I have been around music most of my life. I took Piano Lessons when I was 8, I played the trumpet when I was 11, and then picked up bass around 14, and guitar around 16. I was classically trained with piano and trumpet, but guitar I just taught myself. I have been off and on until 3-4 years ago I became very serious with guitar. I have accumulated some good guitars, some good amps and many good pedals. I consider myself to be in the upper tier of intermediate. I can play well, but my weakness is in my writing.
So that is what I am here for. For me, writing solos is pretty easy. I just solo in the mode that the song is in. It makes perfect sense, and I know there is more to it, but for now... this part is pretty clear. The problem I am having... RHYTHM RIFFS are killing me. All I really do is very very basic stuff. Guitar is in drop C, and I power chord my riffs. Boom... thats it. But I would really like to learn how to construct some riffs, and learn why they work.
I have an issue when I google search for this info. I have seen countless videos, and its not giving me the info I want.
So, for a discussion, lets use C Phrygian. Teach me! Haha. Seriously, I dont know even where to begin. I will have lots of questions!
Gab did some really good live lessons on constructing riffs etc in the style of certain bands by analysing what they did in some songs, I'm sure he can give you insights, and show you how he analyses songs to learn what makes an awesome riff. I did think about starting a thread in a similar vein recently. Heavy Rock and metal often have sections based loosely on 1 chord and the riff gives the interest as they will be constructed from the pentatonic or another scale.
Hi mate! Those videos cannot be replayed but here are some notes from those sessions:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&view=findpost&p=608897
I did find a link to one of your vids GABE where you are sorta talking about riffing and soloing. I could only see 5 videos in total in the ustream site which shocked me considering I recorded a few hundred just myself. I think they are locking folks out of the old ones for some reason on ustream
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/36402599
A fairly typical technique is to start with somebody else's 'riff' that you like and ...
1) change the key - this always opens up new territory
2) play said cool lick backwards
3) start from the middle
4) add a note(s)
5) leave out a note(s)
6) change the time signature and add or subtract a note
Mix and match.
Analysing riffs you like is the best way forward.
Work out the riff.
Then analyse it
Work out what it is based on is it a scale or more of a triad/Arpeggio idea.
Is it using pedal tones?
What is happening in terms of the harmony of the section of music, is the chord progression changing and the riff staying the same, or does the riff move exactly (in terms of it's structure) with the progression. or is it a static chord with the same riff or does the riff imply chord changes over a static chord or bass note?
To start off with maybe choose a riff and post it here and everyone can help analyse it. Then compose your own riff with a similar structure over a different progression or static chord.
This is pretty much the sort of process Gab went through with us on the live lessons.
I should follow my own advice sometimes!
I belive that analysis of riffs we know happens in our subconscious. That how at some point our own creations have sourse in pieces of everything we did play before.
For me it always helps to view things in full concept including other instrumnts.
Questions I usually ask myself are
1. Does one part lead to another
2. Is the tension build proper through each part
3. And most important...how do I interact with other instruments or vocal. Do I take place in spectrum while it''s already dense.
If can can answer YES yo all above I start to make sketch/draft. At this stage I analyze harmonic content based on the particular genre.
At the final stage I add any "tips and tricks" that will add some flavor without destroying sense of whole concept.
I usually do not have everything at once. I spend a lot of time making experiments and putting into doubt if every note has a reason to be in it's place. In most cases it starts hard...being not satisfied what came out. I give it some time...leave it for day or two. Then I capture myslef literally "singing" what could be fine in my mind. Then I sit again and finish the composition
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