Question:
I've decided I really want to learn "Hotel California," but I'm not sure if I'm skilled enough yet technique-wise... What techniques does that song require? Does it require pinch harmonics, because I'm absolutely terrible with those... I love the song, and I think I can learn it all, but I just want to make sure I don't get halfway through and lose steam because I can't do a technique I need
(Actually, this probably should be in Theory and Technique... Sorry )
Answer:
Originally Posted by DaGeek I've decided I really want to learn "Hotel California," but I'm not sure if I'm skilled enough yet technique-wise... What techniques does that song require? Does it require pinch harmonics, because I'm absolutely terrible with those... I love the song, and I think I can learn it all, but I just want to make sure I don't get halfway through and lose steam because I can't do a technique I need
(Actually, this probably should be in Theory and Technique... Sorry ) Learn the song. Challenge yourself. Work on it. That's what makes you a better player. Just because you can't do pinch harmonics doesn't mean you're going to let it hold you up, right?
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I don't plan on letting it hold me up, but I'd like to learn the song without losing heart .
EDIT: Thanks, mods, for moving it!
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Do what I do... when you get to something you can't do, make it up.
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Don't get too hung up on doing it exactly like the CD. Why not make the song your own?
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Yeah. It's good to follow the chord structure, and even then, I don't follow it 100% of the time. All the 9ths and 6ths I just leave out. So, with that being said, make it your own whether you are fingerpicking it or strumming it. Be creative and individualistic.
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For "Hotel Cali" I would recommend that you both learn the original and then learn to improve over it once you're familiar enough with the chord structure and the theory behind it.
For the solo, it does have pinch harmonics in a few spots and it uses a lot of pentatonic and diatonic-based scales in addition to arpeggios as well as a few double-stops.
Many times the lead guitar moves with the chord changes so don't think that you're going to play D major scale over the whole thing and have it sound correct.
Also, accurate string bending is a MUST to play it correctly.
There are a couple different guitar solos up until the harmony part at the end and I'd encourage you to focus on each section, learning it piece by piece if you have to, and then assemble the whole thing.
In the grand scheme of all-things-guitar, "Hotel Cali" is a very simple song and a good stepping stone to learning more difficult tunes later.
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I'm currently focusing on the solo only, then I'll go for the rest... It's already difficult, lol . Good to challenge myself, though!
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Hotel California is a great, great guitar solo to learn. Even if you don't get it all, a noble attempt is bound to make you a better guitarist. Some guitar magazine (Total Guitar?) listed it as the top guitar solo.
I agree with gtrdave that accurate string bending is a must. For example, check out the very first phrase of the solo. For the 4th note, you'll have to bend up the 2nd string a minor third-- the equivalent of 3 frets. That in itself is a key technique to get. Another key is good vibrato, especially to add color to a bent note.
There's a lot of other great techniques in the solo -- chromatic runs, arpeggios -- but what I like most about the solo is the beautiful, melodic phrasing. If you're so inclined, you can actually put words to the solo and sing it.
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You should be fine. If you've been playing a while, particularly lead, I don't see why it would be that hard. And hey, these guys are right that there's more than one way to skin a cat. Lots of guitarists shake up the live versions of their songs a bit.
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Interesting, I'm learning this exact song right now, too. I don't think it's that hard (but I just got my first electric guitar today, couldn't play it with an acoustic lol...). The bends are what I'm practicing, too. Coming from an acoustic guitar, bends aren't something that I did often. I can agree that accurate string bending is a must - the first phrase is full of them.
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I've played the chords on my acoustic, and that part really isn't hard. But the solo? Eh...hard stuff. congrats on your undertaking.
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Originally Posted by nbfan I've played the chords on my acoustic, and that part really isn't hard. But the solo? Eh...hard stuff. congrats on your undertaking.
Thanks, though I haven't been working full time on it yet . I have been more-or-less working mainly on the stuff my guitar teacher has been showing me for improving speed and technique, so I haven't really given myself time to keep learning it .