How can I do this?

[UberMetalDood]

I know this guy is not a gifted player but I kind of like this little jam. I want to be able to compose songs like this where I don't need to do anything impressive on the guitar and sound good... just a nice groove and some harmonious guitar leads that don't get boring.

How can you make a song simple like this without being too simple or sound generic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoxs60NxqAk

 

[RobSoundtrack]

Re: How can I do this?

While I am not Mendelssohn, I will give my .02
The song is considered singable. It will be in your head after you cut the video off.
The lack of insane shred and the amount of musical headroom keep it easy to listen to.
The use of variation keeps it from being repetitive.

Notice that in many parts you could imagine room for vocals while there is not.
Notice also that the parts where all the headroom is used, the leads are still simple (singable).

I also believe that removing any harshness from the mix will help in the overall goal. It sounds obvious but is often overlooked.

Again, not saying that I practice any of what I'm preaching; but I should!

Thoughts?

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: How can I do this?

How can you make a song simple like this without being too simple or sound generic?

Write a good chord progression first. His progression isn't breaking any new ground but it is solid enough to allow him to jam on top and embellish it. I suggest concentrating on the root notes and where they are going, how they resolve and change etc.

 

[RobSoundtrack]

Re: How can I do this?

Write a good chord progression first. His progression isn't breaking any new ground but it is solid enough to allow him to jam on top and embellish it. I suggest concentrating on the root notes and where they are going, how they resolve and change etc.

I can agree with that.
Interesting enough I just did an excercise similar to all of this; you know, to keep it simple.

Just posted it here:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=209681

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: How can I do this?

While I am not Mendelssohn, I will give my .02
The song is considered singable. It will be in your head after you cut the video off.
The lack of insane shred and the amount of musical headroom keep it easy to listen to.
The use of variation keeps it from being repetitive.

Notice that in many parts you could imagine room for vocals while there is not.
Notice also that the parts where all the headroom is used, the leads are still simple (singable).

I also believe that removing any harshness from the mix will help in the overall goal. It sounds obvious but is often overlooked.

Again, not saying that I practice any of what I'm preaching; but I should!

Thoughts?

That makes a lot of sense. I think I try to be melodic in my soloing but it occurs to me that I never conceived of trying to make something singable. I can see how the great guitarists make great instrumentals by thinking that way. Once you have a singable or hummable melody, you can build and add complexity. Where I must be making the mistake is trying to do it all at once. It's good advice. Thanks.

Write a good chord progression first. His progression isn't breaking any new ground but it is solid enough to allow him to jam on top and embellish it. I suggest concentrating on the root notes and where they are going, how they resolve and change etc.

How do you break out of playing in a key that you're always comfortable in? My idea of it is very simple and my theory is limited. I try to find the tonality of a certain mode like say Phrygian, for example the 4th note and build the chords from there. In order to change keys I try to figure out the parallel keys that share the same chords I'm using. The rest is kind of fuzzy.

I can understand it on paper or when it's explained, but on the guitar there is a high degree of difficulty applying it.

I can agree with that.
Interesting enough I just did an excercise similar to all of this; you know, to keep it simple.

Just posted it here:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=209681

It sounded great. I liked the punchiness of your pickups too.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: How can I do this?

Even if you can't sing, think of your solos as the vocals. With rare exceptions, a singer isn't singing all the time, so limit your lines to the typical verse length.

As well, limit your note selections to the vocal range of the average singer, say the middle of the neck on the center two strings and build from there.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: How can I do this?

How do you break out of playing in a key that you're always comfortable in? My idea of it is very simple and my theory is limited. I try to find the tonality of a certain mode like say Phrygian, for example the 4th note and build the chords from there. In order to change keys I try to figure out the parallel keys that share the same chords I'm using. The rest is kind of fuzzy.

I can understand it on paper or when it's explained, but on the guitar there is a high degree of difficulty applying it.

No doubt certain keys are more comfortable on guitar. I think I would pick a key, since I write songs for vocals, first and apply the Phrygian scale as the melody or guitar solo rather than writing a progression based on the Phrygian scale. Worth a try.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: How can I do this?

I can agree with that.
Interesting enough I just did an excercise similar to all of this; you know, to keep it simple.

Just posted it here:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=209681

You nailed the style, good job!

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: How can I do this?

1) Get a looper pedal

2) Drink beer

That's what I do when I come up with my most fun self-jams