atomic imrrov vol.

Hi guys, thanks for buying this improv package by the wonderfully melodic guitar that
is Nick Johnston. These are videos that Nick has uploaded to Youtube and you guys
have voted in for your favourites. Because of the nature of the solo improv guitar these
performances are in free time and do stray slightly in rhythm to the transcripts I’ve
written. That being said, I’ve done my very best to keep on top of those weird time
changes without changing tempo every other bar! Something Nick does a lot of in
these performances is changes between pickups and picking technique a lot.
Wherever you see BP, MP, or NB I am indicating Bridge Pickup, Middle Pickup, and
Neck Pickup (The reason I’ve had to shorten these is because at points Nick changes
pickup for one note!). I’ve not made note of every Hybrid Pick to Alternate Pick change
because again, there’s usually a blend of both going on rather than a definite
movement between. I have written down when ‘Hybrid Pick’ where there is a series of
Hybrid Picks. The good news is these are accurate to the videos so if you come really
stuck, you can watch him play it over and over again!

Enjoy!

Ryan Fisher

Hello, fellow musician! Thank you very much for your support and interest in my guitar
playing! This is going to be the first volume in a series where I break down some of the
improvisations I have posted over the last year or 2.

My approach to improvisation is constantly changing and evolving - sometimes on a

day-to-day basis. Obviously there are technical limitations to what each of us you can
play, but there is no limitation on what you can hear. Every time I hear something new,
wether it’s a melody,  a chord progression, an arpeggio or a run, I get inspired and get
excited to take some of those sounds and inject them into my own brand of guitar
playing. At my core, I’m a rock guitar player. I like bending, distortion, fast guitar
playing and all of the other cornerstones that are associated with a rock musician. But,
I also love harmony and melody and using my ear and taking advantage of all the
knowledge I’ve amassed over the years as best I possibly can. When I improvise, I
think about everything I’ve ever heard or played and I try to be a reflection of that. I’m
definitely a rock musician, but I think that world is one that is constantly expanding,
readily accepting new fusions of style and new twists on something that is classic .
Perhaps through some of these transcriptions you can get some insight into how I play
my guitar and maybe even add some new ideas or approaches to your guitar playing. I
think everyone has the ability to be a unique and special player, it’s just a matter of
listening to a lot of music,  letting your ear guide you and not being afraid to follow your
own path! Your ‘musical ear’ can be a terrible thing to waste!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this package!

See you next time, 

Nick Johnston