Mattias IA Eklundh Pt3 Back On The Road
Guitar Techniques|September 2019

Swedish guitar virtuoso Mattias AI Eklundh demonstrates more of his eccentric, signature lead work over another great sounding backing track. Jon Bishop is your guide.

Jon Bishop
Mattias IA Eklundh Pt3 Back On The Road

This month we move things up a notch in the third part of our video masterclass series. We’re looking at another Jason Sidwell track, this one entitled Back On The Road. You may well find this particular track very user-friendly as the thrust of it is essentially a minor blues in the key of C.

As Mattias explains, his main scale of choice for soloing over this type of progression is C Aeolian mode, also referred to as C Natural Minor (C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb). We have included a popular fingering for the scale for you to experiment with, as it will work for all the sections of the track. You may also wish to simplify the tonal palette by opting for C Minor Pentatonic (C-Eb-F-G-Bb), adding Aeolian’s extra D and Ab notes once you are more comfortable with the track.

One of Mattias’s neat tricks is to use a volume pedal to fade the notes in. This clips off the attack from the front of the note, providing a more synth-like quality and offering a departure from the typical sound of guitar’s attack.

Unsurprisingly, Mattias includes the odd ‘exotic’ note from outside the C Minor scale. In the video, the main two ‘outside’ target tones he demonstrates are the diminished 5th interval (Gb) and the major 7th interval (B). He very naturally brings in tapping to complement his regular picking styles, which he does in a precise and always very rhythmic fashion.

Mattias is quick to offer a bit of wise advice about not using a face-melting amount of distortion for your tone. He suggests using just enough gain so that the results remain cleanly articulated and avoid becoming messy. The tempo for all the sections is fun to play along to, 114bpm.

As with the first two instalments, Mattias continues to demonstrate plenty of harmonics as well as those tapping ideas; technical facets that form important elements of his style.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2019 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GUITAR TECHNIQUESView All
THE MOODY BLUES
Guitar Techniques

THE MOODY BLUES

This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
WAYNE KRANTZ
Guitar Techniques

WAYNE KRANTZ

This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
OPEN G TUNING
Guitar Techniques

OPEN G TUNING

Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Guitar Techniques

RODRIGO GOUVEIA

Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
MARK KNOPFLER
Guitar Techniques

MARK KNOPFLER

Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
U2
Guitar Techniques

U2

Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
LUTHER ALLISON
Guitar Techniques

LUTHER ALLISON

It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
Guitar Techniques

JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio

This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
Guitar Techniques

THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau

John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
Guitar Techniques

VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern

This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024