This month we are looking at another cracking lead performance courtesy of fusion master Oz Noy (check out Oz on the funky Grease & Grit from GT319). Guzzle is a retro ’60s groover and the second piece recorded by Jason Sidwell especially for Oz. This one is influenced by Booker T and The MG’s, the Stax house band that was central to much of the label’s artistic output (Otis Redding to Aretha Franklin). The track is in the key of E Major (more about that later) for the verses but to add harmonic colour, various other chords were added as well as temporary shifts to other keys for the various sections.
For the Intro’s B7b5 chord, Oz uses a strong rotary speaker effect courtesy of a Univibe style pedal. Very arresting. The Verse has a Booker T-style vibe where the home chord of E is generally played without a 3rd which means it’s power chord-like sound (E5) and can allude to E Major or E Minor. Rather than thinking of it like a rock chord though, consider it more like a bluesy E where E Major or E Minor phrasing can work. As Oz explains in the video, he treats the E chords from an E Minor Pentatonic (E-G-A-B-D) perspective with added notes. The chords move quickly here so the E Minor Pentatonic suits the E-G-A main progression well. We have written out a fretboard diagram for the six note E Blues scale, (E-G-A-Bb-B-D) as this is the main scale that Oz uses for the basis of his ideas. As an aside, other options are the E Major Pentatonic scale (E-F#-G#-B-C#) and E Mixolydian (E-F#-G#-A-B-C-D) but these Major based scales are more challenging to apply due to the progression’s quick G, A and C chords. That being the case, use these scales fleetingly for just the E chords.
This story is from the February 2022 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2022 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DOUBLE-STOPS
Playing two notes together is a useful addition to any guitarist’s arsenal. Simon Barnard shows how this can be used in a variety of styles.
BOB DYLAN
This month Stuart Ryan shows how the fleet fingerpicking acoustic style of the protest song legend enriched song accompanient forever.
BRIAN SETZER
For this issue Andy G Jones is looking to unravel the style of rockabilly’s most ardent torchbearer, the stupendous Stray Cat himself.
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH
Experiencing Metal Fatigue? Sinking in quick Sand? Then join Charlie Griffiths as he unlocks the secrets of the master of Wardenclyffe Tower.
RADIQHEAD
Martin Cooper checks out the sound of an era-defining band from Oxford, and guitarists Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Ed O’Brien.
MUDDY WATERS
The father of Chicago blues is in the spotlight this month. Join David Gerrish as he examines the man who electrified and defined the genre.
JOSÉ FERRER El Amable (Andante Sostenuto)
This month Declan Zapala explores a hidden gem from 19th-century Spain's heritage of composer-educators of the classical guitar, whose influence is still felt today.
THE CROSSROADS Eric Johnson
This month John Wheatcroft looks at the iconic guitarist from Texas, atrue crossroads’ artist with a 4 phenomenal command of touch, tone and technique.
ULF WAKENIUS Seven Jazz Licks
John Wheatcroft brings you an exclusive lesson from the Swedish ex-Oscar Peterson virtuoso, showcasing his phenomenal technique and incredible jazz lines.
Country-Blues-Rock!
This month Andy Saphir shows how mixing Major and Minor Pentatonic scales, adding extra notes and country guitar articulations, can build you a whole new lickbag.