Playing Leads

[Sparky93]

How to play leads??? Where can I learn it??? Is OC the right spot??

[TheMayhem]

are you talking about improvising and playing your own leads? or the technique for playing others?


the oc can give you some exercizes for your technique, but the improvising part my advice would be to take something like


G phrygian dominant and make a little jam track on garage band/flstudio/etc.

and then just play over it.

[Ghostlord101]

A lot of Rudess's solo's are built upon a blues scale, eg C-Eb-F-F#-g-Bb-C

That pattern forms the basis of quite a lot fo his solo's, but often with a few extra notes thrown in, for example when playing in C, a D or an A would also fit as they are part of the major scale.

Improvise around and test out different modes that you like for different effects, for example a phrygian scale gives an egyptian or eastern feel.

[daevey]

I know my scales now,
but when playing fast solo's,
I just don't know what to play?
When you are playing fast solo's,
are there any notes that sound good after eachother or something
any patterns that I missed that are commenly used in solo's?

Because just playing the scale fast isn't that entertaining.
(I hope I made my problem clear)

[Sparky93]

How about using pentatonic scale?
Does anyone have the sheet?-If you have, I want:biggrin:

[Breno Ronchini]

I believe there is something you can do to discover the "best sounding notes after each other".
Get transcriptions of famous lead sections, parts you like, practice them and try to learn with it. Pay attention to which notes and intervals between notes the original composer chose for the 'solo' measures you're playing. Pay attention to the harmony and try to create a theme and jam around it.

To mention something we all know: listen well to JR's solo on Beyond this Life. Pay attention how he plays - on the very beginning of it - a sort of theme for the whole solo and keeps on exploring similar things that passes you the idea of a whole "concept" behind the solo. And it's for real.

There are, of course, several clichê tips like playing the same motif in two octaves and doing some "dive bomb" -like thing with the last note and blablabla...

Hope it helps! :)

[HammondToby]

IMHO soloing isn't just knowing scales and playing them fast. The best solo, I've ever heard, was played in a harmonic minor scale without any runs or fancy stuff, but the articulation and the phrasing was so consistant and the lines were so good, I nearly cried.

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XoFZHzvEoQ&feature=related) a link to Hiromi's Sonicboom. Listen well to the piano solo, there are phrases, you can't imagine.

But to start, try to transcribe note for note easy songs you know and practice ... try to figure out, how and why it works. And then use, as already said, backing tracks and play as much as you can.

Best
HammondToby

[RAN7ARAVE]

IMHO soloing isn't just knowing scales and playing them fast. The best solo, I've ever heard, was played in a harmonic minor scale without any runs or fancy stuff, but the articulation and the phrasing was so consistant and the lines were so good, I nearly cried.

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XoFZHzvEoQ&feature=related) a link to Hiromi's Sonicboom. Listen well to the piano solo, there are phrases, you can't imagine.

But to start, try to transcribe note for note easy songs you know and practice ... try to figure out, how and why it works. And then use, as already said, backing tracks and play as much as you can.

Best
HammondToby

yep just goes to show three things i've always known

NORDS SUCK.

men are better at programming synths

Chick corea destroys hiromi

[Bigs]

yep just goes to show three things i've always known

NORDS SUCK.

men are better at programming synths

Chick corea destroys hiromi

Hey, Jordan has a Nord Wave in his studio now so it's OK to like Nord's now. They were always cool anyway.

[Staccato]

yep just goes to show three things i've always known

NORDS SUCK.

men are better at programming synths

Chick corea destroys hiromi

Haha, seriously?!:P
Have you played many of the Nord synths, and actually tried all the possibilites for yourself? It might nog suit your taste, but it is definately not bad. And about programming, the sound reflect the person, and his/hers taste.. personally I hate Pinellas lead, and don´t like Kuprij sounds, then I prefer hiromi´s but the again I like jordan´s sound even more, so that is a matter of taste. If you refer to the techniqual aspect I think it is very hard to see who has the most knowledge from a video:P
And Corea doesn´t destroy Hiromi.. he plays different music, which you might like better:P And Corea has played with Hiromi on many diffretn occasions and he has great respect for her talent and her music as much as she has for him and his music!

