Take a Long Line
by The Angels
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
AdvancedBass
IntermediateWhy "Take a Long Line" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give The Angels's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
The Brewster Brothers Staccato Twin-Guitar Counterpoint and the bVII Flat-Seventh Cadence
The manic pub rock urgency comes from contrasting dry, percussive muted sixteenth-note pedal chugs on the low E string with sharp staccato power-chord stabs that land on unyielding offbeats.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I - bVII - IV - IStep-by-Step Movement
- •E (I): The pounding tonic pedal center anchoring the manic rhythm section.
- •D (bVII): The borrowed Mixolydian subtonic chord that instantly eliminates classical sweetness in favor of pub rock swagger.
- •A (IV): The subdominant completing the quintessential double-plagal cadence (D → A → E).
- •B (V): The punchy dominant chord held back for dramatic chorus build-ups.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›Twin guitar arrangement: John Brewster holds down relentless, surgically tight muted downstrokes while Rick Brewster injects piercing, syncopated upper-register triad accents.
- ›The D major (bVII) chord steps smoothly down to A (IV) by whole step in the bass while common chord tone A is sustained between D and A.
- ›The guitar solo eschews generic pentatonic wailing for razor-sharp double stops and chromatic slides into chord tones.
Fretboard Mechanics
Bridge pickup of a Gibson SG or Fender Stratocaster directly into a master-volume Marshall JMP or Plexi on high treble. Keep the guitar volume rolled slightly back for crisp rhythm staccato, then opened wide for scorching lead cuts.
Great rock arrangements rely on sonic space and stereo guitar separation. Have one guitar drive the rhythmic motor with palm-muted chugs while the second guitar stabs sparse, syncopated accents on opposite beats.
The primary scale balancing major triads with the rebel flat 7th (D).
The biting blues framework used for solo flourishes and turnaround fills.
The quintessential Australian pub rock tonality.
Tight 5th intervals across the lower strings for maximum percussive impact.
Ringing open E and A chords providing expansive dynamic release in the chorus.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding E Major / E Mixolydian:
E Major / E Mixolydian has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The E Mixolydian driven by flattened 7th (D5) power chords and high-velocity Aussie pub-rock swagger mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Drives Rick Brewster's razor-sharp, staccato intro riffs and aggressive lead solo fills
Forms the harmonic framework for the verse and chorus movement between E5, D5, and A5
Injected across the guitar solo for raw, snarling attitude and chromatic passing bites
The harmonic character shaping E Major / E Mixolydian
The harmonic character shaping E Major / E Mixolydian
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E Major / E Mixolydian
E Minor Pentatonic
Notes: E - G - A - B - D
Application: Drives Rick Brewster's razor-sharp, staccato intro riffs and aggressive lead solo fills
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
High-octane Australian pub-rock riff built on stabbing downstrokes, tight palm muting, and climbing power chords
💡 Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
E5
D5
A5
G5
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- E5 (Tonic I): Relentless tonal anchor driven by machine-gun low E downstrokes
- D5 (Subtonic ♭VII): Injects iconic Mixolydian drive, eliminating leading-tone resolution for hard-rock grit
- A5 (Subdominant IV): Creates classic blues-rock lift resolving with authority back to the tonic E
- G5 (Mediant ♭III): Provides bluesy chromatic tension in the main riff and intro hook
Key Techniques
Rapid Downstroke Palm Muting
IntermediateHigh-speed 154 BPM downstroke chugging on the open low E string requiring stamina and wrist relaxation
Twin-Guitar Harmonic Synchronization
AdvancedInterlocking rhythm and lead guitars engineered to create a massive wall of sound without muddiness
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E Major / E Mixolydian. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Iconic Twin-Guitar Intro Riff
Iconic Kings Cross Stabs & Chug
One of the most famous guitar openings in Australian music history, featuring razor-sharp E5 stabs and climbing G5-A5 accents
- •Attack the open E power chords with aggressive, short downstrokes
- •Slide crisply from G5 on the 3rd fret to A5 on the 5th fret
- •Leave complete silence during the staccato rests to create dramatic tension
Driving Verse Chug & Stabs
High-Speed Verse Pedal Chug
Fast-paced eighth-note pedal chugging building continuous momentum under the theatrical verse storytelling
- •Maintain an unwavering palm-muted low E eighth-note pulse at 154 BPM
- •Accentuate beats 2 and 4 with sharp, unmuted power chord stabs
- •Lock closely with the bass drum for maximum pub-rock punch
Anthemic Pub Rock Chorus
Chorus Power Cadence & Turnaround
The explosive chorus hook ('Take a long line, reel him in...') letting open power chords ring out
- •Let the opening E5 power chord roar with full sustain
- •Execute rapid changes to D5 and A5 on the upbeat
- •Drive the turnaround hard into the next measure
Rick Brewster Fiery Lead Solo
High-Register Pentatonic Solo Explosion
Rick Brewster's blistering guitar solo, delivering sharp whole-step bends and ferocious staccato phrasing
- •Position your hand at the 12th fret box for maximum bend leverage
- •Execute the 15th fret high E bend with reinforcement from index and middle fingers
- •Apply Rick Brewster's trademark laser-focused, tightly controlled vibrato
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Bridge humbucker for razor-sharp Australian pub-rock mid bite and attack
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 7
Treble: 8
Middle: 7
Bass: 5
Presence: 7
Alternative Amps:
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Natural British tube saturation pushed with an MXR Micro Amp clean boost
Reverb / Delay:
Dry studio recording with minimal room reflections for in-your-face punch
Modulation / Other:
Albert Studios analog console compression (George Young / Harry Vanda production)
Recommended Learning Path
Power Chords & Rhythmic Stabs
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn the E5, G5, A5, and D5 two-finger power chord shapes
- •Practice the staccato stops with metronome at 110 BPM
- •Focus on eliminating extraneous string noise
Speed & Endurance
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Build stamina for continuous 154 BPM downstroke palm muting
- •Seamlessly transition between verse chug and chorus open chords
- •Play along with the studio track from start to finish without pausing
Solo Precision & Live Swagger
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Master Rick Brewster's 15th and 17th fret bends with pinpoint pitch accuracy
- •Develop high-speed alternate picking on pentatonic string transfers
- •Capture the aggressive, theatrical Albert Productions dynamic feel
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Tensing the right forearm during the 154 BPM downstroke chug
- •Failing to mute the open strings during the dramatic staccato stops
- •Under-bending the 15th fret notes in the lead solo
⏱️ Targeted Practice Routine
- •5 mins: Right-hand downstroke endurance warm-up at 120 BPM
- •10 mins: Slow metronome drill on the G5-A5 slide and staccato rests at 135 BPM
- •10 mins: High-position pentatonic bending and vibrato practice
- •5 mins: Full song playthrough at full 154 BPM performance speed
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Right-wrist relaxation and consistent pick depth
- •Tight, abrupt muting between power chord hits
- •Intonation and pitch control on whole-step bends
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Start at 120 BPM establishing steady downstroke stamina
- •Work up to 138 BPM focusing on clean chord transitions
- •Lock into 154 BPM matching the frenetic live energy of The Angels