Witchita Lineman tutorials

[Cecil6243]

Which one of these do you like better? The second one is the way Glen Campbell plays it on a recording, but the first one is a nice arrangement although I prefer the fingering for the Bbmaj7 in the second tutorial better. I find the first fret Bbmj7 barr chord a little awkward although playable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVMW1tgSez0



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-BXiXX9sdc
(Start at 55 seconds.)

[Cecil6243]

Nobody?

[Rogerblair]

For acoustic guitar, I prefer the first one. There are a couple more on YouTube that are good as well.

Rb

[Stringmaster]

It's on my "to learn" list too--I've been seeking out tutorials as well and saw those two. I'm leaning towards the first tutorial for solo acoustic to start with. Then maybe later incorporate ideas from other tutorials or by viewing other solo performances on YouTube.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I usually end up doing hybrids of various sources. Have fun with it and do what sounds good to you.

[Robin, Wales]

As I watched the first video I though "That guitar and arrangement doesn't sound good - thin and lackluster - too reliant on being plugged in...but that guys voice is amazing" and then I realized that he was playing across Glen Campbell's vocals!

But I suppose that's the point. If I was to cover this song I'd have to make my guitar arrangement fit my vocals (pitch, timbre and singing style) and fit my playing style at gigs (just acoustic, mic'd not plugged in). And my playing capability. So I would be inclined to look at a whole bunch of covers and steal bits from each as appropriate.

My audience isn't going to care about my guitar arrangement being "exact" - they will care about how I deliver the song as a complete package. In fact, my goal would be to play a guitar arrangement that no one will notice because it is just naturally part of the whole package.

My first thoughts are to avoid the thin sounding twiddley bits and go for something fuller as an arrangement - more strumming, raked arpeggios, perhaps some cross picking - particularly on those awkward to hold chords. Why try to hold down 6 strings when you can cross pick 4 and have just as full a sound from your guitar! With my busted up left hand and index finger amputation I can't play barre chords anyway - but I'm sure that I could produce a full sounding purely acoustic guitar backing to this song with some thought.

The aspect that would take me the most time is learning the words by heart and learning to sing the song in a way that would work for me as a campfire level amateur player/singer. And that's where I would put my time.

[Stringmaster]

Another thought--at least in my own pursuit, is to work on the vocals first--If one doesn't have the range to sing it in the original key (or it would sound better in another), these tutorials would not be as helpful as transposing would potentially alter a lot of the chord shapes and "walk downs"

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by Robin, Wales

As I watched the first video I though "That guitar and arrangement doesn't sound good - thin and lackluster - too reliant on being plugged in...but that guys voice is amazing" and then I realized that he was playing across Glen Campbell's vocals!

Even the wife found that funny!

[Cecil6243]

I found another tutorial and it's my favorite so far!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZGFSaBB5kA

[jseth]

I like that last link, Cecil... it seems much more accurate than the fellow (Australian? New Zealand?) - who didn't even know the name of the Bbmaj7 he plays...

Wonderful song, and not an easy one to "nail"... I'm good with theory and harmony, and I'm a good singer, but this tune is really a challenge to get it anywhere near "good enough" for public consumption!

Jimmy Webb's songs are frequently tough to get a handle on... but well worth the effort!

[fantex]

This one is pretty good. I like his channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQAVJIq8CQ

[Cecil6243]

Originally Posted by fantex

This one is pretty good. I like his channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQAVJIq8CQ

Outstanding! That said I am looking at one that incorporates vocals and is exclusively 6 string guitar with no bass back up, although it's as I said outstanding!

Once I realize I suck anymore at singing I will gravitate to instrumentals!

[Joseph Hanna]

By way of background, I've been listening to contemporary music since Meet the Beatles. As I expect many of you have, I went through hundreds of phases. I have my serendipitous favorites, which are just fun: " Glad it came on the radio kinda thing."

But then some rose to an entirely different level—most of the entirety of the Beatle's collection and, of course, a handful more untouchables as the years went by.

Then, the elite. As I've mentioned here before, and it's just me, I think "Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb's "Wichita Lineman" is the best contemporary song (rock or otherwise) ever written. "Gentle on my Mind," perhaps close behind. Of recent releases (probably 5 or 6 years old), I find Tia Sillers' "I Hope You Dance" right there. BTW: I think you can still catch Tia at the Bluebird if and when in town.

I find it extremely difficult to listen to a cover of that song, especially that one. Some musical things, for me, are best left alone. Home or with family and friends, all good. In a club,..hard pass

I know....grumpy old "get off my lawn" guy here, but just how I feel.

[Stringmaster]

There seems to be a lot of variation regarding the second chord of the verse after the Bbmaj7--before the "and I drive the main road" line across tutorials. Not sure which I like best--it looks like Glen might play an Am7--many use Fmaj7, and then Bruce Linquist version uses another variation--at about 6:50



What chord are you all liking?

That said, I may just pick one and give the tune a go at an open mic tonight to see where I stand! The vocal in the original key is close to the top of my vocal range but I might be able to pull it off. If not I'll have to transpose to a lower key and capo with different chord shapes

[Cecil6243]

Both Bob (my guitar instructor) and I like Linguist's chord better than an Am7. As you probably know it's Fsus2/A pictured below.