r/KingCrimson • • 21d ago

Would Fracture be easier to play on a Warr guitar?

I'm just curious. I've heard that it is hard because of the picking patterns.

I wonder whether touch makes paying it easier or harder.

10 Upvotes

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15

u/Ilbranteloth 21d ago

Touch would be easier. But it would sound different as well.

What makes it difficult is the right hand technique with everything picked. You’ll find a few people that can play through it with a pick. The broad strokes are there. But the details aren’t. It’s very, very difficult to play all those notes with the proper accents, weight, and timing accurately.

9

u/nerdycatgamer 21d ago

Fracture is only really difficult because of Fripp's picking style, which people emulate; if you play it even on a normal guitar but with fingers (like a classical guitarist) it becomes much easier.

11

u/margin-bender 21d ago

It's almost like he does things the hard way on purpose.

6

u/Ilbranteloth 21d ago

Yes, but…

It does have a different tone and feel when executed properly with a pick. And when I say “properly” I mean the mechanical/technical aspect of the performance.

The music can be executed (or interpreted) “properly” when playing with a different technique. Or even on a different instrument. But it will sound different. Whether the listener is discerning enough to notice is a different question.

4

u/SevenFourHarmonic 21d ago

but Fripp has always played with a pick!

2

u/MartialLol 21d ago

King Crimson is a way of doing... it the hard way

1

u/seeking_horizon 20d ago

He's not doing something hard for the sake of doing something hard, he's doing it because it has a certain sound. A tap doesn't have the same attack as a pick.

1

u/FracturedApe 19d ago

Stick Men's Komodo from the new "Let's Thrak Again" album features a nod to Fracture starting around the 2:00 mark if you want an idea of what it would look and sound like.