Playing for a Cover Band

Sep 7, 2022 | General, Guitar

Playing for a cover band, is it worth it? My Approach I’ve never been one of those musicians who learns every song they’ve ever liked and nailed down all the standard tunes people ask you to play once you say, “yeah, I play guitar!” It’s...

Been Caught Stealing – Jane’s Addiction – Drum Breakdown

Aug 27, 2022 | Drums

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) Drums Drummer Stephen Perkins does this beat in a particular way for much of the song – with the right hand doing the main hi-hat and snare beat, and the left hand picking up the offbeat snares. In addition,...

The Difference – The Wallflowers – Drum Breakdown

Aug 27, 2022 | Drums

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) Drums Session drummer Matt Chamberlain does the drums on this, though Mario Calire is credited on the album on which it resides. There are a few different drum beats in this one. A snare on all 4s beat, a normal...

Call Me – Blondie – Song Breakdown

Aug 25, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) Being the main theme song for the 1980 film American Gigolo, Deborah Harry wrote the words from the standpoint of a male prostitute. I was this years old when I learned that. Melody A nice melody with a pretty large...

Bittersweet – Big Head Todd And The Monsters – Song Breakdown

Aug 23, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) A bittersweet (see what I did there?) ‘90s song and production, complete with gated reverb on the drums. Big Head Todd and the Monsters is a 4-piece band, and what they’ve been known to do live as far as...

Being So Normal – Peach Pit – Song Breakdown

Aug 22, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) There is a cool dark bass-y tone to this production. It also features a guitar solo right at the beginning – something you don’t hear very often. Melody The dense double (triple?) tracked vocals have the range...

Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood – Song Breakdown

Aug 18, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) A very dense production here. Lots of stuff going on. The songwriting itself came together quickly and is actually fictional, in case you were wondering! Melody A nice country melody with the range of F#3-C#5. Nice...

Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival – Song Breakdown

Aug 16, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) This song of doom was written about “the apocalypse that was going to be visited up on us,” according to one source. Although songwriter John Fogerty was also reported to say “I don’t think I was actually saying the...

bad guy – Billie Eilish – Song Breakdown

Aug 15, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) This song has such a unique sound, so dark and minimal. It was a challenge to orchestrate it into a standard band setup. Melody The vocals are delivered very lethargically, almost to the point of mumbling, as Billie...

As It Was – Harry Styles – Song Breakdown

Aug 13, 2022 | Song Breakdowns

Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber) This song could be about a number of things – his childhood? The pandemic? An ex-lover? I guess it’s up to the listener. The vocal range is E3 to A4. Melody The vocal range is E3 to A4. Download the Melody...