Indie Rock Guitar Lesson: Exploring "Spike"

Introduction

All right, then, guys, let's check out Spike. This song has more of an indie rock vibe, think Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, and Franz Ferdinand.

Aggressive Open Chords

Straight off the bat, we've got these really aggressive open chords. Here are a few tips:

• Use the power in your right hand.
• Ensure you're fretting the chord cleanly.
• Be careful not to hit any unwanted lower open strings.

Just really dig in! It sounds great when you can hit those chords hard instead of being too cautious. This approach opens the song powerfully, which is common in indie music, think of those stabby intros.

B Section Melodic Role

Moving on to the B section and the rest of the song, we're playing more of a melodic role:

• Be mindful of cutting notes short.
• If you prepare too early for the next note, you risk losing the flow.

In the B section, pay attention to the opening phrase.

Right Hand Positioning

As we discussed in other pieces, a really good place for your right hand is on the bridge for much of this song:

• Exception: the intro, where we want to hit the chords hard.
• Once we transition to the melody section (at B), position your right hand on the bridge.

This positioning allows for accuracy without needing to look. With practice, you should feel confident picking out any string without needing to see it.

Avoiding Distraction

Many beginners become glued to their right hands while their left hands are doing all sorts of things they can't see. Try to wean yourself off this habit early.

You can create little ways to practice as we discussed in Another Dime.

Tonal Considerations

Now, let's think about the tonal qualities for this song.

• Indie rock often employs a low gain sound.
• Consider being on the overdrive setting on your amplifier, but keep the gain turned down a bit.

Desired Sound

Aim for a sound where:

• Hitting the strings hard produces a crunchy tone.
• Picking the strings lightly results in a clean sound.

This responsiveness allows you to transition between clean and aggressive tones without using pedals or switches. If you're unsure about your setup, don't hesitate to ask your teacher.

Developing Tone Awareness

The ability to discern subtle points within a guitar tone is something you'll continuously develop throughout your playing life. You might even become as obsessed with it as I am!

• Experiment with pedals and gadgets as you see fit.
• Instead of blindly turning knobs based on what you read, use your ears to achieve the desired sound.

Performance Mindset

Imagine you're performing in front of an audience while you learn these songs:

• In an indie track, hitting the strings hard while imagining a performance really enhances your playing.
• Remember, an audience wants to see you engage with the music, not just hear the right notes.

Embrace Mistakes

Don't be afraid to make mistakes! They mean you're pushing yourself to improve. When playing those open chords, visualize performing for an audience and add some movement with your right hand.

The D Section: Let Ring

Lastly, in the D section, be aware of the note that says let ring:

• This means you keep the notes fretted while moving to the next note.
• Aim to let the notes bleed together rather than hearing each one individually.

Conclusion

That's all I want to discuss regarding this piece. Best of luck!

Practice Tips

• As always, practice nice and slow.
• If you struggle with any sections, slow them down with a metronome.
• Work on challenging parts with a teacher and gradually build your skills.

Eventually, you'll be able to perform this to a great standard. Enjoy!