Hi people, I need your advice on this one.

I'd like to try something new in my musical journey, so I need some starting points. I'm about to join a symphonic metal band. The problem is... I never really played that kind of metal, and my only connection with symphonic metal is Nightwish. But I'm supposed to write wongs and, of course, solos to accompany those songs. For example, we recorded out first demo song today, and I was supposed to pull off a solo without any preparation. So I played what was on the top of my head, and it was pretty much a classic heavy metal solo, which wasn't fitting here at all.

So, I'd really appreciate some directions, like what scales and chord progressions are most common, and what other bands should I give a listen. Is neoclassical approach good here?

Thanks a lot in advance, cheers.

Can't really give you advice on the technical stuff, but check out these bands:

Within Temptation
Epica
Leaves Eyes
Xandria
After Forever
Sirenia
Seasons End

Now I don't listen to this stuff that often, but have seen some of these bands at festivals and like a bunch of songs from them. Some of them don't really use guitar solos, maybe they just don't fit sometimes?
I'm sure Todd can give you great advice on this, I know he really digs this style.

Christian

Maybe you can listen Rhapsody of Fire. I love them a lot! Their guitarist Luca Turilli always uses neoclassical stuff. As for scale, you can try Harmonic Minor i guess. Hope that helps a bit



Cheers,
Dogukan.

I don't really think you could fit in with neoclassical stuff, that thing only goes well for Luca...

Do you have male or female vocalist?

Try listening to some of Blind Guardian's more symphonic stuff, you can find great ideas there. Also there are a lot of good solos in Nightwish songs, and they are pretty much like "classical metal".

Thanks a lot for your replies guys. I'm checking these bands you recommended right now.

@TeoWulf: The vocalist is female.

Congrats! Nightwish is a great band and a great example of the form and a good place for inspiration. As far as scales, learn these

MINOR
BLUES
HARMONIC MINOR

in a couple or few postions on the neck. Those three scales will cover a TON of ground for you.

Todd

Thanks mate! Wow, I'm kind of surprised, I didn't really expect the blues scale I guess I'll have to study more.

Mate, the approach I'd have, would be to listen to A LOT of music oriented in that direction in order to hear intricacies, details, structures, forms whatever makes that style a style

Then take Todd's advice into account, as those scales can cover a lot of ground in this direction!

All the best and may your journey be a swift one

There are many different kinds of Symphonic Metal. Symphony X is extremely technical and complex both rhythmically and theoretically. Avantasia (Tobias Sammet from Edguy) is extremely tasty and only brings the most melodic aspects of metal into their music. Dream Theater isn't technically symphonic metal, but they too have many concepts that you can apply to your own playing.

I'm not sure. I don't like putting music into boxes, but at least you have some suggestions.

Thanks a lot guys. I'm finished with composing my first solo for the band, I borrowed some stuff from neoclassical metal though. Will share when I practice it enough, and also I'll post our song here when we get it recorded so you can tell if we're heading the right way.

Looking forward to it mate! do not limit yourself to anything, as long as you make it fit with the musical context

Hey people, just wanted to share with you that our first song is almost done.
We recorded bass, keyboard and guitar parts. In this version of the song are just some lame drum samples from EZdrummer which I put just so it doesn't sound empty, but our drummer will make more creative drums soon. And we need to record the vocals.

I'm the one who's doing the mastering and it's the first time I'm in charge of a song production so bear with me. When I was in my former bands, we usually just recorded everything and then paid someone to do the production but now my goal is to learn it so we can save money and gain knowledge, and it will (hopefully) make everything easier, plus give us the freedom to finish the song the way we want to.

Here's what we made so far, the instrumental version:

http://soundcloud.com/dino-trnka/dolia-winter-queen

When we finish the song, I will put that version so you can tell me what you think of it as a whole
For now, I'd really appreciate your general opinion about the song, the melody, catchi-ness, production (it probably sucks, I know), and in the end, the solo

Thanks a lot in advance mates, cheers!