Maid in Heaven by Be Bop Deluxe: a tutorial by Stewart Cowley

Maid in Heaven

[@joeroganjosh9333]

Charlie Tumahai, Orakei, New Zealand, Rock in Peace...

[@Mudge07]

One of the most enigmatic intro excerpts to a classic BBD tune. Goodness knows where Bill got the inspiration but he’s passed it on in bucket loads with these amazing note combinations. That zest comes across Stewart - and there’s that quintessential hint of how the other licks pan out in his unique style. What’s the musical equivalent of a Turing Award? You deserve it. It gives the viewer skills you can bank. For example, apart from solo tricks, Bill also used that hammer on/off combination used in “Rocket Cathedrals” up on the 15, 17 19th frets; which Mr Satriani deemed worthy of his rendition.

[@doublepick]

I'm always delighted when I get comments from fellow enthusiasts. These videos were never meant to be seen by thousands of people; they were done at the request of some guitar friends. The sound and vision has improved over the years but I sometimes feel I should go back and do them again now I have access to HD and direct input recording.

[@ricksuegreen1753]

Great stuff Stewart. Love those power chords. Awesome track from the BBD. I can't stop watching the videos of Fair Exchange from TOGWT and Maid in Heaven, the musicianship of these players is mind blowing, and Bill's singing is fantastic too, and because I've been watching these amazing clips, your video was suggested. I am very impressed and happy that you are so into the music of this timeless band. Thanks for keeping their music alive by doing videos like this, and you look like a great, friendly guy too. Keep up the good work, Best wishes from Rik. Keep rocking Stewart👊

[@kevinayling5252]

great tutorial of a great track.. Thanks Stewart

[@andyatkinson3574]

I don't play guitar but laughed in amazement at exactly the same time as you. It was v funny. Well done that man for getting the 'twiddly bit'!!

[@watfordkev]

Thanks for taking this on. Great, great job explaining it. I’m going to try it!!

[@hurfurr]

Fantastic. Thanks so much!!

[@Whatnot]

This was a lot of fun to watch. Thx!

[@MrChriswren]

i love this band i wish more people would do tut"s on their music

[@kevinpower5823]

Thanks Stewart, really helpful. I've been playing this for years in a classic rock band, but always missed out the extra live solo (after the famous twiddly bit) because I couldn't unpick what He was doing. All clear now - and now I have no excuses!

[@doublepick]

I'm pretty sure he played it differently every night but this is one version of it. You have to remember with Bill that "If in doubt - go for the pentatonic..."

[@theresamatocha4598]

thank you well done in breaking it down

[@chezbranski]

Thanks Stewart, great job thanks for taking the time to do this

[@doublepick]

colin brannan Thanks. I’m going to do Axe Victim when I return from holiday...

[@joeroganjosh9333]

In my country the police and ambulances will have the slow twiddly bit as the siren.

[@treborob]

Brilliant Stewart! I'd love to see you do Panic In The World, yeah it's relatively easy, I know....I played it with some mates in a pub in Bristol in 1987, not that I am any great shakes on guitar. Huge Bill Nelson fan though! Anyway, your videos are excellent!

[@stephenbirks6458]

Fantastic ! - Well Done !

[@stephenbirks6458]

Gonna go watch Bill concentrate now Haha !

[@edperry4235]

Great job, Stewart!

[@doublepick]

Ed Perry Thanks Ed. I think my tutorial on "Visions of Endless Hopes" may be worth a view (and Fair Exchange of course)...

[@perdix99]

Great video! I have just been watching TOGWT version. It looks as if Bill is barring strings 1,2 and 3 for the twiddly bit - makes sense as the F is then covered? Thoughts?

[@joeroganjosh9333]

You’ll get there in an evening or so....” yeah, right...........

[@Renhjarta]

What kind of pickups do you have in that Strat? They sound really powerful and nice!

[@doublepick]

Sebastian they are whatever Fender put on it in the early 1970’s when it was made. I think I’m using the BOSS ME80 pedal on this video which drives them pretty hard.

[@gizi72]

Great Song really well done instruction as the song has some degree of difficulty.....Thanks

[@alexhamilton4084]

Crying to the Sky next? 🤔😃

[@doublepick]

I did actually do one but it was so poor I took it down. Maybe I’ll redo it one day...

[@jamesparr6840]

Yes please!

[@simapark]

I love the way you are describing all the different notes in that brilliant twiddly bit after the first few chords but Bill Nelson could neither read nor write music so to me that makes his musical achievements even more underrated . I’d love to know what he could have achieved with Be Bop Deluxe ( probably the best name for a band after Mott the Hoople ) if he had stuck at it for a few more years .

[@GarryLeeTaylor]

No ships in the night solo tutorial !!!??? ;)

[@doublepick]

One day my friend, one day...

[@GarryLeeTaylor]

Stewart Cowley The Live in the Air Age live version please! 😊👍🏻

[@doublepick]

SO demanding. I have some free time soon and I will return to the Be Bop Deluxe tutorials. Sadly, I couldn't be with Bill tonight in Leeds but if I could I would. I have a cherished photograph of me holding his white Gibson Les Paul from the inside cover of Axe Victim. I know - read it and weep...

[@GarryLeeTaylor]

Sorry Stewart, it wasnt a demand :) it was a plea and a hope! Your vids are great and if Im ever going to learn that solo it will be via you 👍🏻

[@doublepick]

Ha! No problems - good to see people taking an interest. Will have a look at it soon. Best, S.

[@almightygus]

I wish I knew you when this came out. You look way too young to be around then. It took me a month to get it close. As deceptively tricky as any Bryan May riff. Bill is on my mount Rushmore of rock guitar influences. The others are Clapton, Mick Ronson, and Alvin Lee. Chuck Berry, Keith, and Freddy King are givens.

[@DSilvergun]

Maybe get the title of the song right for starters. :) Otherwise this is mostly right.

[@doublepick]

Dan S. Oops....

[@treborob]

@@doublepick but it is right, "Maid", not "made", typical Bill Nelson play on words.

[@doublepick]

Actually - yes I am right! I thought so.