Sunday, January 15, 2017

THE CONQUEROR EAR WORM

  I hope the folks who like my "serious" writing won't roll their eyes at this "less thinky" item.
  I'm attempting to keep a scientific record of all the pop songs that get stuck in my head. I have both love and hate for pop music, which has dominated my life and career, but endless exposure to it has driven me into the arms of jazz, classical, avant-garde music, international music where I can't understand the words, etc. This is partly because I can't stand it when songs get stuck in my head. Even after many hours of listening, Derek Bailey never gets stuck in my head, for which I thank the man.

  KARL STRAUB'S LIST OF SONGS THAT GOT STUCK IN HIS HEAD RECENTLY (A LIST HE WILL KEEP ADDING TO)


"Roundabout" by Yes
"Rocket to Stardom" theme from Fernwood Tonight
"Levon" by Elton John
"I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins

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Thursday, June 5, 2014

BUDDY EMMONS INTRO, "NIGHT LIFE," RAY PRICE 1963 version

Classic Buddy Emmons pedal steel intro arranged for guitar by Karl Straub.


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Wednesday, June 4, 2014

HONKY TONK 5511 INTRO FOR ONE GUITAR


TIPS on playing a classic honky-tonk country intro with mostly double stops. With a little work, you can imitate the sound of two instruments, i.e. steel and guitar, fiddle and steel, etc.
You say your country band doesn't have a fiddle or a steel player? No problem-- learn to play this way and you can keep the money you would have paid those guys.
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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Steve Cropper-esque Tele Solo

My song "Barbie Doll Apocalypse" has a Tele solo with a raunchy Steve Cropper tone. 

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CHICKEN PICKIN' MELODY

Tips on turning a melody into a chicken pickin' line. 
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Sunday, May 18, 2014

"Night Life" intro, by Buddy Emmons (from Ray Price version)

Here's my guitar transcription of the classic Buddy Emmons intro, where country and jazz rub shoulders. The lesson has great chord melody tips, and some hip chord voicings.  

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Saturday, May 17, 2014

HONKY TONK double stop INTRO in C

Kick off a tune with guitar double stops that sound like an old Honky Tonk jukebox. 



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