Learning to Play Leads Using the Vector Method

The in mathematics, the definition of "Vector" is "representation of a quantity having both magnitude and direction". In lead playing, a certain quantity and variety of notes are selected and intersect with rhythmic patterns to create the illusion of both magnitude and direction.

How to Listen for the Vector Points

As you study your favorite lead guitarists, learn to listen critically to the passage in the following manner:

• Listen to the first and last notes of the lead first. These are the starting and ending points where you will need to also be.
• Next, listen for the vector, or pivot notes that indicate accents or changes in direction at various times between the starting and ending points on the lead (vector notes very often occur on the strong beat of each measure). Play only the vector notes several times through as you listen to the original artist. This will get you playing the important notes with the important accents in time with the original artist, in much less time than if you just start at the beginning of the lead and plow through to the end.
• Finally, listen for all the connecting notes between the pivot notes, and play along from pivot to pivot note repeatedly until you are quite comfortable before moving on. If you miss one or two of the in-between notes, it still sounds good as long as you keep the time and play cleanly.

We call this approach the "Vector Technique", because it keeps you focused on the important notes and pivotal notes at the end of musical phrases. Kinda like the Karate Kin on Plum Poles, you see here to remind that it's more important to hit the right notes in time to get back home, than to hit every note.