Tips for lead playing?

Re: Tips for lead playing?

Put down the guitar, learn as much theory as your brain can grasp, and learn which notes "fit" under which chords in every situation posible. Pick up the guitar and try to visualize those notes on the fretboard. Eventually you'll get a grasp of which "wrong" notes can be thrown in at the "right" time.

A couple of things though, eventually you should (at least it's what I'm working on now) try to think not so much about boxed scale patterns, but rather think intervals, and more importantly, you should "feel" the kind of emotions and images scales and certain intervals portray, and apply to your will. Like Satch says in this video when he soloes over a progression, "Is this guy sailing down the Mississippi Delta or the Nile?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTQolymKmDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCdZwASSKuk&feature=related

One thing that I got from a Guitar World ages ago (I don't take classes so I kind of learn from anywhere I can) was learning the modes in descending brightness. Basically order them in the amount of flats they have, so basically Lydian is the "happiest" one and Locrian would be the "saddest" one because of the amount of flats it has, and it actually kind of makes sense!

And last but not least, you need to work on your technique, not to be able to do some flashy soloing, but rather, to be able to play whatever your brain wants to play.
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

The best advice I can give you, is to not forget that even though you are up front, it is not you that carries the song. Therefore, work within the context or what your fellow musicians are putting out, and try and make their life as easy as possible ; they will surely return the favor.

Also, don't overplay. Nothing is more annoying than a lead guitarist who believes he needs to play super fast and super technical all the time. Feel your music, be lyrical about it, and get your message across.
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

phil_104 said:
The best advice I can give you, is to not forget that even though you are up front, it is not you that carries the song. Therefore, work within the context or what your fellow musicians are putting out, and try and make their life as easy as possible ; they will surely return the favor.

Also, don't overplay. Nothing is more annoying than a lead guitarist who believes he needs to play super fast and super technical all the time. Feel your music, be lyrical about it, and get your message across.
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That's really good advice, I should write that down. BTW Yes, Aceman, my parents do know I'm on here.
P.S. I have nearly 100 posts, Holy Crap!
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

heh heh, nice one aceman

> play in tune and in time - this is seriously half the battle for young players
> practise unplugged and clean, watch your picking
> slow difficult/new phrases right down, and make sure they keep the rhythm before playing them at speed
> learn to play by ear, at least get a feel for the intervals between notes in a key
> play constantly, get as comfortable with the instrument as you can; being comfortable while playing opens doors
> apparently you're 13, so i'll stop now ; ]
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

Jazz or Rock? You need to learn the same things to conquer either. I hear people say learn scales and modes. I have to ask why? Because someone told them that they have to learn scales and modes probably! Hogwash!

Most people who use scales and modes don't have a clue which modes work where or why. I mean come on really! They have a hand full of modes that they play on **** near every song and simply because it doesn't sound "bad" they say their method works! :chairfall But truth be told they soon get bored with their own playing and haven't a clue how to expand or take it to the next level! If I had a nickel for every wannabe that quit playing because their playing turned into one big cliche' then I'd never have to work again.

What you need to learn is harmony! Learn every chord that it is possible to create.

Start with basics:

Major, Minor, Dominant 7th, Diminished and Augmented

Then progress to Major 7th, Minor 7th, Major 7b5, Major 7(+5), Minor 7b5, Major 6, Minor 6, MinorMajor 7th and so on.

Then learn your extended harmonies 9th, b9th, #9th, 11th, #11th, b13th and 13th chords.

Once you have learned all these chord types then you will have a full harmonic palette. Start breaking these chords down into arpeggios. Then start playing these arpeggios in all sorts of inversions.

Couple this with voice leading methodologies like step-wise progression, arpeggios, leap up with step down resolution, leap down with step up resolution, step up leap down resolution, step down leap up resolution. The voice leading methods reveal how melodic line are created using the various linear progressions.

Also learn to play by the creation of motifs and repetitious phrasing! You see there is a whole hell of a lot more to it than just learning some friggin modes! :chairfall
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

I think the method one employs to develop as a lead guitarist depends heavily on what 'type' of person you are, or more specifically, what type of brain you have. For the predominantly left brain oriented, studying theory and the science and mathematics of music can be very appealing, and you can take great delight in applying the various formulae into a musical context. The thought of repetitive exercises to develop the required skills will also appeal. To the right brain oriented, studying the theory will seem akin to cleaning the entire floorspace of your living area with a toothbrush, and structured repetitive exercise will have a similar appeal to Chinese water torture. The more right brain inclined will learn by trial and error, and will develop their listening and mimicry skills, with an entirely different focus. Similarly, the lack of structure involved in this hit or miss approach would drive the left brainers crazy.

There is no right or wrong here. Both approaches have produced long lists of great players, and there is obviously substantial grey area between the two extremes, in reflection of the broad range of personality types. My point is to pay attention and become conscious of how your personality manifests itself and how your mind works, and employ an approach that is in keeping with it. Otherwise, you can fall into the trap of struggling with an approach that has no natural appeal to you. In the two extremes, the 'righties' might struggle with the limitations of the theoretical rules, and the 'lefties' might flounder in a world without those disciplines. If you find yourself balanced at some point between the two, then you can study a little theory and then spend the rest of your time wailing away on it. To thine own self be true, and then get down to it. Either way, you will need to be simultaneously very determined, and very patient with yourself. Take one step at a time, and don't expect to be able to do too much too soon, because this can lead to terminal discouragement. Possibly the single most important element is to keep your focus on playing something that is appropriate to the music surrounding it. This will take time and effort, no matter which path you choose.



