Freddie's Guitar Technique/Guitars Freddie Played

Sebastian wrote:

I don`t think CLTCL is the only one he played on. Apart from John`s quote, take in account that never somebody said that Crazy had been the only one. Still, if he did more than that, I`m 99% sure it wasn`t much big of a deal, perhaps some short rhythm part here or there and that`s it.

To play 5 minutes of guitar in one song each concert doesn`t make someone a guitarist, but for the same effect it isn`t fair to judge him just because of that.

From what I`ve heard from other people in interviews and stuff, he could play well and write on guitar. Perhaps kind of like Bono or Bon Jovi, although I can`t draw such deep conclusions out of imagination only.

Thank you Sebastian!! Well said. I have read your outstanding and well researched website, and you have a great insight about and into the talents, songwriting, musicianship, instrumental talents/skills, and music theory behind Queen and all of its members that is the most thorough I have ever read. Thanks again!

My hero!!xxxx:)

More questions, anybody.

Did Freddie use a pick, fingerpick, both, and this question applies for both when he played acoustic guitars, and electric guitars?...and I guess also for when actually playing...and for when he was using it as a tool for writing?

We can only go on what we see him do really, which is when he plays CLTCL live.

He uses nothing other than his bare hands both on the acoustic and electric, and he's got quite a bizarre strumming style really.

On the recorded version of CLTCL I'd guess he does the same. It doesn't really sound like he used a pick although it's possible.

Arlene,

Just to further prove your psychological issues, you now quote Sebastian saying ...

"We know Freddie wasn't a guitarist, so how did he compose that solo on Innuendo"??

Then Sebastian comes ON THIS THREAD and says "Someone strumming for 5 minutes live doesn't make them a guitarist".

You then THANK HIM for his wonderful website, and well researched appreciation...

What he said PROVES MY POINT...NOT YOURS.

__________________________________________________
In real life, in the real world... Steve Howe, from Yes, who is a wonderful, melodic, classical influenced guitarist was shown the chords of FREDDIE's song "Innuendo" from Brian.... and Howe composed a very nice, classical solo with brilliant use of chromatics.

"Technically" Freddie wrote it, as Stve Howe simply solo'ed over Freddie's chord progression.....

But again, I know this will be hard Arlene...but lets bring this back to reality.... Steve Howe is EVER BIT the quality of guitarist Brian May is (I have a interview Brian being modest and saying Howe is much better).... but anyway... the ever so gracious Freddie, I'm sure, knew that with Steve Howe, that solo was in good hands.

I'm sure Arlene will have late breaking news where Freddie downed a jar of Exlax , and farted and sharted the notes of the solo he wanted Howe to play.

__________________________________________________

I am the biggest fan of Freddie Mercury I know... but good god, the man was human.... he was an amazing talent...but to hear you talk Arlene, you'd think he invented music.

__________________________________________________

My comments where in no way demeaning of Freddie...as one more time... I RAISE THE BAND QUEEN ON A PEDISTAL.

This may be hard for you to believe Arlene, but I'm sure there are many of us here that are better guitarist than Freddie.

Freddie was such a NON- GUITARIST, who was so bad, that he poked fun at himself...that its VERY HUMOROUS to rattle your chain about this.

___________________________________________________

Here's a question Arlene...
Every hear Freddie say "This shitty piano never plays the chords I want it to play, but lets see what happens"????

I never did....because he never said that....he knew he could hold his own on piano.

Ever hear him say something like that about his own guitar skills?

I rest my case.

Sebastian wrote:

I don`t think CLTCL is the only one he played on. Apart from John`s quote, take in account that never somebody said that Crazy had been the only one. Still, if he did more than that, I`m 99% sure it wasn`t much big of a deal, perhaps some short rhythm part here or there and that`s it.

To play 5 minutes of guitar in one song each concert doesn`t make someone a guitarist, but for the same effect it isn`t fair to judge him just because of that.

From what I`ve heard from other people in interviews and stuff, he could play well and write on guitar. Perhaps kind of like Bono or Bon Jovi, although I can`t draw such deep conclusions out of imagination only.

Scott you doofus, one more time I will repost what I have CORRECTLY and INDEED said...READ IF YOU ARE LITERATE...

And how many times do I have to repost this statement before any body properly reads it and realizes that I know...

Again I said Freddie was NOT technically proficient on guitar as a player..and he was NOT a great guitar player.

Gee I think I've said that several times already.

I said that what he conceptualized in his head when he was composing/songwriting on guitar,...translated into genius...

APPARENTLY also, you did NOT read, or did not CARE TO READ, Sebastian's ENTIRE post to this very topic...which you did NOT FULLY quote and you thus INTENTIONALLY MISQUOTED Sebastian, and you DELETED where Sebastian says it isn't fair to judge Freddie's guitar playing just because Freddie played 5 or so minutes of guitar at live shows...and then Sebastian says Freddie could play well and write on guitar.

No problem Arlene... lets be friends.

We are all ignorant...just about different things.

My opinion of music I like, as opposed to music someone else likes is of equal importance.

Meaning = My opinion is no more right/better than anyone else's.

However, as a transcriber of many musical pieces, I do feel that I am a qualified judge of what is difficult to play, and what is not.

When I first read your post that went on and on...about how Freddie probably gave Hendrix guitar lessons...yada...yada..yada... (Ok, so that an exaggeration) ..... I got a little pissy.

Of course, I was sitting here trying to transcribe a Steve Vai piece for a student, and wearing out the Floyd Rose on my guitar trying to do it.

I was just trying to emphasize that Freddie was a world class pianist, whose talent on piano I'd love to have.

