Video Guitar Lesson 14: Dual guitar parts and ideas for soloing in a covers band
- What do I need to think about when playing with other guitarists and instruments?
- How can we create dynamics and separation in our parts?
- How can I use knowledge of chord inversions to my advantage?
- What usable ideas are there for soloing in a covers band?
If these questions interest you and you want to arrange songs for multiple instruments and develop a good ear for frequencies and parts, then keep reading and be sure to check our video and audio out for this lesson.
Our video on our YouTube channel (my lesson with Dan):
(see below for timings for both this video and the audio version)
In this lesson, Dan and I take a look at some of the songs which I am performing with my band and so we focus on the dual guitar parts. I bring several songs which I am learning with other musicians in our covers band ready for a gig we will be performing in Brighton. We first look at American Girl by Tom Petty, with some talk about inversions and effects. Secondly, Dan gives me some feedback on some dual parts I came up with for Neil Young’s Cinnamon Girl. Next we pay the Smith’s What Difference Does it Make? a quick bit of consideration. We finish this lesson off by some discussion with usable ideas for the solo in Substitute by the Who and the outro solo for Feel Like Makin Love by Bad Company. As always, there are plenty of other examples thrown in to assist Dan’s explanation of his ideas and ways of approaching dual guitar situations and a good improvisation session towards the end of the lesson. Our next lesson 15 will return to the solo at the end of Feel Like Makin’ Love as we look at some tips on transcribing.
Our audio podcast on SoundCloud (my lesson with Dan):
Some things which I am really going to take away from this lesson are that:
- I will think about dynamics and when not to play – less is more!
- I will try some effects like chorus and delay to broaden my tone
- I will mirror riffs when soloing and mix different modes for impact
All the best, Gary and Dan
https://soundcloud.com/tunein-toneup/
Timings for the SoundCloud audio version
| 00:02:39 | Learning aims and some shout outs from social media |
| 00:08:09 | Introduction to the topic of the parts for songs I’m playing |
| 00:09:05 | Gary introduces his part for American Girl |
| 00:15:46 | In the spirit of the 80s you could put a nice big wobbly chorus on it |
| 00:16:13 | Two part phrase using different inversions |
| 00:17:42 | Second set of chords |
| 00:19:56 | Considering effects as of a time |
| 00:22:32 | How to approach a bit of a song which is quite sparse |
| 00:24:45 | Don’t forget that “less is more” |
| 00:25:32 | Always ask whether you’re adding something to the mix |
| 00:26:56 | Sparse rhythm for Comfortably Numb |
| 00:27:58 | Start of quick look at Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young |
| 00:31:31 | Making up second parts on the spot |
| 00:35:01 | Using two very different guitars for greater separation |
| 00:35:17 | What Difference Does it Make – Smiths |
| 00:37:17 | Harmonizing Johnny Marr’s guitar part |
| 00:43:52 | Solo for Substitute by the Who |
| 00:48:20 | Two ways to play Creep – Radiohead |
| 00:52:21 | In the style of Green Day – rougher playing |
| 00:53:50 | Basket Case – Billie Joe |
| 00:55:29 | Embrace all types of style but seek the good |
| 00:56:37 | The solo for the One I Love by REM |
| 00:59:21 | Solo at the end of Feel Like Makin Love – Bad Company |
| 01:04:59 | Overbends as well could be really cool for improvising over this ending |
| 01:06:08 | Accent the rhythmic riff of the song |
Timings for the YouTube video version
| 00:02:06 | Learning aims and some shout outs from social media |
| 00:07:36 | Introduction to the topic of the parts for songs I’m playing |
| 00:08:32 | Gary introduces his part for American Girl |
| 00:15:13 | In the spirit of the 80s you could put a nice big wobbly chorus on it |
| 00:15:40 | Two part phrase using different inversions |
| 00:17:09 | Second set of chords |
| 00:19:23 | Considering effects as of a time |
| 00:21:59 | How to approach a bit of a song which is quite sparse |
| 00:24:12 | Don’t forget that “less is more” |
| 00:24:59 | Always ask whether you’re adding something to the mix |
| 00:26:23 | Sparse rhythm for Comfortably Numb |
| 00:27:25 | Start of quick look at Cinnamon Girl – Neil Young |
| 00:30:58 | Making up second parts on the spot |
| 00:34:29 | Using two very different guitars for greater separation |
| 00:34:44 | What Difference Does it Make – Smiths |
| 00:36:44 | Harmonizing Johnny Marr’s guitar part |
| 00:43:19 | Solo for Substitute by the Who |
| 00:47:47 | Two ways to play Creep – Radiohead |
| 00:51:48 | In the style of Green Day – rougher playing |
| 00:53:17 | Basket Case – Billie Joe |
| 00:54:56 | Embrace all types of style but seek the good |
| 00:56:04 | The solo for the One I Love by REM |
| 00:58:48 | Solo at the end of Feel Like Makin Love – Bad Company |
| 01:04:27 | Overbends as well could be really cool for improvising over this ending |
| 01:05:35 | Accent the rhythmic riff of the song |
Curt Mangan Strings Website: https://www.curtmangan.com/
Last five lessons for new arrivals or those who want to brush up on this content
Keep watching listening and getting in touch. We really want to hear from you! Keep an eye out for some improvements to our video setup coming shortly which we’re really excited about.
You may want to check Dan Davies out in action. You can find a video I made of Dan and his band Full House on this YouTube channel: Full House Brighton Band (more to come with improved video and some different approaches to the audio).
Enjoy your musical journey 🙂
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