The Black Crowes "Hard to Handle" (I need another set of ears)

[Cardsfan_69]

I've always played it as E, F#, G#, A

 

[Spidey2112]

It's a G# (during every verse of the studio version).

Check out to the attached mp3 (raised an octave) and it's crystal-clear.

This made my whole morning, listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks sing part of this song.

 

[Slevage]

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The sheet music doesn’t always reflect the recording.

 

[13bass]

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Dang, now I can't wait to get home and try this again. I think I play it pretty close to this though.
My trouble song has always been Georgia Satellites Keep Your Hands to Yourself, just can't hear what is going on with the bass there, so I play it simple root notes, with some walk ups/downs. Some songs my ears fail me completely for some reason.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

This is one of those songs I that when I hear the opening riff I immediately change the station. It's just way overplayed.

 

[instrumentlevel]

We played this in a band that I’m in. The guitarists flat out refused to play it in G#. “It sounds so much better“—which really meant they want to play it with open chords, not barre chords.

 

[Koog]

Interesting discussion. I'm surprised someone has not suggested you try Ab.

(LOL)

 

[jnewmark]

You could always do the original version by Otis Redding :

 

[mikew31]

I posted this in General so not sure which forum is the right place...

It could be my bad ears, but for the main verse riff, I'm hearing a G# as opposed to an A which is how everyone plays it on youtube.

So most youtube vids play it: B E F# A B, but what I'm hearing from the original recording is that instead of A, he's playing G#, so: B E F# G# B

Can someone listen closely to the song and let me know? I'm not sure why I'm hearing G#, but A just doesn't line up with the recording that I have (it sounds like he's playing more major scale stuff as opposed to blues scale). But again, just could be my aging ears haha

Huh, I was playing it wrong all that time. I just jammed along to the Black Crowes album version and it is definitely a G#. The A sounds fine in a band setting so I never thought to question it.

 

[john_g]

 

[Mata Leao]

I play a lot of songs "wrong". I don't care.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I posted this in General so not sure which forum is the right place...

It could be my bad ears, but for the main verse riff, I'm hearing a G# as opposed to an A which is how everyone plays it on youtube.

So most youtube vids play it: B E F# A B, but what I'm hearing from the original recording is that instead of A, he's playing G#, so: B E F# G# B

Can someone listen closely to the song and let me know? I'm not sure why I'm hearing G#, but A just doesn't line up with the recording that I have (it sounds like he's playing more major scale stuff as opposed to blues scale). But again, just could be my aging ears haha

It's a B

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Sounds like he’s walking up G#, A, then to the B. With the low alternating note of course.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Btw this is one of about 40 songs is learned recently for a new band, and hearing the isolated track made me feel silly. I have good ears and I definitely glossed over this part, I’d been playing it much more simply.

 

[john_g]

Sounds like he’s walking up G#, A, then to the B. With the low alternating note of course.

Im pretty sure Ive played this song more than The Black Crowes and Otis Redding combined lol and Ive always played it B E F# A back to B. Then I embellished here and there, but Ive never added the G# (not saying that isnt right...I will need to pick up the bass and see when I get a minute) but it has been fine. YMMV

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I say it's an A, but when you focus on it, you want it to be a G# because a G# fits the E chord.

 

[Ryno1330]

Well just to confirm that I wasn't crazy after not playing it for 15 plus years I jammed along and I've always played G#. Cool to hear the isolated track for some validation though so thanks for posting that.

I also like to throw in a low E and F# in place of that run every once in a while. I think it sounds good also.

 

[john_g]

Btw this is one of about 40 songs is learned recently for a new band, and hearing the isolated track made me feel silly. I have good ears and I definitely glossed over this part, I’d been playing it much more simply.

I never listened to the isolated part and have played it in 3 straight bands (in other words: every gig for the last 15 years). I play it with a little more "groove". Ghost note-y and more feel. He obviously played the original with a pick and its a little more busy. But, since Im so bored with this song, I think Im going to start doing it like the original just to break it up a bit.

 

[lat]

I hear and play A. There’s always the possibility that the recorded version isn’t exactly at A=440.

Could very well be a victim of tape stretch.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

B B D E F# E D E D B

And where is this G# everyone seems to be hearing?

The F#?

Dirk