Roy Orbison was a legendary musician known for his soulful voice and timeless Roy Orbison songs. However, his music was also characterized by great guitar work. One of his most famous songs, “Oh, Pretty Woman,” features a memorable guitar riff that has become instantly recognizable. The song’s success can be attributed in part to the guitar work, which perfectly complements Orbison’s vocals.
Great Guitarists Who Covered Roy Orbison Songs
Roy Orbison songs have been covered by many great guitarists over the years. One such guitarist is Bruce Springsteen, who covered Orbison’s hit song “It’s Over” during his live performances. Springsteen’s version of the song is a powerful tribute to Orbison’s unique style and sound.
Finally, we cannot talk about great guitarists who covered Roy Orbison songs without mentioning George Harrison. Harrison was a close friend and collaborator of Orbison’s, and he covered several of Orbison’s songs throughout his career. Harrison’s version of “You Got It” is a standout, and it showcases his ability to capture the essence of Orbison’s music while still putting his own spin on it. We have included a playlist of Roy Orbison Songs for everyone to enjoy and below is more detail for guitar players who want to learn Roy Orbison Styles.
What Guitar Players can Learn From Learning The Song Pretty Woman
This is the basics of the Riff of Pretty Woman by Orbison it’s played by our Friend from Wild River Guitar on Youtube a channel by guitarist Paul Wildman, along with his tips to play the riff of Pretty Woman we have added a few more from another perspective.
The Riff in the song “Pretty Woman” is a classic example of a repeating musical phrase that is both catchy and memorable. It is a simple yet effective melody that is instantly recognizable and has been used in countless other songs and commercials. By studying this riff, one can learn the importance of creating a strong and memorable musical hook.
The riff itself is made up of just four notes, played in a descending pattern. This simplicity is part of what makes it so effective, as it is easy to remember and sing along to. Additionally, the use of a repeating pattern helps to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for the listener, making the song more enjoyable to listen to.
Overall, the riff in “Pretty Woman” is a great example of how a simple yet effective musical hook can make a song stand out and become a classic. By studying this riff and other similar examples, musicians and songwriters can learn the importance of creating a strong and memorable melody that will stick with listeners long after the song has ended.
What “Only The Lonely” Can Teach You About Guitar?
Another one of Orbison’s songs with great guitar is “Only the Lonely.” The track features a simple yet effective guitar melody that adds to the song’s melancholic feel. The guitar work perfectly captures the emotions of the lyrics, making it a standout track in Orbison’s discography.
“Only The Lonely” can teach guitar players a lot about the instrument. First and foremost, the song showcases the power of simplicity. The main riff is a simple arpeggio that repeats throughout the song, but it’s the way that Orbison plays it that makes it so effective. He uses dynamics and timing to create tension and release, which is a lesson that all guitar players can benefit from.
Another lesson that can be learned from “Only The Lonely” is the importance of tone. Orbison’s guitar tone is warm and full, with just the right amount of reverb. It’s a tone that perfectly complements his voice and the melancholy mood of the song. Guitar players should strive to find their own unique tone that complements their playing style and the music they’re playing.
“Only The Lonely” is a great example of how a guitar can be used to convey emotion. Orbison’s playing is full of feeling, and it’s clear that he’s using the guitar as a way to express himself. Guitar players should strive to do the same, using the instrument as a tool to communicate their own emotions and ideas through their playing. By studying “Only The Lonely” and other classic guitar songs, players can learn valuable lessons about technique, tone, and expression that will help them become better musicians.
Why is the Solo in the Song “Crying by Roy Orbison” a great solo to learn on guitar?
“Crying” is another one of Orbison’s songs with great guitar. The track features a beautiful guitar solo that perfectly complements the song’s emotional lyrics. The guitar work adds an extra layer of depth to the song, making it one of Orbison’s most memorable tracks.
The solo in “Crying” by Roy Orbison is a great solo to learn on guitar for several reasons. Firstly, it is a relatively simple solo that is easy to learn for beginners. Secondly, it is a great example of how to use the guitar to create an emotional and expressive sound. Finally, it is a classic solo that has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by music lovers today.
One of the reasons why the solo in “Crying” is a great solo to learn on guitar is that it is relatively simple to play. The solo consists of a few basic techniques, such as bending notes and playing vibrato, which are easy to master for beginners. This makes it a great starting point for anyone who is new to playing guitar and wants to learn how to play solos.
Another reason why the solo in “Crying” is a great solo to learn on guitar is that it is a great example of how to use the guitar to create an emotional and expressive sound. The solo is full of emotion and feeling, and it is a great example of how to use the guitar to create a powerful and moving sound. By learning this solo, guitarists can learn how to use their instrument to create a wide range of emotions and moods.
Lastly, the solo in “Crying” is a classic solo that has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by music lovers today. The song was released in 1961, and the solo has been played by countless guitarists over the years. By learning this solo, guitarists can become part of a long tradition of musicians who have played and enjoyed this classic piece of music.
Overall, Roy Orbison’s music was characterized by great guitar work that perfectly complemented his soulful vocals. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Crying” are just a few examples of his songs with great guitar but lets look deeper into the guitars of Orbison and his playing style that made millions love his music.
Big Bill Broonzy The Bandless Bluesman
The Beginnings of Big Bill Broonzy
The story of pre-war American blues is not complete without Big Bill Broonzy unlike many great Blues players Big Bill Bronzy Guitar Bluesman was a Bandless Bluesman as he only played his acoustic and sang on stage in a pure raw blues style so Big Bill Broonzy never played with a band and he also had damaged vocal chords. Born as William Lee Conley Broonzy, this Bandless Bluesman recorded more than 250 tracks between 1925 and 1952. Although some sources trace his birth year to 1903, Broonzy insisted he was born in Scott, Mississippi in 1893.
The singer-songwriter may have emerged during the traditional blues era, but he was quick to reinvent himself by fusing rural and urban styles. Broonzy entered the recording scene as a guitar accompanist before transitioning into a singer. Later in his career, the superstar was also a natural leader, mentoring artists like Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, and Jimmy Rodgers.
