Music Lesson: Indecisive - Pop Punk Piece

Alright then, guys, let's check out Indecisive. This is a pop punk piece that absolutely screams bands like Green Day. If you're fans of bands like that, then you're going to love diving in and looking at this track.

Overview

• Tempo: 155 bpm (super high tempo)
• Style: Fun, energetic, requires precise technique

It's really, really good, and since it's not slow, we must be absolutely on point with our techniques. You can't be sloppy and play things at this speed; it just doesn't work. It will sound a mess!

Tips for Learning

• Start slow: Make sure you keep things nice and slow when you're learning the parts.
• Gradual Speed Increase: Speed it up gradually, and you'll then be able to play at this speed with confidence.

Section A

Looking through the sections:

Chords:

• Full Barre Chords
• Relevant if you've looked at your technical exercises, as there's a barre chord exercise covering many of these shapes.

Important:

• A really punchy feel is needed for this section.
• Use a barre chord followed by a rest continuously through A.

Key Points:

• Ensure clarity between each chord and have a nice, short rest.
• This creates a punchy effect, accentuated by the drums on the backing track, so lock in with them.

Section B

Moving on to section B, we're playing a really cool sparse riff, incorporating muted sections as well.

• Muted Playing: Be aggressive with your muting for added effect.
• Contrast Effect: The mix of muting and open phrases (like at the end of line three) creates a compelling sound.

Technique:

• Remember to lock it down, let it breathe, then lock it down again. It sounds fantastic.

Section C

Section C is played differently in two ways:

Structural Markings:

• Notation includes C and G with an S symbol.

This marking indicates that when we get to the penultimate line (DS Al coda), we need to return to the S and play it again.

Summary:

• This creates a structure that saves us from writing out repetitive material, keeping it condensed over two pages instead of possibly four.

Playing Style:

• Initially, I played this section all downstrokes for a driving vibe.
• In the final stages, I switched to alternate picking for a different sound.

Caution:

• Be careful of catching the lower strings unless you want an unpleasant open string sound.

Section D

The D section mirrors the B section, so you're already set there.

Solo Introduction

After the solo, we have lovely pull-off phrases. It's crucial to have good coordination to ensure that every time you pick that top note (F), you generate a clean pull-off.

Notation Insights:

Check out bar 40, as it introduces some challenging notation:

• PB10 and BD refer to types of bends:
  • PB (Pre Bend): Bending the string before you pick it.
  • BD: Bending down after picking.

Technique Practice:

• Spend time on this phrase, especially if you're new to bending.
• Support your bends with multiple fingers; bending with one finger is very difficult and can hurt.

Solo Break Down

Power Chords:
We're playing over power chords labeled as fifth chords (C5, G5, F5) in the key of C major.

Solo Composition:

• I utilized the C major scale, coming up with two halves:
  1. First half reflected a Green Day influence, with mini arpeggios and pedal tones.
  2. The second half ventured into a more scalic approach incorporating bends.

Contrasting Phrasing:

Notice that while I start with continuous notes, the second half allows some breath by letting notes ring. This contrast avoids monotonous playing.

Encouragement:

I've transcribed this solo for you to see. Feel free to take licks from it, adapt them, and build your unique style over time.

Final Notes

Best of luck with this track! Since it's a high tempo song, practice steadily at first, gradually working up to that 155 bpm target. Enjoy!