Join Celisse as she continues a new Gibson App songwriting lesson series and guides you step-by-step toward adding syncopation to your parts
In this Gibson App video, Celisse lifts the lid on her writing process. She always considers foundational elements like guitar, bass, and drums right off the bat—even if she’s only using a single guitar. She emulates those other instruments by muting and peppering in bass notes, weaving them into the groove of the song.
You can catch part one of the series, “Celisse Teaches You How to Sing and Play Guitar at the Same Time,” here, and part two, “Celisse Teaches How to Make Your Music Dance—Rhythm and Color Techniques for Guitar,” here. Part three, “Celisse Teaches You How to Master the Art of Writing Lyrics,” is here.
What will I learn from Celisse?
In the video, Celisse relates that if she’s at a gig without a band, adding in syncopated guitar rhythms that a drummer might play becomes part of how she spices up sections of the song. As she says, “It’s a little more interesting than a quarter note.”
She continues, “All of a sudden, it just fills up all this space. You can play the simplest chords, the simplest musical concepts, but if you have a rhythmic element going on, people will be there with you for a long time. If I could suggest anything to work on and really practice in trying to get this concept down, I would start with a metronome, muting strings. Put it on, I don’t know, start at like 80 beats per minute. Like, really try to be together with the metronome.”
Several times in the video, she demonstrates how one might combine strong downstrokes on the chord with lighter upstrokes to help spark an exciting groove. With the addition of some in-between bass notes, she sets up a part where the elements are interacting to emulate a fuller band experience.
What is the Gibson App: Learn & Play Guitar series all about?
Embark on a journey with Celisse through the fourth installment of a playlist tailored for beginners, where profound insights unravel musical techniques. Explore the mastery of simultaneous singing and guitar playing, the harmonious integration of rhythm, and the art of weaving evocative lyrics.
With a wealth of expertise, Celisse divulges strategies to transmute ordinary moments into resonant musical expressions. Prepare to be educated and invigorated as you unlock the exciting realm of music creation.
Explore the world of the Gibson App today and start your free trial on iOS and Android devices.
