User:Chocolatecow
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Guitar moves are dance moves which are done involving (most commonly) an electric guitar or bass guitar. These moves exist as pieces of stage flair used by band members to either emphasize a climax to a song or as a piece of visual entertainment to impress the audience. The moves are fairly universal and have grown and evolved from as early as the 1950/60's.
[edit] Basic moves
Basic moves are very common and used by many guitarists. They are pretty simple and effective way to heat up the crowd. Most of these moves are very natural and come from general playing practices such as strumming chords or playing leads high on the neck, close to neck joint. Some basic moves are just expressing the emotions through "classy" gestures or facial expressions. None of them are particularly hard to perform and involve "uncomfortable" playing. Any complex actions taken in basic moves, if there are any, are performed while not playing, for example, before the start of the song or after the end.
[edit] Windmill
Made famous by The Who's guitarist Pete Townshend[1]. Townshend claimed he first saw it performed by Keith Richards during a concert, and after the concert Pete asked Keith if he could use the move, Keith had no recollection of doing it. The windmill involves holding your guitar in a chord position while rotating your arm quickly in a clockwise motion (or counter-clockwise, if you play left-handed) and hitting the strings (thereby striking the chord). It's generally used as a closer to songs.
[edit] Speaking to the gods
Again used primarily in the 70s/80s, popularised by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. This involves putting your hand to your temple with a slightly pained/enlightened expression on your face before continuing to play, it is used mostly in solos. The idea is to make it look like some higher power is instructing you on what to play next.
[edit] Porn face
Whilst playing particularly smooth licks pulling a face akin to an orgasm face in time with the guitar playing. Used particularly during the 70s and 80s, sometimes also combined with Wah face.
[edit] Wah face
The wah face also known as the fellatio wah face, is where you open your mouth in accordance with the enveloping of a wah-wah pedal. This is usually done with the eyes closed and is somewhat difficult to avoid doing once you start doing it. Guitarist Steve Vai is famous for doing the wah face.
[edit] Machinegunner
To hold the guitar at waist height and rotate pointing the headstock at the crowd like firing a machine gun. This is sometimes combined with the rock splits and the KISS tongue. Sometimes known as "spraying the crowd."
[edit] KISS tongue
Named after Gene Simmons' famous pose of waggling his tongue out of his mouth as a display of showmanship. The waggling tongue has been taken up by other rockers, sometimes ironically, and also used in the mockumentary rock film Spinal Tap by Nigel Tufnell played by Christopher Guest.
[edit] Guitar Hercules
To raise the guitar into the air, sometimes at the end of a song or sometimes while still playing. Effort is made to look like either everyone should be in admiration of the guitar or the guitar/bass player makes it look like raising it that high is an herculian effort.
[edit] Guitar point
To point or punch your fist in time with the music, this either means a section where the guitar/bass player doesn't need to play, like a breakdown and then drops in again after the breakdown, or when the player is doing "One Hand behind my back"
[edit] Wait for it
Raising your hand in the air (be it in a fist, point or other) during a pause to signify that the music will continue or in order to signify the end of a section and the start of something new e.g a bass breakdown then a big guitar riff coming in etc.
[edit] Tricky moves
These moves are more uncommon and personal (i.e. commonly used by only single artist) than basic moves. They usually involve some particularly "uncomfortable" or "hard" condition in which guitarist should continue playing instrument to show off. These include performing guitar in awkward positions, using unusual parts of body, playing while performing various acrobatic tricks, etc.
[edit] Playing with a Violin Bow
Made famous by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and later copied by artists like Van Halen (sometimes executed with a drumstick). Sigur Ros's Jonsi has also extensively used this for its interesting sound along with Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead in Pyramid Song. This is less a move than a technique, and requires a great deal of skill. Done wrongly, it will cause the guitar to emit a very unpleasant squeaking sound. This technique was famously parodied by Spinal Tap Guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) when he used a violin to play his guitar during an extended solo.