Bandless Bluesman Big Bill Broonzy Guitar Key To The Highway
You cannot leave out “Key to the Highway” when listing blues songs with unclear origins. Though most people link this track to Big Bill Broonzy, keyboard wizard Charlie Segar was the first to record it in February 1940. Months later, Broonzy added some guitar magic to Jazz Gillum’s version before recording his rendition in 1941.
Gillum also made an appearance on Broonzy’s cover by playing the harmonica. Each artist may have contributed to composing “Key to the Highway”, but Broonzy’s eight-bar acoustic cover stole the show. This version even entered the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010. But despite its rating as a classic, this song only appeared once on the Billboard charts. Different artists have covered Broonzy’s version, including Brownie McGhee in 1946, Little Walter in 1958, and John Lee Hooker in 1959.
Although the Rolling Stones made a rendition in 1964, the song wasn’t released until years later. Similarly, the rock band featured 30 seconds of “Key to the Highway” in their “Dirty Work” album to honor long-standing keyboardist Ian Stewart who succumbed to a heart attack. Another Rolling Stones member, Keith Richards, added the track to his 2015 Desert Island Discs collection, drawing inspiration from Little Walter’s cover. “Key to the Highway,” tells the story of a folksinger who wanders away from home after breaking up with his lover.
Mance Lipscomb, who also covered the song, interpreted “key to the highway” as someone’s feet. Speaking to Studs Terkel, Broonzy described how different artists can add a personal touch to a traditional tune such as “Key to the Highway”. You can find the song in various genres, including a big band version by Dinah Washington and an accordion cover by Clifton Chenier. Another memorable version is the jam rendition by Derek and the Dominos, with Duane Allman and Eric Clapton making impressive vocal changes.
Eric Clapton has covered this track many times, singing with The Allman Brothers and BB King on separate occasions. In a 2003 Guitarist Magazine interview, Clapton described the experience of seeing Broonzy play “Hey Hey” as “looking into heaven”. Clapton went ahead to explore his other songs, falling in love with Broozy’s cover of “Key to the Highway”. According to Clapton, this track captured what it means to be an artist and journeyman.
Big Bill Broonzy Guitar Backwater Blues
This is the opening track in the legend’s 1956 album, Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs. However, Broonzy’s version is just one of this song’s numerous renditions. The original composer, Bessie Smith, released this track in 1927. Though some people associate “Backwater Blues” with the Mississippi Flood of 1927, the floods were at their worst two months after Smith wrote the song. However, going by her touring itinerary and testimonies from other artists, the piece described the 1926 Nashville flood.
In “Backwater Blues”, Smith recounts how floods displaced thousands of victims after it rained nonstop for five days. The narrator wakes up in a flooded neighborhood, leaving her trapped inside her house. She also recalls how people rowed a boat five miles to save her, and although she packed her clothes, she had nowhere to go.
The narrator further recounts standing on a hill and looking at her old home, now destroyed by the raging waters. Big Bill Broonzy has also composed his own flood songs, including Southern Flood Blues and Terrible Flood Blues to document the Mississippi and Ohio River tragedies.
I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy
This book by Bob Riesman hit the market just seven months apart from another Broonzy bio, “Blue Smoke”. Riesman captures Broonzy’s roots in rural Arkansas and his journey to becoming a world-acclaimed bluesman. The author digs into Broonzy’s past to discover old letters and get a clear picture of Broonzy’s personality. However, Riesman faced the challenge of conflicting information from Broonzy’s personal account, “Big Bill Blues”.
Broonzy used the autobiography to tell stories rather than stating facts about his life. What’s more, he gave countless interviews narrating his personal experiences. In his research, Riesman uncovered disparities in Broonzy’s account and the reality. For instance, Riesman’s evidence proves the singer never served, though Broonzy narrated his time in the military during World War I. According to Riesman, Broonzy may have presented his neighbors’ and brothers’ war stories as his own.
Although the author provides facts, he emphasizes Broonzy’s skill as a storyteller in every stage of his life. The finer details didn’t matter to Broonzy, provided the narrative conveyed his truth. It’s this storytelling talent that elevated Broonzy to the levels of the greatest blues songwriters of all time.
Big Bill broonzy Memorial LP released on Mercury Records
Riesman also narrates monumental events in Big Bill’s career as the Bandless Bluesman, from his 1938 Carnegie Hall appearance to his contribution to folk revival after World War II. Furthermore, the author takes you to Europe, where Big Bill performed before packed concert halls and jazz clubs in the ’50s. This musical era paved the way for the blues-rock wave in the ’60s.
Big Bill Broonzy This Train
This Train is a well known tune of Big Bill Broonzy
Additionally, Riesman describes Broonzy’s complicated personal life in the book. Big Bill was married thrice, becoming a father at a young age. The author also sheds light on Bill’s last days when he lost his voice before succumbing to cancer in 1958. Crowds of fans and artists attended his funeral, with gospel legend Mahalia Jackson leading a hymn at the service. The pallbearers comprised of three black and three white people to respect Broonzy’s anti-discrimination beliefs. You can watch this documentary for a front-row seat to the bluesman’s life.
Enigmatico guitar Mission Mexico Orphanage
Forget going loco in Acapulco with its D-G-Em-A progression. It’s time to get a new Mexican place name in your head and that place is Anarchapulco according to our old friend Rob Mills a.k.a Enigmatico. Anarchapulco is the place to be and this is Arnachapulco’s new Anthem have a listen to its sweet summery guitar sounds and check out our second Guitardoor interview below with Rob Mills, who previously gave us some lessons from the diamond mine a few months ago. We were talking to Rob about his current mission Mexico orphanage fundraiser and how he is using one of his songs to help raise funds for the orphanage and he also teaches the gift of guitar to these wonderful kids.
So Enigmatico/Rob What Made you decide on fundraising in the first place as a musician?
I think fundraising through music is a great way to inspire people to donate the music sets a tone for the vibe of the fundraiser and with the right promotion can do great things! That’s why when I made the association with Dollar Vigilante and I saw he was trying to help the orphanage, I thought it would be a great way to raise money as he has a pretty big fanbase!
So Rob will you be doing any recording or gigs soon?
