Hey guys,
I'm sure this has been discussed, but what are some good ways to fill out a sound when it's just you and another guitarist? I know of playing with octaves, but my old band used to use a technique that I hope some of you could help out with;

They said queen did it alot. One of them would play a note, the other would play a string up and a few frets back, IIRC. I didn't pay too much attention, but it did sound very cool, and yes very queen-ish. I think I remember one of them calling it "thirds" but my searches reveal nothing linking the two. Does ANYONE know what I'm talking about? If translated to bass, it could either sound cool, or like I'm just playing the wrong root.

If you have a scale, say a C major scale. C = 1 , D = 2, E = 3

Say you have C minor. C = 1, D = 2, D# = 3.

It's basically the 3rd note of the scale.

1 guitarist = room for you to get creative and be heard.

Sometimes space is a good thing. Every second does not need to be filled really.

what youre gonna want to do is play real busy. also use lots of distortion, a delay fills in the sound too.

If you have a scale, say a C major scale. C = 1 , D = 2, E = 3

Say you have C minor. C = 1, D = 2, D# = 3.

It's basically the 3rd note of the scale.

Just to get technically correct-
The 3rd note in C minor is Eb.

C-D-Eb-etc

D#, although enharmonic, is a raised 2nd.
Think about it...
C to D is 2
C to Db is -2
C to D# is +2

I think I remember one of them calling it "thirds" but my searches reveal nothing linking the two. Does ANYONE know what I'm talking about? If translated to bass, it could either sound cool, or like I'm just playing the wrong root.

...they may asking you to NOT play the ROOT.
Are they wanting you to experiment with 'thirds' in lieu of the ROOT?
That is, if the guitarist is playing a G Maj, you will play a "B"...sometimes, that "B" will sound 'better' when played UP an octave.
Sometimes, the bass may play a 5th; this adds a different color than just playing the Root.
Roger Deacon of Queen & Mike Mills in R.E.M. are known to do this with their Pop/Rock tunes.

You could play an octave above the third (10th?) along with the root.

C major C with an e an octave away from the third.
C minor would have the Eb.

The fingering scheme is really simple once you catch it. The minor 3 (10th) is directly under the root, only you skip two strings. The major is up one fret.

I practice playing scales this way, using the appropriate major/minor interval.

1 guitarist = room for you to get creative and be heard.

Sometimes space is a good thing. Every second does not need to be filled really.

I agree! 1 guitarist bands kick ass

What ever happened to the other guitarist? Head exploded? :D

It's already been said: -1 guitar = more room for all the other instruments.

Time to get creative, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Last time at school band rehersal, piano and guitar players din't show up, we ended up with a flute/bass/drums/bass quartet. It was my job to make the 7-3 voicings. I had never done it and really got my mind working in another way than thinking bass lines.

More guitarists should dissapear misteriously :hiding:

The thing to keep in mind when playing a third up is that it is not the same scale shape just a third up (i.e. guitar in G major, bass playing the same thing in B major) The type of third will change between major and minor because you are playing the same scale degrees in a different mode, the mode a third up from your guitarist (guitar in G major [ionian], bass in C Phrygian).

Just to get technically correct-
The 3rd note in C minor is Eb.

C-D-Eb-etc

D#, although enharmonic, is a raised 2nd.
Think about it...
C to D is 2
C to Db is -2
C to D# is +2

I always play a D# as the 3rd of a C minor scale and you can't stop me.

As a matter of fact, you can't even tell the difference. :spit:

what do u do with only one guitarist? enjoy it lol

u ever see these bands, i dont know the name but it was on vh1 recently, a show called "classic in concert" and dave nivaro was there, i dont think it was janes addiction thoug :p there was an overweight woman singing, i remember one of the songs she was singing, some lyrics were "crazy on you" a google lyric search shows that the song is by a band called "heart" but the image search doesnt look like them.

anyway.. there were like 5 guitars, ATLEAST and basically everybody was just playing a chord or two, and it just looked so stupid, soooooo many good bands have just one guitar player, hell you can even get a keyboard player now.

I always play a D# as the 3rd of a C minor scale and you can't stop me.

As a matter of fact, you can't even tell the difference. :spit:

...and if you're ever in a classroom, you'll get it wrong everytime.

D# & Eb sound like the same note.
Theoretically, they are different.

Roger Deacon of Queen That would be JOHN Deacon, Rodger Taylor woud be the Drummer.

Roger Deacon of Queen That would be JOHN Deacon, Rodger Taylor woud be the Drummer.


dont forget brian mercury on sax and freddie may on kazoo


:p

anyway.. there were like 5 guitars, ATLEAST and basically everybody was just playing a chord or two, and it just looked so stupid, soooooo many good bands have just one guitar player, hell you can even get a keyboard player now.

Yes, but you're forgetting one thing... While most bands have either 1 or 2 guitarists, it isn't all too uncommon for them to record 5 guitar tracks in the studio for one song.

EDIT:Led Zeppelin, for example, has many songs with multiple guitar tracks going at once, yet they only have one guitarist. So if you were to faithfully recreate Led Zeppelin live, 3 or more guitarists actually wouldn't be silly.

