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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

701.0. "The new Dylan ?" by MLNAD1::TURNER (Got my mojo workin'...) Wed Jun 29 1988 11:17

    
    Here's something a bit different. Has anyone got any tips regarding
    the guitar as an instrument for songwriting ? I'd welcome any
    information about how the "greats" go about writing songs using
    the guitar, irrespective of whether we're talking about Cat Stevens
    or Jagger/Richard. I, for example, tend to get a little bogged down
    "inventing" a melody to fit around a chord structure; the chord
    structure is often too regular to trigger my imagination. Maybe
    I should do things the other way round.
    
    Cheers, Dom
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701.1ZYDECO::MCABEEFingers don't work, mind plays onFri Jul 01 1988 13:414
    A lot of ideas have come from diddling around in an alternate (not
    necessarily open) tuning.  Have you tried open D, open G and DADGAD?
    
    Bob
701.2Different chord forms???DRUID::MARIANITue Jul 05 1988 17:0213
    I don't know what kind of chords you're using, but you might try
    something with a little more tension than the basic triads.   I
    find it a lot easier to solo over more complex chords, maybe you'll
    find it easier to pick out a melody.   Also, you could try NEVER
    using your "usual" position when playing chords.  The different
    voicings will accentuate different notes.   If you always play a
    "G" in the first position, try playing it on the 7th fret using
    a "C" chord form.  This will tend to put a different sound to things
    and maybe stimulate the ol' creative juices.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    	Ted
701.3ZYDECO::MCABEEFingers don't work, mind plays onWed Jul 06 1988 13:166
    In general, I'd say it's a good idea to do things that make you
    break out of old habits.  Different chord forms, different tunings,
    playing at a different time of day.  If you're a flatpicker, try
    fingerpicking, and vice versa.
    
    Bob