Help with right hand notes/riffs

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Hello keyboard players. I have a question that I hope someone can help with. I'm a fan of early-mid 80's rock like bands such as Loverboy, Harlequin, Streetheart, Night ranger, Bon Jovi and such. I am wondering if there is tablature out there on how to play the right hand notes/riffs. When I look up how to play the songs I get the chords to the song but that's not enough. An example of what I am looking for is like the intros to, say, Runaway by Bon Jovi or the riff for Innocence by Harlequin and such. These are not chords but just notes. Where can you find how to play such songs?

 

[Biggles]

Sheet music is available to buy from a number of sources

Like this?

Runaway Sheet Music | Bon Jovi | Piano, Vocal & Guitar Chords (Right-Hand Melody)

Download and Print Runaway sheet music for Piano, Vocal & Guitar Chords (Right-Hand Melody) by Bon Jovi from Sheet Music Direct.

www.sheetmusicdirect.com

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Sheet music is available to buy from a number of sources

Like this?

Runaway Sheet Music | Bon Jovi | Piano, Vocal & Guitar Chords (Right-Hand Melody)

Download and Print Runaway sheet music for Piano, Vocal & Guitar Chords (Right-Hand Melody) by Bon Jovi from Sheet Music Direct.

www.sheetmusicdirect.com

Thanks for the response. Yes, I think that is what I need if only I could read it, haha. I need something that shows "g", "C", etc since I can't read music yet. It does look like that is what I am looking for though. Any more sites that you know of like this? All I have been able to find are ones with chords only for the songs.

 

[b3maniac]

If there is an intro for a song it may be on the sheet music. Other wise, for most of us keyboard "licks" are learned by listening and figuring it out. Catching the lick "by ear" is generally an advanced ability from years of playing. Of course you could hire someone to
teach you the licks as a part of teaching you the fundamentals of piano playing. YMMV Don

 

[delaware dave]

911tabs.com might have what you are looking for. check it out.

 

[Biggles]

For something a little easier have a look on Amazon or your local Music Stores website at what Music Songbooks they are selling.

These are often referred to as fake books since they are generally an easier to version to play, but yes whilst you are developing your ear this is a way to get there but it does involve teaching yourself to read sheet music
.
https://www.amazon.com/Billboard-No-Hits-1980s-Compendium/dp/0739069705/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=80’s+sheet+music+books&qid=1613601536&s=books&sr=1-1
.

Rolling Stone Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics, Vol 1: 39 Selections from the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (Rolling Stone(R) Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics): Coates, Dan: 9780739052365: Amazon.com: Books

Rolling Stone Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics, Vol 1: 39 Selections from the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time ( Rolling Stone(R) Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics) [Coates, Dan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Rolling Stone Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics, Vol 1: 39 Selections...

www.amazon.com

.
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Eighties-Fake-Book-Songs/dp/1423469410/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=80’s+sheet+music+books&qid=1613601827&s=books&sr=1-3

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

If there is an intro for a song it may be on the sheet music. Other wise, for most of us keyboard "licks" are learned by listening and figuring it out. Catching the lick "by ear" is generally an advanced ability from years of playing. Of course you could hire someone to
teach you the licks as a part of teaching you the fundamentals of piano playing. YMMV Don

Thanks for the response. I've been digging on Youtube and have found a few videos that will help but its hard to find piano/keyboard patterns for these older songs.

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

911tabs.com might have what you are looking for. check it out.

Thanks. I did and some of the songs are there. Cheers.

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I think that is what I need if only I could read it, haha. I need something that shows "g", "C", etc since I can't read music yet. It does look like that is what I am looking for though. Any more sites that you know of like this? All I have been able to find are ones with chords only for the songs.

Hey Biggles...after taking another look at the sheet I noticed that there ARE chords listed for the intro lick...my bad...this is perfect. Thanks again.

 

[Biggles]

You are welcome.

When you look at sheet music do look at those that have the vocal melody lime, an accompaniment line, a bass line and the chords which will be above the vocal melody line. These imo give the best of all worlds for learning a song.

 

[BKN4691]

Hey @Dmanlovesmusic! My first post here.

I highly recommend you take some small steps towards being able to read music. Not necessarily "sight reading", which is much more advanced, but just the ability to be able to look at the treble staff and figure out the first note in a melody, or the bottom note of a chord (stack of notes). From there you you can use your ears and context clues (i.e. as the notes get higher in the staff, they go higher on the keyboard, and vice-versa) to get you moving in the right direction.

You're not necessarily immediately trying to read and play at the same time, just starting to learn a skill that will start you off on the right note. Maybe buy that piece of music and give it a try. You'll be amazed and how fast you'll progress and how useful it is. Good luck!

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Hey @Dmanlovesmusic! My first post here.

I highly recommend you take some small steps towards being able to read music. Not necessarily "sight reading", which is much more advanced, but just the ability to be able to look at the treble staff and figure out the first note in a melody, or the bottom note of a chord (stack of notes). From there you you can use your ears and context clues (i.e. as the notes get higher in the staff, they go higher on the keyboard, and vice-versa) to get you moving in the right direction.

You're not necessarily immediately trying to read and play at the same time, just starting to learn a skill that will start you off on the right note. Maybe buy that piece of music and give it a try. You'll be amazed and how fast you'll progress and how useful it is. Good luck!

