A Lesson With Larry Carlton
A Breakdown Of The Style And Technique Of Virtuoso Guitarist Larry Carlton
By Bob Murnahanwww.leadguitartactics.com
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 4
Introduction
If you have been following my teaching or are familiar with me in any way, shape or form, then you know that Larry Carlton is my favorite guitarist. It all started back in 1978 when a friend of mine handed me an album and said, “You need to listen to this.”
I put in on the turntable and fired it up...and yes I am dating myself taking about albums and turntables! I was instantly blown away. I remember thinking...This is how the gui-tar is supposed to sound!
If you want to hear what I heard then check out this link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wq1i409CVU
If the song sounds familiar Larry freely admits that it is a rip of Steely Dan’s song, Peg.There were a combination of things that stood out on this record for me.
1. Larry’s tone - Carlton has always been recognized for his killer guitar sound.2. The combination of rock, blues and jazz type ideas.3. The melodies - I don’t think there is a guitarist anywhere with more taste than Larry.
From that point on I went on a Larry Carlton frenzy. I learned almost every solo off of that recording note for note. I bought every recording as they were released. I went to see him live. I think you get the point.
As the years progressed Carlton started to get back to his roots and explore his blues side. He was always quick to point out that B.B. King is one of his major influences. In 1983 B.B. joined Larry on his album friends and played on the track Blues For T.J.
I decided to make a study of B.B. King’s solo on that recording as a study to see if I could spot the B.B. Influence on Larry. It is available under the title, A Lesson With The King.
While it is a complete course of study on it’s own, it did not feel complete to me without the Larry Carlton solo...so, in the following pages I would like to present, A Lesson With Larry Carlton. If you like the blues, you will love this. It’s a veritable treasure chest full of ideas. Let’s get to it.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 5
Blues For T.J. is your basic 12 bar blues in the key of C with a quick change. If you don’t know what that means a blues with a quick change goes to the IV chord in meas-ure 2. See below.
12 Bar Blues
Loop 1
I am going to assume that you are already familiar with the basic 12 bar blues at this point so I am not going to go any deeper into this for now. I want to stay on task and talk about what can be learned from Larry’s solo in this song!
I will be referring to each snippet of the solo as a loop and you will be given the au-dio files in corresponding sections. This should help keep you organized as you work through the solo on your own.
hold bend
3 3
2 fullhold bend
1/4 full full
1016
121413
1516 13
1512 15 10 10 8
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 6
The main points of interest here are the 2 step bend up from Eb up to G and the open-ing 3 notes. As you will when loop 2 comes around, Larry repeats the opening 3 notes. This has the effect of tying the first 2 loops together and gives continuity to the solo.
On the bend, one would normally expect a whole step bend from Eb up to F. By bend-ing 2 steps up to the G Larry creates a match with the C7 chord spelled C, E, G, Bb.Most great players always find a way to “play the changes.”
Here is an alternate fingering for loop 1.
Loop 1 A
hold bend
3 3
2full
hold bend 1/4full full
611
8 108
1111 8
11 8 1110 10 8
I also have to take a moment to talk about Larry’s picking technique and touch. It’s al-most like he just coaxes the notes out of the guitar.
Check out the exercises that I recommend on the video to help you get control over your picking. The first one simply helps you get control over dynamics. The second one has you explore the different sounds available by changing the angle of your pick.
This is definitely an over looked facet of guitar playing. There are lots of different tonal colors available...even if it is just a piece of plastic hitting some steel strings!
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 7
Loop 2 Now take a look at loop 2.
2
3
1/4 full full full
12 1413 1816 18 18 18 18 18 16
1716 18 16
1717
1716
17
Loop 2 has more of the classic Larry phrasing that we talked about in loop 1. In addi-tion, check out the control that Carlton demonstrates on his bending. He has the ability to bend perfectly in tune and hit all of the micro-tonal variations in between.
When doing a transcrition like this, you have to make several choices, fingering being one of the most important. Often, it’s difficult to pinpoint but you can use the timbre of the notes to help. I point this out on the video.
Here is an alternate fingering for loop 2.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 8
Loop 2 A
Loop 3
2
3
1/4 full full full
8 108 1311 13 13 13 13 13 11
1311 13 11
1312
1311
13
full full full full
18 18 16 1618 161718 18
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 9
Loop 3 is short and sweet but I think it clearly demos the B.B. King influence on Carl-ton. Be sure to work on the first finger bending.
TIP...let the lower strings slide over the top of the bending finger to make it easier.
