Hey Darren, you sound really good on here! Lovely playing and singing. This performance feels very musical and settled. There is one immediate thing to point out though: there are beats missing consistently between the A and B sections. On the first instrumental at around 0:23 it jumps ahead by 3 beats. At that same spot when you are singing (0:55) it jumps ahead by 1 beat. It jumps ahead there a bit in the last instrumental as well. So I’d listen again and count while you’re listening and make sure you know which beats the downbeats of the measures are occurring on. It’s confusing with this song. For years when I was younger I thought that the downbeat of *Tony Rice’s* version (but not Norman’s) was the very first note of the song - but the first two notes are actually pickups and the downbeat is the 3rd note. All of that to say, this song is a little squirrelly.
The other note that I would make is that there’s an opportunity in the Norman version (the first instrumental you play) to get really, really groovy. You might try playing that one as if you were trying to get people to dance. I take it to a kind of calypso-y place, which you don’t have to do, but I do think that it’s inherently groovy so see if you can squeeze a little more of that out of it. That said, it sounds really nice and calm as is!
Sounds good Ian. The only thing I noticed is your left wrist. If you go up and look at Chris play his wrist is straight while he plays the tune. It might be because you are sitting down and you're dropping your elbow too much. Try standing up and see where your arms and hands sit on the guitar, could be a posture thing when your sitting. Or try dropping the guitar neck so it is parallel to the floor. I only mention this because it could cause tension in your forearm moving forward. Keep pickin buddy!!!
Hi Darren - good question. We found that most people were either pre-recording and then uploadeing their videos or using the YouTube link for videos -- so we removed the in page recorder. The in page recorder also had lower quality.
Hi Darren -- sorry for the troubles. For YouTube videos -- in the top menu of the comment box you can find a " + YouTube " button. If you click it, you can paste in a YouTube video URL that will then add the video to your comment. Please let me know how it works.
here is one with less swing and a different third chorus. Is this any better/worse, doesn't really fit etc... maybe a quick example if I'm not getting it if you could. Cheers!! New record with Julian is off the chart!
Chris!! It's been awhile. Crazy busy but back at it. I'm trying to make the song get a little "bigger" each time through, am I achieving that? Does that walk up in the last chorus musical to you? I couldn't think of a better way to get back to open position besides using the open string idea in your Gold Rush lesson. Thoughts? Thanks again for taking the time with me in Nashville.
Darren, sounding good! I like the idea of the song getting a little bigger every time. I don't know if it's entirely working on the third time through though, mostly on account of the decreased rhythmic activity. Maybe try playing it where you still playing the big chords but crosspicking or doing some other sort of busier accompanimental right hand technique in between Melody notes, a la Norman Blake. Also, as an overall comment, see if it gets any easier to play if you dial the swing back a little bit.
I love your up the neck variation. Sounds killer and way to use the open string!
Boyd, run your mouse cursor across the face of the video, in the top left you should see a video speed selection show up. 50%, 75% and full speed. It's very helpful in slowing down what is presented. Cheers.
Darren, this is a beautiful version! I love all of your embellishments and substitutions. It'a been a real pleasure having you here - you are a great player! Looking forward to more next year!
Sorry I've been away for a bit, was getting some work on the guit box. Hope this is feeling better. I was really listening to how you were playing and it made me think of the rhythm of an old steam engine.Is this a better way to get this feel into my head while I'm not playing along with the vedio? Cheers
Darren, that's a definite feel improvement. Try playing it slower, but still with the close, careful attention to the feel. It's hard to make things groovy when you're going slow, but trying to do so can keep you honest about the subtleties of your feel. And to be clear, you sound really, really good. It's that last 5% that you have to work the hardest for!
Totally! Now, we're into subjective stylistic coaching at this point, but for the last little bit of Norman feel try aiming for 80% of the new approach and 20% of the old. Norman's feel could be considered a "straight-swing."
Man it's good to be back. This song is so groovy! Those bends... you so funky Chris!
Ha! Thanks Darren!
that lick you start at 2:47 is so greasy I love it!
Ha, thanks Darren! I was hanging on for dear life!
hey Chris. Not sure if you saw this video. Mike got it up and running for me. Any thoughts?
Hey Darren, you sound really good on here! Lovely playing and singing. This performance feels very musical and settled. There is one immediate thing to point out though: there are beats missing consistently between the A and B sections. On the first instrumental at around 0:23 it jumps ahead by 3 beats. At that same spot when you are singing (0:55) it jumps ahead by 1 beat. It jumps ahead there a bit in the last instrumental as well. So I’d listen again and count while you’re listening and make sure you know which beats the downbeats of the measures are occurring on. It’s confusing with this song. For years when I was younger I thought that the downbeat of *Tony Rice’s* version (but not Norman’s) was the very first note of the song - but the first two notes are actually pickups and the downbeat is the 3rd note. All of that to say, this song is a little squirrelly.
