Eric Johnson

LethalAe86TypeR · #1 12-13-2006, 12:47 AM

His skills are amazing, but what i want to know is, how he gets his type of chord voicings, along the line of this song>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSTaU6DXZA. I've been always interested in jazz, but im a lot more interested, im in my school's jazz band currently, but ive been wanting to write music, i havent been satisfied. In that song what kind of chords is he using? 7ths? 9ths?

*Tone suggestions are not needed, I'm looking for what kind of chords he uses.* ( Due to suggestions on tone, but i dont mind.)

Flobanez · #2 12-13-2006, 12:56 AM

Cool vid. Eric Johnson is my favorite guitarist and has been for about 5 or 6 years now. I highly recommend his instructional videos. I have Total Electric Guitar and it is way advanced for 1990, it's awesome. I saw him live twice, once with Buddy Guy in July '05 and the other time with Satch (who I also love) last April. He was amazing. I also have Venus Isle and Ah Via Musicom tab books, i've learned alot of songs by him and learned alot of his techniques by learning these songs. Try to get your hands on some of his tab books as well.

mi2tom · #3 12-13-2006, 02:45 AM

Eric johnson is awesome if you ask me, and his tone is hard to get

waylay00 · #4 12-13-2006, 02:43 PM

Yeah the Ah Via Musicom tab book is great.

markg5150 · #5 12-13-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mi2tom

Eric johnson is awesome if you ask me, and his tone is hard to get

I'm guessing you'll need to start with a Strat

EJ is excellent - I'm starting to listen to him more as I grow out of my Vai phase

timi_h · #6 12-13-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LethalAe86TypeR

His skills are amazing, but what i want to know is, how he gets his type of chord voicings, along the line of this song>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSTaU6DXZA. I've been always interested in jazz, but im a lot more interested, im in my school's jazz band currently, but ive been wanting to write music, i havent been satisfied. In that song what kind of chords is he using? 7ths? 9ths?

you cant really short cut chord voicing knowledge! the best thing to do is get yourself a chord dictionary and learn some new families of chords!

waylay00 · #7 12-14-2006, 04:22 PM

IMO, it's best just to learn your basic barre chord and 7th chord shapes and learn to add your own extensions at will, instead of simply memorizing shapes. This will also help your lead playing.

Lefty Robb · #8 12-14-2006, 05:26 PM

If you can't agree that EJ has the best tone, ever, then your ****ing retarded

ken_r152 · #9 12-14-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LethalAe86TypeR

His skills are amazing, but what i want to know is, how he gets his type of chord voicings, along the line of this song>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSTaU6DXZA. I've been always interested in jazz, but im a lot more interested, im in my school's jazz band currently, but ive been wanting to write music, i havent been satisfied. In that song what kind of chords is he using? 7ths? 9ths?

To get his tone, you have to pick the strings right in the center of their length. That will give that "bell-like" tone that he uses. The get an exceptionally good clean chorus like the TC Electronic chorus that he uses, and several types of tape and electronic delays. Also notice that he frequently changes pickup selections right in the middle of a song.

Oh, wait...I just realized that you're asking about chords. I didnt hear any 7ths. The Beatles tend to play major 7ths, and The Police tended to play minor 7ths in their early music, to give you a reference point. But I seem to remember 6ths in songs of his like Trademark. I don't have my sheetmusic in front of me, but I could probably dig it out later.

-- Ken

waylay00 · #10 12-14-2006, 07:23 PM

Yeah, he plays many sixth chords. In case you were referring to my mention of sevenths, I was just stating that for one who wishes to expand his or her voicings by using some of those shapes to start experimenting with extensions, etc.

Lefty Robb · #11 12-14-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken_r152

To get his tone, you have to pick the strings right in the center of their length. That will give that "bell-like" tone that he uses

-- Ken

your also forgetting about the $50,000 worth of vintage equipment too...

fettouhi · #12 12-15-2006, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

If you can't agree that EJ has the best tone, ever, then your ****ing retarded

Regards

André

fettouhi · #13 12-15-2006, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

IMO, it's best just to learn your basic barre chord and 7th chord shapes and learn to add your own extensions at will, instead of simply memorizing shapes. This will also help your lead playing.

plus learn to use the thumb

.

Regards

André

mi2tom · #14 12-15-2006, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg5150

I'm guessing you'll need to start with a Strat

Nah, I don't think so, I've tried out my friends american standard and tweak here and there and I still can't get his tone, one thing for sure, I'm not eric johnson

Hell, If I were to give Mr Eric my rigs, he will still be able to get his trademark tone cos he's eric johnson