Hook Line

[saint421]

Can anyone help me with the "hook" that is the main groove of Big River?

[Billbbill]

If you're talking Jerry's opening riff this is how I see it-

In A

g---5h6--7-5h6---------
d-------------7--

Slight hesitation between the 6 and 7 thus 2 dashes. You can voice the d chord on the 7th fret over the 7 on the g if you like.


A fuller sound would look like this-

-A------------D-----A

e--5--5-5-------------5-
b--5--5-5-----7-------5-
g--------5h6--7--5h6----
d-7---------7-7-7---7---


Jerry played variations on this in a whole bunch of songs.

If this ain't it - clarify and I may be able to help you.

[jhc]

Yeah, the second variation is all over the place - Maggie's Farm, Cumberland sometimes...

It's a great, versatile riff.

[Guyute24]

here's how i play it, keep in mind i don't post tab often.

e--------------------------
B--------------------------
G--------------------------
D----------7-7-----5-5-----
A--------------5-7--7------
E--slide/5-----------------

i like sliding up to the A on the low E string, i think it gives it that low down bluesy feel like jerry used in Me and My Uncle, Samson and Delilah, etc. the double A's on the D string help to emphasize the A being played. hope it helps, michael

[Guyute24]

k, here's some more before i drink too much. do that riff 3 times, and then play this:

e----------------------------
B----------------------------
G----------------------------
D--slide/9-9-9p7slide\5------
A-----------------------7----
E----------------------------

after this rift, it shifts into D i think, and then Jer riffs on that back into the A from the beginning. again, hope it helps some, peace, michael

[BlobWeird]

bBill can you possible give a vid of that lick you just posted? Or even just an mp3 of it? Or better yet a song and time to go with it that JG does it?

[Billbbill]

It's pretty much a generic take on the lick. I didn't lean on any one version. If you've got a clean version to listen to, my tab should a least be in the ballpark. I'll try to do a vid.