Surf rhythm guitar

ArtS

Joined: May 09, 2008
Posts: 1356
Isle of Kent, MD
United States

Posted on Apr 08 2017 07:17 PM

Rondo1 wrote:

"Try takin' the horn out of your mouth once and while".

Amen, all musicians could learn that sometimes a little space in music is okay.

—

Surfcat

Agent Octopus
Agent Octopus Bandcamp
Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single

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Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 259
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Apr 09 2017 01:31 PM

Back in the late 70s, I was mentored by a guy who took Rhythym guitar VERY seriously. He would often put on an album, and we'd sit and listen to it, and he'd ask me what I heard. We'd sit there and dissect it.

Two of his favorite band to use as tutorials, were early Doobie Brothers (With Pat Simmons and Tommy Johnston) and Wishbone Ash. (Andy Powell and Ted Turner) What I heard was a lot of finger picking going on. Originally, I had no interest in learning how to finger pick, but when he told me that was the only way I'd ever properly play (with a pick and fingernails) the intro to "Blowin' Free", he had my attention.

Needless to say, I got that technique down pat, and have been doing it almost 40 years now. It's so deeply ingrained in my psyche, that I do it whether I'm playing lead or rhythym. We may not normally think of finger picking when we think of Surf Rhythym guitar, but it's good to know, no matter what genre you're playing.

YMMV

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

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Squid

Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
18 News Pins

Posted on Apr 09 2017 09:25 PM

Reverbenator wrote:
Two of his favorite band to use as tutorials, were early Doobie Brothers (With Pat Simmons and Tommy Johnston) and Wishbone Ash. (Andy Powell and Ted Turner)

Wishbone Ash with Andy and Ted released an all instrumental album "Nouveau Calls" in 1987. I must have listened to it 500 times. It was followed by another CD that was mostly vocals but had several magical instrumentals. These were classic rock style. Often the lead guitar was the quietest instrument in the quartet, but it got my focus.

—

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

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Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 259
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Apr 09 2017 09:44 PM

I have them both, and listened to them, A LOT!!
Are you aware of the boxed set they have out? It features some obscure early 70s footage, as well as footage from the 'Here To Hear' tour. Good stuff. (Ted is a heck of a Steel Guitar player, as well.)

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

Last edited: Apr 09, 2017 21:45:47

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Squid

Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
18 News Pins

Posted on Apr 10 2017 01:09 PM

Reverbenator wrote:

I have them both, and listened to them, A LOT!!
Are you aware of the boxed set they have out? It features some obscure early 70s footage, as well as footage from the 'Here To Hear' tour. Good stuff.

For me Wishbone Ash was the best part of the "Night of the Guitar" concert videos from about 1990 produced by Miles Copeland. I bought these on VHS tapes. Few of their vocals resonated with me. Their instro "Real Guitars Have Wings" motivated (?inspired) my new surf guitar recording "Flying Guitars" you can hear on my band website Insanitizers.com

—

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

Last edited: Apr 10, 2017 13:09:48

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Reverbenator

Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 259
San Diego, Ca
26 Security Pins

Posted on Apr 10 2017 09:45 PM

I just checked out your clip. Nice.

It is somewhat ironic that we land up here, talking about Instro/Surf Music, with all of its genres and sub-genres, and all of the different influences that put us here.

All of these great guitar players and bands, who have nothing to do with Surf Music, and yet they influence the way many of us play it.

—

-Cheers, Clark-

-Less Paul, more Reverb-

Top

Squid

Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1018
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
18 News Pins

Posted on Apr 11 2017 12:16 AM

Reverbenator wrote:

All of these great guitar players and bands, who have nothing to do with Surf Music, and yet they influence the way many of us play it.

Thanks for listening. From Andy Powell's example I bought a Cort flying V guitar. I supposed that its distinction is mostly shape, but I learned it is about overdrive. I was more than glad to sell that guitar.

—

Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com

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Pablomago

Joined: Mar 23, 2017
Posts: 85
Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA
United States

Posted on Apr 16 2017 10:08 PM

Another overlooked hero of the rhythm guitar for me was Danny Whitten who played with Neil Young and Crazy Horse. I learned a lot listening to "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" back in my youth.

My first good guitar was a Jazzmaster (the Strat got away, but that's another story). After my first guitar, a horrible cheap Japanese guitar (Winston), it was a revelation. A friend taught me how to raise one finger on a barre chord and have it became a minor. That was a biggie. Then I learned how to make 7th chords! I wanted to play songs as much as I wanted to play lead, so I learned chords. I liked to sing, too which helped.

Playing my new Jaguar I'm finding myself playing full chords and progressions like I did back then which is more appropriate for surf music. I've come full circle.

—

All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies.

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Nokie

Joined: Oct 06, 2008
Posts: 550
So Cal
United States

Posted on Apr 17 2017 01:00 PM

For rhythm guitar, placement of your amp is a big issue. I've made the mistake of thinking I was low in the mix as my amplifier is blasting to the back of my legs. It's a major help to angle the amp or raise the amp such that your ears -as opposed to your legs - are getting more of the direct sound. Playing for the song in support of the lead instrument is the goal to any good side musician - rhythm, bass, drums.
My favorite surf rhythm is Dal Winslow's sound and playing on the Trashmen recordings.

—

"Hello Girls!"

