how to play "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" on guitar by The Rolling Stones | LESSON

Summary

In this guitar lesson, the instructor breaks down Keith Richards' distinctive playing style on 'Can’t You Hear Me Knocking' from The Rolling Stones' *Sticky Fingers*. Focus is given to the use of open G tuning and the iconic licks that define Richards' unique feel and groove. While Richards' complex techniques create a loose and dynamic sound, Mick Taylor's simpler, straightforward rhythm part in standard tuning complements the overall vibe. The lesson emphasizes the importance of feel over precision, capturing the Stones' signature groove that is hard to replicate yet essential for understanding their iconic sound.

Takeaways

• 😀 Keith Richards' unique feel and mastery of open G tuning on 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' is a defining feature of the song.
• 🎸 The song's groove and rhythm rely heavily on Keith's specific open G tuning, which contributes to the song's signature sound.
• 📚 Keith often used a relaxed feel and upstrokes in his playing, which gives the song its loose, driving vibe.
• 🔧 The open G tuning requires tuning the E string down to D and the A string to G, with the other strings remaining the same.
• 🎤 The first part of the lesson focuses on Keith's playing, while Mick Taylor's more straightforward part is also covered later in the script.
• 🎵 The introduction is based on a D chord and includes various licks using upstrokes, bends, and slides that are important for achieving the right sound.
• 📝 The key to playing Keith's part effectively is capturing the loose, 'sloppy' feel, which is an essential element of the Stones' style.
• 🎶 The lesson demonstrates several licks, such as the iconic bends, double stops, and palm-muted notes that define Keith's playing on this track.
• ⚙️ The process of learning Keith's part involves playing slowly, building up each lick, and focusing on feel over technical precision.
• 💡 Mick Taylor's part in the song is much simpler, involving basic chords like D, C, and G, and relies on a staccato, muted playing style.
• 🎼 The combination of Mick and Keith's guitar parts creates the distinct, complementary sound of the Rolling Stones during their peak period.

Q & A

What is the main focus of this guitar lesson?

The lesson focuses on Keith Richards' guitar part in the song 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' by The Rolling Stones, particularly his use of open G tuning.

How is the guitar tuned for Keith Richards' part in this song?

Keith's guitar is tuned to open G tuning, where the E string is tuned down to D, the A string is tuned down to G, and the other strings remain the same.

Why does Keith Richards often remove the low E string in open G tuning?

Keith Richards removes the low E string when playing in open G tuning because he doesn't use it for most of the song, and it prevents unwanted noise.

What is the key to capturing the feel of Keith's playing?

The key to capturing Keith's feel is to use a loose, relaxed approach, incorporating both downstrokes and upstrokes. Too many downstrokes will make the playing feel stiff.

What kind of bending techniques are used in Keith's part?

Keith uses bends on specific notes, such as bending the third fret on the G string, which is essential for adding expression and the characteristic feel of his playing.

What role does palm muting play in the lesson?

Palm muting is used in certain parts to give the notes a percussive, muted sound, helping to create a rhythmic, driving groove.

How does the lesson describe the difficulty of learning Keith's licks?

The lesson mentions that Keith's licks are challenging to learn because they are often similar to one another, making it hard to distinguish between them. However, with practice, they can be mastered one at a time.

How does Mick Taylor's part in the song differ from Keith Richards' part?

Mick Taylor's part is simpler and played in standard tuning, focusing on basic chords like D, C, and G, with a staccato rhythm that complements Keith's more complex parts.

Why is it important not to rush when playing Mick Taylor's part?

It's important not to rush because Mick Taylor's part has a laid-back, behind-the-beat feel, which contributes to the overall groove of the song.

What is the significance of Keith Richards' unique guitar style?

Keith Richards' style is unique due to its loose and slappy feel, which is hard to replicate. His playing, combined with Charlie Watts' drumming, created a signature sound that is difficult to imitate.