Can this be done on a 3 string? Ry Cooder - Feelin' Bad Blues

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Permalink Reply by PapaSimone on October 20, 2010 at 7:59pm

I love this recording and the Paris Texas soundtrack. I've been trying for Dark was the Night, Cold was the ground on a 4 string with moderate success

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Permalink Reply by MBliss on October 21, 2010 at 2:46am

You'll not likely get the exact sound, but thats not the point. The power and feeling of that piece in my opinion is in the subtle touch and feel..... The soul of the playing comes through. Get that and it doesnt matter what you play it will be smokin' and send shivers.........
Theres my definition of "having the mojo"!
The thing I have always noticed about pieces of music that move me that way, it is in what they DONT play, or just just hint at gently if you you know what I mean. The guys who play every note in the scale and display perfect technique and blazing speed..... bore me to death.
And Papasimone's comment on "Paris Texas" reminds me.... I remember the mood of the movie, that actresses voice, I think it was Virginia Madsen? And yes, the perfect fit of the music in the soundtrack. I have to see that again. Been a long time!

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hughes on October 21, 2010 at 5:01am

Your right Mark it doesn't matter what you play and thats what the blues is all about to a point and the music in the video is just that, good blues music but nothing like "feelin bad blues", not even close (I'm assuming we are talking about the same bit of music over on Gregg Allen's post?). I'm not saying it's bad at all, far from it. I've loved Ry Cooder's song from the first time I heard it and would love to be able to play it, so I've been looking to see if it's even posable on a 3 or 4 string.
What you said about what good guitarist don't play made me smile. I know it's something thats been said for a long time but I always remember an interview Eric Clapton did on TV when the interviewer said it's the note's you don't play that are important, well wont put exactly what Clapton said to that as there may be ladies present, lets just say he didn't agree at all! I know what's meant when people say that, it's just the wrong way to say it I think. It's more like the space they give the notes they do play that's important.
I've got to see if I can get a DVD of Paris Texas, not seen it in ages and couldn't agree more with you about the sound tack.

Dave.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hughes on October 28, 2010 at 10:37am

This is starting to get like the film for me, searching for Robert Johnson's lost song!! Though trawling youtube is a bit different it going down to the Delta. Anyway stumbled across this video and he does a pretty good job of the Ry Cooder classic around 2:07. It's on a 4 string and sounds OK.

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Permalink Reply by MBliss on October 28, 2010 at 12:15pm

Yeah thats a good one, Jay is better than he knows and that CBG sounds real good!

As far as Clapton's response to the "parts left out" question, I maintain my opinion. Perhaps it has been repeated too many times by people who dont know what they are talking about. But what I am saying is that its a matter of taste (and opinion obviously) that you dont have to hit every note in every scale with machine like precision at impossible speed. Many a player has shown great technical proficiency but completely lacked soul and feel. Taste. Another element is joy, it comes through in the music when an artist is enjoying himself I think.
Examples? Watch Jake play Ukelele on the video "Ukelele awesomeness" and try not to smile.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hughes on October 28, 2010 at 12:44pm

I wasn't really disagreeing with you mark with what I said about Clapton and what you say about it being said too many times is spot on and probably goes some way to explain Claptons response. I'm totally with you and I don't like some of the super perfect players, Steve Vai is one that gets a bit too clinical at times, I think thats why he was in Crossroads, his super fast perfect playing against more soulful blues.
The Uke player is amazing and yes it did make me smile. Now if I could suggest something for you to have a look at, this guy, John 5 has played with some of the heaviest rock bands around, all big power cord stuff along with out and out shredding. He's a real nice guy, tea total, a bluegrass fan and a collector of vintage Telecasters! Probably not what you would expect from a former band mate of Marilyn Manson!

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Permalink Reply by MBliss on October 28, 2010 at 12:57pm

Well thanks for that fun little journey. Slightly thrash but tasty. I was unaware of this guy and will have to check him out a little more! Thanks for the tip.
And I was gonna point out Steve Vai as the poster child of exactly what I was saying, but didnt wanna be "hatin' "

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hughes on October 28, 2010 at 1:04pm

Ya John 5 is a cool guy, if you find the video of his tele collection it'll blow you away and there's one of him at the Fender custom workshop having some work done to his signature tele prototype, he looks so worried when they start routing the body for a new pickup! lol.
Don't worry about "hatin" Steve Vai has his moments but couldn't listen to him for more than 5 mins!

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Permalink Reply by PapaSimone on October 29, 2010 at 9:49pm

Hey Keni,
If you were going to do an arrangement for four string would you use Df#ad?

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Permalink Reply by uncle Lou on October 30, 2010 at 12:05am

here is my simplified version of it. Yes I no it is not the SAME. So I don`t want to hear any crap. Just tryin to help. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/lonesome-blues

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hughes on October 31, 2010 at 8:57am

Hi Lou. Thanks for that, your doing ok there my friend and you wont get any crap from me, it sounds good. You've got some of the main parts down well there, that's sort of what I want to learn. I think it would be good to work out the main parts and themes and be able to throw them together with your own stuff and just play it how you feel.
Keni is there any chance of you having a go at this on a 3 or 4 string? Your the main man when it comes to teaching us slide and this is one of the all time great slid pieces (I do mean the main man bit but also hoping flattery might work!).

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