Brian May - Harmonies
- Thread starter Jumanji
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mediumpimpin
New member
Re: Brian May - Harmonies
Sounds like you need to learn some theory. I can't really help you in that department, but there's plenty of dudes here who can. You might wanna move this to the tips and clips section, you'll get more responses.
Sounds like you need to learn some theory. I can't really help you in that department, but there's plenty of dudes here who can. You might wanna move this to the tips and clips section, you'll get more responses.
Fikealox
New member
Re: Brian May - Harmonies
In my understanding, on their most basic level, harmonies are where you play a melody, and at the same time have someone play the same melody a certain interval above or below the original (often a third or a fifth above the original). It's often done in post production, but bands with two or more guitarists often do it live, and there are pedals that can achieve the same effect, too.
In my understanding, on their most basic level, harmonies are where you play a melody, and at the same time have someone play the same melody a certain interval above or below the original (often a third or a fifth above the original). It's often done in post production, but bands with two or more guitarists often do it live, and there are pedals that can achieve the same effect, too.
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: Brian May - Harmonies
Ask how harmonies work.. is a broad question, since it doesn't even just stop at simple 3rds etc.
I can explain the basics, but not right now anymore, since I'm going to bed soonish.
Ask how harmonies work.. is a broad question, since it doesn't even just stop at simple 3rds etc.
I can explain the basics, but not right now anymore, since I'm going to bed soonish.
Ocifer
New member
Re: Brian May - Harmonies
+1.
In rock music, guitar harmonies are generally in thirds, fifths, or fourths. Thirds, fourths, fifths etc. refer to distances between notes (a basic theory and sheet music primer off of Google will probably be very helpful). Harmonies are often constructed to outline certain chord progressions, or harmonic rhythms.
Brian May is a bit of an anomaly, as he can put together harmonies based off of simple chords, yet do something like Killer Queen where there are three independent, yet complementary melodies. Also, as far as I am aware Brian May is one of those guys who hears these things in his head, and did a lot of the harmonies on Bohemian Rhapsody intuitively -- says he just heard all the counterpoint (melody vs. melody working together, basically) in his head once he heard the piano parts.
+1.
In rock music, guitar harmonies are generally in thirds, fifths, or fourths. Thirds, fourths, fifths etc. refer to distances between notes (a basic theory and sheet music primer off of Google will probably be very helpful). Harmonies are often constructed to outline certain chord progressions, or harmonic rhythms.
Brian May is a bit of an anomaly, as he can put together harmonies based off of simple chords, yet do something like Killer Queen where there are three independent, yet complementary melodies. Also, as far as I am aware Brian May is one of those guys who hears these things in his head, and did a lot of the harmonies on Bohemian Rhapsody intuitively -- says he just heard all the counterpoint (melody vs. melody working together, basically) in his head once he heard the piano parts.
DankStar
Her Little Mojo Minion
Re: Brian May - Harmonies
I know it's implied, but it took me a bit to realize that when you're talking 3rds, 5ths, etc...it means 3 notes up/down in the SCALE that is being used.
Find your key, and depending on the scale used, you'd try various techniques of 3rds, 5ths, 7ths, etc. Sometimes the harmony part has some notes that are 3rds, and a few that are 5ths or whatever. It depends on the riff and what SOUNDS best. If a note doesn't sound right, you just gotta find one that does.
At least that's how I do it. As far as Brian May - search for tabs of his stuff; it probably has 2 guitar parts shown and you could find out if he's doing 3rds or a combo burrito.
I know it's implied, but it took me a bit to realize that when you're talking 3rds, 5ths, etc...it means 3 notes up/down in the SCALE that is being used.
Find your key, and depending on the scale used, you'd try various techniques of 3rds, 5ths, 7ths, etc. Sometimes the harmony part has some notes that are 3rds, and a few that are 5ths or whatever. It depends on the riff and what SOUNDS best. If a note doesn't sound right, you just gotta find one that does.
At least that's how I do it. As far as Brian May - search for tabs of his stuff; it probably has 2 guitar parts shown and you could find out if he's doing 3rds or a combo burrito.
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