I’ve been spending a lot of time lately working with people on improvising in live clinics and private lessons… and I hear a lot of the same thing.
I call it “eighth-note-itis” and it’s the sound of notes just flowing by randomly at an eighth note pace.
I’ve got nothing against eighth notes, they are the foundation of most of what we do, but at points you have to vary things up.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to add some spice to your soloing is using what I call Tweedlies (no, that’s not the official term and that’s why I like it š
Download this video – MP4 | WMV
I tabbed out the intro solo I played for you as well here.
Try it out and let me know how it goes below…
49 replies to "Adding Tweedlies To Simple Licks"
Hmmm… 11 bar blues (at least according to the tab)?
Tabbed would not open??]
your Acrobat Reader is nit set up.
In the late 1970s when I first heard Eddie Van Halen play my first thought was man, that guy can really Tweedle. His solos all sounded like tweedle tweedle tweedleledee tweet. Very little melody but a whole lot of effects that grab the ear. Not knocking his sound,he launched a whole wave of tweedlers. Iām just commenting on how different his sound was compared to Duane Allman, Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Skynyrd, etc. I never thought that my perception of a sound ( tweedle) would actually be part of guitar terminology.
You show it and explain it in simple terms. Also explain when and where we’ll need it. Timing is everything, and your remind us, tell us to count. If everyone is in time, music, if not,noise.. Keep it coming learning all the time. THANKS
RIGHT, A HAMMERON AND PULLOFF.
I WON’T DROP ANY FAMOUS GUITAR PLAYERS NAME, BUT HE CALLS THEM
TWERILS, THE GREAT E. C.
Thanks Griff, I always look forward to your tips and I always get inspiration to play everyday and go through the lessons.
Thanks again.
You got all the answers Griff. Thank you!
Thanks for all you do. I go to you everyday.
I have a question, What do you think of a ce 24 Paul Reed Smith guitar, american made.
Thanks Again,
Larry Pitts
Fredericksburg, va.
Hi Larry, I have a ’02 Custom Edition PRS with 24 frets (US made). I’m not sure what the shape of the neck is – I bought it second hand in London years ago.. The necks on a PRS can vary a great deal. All I can say is it’s the best guitar I own. Feel, sound, finish &c. I have several guitars I’ve bought over a couple of decades – Fender, Gibson, vintage Ibanez blah, blah. If I had to keep one – it would be the PRS. I bought a second one too – a cheaper SE with a Floyd Rose (Korean made). Deep down I think the neck is too wide for me, but the quality is still top drawer. Use it most days. Don’t buy before you try, but if I had the money I would buy another US PRS tomorrow. Good luck in your search and all the best from the UK. Mark…..whilst writing – thanks again to Griff for everything you do for mortal enthusiasts.
I’ve been struggling with music most of my life I ordered that beginner Blues package and the
strumming and Rhythm package from you I can say this I am still in kindergarten but you break it down where I can understand it thank you PS I am still struggling with Mary’s Little Lamb take care
You are the MAN! You simplify the most difficult things! Much appreciated!
Great lesson Griff. I look forward to checking out your email every DAY. THINK I HAVE 4 OF YOUR courses but I really look forward to your daily input
Thanks
TWEDELIES!! DAVE GILMORE CALLS THEM TRUWELES. NICE VIDEO GRIFF
ABOUT ERIC. I SPOKE WITH HIS MANAGER AND HE HAS A NERVE CONDITON. HE CAN BARELY PLAY GUITAR HE SAID. HE HAD A GOOD REST IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT IT HURTS FOR HIM TO PLAY. WOW DO I KNOW THE FEELING. MY LEFT HAND LOCKS UP ON ME. 65 AND ERIC IS 71. I HOPE I NEVER END UP LIKE THAT. ONE THING ABOUT CLAPTON, HE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. TAKE CARE.
What you’re playing in this video aren’t turns but mordents. A turn starts on the note, rises a semitone above, hits the note again, then a semitone below before finishing on the starting note.
As for 6 notes to a beat, well that’s only a bunch of semiquavers. When you get down to hemi-demi-semi-quavers (24 to the beat) it gets a bit more challenging š
Hey Griff,
I have already seen this as per my comment above and I can now say that the Tweedlies make a little bit of musical grammar…..punctuation…Great.
Keep them coming.
Michael- Sydney – Australia- May 2016
As your Student, I guess I already know this but never think to throw it in to what I’m playing!
