Unit 4: Disco No

Envelope Filter

Before we dive into the track, let's talk a little about the most unique sounding pedal in Tom Misch's pedal chain... The envelope filter. Dan and Dion get together in Studio B to discuss how the filter works and why Tom Misch uses it all the time. Don't worry about taking notes here, just watch, listen and enjoy. Perhaps there will be a time in the near future where this pedal makes its way to your collection! 😂🎸🎸

Rhythm Section A

Let's start by working through the rhythm section, which has a huge amount of "fruity chords" in it! The groove is also based on a 16th note strumming style, which Dion takes you through in great detail as he works through the track. It is worth looking at it as a rhythm pattern though, as well as just the tab. The groove is this:

note: in the video, Dion leaves out the first beat of each bar, which is also an option if you prefer the sound!

Once you have that groove together, you can repeat it all the way through the track! The chords in section A are shown clearly in the tab, but we can also learn them as chord boxes. This will help to really solidify the shapes. Get these learnt before the next lesson!

Let's check out those chord boxes in the chord boxes section, first as full shapes, then as inversion shapes without the root note.

...when you've got the hang of those, let's tackle the rootless chords, where we ditch the root note! Notice the different fingerings as well.

Rhythm Section B

We'll now add the second half of the rhythm section. Once again we are working through a range of inversion chords, based on the chords we have studied so far. The chords are as shown below, and we use the same strumming pattern throughout.

...when you've got the hang of those, let's tackle the rootless chords, where we ditch the root note! Notice the different fingerings as well.

Lead Section A

Now we have the groove, let's do the melody! We now have a chance to develop a more extended Tom Misch style melody, and we're gonna have some fun with it. The key thing to remember is that we're looking for a strong melody, with loads of those techniques we talked about in Unit 3. So, be sure to check out the tab first.

The Scales...

Let's talk scale shapes first. We are in the key of D major, and therefore using the D major scale throughout this lead part. As Dion talks about in the video, it is based on the first shape (the G shape) and therefore feels like a B minor scale, but as B Minor has the same key signature as D, it is all perfectly in keeping! Be sure that you can visualise that scale shape before you get started with the tab!

The most important thing in this lesson is to get the feel for the lead part correct. Dion takes the time to talk in great detail about the beat placements of the notes, and when to play behind the beat. This is crucial for mastering that sound!

Lead Section B

Let's now tackle the last part of the solo, which extends the melody and brings in more classic Misch'isms! In terms of scale shapes, we're really using the D major pentatonic box 2 and box 1, as well as of course the D major scale! Make sure you can visualise those notes as you got through them.

You now have a tonne of new chords, lead concepts and rhythmical ideas to go away with. We would say that there are two key things to now develop this further. Firstly, go ahead and learn some Tom Misch tracks, or rework on some you already know. Be sure to apply the knowledge you now have and we guarantee you will pick up the chord and lead parts a whole lot faster! Secondly, take these concepts and start applying them to your own soloing and arrangements. That doesn't mean you will be a Tom Misch "rip-off", it simply means you are taking the bits you love from a player you love, and making them your own! Good luck, and as always, have fun!