Source Audio Blog

British Invasion Guitar Lessons

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Posted in:

I have read Guitar Player magazine since 1974 - and I still remember the first issue that I bought - the cover had a great "Blow by Blow" era picture of Jeff Beck - black Les Paul (okok, we all know now that that guitar had originally been a Goldtop from wrap around tailpiece and had P90's, and that it was actually "Oxblood" rather than black). I even had a similar black and white houndstooth checked jack, just so I could look "cool" - but I doubt if I really did.

But what I still get from the magazine to this day is that it gets my mind working - and that's where great things start musically.

I was reading this article in a recent edition, on the British Invasion.

Well, of course there are many things guitar-wise to treasure and absorb from that American blues influenced time - the great tones and the great simple playing, which led to the late 60's psychedelic bands, and later to hard rock, progressive, metal and many other styles and blends. And, that "British Invasion" became a style all its' own, and without really many changes at all, became what is labeled "brit pop".

But back to the 1960's original Brit pop - one thing that impressed me was the tight rhythm playing - and I notice it every time I hear some early Beatles (the triplet rhythm guitar strumming by Lennon while singing, against the 4/4 walking bass played by Sir Paul on "All My Loving"), early Stones, Yardbirds (the great funky verses of "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago"), the Who (anything Townshend played in the 60's was great rhythm playing) and many other bands.

My point: It is Essential that you become a good rhythm player! Sure, practice your Holdsworth solos, but don't forget to overlook the basics.

The tones back then were so killer, too. AC30's anyone? That has got to be my favorite of all guitar amps - great with Les Pauls, 335's, Telecasters, you name it. And it loves a good boost for distortion, and some chorus or flange is magical with that amp.

While using your Hot Hand Controller, the better your rhythmic chops are, even for simple parts, the better you will lock in with your drummer and bassist - and the better you will sound.

A great bass player always used to tell me "just play the essence" of the part - I always made parts too busy.

Now I get it - 20 years later.

Comments

Name:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

Remember my personal information