I’m currently traveling through Mexico for the past 18 months, I am teaching guitar online, doing a few gigs wherever I go and I also have been writing a putting out songs! My song Mexico came out last September and that was my in with Jeff Berwick of Dollar Vigilante who runs the festival Anarchapulco. I subsequently recorded another song and music video called Pirate train, about crypto, and my latest song Anarchapulco the place to be is a direct result of attending that festival at the beginning of this year!
Where to find out more about the Enigmatico fundraiser for the Mexican Orphanage
My YouTube channel Enigmatico has regular uploads about the fundraiser. Once the song comes out with the official music video we will have the links for people to buy the song and the proceeds will go to “Marsh children’s home in Bonfil, Acapulco!”. Before then the song can be purchased through Bandcamp also through this link-https://enigmatico.bandcamp.com/track/anarchapulco-the-place-to-be-uk-vigilante-master
How do you enjoy teaching guitar online and offline?
These days I’m traveling as a digital nomad, teaching guitar online with my website rockstar guitar school . On the website, you can get rockstar guitar lessons online. It’s pretty amazing to know I can go anywhere in the world with a good wifi connection, which most places have. So I can teach tomorrow’s generation of upcoming rockstars, or even people that started later in life that just want to enjoy the rewarding, therapeutic experience of learning this amazing instrument!
How long were you living in Mexico before you wrote the song it or any story behind it?
I had just gotten to Mexico and only been here a matter of days in Puerto Vallarta, when I wrote my song Mexico!. Then I was in my AirBnb just strumming a few chords. I also had the underlying feeling of finally being in this amazing country, that I’d wanted to visit for so long!. I started singing the refrain Mexico! Mexico! A bit like New York New York I guess! it seemed to work nicely and I continued with the idea and got the verses down all in about a couple of hours! They say the best songs don’t take that long to write! haha
What next for Rob Mills and a little more about the fundraiser
I am currently in Morelia and will be off soon to record the music video for Anarchapulco the place to be. The festival organizers say if they like the song much they could well use it for the theme tune for next year’s festival! Will be great to get my music licensed!. The feedback from festival-goers so far is that I managed to capture the spirit of that festival Anarchapulco in a song! As for the future at some point, I hope to get back over to southeast Asia with Thailand and Bali calling me! I hear the gig scene in Bali is particularly good!
With so many music sharing sites and platforms for musicians to promote music for free, using music sharing sites can get complex for the artist and listener. In a previous post, we wrote about the main music sharing sites and gave a rundown on them con read our article Bandcamp vs Spotify.
Choosing which Music sharing sites to upload music.
While there are many artists’ stories of making it big on Spotify playlists and being a big hit on Youtube Music for the masses this is not always the case and many talented artists get buried in these music discovery platforms quickly. This is because the sites will always push mainstream material on people who are listening to independent music as the sites tend to push these tracks and they are in the same bed as the record labels. So you need to play them at their own game and try to get on sites that promote more independent music so you have a better chance of your music being heard and hopefully bought and even get a few gigs and tours from it. But sometimes its a case of if you can’t beat them join them so unless you want to develop and promote your own site and go through the painstaking task of SEO optimization which is much based on trust factors and domain authority, Which you cant build without lots of inbound links and lots of content and positive brand awareness.
So most artists will upload their music to sites like Spotify, Bandcamp, and Youtube Music. There are some online services that will do all this for you and create the accounts where needed and give you a discounted rate but that also means earning less per play. Whatever you choose the next step is to get your music heard outside of those sites. And you also have to ask the question “Is the music artist platform Paid or Free” you can’t be paying $16 a month for a service that only brings in $1as you probably need that money for guitar strings and gear.
What to do after your music upload to get listeners?
Finding the best websites for music for you and your Audience is one task but you will be quickly buried on the homepages of these sites. Obviously, you can share your music tracks on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram yourself but you will need to think out of the box for alternative ways to reach new listeners and get others to share your music. One way is to have a playable widget on your own site it does not have to be on the homepage as this will slow down your site and make it unresponsive just put it somewhere that people can click on it to play your music somewhere prominent on your sites like in the sidebar or main menu as a link. But this is not going to be enough for many musicians as most musician sites get very little traffic. So you have to move on to the next step to attract more listeners.
Using Free Music promotion sites
Here at Guitardoor, we can help you promote your music for free by doing a Guitardoor Interview you can promote up to 4 videos or embedded Bandcamp, SoundCloud, or Youtube videos. We will ask you a few questions and place your songs in the article and share it across multiple social networks. Just tell us where you publish music online and a story around the tracks or your current tours and gigs. You can also use the contact page and submit a guest post and we will publish it for you and share it around. You will also be included on our playlist below so try a Guitardoor interview today contact us on Facebook or via more traditional email on the contact page.
Get Your Music On Our Youtube Playlist Of Featured Guitarists and Musicians
When we think of Virtuoso rock we must think back to the beginnings with guys like Greg Alman but also guitarists that took it to the new rock sound of hard rock metal and hair metal bands. Today we are featuring established guitarist Dave Marshall whose Virtuoso rock sounds range from hard-hitting motley crew to produce a cover of Drive by Incubus for Max Frye below which shows the lighter side of Dave Marshall’s guitar sound skills as a play.
Dave Marshall has been a guitarist who has performed with acts like Pair-A-Dice, Fiona, Vince Neil, Slaughter, and Michael Jackson. He was also a member of the Nashville-based band Scrap Metal, with Mark Slaughter, Kelly Keagy, and Nelson. So let’s have a listen to some of his best performances with some of these artists and the bands. Daves’s main touring guitar is a Tom Anderson Guitarworks Custom Guitar shaped after a Gibson Les Paul.
Dave Marshall With Pair a Dice
Formed in 1986 Pair a dice was a glam rock band and one of the top Sunset Strip Bands in Hollywood. Pair a dice was playing gigs with bands like Poison and Warrant. Dave Marshall joined them in 1988 until the early 1990s when they went their separate ways. The band signed a deal to release Midnight Train in 2008 as unreleased material from 1988-89.