[Staccato]

How to play leads??? Where can I learn it??? Is OC the right spot??

At your keyboard is a good place to start;) Seriously though, knowing scales helps, and you can find tones of information on the net and in books. But the most important aspect is your ears and your ideas. Start out with easy songs, trying to achieve som nice leads on them.. and don´t be afraid to explore and play the "wrong" notes. Some of my best ideas comes from playing the "wrong" note. And you must have the patience to play probably like hundreds of bad leads before you can get it good. But as you progress you will find your patterns, and the ideas that you like and especially, you will develop a thinking of lines and melodies in your head. That is for me the most important thing as my solos will gain structure and the listener can see and appreciate the idea behind the solo.

[Mantarkus]

Just to add a little to an already wise responded thred, I believe playing leads is actually saying something, like a statement and expanding on it or making a question and answer and not just hitting random notes and hope it will come out right everytime.

David C.

[Bigs]

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XoFZHzvEoQ&feature=related) a link to Hiromi's Sonicboom. Listen well to the piano solo, there are phrases, you can't imagine.

That was beautiful. I just 'sourced' the album, great music.. very inspiring.

[Mantarkus]

Just to show an example of what I ment by saying something and then expanding, forward to 4.00 in Keith Emersons solo in Stones of Years from Tarkus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljl_-uQZXQ) no need to be flashy, just a good phrasing.

[Grey Loki]

The OC contains a section on learning to improvise around a chord sequence - I recommend you check it out. It starts with just simple things like arpeggiating triads, moves on to grace notes, and a few other things as well - great stuff.

Something that i've noticed Jordan doing (which i've tried a time or two myself as well) is to literally sing a solo as you play it, and try to get your playing to match up with your singing - rather than just shredding your notes, sing phrases you want to play, and try to emulate them as best you can on the keyboard.

Oh, and don't forget to breathe ;)

[RAN7ARAVE]

The OC contains a section on learning to improvise around a chord sequence - I recommend you check it out. It starts with just simple things like arpeggiating triads, moves on to grace notes, and a few other things as well - great stuff.

Something that i've noticed Jordan doing (which i've tried a time or two myself as well) is to literally sing a solo as you play it, and try to get your playing to match up with your singing - rather than just shredding your notes, sing phrases you want to play, and try to emulate them as best you can on the keyboard.

Oh, and don't forget to breathe ;)

jordan better ... WAY BETTER

yeah and i have a real problem with that with more technique its hard to balance molody

but there is some situations where i will just shred

but i usaully use a jordan rudess to improvision leads melodic passages with shredding inbetween

[Ardude_rjn]

The way to learn leads is imo learn the blues scales, and to play many leads you like and experience how these scales are used.
Then you'll be able to create your own leads more easily.

[RAN7ARAVE]

The way to learn leads is imo learn the blues scales, and to play many leads you like and experience how these scales are used.
Then you'll be able to create your own leads more easily.

blues scale is over rated

[gylfih]

blues scale is over rated

Is it? It fits into prog really well. More so than in jazz (except blues itself).

[jenius_92000]

Well, what I like to do is to try out different scales and modes, and depending on the atmosphere of the song or whatever it is you are playing to, you can adapt your use of these scales and modes to it. For example, one particular cliché used is to use the whole-tone scale to show delirium or being in a dream-like state, or the Locrian scale to show something being dark and gloomy (believe it or not, this scale is used a lot in heavy metal).

[Sparky93]

thanks for replies...:smile:

[RAN7ARAVE]

Well, what I like to do is to try out different scales and modes, and depending on the atmosphere of the song or whatever it is you are playing to, you can adapt your use of these scales and modes to it. For example, one particular cliché used is to use the whole-tone scale to show delirium or being in a dream-like state, or the Locrian scale to show something being dark and gloomy (believe it or not, this scale is used a lot in heavy metal).

or a even more metal scale THE DIMINISHED SCALE :tongue:

[jenius_92000]

Well, that is in fact true, except when it is overused, then it just gets weird :confused:

[exyyle]

I believe there is something you can do to discover the "best sounding notes after each other".
Get transcriptions of famous lead sections, parts you like, practice them and try to learn with it. Pay attention to which notes and intervals between notes the original composer chose for the 'solo' measures you're playing. Pay attention to the harmony and try to create a theme and jam around it.