Thanks. I've been reviewing sheet music theory and it's all coming back to me now... Been over 40 years since I looked at a sheet of notes! I think I've got it now. I'm just listening by ear to try and get most of the sounds but it would help to know not only the note/chord patterns but also the keyboard/synth type and settings. I'm studying videos and searching the web for my favorites but some of the songs I am looking for in the rock genre are tricky to find info on as even some didn't have a music video at the time... PRISM, HARLEQUIN, STREETHEART, etc. I'll just have to keep on studying

 

[BKN4691]

When I'm looking for the chords or melody of a song, I do a web search like "(song) chords", or "(song) sheet music", which usually brings up multiple options. Even on the sheet music sites where you have to pay for the full download, you can see at least the first half of the first page to get you started on the intro and maybe the first verse.

A word of caution though: Often times the chord charts, and sometimes even the sheet music, are in a different key than the recorded version of the song. Most times you won't know until you turn on the song and start to play along and it becomes obvious very quickly.

Also, the few pieces of sheet music I've purchased didn't have the transcription for the solo, which is usually why I'm looking for them in the first place. Unfortunately, unless someone has said the same in one of the reviews, you won't know until after you purchase because the preview doesn't show you that far into the piece.

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

When I'm looking for the chords or melody of a song, I do a web search like "(song) chords", or "(song) sheet music", which usually brings up multiple options. Even on the sheet music sites where you have to pay for the full download, you can see at least the first half of the first page to get you started on the intro and maybe the first verse.

A word of caution though: Often times the chord charts, and sometimes even the sheet music, are in a different key than the recorded version of the song. Most times you won't know until you turn on the song and start to play along and it becomes obvious very quickly.

Also, the few pieces of sheet music I've purchased didn't have the transcription for the solo, which is usually why I'm looking for them in the first place. Unfortunately, unless someone has said the same in one of the reviews, you won't know until after you purchase because the preview doesn't show you that far into the piece.

Interesting. I'm coming to the realization that there is an ebook in the making needed. I can find chords but solos/licks are hard to find. Finding the keyboard or synth used in the song would be a great help. So would the keyboard knob settings/patches, etc. If the song was done on an old synth or keyboard that cannot be easily found then a suitable alternative could be noted. If all of this with a bit of history on the song/band was all put together in 1 book this would save hours and hours of research... Hmmmm... Haven't encountered anything like this yet I'm a published author already so this wouldn't be an insurmountable task.

 

[Biggles]

It helps when the man himself explains all.

What needs to be said about the great Ray Manzarek that has not been said many times over.

 

[Keroleen]

Hello and thanks for asking this question because when i started to play keyboards last year, I started in a jamming group. I quickly learned i cant be playing the 'sheet music' version so it was to find those "tinkling" riffs.

I dont know if you willing to pay up...but Ultimate Guitar PRO, if the song has an "official" tab and you can find the riffs and layers. BUT you are going to have to able to read the treble clef. And very often notes that are beyond notation as I believe they are tabbing it with a guitar. I find this is best resource as often when looking for "sheets" its the piano solo and what we are after is simply the synth part (which is normally a 4 bar riff throughout the song and nothing else)
I usually re-arrange it in musescore as a leadsheet or something to fit my needs. As UG isnt 100% accurate and since I dont know how to capo/trans on my rigs I need to use Musescore to do it for me.

On the other hand im sloooowly learning how to just make my own riffs based on the key of song and chord progression if that's easier for play by ear muscians.

 

[Tahitijack]

Another nice feature of Ultimate Guitar Pro is its ability to automaticly change the key in half steps and to simply the chords. Nice features for beginners that want to have fun playing yet are frustrated by anything beyond a seventh. Although its guitar based it does show the piano chords as well. No capo, no problem. But some keyboards include the ability to change key in half steps at the touch of a button.

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Hello and thanks for asking this question because when i started to play keyboards last year, I started in a jamming group. I quickly learned i cant be playing the 'sheet music' version so it was to find those "tinkling" riffs.

I dont know if you willing to pay up...but Ultimate Guitar PRO, if the song has an "official" tab and you can find the riffs and layers. BUT you are going to have to able to read the treble clef. And very often notes that are beyond notation as I believe they are tabbing it with a guitar. I find this is best resource as often when looking for "sheets" its the piano solo and what we are after is simply the synth part (which is normally a 4 bar riff throughout the song and nothing else)
I usually re-arrange it in musescore as a leadsheet or something to fit my needs. As UG isnt 100% accurate and since I dont know how to capo/trans on my rigs I need to use Musescore to do it for me.

On the other hand im sloooowly learning how to just make my own riffs based on the key of song and chord progression if that's easier for play by ear muscians.

Good to know. I'm sloooowly figuring it out but the riffs for the songs that I mentioned, I still am having a hard time with. Specifically "Innocence" by Harlequin. I have tried to contact the actual keyboard players for Prism, Harlequin and Streetheart via facebook and websites but no responses from any of them. I've watched music videos and tried to analyse them but all I could get was a keyboard type (Dx7) for Streetheart in a bar gig. They don't show their hands playing so I'm still out of luck. Take a look at "Look in your eyes" by Streetheart... Any idea on settings, riff?

 

[Tahitijack]

Does the amazing slowdowner work for piano/keys?

 

[Dmanlovesmusic!]

Does the amazing slowdowner work for piano/keys?

I haven't tried nor heard of it.