Just because you know umpteen billion scales, it doesn't mean you have to use them all in a solo.
For 10 years, I'd been working as a freelance writer and editor, making money but not a living. It was a good arrangement family-wise, allowing me to stay home with our daughter, but not so great financially or, sometimes, ego-wise.
I haven't played a lot of wallflowers but I have played women who have been vulnerable.

