Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)

Subject: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 01:46 PM

Thanks Bbc for the brand new pics. I have to say though that one of them is an absolute highlight! I've gotten to know Big Mick over the last year as a sensitive, articulate, and sometimes volatile Mudcatter. Through his own words we know that he's almost 7 feet tall, weighs close to 400 lbs. and can lick his weight in wildcats. He's obviously a ladies man, as he can spell "fair Alison" in every colour of the rainbow. Who could resist that?

Well, the final "over the top", "he's number 0ne!" piece of the Mick puzzle has been fitted into place as far as I'm concerned. Look at that "G" chord! Perfect fingering! (of course, you all know how I obsess on proper "G"s). Mick, I'll play in your band anytime!

Now for the scary part. Despite her smile, Duckboots is notoriously shy, and still doesn't know that she's now in the resources page. Better to let her know this way, than to have asked her permission to send a pic. Ahh, what the heck, when she sees Big Mick in the flesh (sort of) she'll know she's in good company.

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 02:07 PM

In case anybody wants to know what in the "haitch" Ricko is talking about click here, then choose "photos", then "annap's get together" and scroll down

He's so obsessive! Heehee!

kat

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 02:09 PM

OOps! Sorry, choose photos, event photos, then Barbara's get together (I think!).

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 02:16 PM

Rick, are you in trouble with Duckboots now? I hope not, it's a great photo of her - she's gorgeous!

Loved the shot of you, 'Spaw, and Cleigh, too. Needs to be framed and hung on the Tavern/Pub wall!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 02:59 PM

Jeri: you should see the one where Rick give's Cleigh the rosebud kiss! I guess it didn't get sent to bbc. It's a classic, too!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 03:39 PM

It's on Rick's page Katmyluv.........Of COURSE I sent it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 03:52 PM

Ah! I shall go seek...now!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: McKnees
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:05 PM

I seeked and I founded, isn't there a law protecting the rights of the o'possum. Great photo but where is the one with the cord G string ?!! Great photos of Duckboots, thanks.

Knock Knee'd one.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:18 PM

I agree Knockers........but have her send you the one of "Lecherous Possum Attacks Duckboots." Cleigh was simply overcome with her and Rick could barely hold him back.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:23 PM

Somehow, I don't think that one's gonna end up on bbc's web page.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: McKnees
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:31 PM

Spaw do you like the idea that there should be a site for photos of the Mudcatters in infancy, allowing guesses to be made as to their identities. I've got a great one of duckboots and a giraffe. She must have been two timing the possum.

Knock knee'd one.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Peter T.
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 04:32 PM

Actually cp/Jeri it was sent, so unless there has been a slipup at my end, or bbc has a life (!), it will get there eventually. Police Gazette stuff. Yours, Peter T. (We are scanning everything!!!!)

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Aug 99 - 05:18 PM

Peter T, in the event we're talking about the same thing, I've seen the photo of Cleigh getting frisky with Duckboots. I'd love to see a photo of what happened afer the event and after Catspaw (I assume) took the picture.

("And here's a nice picture of Catspaw with a camera strap aroud his neck. Gosh, isn't he a clown? And such a pretty blue color! And look at this one of Rick - have you ever seen such a surprised expression. Bet you can't guess where the possum is now!")

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: bbc
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 09:28 AM

Unfortunately, Peter, I will have "a life" again soon. I have passed a couple of the more esoteric ideas on to Bill D. I've gotta draw the line somewhere, in terms of content & time. I want the present services to continue as a quality product. Jeri, you're right. Call me a Puritan. Policy statement--you can send it, but I will still exercise my own judgement in what I put up. I am developing quite an interesting personal file on you folks, however! BTW, I have not yet met Big Mick in person, so I think Rick must be referring to Barbara (Blessings) event page. I'm saving a big hug for him for the Getaway. catspaw, I'm so pleased that Karen can join us!

love,

bbc

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 11:19 AM

Laughing me arse off at this insane thread. Yes, Rick, that is how I was taught to make a G from the git. I have been fooling around a bit with the G modal from the threads. Interesting variation and sound.

Tell Duckboots that I love her picture. That face has good feelings all over it. Makes me happy just looking at it.

And folks, I am sorry I am absent a bit just now, but I have a union representation election coming up a week from this friday. One of those madhouse times for the Big Mick. I am lurking though and trying to keep up with you all. Fell asleep at the keyboard last night just trying to read the threads. I gotta get a life and get rid of this damn dayjob. It gets in the way of the music and 'Cattin. LOL. I will keep you posted on this. It is a very close race, which usually means we lose. But we are sluggin' it out..............we shall see.

All the best, my friends,

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 11:47 AM

As always, my best thought are with you my friend......keep us posted and take Koko with you.

Peter T. is going to be at the Young Center for awhile. He's started dressing up herons to look like Waylon Jennings. Zimmy's there too....I think the deliveries put him over. I don't think Duane's returned yet either after the judge sent him out for "Perverse Acts with a Telescope."

Seriously, stay in touch man.........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:26 PM

Mick...good news, finally, for unions in Wyoming. We just got our first non-Federal unionised hospital! It was close and they won in Wheatland, WY!

