Why Keith Richards' Guitar Licks Sound SO Good (Down the Road Apiece)

Why does Keith Richards' rhythm playing on Down the Road Apiece sound SO good? In this lesson we decode the Rolling Stones' version of this rock and roll classic: the Chuck Berry style riffs, the jump to the 9th, the "almost straight" swing feel, and the clever double-stop trick Keith uses over the turnaround. It's controlled chaos: two melodies at once, with Keith's guitar weaving around Mick's vocal. We'll break down the licks so you can add them to your repertoire, then dive into the theory and technique behind that authentic rock and roll sound, including the tone (a Fender Bassman pushed just to the edge of breakup). 🎸 WHAT'S IN THIS LESSON The core motif: outlining the chord and ringing the bell The major 2nd / 9th: the one note that makes it sing (T-Bone Walker, SRV, Hendrix, and Clapton all use it) The rock and roll swing: straight on the downbeats, swing hiding on the upbeats Keith's double-stop trick: one shape, changing chords Tone talk: why a tube amp on the edge of breakup always cuts through 📜 ABOUT THE SONG "Down the Road a Piece" was written by Don Raye in 1940 and first recorded that year by the Will Bradley Trio, becoming a top 10 boogie-woogie hit. Chuck Berry cut his version in 1960, and the Rolling Stones recorded theirs at Chess Studios in Chicago, released in 1965 on The Rolling Stones No. 2 (UK) and The Rolling Stones, Now! (US). Writer credit: Don Raye. CHAPTERS 0:00 The Intro: Keith's Controlled Chaos 0:00 The Plan for This Lesson 0:00 The Core Motif: Ring the Bell 0:00 Call & Response (The Band's A6) 0:00 The Walk Down & the Jump to the 9th 0:00 The Major 2nd / 9th: Rock and Roll's Sweetest Note 0:00 T-Bone, Hendrix, SRV & Clapton Use It Too 0:00 Think Like a Horn Player (The Scatting Trick) 0:00 The Rock and Roll Swing: Almost Straight, Not Quite 0:00 Keith's Double-Stop Licks 0:00 One Shape, Changing Chords (The Turnaround Trick) 0:00 The Tone: Tube Amps on the Edge of Breakup 0:00 Articulation: Loose Pick, Strong Downstrokes 0:00 Turn It Up (Outro & Spotify) 🎵 HOURS OF INSTRUMENTAL ROCK AND ROLL Me and Rob have a Spotify channel loaded with instrumental rock and roll, piano boogie, swamp rock, and surf guitar. No fancy stuff, just the basic barbaric beat: [Spotify link] #guitarlesson #keithrichards #rollingstones #rocknroll #guitartutorial So glad you found this channel! Have a look around. Like this video? Please hit Like, Share, and most of all, Subscribe. It really helps me to keep going with content like this. Want to hear our music? Check out "Everglades Rhythm" wherever you listen to music! Or visit website www.EvergladesRhythm.com. #GuitarTutorial #GuitarTips #RocknRoll #RetroGuitar #VintageRocknRoll #GuitarPlayer #PentatonicScale About Everglades Rhythm (The Band) Producer/Guitarist Darren Clarke (Featured in this video) Executive Producer Robert S. Perkin. Rob Perkin - Piano, recorded at Presence Studios by Jon Russell Darren Clarke - Electric Guitar & Bass, Clarke Lane Music, Nashville Todd Sorensen - Drums, Utah All Rights Reserved, © Airtime, Inc. 2024