Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly (Guitar Lesson)
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Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly
The dissonance with the band and the vocalist seems to suggest that the situation may be falling apart. Now the relationships with others could suffer too. Playing the established and familiar hooks over a more shifty bed is a good way to create more tension.
Taught by Chris Liepe in The Bitter Blues seriesLength: 3:54Difficulty: 3.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
The Bitter Blues
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsThis series covers an original Blues song titled "The Bitter Blues." The song was inspired by Led Zeppelin, and Jimmy Page, and as such is an excellent study in modern electric blues. Chris will break down the song into 30 easy to digest sections. Each section can be learned individually, and them combined into a full song.
Lesson 1
Introduction to the Bitter Blues
Chris Liepe introduces "The Bitter Blues," a unique blues composition inspired by Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page. In this intro segment, Chris talks about how the song will be taught.
Length: 4:45 Difficulty: 2.5 FREELesson 2
Full Song Demonstration
Chris Liepe demonstrates the entire song from start to finish. This will help you master the phrasing of the individual licks.
Length: 6:40 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Lick 1 : The First Tear
From the first note and the first bend, the mournful whisper of the guitar sets the stage for the tumultuous conversation between voice and strings. Bend slowly.
Length: 2:29 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 2 : Drag Your Feet
You’re holding back. You know what you want to say but you’re tiptoeing around it. Finally, the definitive resolve comes at end of the sentence. Play it like you’d speak it.
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 3 : Speak Slowly
There is much more resolve in this statement. What might the guitar be saying now? From the pregnant pause in the middle, to the reaching, slow-to-arrive bend, there’s a lot of phrasing to study here.
Length: 3:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 4 : Speak Firmly
The frustration comes out in this lick! After a few phrases that tread lightly, this statement is just put out there. Strike that double stop! Lash out a bit with your playing.
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lick 5 : An Early Apology
Perhaps too much was said in the last lick...and a bit too forcefully at that. How about this soothing minor chord and some soft whining bends as an attempt to make amends? Get your pick hand fingers involved...
Length: 3:20 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 6 : I Meant That!
It’s hard to hide true feelings. Opening up for the first time can be messy. Think less about the tempo and more about the ending notes for each phrase in this passage, particularly the last bend. Get...
Length: 4:28 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 7 - The List of Hurtful Things
With each held note, it's as if there are offenses being moaned out. Give it all you’ve got here without getting ahead of yourself. Play slowly and fiercely.
Length: 4:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 8 - A Calculated Transition
Finish the rant and say all the words you feel you need to before taking some time to listen and react. This first guitar solo has come to an end, and now it's time to connect with the vocalist. Practice...
Length: 5:46 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 9 - Affirming the Listening Ear
You’re not restating anything yet, just making it clear that you’re now here to listen. Fill the hole quietly and retreat.
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 10 - Uh Huh
You’re about to get an earful of notes, so brace yourself and keep it brief. Just let it be known that you’re still tracking. Control and precision with harmonics and bar bending are needed.
Length: 7:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lick 11 - On the Same Page
Follow every nuance of the voice as closely as you can. Match the pitch, the inflection, the pitch bend, and the dynamics. One of the best ways to learn phrasing is to practice copying other instruments.
Length: 4:19 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 12 - The Role of Accompanying
In this guitar/vocal duet, you must make direct statements, and you must learn to dance while partially being in the background as an accompanist. This is the first of many opportunities to do just that....
Length: 3:07 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 13 - On the Defensive
Now you’re being lashed out at. Loud inquisitions are being blasted at you. You’ll react strongly at first and then calmly as if to say that you don’t really need to defend yourself after all. Instead,...
Length: 2:39 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Lick 14 - The Shouting Match
This is another opportunity to copy the phrasing of the vocalist. This time, you get to do it while shouting instead of talking under your breath. Study the nuances of the voice!
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 15 - Are We Really Listening?
The flurry of notes seems to suggest that hands are being thrown up and walls are being built at this point in the argument. Don’t let the need for subtle speed take away from the following accompanist...
Length: 4:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 16 - Fall Back
You’re still here, but you're licking some wounds and finding comfort and camaraderie in the rhythm section. It's time to play some arpeggiated chords and fill holes in a very subtle way.
Length: 4:14 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 17 - Pacing Back and Forth
The rhythm playing and intensity grows and the unsettling octave line paints a picture of someone pacing back and forth as guilt trip from the vocals continues. Listen to your band! They are your support...
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 18 - Now It's Your Turn
You’ve heard the singer’s side, had a little time to form your thoughts, and now it’s your turn to lay it all out. You start slowly and gracefully while paying attention to every statement you make....
Length: 4:04 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 19 - New Thoughts
You offer a new angle and a new thought. Many times in arguments we end up going around in circles unless new ideas are brought to the forefront. How about a little harmonic minor?
Length: 2:45 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 20 - A Long Night
There’s a lot that could be said, but choosing your words carefully is more important than simply speaking your mind. The more care you put into your words, the more likely you are to be heard.
Length: 3:16 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Lick 21 - There Still Feelings
As if to reach out for affection, you cry out repeatedly to make sure you are understood. Make those high notes weep! Demand a strong reaction!
Length: 4:52 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 22 - Say What You Mean
This could be a flurry of frustration, a jumbled thought in the midst of what you thought was clarity or just a passionate phrase describing your feelings in the most intense way you know how. Precision...
Length: 3:39 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 23 - Reveal Yourself
These are the boldest and most soaring notes to be played yet! It’s as if you are saying how you REALLY feel and showing your true colors in this mess of an ordeal. Let It Sing!
Length: 3:10 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 24 - Don't Back Down
As emotions run high and the anticipation of some sort of true resolution is almost too much to take, you need to keep the tension and wait to see some more effort from the other side. This passage is...
Length: 4:55 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 25 - Just You and Me
The back and forth continues, but this time it’s without the band. It seems that there really are some deep roots in this relationship. There’s screaming and there’s whispering. Make sure the difference...
Length: 3:58 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 26 - We Are One
Be one with the vocalist one last time. Translate the brokenness in the vocal sound into intentionally messy unison bends. Match the vocal timing exactly.
Length: 3:23 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 27 - We're Both Steaming Now
You're accompanying now, but you are not backing down. You’re fuming. Your energy is almost too much to contain, yet you translate that to the guitar by playing aggressive, in-the-pocket chords!
Length: 4:00 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 28 - Pretty and Ugly
The dissonance with the band and the vocalist seems to suggest that the situation may be falling apart. Now the relationships with others could suffer too. Playing the established and familiar hooks over...
Length: 3:54 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 29 - I’m Not Finished Yet
You’re both left panting. You’re partially gasping for air and partially grasping for one another. This final run sets up the last attempt to bring closure to this melancholy musical exchange between...
Length: 4:08 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Lick 30 - One Last Attempt
You get one last chance to soar, but you don’t get the final words. Many times, how you choose to end things is the most important part of something that was meant to be beautiful.
Length: 4:14 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
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Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.
Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
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