Intro to the Indie guitar sound
With
Tommy WebbTommy Webb introduces the wide world of indie guitar tone, from Blur and Oasis to Arctic Monkeys, and how gear and effects shape those sounds.
What's in the course
50 lessons (1h 52m) · 1 free
01. Intro to the Indie guitar sound
You are here2:09
02. Melody using B&C notes
3:45
03. Melody using B&C notes (performance)
0:55
04. Melody using alternate picking
2:36
05. Melody using alternate picking (performance)
0:55
06. Melody using alternate picking & D note
2:47
07. Melody using alternate picking & D note (performance)
0:51
01. Melody using B C & D notes
4:16
02. Melody using B C & D notes (performance)
0:58
03. Melody using E note
2:08
04. Melody using E note (performance)
0:46
05. Rhythm part using C chord
2:00
06. Rhythm part using C chord (performance)
0:48
07. Parka Life bars 5-8
1:57
08. Parka Life bars 5-8 (performance)
0:50
09. Summary of Indie section
0:21
01. Intro to Pieces
1:00
02. Rock City
5:51
03. Rock City (performance)
0:50
04. Party People
7:20
05. Party People (performance)
0:46
06. Road to Nashville
6:08
07. Road to Nashville (performance)
0:47
08. Lead Boots
6:33
09. Lead Boots (performance)
0:49
10. Parka Life
5:01
11. Parka Life (performance)
0:43
12. Represent
5:23
13. Represent (performance)
0:46
Lesson transcript
Indie Music Section
We've made it to the indie section. This style of music is probably the most vast in terms of tone and what gear you need. The indie style is so wide with many different sounds and styles within it.
Classic Indie Riffs
You've got classic riffs like Blur's "Song 2," as well as indie tunes that sound like this:
- All the guitar parts are super creative and really melodic.
Exploring Indie Bands
It'd be great if you could do some research and try to find some indie bands you like. Expand your ear and listen out for all those different effects on the guitar and the various parts you're hearing. It really is a mix!
Notable Bands
-
Blur and Oasis:
- More classic guitars
- Humbuckers (like what's in my Les Paul)
- Powerful pickups with lots of pedals
- Different tones: distorted, clean, and a lot of modular sounds
Note: Modular sounds refer to warped signals, which isn't too important if we don't have that gear at home, but it's good to know.
-
Modern Indie Bands:
- Arctic Monkeys
- Wet Leg
- The 1975
The parts here are going to be a real mix of styles. The tone is going to change a lot‚ clean, dirty, whatever you feel.
Experimenting with Tone
If you don't have pedals at home, you can use knobs on your amp and guitar to try and get some different tones:
- Use the tone knob to roll it completely off for a really dark sound.
- Turn it up for a brighter sound.
- Experiment with different pickups and settings on your amp.
Don't be afraid to turn some knobs and try out something new!
Next Steps
In this section, we're going to learn some notes on the B string: B, C, and D, as well as using some alternate picking. This will be your first look at playing really, really fast.
Let's Get Started!
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Tommy Webb is a London-based guitarist who completed a BA(Hons) Degree in guitar at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, studying under Sandy Beales (One Direction, Wheatus) and Nicolas Meier (Jeff Beck). His own playing moves freely across rock, pop, indie, hip-hop, country and metal - the exact ground his guitar methods cover.
Tommy has worked with a wide range of artists and bands across the country, including Jarki Monno and Indira May, sharing stages and sessions with guitarists Paul Murray (Jess Glynne, Zak Abel) and Adam Chetwood (Paolo Nutini, Mark Ronson), and drummers Alex Woodward (Black Honey), Luke Robinson and “Bambi Music” (N-Dubz, Lethal Bizzle, Wretch 32, Tinie Tempah).
On stage, he has performed at the Jazz Cafe opening for soul singer Jocelyn Brown, plus venues and festivals including Ronnie Scott's, Troy Bar, The Watford Colosseum, Camden Assembly, Kensington Roof Gardens, Notting Hill Arts Club, Meraki Festival and Sundown Festival.
On record and radio, Tommy has played live sessions for BBC Three Counties Introducing, Vibe FM and Pulse 88, with tracks featured on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. He has recorded at studios including South Lanes Brighton, Hempstead Road and Titan Studios with producers such as Steph Carter (Gallows, Lyoness) and TMS / Froe Barnes (Lewis Capaldi, Dua Lipa).
In his guitar methods, Tommy passes all of that working-musician know-how on to you - teaching the techniques, tones and feel behind real styles, from rock and pop to indie, hip-hop, country and metal, so you can play the music you actually love.
