Help figuring out some chords and fingerings

Postman Pat

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Mar 23, 2010, 9:06:02 AM3/23/10

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I have always liked a particular performance of Rolling Stone done by Randy
California and it can be seen and heard at;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_rlVW_OFU

He uses a figure that I have heard in several Spirit songs (Life Has Just
Begun - LP 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus) but which I cannot actually work out
(no surprise). When I watch him playing I don't see enough 'finger action'
for all the notes I hear - also he appears to use a plectrum but what I
hear is sort of finger picked.

It is the intro part that I am having a problem with - if anyone could
point me right I would be obliged.

Thanks

Mr. Green

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Mar 23, 2010, 10:15:01 AM3/23/10

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He's just holding bar chords and picking across the strings, probably
with his plectrum. It's surprising how quickly and easily you can pick
little patterns with a plectrum. There is a technique called cross
picking which uses a flat pick to simulate banjo rolls. I worked on
that some time ago and was surprised how easy it became, particularly
as I'm not usually a fast player.

MrGreen

Nil

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Mar 23, 2010, 11:39:28 AM3/23/10

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On 23 Mar 2010, Postman Pat <P...@hello.com> wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_rlVW_OFU
>
> He uses a figure that I have heard in several Spirit songs (Life
> Has Just Begun - LP 12 Dreams of Dr Sardonicus) but which I cannot
> actually work out (no surprise). When I watch him playing I don't
> see enough 'finger action' for all the notes I hear - also he
> appears to use a plectrum but what I hear is sort of finger
> picked.

Randy used (OVER-used, I think) an echo machine, and here it's giving
the illusion of more notes than he's actually playing at any given
moment.

The picking pattern is similar to "Life Has Just Begun". It could be
done with either pick or fingers, but it sounds like he's using a pick,
since there are never two notes sounded simultaneously.

Nil

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Mar 23, 2010, 12:39:03 PM3/23/10

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On 23 Mar 2010, Postman Pat <P...@hello.com> wrote in
alt.guitar.beginner:

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_rlVW_OFU

> It is the intro part that I am having a problem with - if anyone

> could point me right I would be obliged.

It's just a little arpeggiated E major progression with the 1st and 2nd
strings ringing open. Only 2 left-hand fingers needed. Even Django
could play it!

xx2100

xx4200

xx6300

xx7600

xx9800

Mr. Green

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Mar 23, 2010, 12:59:06 PM3/23/10

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Ah the old: E, F#m, G#m, A, B thing with the open strings, Ninethy
Nine Red Ballons ;-)

I haven't got a guitar around, should that third pattern be xx6400.

Green

Nil

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Mar 23, 2010, 2:38:36 PM3/23/10

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On 23 Mar 2010, "Mr. Green" <cl...@wheatleymetalfabrications.co.uk>
wrote in alt.guitar.beginner:

> Ah the old: E, F#m, G#m, A, B thing with the open strings, Ninethy
> Nine Red Ballons ;-)
>
> I haven't got a guitar around, should that third pattern be
> xx6400.

Yes, you're right, I done did a typo, sorry 'bout that. Corrected
version below:

xx2100

xx4200

xx6400

xx7600

xx9800

Mr. Green

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Mar 23, 2010, 6:31:48 PM3/23/10

to

And I made a mistake too. Just picked up a guitar, Ninety Nine Red
Ballons doesn't have the G#m in it ;-)

Cheers, Green