Dave Marshall and Fiona
Dave played guitar and did the backing vocals on the album squeeze in 1992 with singer Fiona who sings mostly in glam metal and hard rock styles this one is ain’t that just like love. her last release was in 2011 when she released Unbroken since then she has not made any official recordings.
Dave Marshall With Vince Niel
The Motley Crew front man teamed up with rhythm guitarist Dave Marshall for a number of tracks and performances including Vince’s first solo album Exposed in 1993 his last release recording was in 2010 with the album Tattoo’s and Tequila which managed to reach number 14 in Us rock charts.
The Scrap Metal-Era Dave Marshall
Scrap Metal became known as the Heavy Metal Ratpack Establishers of the Metal sounds with a combination of artists who know how to make a great guitar hit for the masses and Dave Marshall was there as the Rhythm Guitarist. The likes of Mr.Big, Nelson, Slaughter, and Night Ranger also had guest appearances from bands Aerosmith to ZZ Top. They also created some acoustic work with Marshall showing his virtuosity of guitar skills.
Dave Marshall Production of Accustic Cover of Drive-By Incubus
Playing Guitar if you can’t Sing
Singing and playing guitar simultaneously is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Many guitarists who can sing started out by learning to play the guitar without singing. There are many advantages to learning to play the guitar without singing.
It allows you to focus on the instrument and its technical aspects. When you are not singing, you can focus on your finger placement, strumming patterns, and other technical aspects of playing the guitar. This can help you develop a stronger foundation in the instrument and improve your overall playing ability.
It can be less frustrating. If you are not a singer, you may find it less frustrating to learn to play the guitar without singing. This is because you will not have to worry about two things at once: playing the guitar and singing the melody.
It can be more rewarding. When you finally master the technical aspects of playing the guitar, you will be able to focus on singing. This can be a very rewarding experience, as you will be able to express yourself creatively through both your playing and your singing.
Not being able to sing can actually be an advantage when learning guitar.
If you are not a singer, you may find that it is easier to learn the technical aspects of playing the guitar. This is because you will not have to worry about two things at once: playing the guitar and singing the melody. When you can focus solely on the instrument, you can learn more quickly and easily.
In conclusion, not being able to sing is not a drawback to learning guitar.
While singing can enhance the performance, it is not a requirement and can even be an advantage when focusing on the technical aspects of playing the guitar. If you are interested in learning to play the guitar, don’t let your inability to sing hold you back. Just focus on the instrument and its technical aspects, and you will be well on your way to becoming a great guitarist.
Here are some additional tips for learning guitar without singing:
Start with simple songs. There are many simple songs that you can learn to play without singing. This will help you build your confidence and learn the basics of playing the guitar.
Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at playing the guitar. Try to practice for at least 30 minutes a day.
With hard work and dedication, you can learn to play the guitar even if you cannot sing. Just focus on the instrument and its technical aspects, and you will be well on your way to becoming a great guitarist.
Firstly, focus on the melody. Even without singing, you can still play the melody of the song on your guitar. Listen carefully to the original recording and try to replicate the melody note for note. This will help you develop your ear and improve your ability to play by ear. Second, work on your rhythm.
Even if you can’t sing along, you can still tap your foot or use a metronome to keep time. Focus on playing the chords and strumming pattern in time with the music. This will help you develop a solid sense of rhythm and timing.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. Try playing the song in different keys or with different chord voicings. This will not only help you develop your skills as a guitarist, but it will also give you a deeper understanding of the song itself.
In conclusion, practicing songs on guitar without singing is completely possible. Focus on the melody, work on your rhythm, and don’t be afraid to experiment. With time and practice, you’ll be able to play your favorite songs with confidence and skill. But if you can’t sing justin has a few tips for you to make an attempt at singing to help your guitar playing even if nobody is listening.
Famous guitarists who can’t sing
Some of the most famous guitarists in history are known for their incredible skills on the guitar, but not for their singing abilities. One such guitarist is Jimi Hendrix, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Hendrix’s unique style of playing the guitar was a major influence on the development of rock music in the 1960s and beyond.
Another famous guitarist who could not sing was Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen is known for his incredible guitar solos and innovative playing style, but his singing voice has often been criticized as weak and lacking in range. Despite this, Van Halen has remained one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.Finally, we have Carlos Santana, whose Latin-infused guitar playing has made him one of the most recognizable guitarists in the world. While Santana has a distinctive singing voice, it is often overshadowed by his virtuosic guitar playing. Despite this, Santana has won numerous awards for his music and remains a beloved figure in the world of rock and roll.
Guitarist For Queen Brian May
“Brian May, the iconic Guitarist for Queen, is more than just a musician. Renowned for his innovative playing style, marked by his signature “Red Special” guitar and distinctive sixpence pick, May has etched his name in rock history. His electrifying solos and captivating stage presence have captivated audiences worldwide, transcending mere musicianship to become a global icon. Beyond his musical prowess, May’s influence extends to academia, where he holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics. This unique combination of artistic talent and scientific intellect has solidified his status as a true Renaissance man, inspiring generations of musicians and fans alike.”
Listen To This Article on Brian May Guitarist From Queen or read below.
May’s signature sound is achieved through his unconventional choice of a sixpence coin as a pick. This unique tool imparts a bright, metallic tone that sets him apart from other guitarists. Additionally, his mastery of “bending” techniques, where he bends the strings to create a distinctive vibrato effect, further enhances his playing style. This technique, commonly used in blues and rock, allows May to produce beautiful, melodic passages. For a visual understanding of May’s sixpence technique, check out his interview with Premier Guitar on YouTube
As a Guitarist for Queen, Brian May’s unique style is defined by his unconventional choice of a sixpence coin as a pick. Unlike traditional flexible picks, the sixpence offers May a solid, direct connection to the strings, allowing him to feel every nuance of the music. This direct connection provides unparalleled control and articulation, enabling May to produce a wide range of tones. The sixpence’s softer metal composition also ensures longevity and minimal wear on the strings, making it an ideal choice for his dynamic playing style. May’s enduring loyalty to the sixpence reflects his commitment to crafting the perfect sound.
