Need to learn to play leads

Subject: RE: Need to learn to play leads.....
From: C-flat
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 08:40 PM

A couple of sites that may be worth a bookmark are this for help with chords/names, and this to help with scales.
It doesn't help with the creative side much but can sometimes allow you to stumble onto something interesting.
If I dig anything else up I'll send it your way.
1.30a.m. already! I only meant to "look in" on my way to bed!
C-flat.

Subject: RE: Need to learn to play leads.....
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 09:47 PM

Hi guys, I really don't know how to suggest licks, without knowing the feel of the tune. But I do think what you're doing now, Lane, tinkering around, is good and profitable, even if it doesn't feel so great. It's good but uncomfortable to push on into what you don't know, easy not to.

I've never been able to work much with C-flat's scale for Emaj--I know of it, I understand the dom7 note in it, but not the flat 3rd unless I bend it. I probably don't understand or identify with the idiom well. I'd usually use the same scale up the neck at c#, starting on the 9th fret, for a minor sound in that key. And I use the flat third there, but only in certain ways that feel right. Go figure.

The only thing I can suggest is to try as many kinds of sounds as you can, while you find licks, from muted staccato notes, to a big fat 'rest stroke' lingering kind of tone. Pick close to the bridge, far over the soundhole. I don't really understand licks, I ought to admit. The tone you take with a few notes may make it work, as a lick, or not, as a few distracting notes. Speaking of tone, I bet I sometimes sound condescending when I'm talking about something that I know, a bit, but am still learning. So I might be using someone else as an opportunity to lecture myself.

Subject: RE: Need to learn to play leads.....
From: Lane
Date: 25 Aug 02 - 08:43 PM

Fred, Yes, I'm tinkering and little by little, getting somewhere... its frustratingly slow, but thats what makes it worth it, right? I'm still working on that particular tune and trying to find solo licks in the G,C,G,Em,C,G,Em,C,D,G pattern. Its in there somewhere, I just have to find it. I'm trying to go back to the G maj scale that you gave me and working it from there, but I'm having a little trouble with it.... getting there, though - I think. Fred, you don't sound at all condescending, quite the contrary. While much of what you're telling me is well over my head, I get bits and pieces that are all helpful - you obviously know what you're talking about and I appreciate the help - greatly! Thank you very much Lane

Subject: RE: Need to learn to play leads.....
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 03:33 PM

Well, cool! There are better advisors on this stuff than me, but if I'm any help at all, I'm glad of it.

Subject: RE: Need to learn to play leads.....
From: Lane
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 04:24 PM

You have been a HUGE help, Fred.... any further advice welcomed!

Lane