Notice
Guitarist Steve Howe introduces the "Rock World" to a technique known as "Oblique Motion" during the classic Opening Riff. Most Organ Parts have been banished (they are not really significant here), though the Mini-Moog Fills are included.
"Starship Trooper" actually has Oblique Motion everywhere (!!) throughout, I will explain further in detail down the page a bit.
For now, if you will notice, the Main Guitar Riff of "Lifeseeker" is notated with ring (r) and middle (m) finger methods of attack. I have an old Article where Steve Howe himself explains this Method, which I usually refer to as Flat Picking, but Mr. Howe uses the term "Hybrid Picking".
I personally love using this method myself (I learned it in my teen years, so it comes more naturally now), but it is extremely (!!!) taxing on finger stamina. I do recall Jimmy Page used this style, mainly on the "lighter" Tunes, but it is definitely a Technique worth trying to "maintain".
Steve Howe explains Hybrid Picking:
"I use hybrid picking (pick and fingers) and a quasi-banjo roll pattern to execute this part (of "Lifeseeker") - articulating the notes on the G and D strings with a flatpick, and picking the high E and B strings with my ring and middle finger, respectively."
"In order to play this figure properly, it's imperitive to keep the high A note (B string/10th fret) fretted with your middle finger throughout - don't lift it at any point during the passage. The objective is to allow the notes to ring into each other. Also, be aware that even though the low voice is descending, the right-hand picking pattern remains the same throughout the entire section. To help guide you, I've included the right-hand picking directions below the tablature." (Which is displayed here during the first Measure of "Lifeseeker").
That is about all I have from Steve Howe himself, but it no doubt speaks volumes about what is going on musically during "Starship Trooper".
"Oblique Motion" is the movement of one or more voices, while others remain stationary (ex: "Wurm" Chord Progression, "Disillusion" Acoustic Section).
For all of you Tony Kaye fans, I have added the "Moog Synth Fills" which appear in the 3rd Verse only, though they do give the song more depth, direction and balance (though, his Moog is mearly a counter-melody to Anderson's Vocal), it does show intuitive promise.
Kaye's Keyboard playing on "One Live Badger", by Badger (his Band following YES and, then FLASH) in 1974 shows him as far more creative than his diminished role with YES. "Badger" was a Power Trio, in the vein of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, though slightly bloated and indulgent (even as far as Prog Rock goes), I have always wondered why they parted ways. You certainly can't miss the LP/CD Cover, as it is another brilliant Roger Dean Layout!!
It makes sense that YES brought Tony Kaye back after a 10 year hiatus from the Band, he does know the Keyboard quite competently, where he fit in nicely with an Older/Wiser 30-Plus group of Musical Virtuoso's (and their fat ego's)....
The "Speak To Me Of Summer" Bass Section in "Life Seeker" is varied from that of the reprise during "Disillusion". Most of the Quarter Notes are held an extra 16th Note, thus allowing for less plucking, but also creating longer notes (no anticipation notes during "Life Seeker").
I needed a bit of help with the Bass Line (mainly the Bass Fill at measure 36) on "Life Seeker", so to get it correct, I consulted the MP3 work of Miguel Falcao, available at:
http://www.johngoodall.com/miguel/default.htm
