I think 'swagger' really encapsulates Black Dog. It's the band riding the wave, pushing and pulling shapes and forms at will, in full control of their considerable abilities. Man, does it swing!
I first heard Black Dog 35 years ago in my final year of High School in 1987 when a group of us were just discovering Led Zep and it absolutely blew me away...the guitar driven rock with the swagger and the machismo but I can't recall ever connecting it with "swing". The way you described the "swing" feel Carl, it was like opening up a totally new perspective on this classic song and I totally get it. That's what I love about your channel Carl. You break down the songs and express your thoughts so well in a way that gives these songs like a new life. Helps that you are a fantastic musician too 👏
I agree. This man is really giving us valuable stuff here. Gives us a better understanding of why we dig Zeppelin as much as we do I think Bonzo and JPJ had so much jazz influence when they were kids learning music it just flies out instinctually. Just my hunch. Regardless, the Professor here is dead on. This is some of the best instructional material on RU-vid. As far as Zepology, I've commented that there's nobody even in his rear view mirror. Excellence And my bad, he is an absolute MF on the guitar. He's in command. Has humor. These are the Cats you pay attention to.
"Pagey-bendy" just became a part of my vocabulary😉. Also love that you acknowledged the difference between studio and stage Zeppelin. The latter has always been my preference as well. Keep up the great work, I look forward to your new videos.
I can't believe you demonstrated my all-time favorite Page lick. In the extended part of the live solo, the opposite octave climb up C-D, F#-G, A-Ab-G-E... That's (as you called it) super Pagey. I've heard him use it as late as the '98 Page/Plant shows. Truly thanks man!
You’re welcome!! And you can take that concept into almost everything they do. There’s always something swinging, bouncing, rubbing in their grooves. Stay away from the straight eighths and you’ll be set free!!
You're such a great host Carl, you love this stuff as much as we do, and it shows. Always a treat. The detail is spot-on and the comparisons with live sections is GOLD, because I've watched The Song Remains the Same about a billion times.
Carl, everything about you and your playing is gracious! You are a true musician, (just like Jimmy) all the way. You are even kind enough to make videos giving away your secrets so we can play (or at least try,lol) those amazing songs as well. The production is just as professional as it is Rock and Roll. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much! If someone can get better because of me I’m happy! Even if it’s a competitor! It will come back around to benefit me some way or another!!
The fact that they were able to think of that song compose it and then record it the way it sounds today is magic in itself all of their songs. Even the ones I’ve heard too many times are awesome. What a great band.
I'm impressed how many details you managed to show, especially in the solo section. I've been thinking of revisiting this solo and finally learn it correctly, and I think you gave me the final push 😄
Carl your stuff is great! Lots of people teach guitar on RU-vid, but you expose the nuts and bolts of composition which takes these lectures to a whole 'nother level.
@@CarlBaldassarreMusic 😂to be fair, it is a rather difficult piece to, ah, perform...to play, not so much maybe...but to get that THING ya know...thx Carl. Another excellent breakdown!
I just looked up Mike Pachelli! I didn’t know him by name, but I’ve watched his videos many times!!! He’s the Beatles teacher GOAT! Now I know his name. His work is fantastic!
Great Lesson Carl..Gives me more to work on .Thanks so much! Fantastic work . Btw, love my new Clinch Echoplex Preamp pedal ..( more Page Secret Sauce) will upload to my channel soon..
@@CarlBaldassarreMusic Oh No.. You've got me nervous now lol! In all seriousness , Peter Clinch is a lovely softly spoken gentleman who explained me the differences between his product and the one you mentioned. Its my 'always on' pedal now.. . You're no doubt all over this, but for your subscribers : The Echoplex EP3 Page used was NEVER true bypass, so even when Jimmy DIDN'T have the echo engaged, his signal was still going through the preamp stage of the unit, thus altering his tone. It was therefore 'always on' even when it wasn't on..
