Hey Friend,
Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but I wanted to point out one more example of guitar parts sounding more than what meets the ear.
I was messing around with another lesson on Guitar Tricks’ website. This time it was "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol.
The intro guitar riff always sounded like there were either two guitars o a guitar and keyboard - the guitar playing the bass part and a synth on the high notes.
As we’ve learned, things aren’t always what they seem...
Turns out that riff is played on one guitar, using the thumb, index and middle fingers to pluck the notes out.
The challenging thing about this is the need to teach your picking hand to handle two different rhythms at the same time.
Fortunately, you can hear about this direct from the guy that created the riff.
Steve Stevens teaches how he played it on the album and gives tips on how to get the riff down. He makes it sound like it’s not a big deal - I think he says it’s “a little tricky” - but this is more advanced stuff to aspire to…
Of course, once you have it down, it’s another tool you can use for your own playing.
The great thing about learning these tidbits is, as you accumulate, your playing improves due to the accumulation of skills.
When you take and apply techniques, you’re dexterity and speed increase. New techniques will come to you easier because your fingers have become used to working things out.
That’s why pro guitarists can listen to a riff and pick it up quickly.
I’m not going to tell you this will cure all your problems, but the advice Steve gives is sound.
Take it very slowly, and break the riffs into two parts and practice each separately before attempting to play them together.
And by the way, this riff is good practice for you acoustic players, too. You can mark this down as finger style playing, and it’ll sound good on your guitar.
Have fun with it!
Peace~
Dave
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