[dleonard]

Maybe a broad question, but what is it that you guys do to build up your playing like jerry? My problem isn't really figuring out like scales, arpg's in a song or anything, more so like, if you see a good dead band (of course dso, splintered sunlight, never seen em but the clips of playing dead sure rock)...what the hell gave em those jerry phrasings and tight licks? maybe i just have to weasel more dead stuff into the band im playing with.




---anyone in the philly area trying to jam?

[mttourpro]

what the hell gave em those jerry phrasings and tight licks? maybe i just have to weasel more dead stuff into the band im playing with.


I don't play guitar, but I think the best way to learn to play like someone else (if that's what you're after) is to listen real hard to exactly how they solo or comp (whatever you're wanting to sound like) and basically copy it by learning it note for note and eventually playing along with it.... You can also force yourself to transcribe a solo note for note on paper....I've done it on a few occasions and hate doing it but it's the only way I know to copy someone else exactly...and of course it automatically helps you to learn to play, phrase, accentuate,etc. whatever they do just like they do it.

[Pete B.]

If you learn Ionian, Dorian, and Mixolydian Scale forms, then play along with the commercially available GD DVD's, a huge portion of it should fall right into place for you.
It's almost all straight out of the book theory.

[NashvilleMike]

If you learn Ionian, Dorian, and Mixolydian Scale forms, then play along with the commercially available GD DVD's, a huge portion of it should fall right into place for you.
It's almost all straight out of the book theory.

He's right. Running the modes in all keys up and down the neck with a metronome. Then learn the melody in 3 positions on the neck and run chromatics through them. This has helped me start to "understand" Jerry over the last year or so.

I'm not a pro musician but I did sleep at...Just MHO

[sack the wack]

Was wondering if anybody had some techniques or tricks for pulling the melody out of a song? It's my biggest weakness right now and Jerry was the master of working off the melody. Peggy-o is one tune that comes to mind where he really worked it. Got to work on the modes more too. Anyone got an example?

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

Step 1 would be to take your favorite Peggy -O, and transcribe the vocal melody to guitar. Once you can play the basic melody on guitar, embellish it a little bit, as Jerry does with his vocal lines.

Basically spend some time just learning Jerry's vocals on that version on the guitar. After a little bit, you should be able to play Jerry's vocals note for note on the guitar.

Once you are comfortable with that, and by that I mean being really really comfortable.(playing it in every octave all over the fret board), you can start to work that theme into a solo. Take that vocal line and build upon it. There is no real answer here, jsut play around with it.

And yes, having a theory background will really go a long way. Learn the seven fingerings for the Major scale. These are also your seven modes. It is a must. I always liked to start with F major as you can start all the way down at the 1st position.

[sack the wack]

Thanx. I was hoping for a magic potion but I guess expectation and reality don't always mesh. Just work but I'll take whatever tips folks have.

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

The magic potion is the fact that you are listening to Jerry. As you said, he is a master of pulling out the melody with his solos. It's a huge part of what makes his playing so appealing to so many people. Keep listening, transcribe a lot of stuff. Jazz horn solos, great vocalists, etc. I think a mistake a lot of guitar players make is limiting themselves to transcribing just guitars.

I remember when I tackled Miles Davis' solo on SO What from Kind of Blue. It took a good couple of weeks to get it all down nicely but it took my playing to new levels. I still use a lot of the riffs I took out of that solo. I hear a lot of Miles in Jerry's playing, as we know, Jerry aspired to be a trumpet player.

[Pete B.]

I'm reading the "Jerry Garcia - An Oral Biography" book.
Anyway... Everyone in the early 60's is saying all Garcia wants to do is practice Banjo.
Two songs are specifically mentioned as ones he played over and over...
"Nola"
and
"Maple Leaf Rag"
So I looked them up... Yeah... pretty brainy pieces for 5 string Banjo (Our boy liked his chromatics since way back).
Nola:
http://www.videosift.com/video/Nola-thr ... nt-awesome
On Banjo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8nlxYRoC3s

Maple Leaf Rag on Banjo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgC_emgT3yA

This guy don't need no stickin' practice!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wShR8H5QWSM