Carl, thank you for taking the time to make these breakdown videos of LZ. It’s awesome to see someone who has the same enthusiasm (probably more) for Led Zeppelin as I do. I have been a LZ fan for 45 years, and JP is the reason I play guitar. Your guitar playing is phenomenal and you have captured JP’s feel and unique inflections.
I was never they big into Led Zeppelin and this guy is right. I listened to live 1972 and holy shit. The tones jimmy page gets out of the burst is amazing. Honestly it blew my mind and it's been on repeat the last couple days
wow, finally i have found your channel!!! You are so awesome man! Thank you so much for this extraordinary lesson of Black Dog! And of course i have subscribed to your channel!!!
Quite interesting how Jazz has been an influence on both Zep and Black Sabbath grove playing , where missing that in today's music, thank you for a terrific explanation on learning Black Dog, Nico McBrain of Iron Maiden called Bonzo's playing Grove playing, you need to have the grove man lol when you play, every time I watch Les Zep live from MSG I wish there was time machine I could just snap myself to that gig, and honestly , people argue who was the greatest Hard Rock band , Led Zeppelin all the way man, these bands like Sabbath Zep it's crazy how new fans are popping up every day to tunes that are close to 50 years old, my old man who is Portuguese always said to me "good musica never dies " Dad is so right
Killer tutorial dude!... I remember this being one of the first riffs I learned. It was a great riff to build up some of my chops and get something that was radically different in my fingers/playing... It was tricky.. But I got it!.. This song was so uniquely different than anything else that was out at the time.. You laid this one out brilliantly. Zeppelin had a knack for rubbing off on other bands obviously... When I listen to Hearts'Barracuda" ... Zeps Achilles Last Stand comes to mind... Mike Derosiers drum parts damn near mirrors JB's. Sorry to digress.. But I think that would be a cool comparison to examine sometime... Stay on the trail and rock on Bro!
This is true. I was just learning the notes but it did seem that I was just playing the notes! Then realized that playing on top of the great punch of Jones and Bonzo's rhythm section it clearly just came alive! Sent the shivers up my spine!
Once again, many thanks for your instructive and entertaining analyses. And then of one of the rather whimsical songs from Zeppelin - at least rhythmically. Here it is also interesting what you say about swing or not swing. To my ears it sounds much more like straight with a swing feeling. Because it's not classic jazz swing. And it's not 100% straight out rhythm either. Actually, I also think that it is changing. From the beginning with the opening riff where it's more straight. For the solo part, where it's more swing.
You’re Right!! That’s why I say I’m exaggerating the swing for demonstration purposes. But it’s always in there in varying percentages. Just having it implied in your mind as you play it, takes you from the dreadful cover band sound to the actual sound…”The Soul” of Zeppelin!!! They were such a groove band. It’s the secret to their sound in my humble opinion;). As I tell my friends…”you can play zeppelin the way you want, and I’ll play zeppelin the way they want.” :))))))
I really like what you are doing here. I have a request for lesson and tutorials on a couple of James Gang songs that I can not fine on you tube they are "Stop" and "Woman". Keep up the good work. Your music is great.
Since back in the day many have said that Page was a sloppy player. I always found him to possess a remarkable inner rythmatic style combined with expressive bends rendering that swaggering swing sound that is truelly highlighted in Black Dog. I was lucky enough to see them live a couple of times notably the show in Tampa in May '73 where me and a buddy got right up in front of the stage literally speaking distance from Page and Plant thanks to general admission (almost getting trampled to death in the process - there's a photo taken from the stage and Im front and center in it if you google that particular concert). The fact that he moved around quite a bit and was able to rip those remarkable riffs and runs off was mind blowing and doing it for almost 3 hours!. Page was the complete package back in the Led Zeppelin days and set the standard for not only executing those runs but looking the ultimate cool in the process. Great lesson Carl and thanks.
