Les Paul was, undeniably, a profound and influential guitarist and arranger. A much less generally identified side of his work was his groundbreaking experiments with overdubbing, also called ‘sound on sound.’ These have been a few of the first glimpses into the follow we now name, ‘multitrack recording.’
In his progressive course, Sound On Sound, Jason Loughlin celebrates Les Paul’s legacy. His interactive curriculum means that you can dive into the important thing inventive course of behind layering guitar components to create a full composition.
Listed here are eight free video guitar classes from the course. For the total course, try Jason Loughlin’s Sound On Sound on TrueFire!
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Association Approaches & Type: Overview
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Earlier than we hearken to this Les Paul impressed association of “After You’ve Gone”, I wish to speak concerning the type and a few association ideas. I keep in mind asking Les about arranging after I was a child and he gave me a few of the most helpful recommendation I ever obtained. Les beloved to jot down issues down. He stated he would sketch the form of the association on a yellow authorized pad. A 20,000 toes above view of a tune’s type, how it could develop, the place it could arc and so forth.
“After You’ve Gone” is a A1-A2 type. My association is Intro-Head In-Solo-Head Out -Outro. I’ve put in some stops and hits alongside the best way however they don’t impact the development.
Hold these items in thoughts when listening and arranging your individual tunes. If one voice is in a excessive register, the second needs to be within the low, If one voice could be very busy the opposite needs to be easy and lyrical, if a voice in harmonically complicated the opposite needs to be easy. Praise. Nobody voice ought to the focus from starting to finish. Cross the main target round. You may help a melody by padding beneath making a mattress of sound, harmonizing the melody or taking part in a counter melody. That’s a very completely different melody that compliments the unique melody.
Listed here are some concepts particular to Les’ arranging. Les is attempting to recreate an enormous band or orchestra so his guitars are imitating trumpet hits, sax line, trombone sections… Create a dialog between voices. As a result of we’re attempting to create completely different voices all in Mono with need to have completely different registers of the instrument and completely different timbres or guitar tones in order that they are often distinguished from one another. That is why he altered the recording tape speeds, used completely different capisitors and completely different echoes. Give your self room to develop however don’t be afraid to be indulgent. Les is extra…sorry.
Now let’s hearken to this association.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Rhythm Guitar Half: Efficiency
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On this efficiency, I’m going to play by means of the A1 and A2 part simply to show the texture and voicings. I’ve included a chart for the complete association so you’ll be able to play together with the grasp recording.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Bass Guitar Half: Efficiency
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On this efficiency, I’ll taking part in two instances by means of the shape. The primary time I’ll play with a two beat really feel and the second time by means of I’ll play with a double time really feel. I’ve additionally embody a chart of the total efficiency in case you wish to play together with the grasp monitor.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Percussion and Different Sounds: Efficiency
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On this efficiency, I’ll be taking part in one time by means of the shape. I’m primarily utilizing the rhythm of 4 quarter notes however often I take advantage of two eighths on the backbeat as a fill.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Melody Guitar: Head In: Efficiency
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Over the A1 part, I’m taking part in the top in fairly easy. Over the A2, I’ll be including some easy embellishment like half step strategy bends, trills, Bigsby dips and rakes.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Melody Guitar: Solo Part: Efficiency
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On this efficiency of the second time by means of the shape I’m taking a solo. As a result of the solo is busy I’ll later be supporting it with easy padding components. You’ll discover over the A2 part I depart a protracted house. I did this as a result of I needed to make use of the A2 part to introduce a brand new melody and for it to have an orchestrated or ensemble really feel. After I come again in, it’s much less of a solo and extra of an element meant to work with different components. I’m passing melodies round so your focus doesn’t keep on one half. A number of the licks I’m taking part in right here will ultimately be harmonized by different components.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Concord Two: Solo Part: Efficiency
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The concord to the cascading impact is performing as a mattress of help to the melody. I’m letting all of those arpeggios ring into one another. The A2 part will characteristic a palm muted melody that mainly outlines triad shapes with a easy half step strategy. I’ll add a concord to the tremolo picked melody and the diminished arpeggios. Lastly, I’ll add a lick that can bridge the solo part and the top out.
Les Paul Guitar Lesson – Double Pace Half One: Head Out: Efficiency
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The half begins on the G7 on the finish of the A1 part with a triplet scale run. This can join right into a counter melody for a number of bars. I’ll double a bit the principle melody the place each half lastly performs collectively so I’ve a excessive octave poking by means of my ensemble. Then, it’s again to a different counter melody. After we get to the outro, I’m doubling the melody once more. I have already got this octave represented in one other half however having the completely different timbre from recording it at half pace provides one thing. It could be like having a flute and a sax play the identical pitch. Two completely different devices collectively make a brand new sound.
Digging these free Les Paul guitar classes? Try Jason Loughlin’s full course, Sound On Sound.