Jimi Hendrix needs no introduction. In all likelihood, there are
many comprehensive studies of Jimi's style available in books and on the
web, but I write this mini-series at the request of several students. Most
of those students were born long after Jimi was dead, thus are unsure of
why his playing was considered so revolutionary by so many from such a
diverse array of musical genres.
This discussion will cover some of Jimi's chordal stylings as used
on songs like "Angel", "Castles Made of Sand", and "Little Wing". I once
was told that "Little Wing" was one of the most recorded songs in history
(Sting, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Rolling Stones, Otmar Leibert, Tuck Andress,
Lawrence Juber, and many others have performed this piece). While I find
this claim somewhat doubtful (especially considering all those recordings
of "Yesterday" and "White Christmas"), there is no doubt that Jimi's chordal
work has been a major influence on guitarists far and wide. Soooooo.....let's
take a look at some examples in this style.
Example one is a simple progression (Am-G-C-Em-D7-G-C) that utilizes
full barre chords, arpeggiations, and embellishments (including those cool
quasi-modulations).
Example two is another look at this style. I used a standard 1950s
pop & gospel sort of progression (which sounds more than a tad like
Prince's "Purple Rain", as well as some famous 50s & 60s pop tunes)
and kept the rhythmic ideas as close to example one as possible for comparative
purposes. Note the A-F#m-E-D(sus2) progression and try out some of your
own quasi-modulations (turn that ambiguous "E" into an E7 on one pass and
an E pentatonic minor on the next, for example, or change my "D sus2" into
a Dm7).
In addition to listening to Hendrix for tips on this style, check
out some Steve Cropper and Curtis Mayfield. This is a gorgeous style of
playing that Hendrix took and made his own - now it's your turn.
===== (January 2004)
Index
David
M. McLean is the proprietor of Skinny
Devil Music Labs, former guitarist of the avant-garde fusion-metal
band Aurora-Sen, guitar instructor, and columnist for TinFoil
Music Magazine (where he conducts interviews in the on-going series
“Guitar Gods”). His new solo album, “HUNGER”,
will be released later this year.
Sheet Music to Buy by Jimi Hendrix
Experience Hendrix "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar, voice, bass guitar and drum set. Hal Leonard Transcribed Scores. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium to medium-difficult. Complete score songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody
Smash Hits - Guitar Play-Along Volume 47 "(Guitar Play-Along Volume 47). By Jimi Hendrix Experience. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Play-Along Series. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and Play Along. Difficulty: easy-medium. Guitar tablature songbook and accompaniment CD. Guit
In Deep With Jimi Hendrix "(A Complete Exploration of His Innovative Guitar Style). By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar. Guitar School. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and Instructional. Instructional book. Guitar tablature, standard notation, chord names, instructional text, pe
Blues "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium. Guitar tablature songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, guitar notat
Signature Licks "(A Step-by-Step Breakdown of His Guitar Styles and Techniques). By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar. Hal Leonard Guitar Signature Licks. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock and Instructional. Instructional book (song excerpts only) and examples CD. Guitar
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar, bass and drum. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions (Authentic note-for-note transcriptions). Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium. Songbook. Tablature, vocal melody, lyrics, piano accompaniment, c
Jimi Hendrix - Volume 2 (A Step-by-Step Breakdown of His Guitar Styles and Techniques). By Jimi Hendrix. Signature Licks Guitar. Softcover with CD. Guitar tablature. 104 pages. Published by Hal Leonard
Jimi Hendrix Smash Hits (Bass Play-Along Volume 10). By Jimi Hendrix. For bass guitar. Bass Play-Along. Play Along. Softcover with CD. Guitar tablature. 96 pages. Published by Hal Leonard
Live At Woodstock "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium. Guitar tablature songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, guitar notat
I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man "By Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon. For guitar. Blues; Rock. Guitar TAB. 4 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music"
Are You Experienced? "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium. Guitar tablature songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, guitar chord
Axis: Bold As Love "By Jimi Hendrix. For guitar and voice. Hal Leonard Guitar Recorded Versions. Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and Classic Rock. Difficulty: medium. Guitar tablature songbook. Guitar tablature, standard notation, vocal melody, lyrics, chord names, guitar notat
Purple Haze "By Winger, Jimi Hendrix, and Paul Gilbert. For guitar. Blues; Metal; Rock. Guitar TAB. 7 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music"
Purple Haze - Violin 1 By Jimi Hendrix. By Jimi Hendrix. Arranged by Larry Moore. Orchestra. For Violin 1. Rock. Individual instrument part. 2 pages. Duration 2:00. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music
The Wind Cries Mary "By Pat Boone, John Mayer, and Jimi Hendrix. For guitar. Pop; Rock. Guitar TAB. 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music"
All Along The Watchtower "By U2, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. For guitar. Pop; Rock. Guitar TAB. Guitar TAB. 12 pages. Published by Hal Leonard - Digital Sheet Music"
