Learn to Play Hank Marvin

Join tutor Lee Hodgson and discover the magic of Hank Marvin, the legendary lead guitarist of The Shadows, with our meticulously crafted note for note guitar lessons. Known for his melodic, clean guitar lines, Hank Marvin revolutionized the role of the electric guitar in pop music. His songs offer an exciting playground for guitarists, regardless of their skill level. In this product, you'll delve into five of Marvin's iconic tunes: Apache, Man of Mystery, FBI, Wonderful Land, and Guitar Tango.

Apache

Apache, released in 1960, is an instrumental that showcases Marvin's mastery of melodic lines and expressive vibrato. In our detailed lessons, you'll learn how to execute the haunting melody line that wanders around the A minor scale and bounces into the C Major scale for a bright tonal contrast. We also dissect the energetic guitar solo, focusing on Marvin's unique use of the pentatonic minor scale and clever chromaticism to create tension and release.

Man of Mystery

Man of Mystery presents a great opportunity to practice the mixolydian mode, with its characteristic major chord on the tonic and dominant seventh on the seventh degree. Marvin employs a catchy melody that showcases his clean picking style and subtle use of vibrato. The lessons explore these aspects along with the nuances of his brief yet memorable solos.

FBI

FBI is a showcase of Marvin's rock and roll sensibilities. With a prominent theme in E minor and a hard-driving rhythm, the song offers a great platform to delve into pentatonic scales and bluesy licks. The lessons break down the central riff and the innovative use of double-stops, offering you an insight into Marvin's dynamic playing style.

Wonderful Land

In Wonderful Land, Marvin creates a beautiful, dreamy soundscape using the echo effect. The song employs the A Major scale, and our lessons break down the nuances of the melody line and its accompanying harmony part. The solo provides a study in expressivity, focusing on bends and slides, while also underlining the effective use of space between phrases.

Guitar Tango

Guitar Tango, with its unmistakable Latin vibe, shows Marvin's versatility. The lessons on this track focus on the melody that draws heavily from the harmonic minor scale, creating an exotic, passionate feel. We also dissect the rhythmic techniques and the syncopated strumming patterns, all of which contribute to the song's dance-inducing groove.

Hank Marvin: The Icon

Hank Marvin's contribution to music goes beyond these five songs. As the lead guitarist of The Shadows, he defined the sound of the band with his clean, echo-laden tone. Marvin's Fender Stratocaster played through a Vox AC30 amplifier became an iconic sound of the 60s. His clean, melodic playing style has inspired countless musicians and made an indelible impact on popular music.

Learning to play Marvin's music will not only expose you to memorable melodies and intricate solos but will also teach you the value of tone, timing, and expressivity in your playing. His masterful use of scales, chords, and guitar techniques has left a profound influence on generations of guitarists.


Techniques Covered

To make the most of these lessons, we've provided links to detailed descriptions of the techniques used across these songs. They include:

These links should provide you with the necessary background to get started and improve your ability to play these classic Hank Marvin tracks. So grab your guitar, plug into your echo unit, and let's dive into the world of Hank Marvin.

About The Tutor

Tutor Profile

Lee Hodgson

"Lee's contribution here at LickLibrary is a masterclass in classic guitar playing, from Hank Marvin to Simon & Garfunkel, but that certainly isn't the limit of his skills. In reality, Lee is one of the most technically able country guitar players we've ever seen, in fact his book ""Hot Country""...

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