Cheers...................................... wahwah
 
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Re: Tips for lead playing?

Aceman said:
What?!?!?!? All he did was rip off Yngwie...

You can't be able to copy anyone's leads either! That way you "Have your own style"
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Ok, well *technically* my "own" style is a blend of all the guitarists I love.

I'm sure it's the same for the thread started (im not taking a stab at you ace :banana:).

and now for the tip:


If you are the sole guitarist, that means transferring from lead to rhythym... in one swift fluid motion :saeek:

its alot easier than it sounds. who are your musical influences? what songs do you cover, or practice?
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

astrozombie said:
Ok, well *technically* my "own" style is a blend of all the guitarists I love.

I'm sure it's the same for the thread started (im not taking a stab at you ace :banana:).

and now for the tip:


If you are the sole guitarist, that means transferring from lead to rhythym... in one swift fluid motion :saeek:

its alot easier than it sounds. who are your musical influences? what songs do you cover, or practice?
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My musical influences? Hmm... My single main influence would be Guns 'n' Roses then Nirvana, then Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin. As far as songs I cover, I play Smells Like Teen Spirit pretty close to perfect(obviously not a hard song, everybody knows that)and I'm working on Sweet Child O' Mine and Alive. BTW, I just formed a band, and I'm the only guitarist, oh boy!
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

Aceman said:
What a bunch of useless junk! Are any of these guys famous - NO! But I am...so here is what you need to know:

#1 Learn the pentatonic minor scale - the basic "blues box." That's it. Don't worry about anything else. That is more than enough musical knowledge. A and E will get you through almost anything. If not, it must be some sucky jazz song...

#2 Play as fast as you can all the time. Don't worry about hitting the right notes - Pentatonic minor sounds good over everything! And people will be so impressed by the speed that they won't notice. Most are not musicians anyway. The only way to develop speed is to practice quickly. Playing really really fast is part of jazz too, by the way.

#3 Use a TON of distortion. This will make it easier to play fast, and blur the notes giving more of an impression that you played the right thing. It's that rock sound that you want, and you can't have too much ever! Playing clean, really fast, IS jazz. We don't want to do that though.

#4 You HAVE to practice making your musical "grimace" in the mirror - that face that at any other time would say "I have a turd stuck and it's killing me" except when you hold a guitar - then the same face means "I'm twisted in agony pouring out my soul in this distorted fast pentatonic minor solo" People will feel the emotion in your solo because you look emotional. Most jazz guys can't play rock because they look bored. Don't forget your big rock stances too!

#5 Cool threads. The chics dig them. Find a girl to take you shopping for your rock star threads. The chics could care less about what you play - they are checking out your pants, shirt, shoes and hair. If you can bring the chics around, you can be in any band you want. Chics are why we want to be in a band in the first place, right? Musicianship is for a bunch of moody, lonely, black turtle neck wearing jazzers.

#6 Great gear. Absolutely essential. No body ever got famous without cool gear. serious gear makes people think you can play good enough to need it. Jazz guys all play the same lame guitar. And a BIG amp. You must be able to sonically overpower any band member you disagree with. The volume of your instrument tells the chics who the most important person in the band is.

Learn this scale, that scale - pffft. when you listen to Nickelback do you even hear them play a solo? If they did would you know the scale or care?
Clothes, grimace, gear

Those will get you farther than any of that foolishness the others said. You've seen my avatar - you know who I am. Or you can listen to some 17 year old kid named "cream" who is in the band in high school.

You found the right place kid - we are gonna raise you right! You'll be the most in demand band guy for a hundred miles of where ever it is you are! Do your parents know you are on this board?
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Yes! finally someone who understands what rock n' roll is all about!
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

projectx1106 said:
You must like Jazz...
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Jazz, Latin Jazz, Brazilian, Fusion, and some classic Rock.

To cut to the chase:

Jazz: Pat Martino, George Benson (but not his pop stuff), Wes, Joe Pass

Fusion: Alan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson, Greg Howe, Frank Gambale, Pat Metheny

Brazilian: I just dig the different Brazilian styles but no one guitarist in particular

Latin Jazz: (Same as Brazilian)

Classic Rock: Jimi, Jeff Beck and Santana! Everyone else is a waste of my time.
 
Re: Tips for lead playing?

Aceman is the only one you need to listen to here...after all like he said HE is the famous one.

Personally the best advise I ever got for playing lead came from the other guitarist in my first band, he said "Just let me play the leads,its easy for me"

I have stuck with that for probably 20 yrs and half a dozen bands, if Nu Metal ever makes a comeback I can be in a 1 guitar band again

Moral of the story: Be careful whos advise you take ....theroy bah!

comon' Nu Metal :fingersx:
 
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