I was always curious how Vai arranged this for his demo to Zappa. Now I have a little more perspective. That's a silly piece of music. Will have to get the music. Stellar performance. Kudos.
What is your approach to practicing complex polyrhythms such as this? I've started learning some Zappa and getting the timing of those really dense rhythms down is giving me a hard time (even though I understand the math).
@Luff2808 I've found that the easiest way to get crazy Zappa rhythms "under your skin" is to think of them as copies of human speech. When you are talking do you talk in 16th notes? Of course not. Typical speech is rhythmically all over the place - which is exactly what Zappa was trying to achieve with his more abstract rhythmic groupings. He wasn't doing it to show off. Don't sweat the math, just understand the objective. Record yourself reading out loud and practice writing down the rhythms
@CribNotes like in "the dangerous kitchen" kinda or many others when zappa's speech and guitar seem to be one voice speaking in unison switching back and forth between basic speech right into beautiful melodic rhythms that stick in your head forever!
Yugo, man! You are astounding. Me? I just hack away like a 51 year-old teenager. I can't sweep my picking, I'm not proficient at the most basic scales... but I'm a longtime FZ fan, increasingly of his more complex instrumental music. With that dedication and talent, you might want to give Dweezil a call. I wish you all the best.
Wow that was amazing. After that, I bet you can play anything!
Do you have any tips on learning this piece? How long did it take you to learn? Did you have to do any exercises to be able to play the fast parts? How did you learn the tuplets inside the triplets? Did you practice using a metronome with 8th note clicks or just the quarter notes? What is a good starting tempo?
WOW! the line at 01:54 everybody always screws ups, even Zappa's band screwed it up sometimes. But you nailed it! great playing, perfect hand positions
Wow, great job, I tried learning it once and gave up! I actually have an Uncle Remus cover on my profile, check it out. Again, spectacular, good work!
Wow, that was uber-tight! I'm learning this at the moment, but I've only got up to 41 seconds (in your vid) or so down. VERY well played! I can't commend you enough on this difficult song!
not only is your technique incredible but u nailed the rhythms 100%, which you dont see too often from nonpercussionists. overall incredible, im looking forward to ur other videos.
I decided to play Black Page#1 on the guitar because I thought it would be challenging.
Some of the phrases in Black Page#1 are more complex compared to Black Page#2, and
I never found a video on youtube where the guitarist plays Black Page#1 with exact notes. That could be another reason why some people may think that no melody exists on top Black Page#1.
I think you are confused my friend. There is no melody to the Black Page number 1, only drums. The Black Page number 2 is the melody. Hence why on the ZPZ tour Dweezil said "You have just heard the black page number 1, the drum solo. Now it is time for us to play the black page number 2.."
well...no need to get uptight...on the FZ in NY...there were three distinct BP styles...the drum solo...simply called the black page drum solo...the first melody called the black page #1...which polygon head is playing here...and then "the new york disco teenage" version called the black page #2...or don't listen to me. as you wish.
better yet...go to wikipedia...and listen to the sample...that is black page #1 from fz in ny. there is a separate track on fz in ny where the tuplets are much less rigorous...the black page #2
In terms of equipment, I am simply connecting my guitar into an audio-interface. Maybe it sounds like a synthesizer due to use of compressor. As a matter of fact, I am using a Roland VG-99 in my other vids, but it sure doesn't sound like what you are hearing in this video.
I'm enjoying your other vids. Found this because I am Zappa fan, but I am also fan of many and various japanese artists, Melt Banana, Boredoms, Yasunori Mitsuda, Ruins, Bondage Fruit, Sketch Show, Asobi Seksu, etc. I know that's like saying "I like american music, Billy Joel, John Cage, Charles Manson, etc". But yeah, cool!
wow simply amazing...i love your composition "Paw paw scratch" im trying to play it by view because i just love it...keep it up! very amazing! ima fan!!! =]]
I was always curious how Vai arranged this for his demo to Zappa. Now I have a little more perspective. That's a silly piece of music. Will have to get the music. Stellar performance. Kudos.
