... I imagine this will get messy, however, from my recent interactions with various members on this forum, it appears to be a great place to seek advice.
I prefer those answering to be seasoned musicians from working bands or having played in bands performing original music.
If you wish to skip the dramatic Bio drop down to the main question ***
Some background... I've been playing guitar very off & on for several years. I've strictly played rhythm via tabs and never learned any scales or theory. Admittedly, though I played with several groups of people, in my opinion, I never learned to play the guitar, but instead learned how to play other people's songs on a guitar. In doing so, I did develop a limited ability to write my own music. Through the years I have accumulated a lot of what I consider to be great riffs and partial songs. One of the biggest issues has been the limitation in expressing what I am hearing in my head onto the guitar and enabling me to complete pieces of music. By not understanding the patterns/scales and theory behind them, I have experienced a great deal of confusion and frustration which lead to me trying to quit music throughout my life.
Approximately 4 months ago I picked up the guitar again and noticed my ear had developed to a surprising degree. I also felt extremely inspired and wrote a bunch of new material. Over the course of 2-3 weeks, while tediously searching for the correct notes and placement, I was able to write a cool solo to one of my new songs. I was blown away as I never thought I'd be able to create and play in the lead guitar style. Admittedly, I didn't know what I was playing or why it worked/sounded so good, but wowzer!
This brought me to the decision that I would attempt to learn to play lead guitar. I attacked it like a madman... I learned the following:
- 5 Minor Pentatonic Patterns
- 7 Modes
- 3 Shapes from Harmonic Minor
Once I learned the above patterns/scales, I was able to then, "see" the fret board as a map or road system. I then went from, "butchering scales" over backing tracks to playing scales over backing tracks. Then to playing lead over backing tracks while inserting licks into these improvised leads. From playing everything in the key of G/Em to playing in any key. I realize that I have only scratched the surface and that there really is no, "Point of Arrival." I am still a novice with an infinite amount of learning ahead, but I am now at a point where I get to play in the game at a different level.
All of this has tremendously helped me in the creative and writing process and brings me to my question:
***How can I protect the original music I have?***
What is to stop me from joining or forming a band, showing them my music and having my music taken and used by others?
One experience... I know the guitarist who's band was the opening act, the headlining band came to him after the show and said, "I really like that 3rd song you played, can you show me how it goes?" My friend showed him and later went to see that band play again and the headlining band played my friend's song as their own.
I had a drummer contact me and we played together for a few weeks. In the process, he recorded everything. After a few weeks he stated he wasn't the guy for my type of music. He was a rock drummer and not a MetaL drummer.
Again, I prefer those answering to be seasoned musicians from working bands or having played in bands performing original music.
Thank you in advance.
I prefer those answering to be seasoned musicians from working bands or having played in bands performing original music.
If you wish to skip the dramatic Bio drop down to the main question ***
Some background... I've been playing guitar very off & on for several years. I've strictly played rhythm via tabs and never learned any scales or theory. Admittedly, though I played with several groups of people, in my opinion, I never learned to play the guitar, but instead learned how to play other people's songs on a guitar. In doing so, I did develop a limited ability to write my own music. Through the years I have accumulated a lot of what I consider to be great riffs and partial songs. One of the biggest issues has been the limitation in expressing what I am hearing in my head onto the guitar and enabling me to complete pieces of music. By not understanding the patterns/scales and theory behind them, I have experienced a great deal of confusion and frustration which lead to me trying to quit music throughout my life.
Approximately 4 months ago I picked up the guitar again and noticed my ear had developed to a surprising degree. I also felt extremely inspired and wrote a bunch of new material. Over the course of 2-3 weeks, while tediously searching for the correct notes and placement, I was able to write a cool solo to one of my new songs. I was blown away as I never thought I'd be able to create and play in the lead guitar style. Admittedly, I didn't know what I was playing or why it worked/sounded so good, but wowzer!
This brought me to the decision that I would attempt to learn to play lead guitar. I attacked it like a madman... I learned the following:
- 5 Minor Pentatonic Patterns
- 7 Modes
- 3 Shapes from Harmonic Minor
Once I learned the above patterns/scales, I was able to then, "see" the fret board as a map or road system. I then went from, "butchering scales" over backing tracks to playing scales over backing tracks. Then to playing lead over backing tracks while inserting licks into these improvised leads. From playing everything in the key of G/Em to playing in any key. I realize that I have only scratched the surface and that there really is no, "Point of Arrival." I am still a novice with an infinite amount of learning ahead, but I am now at a point where I get to play in the game at a different level.
All of this has tremendously helped me in the creative and writing process and brings me to my question:
***How can I protect the original music I have?***
What is to stop me from joining or forming a band, showing them my music and having my music taken and used by others?
One experience... I know the guitarist who's band was the opening act, the headlining band came to him after the show and said, "I really like that 3rd song you played, can you show me how it goes?" My friend showed him and later went to see that band play again and the headlining band played my friend's song as their own.
I had a drummer contact me and we played together for a few weeks. In the process, he recorded everything. After a few weeks he stated he wasn't the guy for my type of music. He was a rock drummer and not a MetaL drummer.
Again, I prefer those answering to be seasoned musicians from working bands or having played in bands performing original music.
Thank you in advance.