Master Class No.2 - Smiling Assassin
The second master class is another challenging piece that uses scales and techniques that featured in recent lessons. Both the rhythm and lead guitar parts will be studied and carefully analysed to give you a clear understanding of the important parts of the piece.
Rhythm Guitar Part Analysis - Smiling Assassin
The most distinguishing aspect of the rhythm part is the use of single root bass notes. The notes are played muted and some thirty-second notes (8 notes per beat) are incorporated into the rhythm giving a kind of a galloping feel to the music. This is highlighted in example 79, taken from the first bar of the rhythm part to Smiling Assassin.
In bars 7, 8, 15 and 16 an interesting change occurs between two power chords. The first chord is a major chord and the second chord can be considered a diminished chord. Once again this part of the rhythm is dominated by the use of single root bass notes. Example 80 is taken from bars 8 and 16 of Smiling Assassin. A pick harmonic is also played at the end of the bar.
Lead Guitar Part Analysis - Smiling Assassin
The lead guitar part to Smiling Assassin uses a variety of lead guitar techniques and patterns. The solo mainly employs the Dorian Mode, patterns 1 and 4. Example 81 is taken from the first two bars of Smiling Assassin. The first bar is played within the Dorian Mode, pattern four. The second bar is played within the Dorian Mode, pattern one.
Thirty-second notes are used throughout. This is evident in bar 9 which uses the Minor Pentatonic scale, patterns four and one.
A diminished seventh arpeggio is played over the diminished chords in bars 15 and 16.
The lead guitar solo to Smiling Assassin will prove to be quite challenging. It is important to practice each part many times to help learn the whole piece.
