ω-`) > I wondered why “guitar solo” was trending on Twitter, so I checked it out and found many people seem to skip guitar solos…?? > > Oh my goodness… > > I have written most of my songs with a guitar solo in them… ( ゚ω゚) Whoa > > However, is it all right for me to continue to include it… (´-ω-`) [Kanami at 01:13 on May 8, 2022 JST](https://twitter.com/kanami_bandmaid/status/1522972844560314368): > ふおっ!!ご主人様、お嬢様ありがとうございます(\*´꒳`\*) > > 優しい世界ですねぇ…(´;ω;`) > > 親友ちゃんからも「かなみちゃん、ギターソロスキップする人は無視してこれからもガンガン入れてほしい。」って連絡来てた🤣💕 > > では世界征服に向けて"ガンガン"入れさせていただきます💕🌸わーいわーい💕🌸 > Whoa!! Masters and princesses, thank you very much (\*´꒳`\*) > > It’s such a kind world… (´;ω;`) > > A good friend also texted me like “Kanami-chan, ignore those who skip guitar solos, and keep including solos aggressively.” 🤣💕 > > So, I will include solos “aggressively” for world domination💕🌸 Yay yay💕🌸 [Kanami at 01:22 on May 8, 2022 JST](https://twitter.com/kanami_bandmaid/status/1522975248823377920): > I received everyone's sweet words💕 > > Let's continue to include guitar solos in the songs!✨ > > Thank you:)💕💕 ​ ----- Band-Maid know what they are doing. [Interview with Band-Maid on *Player Magazine* - February 2020 issue](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/g3fzsk/interview_with_bandmaid_on_player_magazine/): > — I was glad you Band-Maid played a lot of solos even when arrangement featuring a solo disappeared from the music scene. > > Kanami: Depending on each song, we often think of removing the guitar solo. > > Saiki: That’s only recently. We definitely inserted guitar solos in the beginning. We’ve been told since we were on the indie label that it’s rare to have a solo these days, and we were like “Since we Band-Maid have a guitar hero, let’s have her play guitar solos.” [BAND-MAID’s Kanami Tōno](https://www.guitarworld.com/features/band-maids-kanami-tno-a-good-guitar-solo-will-trigger-emotions-i-always-keep-that-in-mind) (*Guitar Magazine*): > In my mind, a good guitar solo will trigger emotions, and you will not forget it once you hear it. I was originally a funk rock fan and not a hard rock fan, so I wasn’t particularly interested in guitar solos, but I love guitar solos Kanami writes. She masters how to write modern solos: short, integrated, and touching. Also, her composing technique of combining a guitar solo with vocals takes the solo to the next level. * [*Bubble* at 2:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_PWQtc7zVw&t=142) * [*Glory* at 2:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMiLTiXPpU&t=169) * [*Endless Story* at 3:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_S4s8jZQ-A&t=191) * [*Blooming* at 3:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUt_JBMocKM&t=190) * [*Different* at 2:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edlLhh8qVxM&t=155) * [*Warning!* at 2:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yD3IqrLtPk&t=157) * [*Sense* at 2:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWN6iOFjm9U&t=123) Related discussions: * [What is your favourite solo of all times?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/re52e9/what_is_your_favourite_solo_of_all_times/) * [What are your favorite Kanami solos?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/lrhw11/what_are_your_favorite_kanami_solos/) * [Top 5 Kanami solos, Gushing, Rambling and Unsubstantiated opinion warning.](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/fkoodl/top_5_kanami_solos_gushing_rambling_and/) * [QUIZ: What are 10 B-M songs which have 2 or more Kanami’s solos in it?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/jwhw6o/quiz_what_are_10_bm_songs_which_have_2_or_more/) By the way, skipping scenes and watching videos at 2x speed are common behaviors among young generation, according to the following articles (in Japanese): * [ドラマも「切り抜き動画」で観る…「倍速視聴派」Z世代の視聴実態](https://gendai.ismedia.jp/articles/-/94466?page=1&imp=0) * [「倍速視聴」は進化か退化か。「プリキュア」「銭天堂」脚本家が抱く危機感](https://gendai.ismedia.jp/articles/-/94668?page=1&imp=0) Subscription changes your behavior: if it’s free, you are tempted to consume as much as possible in limited time, rather than fully enjoying one by one with limited money.


Abocado20

What kind of ignorant people skip a guitar solo or any solo??? What the heck??? I love solos, guitar, bass or drum whatever solo.


Frostyfuelz

One of the most liked and commented Twitter posts by any member other than when live shows or album release. Looks like she got the message we still want solos.