May’s playing style is further characterized by his masterful use of harmonies and intricate melodies. He creates rich, layered sounds that fill the space and often draws inspiration from classical music. His ability to blend different genres, including rock, blues, classical, and folk, makes his music unique and accessible to a wide audience. Overall, Brian May’s technical proficiency, creativity, and expressive playing style have solidified his status as a true guitar great, inspiring and entertaining millions around the world.
Here are some of the most famous songs that feature Brian May’s guitar playing but we have chosen another few songs featured below:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“We Will Rock You”
“We Are the Champions”
“Another One Bites the Dust”
“Somebody to Love”
“Killer Queen”
“Don’t Stop Me Now”
“The Show Must Go On”
“Radio Ga Ga”
“A Kind of Magic”
“Who Wants to Live Forever”
These songs are just a small sample of Brian May’s vast catalog of work. He is a true legend of rock music, and his guitar playing will continue to inspire musicians for generations to come.
More About Brian May
Brian May’s Current Music played on a Rhapsody Guitar
Brian May was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, Middlesex, England. May’s interest in music began at a young age, and he eventually went on to study physics and mathematics at Imperial College London. In 1970, May co-founded Queen with lead singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor. He is known for his distinctive guitar sound, which he achieved by building his own guitar, the Red Special. May has also contributed to Queen’s songwriting, co-writing hits such as “We Will Rock You” and “Fat Bottomed Girls.” In addition to his work with Queen, May has released several solo albums and collaborated with other artists. He is also an animal rights activist and has a PhD in astrophysics.
Brian’s name is a little shadowed at the mention of Queen, as the first person that comes to mind is its celebrated lead Freddie Mercury. However, the legendary guitarist for Queen, Brian Harold May, created this group long before Mercury introduced us to his impressive vocal range. Born in 1947, May was the only son of Scottish mother Ruth Irving and English father and former Ministry of Aviation drafter Harold May. The acclaimed guitarist has been married twice.
Besides being the “Guitarist for Queen” Brian May has three kids from his first marriage to Christine Mullen, which lasted between 1974 and 1988. May met his current partner Anita Dobson at a 1986 film premiere while Mullen was still his wife. His conflicted feelings inspired May to write the 1989 Queen hit I Want It All. Brian married his second love in 2000, and they have remained together since then. May’s musical career has been as colorful as his personal life.
Brian May’s Best Solo from the lead guitarist of Queen
Legendary Guitarist Brian May’s Best Solos
Total guitar might have ranked Bohemian Rhapsody as an all-time guitar favorite, but if you ask Brian May, that is not his favorite project. In a past interview, the guitarist named Killer Queen his most treasured solo. May loved Killer Queen because of the adventure of creating its guitar harmonies.
According to the legend, this project was a dive into the unknown. May also named Key To Love as his best guitar solo. He described this track by another legendary guitarist Eric Clapton as one of the most passion-filled pieces he had ever listened to in his life. He even regarded it as one of his inspirations.
We have picked as his best “Innuendo” by Queen for several reasons.
First, it is technically brilliant. Brian May is a master of his instrument, and his playing in this solo is nothing short of virtuosic. He uses a variety of techniques, including bending, vibrato, and harmonics, to create a sound that is both technically impressive and emotionally expressive.
Second, the solo is melodic and memorable. May’s playing is always melodic, even in his most technically challenging solos. In the “Innuendo” solo, he creates a beautiful melody that is both catchy and moving.
Third, the solo is perfectly placed in the song. It comes at a key moment in the song, when the lyrics are about facing up to one’s mortality. The solo helps to build the tension and emotion of the song, and it leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
Finally, the solo is a testament to guitarist for Queen Brian May’s creativity. He is always willing to experiment and try new things, and the “Innuendo” solo is a prime example of this. The solo is a fusion of different styles, including rock, blues, and classical, and it is a unique and unforgettable piece of music.
Overall, the solo in the song “Innuendo” by Queen is a masterpiece of guitar playing. It is technically brilliant, melodic and memorable, perfectly placed in the song, and a testament to Brian May’s creativity. It is one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded.
Here are some specific things that I like about the solo:
The way it builds in intensity, starting out slow and gradually getting faster and more complex.
The use of different techniques, such as bending, vibrato, and harmonics, to create a variety of sounds.
The way it perfectly complements the lyrics and the overall feel of the song.
The way it leaves a lasting impression on the listener.
If you’re a fan of guitar music, I highly recommend listening to the solo in “Innuendo” by Queen. It’s a truly special piece of music.
You cannot tell Brian May’s story without mentioning his favorite instrument, ‘the Red Special’. This guitar derives its name from the reddish-brown shades of its Rustins Plastic Coating. Some people also call this guitar ‘the Fireplace’, because its neck was fashioned out of fireplace mantel wood. The Red Special was the project of May and his dad. Although May’s parents had gifted him an acoustic guitar, he needed an electric instrument for his music, and he couldn’t afford expensive versions like Gibsons or Fenders. However, building the Red Special wasn’t easy, seeing the project lasted around one and a half years. For starters, the old neck wood made it harder to shape the neck. May even had to fill some wormholes with matchsticks.
The first Red Special instrument was featured on many live appearances and Queen albums. But although the singer still plays the original guitar, he has performed using official replicas on different occasions. One notable copy was designed by John Birch and it appeared in several live performances before May broke it during a 1982 concert. Several other companies have produced official replicas, including Guild Guitars and Burns Guitars. However, Brian May Guitars is the only authorized dealer of the Red Special today.
Manufacturers like Greco, Carpinteri, Scheithauer, Dillion, Harley Benton and Dansan have also produced unofficial versions of this iconic guitar.
Before The Guitarist of Queen, There Was Smile, and 1984
Brian May formed his first music group, in 1984, alongside his buddy Dave Dilloway. Later, the duo welcomed vocalist Tim Staffell who would become May’s future bandmate. In her book Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury, Lesley-Ann Jones describes 1984 as a cover group that recreated hits from bands like The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, and The Shadows. May’s second project was a group called Smile, which he started with Staffell in 1968 while they were both undergraduates.
