Hassocks Guitar, Bass & Music Theory Lessons

It’s official: my Insta trilogy’s now complete. Bluey, Hey Duggee and now Peppa Pig — all three have had their title music well and truly uked.

For what it’s worth, while I’ve enjoyed ukuleling these tunes, I’ve very different levels of tolerance for the programmes themselves. Bluey is excellent, frequently amuses and the music is also top drawer. Duggee’s also, for my money, tasteful BBC comedy and I was quietly gutted when my boys officially grew out of Duggee’s work although I think they’d probably agree that the music (theme tune and otherwise) does still stand the test of time.

Now, Peppa on the other hand … well, soz Peppa, but I’ve never been much of a fan of your work. Unfortunately, Peppa was very popular with my eldest in particular. So much so that, many years ago on my eldest’s trip to hospital — long story, he’s fine — he insisted on watching the same two Peppa Pig DVDs back to back, again and again. Admittedly, he was bereft of many alternative options but after at least the 30th time round the Peppa block, I was resigned to the fact I was never going to be able to look any pig in the eye, Pippa or otherwise, ever again.

No, this isn’t a Thin Lizzy cover but, when my friend — trumpet specialist, keyboard expert and frighteningly high backing vocal delivery extraordinaire, Dave Bacon — shared a link to Bad Bad News with me, followed by the words “nice slice at the end”, I’m pretty sure he was referring to that classic Alan Partridgism (from Alan’s DJ days): “a nice thick big slice of Thin Lizzy”. Or maybe he just meant, this guitar solo is one to enjoy now and learn how to play three years later … and then post on your Instagram.

This is a belter of a tune by Leon Bridges and the solo appears in the song when, on first listen, you’d be forgiven for thinking the whole thing’s just ended. Packed with great lines and a pleasant voyage around the fretboard, it’s a moreish “jazzy” solo — for my money, Good Good News.

Turns out Sussex is a musical hotbed. Specifically, the top half of my road in Sussex — home to a wise drummer and classical guitarist duo, a mandolin and lute expert, a veteran vocalist and bassist with band tales to tell and a couple at the top of the hill whose self-penned music always warms the heart; useful at a time of year when our hearts need considerable warming.

Now, this self-penning musical couple were intrigued to hear I was also adding to our road’s musical quota and, long story short, we ended up playing together for a fantastic fundraising event for the Saint Peter and Saint James Hospice (), not long before Christmas. It was a genuine pleasure to practise with and perform with such a couple — and for the hospice’s cause — helping to raise lots and lots of money. So here’s a clip!

At the risk of sounding patronising to an “older couple”, I throughly enjoyed their company, rehearsing with them and sharing the stage on the night itself and, most of all, being constantly reminded that love and music don’t have to get old.

So, when my sister-in-law asked me if I could play The Beatles’ In My Life for Instagram, I ended up deciding that playing the chords was not enough and the answer could only be yes if – and it’s a big if – I could also play the solo, (which is not a guitar but a cod-baroque style electric-piano solo by Sir George Martin and then sped up) on my guitar (obvs) and definitely not speed it up.

Beatles-wise, this song was an album track on 1965’s Rubber Soul – just one among a plethora of album tracks that confirm The Beatles songs that they didn’t release as singles were just as good, if not better, than your Hard Day’s Night, Can’t Buy Me Love, Hello Goodbye so-and-sos. Lennon himself regarded In My Life as one of his very best – alongside Strawberry Fields Forever, I Am The Walrus and Help! – saying it was “my first real major piece of work. Up till then it had all been sort of glib and throwaway. And that was the first time I consciously put my literary part of myself into the lyric.”

As The Beatles songwriting evolved, so too did the production and arrangements. George Martin’s solo here was only the second time he’d contributed additional instruments on a Beatles recording – the first was his string quartet for Yesterday.

Rubber Soul was released 57 years ago this month – the album that was a bit like part one of two, together with Revolver the following year, that launched The Beatles from one excellent band into a trailblazing, forever cultural-changing powerhouse more-than-just-a-band band. I know not everyone’s a fan of The Beatles but to me, they’re the Beethoven of popular music – without them, the music we know would never be the same.

If you don’t recognise this theme tune then I’m guessing that you’re either (a) much younger than me (b) not a fan of UK comedy. Let me tell you more.

This theme tune was written by Howard Goodall – a more upbeat version of the slower, more somber theme tune of the first two series – featuring that great lead guitar part. Howard Goodall has written enough theme tunes to make billions of people happy – this is just one (note to self, do a cover of Blackadder, maybe).

I was a fan of the series, collected the books, had the first six series on VHS (yes, VHS) and basically couldn’t get enough of them, including all the music. The writing team, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (better known as Grant Naylor) sadly spit up after series six and it was never the same for me thereafter – but it’s still ‘classic comedy’ and I grew up watching it!

Today’s as good a day as any to share my take on the theme tune with you because today, 34 years ago in 1988, the second series of the show aired with the first episode ‘Kryten’. The character, who shared his name with the title of the episode, was played by guest star David Ross. However, when Grant Naylor decided to bring this character back permanently in series three, Ross was no longer available and so Robert Lleywellyn was offered the role. And a fine job he did too – many people’s favourite character for the years and years to come.

So, you still don’t know what the theme tune is / was for? Smeg! It’s Red Dwarf of course, starring Craig Charles , Chris Barrie , Danny John-Jules and Robert Lleywellyn (love your biography Robert!)

Sad songs. If we’re talking about the saddest key, the expert opinion is that it has to be D minor. But this one’s in E minor so it can’t be sad, right?

Well, if you’re playing the guitar, E minor often means open strings and they can be pretty sad. And the song itself here is inspired by the true story of Ben Linder, an American Peace Corps volunteer engineer, who was killed by the Contras, a US-supported rebel group in Nicaragua, as a result of horrendous confusion in the late 80s.

Still not sure if it’s sad?

If I haven’t sold you this one, let’s talk about the guitar-playing music in the middle. The solo. (NB. I reckon it is pretty sad).

The ups and downs in volume, trying to play it steady and gentle, the acoustic guitar always showing every little mistake when recorded – this semi-classical solo must have been played by someone very talented and experienced. Maybe. But the story is that Sting played it himself and he’s better known as a bass player. Hey, Sting sounds just like me! We are very similar now you mention it. I earn just as much money and clearly, just as good a singer too. Honest.