Bluegrass technique

mike0033 · #1 10-12-2003, 07:06 PM

I was wondering how to play a song by the Big Wu called "Bloodhound." The song sounds pretty easy and I can play the roots but I get stuck in between them. I would really like to nail this song because I think it will help me in figuring out future songs with similar feel. Any suggestions? Thanks.

RyanHelms · #2 10-13-2003, 10:52 PM

I don't know Big Wu's "Bloodhoud", but typically bluegrass lines rarely stray from the root and 5th, in quarter notes. So a four beat measure would be R, 5th, R, 5th. Now if you have a chord change in a measure, just substitute that chord's root or 5 where it falls in that pattern.

Does that help at all?

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, blew grass.

-RH

Jacob Bartfield · #3 10-16-2003, 12:12 AM

There are also other ways to connect the chords besides just 1 and 5. For instance, sometimes, if your going 1 up to 4, you can play 1, 2, 3, 4, or 1, 2, b3, 3, 4. Half notes, quarter, notes, eighth notes, whatever you want. But typically, keep it simple, and stick to the 1 and the 5.

mike0033 · #4 10-16-2003, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the help guys. I tried playing along with the song using the roots and fifths but I still just couldn't quite get it to sound right. I am going to keep at though until I get it down. Thanks again.

mike0033 · #5 10-19-2003, 02:57 PM

OK everyone stop worrying, I got it now.

RyanHelms · #6 10-21-2003, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jacob Bartfield
There are also other ways to connect the chords besides just 1 and 5.

Right-o. I was going to mention "walking" up or down to a chord tone, but didn't want to get nuts right away. Realizing how each chord's scale intertwine on the fretboard gives you pretty much unlimited possiblities. Just land on chord tone where it counts and your golden.

Quote:

OK everyone stop worrying, I got it now.

Cool!

-RH