| Author | Message | ||
| jerryme
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 45 Registered: 1-2008 |
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 | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6331 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 227 Registered: 6-2002 |
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
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 229 Registered: 6-2002 |
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
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 306 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 307 Registered: 5-2002 |
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
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1801 Registered: 2-2006 |
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
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 230 Registered: 6-2002 |
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
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 46 Registered: 1-2008 |
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
Advanced Member Username: paulman Post Number: 281 Registered: 2-2005 |
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
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 47 Registered: 1-2008 |
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
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2980 Registered: 7-2004 |
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
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 48 Registered: 1-2008 |
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
Intermediate Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 128 Registered: 9-2004 |
Elwoodblue, I am interested in Mesa gear, let me know what you are selling if possible. gtrguy06@netscape.com | ||
| jerryme
Junior Username: jerryme Post Number: 49 Registered: 1-2008 |
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. | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 143 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hello Colin, I have recently had a realization I will share with you. In the last year I have played with two different guitarist, who both had significant skills. One was obsessed with playing like Stevie Ray Vaughn, the other like Jerry Garcia. In their respective attempts to emulate their idols, they fell horribly short. I recorded our practices and listening back it was painfully obvious what they were trying for. I feel certain, that if they gave up their quest to be someone else, they could develope a truly interesting and engaging style. So by all means, practice, study, learn your scales, but find your own voice. Let Jerry inspire you, but don't try to be him. You never know where your own voice will take you. Have fun, JBY | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5199 Registered: 6-2000 |
Amen to that, JBY. Hearing each musician's own unique voice is most exciting thing about our guitars. They are so revealing of each individual player - how they touch, how they think, how they feel, how they live. It's the very best part about music to me. | ||
| elwoodblue
Advanced Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 231 Registered: 6-2002 |
gtrguy and Colin...I sent you a li'l email | ||
| jerryme
Member Username: jerryme Post Number: 51 Registered: 1-2008 |
Being able to play the guitar like Jerry Garcia would involve selling my soul to devil, which is a moral and professional commitment that I am not ready for... That said my main desires for my musicial desires are to be able to play some passable lead for "easy" dead songs, and that is really about it. Maybe if I move to a better music town in a couple of years I would like to try playing some original music, but for the most part I just want to be slightly proficient. If I could learn some Mark Knophler licks that would be pretty cool as well. Colin "I debarked from my previous emploritorium to encrotchify on more moneyfied situaltions, like this he opportronity." Early Cuyler | ||
| crobbins
Intermediate Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 105 Registered: 6-2004 |
Here's a shot of my latest rig. Mesa Boogie MKIV/Fender Pro-Reverb. I use a Radial ABY switch to use either or both. I run my FXs through the Mesa's fx loop, and keep the Fender at a somewhat clean tone. The Mesa has a JBL. and the Fender has 2 Tone Tubby's, one ceramic, and one alnico magnet. Sounds great..  | ||
| catfish_john
Junior Username: catfish_john Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2007 |
if you want to emulate some of the stuff that Jerry does, don't forget to practice your picking style as well. Jerry tends to pick every note with very few hammer on and pull offs except for a pull off triplet which he uses quite frequently. Picking every note will help develop a cleaner sound. You can do this while practicing scales and arpeggios as suggested above. |