Loop 4
Once again all of the classic Carlton elements are present in this one...the picking touch, the precise control of bending, the choice of notes, vintage Larry through and through.
Be sure to check the little demo on the video where I talk about the power of dynamics. You can take the simplest of phrases and turn it into a masterpiece by applying dynam-ics. I really encourage you to explore this and add it to your playing.
2
3
full full full full 1/4
18 1818
18 18 20 18 161718
1516
17 14
16 17 16 1717 17 17
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 10
Loop 5
Loop 6
2
3
hold bend
full full
12 1413
11 12 13 12 13 12 13 12
13 12 13 12 13 12 1313 12 13 12 13 12 13
1/4
15 181615
161313
Short, sweet and simple...not much more to say about this one.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 11
Loop 7
Once again you hear the B.B. King influence on Larry. Listen to B.B.’s solo on this track and you will hear this exact lick. And, notice once again the effect that Larry’s use of dynamics has on this lick!
hold bend
1 1/2 1 1/22
1 1/21 1/2 1 1/21 1/2
15 15 15 15 1514
161614
16 13
On this one it’s more wide bending. Focus on staying in tune and holding that first bend for the duration. And, listen to the speed of the bends. Notice the release speed on the first bend and how quickly Carlton does the 2 step bend. There can be lots of variation in bending when it comes to how quickly you push the note up and release it.
This Area Intentionally Bank
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 12
Loop 8
2
3
full 1/4 1/4
3
11 811 10 8
1010
88 8
10 810
8 98
810
Loop 8 is pretty much straight ahead blues. Here Larry is playing good old box 1 of the pentatonic/blues scale.
There are 2 spots here where he alludes to the chords being played, both in the sec-ond measure. The first one is the note E at the 9th fret, 3rd string. This is the third of the C7 chord and clearly matches the harmony at the time.
The last note G, at the 10th fret, 5th string occurs at the exact moment the tune hits the five chord.
As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the signs of a seasoned player. Even though the lick is primarily blues, Larry still manages to target the chord tones.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 13
Here’s another nod to B.B. King. This lick is very similar to some of the ideas that B.B. played in his solo. Once again I refer you to the recording.
It’s interesting to note that even though players might play the exact same ideas, they will sound different. B.B has sort of a rough edge and Carlton is “smooth.” This is where all of the different elements of phrasing show up.
That’s why it’s a good idea to learn licks and use them in your own playing immediately.It’s not cheating...improv is not some sort of magic conjured from thin air. Eventually the licks will become part of your vocabulary and start to sound like you.
Loop 9
2
1 1/2
hold bend
3
1 1/2 1 1/2 full1/4
15 18 15
15 15 18 13 1316 13
1416 13
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 14
This is probably my favorite lick in the whole solo. Great note choices, bending, a slip into the major pentatonic scale and the octave C’s at the end.
When memorizing a lick lik ethis one be sure to take it a few notes at a time. It will be much easier that way. Once you have it memorized it will be much easier to focus on what you are playing.
Loop 10
2
hold bend
3 3
fullfull full full full full
18 1818 18 18
17 1518 16
1718 18
181816
171917201718
1917 17
19 17
2017 17
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 15
Loop 11
Loop 11A
fullfull
22 2020
1720 17 20
17
1717 15
15 1315
1512
1315 12
Transcribing a solo like this is not an exact science. If you look at different interpreta-tions from various sources you are likely to find some differences. In doing the video for this lick I discovered an error that I made the first time around. Above is the way I first heard it and below is the modification.
fullfull 1/2
22 2020
19
17 1517 20
1717 15
15 1315
1512
1315 12
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 16
Loop 12
2
3
3
full
hold bend
full full full full
hold bend
1/4
1315
1512
1814
13 16 1818
1814
1318
1814
13 1818
18 1814
1320
20 1817
1617 17 17
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 17
This is a longer but due to the bending theme Larry has going here I felt it all fit togeth-er. Check out the cool stretch at the end of the second measure. The bend is at the 18th fret and the fretted note with the pinky is at the 20th. This might be a challenge but worth the effort.