In the realm of guitar, he was a beginner level player, who poked fun at himself, and laughed about his own inabilities.

We all are human, all are important individuals.
I generally like reading your posts, but your writing style seems to have upset some here, as the topic always remains the same to you...

Freddie is god, greatest musician ever, he was hot, you love gay men, cause they are sweet, greatest singer ever, greatest lover, best race car driver...etc..etc..

Usually, I don't mind this grandstanding because I am such a devote Queen fan myself... and Freddie is my favorite member.

But Arlene, all people can't be the greatest at all things......
And your analogy of the "thought process" that went into Crazy Little thing Called Love" just sent me off.

You made it sound like this genius of quantum physics (Freddie) came up with an equation of how his fingers would play these perfectly choosen notes on guitar at the precise moments...etc..etc..

When in the real world, Freddie wanted to do 2 things.... I always wanted a song that said "Ready Freddie" in it...and he wanted to write a song that sounded like 1950's Elvis style rockabilly.

This era of music is not know for complex chord changes.

Freddie said, well shit, these 7 chords that I'll use won't sound right on piano, but EVEN I can play these on an acoustic guitar....
and so he did.

There is nothing hard, or complicated about CLTCL... its one of Freddie's simpliest songs, and if it had one more chord change, I'm not so sure he'd been able to keep up on guitar.

Freddie is my favorite singer ever.
He's in my favorite band ever.
He's one of my favorite songwriters ever.

Does that sound like Freddie bashing?

He just can't play guitar that well.

When you two getting Married?

No the DIVORCE IS STARTING NOW!!!! And there NEVER was a marriage!

Scott, one last thing, you actually have the gall to say you like...to rattle my chain...you who crow about well why do I find Freddie hot, but what's wrong with you?..you tell me you work out, don't smoke, don't drink (and I didn't know this forum was for you picking up women by the way)....I'll tell you what I don't like about you Scott...

You are a MYSOGYNIST to women, you're an arrogant SOB who enjoys putting down women, bashing them in discussions, INTENTIONALLY MISQUOTING ME (I NEVER said Freddie was a great Guitarist or that he could have tought Hendrix),...

...and using profanity as you have with me, and putting down my journalsm (which has nothing whatsoever to do with this topic). I NEVER lowered my discussion to diminishing your skills as a teacher or guitarist in this topic, or even bringing that into the discussion. That shows when you don't get YOUR OWN WAY in an intelligent discussion, especially with a woman, you get off being HOSTILE, using profanity, and diminishing my profession. Go take a flying F Scott. I'm done speaking with you.... See Ya!!

Edit

Now then, I would like to get back to this subject.

Anybody know what kind/brand of amps, pedals/effects (if any), and mics Freddie used for his guitars (especially for his Ovation and for his Telecaster) BOTH live and in the studio?

Pretty sure it's listed at seb's site.

wstüssyb wrote:

Pretty sure it's listed at seb's site.

I saw all of the info for amps, mics etc for Freddie's piano, but not for his guitars.

Arlene,

Thanks for the info, let me tell my 8 months pregnant wife here that I am cruising for some Queen hotties here on the chat room.

C'mon.

Arlene, your 27 page chapters on various topics are interesting to some, and boring to others.

I typically find them interesting.
This one I did not, as I felt it was written from a point of view of lack of knowledge.

I could care less if you are a woman or not.
I feel men and women are EQUALS in this world.
So if you piss me off, I am not going to pull any punches....I'll cuss you out whether you are a man or a woman.

Thats what we do in an equal world.
I feel that anyone that "wouldn't talk like that in front of a lady" is more or less saying...
"this dumb, inexperienced female can't handle my macho langauge".

We are adults, and you aren't stupid. I said what I said because I knew you could handle it.
Blah, Blah, Blah.... there have been many topics on this website where we have been right on par with each other.

This one we clashed on.
So what??

Lets move on, I'll catch you on another topic.

Scott_Mercury wrote:

Arlene,

Thanks for the info, let me tell my 8 months pregnant wife here that I am cruising for some Queen hotties here on the chat room.

C'mon.

Arlene, your 27 page chapters on various topics are interesting to some, and boring to others.

I typically find them interesting.
This one I did not, as I felt it was written from a point of view of lack of knowledge.

I could care less if you are a woman or not.
I feel men and women are EQUALS in this world.
So if you piss me off, I am not going to pull any punches....I'll cuss you out whether you are a man or a woman.

Thats what we do in an equal world.
I feel that anyone that "wouldn't talk like that in front of a lady" is more or less saying...
"this dumb, inexperienced female can't handle my macho langauge".

We are adults, and you aren't stupid. I said what I said because I knew you could handle it.
Blah, Blah, Blah.... there have been many topics on this website where we have been right on par with each other.

This one we clashed on.
So what??

Lets move on, I'll catch you on another topic.

Scott wrote on topic of Who Is Queen's Hottest Member

Arlene,

Wow! Maybe I'm in demand?
I am a 26 year old, non smoking/non drinking/non tattoo accountant looking musician that also lifts weights.

Maybe I need to get a moustache and a wife beater on? [Quote}

Yeah right Scott! You NEVER personally crow about yourself and how HOT you think you are, do you. Nah! Especially whenever I bring up how attractive I felt Freddie's was. Please STOP posting on this topic and let me discuss the ACTUAL TOPIC w/ other Queenzoners. Thank you.

Trying to get back to the topic...what amps, mics, pedals, etc. did Freddie use for his acoustic Ovation and electric Fender Telecaster, BOTH live in concert, and in the studio?

I could find info about this for Freddie's pianos on Sebastian's website but not for Freddie's guitars.