This is a sample lesson from the Intermediate section of the Secret Guitar Teacher website (see link above).
The lesson is aimed at intermediate players, but can probably be enjoyed by beginners or near beginners. Hope you enjoy it – comments and questions welcome.
Here’s the abridged transcript:
Amazingly Layla never made the charts when it was first released in 1970, but two years later it was released again and went to number 7. It has since frequently made it onto lists of the greatest guitar tunes of all time. I think it’s a truly great song.
Listening to the original it is worth bearing in mind that part of the guitar sound comes from Duane Allman’s slide playing mixed very tightly to Clapton’s lead guitar. So emulating the exact sound is not really an option.
You can still do the song justice by selecting the bridge pick-up, and then really get as much signal to your speakers as you can. Turn the volume and tone all the way up on the guitar, then on your amp.
Use the overdrive, boost or distortion channel and set up with the output amp volume turned down while you crank up the gain at the input end of the signal path. I also crank up the bass middle and treble pots to allow the fullest sound possible.
Now if all that sounded a bit technical don’t worry. As long as you can get a good overdrive sound you’ll be ok. If you’re not sure about how to do that with your amp and guitar then check the lesson on ‘How to play the Amplifier’
OK we’re ready to roll. Here’s the tab for the opening bit this is like an intro to the intro. This has got two parts really – the fast opening line followed by the power chords.
Here’s how to do the fast bit. You have two choices. If your picking speed is really good then pick every note. Notice I am producing seven notes with seven pick movements. But for most of us there is a good cheat that will get you playing the lick up to speed quicker. Using hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Now I am producing seven notes with just three pick movements.
Good cheat eh? Here’s the trick. If you practice it using that cheat you can always work up to the other way of playing it, because at least your left hand will be getting used to the speed of movement required.
Now the power chord bit. It’s quite a trick. It’s going to take most guitarists a lot of practice to transition smoothly from the open lead phrase to the chords. One trick is to have someone else play the chords!
Another trick is to play one part and hum or sing the other like this. Keeping your hand moving in time all the while.Then swap parts. Start out slow but rhythmic and gradually speed up. Once you can do each part ok like this. Slow down again then try putting them together.
Now the main part of the intro has four different lines to learn here’s the tab for the first line.
Now the second part. Then after repeating the first line. We then move up to the next position for the next part. Then we repeat the first two parts again.
Then we play a modified version of the second part that ends like this. That final note bent up to C# signifies a key change from Dm Intro E major verse. Ok here’s the whole Intro at slow speed.
Hope you enjoyed that one. If you get stuck on any part of it just send me a question on it and I’ll be pleased to help out. See you next lesson!
