Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: Coastie Brian Aug 9 2011, 02:40 AM

Can all you awesome soloist explain to me and everyone else what it takes to learn lead.
Be in detail and give us the steps you took to get yourself where you are today.
Paint us a picture from where you started and the material you practiced from chords, to scales, theory, whatever you did.

I like to compare the way I practice to everyone else. Helps me in deciding if I am doing something right
or if I want to change my practice sessions.

I'll start by telling you, right now I am practicing scales very diligently and doing pretty well over backing tracks.
Sometimes I get burned out and hit a brick wall cause it feels like I have stopped learning.

This is why I want some of your input.

Posted by: shatterd Aug 9 2011, 02:58 AM

I think one of the secrets to good solos lies in the phrasing. This you learn by ear and playing lots of music pieces such as your favorite covers and solo to backing tracks over and over for many hours. Eventually you start to get it. It takes time and lots of practice. Work on your phrasing, melody, speed and good clean technique. Scales alone are not the answer. Its how you play the scale, and what notes, and the spaces between the notes and how you express those notes. So there are a lot of good lessons on GMC. Just get busy and practice them many hours. You will start to get better thru time and effort.

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 9 2011, 05:30 AM

that's a very general question, it is very hard to answer, and i think everyone has their own method, but im proud of my limited technique and guitar playing, and the key to get there is PRACTICE.

Enjoy playing your guitar, play it while watching TV, i personally play my guitar even in the toilet.

It has to became part of your body, part of your brain and part of your hands, whatever your studying helps, never stop.

I got hopefully 60 something more years to keep learning

Posted by: Azzaboi Aug 9 2011, 07:13 AM

Tip: Don't just play fast, build up and add emotional feeling into your playing style. By playing slowly inbetween fast licks, makes it sound that much more impressive because there's something for the listener to compare it against. Slower playing also allows you to add much more emotion by digging into the strings or lightly graze, as well as a few added vibratos, bends, harmonics, etc. Most of all enjoy what you play and let it flow!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 9 2011, 10:27 AM

Very good points.. I agree.

To use a school analogy, it's a combination of doing your homework (which I class as learning scales, techniques etc) and going on field trips and experiencing things (learning songs and solos from your fave bands) and putting the two together until things start to make sense.

At first, nothing makes sense.. it's just theory and notes.. you need to get the valuable experience out on the battlefied, experimenting through trial and error. Learn other people's solos, take notice of what your hands are doing to make it happen and start applying this to everything you do. You need to make a relationship between the sounds that you're hearing (from other people and yourself) and the necessary homework you need to do to improve it or expand upon it.

By trying different things out (solos, songs) you get an idea of the techniques you need to develop in order for you to follow that route. You also get an idea of the types of scales and solo approaches that you need to investigate in order to make it possible for you to play that stuff.

So to sum it up, it's a question of hearing something in your head and realising what you need to do to get it from your head onto the guitar.

I did a lot of stuff with power chords.. as soon as I knew what a barre chord was I was away and trying to figure out every song I heard, with just barre chords. They weren't always right but it helped me identify where certain sounds were.

I think the first solo I figured out by ear was Hero Of The Day by Metallica. I probably didn't play it in the same place or the same way as Kirk but it didn't matter because I was directly translating what I heard onto the fretboard and that's where the key is. Translate what you hear onto the guitar. At first it starts with a few notes.. after a while you get better at it until you're able to translate more notes than before because you're able to relate the sounds to the notes/frets quicker.

After more time, you will start using this ability to create your own melodies...!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 9 2011, 04:27 PM

A thing which i'd recommend is: LIVE yes, live your life and draw your inspiration from what goes on around you. I know it's gonna sound mystical and cheesy BUT, it's nothing but the truth.. If you lock yourself up and play 10 hours a day, you'll probably play fast, clean and complex enough to make anyone drop their jaws, BUT they won't remember a note, if you don't develop melodies and a story around them these things being mostly inspired by the life you live - if it's interesting, your playing will be the same!

The secret lies of course in EVERYTHING you'll read in this thread each one will come up with a valuable little piece of advice which will be added to your solo building material, but nevertheless, all the knowledge and info must be put to use in the right way

I'd first start with ear training - learn the intervals, play a note on the guitar - any note at all - try and sing its intervals using your voice, slowly, no rush can you sing a scale? Try the same exercise - play a note and then starting from that note sing a particular scale of your choice, can you sing it in more octaves, can you sing that scale against a chord? Try all these and trust me, your universe will change

You'll start developing your parallel singing skills and one day you'll be able to instantly play what you hear in your head!

Let me know if you need more info on this as you go along the way with it! All the best!

Cosmin

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 9 2011, 09:50 PM

The first thing that I learn for becoming a lead guitarist was the Pentatonic Minor boxes... my life changed when I learn how to use it over songs... the second important step was studying with a Shred/Neoclassical guitar teacher called Charly Vega... he introduced me to the world of shredders like Gilbert, Kotzen, Malmsteen, Dimebag, Zakk Wylde... he taught me the scales, the modes, and gave me lots of technical exercises. At the same time I bought the book Speed Mechanics by Troy Stetina which is my favorite Shred guitar book. I continue studying with lots of books, clinics, albums and some other guitar teachers.. but those first steps defined my playing...

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 9 2011, 10:02 PM

Beside GMC! i found 4 things that really help me out on leading.

David Lucas Ear Training, Troy Stetina's Fretboard Mastery and Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitars and Jamming with friends.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 10 2011, 12:30 AM

It's important to sit down at one point, and learn that damn theory. It will help you!

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 10 2011, 12:33 AM

and it's important also to be creative whenever you can, try to come up with new things, ideas, songs, always.
if you are planning to invest in gear, get a usb interface and start recording asap, being able to hear your playing will tell you which way to go

Posted by: Brandon Earman Aug 10 2011, 01:27 AM

Hahaha... now that's a man who loves his guitar!

Posted by: jstcrsn Aug 10 2011, 02:08 AM

the thing which I would like to point out is the fact that all these great guitarists have the love for their axe to the point that they have made it a priority- thats what it takes - when you are ready to throw it thru the wall,put it down , and in 5 minutes , if you are back in there
that's the attitude they have and you will need to become like them

Posted by: Coastie Brian Aug 10 2011, 02:27 AM

First and for most let me say that the people on this forum are truly awesome. Thank you everyone for being cool enough to add your input.
I watch a lot of the videos on GMC and you guys are freaking awesome. The beauty I see in this forum is everyone who as ever picked up
a guitar and learned to play was at this beginner or intermediate stage that some of us are at and you guys are sharing your knowledge
to help us out. Its like one big family, as gay as it sounds, I do appreciate all the input. It installs a sense of support.
Thanks again everyone.

Posted by: Bossie Aug 10 2011, 04:23 AM

you're never done with the guitar .....explore all aspects!!Even where no man has gone before

It takes a lifetime to really master an instrument ...and then some ....so there's plenty of time left to learn!!

Have a great adventure!!

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 10 2011, 05:04 AM

That's right dude, that was a cool post.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 10 2011, 06:50 AM

Always glad we can help!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 10 2011, 08:26 AM

You got it man, that's what it is all about!

If you need any help along the way, let us know.