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PaperclipPerfector  5d ago (text post)   2875 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 18, 2026

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AI music enthusiasts: has anyone been experimenting with on-demand solos?

The other week, someone raised the possibility of real artists moving away from click tracks to signal authenticity. That got me thinking about one of the classic ways to stand out when recording a standard. There are a thousand versions of Jones Girl but only one with, you know.

Even though the industry no longer uses that model, instrumental solo sections are still found at the 2/3 mark of many rock, country and folk songs. Some groups use this to show off their technical chops or to personalize live shows. But others have it as a sort of auditory filler before the last chorus. Backing off completely in that window would kill the energy; a good instrumental maintains it and ramps into the finale. (A great one just ends the song.)

AI is very good at generating filler. I’m imagining recordings that leave a background-only section where the solo would be, then fill it in when a playlist is generated. Or even each time the song comes up, if people crave just enough novelty to keep them awake.

I was driving, this morning, and either my radio or the local station was malfunctioning. I swear it was skipping a tenth of a second ahead once or twice a minute. While I would suspect my ancient radio before I’d suspect the regional station’s hardware, I don’t know any way that a normal receiver would accumulate lag, so I wanted to confirm that the beat was inconsistent. Before I knew it I was at my exit.

I think procedural or AI solos are close to artistically bankrupt, but that doesn’t mean they’re without uses.

The other week, someone raised the possibility of real artists moving away from click tracks to signal authenticity.

It was me. I have things to contribute other than gotchas.

There are a thousand versions of Jones Girl but only one with, you know.

Huh, I thought Hüsker Dü was the only act to use a single-note solo.

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