The Man Upstairs

Difficulty 10 mins per example

Tutor: Richard Barrett Gear used: Knaggs SSC, Vox AC15C1, Boss DS-1 and SD-1 (modded by www.pedalmods.com)

If there’s a more influential guitarist out there, I’m not sure who it is… Of course, the concept of players copying solos and licks is not unusual, but when you consider how many modern players still quote Chuck Berry licks pretty much note for note, that’s something unique. Check out almost any solo by Steve Jones or Angus Young to start with, plus you won’t have to look long for lots more. Of course, Chuck wasn’t just a soloist, he was a writer too, inspiring The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and even The Beach Boys.

At first using a bigger-bodied Gibson semi (an ES-350T) on the classic recordings for the Chess label, Chuck changed to an ES-355 soon after they were introduced in the late 1950s. Both the social commentary of the lyrics and his aggressive guitar style – often introducing songs with a melodic ‘hook’ – caught the attention of players and public alike.

Though Chuck’s approach and style are essential viewing, this article is concerned with demonstrating how many of Chuck’s ideas went on to become the bedrock of blues and rock (and punk, and so on), rather than being a ‘play-in-the-style-of’ feature… Having had a good listen to a few originals and some more recent Berry-inspired material by the Sex Pistols, The Who and AC/DC among others, I’ve gone for an improvised solo that I hope captures a few of Chuck’s key stylistic elements – and allowed myself the indulgence of adding a few modern touches: more drive, more string bends, some quicker phrasing, and so on. I thinks it’s all clearly traceable back to one man in the end, just as Chuck’s style is clearly based on the blues. Hope you enjoy and see you next time.