Brian playing guitar?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Never mind, I think I found it.    

Brian's right-handed. 

[the captain]

Brian's right-handed. 

A few possibilities: 1) he's such a genius that on that particular night, he played left-handed to prove he could; b) the photographer at the magazine flipped the negative; and iii) your ocular wiring is just messed up, no longer properly seeing things as they actually appear. Those are the three most plausible explanations that come to mind.

[the captain]

This is not as savant-like as it sounds.  There's three things required to play a musical instrument:  knowledge of the musical fundamentals, basic muscle memory, and a good sense of time.  Brian and Carl certainly understood the former, and as musicians, they were always about effect and blend, even on their main instruments.  All the Wilsons were believers in the less-is-more school of playing (which I admire), so technically ability was never as important as getting the sound you wanted, and if you focus on the fundamentals, your time is generally going to be good, so anything you play is going to sound "right."  All that's really required to play something is to figure out how that particular instrument generates notes and get the rudamentary muscle memory to do it.  If you're a Wilson, that probably doesn't take all that long.

Just to add to this, Adam, it's also key to note that we're talking about what are basically percussive and string instruments. It's about ear, dexterity, and rhythm, plus an understanding of where you put your hands. Wind and brass instruments would add a whole other level that would take them much longer: embouchure is tough to master. But anyone can press down on this key, or pluck this string. So it's an easier learning curve.

[Ron]

Never mind, I think I found it.    

Brian's right-handed. 

That's true, Andrew, but the Beach Boys were holding a MIRROR when that drawing was made. 

[b00ts]

Never mind, I think I found it.    

Marry me

[the captain]

Marry me

Who, me? Or the circa 1980 photo of guitar-playing Brian I posted but did not draw because it is a photograph? If me, I'll think about it. If the photograph, I'll ask it and get back to you.

[Bicyclerider]

It's hard for me to believe that a song like, say, "Girl don't Tell Me" wasn't written on guitar.  I know Brian would sometimes play piano on a track only to drop it out of the final mix, but "Girl" sounds like a guitar song to me.  Little Pad maybe also?

[Wirestone]

I think the "Girl Don't Tell Me" effect is because it's basically a ripoff of "Ticket to Ride," which was almost certainly written on guitar.

[the captain]

Also, remember, anything can be written on anything. Brian's plunking piano is almost akin to a strumming guitar anyway. But I'm sure Brian would be more than able to write chords + melody on piano, then later choose an arrangement that featured other instruments. Once you get that vibe or absorb the arrangement, naturally it's easy to assume it was meant for that instrument...but it ain't necessarily so.

[Bill Ed]

This is not as savant-like as it sounds.  There's three things required to play a musical instrument:  knowledge of the musical fundamentals, basic muscle memory, and a good sense of time.  Brian and Carl certainly understood the former, and as musicians, they were always about effect and blend, even on their main instruments.  All the Wilsons were believers in the less-is-more school of playing (which I admire), so technically ability was never as important as getting the sound you wanted, and if you focus on the fundamentals, your time is generally going to be good, so anything you play is going to sound "right."  All that's really required to play something is to figure out how that particular instrument generates notes and get the rudamentary muscle memory to do it.  If you're a Wilson, that probably doesn't take all that long.

Just to add to this, Adam, it's also key to note that we're talking about what are basically percussive and string instruments. It's about ear, dexterity, and rhythm, plus an understanding of where you put your hands. Wind and brass instruments would add a whole other level that would take them much longer: embouchure is tough to master. But anyone can press down on this key, or pluck this string. So it's an easier learning curve.

Dennis played harmonica and tuba on POB. As well as whatever else he could get his hands on. Pretty impressive.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Never mind, I think I found it.    

Brian's right-handed. 

That's true, Andrew, but the Beach Boys were holding a MIRROR when that drawing was made. 

Dennis played harmonica and tuba on POB. As well as whatever else he could get his hands on. Pretty impressive.

