With the re-release of Jimi Hendrix’s classic album, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, comes another opportunity to play one of his most iconic songs, “All Along The Way.” But how exactly do you play this song? And what is the best way to experience this song? We’ve got you covered on this front, as we’ll tell you how to play New Speedway Boogie acoustic and what gear you’ll need to do it. Let’s get started.
The Basics
The title of this article probably gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect here. However, just to be sure, let’s go over the basics. First off, this is an acoustic version of one of Jimi Hendrix’s most popular and recognizable songs. As the name would suggest, New Speedway Boogie is one of the most influential instrumental tracks of all time. It was recorded at a live concert in 1967 and was released as a single that same year. The track gained even more popularity after being featured in the 2001 film, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
But enough about the song’s history, let’s get down to brass tacks and talk about how to play it. And remember, the goal here is to teach you, not to sell you. So you’re not going to be hearing any sales pitches. This is just an informational piece, so you can find out more about New Speedway Boogie if you’re interested.
Recommended Amplifiers And Effects
The first thing you’re going to need for an effective playing experience is an amplifier. To get the full effect of this song, you’ll want to get a good tone with presence. A high-gain tube amplifier with volume control is absolutely perfect for this job. This will help you get that raw, powerful sound that Jimi is known for. Additionally, it will give you the opportunity to shape the tone with the volume control.
If you really want to go all the way and experience this song the way Jimi intended, use an amplifier with an effect pedal. An effect pedal is an essential component of any guitar player’s gear. It allows you to add extra effects to your playing. Think of the storied guitar pedals of Jimmy Page, as an example. He used to have a ‘69 Fender Strat with volume pedals and a whammy bar. He used these elements along with his amplifier to create a tone that stood out among his peers and followers. So definitely consider an effect pedal if you want to play this song the authentic way.
Acoustic Guitar
You don’t need an electric guitar to play New Speedway Boogie. In fact, you shouldn’t even consider purchasing one. The song is written in what is known as ‘acoustic guitar’ or ‘electric guitar’ format. This means that there is no bass track played under the song. Instead, the guitar is the instrument used to play the music.
An acoustic guitar is perfect for this song. It’s already in the key of G and the notes flow smoothly and easily. Plus, you can use your hands to pluck the strings, which makes the notes sound more natural. So if you want to play this song perfectly, use an acoustic guitar.
In terms of what amplifier to use with your acoustic guitar, again, don’t worry about it. Just get a good solid guitar and put it through your existing gear. Remember, you’re just playing it acoustically. The tone will be produced solely by your guitar, your hands, and the room you’re playing in.
Strings And Tuning
If you’re using an acoustic guitar, you’ll need to get the strings and tuning right first. Your strings should be the right gauge and double-stranded. The standard guitar strings used for playing New Speedway Boogie are 26 to 32 gauges and should be tuned to EAE (enhanced acoustic echo).
Just like your electric guitar, your acoustic guitar needs to be properly tuned and in good condition. A sharp, clean tone is what you’re really aiming for here, so try to keep it in good condition and check for any sharp edges or cracks on the surface. If it’s in good condition, chances are it’ll stay that way for many years of playing.
Once you have your guitar properly set up, the next important thing to do is to practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at playing this and other songs alike. If it’s been a while since you’ve played an instrument other than a computer keyboard, then it might be a good idea to take a few days off and get back into playing shape.
Getting The Most From Your Acoustic Guitar
If you want to give your acoustic guitar a better chance of producing the most realistic tones, then you should look into replacing some of its parts. The best way to do this is to invest in a good quality microphone. A pop filter will also come in handy for cutting out any unwanted noise that could potentially muddy the tone.
As for the guitar, if you feel that it’s not producing the desired sounds, then you might want to consider upgrading its parts. As it turns out, there are many different companies that create and manufacture acoustic guitars, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs perfectly. Just be sure to research the best prices and deals before committing to a purchase.
More About The Song
Now that you have your acoustic guitar and amplifier set up, you’re going to want to get back to the business of playing New Speedway Boogie. As we mentioned above, this is an instrumental track, so there is no vocals. Still, the song is definitely enjoyable to play. It has a good pace and a memorable melody. Plus, it’s one of Jimi Hendrix’s most accomplished songs.
As for the lyrics, they’re not too difficult to follow and will make a lot of sense once you’ve familiarized yourself with the song. They mostly tell us about the different keys and guitar tunings that are used in the song. So if you want to figure out what the song is about without having to read the lyrics, then take a minute to familiarize yourself with basic guitar tunings and guitar keys.
Key And Tuning
The guitar in this song is played in the key of G. This means that the guitar needs to be in this key to sound good. To determine this key, simply look at the letter G printed on the guitar’s headstock. Additionally, this key is also known as the ‘Major Scale Key.’ The song’s main riff is played in this key, so if you want to play along, then you need to do the same.
An easy way to find the correct key for your guitar is to play a few notes, then go to the nearest scale degree, or in this case, the key of G. Once you find this key, it’ll be much easier to play other songs in the same key. This is especially useful if you have multiple guitars or keyboard instruments, as it’ll make it simpler to play music together.
It’s also worth mentioning that most of the time, the key of G is used in folk songs. However, it can be used in many different styles of music. So long as your guitar is in the key of G and you’re using the correct guitar strings, then you’ll be able to play any song you desire. Just keep in mind that other guitar players might have different ideas about which key should be used for which song.
Tuning
The notes in this song are mostly played in the open strings of the guitar, although there are a few that are in the higher registers as well. The guitar’s open strings are made up of a series of B, E, and G strings. These strings can be found on most guitars and are the easiest ones for beginning guitar players to play. Additionally, these strings can be used to play more than one pitch at a time, which some people find easier to grasp than the guitar’s higher strings. If you’re looking to play this song professionally, then you might want to consider buying a guitar with higher strings.
As for the overall feel of the song, it mainly consists of heavy riffs played by using either a pick or your fingers. So if you’ve ever played guitar before, then this should be quite familiar territory. Just remember that depending on what key you’re playing in, a different picking technique might be necessary. Additionally, slides can also be used to play this song, as it includes a few slide guitar parts. To play these parts, press the seventh fret on your guitar and hold it there while playing the notes. This is generally considered a very difficult technique, but if you’re playing in certain key areas, then it could be worth looking into.