I decided to add these descriptive notes to the web site so that many of you who are interested in playing some of the compositions on "Basic Transportation" would have some place to start. In the future I plan to elaborate on some of these pieces by posting tablature. I hope what I present here helps you get started. Don't be afraid to contact me if you have questions.
Every piece on "Basic Transportation" is played on my Martin D-35. Some of the tunes I recorded with medium gauge strings and some with light gauge strings. The medium strings pushed more sound out of the guitar but the light gauge strings were useful for some of the pieces that had positions that could cause hand strain.
All of the compositions are played fingerstyle without picks. I try to play as much as possible with my bare nails. I am lucky that my nails are fairly thick to begin with. I use acrylic on my right hand in two instances: 1) when I crack or break a nail, and 2) when I am working out a piece that uses so many thumb stokes that the nail begins to wear down! Unlike many guitarists who cover the whole nail with acrylic, I prefer to use as little as possible so that the nail can breathe and maintain its own strength. The important idea here is to generate the sound you want as easily as possible.
None of the pieces are overdubbed, though many people get that impression, especially on "Hummingbirds at the Motel 6."
Cloud's RestThis piece is played in E= major. The tuning is Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) with a capo at the first fret. I picked this key because there is one stretch that was too far for me to reach when I first was composing the piece in the key of D, hence the capo! When you practice the big stretch, be sure you have warmed up first. Or capo up to a fret where the stretch is more comfortable until it comes naturally (somewhat!). |
3rd of JulyThis piece is played in F major. The tuning is Double D (D-A-D-G-B-D). The capo is placed at the third fret. The melody is played almost entirely with the thumb. |
Basic TransportationI play this in G major. The tuning is Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D). |
One Too Many GoodbyesI play this in standard tuning in the key of D major. Fingerings are odd for this piece. The Bm7 is played using the ring finger on the D on the second string and the pinkie playing the F# on the fourth string. This makes it possible to keep the melody legato. Otherwise, you would have to pick up your fingers moving from the D to the Bm which messes up the melody line. |
Late Bloomer BluesThis piece is played in standard tuning in the key of E major |
Sunset in AvignonIn the key of A major, standard tuning. |
St. IgnatiusThis piece is played in the key of E major. The tuning is Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) with a capo at the second fret. I liked the sound of it in E - there was no technical reason for picking this key. |
La Valse Pour le Petit Prince (Waltz for the Little Prince)I play this waltz in G major with the middle section modulating to G minor. The tuning is Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D). |
Go Back You're Going the Wrong WayThis one I play in G major in Open G tuning (D-G-D-G-B-D). This piece will improve your skills at hammer-ons and pull-offs. The harmonic in the middle section is played with by the right hand alone - the index finger touches the 1st string and the ring or little finger plucks it. |
Hummingbirds at the Motel 6This piece is played in the key of E major. I tune to Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) and place the capo at the second fret. The main trick to this piece is to keep that bass drone as steady as possible while the open strings ring. Most of the harmonics use two strings, sometimes three. |
RejoiceThis is played in standard tuning in the key of A major. Get your friends who play mandolin to play along! |