LICK LESSONS…
Fire up your solos the easy way by using chords you already know to build your leads
Ever heard the idea that scales are hard to learn? Well, we’d say different! Some scales are almost identical to chords you probably already know – that makes them easier to remember and also tells you that the chord and scale are probably going to sound good together. Don’t get it? Read on as we show you how to write new lead guitar ideas starting with a chord and a scale.
09 A MA JOR PENTATONIC
Everyone knows the A chord. As you play it here, make sure it’s the cleanest A chord ever heard!
The major pentatonic scale is great for creating bright, melodic lead lines. It also contains the A chord.
10 A MINOR PENTATONIC
Play each note one by one to check they’re ringing clearly – adjust your thumb position if needed.
Notice how the notes of the chord are found within the scale. It means they’ll sound good together.
11 MI XOLYDI AN
Notice how the dominant 7th chord sounds unresolved, like it needs to move to another, more final chord.
Look closely! Once again the notes of the chord are found in the scale. Jam around the two together.
IMPROVE TUNING STABILITY
1. Check your strings
Over time, strings stretch out and lose some ability to stay in tune. It goes without saying that if the strings are starting to corrode, they need to go!
2. Wind them well
Neatly-fitted strings not only help hold their tension more consistently, but you won’t have to risk losing an eye every time you play either! Aim for three neat coils around your tuning peg and try to avoid kinks. Trim the string back, leaving a few mm spare.
3. Stretch them
With your fresh strings fitted, help them settle more quickly by gently stretching them in by hand. Tune up, and pull the strings away from the guitar by about an inch wherever there are pressure points (bridge, nut, etc).
4. Apply some lube
Friction from your guitar’s hardware can affect tuning stability, so to combat this try applying some graphite from a pencil to your guitar’s bridge saddles and nut.
GET YOUR PEDALBOARD IN THE RIGHT ORDER
Did you know that the order in which you place your pedals in your signal chain has a significant impact on your tone? It does, and while there are no ultimate right or wrong answers, there is a generally accepted order that will get the best out of all the effects on your pedalboard.
The start point is generally wah, followed by any EQ or compression pedals. After that it’s usually distortion or overdrive effects, then boosts, then modulation effects (chorus, flangers, phasers, etc). Delay and echo tend to come next, and this is important – a delay pedal basically takes a snapshot of whatever sound is played into it, so if you want your echoes to reflect your full tone, it needs come at the back of the chain. Lastly, we have reverb, which works well in conjunction with delay repeats, and indeed everything else, so stick it right at the back. Finally, don’t forget this is just ‘default’ stuff, and while it may be a good starting point, experimentation with effects is half the fun, so don’t be afraid to mix up your pedal order and see what happens!
TROUBLESHOOT SIGNAL PROBLEMS
1. Guitar
Is your volume turned up and – don’t laugh – is it still plugged in? Guitars rarely stop working altogether – a pulled cable is a common mishap.
2.Amp
Do the same for your amp and plug your guitar straight into it to confirm whether the problem is elsewhere in your signal.
3. Jack leads and patch cables
Now turn your attention to the pedalboard, as it’s most often the culprit. Plug your guitar straight into the amp to confirm whether it’s all in order, then check all the patch leads are fully connected and that the cable from your guitar and the one to the amp are working.
4. Power
Check that all the power leads to your pedals from your power supply are connected. Then work backwards through the board in a process of elimination, plugging the guitar straight into the last pedal in your chain until you can’t hear a signal to isolate the problem. It’s wise to always have a spare guitar, kettle lead, power supply and patch cables on-hand when you’re playing live.