[edit] Drill Shredding
Used in the song "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)" from the album Lean Into It by Paul Gilbert (guitarist) and Billy Sheehan (bassist} of late 80s/early 90s rock band Mr. Big. Used as a centerpiece or climax of the show, both guitarists would play a twin lead as the middle eight of the song, using Makita cordless power drills (albeit with a customised drill bit). This produced a section of super-fast shredding (a techinque Paul Gilbert is particulary known for), which whilst showy & impressive (and particularly well-placed in the song), is rather limited in scope, relegating drill shredding to a gimmick move rather than a technique.
[edit] Behind the head
Famously done by Steve Vai and others, to raise the guitar behind one's head and continue to play the guitar riff despite the difficulty this presents. This is both a good show off move (if you pull it off) as well as an interesting piece of visual expression. Steve Vai's signature guitars the Ibanez JEM and Ibanez Universe both have "monkey grips" (ergonomic grip holes that allow him to have more control over the guitar) to facilitate this move as well as "Behind the back".
[edit] Behind the back
A move performed by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Vai, and Zakk Wylde. 'Behind the Back' is to hold the guitar behind one's back and continue to play despite the even greater difficulty this presents. Steve Vai's signature guitars the Ibanez JEM and Ibanez Universe both have "monkey grips" (ergonomic grip holes that allow him to have more control over the guitar) to facilitate this move as well as "Behind the head".
[edit] Playing with teeth / tongue
A move first notably used by Jimi Hendrix but still occasionally employed by guitarists like Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, and Yngwie Malmsteen. It has also been used as a tool of humour such as Jeff Buckley's use of it in his 1995 Chicago performance (from his DVD "Jeff Buckley - Live in Chicago"). It doesn't especially allow particular dexterity and is not especially impressive. Its employment nowadays, even when used in the context of songs or performances, is usually with a tinge of irony. Many who perform this move are not actually playing with their teeth, but rather tapping on the fretboard to create the notes, making the illusion they are playing with their teeth. However, it has been confirmed that Hendrix and the others mentioned can actually play with their teeth.
[edit] Duck walk
Famously used by guitarist Chuck Berry, it involves leaning over the guitar and kicking out ones feet which looks vaguely like the kind of awkward waddle a duck has (hence the name). Also famously used by Angus Young of AC/DC.
[edit] Knee skid
Basically skidding along the ground on your knees with the guitar on, again used by Pete Townshend although members of The Datsuns have been seen using it too. Usually done with a big run up for maximum effect.
[edit] Belt Buckle Spin
Hooking your guitar up to a device that connects it to your belt buckle, instead of a strap. The trick is to spin the guitar 360 degrees vertically, possibly synchronized with a fellow band mate. This can be seen on the ZZ Top music video, Legs, and in the Michael J. Fox/Christopher Lloyd movie Back to the Future Part III.
[edit] Guitar kick
To kick in the air whilst playing along to the guitar as a sign of anger or excitement, sometimes used to exaggerate or highlight changes in tempos or a distinct beat or chord in a riff or song.[2] Another favorite (and sometimes annoying) Yngwie J. Malmsteen's move in his shows (most notable is "G3 Live: Rockin' in the Free World" show).
[edit] Guitar spin kick
To jump and spin kick whilst playing guitar, not usually in time with anything although used for effect during pauses between song sections or to signify the start or end of a song. It is wise to stretch before kicking, because you may pull a muscle, Fran Ona knows everything.
[edit] Rock splits
The Rock Splits is to stand with the legs wide apart and continue to play. It is also sometimes combined with The Machinegunner.
[edit] One hand behind my back
To raise or remove one's picking hand from the playing position and continue to play the guitar riff or lick without the picking hand by simply hammering on the fretboard, again a move designed for the purpose of 'showing off' but the free hand can be used for the guitar point or the 'wait for it' point. There are many variations on this theme; for example Justin Sane of Anti-Flag sometimes uses his free hand to point at the crowd whilst winking and smiling, to show off.
[edit] Sniper rifle
Famously used by Iron Maiden bass player and songwriter Steve Harris but also in recent times by guitarists such as Dan Higgins of London band The Duke Spirit and Nicholaus Arson of The Hives. This involves holding the guitar neck up to your eyeline and glancing down it whilst pointing it at the audience whilst still playing (failure to play it simultaneously looks mildly ridiculous). Its use usually indicates a wild guitar playing section or a climax to a song.