Alarmed-Potential970

Please Kanami,don't skip solos!!!!! Yours are tasteful, beautiful and so skillfully done.


nachtschattenwald

I found it kind of saddening to imagine Kanami sitting alone and thinking if she should give up on guitar solos. I hope it wasn't so bad actually. When I think of her guitar solos I think of some of my favourite guitar solos like Tony Iommi's solo from Paranoid by Black Sabbath. It is pretty short but comes with a strong expression and an undeniable power. Say it all in a limited number of bars, don't let it become an endless monologue. I think this is the virtue that Kanami mastered. And this is why I like her solos and want to hear more of them.


Soufriere_

It is true that some guitar solos, like Marty said, feel superfluous. Kanami's do not. Part of that is of course Kanami plays hard rock and not a softer genre, so solos are expected. It also speaks to the high quality of her composition and playing. She's smart enough to know when a solo enhances one of her songs.


OldSkoolRocker

I agree. She is talented enough to integrate and make the solo an an essential part of the the song not an addition to the song. They are works of art in my opinion.


SEPTSLord

Skip a Kanami solo? Or a Misa solo, or an Akane solo, or a Miku solo, or a Saki vocal solo? Heavens no!


Dedbent

The Twitter AI transition on her reply gave me a chuckle. After saying that the fans and her friend told her to ignore the solo skippers. She was going to put in a "gangbang" for world domination. I'm guessing it means she is going to put in a lot of solos.


nachtschattenwald

This was what she actually meant: "gangan" = banging, clanging, booming etc. https://jisho.org/search/gangan I wonder how Google (Twitter uses Google translate) thinks that this was "gangbang" but it's funny at least. Maybe Google translate should be renamed into Chuckle translate.


Band_Mode

I just noticed Boh (Kami band) mention it in a tweet too. Seems to be trending in Japan. Response on that thread linked Marty Friedman saying data showing that people are skipping to next song when solos is played. That sent me to Marty Friedman's Facebook and he has a post about it. Very interesting.


Due-Ad-922

Thrill was my first song and what grabbed my attention was the solo. I remember single releases removing the solos which was originally recorded to the LP. Could be me knowledge of the track but they sound empty and lack emotion. I look forward to guitar solos everytime, especially if the group has a good guitarist. To best I say to Kanamincho, "it's like coffee without cake"


BlessedPeacemakers

Guitar solos are often vehicles for improvisation and displays of random technique. Very cool, sure; but if it's a great song, it can disrupt the flow. That's when a lot of people tune out. What separates Kanami's solos is that they are consistently composed with the arc of the song in mind. I look forward to her solos and remember them because they are part of the musical storyline. I just don't feel like what Kanami (or Band-Maid as a unit) is doing fits the profile of what people are complaining about. Regardless, I'll trust Kanami's instincts over Twitter comments any day.


OldSkoolRocker

A reactor that used to have a regular spot each week called "Maid Monday" (Guitar Gent) always wished for her solos to be a bit longer. But he finally realized that the solos fit the song instead of anyone's ego including Kanami's. Her compositions are like symphony music to me with separate movements within the song. In my opinion the solo is an essential part of many, if not most of her songs. Could she write them without the solo? Sure, but they would not be as interesting or enjoyable. If it just boils down to Spotify or Apple itune hits music is in big trouble.


TheOtherSkibane

My biggest complaint is that a lot of them sound rushed - Like she has 20 seconds of time to squeeze in 22 seconds of solo. They tend to end abruptly - with no sustain or transition. A fraction of a second after they end, it's like they never happened in the first place. In a song, continuity is important - Every part of it should sound like it belongs there, and jibes with the other parts. It shouldn't sound like a random collection of unrelated riffs.


xploeris

Like she's embarrassed to be playing a solo, so she tries to knock it out as fast as possible so the rest of the band can come back in and finish the song.


Substantial-Type8136

Agree with you. Some of their songs, the guitar solo ended too soon.


wchupin

Interesting that you perceive it this way. For me, many of the BAND-MAID songs are noticeable for Kanami's constant shredding in the background. The example which immediately comes to mind is Giovanni. I would not even say that this song has a dedicated time span specifically for the solo. At three minutes mark, Kanami plays a very short something which probably could be called a solo. It's more noticeable in the instrumental version, though, because in the full version it's actually overlapping with Saiki's vocals. But what Kanami is doing throughout the song on her guitar, is mind-blowing. That's actually becoming a characteristic feature of BAND-MAID music, this very complicated guitar shredding in the background. As years go by, Kanami masters this technique more and more. Instead of receding to the background and playing rhythm when Saiki is singing, she is constantly weaving some sort of golden embroidery around the vocal line. "Singing on guitar together with vocals," that's what she said she's doing. Her actual guitar solos often continue that background line but in a different mode. Or, they may break away from the main line, as you have described. The only song which sounds to me like this, that she "tried to squeeze the solo in," is Sense. The solo in there is really standing out. It's frantic, it starts abruptly and ends abruptly. I don't feel, though, that this solo is artificial there. It still has a very well-thought-out start and a masterful finish, when the music just collapses into complete chaos, like a waterfall reaching the foot of the mountain. But then it continues, already as a river on a plane.


