A Short History of Modern Music, One Instrument at a Time

November 21, 2013 6:50 AM

Collective Cadenza (CDZA) has been releasing musical histories of the guitar solo, the drums, the accordion, and the bass.

Previously. Previouslier.

posted by holmesian (12 comments total)

Fun, but, eh I dunno about "In Bloom" ... It's actually got a rippin' solo, though somewhat short.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:33 AM on November 21, 2013

We are of course contractually obligated to point out what we think is missing in these, even though they're really quite good. So I guess I'm surprised that reggae didn't get a mention in the bass video as a form where the bass carries the melody and the rest of the band does rhythm. But they're great videos and I'm glad they're making them.
posted by echo target at 7:44 AM on November 21, 2013

Two things about the accordion video. First, my wife got me an accordion for Christmas a few years back, and it's a really wonderful instrument. Brutally difficult to master--so many buttons, so close together!--but really satisfying when it all comes together.

And second, being lifted up in a chair at our wedding was actually the scariest thing I have ever done. Legitimately more frightening than sky diving. Being lifted while playing the accordion might be worse.
posted by uncleozzy at 7:54 AM on November 21, 2013

Also very frightening and difficult: sky diving while playing the accordion.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:49 AM on November 21, 2013

WHICH BUTTON IS THE RIPCORD??
posted by uncleozzy at 8:59 AM on November 21, 2013 [1 favorite]

Fun and informative. Thanks!
posted by googly at 9:51 AM on November 21, 2013

I still have to watch their Fresh Prince Theme, Translated video once a week...at least.
posted by TinWhistle at 10:12 AM on November 21, 2013

I liked the bass one, although any time you're going to name-check the greats and the innovators you inevitably leave out some that deserve inclusion. In this case they should have given a nod to Bernard Edwards by name as they played his Good Times riff.
posted by rocket88 at 10:24 AM on November 21, 2013

Funny, I was just looking at Noisey's list of underrated by great guitar players and they have youtube videos of J. Mascis and Nels Cline.

I love a good guitar solo, whether it's soulful like Hendrix or just completely fucking over-the-top like the one in Necrophagist's Fermented Offal Discharge. The shred guitarists are awesome but I am mostly a fan of Jason Becker.

The bass one is surprisingly good, although like someone above said they definitely left out reggae. Dalis Car is probably one of my favorite albums for the bass. Mick Karn is insane.
posted by gucci mane at 2:35 PM on November 21, 2013

Who knows where the accordion will pop up next?!

This video is threatening me.
posted by carsonb at 3:59 PM on November 21, 2013

I take issue with essentially every single assertion made in the guitar solo video. The fact that this format requires easily recognizable licks from pop songs pretty much means that by definition vast swaths of history and talent are completely ignored in order to create some corny narrative about how the solo went away in the 90s and thanks to John Mayer it's back now. Come the fuck on.
posted by Rhomboid at 4:03 PM on November 21, 2013

Maybe it was just YouTube but it seemed like there were a few places in these videos where the playing didn't quite match up with the audio.

I like the idea in concept but I think the execution is lacking.
posted by smackfu at 5:17 AM on November 22, 2013