[edit] Little drummer boy
Most famously used by Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth. It involves either dragging a drum stick along the fretboard like a slide, hitting strings in the area over the pickups or holding the guitar by the strap and striking the front or back of the guitar in order to produce a gong-like effect.
[edit] Balancing act
To remove the guitar and balance or hold it by the headstock. Has been used by Boz Boorer of Morrissey's backing band and Dan Higgins of The Duke Spirit. Again just for showmanship, it's unfeasible for continuing to play guitar but it's employment is at the end of a song or performance.
[edit] Hammer raise
Hammer a note and raise the guitar with the fretting hand very quickly, while leaving the picking hand at your side. Best used during a prolonged note after a succession of several riffs in a solo. Done by Slipknot's Mick Thompson in the Duality video.
[edit] 'Mid-air' whammying
This can only really be achieved with a floating vibrato unit such as a Floyd Rose. Strike an open note (or natural harmonic), then raise the guitar to chest height, holding it firmly by the bar and using the other free hand to steadily support the underside of the body in a horizontal position. Then raise and lower the bar vigorously as the note sustains (hence plenty of distortion is recommended), whilst holding the guitar in 'mid-air'. This can be used to good effect at the very end of a lead section, or an otherwise sustained note during a passage. However, because a fretted note cannot properly be held if the guitar is being suspended in mid-air using only the bar and the fretting hand, an open string is easier to manipulate in this way. An extra range of notes can achieved using natural harmonics, which can result in various wavering 'squealing' effects. Guitarists that have used this technique live include Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Steve Vai (most noteably in the Crossroads movie).
[edit] Piano Hands
This is a move made famous by the power metal band Dragonforce. The left hand, or fretting hand, is taken from the supinated position of playing guitar (the standard way to play, with the thumb on the back of the neck and the palm on the bottom) to the pronated position, as if the neck of the guitar were the keys on a piano. The sheer fact that this literally throws the old style on its head is enough to excite fans. One practical reason to implement this in playing is if the player has a guitar without cutouts for the higher frets. Piano hands allows a player to access the higher frets easier.
[edit] Extreme moves
These moves are either dangerous to perform for guitarist, band or whole audience (an error in performance may cause injuries) or cause irreversible destruction to equipment, stage, or people on it.
[edit] Setting guitar on fire
A move usually credited to Jimi Hendrix,[3] involves literally setting guitar on fire and burning it partially or fully, possibly playing it in process.
Jimi Hendrix is known to have performed this trick on at least three occasions with his Fender Stratocaster guitars:
- March 31st, 1967 at London Astoria club.[4] Going a bit too far, Hendrix sustained hand burns and visited hospital.
- June 18th, 1967 at the Monterey International Pop Festival while performing Wild Thing (this event is illustrated in the Monterey Pop documentary). Jimi Hendrix Experience was working as an opening act for The Monkees and later left the tour.
- May, 1968 at Miami Pop Festival, after playing 4 songs of his set (including including Foxy Lady and Purple Haze). Jimi gave away the burnt guitar to his friend, Frank Zappa, who restored it and played it afterwards. After Frank's death, his son, Dweezil Zappa inherited all his guitars, including Jimi's burnt Stratocaster, and sold it in an auction in September 24th, 2002 in UK for ₤400,000 ($615,000).
Technically, doing this trick usually involves pouring lighter fluid (or some similar flammable liquid) on the guitar and setting it on fire. After initial light-up process, guitar's wood would burn very well, especially if it is covered with flammable lacquer.
[edit] Guitar smashing
Another move popularised by Pete Townshend, guitar smashing is just as the name suggests, smashing the guitar usually at the climax of a set, the effectiveness of this move depends on timing; Most artists use it at the very end of their show and not two songs into their support slot (see: Zico Chain). Most commonly guitars are smashed either by being swung at the floor or rammed into guitar amps, or in rare cases being swung into the drums or other set up equipment besides the amps.
