Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Re: question on guitar techniques book
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 11:27:37 +1100
Thanks so much for expounding so well on this topic...I feel we have a 12-string guitar kindred spirit between us. You really are tuned in...and I mean that sincerely. I'd love to post our 12-string ramblings between us on our web site.
Hi Mickey
That's surprising...I would have thought that the outback country would be perfect for 12-string guitar.
It is....for me, I take it with me everytime we go camping, but there are virtualy none who stand out here in Australia in the professional circuit where I could buy their music, Tommy Emmanuel is but one of the few and altough he is a very good player he is not really a "country picker" and from what I have seen rarely uses a 12. When I (try) and play some tunes on it (sometimes I use a slide as well ) you'd be surprised at how many people tell me they have never seen some one finger pick a 12 string guitar, even people who play the guitar, so I feel like I'm in some sort of exclusive club...LOL.
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I can relate to exactly what you're saying...and I bet you also have the famous Takoma record/cd with all three players: Fahey/Kottke/Lang...there's a phenomenal version of "Cripple Creek" arranged by Kottke on this album.
I have a recording of Fahey/Kottke/Lang, that was given to me by a Kottke fan and guitar player in the US, and I have most of the tablature for those songs, ( there is a book called Where Kings lay?? that has most of the tabs to this record) I can play most of them reasonably well, but I seem to lack that flair for some reason, they just dont sound as good as when I listen to others and the originals, I have a copy of "Cripple Creek" from Kottke, but his version is very different to the one you play on that CD ( your site), Kottkes one is played in Open D, I can play his version ( some parts I'm clumsy with) Your version of "Cripple Creek" seems to be played on Open C ( I tried to follow along for a few hours with the piece on your site trying to get the notes.....but I could be way off, it also seems to be tuned down about 1 or 2 steps?)
Do you have this book? I remember one of the pieces by Peter Lang as titled: "When Kings Return"...if you have this book, can you e-mail the publisher name and date of copyright?
My version of "Cripple Creek" is in open G tuning: D G D G B D...it is tuned to concert pitch. It's my understanding that Kottke tuned a whole step down on a lot of his tunes...it added the growl he achieves on the bass end.
I like his version since it has a classic country "beat" but your version gets to my blood and heart since it has that classical Country "Feel" and sound, the pictures you have on your site really epitomise that piece, it's what I think of when I hear the 12 string played like Kottke, Fahey/Lang and yourself. Oh I also have Kottkes 6&12 string guitar, It's the one that brought me to the 12 string in the first place.
I also relate to wood scenes whenever I hear 12-string...and, yes, that's why I included all of those Alabama images on the page. Thanks for interpreting this so well...
I use a light gauge set of strings...My Breedlove loses no power or punch from these...I believe some of the traditional 12-string players have used medium gauge...and they usually tune down their 12 string a whole step to lessen the the tension on the neck while adding even more bottom end.
I prefer using concert pitch for its brightness and projection.
Please stay in touch...and be sure to let me know how things progress for you...
Keep on Pickin', Mickey
Thank you for sharing that with me, Yes I have been using mediums ( D'addario LJ34? I think they are called, or could be LJ 28 I dunno which), I have found that the mediums give a better "Slide" sustain than the lighter ones, bu the lighter ones are a heck of a lot easier on the fingers.
If you do get the time Mickey I would still love to have a peek at The "Cripple Creek" Tab you play on your site, I would pay for it without a problem since your time I'm sure is valuable.
If I can get around to tabbing this out, I would be more than happy to e-mail it to you. I would love to tab out the entire CD...for I'm known more as a teacher than a performer...so it would only be a natural course of events for me to produce an accompanying book. I also like the idea of being known as a teacher...I love carrying forward the acoustic flag...
Thank you for your kind response are you a Christian? ( I dont want to push religion on you I just thought you may be, since you seem to give of your time and efforts very readily)
Well thanks for the compliment...yes, I am a Christian...and will be the rest of my days.
Remember the John Fahey, who coined "American Primitive Guitar" ... His all-time anthem was: "In Christ there is no East or West"
Mickey
Kind regards
Tony
Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Re: question on guitar techniques book
Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 09:41:05 +1100
Hi Mickey
Thanks so much for expounding so well on this topic...I feel we have a 12-string guitar kindred spirit between us. You really are tuned in...and I mean that sincerely. I'd love to post our 12-string ramblings between us on our web site (with your permission and omitting your address.
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And thank you for the kind words,Yes of course you can post our ramblings I dont mind at all,
Do you have this book? I remember one of the pieces by Peter Lang as titled: "When Kings Return"...if you have this book, can you e-mail the publisher name and date of copyright?
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I actually have the song recorded from that cassete I was given, the Book you are after is called "20th Century Masters of Finger-Style Guitar" 1982, which has that piece Tabbed out, its called "When Kings come Home" by Peter lang, it's currently out of print, go to <http://www.stropes.com>www.stropes.com, John Stropes is the official Publisher of Leo Kottke's music, he has this book advertised, but it's out of print, but contacting him may yield some results since he was involved in writing the book from what I gather.
My version of "Cripple Creek" is in open G tuning: D G D G B D...it is tuned to concert pitch. I's my understanding that Kottke tuned a whole step down on a lot of his tunes...it added the growl he achieves on the bass end.
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You know that now you have condemned me to hours of "fiddlin" with this tune ( just joking), these are the two tunings I get confused over the most C and G. You are right about Leo Kottke tuning down on many of his pieces though I have a lot of his tabs and many of them require tuning down 1/2 or so steps.
I also relate wood scenes whenever I hear 12-string...and, yes, that's why I included all of those images on the page. Thanks for interpreting this so well...
Yep, I love the Country side, as I mentioned I have been to Kentucky a couple of times ( hopefully I will get there again this year) I have a client over there who treats us very well, but he is not musically inclined.
If I can get around to tabbing this out, I would be more than happy to e-mail it to you. I would love to tab out the entire CD...for I'm known more as a teacher than a performer...so it would only be a natural course of events for me to produce an accompanying book. I also like the idea of being known as a teacher...I love carrying forward the acoustic flag...
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If you get the time, please do, producing an accompanying book and including the CD with it would be a great idea, Teaching is rewarding because of the sharing aspect of it, and of course 12 string territory is still being pioneered by the likes of yourself and others......so you are also a trail blazer...LOL.
Well thanks for the compliment...yes, I am a Christian...and will be the rest of my days.
"in Christ there is no East or West"
Mickey
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I'm a Christian as well, Mickey, I remember that tune by Fahey and trying to learn it in the Kitchen every morning with an old cheap Yamaha 12 string, my wife was the "captive" audience, and I'm sure she suffered whilst I was trying to learn it.
Must go to work ( I'm pretending to work at the moment, it's OK I'm self employed but I have to set an example no one here blieves I actually do any work anyway....LOL
Kind regards
Tony
Subject: Re- Reposting e-mail on 12 String guitar
Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 08:28:15 +1100
Thanks for resending your e-mail...I'm hoping to post our communications soon...by the way, I also have the URL 12-stringguitar.com...of which I had high hopes of posting it on the web soon. I hope to have an entire site dedicated to everything to do with the 12-string, the players, the history, the instruments, and many examples...if you'd like to contribute to it, be sure to let me know...the site will be located at: 12stringguitar.com ... Mickey