Thank you so much. Thank you for sharing the memory. You were so lucky to catch him and then in 73 at their glorious prime. Must have been life changing. Peace, Carl
I learned "Black Dog" on the bass...well, probably more of a "Neaderthal" version, but it sounded pretty good. It was a lot of fun to play, and I just kind of rolled with it. Hopefully, when my health improves, I can play it again. I always found it amazing how Jones and Bohnam were able to keep any sort of timing as Page was going off in concert. It is a testament as to how good those two were.
Some of the best interpretive explanations of Page playing ever. Anyone trying to play Zep that doesn't review your work has no chance of getting it right.
The live album, the song remains the same.. black dog I think is my favorite track and the song,, the song remains the same. I still get goosebumps 50 years later.
Unexpected excellent lecture/lab on Historic Pageisms. Outstanding Professor! Hey that wah wah sound is dynamite! Are you allowed to say which one you're using? Wicked sound!
Great video Carl, and someday when the planets align, I’ll catch one of your shows. Oh, and leave the outtakes in. In a perfect world, nothing is perfect. 👍🙂
Thanks Carl. Your jimmy tone is off the chain! I heard Pagey say that he used a depressed wah for some of his solos like whole lotta love etc. Whenever I do it, it sounds too trebly but you seem to have it down. Do you ever use an orange amp? I so wanna get one! ✌️☺️
i’m so happy you covered this as a whole the love for 72 HTWWW and MSG 73 are my favorites of this song and i have never been able to play that climbing riff and you debunked it for me like you do a lot of Zep stuff God Bless you and thank you never stop playing🤟🏼
I never let my dad forget that he turned down free tickets to Led Zeppelin (I think it was in 1973). My dad was born in 1945 and grew up listening to the early blues, pop, and emerging rock and roll of the 50s. He was a real Beatles fan through the mid-late 60s. What has always interested me is the perspective he gives to defend his turning down of the free Zeppelin tickets, namely that coming from the music of the 50s through to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin sounded like absolute chaos. He has a similar story of hearing Are You Experienced at a friend's party in 1967: it was like nothing he had ever heard before.
Carl, your tone is fantastic! I would love it if you would spend 30-60 seconds at the beginning of each video to describe your signal chain -- guitar, pickups, effects (if any), amp, and settings on all of them.
Amazing!!! Like always… every episode is an incredible journey for me I’m a huge fan of Led Zeppelin too tanks very very much !!!! By the way I would like to know some aspects of your guitar set up like kind of strings and action you use thanks Carl a lot….
Hi Carl this great! Wish I had this when I was sixteen (60 now) the young really don't know how lucky the to are! ( Although you can never how lucky you are if your well off in a stable country! ) . If you want to do a break down of the BBC version of Thank You that would be nice and I am sure very popular, I don't think any one has broken the solo down before now?
Hi Carl, would like to request that you break down "The Song Remains the Same" (the song that is) one of these days. So many cool parts to it. Happy Holidays.
I'm gobsmacked, I had it in my head this album was released later - I was still in junior school. Recorded in my country and apparently they couldn't think of a name for the track and the studio owners dog walked past and that's how it got it's name although this is disputed. The one thing that is not disputed is that Jimmy is one helluva riff writer and this is one of his best (crash'n'burn). Maybe you've mentioned it in older videos that I haven't seen but what is the amp = the new JCM20.
@@CarlBaldassarreMusic As the video is focused on you the amp is out of focus is it the single channel?. In the UK in the early 90's you could buy a lot of Marshall heads really cheap as people didn't understand that the output valves had to be biased after fitting new ones so a lot of S/H amps sounded awful, I bought a 1987 100W master volume for about $50 dollars about this time and it sounded awful till it was biased properly but I was never a fan of the input valve distortion & the same went for a 50W JCM800 combo my brother had. For me best the sounding Marshall's for classic rock are the DSL2000 series, played a DSL2000 50W ( my favourite amp) but only owned a DSL401 40W combo with 4 * EL84 output valves and it sounded awesome for the Free, Bad Company etc which I like to play. I'm a big fan of the small bottle valves - EL84 V EL34 & 6V6 V 6L6, they seem have a nicer output valve distortion and at way more acceptable volumes but best EL84 sound is VOX AC30. (sorry for the novel, had a few beers watching F1) edit for stupidity
I got you! Yes it’s single channel. You’re far more knowledgeable about amps than I am. But I’m learning more! I have a hard enough time trying to play well!
