Guitar Lesson 38: What we can learn from the style of Slash with a focus on Paradise City, Sweet Child of Mine and November Rain

Guitar lesson 38 is a study of Slash, with a focus on what we can learn from Saul Hudson’s style and approach to writing licks, riffs and solos.  We start by using a Paradise City inspired rolling lick and then move onto the legato solo from the frantic end of that song.  Next we examine the riff from the beginning of Sweet Child of Mine and what makes it tick.  Finally we consider what learning points we can take from the repeated phrase from the end of November Rain.  I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get this episode out but I promise there will be more soon.  Also, keep looking out on our YouTube channel for some new videos, including one from this lesson.  Thank you for listening and for all your comments and support.

Timings:

00:01:35	Start
00:02:38	My thoughts on what I like about Slash’s playing
00:03:08	Dan’s explanation of Slash as a guitar player and where he stands in Dan’s pantheon of guitarists
00:06:47	Quick mention of the E harmonic minor run in Sweet Child of Mine solo
00:07:40	An explanation supporting our method of taking a “style of” approach to identify learning points rather than a note-for-note copy
00:09:11	Dan’s riff in the style of Slash using a continually rolling theme like in Paradise City
00:12:18	First learning point: using chromaticisms
00:12:45	Second learning point: put the root above the 5th – root on the D string with 5th on the A string
00:13:51	Using the two together for dynamics between verse and chorus
00:14:13	Third learning point: Double string bends
00:14:52	What is the use of studying someone else’s playing?
00:17:50	What can we play over the top of the Slash-style rolling riff?
00:18:51	Dan playing an improvisation in the style of Slash over the top of the rolling riff
00:21:13	Putting a little bit of Dorian in
00:22:33	Playing in a laid back fashion
00:24:08	Classic double bends
00:26:45	The Slash inspired solo so far
00:27:08	Gary’s turn
00:27:41	utilising the overbend as a tool
00:30:17	How to play in a frantic furious way like Slash in Paradise City
00:32:02	Our frantic riff
00:32:23	Slash inspired figure taken from the end of Paradise City
00:35:02	What you can learn from this chromatic, legato 3NPS lick?
00:36:57	Demonstration of the legato lick
00:38:07	The riff from the beginning of Sweet Child of Mine and what makes it tick – G F C G
00:40:26	How did Slash’s riff form and take shape
00:41:46	Learning point: have a note that you keep going back to and a familiar figure which outlines the chord tones
00:45:37	Andy Summers from the Police taking chords and writing the Every Breath you Take with add9s
00:47:11	Let’s look at one more final aspect of Slash’s playing taken from November Rain
00:47:39	Slash’s repetitive motif for the epic guitar journey at the end of November Rain
00:48:46	Learning point: Having a figure or theme which you keep returning to in a solo really grounds your playing and gives the listener something to latch onto
00:49:05	How this also comes up in the structuring and phrasing of Gary Moore solos
00:50:48	How Prince used this at the end of the Purple Rain solo
00:52:38	Another example of repetition of a phrase to ground your solo is Running Down a Dream – Tom Petty
00:54:20	Quick thoughts on the quality between vinyl and other formats

Tune in Tone up News:

Tune in Tone up meeting, masterclass and workshop

1. Firstly, a great way to connect with us is through our Facebook page, Twitter account and website emailing list.  Quite a few of our listeners have been in touch via our Facebook page, where you can also find pictures of both me and Dan; our guitars, amps and pedalboards.  We are based in the South of England and over the next few months we are planning a Tune in Tone up meeting, masterclass and workshop.  If you are based locally or could travel to Brighton, like this idea and want to be involved, then let us know that you’re interested and stay active on our Facebook page for developments.
2. Secondly, if you have ideas for future lessons, questions or want help with anything we have covered (tabs can be organised for a small fee), then don’t hesitate to contact us.  Rodney recently got in touch with us and we had a really interesting discussion about the woods guitars are made from and as a result he has a new guitar.  Also, Carlos has been in touch several times inspiring a couple of our recent lessons.  Iam has been in touch and has gained some direction in his practice and is going to take some monthly lessons with Dan.
3. Finally, we appreciate all ratings and reviews especially via iTunes.  These really help our podcast to get noticed by more people.  Any shares via Facebook, Twitter or good old fashioned word of mouth are also gratefully received.  If anyone is interested in donating, then find us on Patreon where we offer Skype lessons and other goodies.

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