To mention something we all know: listen well to JR's solo on Beyond this Life. Pay attention how he plays - on the very beginning of it - a sort of theme for the whole solo and keeps on exploring similar things that passes you the idea of a whole "concept" behind the solo. And it's for real.

There are, of course, several clichê tips like playing the same motif in two octaves and doing some "dive bomb" -like thing with the last note and blablabla...

Hope it helps! :)

Yes, essentially, study a lot of leads and learn them in small bits. You can pick up riffs here and there and just remember them. Then try to apply them in a song. Copy all the players you love and just do what they do. Eventually add some of your own ideas. But keep learning new tricks from the greats. This is a metaphor for life, not just playing keyboards. :cool:

[tshapiro]

One thing I've always been a natural at is playing leads/solos. Here are some guidelines:

- Never, ever, mindlessly noodle up and down the scale.
- Always have a mini concept in mind such as:
----- Playing around with the flat 5th
----- Rolling from the flat 5th to the 5th to the Root
----- Playing around with the 5th, 7th, Root
- Always give your solos a beginning and end
- Practice attempting happy solos
- Practice attempting sad solos
- Practice all the emotions in your solos

If you practice with these ideas in mind you will eventually be able to stir the emotion of your audience with your solos instead of desparately trying to get through one.

[tshapiro]

If you study solos don't just memorize the notes. Brake it down and try and understand what the concept is for each phrase. For example, here he's playing around with the 3rd, then he's playing around with the 7th. Try and understand the concepts for each solo and you can repeat them in yours

[Mike Lydian]

another awesome scale to explore

egyptian scales! - not sure if these were already mentioned?

E, F, G#, A, B, C, D#, E.

D, Eb, F#, G, A, Bb, C#, D.

G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F#, G.

three easy keys play on a synth.

Just call up a heavy lead sound and let it rip!

look up in the name of god for inspiration. They modulate from F minor down to the fifth (C egyptian) and Rudess takes a solo at 9:25.

[WillDub]

Well, what I like to do is to try out different scales and modes, and depending on the atmosphere of the song or whatever it is you are playing to, you can adapt your use of these scales and modes to it. For example, one particular cliché used is to use the whole-tone scale to show delirium or being in a dream-like state, or the Locrian scale to show something being dark and gloomy (believe it or not, this scale is used a lot in heavy metal).

But how do you know which note you can add while playing. Because I've composed pieces and I only use one scale troughout the song and what I want to do is incorporate notes that isn't part of the scale I'm playing. How can I manage to do that?

[Tiko]

But how do you know which note you can add while playing. Because I've composed pieces and I only use one scale troughout the song and what I want to do is incorporate notes that isn't part of the scale I'm playing. How can I manage to do that?

Take it slow and use your ears, you'll get the hang of it :smile:

- Tiko

[WillDub]

Yeah but the thing is that I don't know what I should play. Its like if there was a wall between me and the notes.:eek:

[Tiko]

Yeah but the thing is that I don't know what I should play. Its like if there was a wall between me and the notes.:eek:

Try to hear it in your head before you play it, then find the notes through trial & error!

- Tiko

[WillDub]

lol I'll try thanks.:tongue:

[WillDub]

I'm not sure of the signficance of this: dive bomb. I don't to look retarded but does it mean that your making a downward bend quickly or something like that or I'm actually wrong about this?

Thanks for answering my stupid question.

P.S. I've searched the web and maybe I'm retarded lol.

[Yuperdo]

The dive bomb is a not to fast, long (usually an octave) bend downwards. It is called like that, because it sounds a bit like a howling falling bomb.

At the end of the bend, one might expect the explosion of the falling divebomb :tongue: The bend is usually done at the end of a solo, so you bend it the octave down and you're done.

[WillDub]

Thanks and what is the significance of this sign V while doing a solo?