NJCustardPie 19 hours ago
and your guitar is so cool. I love it love it love it
what type of guitar is hat?
PrestonDowMusic 1 month ago
awesome. awesome awesome awesome great perfect fantastic beautiful wonderful
you have inspired me to learn this piece
PrestonDowMusic 1 month ago
thanks a lot for this
MaximumFiff 1 month ago
I enjoyed that, well done!
ThisNickIsTaken 3 months ago
perfect man... im trying to learn this on the drums now... :) some crazy stuff >_>
MegaDrumRoll 4 months ago
hard to play!
julso0 5 months ago
Nice!
cyotos7 6 months ago
I would really like to know how you practiced those complex rhythms, was is it just a matter of playing them over a metronome?
mastodonreigns 6 months ago
You should play it one octave higher like I and Vai did.
m11gtr 7 months ago
Hey where did you find the score?!?! :)
Guitareben 9 months ago
bravissimo !!!
salsifi66666 9 months ago
This is incredible.
MarcFarful 11 months ago
Amazing, well played. I hope Dweezil sees this.
ActualBird 11 months ago
loved the guitar tone
locobeis 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I Keep Coming Back. *EXCELLENT*
Abracadabra418 1 year ago
I love this version!
What is your approach to practicing complex polyrhythms such as this? I've started learning some Zappa and getting the timing of those really dense rhythms down is giving me a hard time (even though I understand the math).
Luff2808 1 year ago
@Luff2808 I've found that the easiest way to get crazy Zappa rhythms "under your skin" is to think of them as copies of human speech. When you are talking do you talk in 16th notes? Of course not. Typical speech is rhythmically all over the place - which is exactly what Zappa was trying to achieve with his more abstract rhythmic groupings. He wasn't doing it to show off. Don't sweat the math, just understand the objective. Record yourself reading out loud and practice writing down the rhythms
CribNotes 11 months ago
@CribNotes like in "the dangerous kitchen" kinda or many others when zappa's speech and guitar seem to be one voice speaking in unison switching back and forth between basic speech right into beautiful melodic rhythms that stick in your head forever!
zeppidy 10 months ago
Hajimemashite Yugo :)
i like your interpretation!
hats off sir !
VoxPersona 1 year ago
Yugo, man! You are astounding. Me? I just hack away like a 51 year-old teenager. I can't sweep my picking, I'm not proficient at the most basic scales... but I'm a longtime FZ fan, increasingly of his more complex instrumental music. With that dedication and talent, you might want to give Dweezil a call. I wish you all the best.
Bob6stringer 1 year ago
That was awesome!
yourtheace 1 year ago
Great job! Fuck, I love that tone - very unique!
prestonparish 1 year ago
Wow that was amazing. After that, I bet you can play anything!
Do you have any tips on learning this piece? How long did it take you to learn? Did you have to do any exercises to be able to play the fast parts? How did you learn the tuplets inside the triplets? Did you practice using a metronome with 8th note clicks or just the quarter notes? What is a good starting tempo?
m3tafunj 1 year ago
dude looks like bob dylan!!
brett1234 1 year ago
reeeally awesome performance
guitarDouchebaggery 1 year ago
Incredible!
jugsjugsjugs 1 year ago
WOW! the line at 01:54 everybody always screws ups, even Zappa's band screwed it up sometimes. But you nailed it! great playing, perfect hand positions
PhuckHue2 1 year ago 3
I think you should try to play "Uncle meat"
EXPERIMENTALMAN 1 year ago
2:00 - end...measure 29 and its UNDECAPLETS...still blown away by this run...
CH3MIS7RY 1 year ago 3
Great!
pedrozappa 1 year ago
where did you get the backing track ?
EXPERIMENTALMAN 1 year ago
@EXPERIMENTALMAN
i made the back track too,referring to the original melody score.