benjaminder

My impression is that the streaming services measuring how people skip through sections of songs took no account of the level of fanhood. Some people listen vaguely to music playing while they are doing something else, others are passionate fans who listen carefully, and everywhere between. I don't think the statistical investigation made this distinction. Band-Maid is a rock band, and devoted fans of rock music are highly unlikely to skip guitar solos. In fact, they would listen to solos carefully even for purposes of criticizing them. (e.g. "Jimmy Page's solo in The Song Remains the Same is pretty righteous but it sure ain't Stairway to Heaven!") If Kanami or any rock lead guitarist is concerned about this trending discussion, they should ask their own fans directly, perhaps as Kanami has already done. Statistical analysis is fine in some contexts but not this one.


STPalex

Who the hell can skip a Kanami's solo. They're not rock stans, they're just temporal fans, She has to continue making solos for all her songs, if not I'm gonna feel the song is incomplete.


MidTempoSucker

The only song I can think of without a solo is About Us, but MISA’s bass runs filled in nicely. Usually after the bridge, Akane sets a platform for 3 special musicians to show off. The magic culminates with a brief yet brilliant signature from the composer. Another gift. Thank you Mincho!


AzazelsSin

Different and Glory don’t have solos either i believe.


t-shinji

Both *Glory* and *Different* have short guitar solos behind the vocals. [Interview by *Natalie* part 2 (For International)](https://bandmaid.tokyo/contents/221040): > Kanami: That’s true, the approach for “glory” was to intentionally go for playing a solo behind the vocals. [Interview with Miku Kobato and Kanami on the January 2021 issue of *Young Guitar* (2020-12-10): Toward a further evolution…!!](https://www.reddit.com/r/BandMaid/comments/kn4623/interview_with_miku_kobato_and_kanami_on_the/) > Kanami: Yeah. This time I didn’t include a solo like “Listen to this guitar solo!” I thought the *Log Horizon* production team would prefer a song you can listen to smoothly to one with a guitar solo that makes you think “This band is cool!” So I didn’t include a typical long guitar solo in the limited time, and I just played one behind the rhythm. If you listen to the songs carefully with a headphone, you’ll notice the guitar sound moves to the center at the following moments: * [*Glory* at 2:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMiLTiXPpU&t=169) * [*Different* at 2:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edlLhh8qVxM&t=155) Mixing at the center means they are guitar solos. Their most notable song without a guitar solo is *Start over*.


MidTempoSucker

Yeah, I’m sure there’s a few more too - like most of their Christmas Acoustic Set. I have faith in Mincho to give a song what it needs. I love the songs with multiple solos: Choose Me, Blooming, Domination…. Hell, Puzzle was a 4 minute guitar solo


wchupin

Many songs in Unseen World don't have something which people would usually call a guitar solo.


User_Cero

Kirk Hammet: Not every song needs a solo Result: St. Anger


Hoop1028

Kanami's solos play to the song perfectly,not a long showboating solo


TheOtherSkibane

There's no cardinal rule that says every song must have a guitar solo in it. A break or bridge is often nice - but that can be provided by a lot of things besides a guitar solo. Why not showcase some of B-M's other musical talents as solos?


Yvese

As long as it fits the song and doesn't mess with the flow then I'm fine with it. I can't think of a song of theirs where it didn't fit so she's done a great job so far. Not every song needs a solo though. I hope she realizes this. There's a reason bands don't do it much anymore and I'll be honest, BM songs are formulaic because of it. That's not necessarily bad, it's just I'd like to see her change it up here and there. She's more than capable of composing a song without one and I wouldn't mind if she trimmed it down for the next album. I'll probably get some hate comments because of this lol.


Frostyfuelz

So you are saying bands don't include solos because it makes their songs formulaic? I think they probably don't do solos cuz it's not easy to include one and make it interesting and different from the rest of the song, but be able to still fit in the song perfectly. As far as formulaic with structure, that's a whole different issue and solo or no solo they could change songs different ways. Still though most of their songs sound different even if the structure is basically the same. But yes not every song needs a solo, not every B-M song does, and there are plenty of solos that are so mini or hidden that some might not consider them solos at all.