The band also had a third member, Chris Smith, an organist, and fellow student. However, Smile still needed a drummer, prompting them to advertise the position on the bulletin of Imperial College London. The ad caught the eye of dentistry undergraduate Roger Taylor, who played for a pop group called The Reaction at the time. Taylor impressed the guitarist for Queen so much that he described him as the best drummer they had ever met. Together, they performed covers and original songs, making Smile a college house band. They even landed a record deal with Mercury Records America.
A notable Smile fan was Farrokh Bulsara, who later adopted the name Freddie Mercury. He loved Smile so much that he attended their gigs around campus, making friends with the group members and eventually living together. Though he recognized their brilliance, Mercury constantly suggested tips to better the group.
Staffell soon lost interest in the band, saying they had ditched heavy rock for more disciplined music. Staffell’s exit left May and Taylor in a confusing position, pushing them to the brink of abandoning their music dream. Mercury later came on board as the lead singer, though he didn’t stop offering his ideas to the band. Mercury was all about experimenting, suggesting bold costumes and stage arrangements. Smile later rebranded to Queen, inviting bassist and fourth member, John Deacon and of course Brian May as the lead guitarist for queen
Brian May On Freddie Mercury’s Death
Like the rest of the world, May was devastated by Mercury’s death. This was one of the reasons he slid into depression in the early ’90s, including other causes such as his father’s demise and his failed marriage. However, May managed his grief by immersing himself in work. The legend completed his album Back to the Light and took a global tour to market it. Other bandmates also honored Mercury with a tribute concert and the Made in Heaven album produced in 1995. Additionally, they released a single in 1997 called No One But You before the band took a break.
Brian May Guitarist of Queen Performing at the Legendary Live Aid Concert
There’s no doubt that Queen put up a memorable show at the live aid concert. Some might even argue it was the band’s best performance and one of the most iconic shows the rock fraternity has ever seen. But according to May, Queen had an unfair advantage at the concert since they had previously performed in football stadiums. Mercury was also good at pumping up the crowd so that everyone felt like they were a part of the performance. In a separate interview, Legendary Guitarist May described their 22-minute set as “Kind of ok”. Referring to the 2018 production Bohemian Rhapsody, the guitarist termed the Live Aid scene a faithful recreation of the exact moment.
The Grit and The Glamor Joe Matera Guitardoor Interview
If anyone knows Joe Matera knows about “grit and glamor” he has been playing the guitar since he was 15. He has an extensive discography from solo projects to his work with other artists. Joe has previously supported bands like the Bay City Rollers during two sell out concerts in Melbourne in 2017 and shared the stage with Canned heat and many more.
Matera also had his music featured in movies such as Ricky!- The Movie (2011). He is an author of many music journalism articles as a music journalist and has a published Autobiography “Backstage Pass: The Grit and the Glamour from Amazon”
Australia has provided the world with great music like Acdc, Midnight oil and Inxs do you feel these have influenced your music?
No. I’m more influenced by English bands and European bands since I was touring Europe every year and all my support base and fan base are Europe.
You have been called a premier shredder by Paul Southwell of Australian Guitar magazine. What song do you think he formed this around?
That article was based on my Terra Firma album in 2013 which was when that interview was done. Back then 100% of my music was instrumental rock as I had only released three vocal tunes at that time, so his impression was based on my instrumental guitar playing, though if you listen to songs like Fallen Angel (the guitar solo is particularly ‘shred’ like)…
Your Song “Take A Look” has a great bright sound on rhythm how did you get these sounds pedals, guitar, etc?
My guitar set-up is very simple, and I have hardly any pedals. It’s just knowing how to achieve it. Basically, that sound is just a Fender Fat Strat fitted with DiMarzio through Laney combo amp that’s miked up with a Rode condenser mic. The only pedals I used were a Boss OS-2 pedal and just for a subtle addition of gain/overdrive. I don’t like distortion much, I believe you can achieve a bigger sound by keeping your tone clean and slightly adding a little overdrive to give it some crunch.
Also Your Song Take a Look featuring Janne Schaffer got nominated for an OWMA award how did you feel about that?
As for singles, my latest solo release is ‘Inside Looking Out’ which features Don Powell from SLADE on drums. My current single is a collab with The Korgis, called ‘Always A Sunny Day’. I have a new solo single coming on April 22, a re recorded and re-imagined 2022 version of one of my earlier hits Louder Than Words, which is a duet with a German singer/songwriter János R. Krusenbaum
We would like to thank Joe for getting in touch with us and doing a guitardoor interview and wish him all the best with his new solo and band projects, the book grit and glamor and maybe even more music in the movies. If you would like to do a guitardoor interview about your guitar music and other projects just contact us on guitardoor.
Finding a great song to learn on guitar
Cover Photo Petr Kratochvil
So you have been playing the guitar for a while and you are looking for a great song to learn on guitar and before you decide which song is a great song to learn on guitar you need to ask yourself a few questions. These tips can help you decide on which song is best for you to learn on guitar.
A great song to learn on guitar is usually a song you like
Let’s face it if you don’t like a song you are not going to be very enthusiastic to learn it, but sometimes that’s not always the case as it has happened that I ended up hating songs because I was trying to learn them as their was very few chord changes or some awkward progression. Then there was songs that I did not like but found they were fun to play. One song would be by the pop band “Take That” and their song patience which has this little slide from the F# to G note in the picking part as it helped my ear training at the time. On the other hand a song I love “Break on through” by the doors is probably one of the most boring songs to play on guitar as it’s basically just an Em and D however the song teaches you how to be more persistent playing a rhythm on the guitar so it could also be considered a great song to learn on guitar.
Choosing a songs you think are great to learn on guitar because they are popular songs on the guitar?
If you think it’s a great song to learn on guitar it probably is but sometimes it’s not a great song for a few reasons such as the progression is nothing new to you or the rhythm is so easy you don’t have to play the correct chords I am not giving examples but maybe someone can suggest one in the comments. But most popular songs are just using a few cowboy chords and the same strumming techniques throughout.
Sometimes The Best Songs To Learn on Guitar are songs that Teach you more about playing Guitar Try Looking Up Songs in A Key.
