By Steve Bander (sbander@aol.com)
-The Tabs are written in "Courier 10"-
KEY TO SYMBOLS:
p - Pulloff from previous note
^ - Upward picking
V - Downward picking
LICK 1: (Key of E)
The following is a common Alvin Lee lick which originated (I think) from
Frank
Beecher, the guitar player for Bill Haley and the Comets. The lick below is
from Good Morning Little SchoolGirl. It is in the key of E and played in the
12th position. The symbol "p" represents a pull off from the previous note.
In order to make this sound right your picking hand has to be very relaxed.
V p ^ V p ^ V p ^ V p ^ V p ^ V p ^ V p ^
e:--------12-15-12-12-14-12-12-15-12-12-14-12-12-15-12-12-14-12-12-15-12-12-| B:-12-15--------------------------------------------------------------------| G:--------------------------------------------------------------------------| D:--------------------------------------------------------------------------| A:--------------------------------------------------------------------------| E:--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
LICK 2: (Key of A or C)
I have shown the lick below with two picking options. The 1st option, and
the
way I think Alvin picks it, is strict alternate picking. A good example of
this is the version of Going Home off the Undead album during the finale.
Option 2 is an alternate (and easier) picking pattern that other guitar
players such as Johnny Winter or Jimmy Page has used. It has a different
sound
to it. It is a little easier going and can sound more bluesy. Alternate
picking is very difficult and like most Alvin Lee licks your right hand has
to
be very relaxed. There are many applications for both methods.
Option 1: Alternate pickingv ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v ^ v
e:-8--11-8--10-8-----8--11-8--10-8-----8--11-8--10-8-----------| B:-----------------10----------------10------------------------| G:-------------------------------------------------------------| D:-------------------------------------------------------------| A:-------------------------------------------------------------| E:-------------------------------------------------------------|
Option 2: Skip pickingv ^ p v p ^ v ^ p v p ^ v ^ p v p
e:-8--11-8--10-8-----8--11-8--10-8-----8--11-8--10-8--| B:----------------10----------------10----------------| G:----------------------------------------------------| D:----------------------------------------------------| A:----------------------------------------------------| E:----------------------------------------------------|
LICK 3:
This lick is classic Alvin. It can be used both as a transition lick or a
repetative lick. Alvin uses it both ways in the Woodstock version of I'm
Going Home. I have included two picking patterns. I think that Alvin uses
Option 2, Sweep picking. I have always had trouble performing it this way so
I use a modified alternate picking method. Lay your 1st finger across the
three high strings, slide from the 4th to the 5th fret on then hammer on the
notes on the B string. This is one of my favorite Alvin licks. It can be
used in jazz, blues and rock.
Option 1 - Alternate Pickingv s ^ h v ^ s v h ^ v s ^ h v
e:------------5------------5------------5---|
B:-------5-7----------5-7----------5-7------|
G:--4/5----------4/5----------4/5-----------|
D:------------------------------------------|
A:------------------------------------------|
E:------------------------------------------|
Option2 - Sweep pickingv s v h v v s v h v v s v h v
e:-----------5------------5-----------5------|
B:------5-7----------5-7---------5-7---------|
G:-4/5----------4/5---------4/5--------------|
D:-------------------------------------------|
A:-------------------------------------------|
E:-------------------------------------------|
LICK 4:
This is a lick that Alvin plays just goofing around prior to Classical Thing
off of TYA Live. It sounds very jazzy. It reminds me of Charlie Christian's
solo in Air Mail Special. Charlie was one of Alvin's early influences.
Key of C
8th Position _________10th Position________8th Position
e:--------8-------------------------------------------------------------8---| B:-8-10-8---11\10-8------------------------------------------------8-10--11/| G:------------------8-9----------------------------------------7/8----------| D:----------------------10-----------------------10-10-10---10--------------| A:-------------------------10-9-8-------10-12-10----------------------------| E:--------------------------------11/12-------------------------------------|
13th Position
e:---11b(12)---|
B:13-----------|
G:-------------|
D:-------------|
A:-------------|
E:-------------|
Possible Issues to follow:
Issue 2 - Long Runs
Issue 3 - Creating Frenzy
Issue 4 - Octaves
Issue 5 - Jazzy Alvin
Issue 6 - Bluesy Alvin
Recommendations?
Note from the Author: If any guitar players out there disagree with my
interpretations of these licks let me know. I may be wrong (but I won't be
wrong always).