Author Topic: Surf riffs.. (Read 5342 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** September 16, 2006, 07:54:30 PM »

I've been listening to quite a bit of surf recently (Dick Dale, Man or Astroman and The Shadows mostly) and want to give playing it a go.. but for some reason I just cant write any surfy riffs! Any advice as to which scales/chords to use would be great. Figured out a bit of King of the Surf guitar but hasnt really helped me create my own stuff :P

Cheers

downfader · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2006, 09:26:07 PM »

Years back the Shadows released a best of album (Apache, etc) and a greatest hits and both also came out as tab form. I sold my tab a while back at the car boot. TBH I cant remember what was in there, but the chords were listed, as were the scales/modes used.

I think Dale would be impossible to copy, the guys either a genius or a fruitloop. He did a track a while back called Nitrus, love that! Loads of major and minor chords, quite simple sounding really. He also used arabic scales, or it sounded like it.

jt · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2006, 01:33:17 AM »

:D Hi dude you might want to try writing to a drum rythm. Find a nice drum rythm. Programme it into your PC/Drum Machine.

Get a nice Delay time on your guitar, then look to play a simple lead line to the drum rythm. See how that goes !

:D 8)

downfader · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2006, 10:16:41 AM »

Nearly forgot... (or did someone already say :oops: ), a lot of the chords werent really strumed, they were kind of raked. :D

Bainzy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2006, 05:28:15 PM »

Just get a Strat and a Fender amp with spring reverb tank, and everything you play will sound like Surf Rock :lol:

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2006, 06:21:09 PM »

Get The Best of Surf Guitar by Dave Rubin in the Guitar Signature Licks series - it contains an analysis of the style as well as good tab.

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2006, 07:26:29 PM »

Cheers for all the advice :D I'll look for that book Elliot

lulusg · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2006, 09:36:02 PM »

I have this one classic surf dvd, that shows you how to play: Miserlou, Penetration, Pipeline, Tequila. It shows the chords, licks, and riffs. With on screen diagram, and tablature. It is published by WB through a company that is called SongXpress. I bought it at a Guitar Center . See if you can find it online, Amazon, etc. Good Luck :)

Muso · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2006, 12:17:02 PM »

What about wipeout? isn't that like the definitive surf guitar thing. I think theres a cool rock version but I can't remember who did it, damn.

lulusg · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2006, 01:57:01 AM »

That is an excellent song Muso, I read there is a Rap version of it, I think. :)

Muso · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2006, 11:19:17 AM »

hehe a rap version seriousley? It was Gary Hoey who did that cool rock version of wipeout by the way, killer player!