(from old KEYBOARD MAGAZINE,USA)
PolygonHead 1 year ago
Wow, great job, I tried learning it once and gave up! I actually have an Uncle Remus cover on my profile, check it out. Again, spectacular, good work!
AtheistRationalist 1 year ago
Wow, that was uber-tight! I'm learning this at the moment, but I've only got up to 41 seconds (in your vid) or so down. VERY well played! I can't commend you enough on this difficult song!
owainbills 1 year ago 3
the last part is just sick, every single note is played correct. i´ve never seen anything like this on guitar
EXPERIMENTALMAN 1 year ago 7
great tone
EXPERIMENTALMAN 1 year ago
not only is your technique incredible but u nailed the rhythms 100%, which you dont see too often from nonpercussionists. overall incredible, im looking forward to ur other videos.
metrognome69 2 years ago 2
You're quite skilled. I dig the mathiness. We should become allies.
AEFic 2 years ago
I decided to play Black Page#1 on the guitar because I thought it would be challenging.
Some of the phrases in Black Page#1 are more complex compared to Black Page#2, and
I never found a video on youtube where the guitarist plays Black Page#1 with exact notes. That could be another reason why some people may think that no melody exists on top Black Page#1.
PolygonHead 2 years ago
Isn't this the black page number 2? I always thought number 1 was just the drum piece, and number 2 was the melody he wrote for it....
deadforever 2 years ago
it is kind of confusing...grab the FZ in NY album if you can to truly see the difference...ultimate performance of BP #1...tight as a drum.
CH3MIS7RY 2 years ago
I think you are confused my friend. There is no melody to the Black Page number 1, only drums. The Black Page number 2 is the melody. Hence why on the ZPZ tour Dweezil said "You have just heard the black page number 1, the drum solo. Now it is time for us to play the black page number 2.."
deadforever 2 years ago
well...no need to get uptight...on the FZ in NY...there were three distinct BP styles...the drum solo...simply called the black page drum solo...the first melody called the black page #1...which polygon head is playing here...and then "the new york disco teenage" version called the black page #2...or don't listen to me. as you wish.
CH3MIS7RY 2 years ago 4
better yet...go to wikipedia...and listen to the sample...that is black page #1 from fz in ny. there is a separate track on fz in ny where the tuplets are much less rigorous...the black page #2
CH3MIS7RY 2 years ago
That's Right! thank you for your explanation.
PolygonHead 2 years ago
I don't see a synth pickup on that guitar, yet the tone sounds very synth-like. What equipment is used?
BwanaTube 2 years ago
Hello. Thanks for your comment.
In terms of equipment, I am simply connecting my guitar into an audio-interface. Maybe it sounds like a synthesizer due to use of compressor. As a matter of fact, I am using a Roland VG-99 in my other vids, but it sure doesn't sound like what you are hearing in this video.
PolygonHead 2 years ago
I'm enjoying your other vids. Found this because I am Zappa fan, but I am also fan of many and various japanese artists, Melt Banana, Boredoms, Yasunori Mitsuda, Ruins, Bondage Fruit, Sketch Show, Asobi Seksu, etc. I know that's like saying "I like american music, Billy Joel, John Cage, Charles Manson, etc". But yeah, cool!
BwanaTube 2 years ago 3
just search Fredonia Black Page
matthewlesco 2 years ago
you are very very good. I can play this down on drums...part one and two...maybe we should rip it down sometime man. Nice video!
matthewlesco 2 years ago 4
How?!
rdnzl23 2 years ago
so good, so amazing... love all your plays... :D
klimt9 2 years ago 2
All the right notes.
squanto2 2 years ago 3
Perfect!
Monnya 2 years ago 3
Japanese Mike Kennelly approaching the song's "statistical density in its basic form." :D
yaniktop 2 years ago
Sugoi desu yo ^___^ Very skilled!
Yunbot 2 years ago 3
wow simply amazing...i love your composition "Paw paw scratch" im trying to play it by view because i just love it...keep it up! very amazing! ima fan!!! =]]
sergi0santamaria 2 years ago 6