Author Topic: Two Guitars? (Read 9152 times)

headtheball · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:05:45 PM »

It's totally obvious, but get one guy on the neck pickup, and one one the bridge...

willo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:06:10 PM »

HTH - yeah, I hear you. Currently I play by ear with the songs, come up with some nice ideas. But I've always been intrigued by guitarists who take a more compositional approach - e.g. Frank Zappa. If there are more possibilities out there, I think it's always worth learning them. Playing by ear can be natural and open up lots of ideas but it can also restrict you to the only possibilities your musical ear already knows IMO.

Kilby - will definitely take a look at that! Thanks for that! Because we are definitely not a metal band, and I don't even really like metal - XTC are a cool band!

FWIW, I'm not trying to sound different tonally, I'm looking at harmony. And all the obvious stuff is already covered, so I'm gonna take a good look at this XTC stuff.

sambo · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:07:30 PM »

"but it can also restrict you to the only possibilities your musical ear already knows IMO"

yup i agree with that... hence why researching like your doing, adds to your library of techniques... which in time become natural to you... and therefore your natural playing improves... if that makes sense...

38thBeatle · « **Reply #18 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:17:26 PM »

Willo- in my band we listen to each other and if he plays open- I don't-kinda what you already know. A lot of the time he is holding down the chords and I am playing appegiated runs or chordy riffs in between vocal phrases. I would say the Stones are masters at it-Keith & Ron both being riff machines but somehow not getting in each other's way- Keith refers to it as the ancient art of weaving or something like that. Sometimes I am barely playing -parhaps shadowing the bass or little flicks or fills using notes from the chord and or melody-rhythmic phrases to compliment the song.Thems the thoughts of me.

blue · « **Reply #19 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:17:44 PM »

could think about the bass as well, try to fit yourself somewhere between the rhythmic and harmonic parts of the music, play percussively while the other guitarist lets chords ring etc.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #20 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:20:18 PM »

Hey me and Blue posted simultaneously with similar ideas- do we get a prize?

sambo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:20:57 PM »

theres a gay hat if you want...

_tom_ · « **Reply #22 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:41:34 PM »

Quote from: sambo

they both work nicely... also a mix of open chords and power chords can work nicely... in a couple of our songs... the other guitarist plays open chords... whilst i play power chords (of the same notes mind) which gives a really nice texture... ill probably think of some other stuff later...

oh yer... theres always picking chords... that works a treat... dunno if any of this helps.

I play in a band with another guitarist and I just do this kinda stuff and it sounds pretty good to me.

willo · « **Reply #23 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:46:12 PM »

I agree with Sambo. I think that your musical ear is only really as developed as the music you listen to. So, if all you have ever listened to is stuff in a major key, then most of the music you make will be in a major key.

Which is why I think it is important to learn all the possibilities. If playing an inversion of B over the other guitarist's B sounds perfect for the song, then so be it! But if there is some other arcane possibility that could really make the song killer, I wouldn't mind knowing it!

So this is all good, cheers for the tips, keep it coming!

sambo · « **Reply #24 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:47:45 PM »

"Which is why I think it is important to learn all the possibilities. If playing an inversion of B over the other guitarist's B sounds perfect for the song, then so be it! But if there is some other arcane possibility that could really make the song killer, I wouldn't mind knowing it! "

Ian man, you put down everything thats in my head so well lol... you really have a way with words...

jt · « **Reply #25 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:49:09 PM »

:D I`ve played in many 2 guitar bands & most of the time i would do what you allready seem to no. But one technique i try to use regardless is the Neil Schon Journey technique. Play your chord then create a counter bass or low E A D string melody to help link the chords. Have a listen to some Journey & your hear what i mean.

:D 8)

willo · « **Reply #26 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:53:31 PM »

Quote from: jt

chords. Have a listen to some Journey

Do I have to??? :shock:

jt · « **Reply #27 on:** September 12, 2006, 11:57:34 PM »

:D I forgot to add you should have just one of you useing Fx at a time ie. Chorus, Delay type Fx etc not gain. If the other guy is playing gain try going clean with or without FX

& Yes you Should. Don`t underestimate Schons playing just because he played in a commercial Rock AOR band. Schon used to play in a Jazz band before he joined Journey so he used alot of that Jazz style approaches to his playing.

:D 8)

willo · « **Reply #28 on:** September 13, 2006, 12:04:03 AM »

Sure thing JT - thanks for the tip!

Which album would you recommend? Any greatest hits that are worth buying (I'm on a budget)?

And yeah, I hear you about FX. In my post-rock (don't like that term) band I am always arguing with my bassist that it sounds daft if we all have our delay pedals on all the time!

jt · « **Reply #29 on:** September 13, 2006, 12:13:34 AM »

:D Check out there greatest hits package. Even if the songs are more rock orientated listen to how Schon plays around the Keyboards. Hes ideas are more Jazzy orientated [ as much as you can when your playing in a rock band ]

songs.."Only The Young" "Don`t Stop Believing" "Girl Cant Help It" "Be Good To Yourself"

He also has a beutifull sense of melody as well you might also like hes solo playing as well

:D 8)