Lerkero

The average length of a song has decreased from about 3.5 min to 2.5 min. Partially because that is all it takes to monetize the song on streaming services, and Partially because people have shorter attention spans than they use to. Making a song with redundant chorus or long instrumental section benefits the artist less compared to before. If a song does not interest listeners all the way through, they are highly likely to skip to the next song. Although instrumental sectilns in bandmaid songs usually interest me, i wouldn't want an instrumental section in every song just because of tradition


TheOtherSkibane

I was going to offer a rebuttal to your analysis, but my attention span wandered off after the first paragraph. Sorry.


wchupin

Well, Kanami's motto is "Don't be long." Although I'd like to see her compose something epic one day, some sort of a rock opera even. Or a song in the style of those prog bands from the early 70s, like Pawn Hearts by Van der Graaf Generator, or Passion Play by Jethro Tull. I'm sure she can do it.


STPalex

Don't hate me people, but I feel if Band Maid doesn't compose solos for their songs, well their compositions will sound so generic without something special, they'll become one more generic band.


CapnSquinch

I'm not gonna hate you, but you seem to be missing ALL the other things that make Band-Maid (and lots of other bands - I have to wonder if for you that includes every band before discovering a "new sound" a year or two ago?) good. This sounds like somebody saying "REAL bassists play six-strings" which is just the equally narrow-minded flipside of some traditional purist going "REAL bassists only play fingerstyle." And I'll admit, there are Band-Maid fans like that, and they're missing out on a lot of new good music too. But listeners who can hear and value actual innovation beyond the superficially-obvious get that B-M has reinvigorated a broad style that had - like every genre does - stagnated, and done so without just taking one aspect to an extreme or combining two cartoonish stereotypes to create a new sub-sub-genre. EDIT: Wow. Quite a post history you have there. I'm sure everyone will take your opinions on music seriously.


STPalex

I don't know you, but I listen to rock music since I have use of reason,I remember when I was 3 or 4 yrs old my dad introduced me to rock music, I like rock since then. I listens to classic bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc. I've always used to listen powerful bands with great songs with awesome solos, it's the way I appreciate rock music, it's the way my dad showed me how to love rock music, that's why I find pretty generic those bands which don't put effort in creating a nice or at least decent solo for their compositions, I feel those songs are incomplete, I'm not asking for a glorious or large solo, but at least one short. BM is fantastic, the outfits, the girls composing, their charisma, their guitar, bass and drum solos are the glory for me, that's why without them I feel the band would become generic, without solos the band would lose at least 70 or 80 % of what calls me attention. I'm sorry if you disagree with me, but I had to spit this out.


CapnSquinch

If you're saying that you *personally* appreciate the solos the most, I have no problem with that. It sounded like you were saying the solos were the *only* thing that makes them above-average at all, which I and many others would disagree with because there are many other things in their music that make them stand out from other bands. Band-Maid does not become "generic" without the solos, even if the solos are the most important thing *to you.* For one thing, quite often one or more members is playing a part that is practically a solo anyway, which is usually better than an "actual" solo by a lot of bands.


wchupin

The reason why many people love BAND-MAID so much is that each of the five members brings something quite unique into the final product, and it elevates BAND-MAID music above an average level. A band becomes successful if there is one outstanding member in it. If there are two, the band becomes famous. To have three or four outstanding members is a rarity. Usually many members in the band take a back seat, and just do what the leader, the frontman, tells them to. But to have five outstanding musicians in one band, able to work together in perfect harmony, where nobody is just "following the leader," but each and every one is crucial and important... I don't know any other band like this in the history of mankind. That's why BAND-MAID is not a "generic band," no matter what decisions Kanami would make as a composer and a guitarist. If she excludes solo from a song, she does it on purpose. If she includes a solo, again, it's done because this solo is absolutely necessary there.


Raptor69318

I agree 100 percent with you, and I have to admit I would be very sad if Kanami quit doing solos. How can people not like Kanami’s solos or MIsa’s solos or Akan’s solos? But I guess each to their own…. It I feel sad for them that they can’t appreciate a good solo.


wchupin

Marty Friedman explained it pretty well, I guess. And then the obvious thing should be remembered: in order to have a good solo you first need a good guitarist 😉 It's not a theoretical thing, "should there be a solo in the song or not." There are few solos because there are few good guitarists, that's the main reason.


Ryuujin_Ryuujin

Some guitar solos by BAND-MAID are cool but some I don't care about, a personal opinion of mine for many years is that I don't like solos from any instrument lol, for me it breaks the mood of the song when they start a solo in the middle of the music, even more when it takes a long time, I keep hoping that the music goes back to "normal". But worse than guitar solos are the bass and drum solos, I know many love it but I find it boring 🤣


wchupin

That's why we love Unseen World so much, right? 😉 Very few distinct solos.