The Small Faces - Tin Soldier (analysis)

Music Lesson: Tin Soldier by The Small Faces

So let's have a look at a classic British rock piece from the 60s: "Tin Soldier" by the Small Faces. I'm sure a lot of you will know it. I'm a big fan of the band! Ian McLagan is the keys player. He played a lot of Hammond, Whirly, and piano in the band, and also with the Faces after that when Steve Marie was replaced by Rod Stewart. Great player!

Introduction to the Lesson

In this lesson, we're going to look at how to incorporate a bit of the bass into this piece as well, so we can carry it along. Just on keys by yourself? I thought it'd be fun!

Setting Up the Sound

What I'm using here is a nice chunky tone down on the B flat preset: C3 vibrato. I recommend turning that off for the bass, as it tends to add too much movement for a bass line.

Structure of the Song

Verse

So, let's crack on!

• The verse starts with an intro featuring the guitar, and then during the second round, you hear a lovely organ pad come in quite low down. It's nice and gritty and chunky, based around this E chord.

Chord Progression:

• E
• G
• D Sus to D major

You will arpeggiate that, and then the same on A. It's very simple but properly iconic, if you think of tunes that sound like the 60s, this is one of them.

Bass Line

In the bass, I'm doing a nice little bounce to it; very simple. The second half of the verse goes to:

• A
• C# minor
• D
• F
• A
• F# minor
• D
• A
• F# minor again
• D

Chorus

Now, here's the bit we all latch onto: the chorus!

• On E, I'll go back to the verse chords in a second. This is the kind of anthemic chorus that sticks in our heads.

Let's run a whole verse first and second part.

The chorus part might take a little bit to get right. Both parts are simple, but to play them together can be one of those brain freeze moments for a little while!

• The stops that the second verse begins with are just E, G, and A, slipping off the minor third on the G and the E as well.

Tips for Playing

A few things to look at in this:

• The bass line in the chorus may be tricky at first. The right hand is doing:

  • E chord
  • A chord
  • D chord

1. First root position E
2. Second inversion A
3. First inversion D all over an E.

You're holding that E down with your thumb all the time while you're on those two chords.

When you play that D, it slips off the A, giving it a kind of bluesy, slightly rootsy feel.

Conclusion

And then to finish: C, B.

So that's the tune! That should be all you need to have a lot of fun with this one.