Mayonaise Guitar Lesson (Part 1) - Smashing Pumpkins

In this Mayonaise guitar lesson video series, I will show you how to play this great song by The Smashing Pumpkins in it's entirety.

To play "Mayonaise" like James Iha and Billy Corgan performed this on the original recording and live, you will definitely need two guitarists.

The tuning that James Iha is using is very unorthodox. That tuning is, starting from the 6th string, Eb Bb Bb Gb Bb D. This makes it an EbminMaj7 open tuning. Keep in mind that the 5th and 4th strings are in unison which means you tune the A string a half-step up to Bb and tune the D string down and major third to Bb.

Billy Corgan uses the more traditional Eb tuning, starting from the 6th string, Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.

In the first video lesson, I will show you all of James Iha's guitar parts, since they are more crucial to the overall chord progressions.

The arpeggiated intro is beautiful and not overly challenging. When the strumming kicks in, there is a main chord shape that Iha is using for much of the song. It is this chord shape that is giving most of the chords in the progressions an add9 quality about them.

The strumming pattern also incorporates a lot of accents on the upbeats, which I will talk about in the lesson.

I will go through each section of the song in the order that they appear and will include the minute and second mark on the original recording each chord progression occurs so you won't get lost.

In the second video I will cover all of Billy Corgan's guitar parts including the solos.

The intro and outro solos played by Corgan contain some really nice melodic playing that is approachable by just about any upper beginner level player and above.

The main solo, played with a thick fuzz distortion and phaser pedal, is a little bit more involved technically, but still rather simple to play. It also fits the music beautifully.

The chords that Corgan uses are mostly power chords, allowing Iha to add the upper chord extensions. This makes Corgan's rhythm guitar parts a bit easier to play.

Once again, I will go through each of these sections of the song in the order that they appear on the original recording.

I hope you guys enjoy learning this masterpiece by The Smashing Pumpkins! #mayonaiseguitarlesson #smashingpumpkins #guitarcovers

Carl...

[GuitarLessonsSongLessons]

Sorry it's been so long everyone. I'm not all the way there yet but I feel good enough to get back into the swing of things! Thank you all for all your well wishes this last few weeks, it really means a lot. Hope you like lesson! Cheers!

[Xaviercovers]

Intro recap 6:24, Chorus recap 13:56, variation verse recap 15:49, solo chords 17:20, 18:07 acoustic build up, 18:57 end variation

[jasonwhite]

God I remember trying to learn this by ear (in standard tuning) back in 93’ when I was 16! No wonder it never worked out that well! Thanks for another great lesson Carl!

[_rootsman]

quite simply the greatest ever Smashing Pumpkins song, it's so beautiful. i have so many memories tied up with Siamese Dream, i look back on those days and i'm so thankful i got to live through it. like another poster said somewhere below - i tried to learn this by ear back then in standard tuning, not surprising i never got very far! thanks for this video :-)

[darklight]

how does one even initially decide to tune a guitar like that?...dont get me wrong, they're some of the most beautiful chords ever

[TeddyLovesBacon]

This is probably one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Truly a masterpiece 🙏💜👌✨

[daphenomenalz]

Cuz you're are the best guitar teacher
No one has taught the full song with seperate things of the two guitarists

[BrandonBriers]

One of the greatest songs ever written, always wanted to learn Iha's part thanks for this!

[iamswitters]

Siamese Dream is such a great album!
Nice choice Carl.

[scottthomasshellphd]

"In the first video lesson, I will show you all of James Iha's guitar parts, since they are more crucial to the overall chord progressions." BC would have a heart-attack if he saw this. <3

[lee-annegraham]

Driving with my son the other day he picked Siamese Dream instead of Gish and I've been
Iistening to Mayonnaise on repeat ever since! I'm so stoked to find this tutorial! Thank you!

[Shaffc]

Finally
No lessons for this on you tube
Favorite pumpkins song of all time
Heart broken in the 90's anyone??

[HTNT]

Glad to have u back!! This easily became my favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs after seeing them play it live last month...thank u for this lesson. Couldn't find any good lessons for it til now

[captcraig]

This is my favorite song by Smashing Pumpkins. Of course you have brought it home for others to be able to play along. Thanks again Carl!

[Zoofa_Qe]

I’m so glad you’re back and I really hope that your hearing is getting good better.

[ryankincaid]

I just heard this song for the first time the other day from the last episode of Beef. What a beautiful song!!!

[jahyeet]

Good to see the channel is back up I was looking for this video 4 days ago confused why I couldn’t find it but glad to see things are cleared up

[ncwomega]

Yes, I have waited for this for awhile.

[marticimus]

Yesss! I've always wanted Carl's take on this one!

[ccreamer]

Hope you feel better. I've been waiting on this one for a long time! Thank you so much!