[mapletrees]

we'll play thirds up the 3rd and 2nd string in the key of A, first with an A bass note ringing out to create the sound of A major - then with an E bass note ringing out to create the sound of E mixolydian...

remember, the A major scale is

A B C# D E F# G#

in case you're lost...you can find the A major scale up the 3rd string on the following frets...

2 4 6 7 9 11 13 14

If we add on the 3rd or each note from the A major scale on the 2nd string you should get

xxx22x

xxx43x

xxx65x

xxx77x

xxx99x

xxx 11 10 x

xxx 13 12 x or xxx10x (that's a 1 and a zero)

xxx 14 14 x or xxx22x

Play through those intervals with your open 5th string bass note A ringing out...you might pick a pattern such as 5th string, 3rd string, 2nd string, 3rd string on each interval....

compare the sound with the E bass note ringing out ....

play the following...get the bass notes correct and don't let the E bass note 'bleed' into the A bass note (mute the E bass at the same instant you play the A bass......Mark Hanson's 2nd fingerpicking book has much helpful information about 'damping' (or muting) unwanted strings....really helps you get control of your hands if you work at it....of course if you don't work at it........duh....If you don't know what book I'm referring to, ask.

play 0xx10x then x0x22x....you're hearing part of an E7 chord turning into part of an A chord....it's a lot less 'clunky' than playing the whole chords...but your ears really still hear the chords

play 0xx43x then x0x22x...again it's part of an E7 turning into part of an A chord

What Eric Clapton does in Tears in Heaven repeatedly before returning to the opening signature lick is alternate the following intervals with an E bass note

xxx10x then E bass (and repeat) then

xxx22x then E bass then

xxx43x

then the signature lick with HO's and PO's

it's simple but effective...and it's a lot more interesting than just strumming an E7 then an A chord....when he plays those intervals with the E bass you hear all the notes in an E7 chord (E G# B D)....they're just spread out or stretched out using intervals...

If you don't have it, get the TAB book for Eric Clapton's Unplugged...no reason you can't sound at least that good with an acoustic...

same exact sort of thing happens with an A7 chord and intervals of a tenth every time John Denver returns to the opening chord of My Sweet Lady

you get 2 beats of A7 x0202x

then the following tenths

x0xx2x

x2xx3x

x4xx5x

then the opening Dmaj7 chord of

xx0 11 10 9

or

0xx 11 10 9 with a detuned drop-D bass (don't play that with an E bass, grrrrr....)

Again, the A7 is stretched out using intervals of the D major scale (A mixolydian) before returning to what A is the fifth of - a D chord...a Dmaj7 chord here actually...

common, common move...

There is a very good John Denver authentic TAB book available...ask if you are interested....it's a must (I think) if you're into his music..especially if you are in the earlier stages of playing and are looking for something 'real' but very playable...

this isn't done....

[ 04-04-2001: Message edited by: mapletrees ]

[ 04-04-2001: Message edited by: mapletrees ]

[ 04-04-2001: Message edited by: mapletrees ]