You're absolutely right, to so many people this just sounds like a bunch of power cords. I bought my first Zeppelin When I was 11 years old at a swap meet, 8 track 1969. A swap meet in redneck/ cowboy territory and I was walking around with this 8-track full blast I'm lucky to be alive haha
yes, led zeppelin was LIVE band "but they did really good records "levee breaks, you shook me etc. etc.", and thats why jimmy was called "sloppy" because every time they played it was differend because they played from theyr heart and final was so exhausted because everything in life "after 1975" and no energy left, but shows was still great.
Another great analysis Mr. Baldassarre! Excellent point about he "Swing" 8th notes and the overall general swing feel of the song. Do you think Mr. Page knew, or was thinking about the theory behind the relative minor of A (F#m)? Oh and don't worry about not being able to separate your mouth from the Wah, I think most of us have the same dilemma. I know I do anyway! 🤣 Cheers, MB
My guess is that he draws upon his vast intuition and extensive musical vocabulary/experience to instantly conjure the sonic colors and shapes he’s looking for which connects to muscle memory in any given moment. I’m certain he’s aware of those harmonic principles, but he’s unlikely thinking about in a theoretical way in the moment.
"...he’s unlikely thinking about in a theoretical way in the moment." I completely agree and that's what I think separates the players from that era from the modern players, who have all the technical abilities in the world, but to me, lack the emotion and spontaneity that moves you. Cheers, MB
I don't see the import of starting on an upstroke. Once you get to the two long notes you have time to adjust if necessary. But I seem to be able to play it proficiently starting either way.
Carl check out " jimmy Page monster pentatonic lick" lesson by Joe Walker..it's a run at the end of black dog from how the west was won...as Joe states it's a monster only because Page played it at some phenomenal speed.....
Love your Les Paul- Assuming it’s a standard, but what year? I’m hunting for a Les Paul but can’t decide whether to go something 70’s/80’s for the pat sticker pickups or more modern like a 90’s or 2000’s model…
Loved this Carl, more great stuff! I wonder if Page himself would break down his licks and solos the same way you do, or if it was all just feel and improvisation as he created it. FYI, I tried buying one of the Soul of Zep shirts, but it looks like it doesn't ship to Canada. Thanks again.
I’m pretty certain he’s doing a combination of composing and improvisation while he’s playing. It’s usually a handful of takes and then a composite of the best parts of each take is put together. The analysis I’m doing is describing what happened after the fact. But JP’s natural tendencies are identifiable and rebatable, I’m just putting words to it. …and Dude! I’ll ship it to Canada 🍁 personally. Just email me at contactcarlbaldassarre@gmail.com and we’ll sort it out!!
@@CarlBaldassarreMusic thank you Sir playing guitar for 30 years but started out in my teens playing drums mostly the Bonham and Simon Kirke stuff. Great lesson and Page tone. 👌
Carl, great video, but I think the 4th note in figure 4 is F# rather than G: A-G-A-F#. From live videos, it looks like Page plays it with his thumb. What say you?
Hey Carl, On the album version at 4:40, Jimmy plays one of my favourite licks in his whole repartoire. And then I heard something similar by Keith Richards on a Stones song, which I don't know which as I'm not that familiar with their music. Can you recognize the lick from the album version and do you know what stones song has this similar lick? And what do yo make of that? Did Jimmy nick it from Keith or are they dissimilar enough? in the end, who really cares. I love the lick and I love Jimmy's guitar and LZ's music
![Led Zeppelin's Black Dog Guitar Lesson [Guitar Solo and Song Breakdown]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