The other note that I would make is that there’s an opportunity in the Norman version (the first instrumental you play) to get really, really groovy. You might try playing that one as if you were trying to get people to dance. I take it to a kind of calypso-y place, which you don’t have to do, but I do think that it’s inherently groovy so see if you can squeeze a little more of that out of it. That said, it sounds really nice and calm as is!
Chris
Sounds good Ian. The only thing I noticed is your left wrist. If you go up and look at Chris play his wrist is straight while he plays the tune. It might be because you are sitting down and you're dropping your elbow too much. Try standing up and see where your arms and hands sit on the guitar, could be a posture thing when your sitting. Or try dropping the guitar neck so it is parallel to the floor. I only mention this because it could cause tension in your forearm moving forward. Keep pickin buddy!!!
thanks for the help Mike, and the compliments.
i just pressed the little clock looking thing on the screen and now my video is back??? Any help??
mike I keep having trouble with video upload. is it because I have private enabled on youtube? I just want to share the video here.
This is just like playing guitar, keep practicing till you get it right lol. Did this work?
Once again just trying to get the song down, not going for thr TR picking. Any tips?
Beautiful. Love your playing.
thanks for the help Mike, and the compliments.
I tried doing a video in QuickTime but it wouldn't play here. What youtube link do yoou speak of? Any help would be awesome.
There used to be a video recorder tab on the page, I've been gone a while so just wondering if that has changed or I'm just not seeing it.
Hi Darren - good question. We found that most people were either pre-recording and then uploadeing their videos or using the YouTube link for videos -- so we removed the in page recorder. The in page recorder also had lower quality.
I tried doing a video in QuickTime but it wouldn't play here. What youtube link do yoou speak of? Any help would be awesome.
Hi Darren -- sorry for the troubles. For YouTube videos -- in the top menu of the comment box you can find a " + YouTube " button. If you click it, you can paste in a YouTube video URL that will then add the video to your comment. Please let me know how it works.
mike I keep having trouble with video upload. is it because I have private enabled on youtube? I just want to share the video here.
i just pressed the little clock looking thing on the screen and now my video is back??? Any help??
Yes -- the video needs to be public on YouTube in order for it to be shared here. Sorry -- it's just the way YouTube is setup.
Damn!!! everytime I hear you play this I smile, it's sooo good.
Aww, thanks Darren!
here is one with less swing and a different third chorus. Is this any better/worse, doesn't really fit etc... maybe a quick example if I'm not getting it if you could. Cheers!! New record with Julian is off the chart!
Chris!! It's been awhile. Crazy busy but back at it. I'm trying to make the song get a little "bigger" each time through, am I achieving that? Does that walk up in the last chorus musical to you? I couldn't think of a better way to get back to open position besides using the open string idea in your Gold Rush lesson. Thoughts? Thanks again for taking the time with me in Nashville.
Darren, sounding good! I like the idea of the song getting a little bigger every time. I don't know if it's entirely working on the third time through though, mostly on account of the decreased rhythmic activity. Maybe try playing it where you still playing the big chords but crosspicking or doing some other sort of busier accompanimental right hand technique in between Melody notes, a la Norman Blake. Also, as an overall comment, see if it gets any easier to play if you dial the swing back a little bit.
I love your up the neck variation. Sounds killer and way to use the open string!
Boyd, run your mouse cursor across the face of the video, in the top left you should see a video speed selection show up. 50%, 75% and full speed. It's very helpful in slowing down what is presented. Cheers.
Merry Christmas to all you out there in Sonic Junction land
Darren, this is a beautiful version! I love all of your embellishments and substitutions. It'a been a real pleasure having you here - you are a great player! Looking forward to more next year!
Thanks Mike. I'm finding it to be a very difficult feel to grasp.
Sorry I've been away for a bit, was getting some work on the guit box. Hope this is feeling better. I was really listening to how you were playing and it made me think of the rhythm of an old steam engine.Is this a better way to get this feel into my head while I'm not playing along with the vedio? Cheers
That's some mighty fine picking. Made my day.
Thanks Mike. I'm finding it to be a very difficult feel to grasp.
NAILED IT!!!!
I'm I anywhere close to making this feel right? I play along with the NB video and I can feel it but just can't seem to get it on my own.
Darren, that's a definite feel improvement. Try playing it slower, but still with the close, careful attention to the feel. It's hard to make things groovy when you're going slow, but trying to do so can keep you honest about the subtleties of your feel. And to be clear, you sound really, really good. It's that last 5% that you have to work the hardest for!
how's this?
any better?
Totally! Now, we're into subjective stylistic coaching at this point, but for the last little bit of Norman feel try aiming for 80% of the new approach and 20% of the old. Norman's feel could be considered a "straight-swing."