In this article: Golden section and golden rectangles, the harmonic series and the model of its ideal behavior simplified, equal temperament and just intonation and a description of the beat frequency conflict produced by the deviations between simultaneous sounding of harmonic partials and prime frequencies and how it affects the tone and timbre of the guitar.
When “Slither” was released in May of 2004 as the first single for Velvet Revolver’s debut album, Contraband, its immediate success marked the triumphant return of ex-Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland and former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. The brash, energetic opening riff, which becomes the basis for much of the song, is a huge part of why “Slither” was such a hit, topping both the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts in the United States. It became a live staple for the band, closing shows out with a bang until they went on indefinite hiatus in 2008/2009. If finding a new singer and ending their hiatus means more badass rock songs like “Slither,” let’s all hope Slash and company find a suitable voice that is worthy of Velvet Revolver!
Even for a band with so many iconic songs released to radio like Weezer, it is odd that one of their most enduring fan favorites, “My Name Is Jonas,” was only an accidental single in Canada and nowhere else in the world. The debut song from The Blue Album, Weezer’s studio debut, “My Name Is Jonas” features an incredible introduction on acoustic guitar, written by founding guitarist Jason Cropper, who shares writing credit with guitarist singer Rivers Cuomo and drummer Patrick Wilson. Cropper left the band while recording the album, however, and was replaced by Brian Bell, who remains a part of Weezer to this day.
Weezer’s 2008 effort, known to many as “The Red Album,” confounded many fans with its decidedly un-Weezeresque musical material, save for one big, fat hit: “Pork and Beans.” It has a great chugging Weezer riff, the clever lyrics that Rivers Cuomo has become known for, and one of his best, catchiest choruses in a long time. Rivers wrote the song after a particularly angering meeting with Geffen label executives, where he was told that the new album needed more commercial songs. This pissed Cuomo off, inspiring him to write “Pork and Beans,” which ironically became Weezer’s most successful single to date, topping the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart for 11 straight weeks.
This has been a momentous and fortuitous year for Ryan Rabin. The amazingly gifted co-founder, drummer, percussionist, songwriter, and producer, of indie rock band, Grouplove is poised for the September 13, 2011 international release of Grouplove’s stellar eponymous debut album, Never Trust A Happy Song.
In barely a year’s time, Ryan and his Grouplove band mates, Christian Zucconi, (lead vocals, guitars), Andrew Wessen, (lead guitar), Hannah Hooper, (vocals, keyboards), and Sean Gadd, (bass guitar), have released a critically acclaimed EP last January, they’ve been heralded by NME Magazine as one of the “Best New Bands of 2010.”
Guitar International magazine has assigned our past Western Illinois University (WIU) summer intern, Brady Lavin, as its new Managing Editor. He is finishing up degrees in Music Business and Accountancy at WIU. His past experience has included running Rock N Rolla, a music newsletter and entertainment guide. All advertising proceeds from the newsletter were used to promote music and education.
“Pinball Wizard,” along with “See Me, Feel Me,” is the most famous and enduring songs from The Who’s infamous “rock opera” Tommy. The song tells the story of the deaf, dumb and blind Tommy winning a pinball competition by feeling the vibrations of the machine from the perspective of the champion who he unseats. Despite being a rock ‘n’ roll classic and a staple of countless classic rock stations, composer Pete Townshend at first hated “Pinball Wizard,” thinking it was clumsily written. The rest of the band disagreed immediately upon hearing the song; they could tell it would be a hit.
When Wolfmother burst onto the rock scene with the blistering “Woman” in 2006, people were marveling at this band that sounded like Black Sabbath fronted by Robert Plant. With “Joker & the Thief,” the sixth single from their self-titled debut album, the Wolfmother took it to the next level, pumping in even more high-octane fuel to the hard rock fire. “Joker & the Thief” is a driving rock song, obviously influenced by the beginnings of hard rock in the ‘70s, but firmly rooted in the present. Its fast-paced riffage and constant energy have made it a favorite to include in commercials, video games and movie trailers, appearing in the films Jackass Number Two, Shoot ‘Em Up, the Hangover and even Shrek The Third.
Transforming your basement from a place for storage into a useful home studio isn’t as hard as you may think. With the help of a few local contractors, some money from your savings and a bit of patience, you can have your own recording space.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one of those songs that every guitarist should at least be able to hack through. It is the most popular and commercially successful song from alternative rock/grunge icons Nirvana, and the riff, which is an incredibly simple one at that, is forever burned into the memory of anyone who was alive in 1991 or the ten years after, when the song basically ruled alt rock radio. Kurt Cobain has admitted that with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” he was trying to write a Pixies song, as they were one of the groups he admired and identified with most. Their use of contrasting quiet and loud sections is a huge influence on Cobain’s songwriting, as many of his songs from Nevermind and In Utero use this contrast to build energy and intensity, especially with “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