Same thing with All I want to do.... ^_^

[markcharles75]

I agree with Adam's post concerning Brian and "playing guitar."  Could he pick up the guitar and jam out/solo like SRV for 20 minutes? Probably not.  Could he "play guitar" like Steve Vai (ugh who would want to). Probably not.  WOULD he want to? Most definitaly not.   McCartney "plays guitar."  Can he solo (or would he want to?) like Vai or perform, for example,  a real complicated piece of classical guitar?  No.  But still, McCartney, plays guitar.  Can my next door neighbour play guitar?  Well, yes, he can, in an amatuer strum strum way. 

The point is this.  Brian is a composer first.  The tool he uses primarily is the piano.  Here is one of the big big lessons I learned years ago concerning music and I think alot of young musicians MISS the point which is why there are thousand of bands, thousands of guitar players and tons of shitty forgettable songs.  The CHORDS are the foundation of a song.  EVERYTHING else is icing.  Read that again.  Let it sink in.  This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many musicians (especially beginners/amatuers) do not get that.  First thing a kid does when playing guitar:  RIFFS.  Whether it be Smoke On The Water, Iron Man etc...First thing a kid does when starting off: get a distortion box and starting riffing away on fifths.  There is no sense of the structure of the song, the bedrock, the chords.  I HAVE talked with young "musicians" and I have grilled them about what they listen to and how they approach guitar.  They are completely clueless concerning chord structures and how it relates to the bass and melody.  Typical conversation goes like this:  "oh you play guitar."  "Why yes."  "How long."  "Oh for about 3 years now."  "So you know your basic chords?"  (Insert confused look)  "So if I asked you to show me a Gm7 chord, would you know what I was talking about?"  Insert another confused look.   This conversation has happened numerous times.  I actually take great pleasure and delight in having it because it blows my mind.  Final point: Brian is a first rate composer and the guitar is one of many colours he uses to paint the picture of the song.  I am sure if he wanted to, he could pick up the guitar and pick out/play the part he wants.  Example: the opening arpeggio part to WIBN.  Composed on piano or sung in his head, he could have probably very slowly figured it out how to play that on the guitar just the same as if he could have done it on a mandolin.  But why do that?  Have the session guy do it! We got work to do!

[Rocker]

I was looking for another pic of Brian with a guitar that I had in mind but couldn't find it. Stumbled upon these though:









And although it's a bass and no guitar I thought this is fairly rare so what the heck...

[Runaways]

i used to wonder about "i'd love just once to see you", but i think that's an example of song that could very easily be translated from piano to guitar, and probably was.

my friend also told me that jack white writes a lot of songs on the piano then moves it to guitar.

[c-man]

There's a photo of Brian playing an acoustic during the finale of some 1980s benefit (Joan Baez is also in the pic), plus of course he plays guitar on "After The Game".

WOW, never heard of this pic. Any chance you can post it, or say where one can see this photo??

Gig was January 13th, 1980 at the Oakland Coliseum... and I saw it once, round about then in a mag.

The great fanzine Add Some Music ran a brief report of this Cambodian Relief benefit show...it said the Boys joined Joan Baez for harmonies on "Amazing Grace", while Brian contributed some rhythm guitar.  So that explains it.

[Andrew G. Doe]

There's a photo of Brian playing an acoustic during the finale of some 1980s benefit (Joan Baez is also in the pic), plus of course he plays guitar on "After The Game".

WOW, never heard of this pic. Any chance you can post it, or say where one can see this photo??

Gig was January 13th, 1980 at the Oakland Coliseum... and I saw it once, round about then in a mag.

The great fanzine Add Some Music ran a brief report of this Cambodian Relief benefit show...it said the Boys joined Joan Baez for harmonies on "Amazing Grace", while Brian contributed some rhythm guitar.  So that explains it.

True... but not where I saw the pic, unless my brain is developing more holes.

[jeremylr]

Paul McCartney does a little more than just play guitar.  Check out his solos on Taxman, And Your Bird Can Sing, Ticket To Ride, Back In The USSR, or Maybe I'm Amazed, to name a few.

[adamghost]

I agree with Adam's post concerning Brian and "playing guitar."  Could he pick up the guitar and jam out/solo like SRV for 20 minutes? Probably not.  Could he "play guitar" like Steve Vai (ugh who would want to). Probably not.  WOULD he want to? Most definitaly not.   McCartney "plays guitar."  Can he solo (or would he want to?) like Vai or perform, for example,  a real complicated piece of classical guitar?  No.  But still, McCartney, plays guitar.  Can my next door neighbour play guitar?  Well, yes, he can, in an amatuer strum strum way. 

