Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks - YouTube video

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GNuck on March 24, 2012 at 9:15am

Not sure what the lady is playing other than it's a Jumbo style.

The guy on the right, his guitar looks like a Simon and Patrick but I'm not positive.

:-)

Permalink Reply by Craig MC on March 24, 2012 at 9:35am

The lefty is an Art & Lutherie, the jumbo looks like a Fender (?), the Seagull on the left looks like a cedar top S6. Can't tell about the bass. Liked this very much. thanks for sharing. Here's a fuller-band version of this song with some electric instruments (nice Rick bass) and a trumpet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ-kXZsUa_w&feature=player_embed...!

Permalink Reply by GNuck on March 24, 2012 at 9:44am

So that's why it resembles an S&P to my old eyes, it's an A & L.

I have an S&P 12 that looks very similar to the Art & Lutherie.

You're right on the jumbo, I zoomed in and it indeed is a Fender on the headstock.

:-)

Permalink Reply by Jason Derrick on March 29, 2012 at 7:56am

Really nice song! Reminds me a little of "Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros," only with significantly fewer band members. And I love how the accordion is really making a comeback in modern folk/pop/rock music!

So, I try to throw in a little music theory whenever possible, and this video provides a prime opportunity to do so. So, if you'll indulge me, here we go:

It seems that all three guitarists are playing the exact same chord voicings. That is, the song is in the key of Bbm (capo 1st fret, played out of Am position) and all the guitarists are playing the same chord shapes with capos on 1st fret. When there are two or more guitars, each guitar playing different chord voicings often results in a fuller, richer sound. For example, while one guitar would play the same as you see in the video, another guitar could play all barre chords, and the third guitar could play out of Em position with the capo on the 6th fret (I think that's right...I don't have a guitar in my lap at the moment). Alternatively, one of the guitars could play suspended chords or add (9, 11, 13) chords in place of one or several of the chords in the progression.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for indulging me. I'm such a geek for this stuff...

Permalink Reply by Craig MC on March 29, 2012 at 8:19am

Yep, Edward Sharpe is what I thought of, too. "Home" particularly. And if you look at the other version I linked to, they include a trumpet, so that is clearly an influence.

You're right about the guitar work, Jason. I've been playing with a group of friends weekly for the past couple of months, and this is one of the important things I've learned. Three or more guitars bashing along with the same chords is a muddy mess. So while I (the least advanced player of the group) play the songs basic chords, my partners are adding lead fills, playing up the neck, etc. 

Something I learned last week, and I may not have this exactly right, is to find the notes that are in the song's chords, and play them where they appear elsewhere on the fretboard. For you experienced players, this is normal everyday stuff. But for a new player, especially in a group situation, this is a revelation!

Permalink Reply by Jason Derrick on March 29, 2012 at 10:01am

Craig, that's what's so great about playing guitar. Those little revelations really keep you motivated and provide the necessary proof that you are indeed improving as a player! Now, I just need to find a group to jam with weekly...hmm...

Permalink Reply by Jason J. on June 29, 2012 at 10:40pm

I love this group. FYI they were on Leno tonight (6/29/12) and they were playing Martin's. They did the same on Jimmy Fallon in May.

Permalink Reply by Ray on June 30, 2012 at 2:52pm

The trumpet is probably why this is being played in Bb.  (I had to go to youtube to find a version of them doing this song that incuded a trumpet.)

The accordian and trumpet really add some flavor to the piece. It gives it sort of a Klezmer vibe.

I agree about changing the chord voicings, but the musicians must have had a reason to go with the single voicing.