Johnny Marr - Tech Session by Jamie Humphries

Welcome to the "Johnny Marr - Tech Session" by Jamie Humphries, an in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson series brought to you by Licklibrary.com. This session dives into the iconic playing style of Johnny Marr, best known for his work with The Smiths. Each lesson is meticulously crafted to help you master the techniques that define Marr's unique sound. This tech session includes detailed lessons and performances, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of each technique in both isolated and musical contexts.

Lesson Breakdown

Chord Progressions

In this tech session, you'll delve into Johnny Marr's innovative use of chord progressions. Marr is renowned for his complex and unconventional chord sequences that create lush, layered sounds. By learning these progressions, you will expand your harmonic vocabulary and enhance your ability to create rich, textured accompaniments in your own playing.

Arpeggios

Marr's use of arpeggios is a hallmark of his style. These broken chords are played in a sweeping, flowing manner, adding a melodic element to his rhythm parts. Mastering arpeggios will not only improve your finger dexterity but also help you understand how to add movement and interest to your chord voicings.

Slides

The lessons also cover Marr's fluid use of slides. This technique allows for smooth transitions between notes, contributing to the seamless and expressive quality of his playing. Learning slides will help you create more dynamic and connected phrases in your solos and rhythm work.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Marr frequently employs hammer-ons and pull-offs to create intricate, flowing lines. These techniques are essential for building legato phrases and increasing your playing speed without sacrificing clarity. By incorporating these into your practice routine, you'll achieve a more fluid and expressive guitar style.

Alternate Picking

The session also emphasises alternate picking, a technique vital for precision and speed. Johnny Marr uses alternate picking to articulate his complex melodic lines clearly. Developing this technique will enhance your ability to play fast, intricate passages with greater accuracy.

Finger-picking and Hybrid Picking

Marr's playing often features intricate finger-picking patterns and hybrid picking techniques. These methods allow for greater control and versatility, enabling you to execute complex rhythms and melodies simultaneously. Learning these techniques will expand your right-hand capabilities and open up new possibilities in your playing style.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Johnny Marr's expressive use of string bending and bluesy bends adds emotion and depth to his solos. These techniques help convey a wide range of feelings, from subtle nuances to dramatic shifts. Mastering string bending will give your playing a vocal-like quality and enhance your overall expressiveness.

Performance Context

One of the key features of this tech session is the inclusion of performances by Jamie Humphries. Seeing the techniques applied in a performance context is incredibly valuable for several reasons:

1. Practical Application: Watching Jamie perform allows you to see how each technique is used in real songs, providing a practical application of the lessons.
2. Musicality: It demonstrates how technical skills can be seamlessly integrated into musical pieces, helping you understand how to use these techniques creatively.
3. Inspiration: Performances can inspire you by showing the potential of what you can achieve with practice and dedication.

Conclusion

The "Johnny Marr - Tech Session" by Jamie Humphries is an invaluable resource for guitarists looking to master the techniques that define Johnny Marr's distinctive sound. By focusing on chord progressions, arpeggios, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, alternate picking, finger-picking, hybrid picking, string bending, and bluesy bends, this session provides a comprehensive toolkit to enhance your playing. Coupled with performance demonstrations, these lessons will help you apply your skills musically and creatively.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Alternate Picking
• Finger-picking
• Hybrid Picking
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends

Embark on this musical journey and unlock the secrets to Johnny Marr's iconic guitar style with Jamie Humphries at Licklibrary.com!