Trying something way out of my wheelhouse

Kerry Brown · Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:25 pm

Most of my songs are blues or ballads, usually acoustic. Lately I’ve been trying to get more of an edge. I have never played much heavy rock or metal. Not sure what to do. This is pretty much just wailing in minor pentatonic. Looking for constructive criticism on how to improve this. So far it’s just a song idea with no lyrics. Thanks

fullonshred · Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:23 pm

Just need a riff or two chage up somewhere in there. This is kind of like an extended outro.

Thanks for the share.

nomadh · Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:32 pm

It sounded good. If I had to add something to work on its think a bit more compositionally about the solo. Not a scale or licks. A guitar solo should be a speech not just a list of cool words. A theme or subject. Bullet points, reemphasis and a conclusion. Not sure how to do what I'm talking about but we all recognize when we get it right or wrong.

Kerry Brown · Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:55 pm

When/if I come up with lyrics there will be a lot less lead. I’m trying to come up with some sort of bridge or chorus as well. I’ve never played lead to anything like this. I was trying to see what worked and what didn’t. Thanks for the suggestions.

sabasgr68 · Sat Jul 25, 2020 10:44 pm

All I can say is that it is great to give shape to a musical idea we have in our heads. Hoping you can post it again finished.

Kerry Brown · Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:03 am

Still working on this. It has been suggested it's not hard rock but heavy rock I've added an intro with a twelve string and a track with the power chords on the twelve string. I've left some room for vocals (I'm working on lyrics) and have the start of an outro. Still need a bridge as well.

Kerry Brown · Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:02 pm

A friend on another forum sent me some lyrics he wrote. I apologize in advance for my voice

tlarson58 · Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:01 am

Downer song. Something new, though and the time and effort to put it into something tangible.

Narsh · Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:07 pm

I think its got potential.
From a constructive criticism point of view, and you know I always give criticism with the greatest level of respect as we are all in different areas of experience, etc...

Walking down the chords is a great idea, but it needs more. You did good by adding the licks but the slightly out of key bends detract from it. Bending over or under target notes works great in a blues context but when you are walking down the chords and following them so closely, you have to be careful. So first and foremost I would practice bending to the notes.
Then come up with a phrase and do your own call and answer. Its a conversation, so try and hum it first. Also, a good little mixing trick with leads, use two tracks and pan one a little left and the other a little right. Also, change the tone on each a little bit. Drop the tone or use a different pickup.
Either way man, its definitely got potential and I really hope the critique helps.