Yes, but you're forgetting one thing... While most bands have either 1 or 2 guitarists, it isn't all too uncommon for them to record 5 guitar tracks in the studio for one song.

EDIT:Led Zeppelin, for example, has many songs with multiple guitar tracks going at once, yet they only have one guitarist. So if you were to faithfully recreate Led Zeppelin live, 3 or more guitarists actually wouldn't be silly.


oh yea, but on stage, most bands usualy manage 1 or 2 gutiars at most for some parts.

if ur into tool, the song triad, has 4 basses on the album and 2 guitars and some crazy drums going on, so live, they get a second drummer, a second guitar player, a keyboard player, and maynard(the singer) picks up a bass too. its a great piece

...and if you're ever in a classroom, you'll get it wrong everytime.

D# & Eb sound like the same note.
Theoretically, they are different.

:spit:

I hate it when I have to repeat myself.

But just so I don't come off as a complete ass, I am planning on taking classes (minoring in music, if I can), and in those classes I am going to be playing raised 2nds instead of 3rds, and nobody can stop me!

if ur into tool, the song triad, has 4 basses on the album and 2 guitars and some crazy drums going on, so live, they get a second drummer, a second guitar player, a keyboard player, and maynard(the singer) picks up a bass too. its a great piece

Whoa, when did they play THAT live? I've seen them live 3 times, and don't recall them ever playing it. (nor do I think I've ever heard the song).

EDIT: Watching now on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVXXtzIszUE

i have that video downloaded, avi, or mpeg, anyway, if you want it, i can megaupload it to u :)


i also have this awesome dvd bootleg, insanely great quality if ur interested :)

if ur into tool, the song triad, has 4 basses on the album and 2 guitars and some crazy drums going on, so live, they get a second drummer, a second guitar player, a keyboard player, and maynard(the singer) picks up a bass too. its a great piece

This thread immediately made me think of TOOL. I saw them live May 2nd in Seattle. They used only three instrumentalists for the whole show, except one song where Maynard plinked out a few notes on a keyboard. There was an unbelievable wall of sound coming from those three guys, though. Even sitting there watching what they were all doing, I couldn't figure out how they were making so much sound. They had to be either using loops or pre-recorded synth tracks, possibly triggered off a MIDI foot switch or something. Anyway... they are amazing. Study them if you want that wall of sound from three people.

This thread immediately made me think of TOOL. I saw them live May 2nd in Seattle. They used only three instrumentalists for the whole show, except one song where Maynard plinked out a few notes on a keyboard. There was an unbelievable wall of sound coming from those three guys, though. Even sitting there watching what they were all doing, I couldn't figure out how they were making so much sound. They had to be either using loops or pre-recorded synth tracks, possibly triggered off a MIDI foot switch or something. Anyway... they are amazing. Study them if you want that wall of sound from three people.


once in a while they have things playing over the PA, when u listen to the patient, there is a wah sound at the begining, its justin, but he doesnt do it live, its played over PA too. a lot of things are played over PA, not major parts but backing things that u dont pick up on but it fills the space some how

This thread immediately made me think of TOOL. I saw them live May 2nd in Seattle. They used only three instrumentalists for the whole show, except one song where Maynard plinked out a few notes on a keyboard. There was an unbelievable wall of sound coming from those three guys, though. Even sitting there watching what they were all doing, I couldn't figure out how they were making so much sound. They had to be either using loops or pre-recorded synth tracks, possibly triggered off a MIDI foot switch or something. Anyway... they are amazing. Study them if you want that wall of sound from three people.

Occasionally, Maynard will play guitar as well. On the cover of Peach's "You Lied" off Salival, for instance, he plays guitar I believe.

Occasionally, Maynard will play guitar as well. On the cover of Peach's "You Lied" off Salival, for instance, he plays guitar I believe.


im not TOO sure about that, but i know for a fact he wips out a guitar and or bass for triad and schism

Want to make a three piece sound bigger. If you're doing a gig which isn't involving a full mike up,and you and the guitarist have two cabinets each.You place one of your cabs on his side and he does the same for you.you now have both instruments coming from both sides of the stage with the sweet spot usually where the vocalist stands.You're not playing any extra notes but the audience gets a huge sound if you get it right.Sure! playing songs with extra thirds or fifths added can be cool,but having to think your way through a gig can sometimes take the fun out interacting with the babes on the dancefloor!

you and the guitarist have two cabinets each.You place one of your cabs on his side and he does the same for you.

This would be especially effective if you are running a stereo bass rig. For example, you could run one cabinet clean, and another with effects. But it you're running a big PA system (like TOOL), you'll already have stuff on both sides of the stage.

This would be especially effective if you are running a stereo bass rig. For example, you could run one cabinet clean, and another with effects. But it you're running a big PA system (like TOOL), you'll already have stuff on both sides of the stage.

Even works great in smaller venues if you're running mono from the stage with only a vocal PA.Try it and stand on the dance floor for soundcheck.