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Topic: What to play |
Russell Adkins
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 7:25 pm |
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| Hello all , I recently got some song tabs and all songs are like chord melody, you play a three string chord for every note of the song now that's fine and dandy but what I hear on cd s and radio the songs are not played like that at all, they consist of some chords and a lot of single and double note playing as well which to my ears sound better than playing everything as a chord melody type piece , what is your thought on this? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 7:37 pm
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I'd play it with two of the three notes. Decide which one to leave off by which one sounds better. Three usually (but not always) sounds cluttered.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Posted 14 Jul 2013 7:51 pm
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Russell, as a newbie, I will give you my take on it. First, you don't HAVE to play the full chord. If it is chord melody, usually the melody line is the top note of the chord.
As for which to play, depends on if you have a band backing you or not.... Chord melody style sounds very rich and complete with just a steel. But, indeed, it can sound "cluttered" if you have other instruments adding notes or chords. I find I might play a 4-note chord when just playing solo, but will go to a three note chord, or just one or two notes on if I am playing to a backing track.
One other factor - chord melody usually sticks pretty close to the melody. When picking single-note runs, I think just playing the melody is a little dull-sounding, so good to add in other notes. An example I've been working on lately is the song "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down", similar to how David Hartley plays it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNpbJONhaek
You will hear, even when he stays pretty close to the melody, there are lots of notes that lead into the melody line, or even in the middle of it, but the melody is usually still pretty clear, particularly in the first verse or two. So, taking your tab and eliminating a lot of the chords will work, but you might try putting those notes back in, not as a chord, but as fills between the melody notes. Or, play around with other notes and moves that tie it all together.
The final approach is to leave the melody behind, and go off on a solo ride in a new direction. This can be tabbed out, of course, but I think that misses the point, which is to know the positions and scales and substitutions, etc, so that you can improvise your own solo that diverges and returns to the melody as you see fit.
One final point - the more I play, the more I realize the music comes out of the chords - whether played as a chord, or played as single notes, if you know the chord position, you can usually find the notes to play that sound right.
I hope this helps.
Doug
_________________
Bringing steel guitar to the bukid of Negros Oriental! |
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Ray Anderson
From:
Jenkins, Kentucky USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2013 5:55 am
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| Mix it up and keep'um guessing what you're going to do next. I usaually try and learn the melody in chords and practice that until I'm satisfied and comfortable with the melody. Then I work on single and double note runs to my liking. It sounds somewhat " vanilla " at first but knowing the melody inside out is important to me, then I spice it up with 7ths, 9ths, minors and such. Usually comes out pretty good, at least I'm happy. |
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Dick Sexton
From:
Greenville, Ohio
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 15 Jul 2013 7:58 am
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It's a lot better to know how to play that way than not. It will teach you positions to play out of. Better than guessing when you are just playing single note stuff.
Once learned, just play whatever fits the song, what the rest of the band, the singer is doing etc.
Knowledge is a good thing. So is discretion. |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 15 Jul 2013 8:29 am
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Concentrate on "when to play", rather that "what to play".
_________________
"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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Jan Viljoen
From:
Pretoria, South Africa
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2013 12:37 pm
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| Gene Jones wrote: |
| Concentrate on "when to play", rather that "what to play". |
Amen there Gene
I played with a group a while back that had two lead guitars and both played the melody right along with the singer, all time (their own versions I might add) which were totally different. Makes for a long night for me and the vocalist. Only way I could get a note in was just play louder. Next time I'm bringing my wire cutters, LOL
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2013 9:26 pm
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
It's a lot better to know how to play that way than not. It will teach you positions to play out of. Better than guessing when you are just playing single note stuff.
Once learned, just play whatever fits the song, what the rest of the band, the singer is doing etc.
Knowledge is a good thing. So is discretion. |
The way I would phrase it is that these tabs are the starting point. You need to know the melody and the chords before you can do anything with the song. I learn this stuff thoroughly before attempting to put my spin on a tune.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2013 4:18 pm
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| You have discovered the strength of the pedal steel guitar. Conventional guitar players are very envious. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2013 4:22 pm
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You know you are really good when you can play that primary melody note a little louder than the other two harmonizing notes.
I never gave it much thought till you mentioned it. This is what guys like Loynd Green do so wonderfully. |
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