_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jeff's Lesson Notes

"When the children cry"

 

This lesson is the 9th installment in our VH'izing cover songs series here online..  This is a bit of a tricky one.  It I was having some fun with it when I recorded it.  There are some tricky parts in it in both the solos and the riffing.  The thing to take away from a track like this is what I did with the acoustic chord pattern that's done in When the children cry.

I took the chord pattern and melded in some vocal melodies to create the riffing you hear.  In fact I altered the song a bit by taking the B minor in the chorus and adding in the 3rd D# to make it go to B Major briefly before the chord changes to C..  This is just a little thing, but there are always little things to look at, and little things that you can do to your favorite songs.  I always wanted to tweak this song, I'm glad I got the chance to do it.

I'll talk you through this song on the Video lesson of course, but I do want to note here that you might notice the Phase 90 is smokin' on this track.  I used my old Script model from the 70's.  Actually it was my dads and it's an awesome Phaser.  I love the VH model, but I don't care what they say, nothing matches a Script model for the VH vibe and sound.  I call it my little Dark Orange time machine.  It really is too. 

Another tip that I rarely give for the Phaser is to plug it into the FX loop on your amp as I have here, instead of on the floor in front of the pre-amp.  Now I don't suggest this very often because it's dangerous.  Listen I've been doing this stuff for more than 2 decades, and I can promise you that you'll go to some forum on the internet and some blow hard know it all will tell you that I'm full of crap when I say that not all Phase 90's are built the same.  Well screw that guy and listen to me people, they are NOT all built the same..  Be very careful that if you buy one online or from a store that you play it for awhile in front of the amp on the floor before you put it in the FX loop.  This is because Phase 90's have a nasty habit of popping when they get old or were not manufactured correctly.  So be careful, know your Phase 90.  Mine doesn't pop so it's cool.  The reason the popping is bad is because when its in the FX loop and it disconnects and re-connects it makes a pop, and that pop sound can easily blow your speakers.  I lost a good Fender amp once to a Phase 90 with a bad popping problem.  I share my lessons with you, so that you're smarter, better, and luckier than me...

Enjoy the lesson, and I hope you liked the song track.  I know we can't please everyone, but I'm shooting for half of you on this one anyway...  


 

_________________________________________________________________________