The point is this.  Brian is a composer first.  The tool he uses primarily is the piano.  Here is one of the big big lessons I learned years ago concerning music and I think alot of young musicians MISS the point which is why there are thousand of bands, thousands of guitar players and tons of shitty forgettable songs.  The CHORDS are the foundation of a song.  EVERYTHING else is icing.  Read that again.  Let it sink in.  This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many musicians (especially beginners/amatuers) do not get that.  First thing a kid does when playing guitar:  RIFFS.  Whether it be Smoke On The Water, Iron Man etc...First thing a kid does when starting off: get a distortion box and starting riffing away on fifths.  There is no sense of the structure of the song, the bedrock, the chords.  I HAVE talked with young "musicians" and I have grilled them about what they listen to and how they approach guitar.  They are completely clueless concerning chord structures and how it relates to the bass and melody.  Typical conversation goes like this:  "oh you play guitar."  "Why yes."  "How long."  "Oh for about 3 years now."  "So you know your basic chords?"  (Insert confused look)  "So if I asked you to show me a Gm7 chord, would you know what I was talking about?"  Insert another confused look.   This conversation has happened numerous times.  I actually take great pleasure and delight in having it because it blows my mind.  Final point: Brian is a first rate composer and the guitar is one of many colours he uses to paint the picture of the song.  I am sure if he wanted to, he could pick up the guitar and pick out/play the part he wants.  Example: the opening arpeggio part to WIBN.  Composed on piano or sung in his head, he could have probably very slowly figured it out how to play that on the guitar just the same as if he could have done it on a mandolin.  But why do that?  Have the session guy do it! We got work to do!

Oh man, how many thumbs up can I give to this comment.

[adamghost]

There's a photo of Brian playing an acoustic during the finale of some 1980s benefit (Joan Baez is also in the pic), plus of course he plays guitar on "After The Game".

WOW, never heard of this pic. Any chance you can post it, or say where one can see this photo??

Gig was January 13th, 1980 at the Oakland Coliseum... and I saw it once, round about then in a mag.

The great fanzine Add Some Music ran a brief report of this Cambodian Relief benefit show...it said the Boys joined Joan Baez for harmonies on "Amazing Grace", while Brian contributed some rhythm guitar.  So that explains it.

Three chords on that one...I imagine half the SS board could play it!

[Autotune]

I think the "Girl Don't Tell Me" effect is because it's basically a ripoff of "Ticket to Ride," which was almost certainly written on guitar.

Good one. In a 1996-ish issue of the extinct "Breakaway" fanzine there was a Q&A section in which he stated that "Girl don't tell me was written on the guitar".

[markcharles75]

Thanks Adam!  Appreciate it. 

[Wirestone]

I think the "Girl Don't Tell Me" effect is because it's basically a ripoff of "Ticket to Ride," which was almost certainly written on guitar.

Good one. In a 1996-ish issue of the extinct "Breakaway" fanzine there was a Q&A section in which he stated that "Girl don't tell me was written on the guitar".

Not true.

I have the issue of the newsletter in front of me. Brian writes:

"I wrote that song while on vacation in Hawaii, without a piano or guitar. And it's the only song I wrote that way. When it was done, I went to the piano and -- it was THERE."

[Ron]

Paul McCartney does a little more than just play guitar.  Check out his solos on Taxman, And Your Bird Can Sing, Ticket To Ride, Back In The USSR, or Maybe I'm Amazed, to name a few.

Paul's a great guitarist.  I'm sure i'm preaching to the choir, but he played guitar in the Beatles before he played bass.  He kind of eats George and John alive on "The End", too, unless I have it mixed up who's playing what.  

[HighOnLife]

I think it goes Paul, George and then John 3x.

[Ron]

Hmmm.  Then I got it wrong.  I thought Paul was second... George, Paul, John.  3 is definately John.  Guitarist behind door #2 is the man, whomever he was.