1 Topic by Detman101 (edited by Detman101 2008-07-09 17:18:24)

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Topic: Blargh...how do they do it?

Does anyone know how artists just play along with people singing without knowing the song that the person is singing?

How long does it take your ear to train to know what sounds on the guitar go good with what someone is randomly singing?

I had a situation where our band went to another church to play for them and I arrived before the rest of the band. Well, our host church expected me to play along with the singers that were up on the stage and I am only used to playing a support role with our keyboardist.

I tried open chords, I tried barre chords I tried scales, but nothing seemed to be a good starting point to match up with what the singers were singing. AFter sweating thru my deodorant a dress shirt and a wife-beater I gave up and just let them do an acapella routine until the rest of the LATE band arrived.


Any advice? Or do I just need to know more music theory or something...


sad
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

That's an awkward situation... I've been pretty much in the same spot. One needs to be able to establish comunication with who ever is leading the music and find out what key they are playing in. Often with Church Hymns and a piano/keyboard it'll be in awful guitar keys like an Eb or F...  If in Eb then I'll capo the guitar at the 1st fret and play a D chord and go from there...  It's best to at least be familar with what's being played and have a practice session or two... There have been times that I simply roll the volume knob to off and just sing along...

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

jaygordon75 wrote:

That's an awkward situation... I've been pretty much in the same spot. One needs to be able to establish comunication with who ever is leading the music and find out what key they are playing in. Often with Church Hymns and a piano/keyboard it'll be in awful guitar keys like an Eb or F...  If in Eb then I'll capo the guitar at the 1st fret and play a D chord and go from there...  It's best to at least be familar with what's being played and have a practice session or two... There have been times that I simply roll the volume knob to off and just sing along...

Ah ha! I thought about getting another capo for my electric guitar and trying it out in church! i usually only use my capo on my acoustic that I take everywhere with me. I had no idea that a capo could help in my band at church! thank you thank you thank you! I can't wait to try it out and see if I can actually play open chords and barre chords with the music. i'm hyped now...thank you! (hehe)

I really need to find out how this whole "Key" thing works. My guitar teacher couldn't explain it to me (Or the circle of 5ths) so I had to let him go and start the search for someone who can. From what you're saying, it seems that the "Key" relates to a specific fret position on the neck...correct?

So lets say I find out they're playing in the key of "G", I would capo the 3rd fret and play open chords from there?

:confused:
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

4 Reply by mixter102 (edited by mixter102 2008-07-09 21:52:39)

  • From: Stockton Ca
  • Registered: 2007-10-19
  • Posts: 192

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

here is a good article on the circle of fifths

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_of_fifths

If you find they are in G you could just play open G chord.

If you think you will need to do this again a good way to practice is to try playing along with songs on the Radio or Television.  like any other skill the more you do it the better you will get.

Learn the most common chord progresions, and how they are used.

Ask for the sheet music or hymnal,  even if you can't read the notes it may have the chords printed above the staff. 

Check out the Music theory board,  Jerome has lots of great stuff there, and is very good at answering questions.

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

Kewl, Thanks Mixter102. I didn't even think of asking for one of their songbooks. The whole thing was more impromptu than I was used to.

I will definitely practice playing along with the tv the next chance I get. That sounds like a great way to practice for random events.


=]
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

This is pure theory.  If you know which key they are in,  and are capable of playing scales related to that key (and you are) then improvising and jamming with folks becomes easy.

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

jerome.oneil wrote:

This is pure theory.  If you know which key they are in,  and are capable of playing scales related to that key (and you are) then improvising and jamming with folks becomes easy.

Okay, I will have to take a class at the local college on basic guitar theory if they offer it.
I am able to play scales with the music that I hear (as long as it's stable), I just can't determine the key by ear.

=]
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 533

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

I'm not sure how to explain it...I'm easily confused and great at confusing others, but say if the song is a hymn that starts in Eb...and it's a 1,4, 5 progression    Eb  Ab  Bb...  those are awkward chords for a guitar. If you put a capo on the 1st fret and make a D chord then that will be an Eb...G will be the Ab...and A will be Bb...   How do you find that? Make a D chord...then move just the chord to next fret and it's a D# or Eb (same thing) move one more fret and it's an E...   Your capo will bar the other strings for you...      D,Eb,E,F,Gb,G,Ab,A Bb B,C,Db,D,Eb,E and on and on...

Middleaged Redneck sorta guy who refuses to grow up...passion for music, especially Southern Rock but like bout everything cept Gangsta/Hip Hop. Collect guitars, mandolins, and love to ride Harleys.
  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Blargh...how do they do it?

jaygordon75 wrote:

I'm not sure how to explain it...I'm easily confused and great at confusing others, but say if the song is a hymn that starts in Eb...and it's a 1,4, 5 progression    Eb  Ab  Bb...  those are awkward chords for a guitar. If you put a capo on the 1st fret and make a D chord then that will be an Eb...G will be the Ab...and A will be Bb...   How do you find that? Make a D chord...then move just the chord to next fret and it's a D# or Eb (same thing) move one more fret and it's an E...   Your capo will bar the other strings for you...      D,Eb,E,F,Gb,G,Ab,A Bb B,C,Db,D,Eb,E and on and on...

SWEET!!
Thanks bud!!


=]
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website