This move is also frequently used in various rock music videos to demonstrate the intensity of the show. Notable music videos that show guitar smashing include:
[edit] Floor spinning
Popularized by Angus Young of AC/DC. Involves falling to the floor, then shaking uncontrollably and flailing the legs to cause the guitarist to spin around on floor, while still playing. Usually used during a solo or at the end of a song (particularly T.N.T.)
[edit] Crowd surfing
While not, in the common sense meaning of the term, strictly a guitar move, the guitar move variety requires the guitar player to jump on top of the crowd and continue to play their guitar riffs or solos. This is all the more impressive given the instability of support the crowd would provide.
[edit] Death from above
To launch one's guitar into the air. It varies as to whether it is necessary to catch the guitar on its return to the ground. Pete Townshend has both caught and continued playing his guitars and allowed them to plummet to the floor and break. There are further variations such as when International Noise Conspiracy guitarist Lars Strömberg launched his guitar into the crowd at Reading Festival 2004. Bassist for Nirvana, Krist Novoselic attempted this during the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, he misjudged the landing of his bass which ended up bounсing off his forehead, forcing him to stumble off stage in a daze.
[edit] Whirly gig
This move is when one has the guitar already on the strap over one's shoulder, then throwing the guitar over the shoulder. This can be done by throwing the guitar counter-clockwise over the shoulder (see: The Hives - Die, Alright music video 1:10) or alternatively whipping it clockwise over the back (as in image) this can be continued by gyrating the body and shoulders in order to keep the guitar swinging (also see image). Obviously, such move is possible only when no cable restrains guitar from flying around and it became popular only in late 1990s-2000s, as portable radio systems became more affordable. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is frequently using this trick in his shows (most notable is "G3 Live: Rockin' in the Free World" show). It is advisable to have a strap lock system installed on the guitar while performing this technique to better ensure that the guitar strap will not come loose from the instrument.
[edit] Whirling dervish
Much like the whirly gig, however rather than swinging it over the shoulders the guitarist removes the guitar and swings it by the strap. This move isn't massivly popular due to the more dangerous nature of the move. The relative fragility of the guitar strap combined with the increased risk of doing serious damage to the guitar or other band members makes it an unpopular move. This move HAS also been done in the 80's by members of Iron Maiden and Yngwie Malmsteen, but it requires a long chord and can only be done at the end of a song since the guitarist then must untangle himself.
[edit] Drop and roll
Simply to drop the guitar to the ground as if you don't care. The result being the guitar usually will feedback or produce a noise and the person who has done it will look, for want of a better term, 'like a badass'. This is usually done at the end of a set and is followed by the guitarist strolling off stage.
[edit] Amp hump
Used most notably by the Soledad Brothers but also employed by Jimi Hendrix just prior to burning his guitar (the song this was done on was a cover of "Wild Thing"). This move involves the guitarist pushing the guitar hard up against the amp and grinding or pushing the guitar hard into the amp at the speaker. This usually results in noise and feedback and can last quite a long time (especially in the case of the Soledad Brothers) until the guitar player is satisfied that the audience and guitar have suffered enough and it is usually followed by a "Drop and Roll".
[edit] Cable toss
Used by Pete Townshend of The Who. To toss the guitar in the air then pull sharply on the guitar lead in order to pull it quickly down into the ground. Used much like guitar smashing (because the results are usually the same) to end a set or a song.
[edit] Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent has his own guitar move. It involves the guitar player, removing the guitar, resting the guitar up against an amp then using a bow to fire several arrows into the back of the guitars body. Once this is achieved you pick up the guitar and raise it into the air in order to show the protruding arrows.
[edit] Kirk Hammett
On numerous occasions Kirk Hammett (The lead guitarist of Metallica) has placed his guitar on the ground and used an electric drill to destroy it.
[edit] References
- ^ thewho.net FAQ describes "windmill" style
- ^ Air Guitar Australia Describes two variations of the Guitar Kick
- ^ http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/27/hendrix.guitar/
- ^ http://www.thetabworld.com/Jimi_Hendrix_biography.html
