writing music in standard tunings

[blackmesa]

why do i have a huge problem with writing music in standard tunings. I listen to almost all standard tuned bands and then theres only 2 bands that i listen to that employ drop d and it sticks with me. Does anyone else have this problem? If you guys have any advice, it would be VERY much appreciated.
thanks.

Eddie

 

[Guitarzan]

If you really want to have fun go transcribe some Zeppelin!

 

[MusicManJP6]

Maybe you prefer the heavier, darker feel of drop D. It can be more inspiring sometimes compared to standard tuning...

Also, you might try learning some different, more complex chords such as diminished, add9s, etc. It can spark some creativity using chords you are not accustomed to hearing. OR, make up your own and see where that gets you. Try out some effects with them as well. Play in a key you usually don't play in. B can be pretty cool as well as Bb. G, C, and A are played out, and can sound very mundane.

Hope this helps a little.

Adam

 

[blackmesa]

yea that does help, thanks. But yea i've been doing that, heres the wierd thing, i can write clean riffs(as in not distorted) in standards with no problem, i just cant write heavy stuff. Any advise?

Eddie

 

[Elpelotero]

back in the day incubus used to get some heavy sounds without dropping to D.

The trick is to do what I think is called a slash chord. Don't quote me on that.

Anyways, what you do is hit a regular power chord (with the octave) on the A string. Let's say a D power chord on the 5th fret. Then to thicken it up, you add the A note on the E string, in other words the 5th fret. So you'll have your index finger barring two notes and then your ring finger and pinky hitting the 5th and octave.

Try listening to old metal, such as Metallica. That was all in standard. The right hand technique and the riffs you make up are what makes a standard tuning song heavy.

 

[MusicManJP6]

311 used to do that alot too... Very good advice!

Octaves in b/w chords seems to be popular now. So, in drop D that's A, A, A, then slide up and hit some octaves starting on A string at 10 and 12. Prob works better with 2 guitars, but it can be a cool effect. Listen to 3 days grace - Pain for a better example. Might not be as heavy sounding as you want to go, but it is an idea...

 

[blackmesa]

wow that actually sounds pretty cool, thanx for that, but also what advise do you guys have on using power chords to make coherent riffs, like making them flow. I also have a huge problem with starting almost everything i play with 2 or 3 palm muted E's or D's, i know its probably easy for you to tell me "just don't use those." but it isn't that easy for me, can you give me some advise that i can build upon? like something i can employ in my playing? thanks!

Eddie

 

[Platypus]

I use that to get a 'fake' D chord when I'm in standard for moments that require a D without having to drop. I believe it's on the 5th fret.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Power chords are the most popular chords ever! Nirvana seemed to start that, but I'm sure there were others before Nirvana. I guess grunge in general is responsible. You might try slides from one chord to the next instead of picking each chord, or build on the classic power chord by adding a note not usually found in a power chord. IE, a power chord is typically the 1st and 5th of the scale, so adding a 9th can enhance the power chord a bit. For example: E string - 5th fret, A string - 7th fret, D string - 9th fret. Or going from an A power chord then moving the root note A down a half-step to G# and leaving the other note (E) the same. Hope that helps you get more out of your typical power chord formations.

I like to listen closely to riffs I like and then find the tab and adapt it into how I would play the song differently. That can be another effective way to start the song writing process...

 

[mesanomad100]

use different scales to create your riffs,for example....E harmonic minor,this can lead to some mean assed riffing
or try landing on some sus2 with added fifth in the bass like MusicManJP6 Stated earlier

so for example barre your finger on the 2nd fret all the way down from E to e and then liie playing a B power chord on the A string add the other two notes F# and B on the 4th fret D and G,these are huge sounding chords,anything with open strings seem to create huge textures,very huge cascading sounds

as far as riffing goes adding alot of half steps in the riffs will add a very sinister sound like flattened 3rds and 6ths always sound mean :twisted: and if your using flattened 3rds and 6ths adding a 7th in and then the root root always sound demonic!!!

alot of the heavy sound is made up by the beats and rhythm rather than note choice but some notes like a flattened 5th are crazy,these were thought of as the devils notes and if you played one of these in the medievil period you would have been beheaded for trying to summon satan!!

 

[Charlie]

I was just messing around with this tuning last night:

DADAAD

It's basically a giant power chord... but I got some interesting results with it.

Alternate tunings are great - they help get you out of your comfort zone and force you to really use your ears instead of a bunch of canned riffs/licks etc.

 

[phaboo]

Different keys just sound different. Especially "D minor, the saddest of all keys." Hehehe.

I can't stand standard tuning myself--I like tuning down one fret to Eb. I've done some projects in standard, and I hated every minute of it.