Rhythm and Lead Guitar Parts

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drummerdoug86

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If you are in a band (preferably rock) with more than one guitar how do you go about writing lead parts around the rhythm or vice-versa? Is your rhythm usually chords and your lead one-note-at-a time riffs? What seems to work best for you?
 
It depends on the song being written. I usually prefer to have the rhythm guitar play a single note version of the main backing rhythm so that chords aren't cluttering up the arrangement when the focus is supposed to be on the solo.

Cy
 
I usually make the rhythm part filled with colorful chords 7ths... sus2s.... the more intricate the better.... i do this because when i write the lead i can hit a lot of different target notes that make the whole solo/rhythm part sound a lot tighter...
 
i tend to be with darknail, but most of the leads i come up with are on acoustic-on electric, i would probably drop back to single notes or power chords, for clarity's sake-when you're playing really heavy shit, it makes a difference-and a good ear can pick out what chord/progression is implied by the lead anyway.
 
Is this even something that can be put in words? Doesn't it just come naturally?
 
im not really a guitarist per se..but heres what i do...

usually i come up with rythym guitar first (strictly from a songwriting point of view it just ..well who writes a song from a kiler lead line??..not many)..anyway..after i get the main chord rythym down i (ahem)..."solo" over it foe a while...coem up with a few keeper runs or lines or whatever you want to call it..then i screw with those to make them more substancial.....KAZZAAM!...musiacl perfectshee-oohn...



jamal
 
I really like playing with another guitar. But I don't think in terms on Rhythm or Lead. I do think that each guitar should do something different. One plays high and the other plays low open chords. You can also do things like one plays the bottom of a chord (say the 3rd and 5th) and the other plays the top (the 7th and 9th or 13th) while the bass is playing the root.

Also try to play single note runs in harmony (like Kiss did in Detroit Rock City). A 3rd up or a 6th up. That sounds really good.
 
drummerdoug86 said:
If you are in a band (preferably rock) with more than one guitar how do you go about writing lead parts around the rhythm or vice-versa? Is your rhythm usually chords and your lead one-note-at-a time riffs? What seems to work best for you?
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one thing u can try is backing your vocals with a lead line. it works espacially well with a wah, because it makes it sounds human. you should try it hehe its fun
 
Another thing that works is chord substitutions. For example, one guitar plays Am7 while the other plays CMaj or one plays A7 while the other plays Eb7 for a more dissonant sound.
 
For me, each song is different, and depends on many factors. If I come up with a strong guitar lick, I can often incorporate structure around that. If the lyrics and chords come first, then a solo (and fills) are usually brought in after the fact.

Sometimes inspiration drives the song (drum beats, strong bass line, synth arrangement, or even a lyric). Within each, you'll find that there's a right and wrong way of moving a guitar chord. Simple arpeggios, accoustic strumming, hitting the 1-3-5, or moving around more freely within the chord progression.
 
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