Harmony Solos

[numba1jap]

Anyone got any suggestions to do harmony solos. Stuff like Thrice, or 311, or 80's metal like Maiden and stuff. What tonic do you use for majors and what do you use for minors? IS it the 2nd or 3rd of does it depend on the song.

[Mike Dresch]

Lots of 3rds. It does depend on the song as well. I've had songs where 4ths sounded more appropriate for certain notes. Go for 5ths if you want that Oriental........er......Asian flavor. :) (darn political correctness!)

[Erik]

Lots of 3rds. It does depend on the song as well. I've had songs where 4ths sounded more appropriate for certain notes. Go for 5ths if you want that Oriental........er......Asian flavor. :) (darn political correctness!)
+1.

Personally, I like the way 4ths and 5ths sound...but it can get harsh, really fast.

[Peter]

I don't quite understand your question...
but most two-guitar harmony solos are thirds (or inverted, as sixths) and they will be major or minor thirds depending on which third it is. For example, in C major, the thirds are:

CE: Major (M)
DF: minor (m)
EG: m
FA: M
GB: M
AC: m
BD: m

things can change though - for example, a song in C might use a C7 chord, C-E-G-Bb, in which case the thirds with B's in them change.

Is that what you're after?

[Chiba]

A good way to learn how to create those harmony solos is to start with simple octaves.

If you have a little 4-track machine, you can really work the stuff out easily. Lay down a simple rhythm track - I - IV - V stuff - and a smooth, steady lead line.

Then play along with your lead, but an octave up or an octave down. That will get you used to playing a note other than what you would 'normally' play.

Then try messing around with 5ths. IMHO these are the 2nd easiest intervals for your ears to 'find' after the octaves.

The cool thing about playing 5ths and octaves is that you don't have to figure out if the interval should be major or minor.

Harmonies in 3rds sound hellacool but are harder to play than 5ths/octaves because you DO have to take into account whether the interval should be major or minor (as Peter described) - and if you play the 'wrong' one it'll sound 'weird'.

Another time a cheap little 4-track comes in handy.

Good luck - harmonized solos are so cool!

--chiba

[Jo]

Any suggestions for some good songs with harmonized solos. I was just thinking the other day that I'd like us to work up some harmony stuff.

I was thinking maybe some Thin Lizzy or something. What are some good classic harmony songs to cover?

[Dan Desy]

Any suggestions for some good songs with harmonized solos. I was just thinking the other day that I'd like us to work up some harmony stuff.

I was thinking maybe some Thin Lizzy or something. What are some good classic harmony songs to cover?
The ones that come to mind are Thin Lizzy and Night Ranger had some cool stuff too. Bad Company (check out Can't get enough). Queen too - although it's all overdubs... not that there's anything wrong with that! :)

For something a little different, check out Saga and Dream Theater for some wicked guitar-keyboard harmony. Saga is a little more of this Earth where as most of DT's harmony/unison parts are just impossible to play by yourself, much less in unison with someone else! :eek:

[daddycam]

Any suggestions for some good songs with harmonized solos. I was just thinking the other day that I'd like us to work up some harmony stuff.

I was thinking maybe some Thin Lizzy or something. What are some good classic harmony songs to cover?

"hotel california" has that nice harmony part at the end of the solo. the allman bros. stuff has tons of harmony parts in it. and don't forget about the scorpions! :dude:

[irwcustom]

And your bird can sing was a corker:dude: overlayered when recorded of course, but I bet it would sound great live. oh yer ....Whishbone Ash.

[Adam]

for the metal heads: In Flames older material like Colony and Whoracle is absolutely packed with harmony riffing, Gothenburg style.