Song Help?

[Calm_b4_sunset]

My Friends have recruited me to join their band as a synth player.

Their Genre is metal. They have a few songs already and want me to make up synth lines for them.

However, I find it difficult to make eup lines by playing along with them.

Does anybody know how i can make it easier on myself writing lines?

cheers!

I have
Yamaha PSR175-61
Korg EMX-1

(connected through midi, out of the EMX)

[C. Hanson]

Depends on how you work. Do you have a good ear, and can you work on tunes without being in front of your keys?
If so, you could record the rhythm tracks (the backing) and put all that onto a CD to play in your car, home stereo, wherever. Hum along, even work it out in your head.
Just be sure to write down any good ideas before you lose them.

[Marcoustic]

Try to think of Ideas without playing anything.. this way you will be able to use more imagination as opposed to being mired in technical playing details that could hamper your creativity.. then when you have some Ideas try to find them on your instrument.

[Bjorgvinben]

I'd also recommend to listen to metal bands that have synth players in them so you can get a better feel and ideas of what to do.

Bands like In Flames and Soilwork, although mostly guitar based, tend to have synth lines that make their sound bigger and more elaborate.

[TonyB]

Other bands like Attack Attack are synth heavy.

[petermichaelw]

i agree with the "humming" and "thinking". i would start with a background approach. a synth is all powerful at adding a depth to a track like none other, but a lead synth sound will seriously date the overall sound, IMO. throw some wide pads out there and see how they like it. then later when your more comfortable with the sound, do lead sounds if you want to, but you've already proven yourself an invaluable addition.