Detailed Look at "Another Dime"

Hey, guys! So, let's check out a more detailed look at the debut piece, "Another Dime" here.

Song Overview

Straight off the bat, we can see this is a classic rock track. By just looking at the arrangement and listening to the song, you can instantly hear the AC/DC inspiration behind it, specifically "Back In Black."

• You can listen to "Back In Black." The riffs, the chords, and the response with the kind of single-note licks are exactly what we've got in this piece.

A Section

• The song opens out in the A section, moving between the E and A power chords.
• We then walk down some minor pentatonic phrases before moving into the B section.

B Section

• The B section is our chorus section, featuring power chords.
• We introduce slightly newer voicings here, which is worthy of note, especially regarding the difference in rhythm value.

Important Points:

• The first two bars in B should be nice and punchy.
• Bars three and four should be strung out, creating a powerful variation in rhythm.

To finish things up, we return to the opening riff at C. It's nice to mention that this is something we've already done.

When presented with a new piece like this, have a little scan through it and see if you can spot sections that are repeated. This can help alleviate some of the overwhelm when faced with unfamiliar material.

The Minor Pentatonic Scale

We've mentioned the minor pentatonic scale. This scale is really important and one of the most commonly used scales for guitar players.

• You'll probably use this every day of your life, perhaps even without realizing it.

Technical Exercise

• In the technical exercises section of the book, we have Group A, which contains the scales, including the E minor pentatonic scale.
• "Another Dime" demonstrates how to take what you might perceive as a boring scale and turn it into a fun, rocking track that sounds like AC/DC.

The E Minor Pentatonic Scale

• The E minor pentatonic scale starts on the bottom E string and spans across two octaves.

If we look at some riffs in the piece:

• We have our E5, A5, and this little run which takes notes straight from that scale, sounding awesome!

Knowing that scale is useful not just as an exercise but in creating cool-sounding riffs.

What is a Power Chord?

If you're unfamiliar with the term power chord, it's also known as a fifth chord.

• Looking at the chart above the first bar, you'll see E5, A5, etc. This refers to the chord you're playing or the chord outlined on the backing track.
• There are two notes featured in a power chord. Ultimately, they sound cool and are found in nearly every rock song.

Common Shapes

In open position, we often see:

• E5, A5, D5

We can also expand these chords by adding octaves. For example:

• A G5 consists of a G note on the bottom and the fifth of G fretted with the little finger.

These chords have that classic rock and punk vibe and are commonly used across various genres.

Getting the Tone Right

One of the main stylistic features of classic rock is getting the tone right.

• To perform the track effectively, reference the Rock School walkthrough for some recommended settings.
• Remember, everyone has different guitars, amps, and pedals, leading to countless sound combinations.

Key Tips:

• Aim for a nice overdrive or gainy sound that responds well to your right hand.
• Avoid cranking the gain all the way up, as this can lead to too much saturation in your tone.

EQ Considerations

• Be cautious with cranking the bass too high, as it can muddy the sound when adding gain.

Best Practice:

• Use your ears! Listen closely to AC/DC tracks, the performance track at the beginning, and the Rock School version, adjusting settings based on sound rather than just numbers.

Right-Hand Technique

We talked about the aggression of the right hand.

• If you imagine AC/DC performing this track, you'll see they're very animated guitarists. It's essential to dig into the chords for a punchy, powerful sound.

Muting

One technique not shown in the tab is muting.

• For the opening E chord, fret it but keep the strings you're not playing quiet using your spare fingers.
• Hitting all six strings while muting results in a clean sound.

Strumming Approach

• As you play down the minor pentatonic phrases, avoid playing too cautiously with your right hand.
• Break across the strings confidently while maintaining proper muting.

Palm Muting for Accuracy

Another technique for playing single-note lines is palm muting.

• Rest the palm of your hand on the bridge of the guitar for a stable anchor point, improving the accuracy of your picking.

Practice Tips

1. Practice Section by Section: Slow down as necessary and consider using a metronome. (The piece's tempo is 94 beats per minute.)
2. Focus on Transitions: Pay special attention to what happens at the end of the A section when transitioning into the B section.

Conclusion

Best of luck with this! I really enjoy playing this track. Rock on!