Supporting chords

One topic I don't see mentioned often is that of the role played by a guitarist in supporting a singer. Just look at those R&B guys, you don't hear any flashy lead licks, or Smoke on the Water type power chords.. Actually, individually you don't hear them at all, but their work is essential to the overall sound. The band is there for one reason, to support the singer, to make him or her sound at his or her best.

I'd love to see a lesson or piece on this topic, as I'm a singer myself who also plays guitar. Would love to find transition chords (for lack of the correct term) which would smooth out chord changes while I sing.


Itchin to play,

Izzy

Hey Izzy,

Good question! I came up with a few tutorials that might help out:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1255
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=819
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=892
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1258

Let me know what you think?

But if I was only going to post one lesson, it would be this one:
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1037

Thanks for the quick reply and thanks for the great links.

Itchin' to play,

Izzy

Originally Posted by: IzzyPhorealOne topic I don't see mentioned often is that of the role played by a guitarist in supporting a singer. Just look at those R&B guys, you don't hear any flashy lead licks, or Smoke on the Water type power chords.. Actually, individually you don't hear them at all, but their work is essential to the overall sound. The band is there for one reason, to support the singer, to make him or her sound at his or her best.

I'd love to see a lesson or piece on this topic, as I'm a singer myself who also plays guitar. Would love to find transition chords (for lack of the correct term) which would smooth out chord changes while I sing.


Itchin to play,

Izzy

Good observation. I love the way funk guitarists support singers. Very often they hang around a single chord and just play inversions of that chord. As a result since there is very little going on in terms of harmony, then the singer has more room to experiment melodically and more notes may be considered "in"

/Dave

Ben Lindholm posted a response way back about chords... he actually out-lined some really great chord ideas... different fingers & really beautiful sounds. I don't know the link, might be tough to search through all his forum posts to find it....

Originally Posted by: David PortelliGood observation. I love the way funk guitarists support singers. Very often they hang around a single chord and just play inversions of that chord. As a result since there is very little going on in terms of harmony, then the singer has more room to experiment melodically and more notes may be considered "in"

/Dave

Good point Dave, and thanks for the info Slippin Lizard..

Izzy