Fracture Lyrics

"Fracture" from the King Crimson album "Starless and Bible Black"
Transcription by Reginald Hunt
This peice is long, complex, and technically challenging.
Take it one section at a time. Take a riff that seems an essential idea,
practice it slowly, then work it faster & faster. A metronome is a great help.
"" = play open string harmonic at 5th fret.
"5H6" = play note on 5th fret then hammer on 6th.
"6P5" = play note on 6th fret then pull off to 5th.
"5^6" = play 5th fret then bend up to 6th fret pitch.
"X" = Deadened string.
"/" = Slide up the string, "\" = Slide down the string.
"%" = play previous measure again. If a "2" is above it, repeat previous 2 measures.
This INTRO starts extremely quietly, in 5/4, then fades in. Starts on C#.
Then starts in D#. Moves back to C#.
SECTION ****************************************************************************
On repeat: Sweep pick to 11th fret high E w/ slight bend^
Up again to D#. Back to C#.
On repeat: Play 6th fret A string on repeat^
Goes up to A.
[Skip this section on repeat.........................................................
Then up to B. Back to A.
.............................................................................]
Goes down to G#
Kick on distortion
Then up to A#. Back to G#.
SECTION Double tempo **************************************************************
-7--------3--5--9--|-7--------3--5--9-*|| indicated flourishes.
SECTION This is a constant pattern. Starts with G.*********************************
Turn off distortion
Moves up to A.
Up to C#
Up to D#.
Up to a higher C#.
A little bridge.
Play as chords, letting notes ring.............................................
SECTION ***************************************************************************
Let the notes ring in this section
Slide up four frets and play previous 2 measures again.
Slide up ANOTHER four frets and play previous 2 measures again.
Second little bridge.
Play as chords, letting notes ring.............................................
--10--10--10--10--10--10--10--10--10--10---| Slide up ANOTHER four frets and play
-9-----------7-----------9------10---------| previous 3 measures again.
Play as chords, letting notes ring.............................................
SECTION Same pattern as . Starts with C#.***************************************
Up to D#.
Back to C#.
Up to G.
Up to A.
Up to higher C#.
Third little bridge
Play as chords, letting notes ring..........................................
SECTION ****************************************************************************
-5-----------4-------5-------4-------5---|-5-----------4-------5-------4-------5H6-|
Let notes ring in this section.
Slide up four frets and play previous 4 measures again.
Slide up ANOTHER four frets and play previous 4 measures
again (except for last beat).
-6-----------4-------6-------4-------6---|-6-----------4-------6-------4-------6H7-|
-5-----------4-------5-------4-------5---|-5-----------4-------5-------4-------5H6-|
Slide up four frets and play previous 4 measures
again (except for last beat).
Distortion fades in here.
Fourth little bridge.
Play as chords, letting notes ring..............................
SECTION Same pattern as . Starts with low C#. **********************************
Up to D#.
Up to higher C#.
Up to higher C#.
Up to D#.
Faster Tempo (about double)
H
SECTION ***************************************************************************
I
SECTION Performed a bit rubato, alternates with violin ****************************
-10-------|----------|-8--------|--------\\\\6--------|-----------| "< >" indicates
< > < > < >
Slide down to 6
< Slide up neck
< > < > < >
< < >
Bend up slowly
< > < > < > < >
Violin plays by itself
J
SECTION Mute the A string slightly with side of pick hand**************************
-7-----7--7-----7-----7--7-----|-7-----7--7-----7--7--7--7-| is more like (4 1/2)/4
Band comes in
K
SECTION ****************************************************************************
-4------2-----4----2----4/5-|--%--|-4------2-----4---2--------------2---|
-4------2-----4----2----4/5-|--%--|-4------2-----4---2--2-----4-----6---|
-8------6-----8----6----8/9-|--%--|-8------6-----8---6--6-----8-----9---|
-11-----9-----11---9---11/12|--%--|-11-----9-----11--9--9-----11----13--|
-15-----13----15---13--15/16|--%--|-15-----13----15--13-9-----12----|
Bass guitar dual solo .........................................
L
SECTION ***************************************************************************
M
SECTION Faster tempo in 7/4 *******************************************************
-4--------------------|----------------------|-----| moving up 4 half-steps each time.
Start to slow down