Author Topic: Guitar Players.... (Read 242 times)

jerryme · « **on:** March 10, 2008, 05:35:22 PM »

So after playing guitar for 13 years I am going to attack playing again and I have a dilema. I really want to break out of open chord rhythm playing to at least learning how to solo, even if it is over some simple Dead tunes. Anybody have any suggestions on where to start? The only thing I am lacking is an amp head, but I will aquire one soon. Thanks, Colin

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2008, 06:18:56 PM »

Personally, I recommend practicing scales and pentatonic scales.

And a really nice simple Dead tune to practice with would be Friend of the Devil.

For instance. Learn the melody; then notice where the notes of the melody are in relation to the scale. The verse is in two sections. The first half is on the one and four chords. So learn that part first and play it over and over. Then, staying in the scale, start playing variations of that part of the melody still over the one and four chords. Then, do the same with the second half of the verse melody, which is over the five and two chords. Now go back to playing the basic scale and notice the similarities between the scale and the melody and variations you've been playing.

That's my suggestion. Others will have different approaches. But for me, scales and pentatonics are the starting point.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2008, 06:44:21 PM »

It's good to know your neck and where the notes are that you are hearing in your head.
I agree with Dave, because it allows you to have a repetiore of emotions available as they flow into the stream of consciousness; e.g. what a minor third moving into a major third will do within the framework of the key(s) you and the band are playing in.

It took me a while to realize you can play completely out of key and make it sound right depending on the surrounding notes...and a little fret-hand vibrato really makes a note come alive.

My drummer was playing one of my guitars the other day and I realized we often focus on the beginnining of a note; I suggested he listen for the middle of the note and he sounded like a guitarist all of a sudden, sorta like the difference between a note and a tone if ya know what I mean.you can apply that philosophy to fast playing too, ya just have to listen faster...and of course relax to let things flow.

I find myself liking what I play alot when I have my eyes closed or focused on something that doesnt remind me of my schooling...even if I was/am the teacher and student.The colors that come thru Stevie Wonder's playing are so vibrant.

Chicago delta blues era players can get so much emotion with few notes and unusually strange and raspy tones always has been an inspiration for me.

...and remember that todays practice brings tommorrow's bounty.

hope this helps sum,
....rubber biscuit

elwoodblue · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2008, 06:56:12 PM »

Colin...I'll be selling some equipment soon, If you don't find something right away maybe we could talk...I have a few oliver head's that could serve one well,a mesa mk 3,a couple mesa combo's which could always have an extension speaker added...a 100
watt kitty hawk ...etc
...just tossin that out there.
peace

edwin · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:19:56 PM »

Wow, I haven't come across an Oliver in a long time! When I was at Berklee in the early 80s, Oliver bass amps were in every rehearsal room. I hated them as I was just getting into slap and a much more modern tone. However, years later, I was visiting the school and I think it was Rich Appleman who said they had one more left and did I want it. So I took it and it was very cool sounding. Sadly, I sold it eventually.

I always wanted to see one of the bass amps that had the head that you cranked up out of the cabinet.

Thanks for the memory flash!
Edwin

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:23:59 PM »

I would suggest getting a teacher. All of the above is good advice, but a good teacher can speed up the process exponentially. My Berklee experience left me feeling a little clueless, despite 8 semesters of lessons with some great players. After I graduated, I studied with Ross Adams in Boston and within 8 weeks he had taught me more than I had learned in those 8 semesters.

If Great American Taxi comes to your neck of the woods, I'd be happy to sit down with you for an hour and show you some stuff!

Edwin

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2008, 07:49:33 PM »

Dave's right on, scales are OH SO important to know. Playing the melodies really help give you a feel/ear for how the scales relate to the chords that are being played behind them.

Practice is the key though!

Olie

elwoodblue · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2008, 12:11:52 AM »

Edwin,
They are pretty amazing ; I have to keep the ultra high setting at almost zero and the high around 3...
and talk about biult like a tank; one arrived in a single cardboard box with no packing and the tubes still inside...I was horrified, until I plugged her in and voila...tube beauty.
I remember seeing an ad that had a vibraphone as an input instrument so you can guess it can handle a wide frequency range.
they look way cool with the lighted glass front...I'll post some pics.
My fave from jesse oliver's production line so far is his 'orbital projector'... like a leslie horn except it has a rhythmic jumpy rotation instead of smooth and can go reeal slow if desired...very musical.

I noticed jesse had purchased a recent oliver head on ebay...I bet it'll come up beautifully restored in the near future.

smiles

jerryme · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2008, 05:59:47 AM »

Fellas, thanks for the advice. I am getting a teacher, he is a little bit of a metel head but it will work for the moment. I am probaly the only student who will show up for a lesson wearing a tie, as I will have to fly out of school to get to em.
Elwood- I keep a pretty good eye out on here, but by all means let me know if when ya let go of some of the gear.
Edwin- I forgot you played with Great American Taxi. I have yet to listen to them, though I have been a big Leftover fan for a long time. Thanks again, Colin

paulman · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2008, 06:11:07 AM »

Great to hear you're getting back into the fray. Everone else posted such great advice! I'd like to add that not stopping if you make a mistake is really helpful when pulling off a solo. Keep the flow going, and the wrong note (heh who sez it's wrong anyway) will be washed away if you flow on.

Uh, didn't Bruce Lee say Water can flow or water can crash, flow like water my friend

jerryme · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2008, 07:46:31 AM »

I never stopped playing, but I am just attempting to break out of the rut and get past simple open and barre chords. I am actually pretty exited about playing guitar again.

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2008, 10:29:37 AM »

Colin:

You might want to check out Fretlight guitars by Optek. The fretboard has LEDs at each string/fret (6 at each fret, one for each string). The current ones plug into a computer and light up the different scales, notes, chords, etc. I believe you can even get files that will light up a lead as it's played, like a player piano. The older ones (like mine) just plug into a wall wart. You can then dial up any scale, notes, or chords in any key and the appropriate LEDs light up. The guitar itself is surprisingly decent (I have a Tele model into which I have dropped Alembic electronics). They turn up on ebay quite often, especially the new computer models. A great learning tool.

Bill, tgo

jerryme · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2008, 02:34:07 PM »

Interesting Bill, I'll check em out. Starting formal guitar lessons at this point is going to be interesting, I am pretty sure I am older than the guy giving them. I need an outlet in my life than playing music provides. I am going to start sitting in with some of my students in their bands. :lol

gtrguy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2008, 02:43:16 PM »

Elwoodblue, I am interested in Mesa gear, let me know what you are selling if possible.
gtrguy06@netscape.com

jerryme · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2008, 05:11:49 PM »

My second favorite guitar player beside ol' Jerry (Michael Houser of Widespread Panic) always rocked Soldano heads with Mesa Boogie 2x12 cabs, but they were vertically oriented and slanted. I never can find em on the bay.