I gave you fair warning

si16 · #1 December 31st, 2005

This relates to this previous post BB style blues

Since there were no takers I thought I'd have a bash myself. The tab is featured at the end of this interview http://www.martintaylor.com/sitepix/...ylor_small.pdf. Have a go, it's actually not that difficult as many of the parts repeat throughout the song. It's a very interesting interview as well incidentally.

Another reason I thought I'd record something is because I just changed the strings on my guitar for the first time since I bought it which was, whisper it, three years ago. So I thought I'd record the strings while they were still bright-sounding and new to keep me going till 2009.

Is there any way to cut down on the scraping/squeaking sound of fingers on the fretboard. I've tried lifting my fingers more but that really slows me down.

All comments welcomed as I like to know what I'm doing right and wrong.

Simon

allthumbs · #2 December 31st, 2005

Wow. You did well for the amount of time you have been working on it. Baby powder on your left hand will reduce the drag a bit.

Kirk Lorange · #3 December 31st, 2005

That's beautifully done, Simon. You sure know your way around that tune, which is no piece of cake from the sound of things. You kept it all flowing for the whole duration ... no small feat. Very cool.

Squeaking ... !! We all have to deal with squeaking. It's part and parcel of playing guitar, isn't it. Some moves are just impossible to do without squeaking, and even the best players can't eliminate it. I heard a Joe Pass recording once, him solo on nylon string, and it was one big squeak, really. I used to hate it in recording sessions when the producers wanted all squeaks removed from the part, thank you very much.

It was always the keyboard player producers who made such demands. They just didn't understand.

I guess the only thing to do is to be constantly aware of the problem and to try and reduce it as much as possible. Keeping everything relaxed helps, a conscious effort to lift the hand off the strings more. Like all other aspects of playing an instrument, daily playing and working on the details is what keeps it all progressing ... even just a few minutes per day.

Good playing though, Simon.

Schermerberger · #4 January 10th, 2006

Very well done. The melody is smooth fluid and sounds clear. I personally like the sound of "squeak" on the strings.

Yeah1Right · #5 January 19th, 2006

Nice, very nice. I fell asleep it was soooo soothing!

Jean · #6 January 19th, 2006

That was beautifully played!
Thanks for sharing-we all have squeeky fingers, don't worry about it!

solidwalnut · #7 December 5th, 2006

Awesome job, Simon! That was alot of work, and you kept it flowing smoothly.

Yah, the squeaking thing. Kirk's right, it's always the non-guitar playing producers who seem to want to eliminate the squeaking. I say it adds a bit of charm. Me, I just try and practice lifting my hands off the strings when moving to minimize the squeaking, but hey, I'm not going to get rid of all of it. It adds too much character to do that!

Steve

Rockerbob · #8 December 5th, 2006

Nice! A difficult piece for sure, and you did a great job!

Fretsource · #9 December 5th, 2006

Wow! - that's one complicated piece of music - Well done Simon, Very impressive!

tomg123 · #10 December 5th, 2006

Good job, I would get frustrated trying something like that but your effort payed off

mcig68 · #11 December 6th, 2006

I have to agree with previous comments, that squeak is part and parcel of our instrument of choice and can be minimised with practice but you will never get rid of it entirely. It's good to know that the 'greats' squeak too.
The one thing that puzzles me is - you can play like that and then come to us for advice. If I ever get to that level of skill I'll be the happiest man on this street.
Well done and thanks for letting us hear.

si16 · #12 December 7th, 2006

Thanks for the kind comments guys, it is a beatiful tune. Apparently Dolly Parton wrote lyrics for it and recorded it as a song but I haven't heard it.

Like a lot of Martin Taylor's songs it isn't actually as difficult to play as it sounds so don't be put off. He often gives the impression that a lot is going on but very seldom does he play more than two notes at a time. For example the first 20 seconds or so can be played just by adjusting index finger and pinky.

chammon · #13 December 7th, 2006

Wow! That tune is a handfull for sure. You handled it beautifully.

johnbullard · #14 December 9th, 2006

Tunes played at that high caliber as you did have alot of quick movement and thus unavoidable squeaking. I wonder if allthumbs babypowder works? At least it smells good eh? Fantastic playing JohnBullard