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ArtS Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 1356 Isle of Kent, MD	Posted on Apr 08 2017 07:17 PM Rondo1 wrote: "Try takin' the horn out of your mouth once and while". Amen, all musicians could learn that sometimes a little space in music is okay. — Surfcat Agent Octopus Agent Octopus Bandcamp Wake up Jimmy! It's Christmastime! - New Single Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 259 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Apr 09 2017 01:31 PM Back in the late 70s, I was mentored by a guy who took Rhythym guitar VERY seriously. He would often put on an album, and we'd sit and listen to it, and he'd ask me what I heard. We'd sit there and dissect it. Two of his favorite band to use as tutorials, were early Doobie Brothers (With Pat Simmons and Tommy Johnston) and Wishbone Ash. (Andy Powell and Ted Turner) What I heard was a lot of finger picking going on. Originally, I had no interest in learning how to finger pick, but when he told me that was the only way I'd ever properly play (with a pick and fingernails) the intro to "Blowin' Free", he had my attention. Needless to say, I got that technique down pat, and have been doing it almost 40 years now. It's so deeply ingrained in my psyche, that I do it whether I'm playing lead or rhythym. We may not normally think of finger picking when we think of Surf Rhythym guitar, but it's good to know, no matter what genre you're playing. YMMV — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Top
Squid Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1018 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers	Posted on Apr 09 2017 09:25 PM Reverbenator wrote: Two of his favorite band to use as tutorials, were early Doobie Brothers (With Pat Simmons and Tommy Johnston) and Wishbone Ash. (Andy Powell and Ted Turner) Wishbone Ash with Andy and Ted released an all instrumental album "Nouveau Calls" in 1987. I must have listened to it 500 times. It was followed by another CD that was mostly vocals but had several magical instrumentals. These were classic rock style. Often the lead guitar was the quietest instrument in the quartet, but it got my focus. — Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 259 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Apr 09 2017 09:44 PM I have them both, and listened to them, A LOT!! Are you aware of the boxed set they have out? It features some obscure early 70s footage, as well as footage from the 'Here To Hear' tour. Good stuff. (Ted is a heck of a Steel Guitar player, as well.) — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Last edited: Apr 09, 2017 21:45:47 Top
Squid Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1018 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers	Posted on Apr 10 2017 01:09 PM Reverbenator wrote: I have them both, and listened to them, A LOT!! Are you aware of the boxed set they have out? It features some obscure early 70s footage, as well as footage from the 'Here To Hear' tour. Good stuff. For me Wishbone Ash was the best part of the "Night of the Guitar" concert videos from about 1990 produced by Miles Copeland. I bought these on VHS tapes. Few of their vocals resonated with me. Their instro "Real Guitars Have Wings" motivated (?inspired) my new surf guitar recording "Flying Guitars" you can hear on my band website Insanitizers.com — Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Last edited: Apr 10, 2017 13:09:48 Top
Reverbenator Joined: Jul 26, 2015 Posts: 259 San Diego, Ca	Posted on Apr 10 2017 09:45 PM I just checked out your clip. Nice. It is somewhat ironic that we land up here, talking about Instro/Surf Music, with all of its genres and sub-genres, and all of the different influences that put us here. All of these great guitar players and bands, who have nothing to do with Surf Music, and yet they influence the way many of us play it. — -Cheers, Clark- -Less Paul, more Reverb- Top
Squid Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1018 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers	Posted on Apr 11 2017 12:16 AM Reverbenator wrote: All of these great guitar players and bands, who have nothing to do with Surf Music, and yet they influence the way many of us play it. Thanks for listening. From Andy Powell's example I bought a Cort flying V guitar. I supposed that its distinction is mostly shape, but I learned it is about overdrive. I was more than glad to sell that guitar. — Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Top
Pablomago Joined: Mar 23, 2017 Posts: 85 Fort Collins, CO/Moonstone Beach, CA	Posted on Apr 16 2017 10:08 PM Another overlooked hero of the rhythm guitar for me was Danny Whitten who played with Neil Young and Crazy Horse. I learned a lot listening to "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" back in my youth. My first good guitar was a Jazzmaster (the Strat got away, but that's another story). After my first guitar, a horrible cheap Japanese guitar (Winston), it was a revelation. A friend taught me how to raise one finger on a barre chord and have it became a minor. That was a biggie. Then I learned how to make 7th chords! I wanted to play songs as much as I wanted to play lead, so I learned chords. I liked to sing, too which helped. Playing my new Jaguar I'm finding myself playing full chords and progressions like I did back then which is more appropriate for surf music. I've come full circle. — All opinions expressed by this poster are well thought out and based on actual experience and/or scientific experimentation, except for those which are knee-jerk reactions or good sounding fantasies. Top
Nokie Joined: Oct 06, 2008 Posts: 550 So Cal	Posted on Apr 17 2017 01:00 PM For rhythm guitar, placement of your amp is a big issue. I've made the mistake of thinking I was low in the mix as my amplifier is blasting to the back of my legs. It's a major help to angle the amp or raise the amp such that your ears -as opposed to your legs - are getting more of the direct sound. Playing for the song in support of the lead instrument is the goal to any good side musician - rhythm, bass, drums. My favorite surf rhythm is Dal Winslow's sound and playing on the Trashmen recordings. — "Hello Girls!" Top

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Surf rhythm guitar