Dm is one of the most melancholic sounding guitar chords as like most minor chords and you have these song examples to choose from in the Key of DM on Uberchord and these possible progressions in the key of DM on this quick lookup guide for guitarists
For Patience here I am using a cover version as it easier to relate to as a guitarist since it doesn’t have those 80’s overproduction sound. It also includes the chords and strumming patter using in the song and a slower type of singing style.
Great song to learn on guitar that is considered boring to play on guitar
Everyone has a different opinion on to what is interesting and boring on guitar to play so picking a great song as an example is tricky so I will leave that out here and let you decide in the comments below after you have read the rest of the article. There is an interesting discussion on Reddit about Boring songs to play in a band and even goes into detail on how pro’s feel about learning songs they don’t like and consider boring to play in a band. So don’t feel alone about finding guitar and even professional guitarists worry about this at times.
So it’s what do you consider a great song to learn on guitar?
For to truly find a great song to play on guitar it needs to be something flexible and have lots of diversity I asked this question to guitarist Paul Wildman of Lockdown licks and he recommends Black Magic Woman is a great song to play on guitar. As it can be strummed for a singalong by just following the chords as well as learning the detail of the solos and riffs. If you wish to learn the riffs and solos here Paul plays a solo in the style of Santana’s version of the Peter Green classic Black Magic Woman you can find this and other great songs to play on guitar. Including this featured lick and his other videos of licks and riffs on YouTube of great guitar songs to play and also on his Facebook Page for Riffs and Licks
Paul has lot’s of licks and riffs on his channel.
South River Slim Ghostly Guitar Sounds and More
.In a recent interview, I had the opportunity to chat with the accomplished Canadian guitarist, South River Slim. During our conversation, we delved into the intricacies of his music career, his unique style of playing, and the various genres he explores. One of the topics we discussed was South River Slim’s signature ghostly guitar sounds, which he has become well-known for. He shared insights about his creative process and how he achieves this distinctive sound. We also talked about some of the other styles of guitar playing that he enjoys, and how he incorporates those into his own work. To give you a taste of his exceptional talent, I invite you to listen to one of his songs, “Flames of Love”. This track is a perfect example of how he masterfully blends his Ghostly South River Electric Guitar Sounds with other genres, resulting in a truly unique and captivating listening experience.
"Don't Start Me Talkin', I'll Tell You Everything I Know" !!! ( Sonny Boy Williamson lyric)
So South River Slim Where Are You Based?
I am based out of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. A border town located across the river from Detroit, Michigan USA. A great music hub, from John Lee Hooker, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Jack White, of course, Motown, and so many more.
What Is Your Favorite Guitar Set Up?
Aaah, it’s very hard for me to pick one! I write almost constantly and love different sounds. For me, every guitar has its own soul, and story to tell. I write on any guitar I have laying around, at that moment!.I am very animated and physical on stage “live”, so I gravitate to sturdy, hard-working guitars, and not beautiful museum pieces! I love looking at and admiring guitars, but | don’t want to cry if I got a scratch, or blemish on one I own. I use acoustic Epiphone dreadnaughts, jumbo, and parlor 6 strings, a ’65 12 string, an old late 50’s Kay archtop, and a dobro for slide.
A great all-around electric guitar is always the Fender Strat, especially for “live”, and the Eastwood Sidejack’ is a great reproduction of a 60’s Mosrite with SoapBar pickups for a fabulous ‘surf’, ‘blues’, and more, sound. And I only like “tube” amps. For most larger venue “live” shows I usually use the Fender Twin Reverb, but the studio is always the small tube amps, my fave is a Canadian-made early 60’s “Paul” 5 watts amp, modeled like the 50’s Fender Champ, as I play Harmonica too, I love it for both guitar and electric harp. I also like the Fender ‘pawn shop’ series 13-watt ‘Excelsior’ amp.
What Music/ Artist Influenced You?
Well, I love a lot of styles of music, mostly in a “rootsy” type style. My first big influence was the Rolling Stones. As a voracious reader of books, I began searching for the influences, and cover versions that the Stones had done.
That leads me to the Blues, both Delta and Chicago( Son House, R. Johnson, Little Walter, etc) Original style R&B and Soul(James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Booker T & MG’s, etc), Rockabilly Guitarists ( Eddie Cochran, Elvis, Gene Vincent, etc, and all Sun Records!) And ‘authentic’ Country (Hank Williams Sr, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Gram Parsons, etc) and that’s to name a small few!
I really gravitate towards the music that started from the southern states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana corridor, that followed the Mississippi River up to the Northern States and cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, St Louis, and more. That thread of influence runs through the music I love today.
What Is One Of Your Most Memorable “Live” performances?
I love performing “Live” and feel at home on a stage, playing music! I have many, many great memories of shows, both at Festivals, Halls, and Bars, Taverns, Honky Tonks, but one of my most memorable, for myself, was on a New Years’ Eve in Clarksdale Mississippi, at a real Juke Joint. I had gone through a serious illness, and a Bluesman from Mississippi, Leo ‘Bud’ Welsh, who had just released his 1st album/cd at age 81, actually called me up? I had met his manager online, after hearing Leo’s music, and we had a chat often, through a year or 2, while I was recovering.
Well it came about that I planned a trip down south to Memphis, and to Clarksdale for a short tour, and they invited me for the show at Red’s Juke Joint, a famous “real deal” juke joint. Well, it was a bit nerve-wracking, scary but beautifully ‘down home’, going into this blues “shrine” right in the very town where Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Robert Johnson, Ike Turner, and even now, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and so many more came from, played at, and frequented! It is ground zero for the blues.
Well, I was made to feel right at home and played my originals, and some of my favorite blues songs, with Leo on a New Years’ eve in Clarksdale Mississippi, to an enthusiastic, music-loving crowd. But, you know what they say,” what happens in Clarksdale, stays in Clarksdale…”!
What Do You Do When Not Playing Guitar?
I am is a voracious reader, so I always have 2 or 3 books on hand all the time. I do not read fiction, but lots of various subjects, from Neitzche philosophy, to “Best Ways To Field Dress A Moose”! I also write constantly. I am never without a pen or notebook, so, unfortunately…or fortunately, I have many loose sheets of paper, and spiral notebooks piled up everywhere, and in different areas, so it’s like archaeology dig thru the years, when I look for ideas and limericks that I have written down….somewhere!
