Nietsche

This.



'Thread Starter' and 'Original Post'/'Original Poster' (Depends on the context). They're pretty common acronyms on webforums.

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Captaincranky

"TS", means "Thread Starter".

"OP", means, "Original Post". (The original topic or question, as it were).

A Major or Minor key always have scales associated with them. Depending on the letter you start on, these scales will have sharps or flats, because the scales have tonal structual patterns they must follow. These are written in 1/2 tone, (sometimes called "semi tones") patterns. A piano shows us this in great detail, as there are black and white keys that display the full 12 tones of the chromatic scale.

If you want to learn what scale corresponds with which key at the basic level, you're just going to have to suck it up, and sit down and study, no exceptions.

Basic theory knowledge consists on a few basic things: the chromatic scale, forming major and minor scales from it, and learning to form the "triads", (3 note chords) from any particular scale. These form the harmonic backdrop for the melody.

In C Major, (or ANY major key), the most important "triads" happen on the 1st, 4th, & 5th degrees of the scale. In C major, these chords would be C, F, G, (all major chords). In G major, those same scale degree chords become, G, C, & D.

So, there's no shortcut, or a single internet post that's going to answer your question. It's gonna' to take some "book larnin'".

HotspurJr

TS means threadstarter.

OP means original poster.

They mean the same thing - the guy who asked the original question. This board seems to prefer TS, but other ones prefer OP.

CarsonStevens

You want to know two things.

1) How to know which notes to select for a solo/melody.

2) How to play it well (IE, "fast & clean").

I'll answer #2 first. You practice! Start slow (use a metronome) and work your way up to the speed you want to be able to play at, advancing a few bpm whenever you master the tempo you're at. You'll get there, but don't expect it to happen overnight. Don't expect it to happen in a few months, either. The riff I've been using as my target drill I've been playing for like, two years. Of course, I don't practice every day, so... practice every day.

Now, #1. Whether the dude improvised his solo or wrote it out beforehand, the process is the same; know the notes the key, how they relate, and how to use them. More specifically, learn how to write a melody. I always recommend the following two books, as they worked for me;

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Solos and Improvisation

You definitely want to know the difference between structural and passing tones, and how to harmonize with the underlying chords. That's 3/4's of your hurdles right there.

Then, once you know that stuff... you write solos. Experiment. Keep what works, toss what doesn't. Simple as that. Well, maybe not so simple; I've re-written the solo to a song I'm working on at least three times over the last two years.

And, if none of this stuff makes sense just yet... it will, eventually. Just keep studying/practicing and it will all come together.

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Obligatory Bandcamp link

Withorwithout

Thanks Nietsche! I haven't hanged out on english webforums much =).

spike4379

yeah and the greatest secret kept by all guitarist which im sure il be killed for saying the key to being fast, is practicing painfully slow, find a run in a solo you like thats written down right, and practice it with a mETRONOME, i dont care what new age guru crap says about throwing it away, you cant have good groove and rhythm without locking in with a metronome and getting a great sense of time! practice the run (or one you have made) slooooowly maybe 80 bpm at quavers/ 8ths then in a weeks time of trying not to gouge your eyes out move the tempo up to 82, unless your achieving the speed you want and its very clean (do it with a clean tone too YES it does help) then move up until speed is required, i had to do this a dreamtheater called pull me under.

Captaincranky

Spike, isn't this answer intended to go into this thread: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/foru...61#post30207261 ? Because it surely has no bearing on this one. Um, 'jus sayin'.

spike4379

i was adding to the above posts 2) fast & clean