playing with only one other guitarist

[Gord]

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.

[Poop-Loops]

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.

[perfektspace6]

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

[s.m.80808]

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

[vindy500]

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

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

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

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Gord

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.

[TL5]

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.

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by perfektspace6

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

Originally Posted by s.m.80808

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

I agree! 1 guitarist bands kick ass

[ToR-Tu-Ra]

What ever happened to the other guitarist? Head exploded?

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

[dukerutledge]

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).

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by JimK

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.

[beyondhairy]

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 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.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

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.

...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.

[8guy]

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

[beyondhairy]

Originally Posted by 8guy

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

[CrazySean]

Originally Posted by beyondhairy

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.

[beyondhairy]

Originally Posted by CrazySean

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

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by JimK

...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.

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!

[CrazySean]

Originally Posted by beyondhairy

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