Song Discussion - Rich Ford Guitarist Forum

Newest Songs over the last couple of weeks - all from requests

Rich — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:32:34 +0000

Seems to me, if a song is requested, it could be a good one to learn. Over the last couple of weeks, I've been working on some great songs.

"Sunspot Baby" - by Bob Seger. Definitely one outside my wheel house, but not out of my ability - so I started it a few weeks ago after a request. Doing it Solo Acoustic requires a bit of 'adjustment' but it's coming along pretty good.

"Ballad of Curtis Loew" - by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It had been requested over the years and never tackled it - after listening to a few cover examples (sans Slide) - I added it and it's come out pretty good. In my rotation.

"I Just Wanna Learn a Love Song" - by Harry Chapin. This is a great 'Chapin' Story song. Not as well known as "Cats in The Cradle" (In my rotation) or "Taxi" (Not yet).. but this is a fun song to play. Haven't played live yet - as it's for a specific audience type. Can't wait to play it though.

"Red Solo Cup" - by Toby Keith. A surprisingly easy song to perform. The Intro is a G-D walk down while doing a 2/4 strum (G, F#, E, D - done on the High E String.. Then getting the tempo down for the lyrics as it's rather 'talking' instead of singing - but it's a fun song and will go over well in certain venues. Just started this one - so not quite ready for 'prime-time'

"Chevy Van" - by Sammy Johns. A one hit wonder but one everyone knows. It's got a pretty cool A,Asus2,Asus4 sound that makes it identifiable. Then just a D and an E... Fun to play fun to sing.

Check out the post on learning new songs - This is my process and it's very effective.

Anyone working on new material?

Songs I Love & Want To Share

Traveling Bone SC — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 03:49:02 +0000

1) Laid back, very picturesque tune sung so well by a close musical friend from Elgin, SC, Carroll Brown. The tune centers around a laid back lifestyle in a coastal town in South Carolina.

https://youtu.be/gMrO5qHJPbE?si=UAFK9PQxdaOJIAPj

2) When I met Carroll Brown (CB), it was at an Irish pub in Five Points, a nightlife area frequented by University of South Carolina college students. At the time, I had just lost my wife to another man. I was heartbroken. I always requested this song for CB to sing all the while drinking Smithwicks and shots of Jameson to drown my sorrows. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/X_XkdINTQ3E?si=ePVCRMCzjpUK3vth

Layla Unplugged

RichFord — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:06:50 +0000

Eric Clapton songs have always intrigued me and, well, intimidated me. I haven't really been a lead improv or blues player - but have focused more on rhythm on country and folk music. But, as a gigging musician, I'm being challenged to learn new stuff. So, I'm now working on Layla.

Individually, the song isn't complicated - chords are pretty straight forward for the chorus and verse. The solo work is based on a Dm pentatonic scale with some diatonic notes added.

Here's my approach to learning it.

1. I know the song from listening to it, but I still start here. Listening to the original artist (Eric Clapton Unplugged). Then I simply sing along with it until I have the phrasing of the lyrics.

2. Check Youtube to see what covers are out there and if I can find Eric's live version, watch those to see the chord voicings.

3. As a reference, I'll pull the chart from UG or other sites.

4. Start playing along with the video version to cement timing

5. Drop the videos and go it alone until I have it down

For the solo, I don't use tablature - I can normally find a 'how-to' for most of the solos - and for Layla, there are plenty. I'll get the gist from those and then see if I can tackle it. I don't shoot for, "Note for Note"; rather - the feel and the recognizable licks.

Last stop is to work on the Looper timing and 'master' it. The harder the song, the longer before I play it live - this one will take me a month I think.