Great Video Griff!
just another weapon in my arsenal of playing in the church I know this is going to be a great addition, so when the pastor ask me where I got this from can I give you the credit? Thanks again Griff for your insight into making playing fun all over again. I love your courses and will be ordering more of them later thanks again.
Cool lesson, but now I have this strange little image in my head every time I do a quick little hammer-on/pull-off (you’re right, “tweedlie” is easier to write/say) – that little yellow bird cartoon character (“tweedie pie?”). And with arpeggios now being “Pinocchio,” your turing my guitar playing into a “Toon Town.” Is THAT why they call songs “Tunes?!”
Thanks Griff another bit of knowledge to store away. As always another great lesson. I have been using this in your bgu 2.0 tore down lesson.
Griff, I love the sound of the 335. What is the amp / pedals? I’m playing an SG with humbuckers through a Vox AC15 and can’t get close to that sound. I’m ready to chuck both.
Thanks,
Pat
wow, Pat, that’s some decent equipment…let us know where you “chuck” it!
I’ve used the term “tweedling” for years because it best represents the sound made by tweedling. Now I find out that it’s an official term. Every day you can learn something new about playing a guitar.
The name of the ornament you are calling a tweedlie is called a mordent.
Hi.If the described/demonstrated figure is played by a violin or oboe in a classical setting it’s a mordent. If your playing blues guitar it’ a tweedlie. fearless freddy
Is it not called a trill?
Thanks, Griff.
Seems a bit more difficult with an acoustic guitar.
Thanks Griff,
I like the Tweedlies there sort of fast gentle power ons and pulls offs which just add something different to the lick a bit of fun but does the audience notice it.
Here is a question that you or other members might be able to advise me.
Is there a specific Left Hand ( Fret Board Hand) physical Hand exercise because I cramp up a bit after practicing around 1 hour. I know other friends in bands that have similar problems if their set is demanding and they just do stretching and keep hand warm in a glove.
Any ideas would be helpful.
But anyway keep these little tips coming just makes thing even more exciting.
Thanks
Michael- St Andrews -Australia
Its called ALEVE im74 it works try it
Very interesting and simple .It sounds jazzy to me. One can entertain just with tweedlies . New vocabulary added to BGU dictionary. Thanks so much
I watch all the videos you send… this one was a bit of a “light bulb” one for me.
Thanks Griff use these and false harmonics or pinch harmonics alot to spice things up while soloing adds alot of color to things !!
YOU CRACK ME UP. TWEEDELIES!! I CALLED THEM TREAKING PULL OFFS. LOVE YOUR GIBSONS ES335. I HAD THE THE 90 THE SMALLER BODY. SAME SUNBURST FINISH. LOVED THAT GUITAR, BUT NEEDED MONEY AND HAD TO SELL IT. LOST MONEY ON IT. STILL HAVE MY 1996 CANDY APPLE RED BLUES HAWK. JUST DON’T LIKE THE 50’S NECK. LIKED THE LESSON. YOU HAD ONE BEFORE WITHOUT THE TREEDLIES. THANKS GRIFF. TK.
I’ve always referred to these as “flurbishes”
Pretty cool Griff kind of like a Clapton Flurry but without the Flurry š Thanks Griff!!!!!!
This is something I work on every single day. Slowly the riffs get better and more complex, more legato sounding, and more speedy. Do it to a jam track and you really improve. Great little lesson….Paul
Thanks Griff, do you do all tweetlies with back picking or also with finger picking.
Griff,
You mean I’m not the only person who suffers from this affliction? Good to hear!
kestrou
Hey Griff,
Since all of your “Tweedlies” are triplets, perhaps you should just call them “triplets”?
Seems to me that the “tweedlies” occur at a quicker pace than do triplets, so I’m guessing that’s why he doesn’t call them triplets.
Thanks Griff,
I too am afflicted with 1/8th-itis…
I need to practice taking a breath or two between notes as well.
I can’t seem to do the twiddle dee. I am trying, it just doesn’t seem to work for me.
diane, imagine that the string is on fire right there and you just want to touch to put it out!
its like getting a handle on the fret board . i like where this could be used in a song or two that i have been writing along with the band i am in. i can and will use it in my volcabuary. THANKS U DA UM BRAH
tweedlies reminds me of M J song rockin robin tweet tweedlie de . Really Carlos Santana uses it in the tune Gypsy Queen which Black magic woman follows . Sounds more like a hammer on to me. I am sure whatever you call it is fine .
Have to try it
Not shure
Thanks
That is neat!
thanks Griff you really do give me the laid back enjoy feeling ,so relaxing .please keep these little wrinkles coming they keep me reach ing for my guitar.terry.