(Welling. Kent)
07919 356980
Lesson Guide - The House of the Rising Sun
TAB The House of the Rising Sun
(Available to members).
Any questions - just ask
Backing Track
The House of the Rising Sun
John’s notes:
This classic Power Blues (rock) tune was written in 1925 and has
been a smash hit for hundreds of artists (not just Blues bands) ever
since.The song was originally a traditional folk/Blues ballad about a
young girls life going wrong in New Orleans. The song was
supposedly named after a Brothel owner Madame Marianne
LeSoleil Levant, which means ‘Rising Sun’ in French.
My arrangement backing is based on the ‘Animals’ hit version from 1964. Its in the key of A minor/C Major and just goes to show
what can be done with repeating just 6 simple chords! I have improvised the melody throughout but stayed true to the original
theme. As usual I’ve improvised by targeting the chords and /or playing the Key (A minor) scale, whichever I feel sounds the best at
the time.
There’s a lot of techniques (as is the norm’ with ‘Blues’ improvisation) because it’s all about expressing emotion in your playing.
Dynamics, vibrato, slides ‘hammer ons ’and ‘pull offs’ are essential skills to master to bring your music alive.
I classify this arrangement as between intermediate and advanced. Intermediate because of the techniques involved and advanced
because it should be played with ‘expression’ and feeling.
This is going to be a challenge to some, but very worthwhile, and a great learning curve in playing melodic solo guitar. Regarding
the timing and tempo. You’ll need to listen to the backing when playing. You have to learn to ‘feel’ the groove, and how the melody
fits in - you can do it, it’s just takes practice. As you get better you will be amazed how it gets easier to play in front and behind the
beat. Doing this is the way to make your playing sound natural, not robotic.
(Welling. Kent)
07919 356980
Any questions - just ask
Lesson Guide -
The House of the Rising Sun
Backing Track
The House of the Rising Sun
John’s notes:
This classic Power Blues (rock) tune was written in
1925 and has been a smash hit for hundreds of
artists (not just Blues bands) ever since.The song
was originally a traditional folk/Blues ballad about a
young girls life going wrong in New Orleans. The
song was supposedly named after a Brothel owner
Madame Marianne LeSoleil Levant, which means
‘Rising Sun’ in French.
My arrangement backing is based on the ‘Animals’
hit version from 1964. Its in the key of
A minor/C Major and just goes to show what can be
done with repeating just 6 simple chords! I have
improvised the melody throughout but stayed true to
the original theme. As usual I’ve improvised by
targeting the chords and /or playing the Key (A
minor) scale, whichever I feel sounds the best at the
time.
There’s a lot of techniques (as is the norm’ with
‘Blues’ improvisation) because it’s all about
expressing emotion in your playing. Dynamics,
vibrato, slides ‘hammer ons ’and ‘pull offs’ are
essential skills to master to bring your music alive.
I classify this arrangement as between intermediate
and advanced. Intermediate because of the
techniques involved and advanced because it
should be played with ‘expression’ and feeling.
This is going to be a challenge to some, but very
worthwhile, and a great learning curve in playing
melodic solo guitar. Regarding the timing and
tempo. You’ll need to listen to the backing when
playing. You have to learn to ‘feel’ the groove, and
how the melody fits in - you can do it, it’s just takes
practice. As you get better you will be amazed how
it gets easier to play in front and behind the beat.
Doing this is the way to make your playing sound
natural, not robotic.
Enjoy!
TAB & ‘one to one’ tuition available
to members: