Music and Songwriting/The Songwriter's Grooves Project - A Guide to Singing and Playing Guitar/The Synthetic Strumming Song Series/Wall of Death
Wall of Death - Richard Thompson edit
Wall of Death has Richard's characteristic potpourri of picking techniques that are notoriously difficult to pin down. There is a simplified lesson that includes the iconic riffs and focuses on a basic interpretation of the song without oversimplifying.
History edit
The song was originally released on Shoot Out the Lights in 1982 and has since been performed many times by Richard in live shows.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoot_Out_the_Lights#Track_listing
Flagship Recordings/Performances edit
On Acoustic Classics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFcl3Y9nJBI
With Linda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSwu88ZMFPI
McCarter Theater from Afar, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qAcbUCkTFU
Seattle 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm5veik7Di0
Playing tips edit
It's helpful to understand the chord shapes and develop a simplified interpretation of the song which you can then expand on. Copying Richard's performances is extremely difficult due to the constant variation in performances and the noisy style of picking/strumming the song.
Lessons edit
Basic edit
Lesson Notes edit
Intermediate edit
Lesson Notes edit
Advanced edit
Lesson Notes edit
Song Stats edit
Notable techniques
Original Key
Tempo
Tuning
Key fingering
SWG Level/Sequences
Practice logs edit
Player Name
Previous Experience
Current Playing Level of the Song
Minutes in Practice Room
Link to Song Performance