Do You Cover Songs?
I love music, and turning people on to some little-known, or some forgotten song I like is paramount to me, like passing some esoteric, secret musical knowledge down thru the years so it does not get lost in time. Going back to the Stones, I used to really like how they covered the songs of their musical influences and were not afraid to make the songs into something different, in their own style, while still paying homage to the original inspiration. “Live” I always throw “cover” songs into the show, and do them in “my style” and not note for note reproductions of the original version, I feel it gives the song a new life, gives me great pleasure in performing it, and maybe will be heard for the first time by a new generation, who will in turn, look up the original artist, dig into the history and set them on their own path of discovery, while keeping certain strains of music still relevant, and vital for future variations yet to emerge.
I have many new songs, and releases coming out, regularly, so keep your eyes on South River Slim, and follow, or subscribe on streaming platforms, download music on Bandcamp, or other music sites, YouTube, Social Media, and maybe I’ll see you at a bar, honky tonk, theater, or festival near you in the meantime enjoy the Ghost of Rock and Roll listen to it here or buy it on Bandcamp.
Ghostly South River electric guitar Sounds Ghost of Rock and Roll by South River Slim
Thanks to south river slim for telling us more about the Ghostly Guitar Sounds and his variety of styles including rock, blues, progressive even country-style guitar.
6 Apps for Guitarists Free on Playstore
Sharing a few Apps for guitarists as we wanted to integrate some useful apps and websites into Guitardoor, to make learning guitar a little less frustrating. So these are some great free apps for guitar enthusiasts I use from time to time.
1:App for Guitarists to Keep in Tune and Keeping Time (Tuner & Metronome)
In many cases one of the most important apps for guitarists is a tuner. An easy to use Tuner with 2 modes: Mode 1 is a chromatic tuner measuring sound pitch and intensity. The 2nd is pitch fork mode the Tuner & Metronome app has the following features.
• A Customizable A4 frequency (440Hz by default), • Is Able to record your playing with an integrated one-touch recorder, • Ability to upload your own sheet music through our app. You can record and practice playing while watching uploaded or provided sheet music. • Metronome never lags beats: a real metronome shouldn’t lag.
I have Chordify premium for a few reasons such as transposition and changing the tempo. Since I am a late starter guitarist with an attention problem when it comes to playing songs, well blogging can give you lots of distractions, as you are always looking for more information especially when it comes to something like technicalities and terms of guitar music.
Chordify lets you quickly find the chords to any streamable audio or video and Jam along with Chordify app or on the website.
Although the chords are not exactly correct all of the time on Chordify it gives you a general idea of the progressions used. You can also use Chordify on your desktop as it
Rhythm is one area of guitar that some seem to have a natural talent for but many of us struggle to develop great rhythm on guitar. There are many Apps for guitarists like Rhythm Trainer that assist you with rhythm through audible exercises to get a grasp of playing rhythm on guitar.
• Develop a sense of rhythm. • Sight-read rhythm notation. • Hear mistakes in a rhythm by ear.
Songo is another one of the free Android apps for guitarists on the list. Songo serves as a pocket chord-finding tool for musicians and songwriters. Using a unique ‘chord ring’ design makes finding the right chords in a given musical key super easy! No music theory knowledge is required.
A few great songbook apps for guitarists to also print out the chords. One is Guitar Songs which lets you store your favorite songs to play for offline usage. First, you have to go online and download them of course some of the other features are listed below.
* Large database of songs, lyrics, and chords * Opportunity to rate your favorite songs * Ability to add songs to favorites * Ability to change themes * Ability to transpose chords (change the key of songs) * Lyrics auto-scrolling * Ability to import your own songs * No Internet connection required (you need an Internet connection to download new songs only)
This app not only includes a virtual guitar to play on your phone but also the ability to listen to your guitar to see if you have played the chosen progression correctly.
• Learn To Play Your Favorite Riffs effectively on the Electric Guitar • Over 1000 Songs to learn from different eras and genres. • Highly configurable guitar with clean / distortion effects. • Resizable fretboard suitable for all devices and tablets. • High simulator quality and is quick and responsive.
Download it from Playstore here
If you have a favorite guitar app or want to make readers aware of other apps for guitarists, why not share it below in the comments.
How Guitarists Can Get More Fans Using Guitardoor
How do you get new fans with Guitardoor?
One of the biggest problems artists face is getting their music discovered. So just how do you do that? “How do you get new fans to hear your music.? It’s easy just do a guitardoor interview and include your music in it and we will share it on other online services for guitarists.
Sadly we don’t have a magic formula to get you 1000s of fans on sites like Spotify and Bandcamp. But we can raise awareness for your music and promote your youtube videos, Spotify playlists and Bandcamp embeds.
Guitardoor was Born of the black tree as the title of the song by Jimmy Fleming. Have a listen while you read the rest or consider buying the track on amazing radio you can also buy it from Jimmy Fleming Music on Bandzoogle.
One way to get new fans here on guitardoor by simply answering a few questions in a guitardoor interview. This is an example interview with an amazing innovator guitarist here on the site. We will then post it to the website and share it in on Facebook and other social networks. Sometimes you don’t even have to connect with us as we also follow you on Spotify, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites also you just need to tell us where you are online.
Take this tune from a band that one of our featured guitarists Jimmy Owen plays guitar for “The Wolfmoon Band”. They are doing a launch of a single on March 5th and we are sharing it here on guitardoor because we connect with our featured artists. And will schedule some events for launches to be shared on our Facebook Page and Group.
Just Visit Contact Page or make a comment and consider sharing featured guitarists thanks here are some example questions you can answer the 3 guitarists questions it’s a no strings attached free promotion opportunity for guitarists of many levels just see our mission statement for more about us and other ideas to help you with a guitardoor interview.
Did you play Stairway in a Guitarshop?
How did you deal with being a great guitarist?
Alternate Tuning do you use it?
When you have answered your questions with an image 900×600 we will place your video or audio into the interview. You can also send your answers in the music promotion submission page. Any questions? comment below thanks.
