Jimi Hendrix "Little Wing" guitar lesson
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As innovative as Jimi was, this intro can hardly be classified as a solo, but rather a mix between rhythm and solo. This approch is definately one of his trademarks, and if you want to use your scales as a springboard for rhythmic ideas, this is for you!
Throughout this intro Jimi shifts smoothly between rhythmic (chordal) patterns as well as strong melodies. He also separates the melody from the bass notes to create a wider effect. This approach is nice to "steal" when playing unaccompanied. |
| Scale and chord theory |
Basic chord harmony (no extensions added):
| Em _ _ _ | G _ _ _ | Am _ _ _ | Em _ _ _ | Bm _ _ B | Am _ _ _ | G _ F _ | C _ _ _ | D _ _ _ |
The intro is for most part played in the key of A minor. However, Jimi follows and "outlines" each chord separately (this is usually necessary for unaccompanied guitar parts). Occasionally he ads some chromatic "passing chords".
The idea is to just see the basic chord and add the extensions (=scale notes that aren't in the chord) without really caring about the theoretical definition of each chord. This is probably the way Jimi thought of it.
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First, let's have a look at the whole intro played slowly:
The intro begins with muted "x" (mute with left hand) strings. The first chord (Em7) is played with left hand middle- and ring finger. You may occasionally want to use your right hand middle finger to play some of the string skips (watch the right hand closely in the video).
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e|------------x-x-----------------|
b|--x-12\-----x-x--------------5\-|
g|--x-12\-----x-x------0-----5-5\-|
d|--x-12\-----x-x--------5---5-7\-|
a|------------x-x--0h2---5h7------|
e|--x-12\--0--x-x-----------------| |
Jimi plays the bass note with the left hand thumb, which enables him to play a melody over the G chord.
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e|-----3h5p3-3--------------------|
b|-----3-----3---3----3-3---------|
g|---0---------0-4h5--5-4-5-4-----|
d|----------------------------5---|
a|--------------------------------|
e|-3------------------------------|
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