2
3
3
full
hold bend
full full full full
hold bend
1/4
1315
1512
1814
13 16 1818
1814
1318
1814
13 1818
18 1814
1320
20 1817
1617 17 17
Loop 13
18
172017
1917
18
17191717
A cool little sequence of notes and a chance to work on the picking again. Even though this seems easy, the phrasing makes it a challenge.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 18
Loop 14
Loop 15
Here’s a repetition of an earlier idea and another nod to B.B.
hold bend
fullfull full full full
1311 13 1213 12 13 131312 13 13 13
hold bend
1 1/2 full 1/4 full
15 13 1311 1515 1313
1213
11131213 13
Another test of your bending ability. Be sure to check out the video for this one. Take note of how you can take advantage of bending multiple strings at once. In this one Larry plays both notes together, but you can seperate them too.
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 19
It’s back to the blues to take it home. Notice the similarity between this line and the one that ends the first chorus. Coincidence? What do you think?
Starting on the next page you will find the tab for the entire solo.
Loop 16
full
13 1112 1110 8
1010
88
101010
810 8
109
8
10
This Area Left Intentionally Blank
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 20
3
4
6
hold bend
3 3
2 full1/4 full full
3
1/4 full full full
full full full full
3
full full full full 1/4
161214
1315
16 131512 15 10 10 8
12 1413 1816 18 18 18 18 18 16
1716 18 16
171717
1617
18 18 16 1618 161718 18
18 1818
18 18 20 18 1617
1815
1617 14
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 21
7
8
9
10
1/4
3
full full
hold bend
1 1/2 1 1/22
1 1/21 1/2 1 1/21 1/2
16 17 16 1717 17 17
15 1816
15
16 13 1312 14
1311 12 13 12 13 12 13 12
13 12 13 12 13 12 1313 12 13 12 13 12 13
15 15 15 15 1514
161614
2
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 22
7
8
9
10
1/4
3
full full
hold bend
1 1/2 1 1/22
1 1/21 1/2 1 1/21 1/2
16 17 16 1717 17 17
15 1816
15
16 13 1312 14
1311 12 13 12 13 12 13 12
13 12 13 12 13 12 1313 12 13 12 13 12 13
15 15 15 15 1514
161614
2
11
12
13
14
3
full
hold bend
1/4 1/4
3
1 1/2
hold bend
3
1 1/2 1 1/2 full1/4
hold bend
3 3
fullfull full full full full
16 13 11 811 10 8
1010
88 8
10 810
8 98
810
15 18 15
15 15 18 13 1316 13
1416 13
18 1818 18 18
17 1518 16
1718 18
1818 16
171917
201718
3
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 23
11
12
13
14
3
full
hold bend
1/4 1/4
3
1 1/2
hold bend
3
1 1/2 1 1/2 full1/4
hold bend
3 3
fullfull full full full full
16 13 11 811 10 8
1010
88 8
10 810
8 98
810
15 18 15
15 15 18 13 1316 13
1416 13
18 1818 18 18
17 1518 16
1718 18
1818 16
171917
201718
3
15
16
17
18
fullfull 1/2
3
full
hold bend
full full full full
1917 17
19 17
2017 17
22 2020
19
17 1517 20
1717 15
15 1315
1512
1315 12
1315
1512
1814
13 16 1818
1814
1318
1814
13 1818
18 1814
1318
4
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 24
15
16
17
18
fullfull 1/2
3
full
hold bend
full full full full
1917 17
19 17
2017 17
22 2020
19
17 1517 20
1717 15
15 1315
1512
1315 12
1315
1512
1814
13 16 1818
1814
1318
1814
13 1818
18 1814
1318
4
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 25
19
20
21
22
hold bend
1/4
hold bend
fullfull full full full
hold bend
1 1/2 full 1/4 full
20 1817
1617 17 17 17
1720
17
18 1917
18
1719
17 1713
11 13 12 13 12
13 1313 12 13 13 13
15 13 1311 1515 1313
1213
1113
1213
5
A Lesson With Larry Carlton
© 2012 Bob Murnahan - All Rights Reserved www.leadguitartactics.comPage 26
19
20
21
22
hold bend
1/4
hold bend
fullfull full full full
hold bend
1 1/2 full 1/4 full
20 1817
1617 17 17 17
1720
17
18 1917
18
1719
17 1713
11 13 12 13 12
13 1313 12 13 13 13
15 13 1311 1515 1313
1213
1113
1213
5
23
full
13 11 81110 8
1010
88
101010
810 8
109
8
10
6
There you have it. I hope that you enjoy the licks and ideas presented in this course and the video...I know I sure have. And, I had another chance to dive even deeper into the playing of my favorite guitarist.
The most important thing is to take what you like and put it to use immediately. Make the ideas a part of you and your playing.
If you have any questions be sure to drop me a line. I am happy to help.
Best Wishes,
Bob
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