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Instrumental solo guitar cover version of Help!

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TheBicyclingGuitarist

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Aug 22, 2009, 3:14:19 PM8/22/09
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Hello all. Back in February I posted a recording I made of Help! and
asked for opinions. Some called it chaos. Someone else said it
reminded them of Frank Zappa's Apostrophe. I let it slip that I played
the song better even in February than when the recording was made last
November, and someone else asked why I didn't post a new recording
since I supposedly play it better now.

Well, here it is. I recorded Help! again last week after nine more
months of practice since the last recording. You will note I blend
John's rhythm guitar parts and George's lead guitar parts. In the
second verse I play the chords a little differently to go with the
melody. I also play an extra verse, just to be contrary (although that
is consistent with my earlier recording of the song).

http://www.TheBicyclingGuitarist.net/multimedia/mp3/20090815-help-take01.mp3

I hope you enjoy it. Even if nobody else likes it though, I do and I
am not ashamed to post it.

"When you ride over sharps, you get flats!"--The Bicycling Guitarist,
May 13, 2008

TheBicyclingGuitarist

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Sep 6, 2009, 4:02:05 PM9/6/09
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On Aug 22, 12:14 pm, TheBicyclingGuitarist

<Ch...@TheBicyclingGuitarist.net> wrote:
>You will note I blend
> John's rhythm guitar parts and George's lead guitar parts. In the
> second verse I play the chords a little differently to go with the
>

I make no claims to be as good as John or George, much less better
than both of them combined! What I play is my interpretation of both
their parts as can be played on one guitar, with some other verses
where I follow the vocal melody by emphasizing certain notes of the
chord progression.

Just for fun I played along to the original song by The Beatles and
recorded my playing along. This version does not have the extra verse
of the other ones I've posted because it is played to the original
song. Nobody has commented on this thread yet, but for what it's worth
the new latest version of my attempts to play "Help!" is at
http://www.TheBicyclingGuitarist.net/multimedia/mp3/20090903-help-take05.mp3

I'd be really interested in reading an analysis of my playing by some
music theory gurus, the ones who can drop all the names of the chord
progressions and harmonies, etc. So far in my guitar playing, I am
only getting better as time goes by. Once I get a decent recording
made by somebody who has professional recording equipment and knows
how to use it, I will post a page on my web site dedicated to my
efforts to play the "Help!" song.

Peace. Out. TBG

Mp3 Psycho

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Sep 6, 2009, 6:40:14 PM9/6/09
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TheBicyclingGuitarist <Ch...@TheBicyclingGuitarist.net> wrote in
news:a5ec5f2d-2447-4ced...@a39g2000pre.googlegroups.com:

The Mel Bay books are priceless. Invest in one.

Message has been deleted

TheBicyclingGuitarist

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Sep 6, 2009, 11:51:23 PM9/6/09
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On Sep 6, 3:40 pm, Mp3 Psycho <m...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> TheBicyclingGuitarist <Ch...@TheBicyclingGuitarist.net> wrote innews:a5ec5f2d-2447-4ced...@a39g2000pre.googlegroups.com:

> The Mel Bay books are priceless. Invest in one.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Mp3Psycho
Do you mean the Mel Bay book are priceless as instructional materials
for teaching myself the theory to analyze what I play, or for learning
how to play? What you said could be taken as an insult. Oh well. I
just attempted to delete the first reply I posted to your comment when
I realized that you *might* have been trying to be sincerely helpful.
Of course "keep your day job" is alway sound advice for most musicians
(get it? sound advice lol).

Tony

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Dec 18, 2009, 9:43:46 PM12/18/09
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This is pretty dismal. Of course, if it gives you satisfaction, then by all means, do it. As for
your version, unfortunately, it will be compared to the original. Your playing is very eratic. Your
stabs and picking, major 7 chords, etc are completely random and make for a terrible listening
experience, unless I was your mother. The only thing that sounds right is the decending guitar line.
Other than that, I wouldnt post anything until it is played correctly. And yes, I could blow this
out the window in my sleep. I just have no reason to re-invent the wheel and play a song that cannot
possibly sound nearly as good as the original and I do not have a need to hear anyone praise me for
doing it. Good luck in the future.

Tony

On Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:14:19 -0700 (PDT), TheBicyclingGuitarist <Ch...@TheBicyclingGuitarist.net>
wrote:

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