Take care and keep us posted,

Katlaughing

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Duckboots
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:21 PM

Rick will have his little jokes won't he? No, I didn't know he was sending pictures in, but thanks anyway Barbara. You've done an absolutely wonderful job with your site. I don't contribute a lot to Mudcat, because I'm afraid I'm nowhere near as "folky" as I would like to be. I guess I still listen to more Gershwin, Beethoven, Dusty Springfield and Freddie Mercury than Woody Guthrie. I LOVE reading the threads however and to be able to see a picture of the person who posted is a special treat. Yes, I'm afraid I am a trifle shy (unlike most of my Scots brethren and sistren) but folk people have been very welcoming and maybe some day I'll learn to play an instrument. (it won't be the possum) I think my sister - who should be calling herself "McKnees" instead of "KnockKneed One" should send in a picture as well.

Duckboots

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:43 PM

Ah my dear 'Boots.....I also confess to sending the picture in the chair along with "Lecherous Possum Attacks Duckboots." Understandably Beebs didn't post it........but I also sent a copy to Katlaughing too. It's a great shot of you!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:53 PM

And when IS Knockers gonna' send in a picture? Get on her case 'Boots!!!! And we are also a bit light on others in Toronto...and YOU could get on them. Rick described Peter, but I want a picture up on the site. (Does HE dress like Waylon Jennings or does he just dress up the herons that way?)

Spaw

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 06:13 PM

Both Peter T and Tony Burns are so handsome they feel they'd knock Big Mick out of his heart-throb roll and they don't want that on their consciences.

Rick (who has to get by on his fingers)

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 06:24 PM

Pshaw! You're no slouch yerself, there Rick! Duckboots "Bootsie", it's true, 'Spaw did send me several pics and I love all of them. You guys look so good and as thougb you had a really good time. That possum just can't keep his'paws to himself, though, can he? I love the picture Rick sent in of you!

So, how about it McKnees?? When do we get to gaze upon your mug, too?**BG**

bbc-thanks you have done a terrific job!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Marion
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 01:54 PM

Okay, so how is the perfect G chord done? I examined the picture and couldn't figure out how (or if?) he was fretting the high E string.

Would you be so kind as to spell it out, i.e., which fingers on which frets of which strings? Then if I can ever get my hands to work again I'll give it a try.

Marion

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 02:55 PM

Whew! thank goodness I got here first Marion! (opinions on chords are VERY individualistic)

Ring finger on 6th string, 3rd fret.
Middle finger on 5th string, 2nd fret
Pinky on 1st string, 3rd fret.

This fingering allows you to play constant fluid runs from the G to the C to the D, AND to play "inner leads" while playing each of those chords.

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Marion
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 04:52 PM

Hmm... that sounds like quite a stretch between the pinky and ring finger, and with my classical guitar, small hands, and terror of another hand injury, I think I'll have to give it a miss.

If I need fast changes between C and G, I play the G as you describe except with the high E string omitted, and avoid strumming that string. And if I do hit it by mistake, at least E is in the G major scale so no great loss.

However, upon further examination of Big Mick's picture, I'm not convinced that he's fretting the third fret of the high E string with his pinky - his pinky looks like it's farther down the guitar than his ring finger. Is it possible that you've mistakenly applauded him for doing it your way when in fact it's Marion's Wimp-Out Fingering Tips that's he's following? :)

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 07:00 PM

Our Big Mick wimping out? Marion, how could you?

Actually small hands and a classical guitar don't make it any easier, but like anything else, practice will get you there. It opens up literally thousands of new ways to make playing in G more interesting. Usually I get people to play G7 and then lift just the index finger and put the pinky down on the third fret..then, off again back to the G7. On and off..repeated at least 50 times. Your trick of leaving off the high string is quite valid, because at least your still using the middle and ring.. freeing up the index for lead work.

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Big Mick
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 10:50 PM

Sorry, Marion, but I am indeed fingering the 3rd fret on the first string (high E). This also makes a shift from G to G7 very easy, as well as the "inner leads" as Rick calls them.

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 10:25 PM

I'm taking my own challenge (in "Creating Inspiring Threads vs. Inertia) and trying to rejuvenate a thread I participated in a long time ago.

Rick's posts above about the G chord is an example of advice I have found here on Mudcat, followed, and benefitted from. Although I'm not doing lead work with my index finger yet, I've found that it is possible to retrain yourself to do chords differently from how you learned.

Also, when I first tried this fingering and wondered what "inner leads" meant, I randomly put my index finger down on the E on the D string and was startled to discover that it sounded like blues (which I had absolutely no experience of). I did the math and discovered that it was the alternation between a chord and the add6 version of the same chord that creates that classic blues sound.

I'm sure this is obvious and basic to most of you, but I was so enchanted to have discovered it on my own that I proceeded to apply it to other chords and wrote a song, which turned out to be my best original song so far, just to go with it. I'm also now thinking that when I get my steel string I'd like to learn some blues.

So this thread changed my life. Really, it did.

Marion

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 10:36 PM

Yikes Marion! It's scary to see what I wrote in those "more trusting" times in Mudcat!

I'm really glad ya got some good guitar info out of it.

I might add that both of us have gotten to know Mick and his family in the flesh, and we consider him a treasured friend now.

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: GUEST, Shameless Politico
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 10:57 PM

Mick, if you're here... shouldn't the Florida dimpled chads be counted by a cadre of politically unassailable BLIND PEOPLE who read BRAILLE? Imagine the press opportunities... old folks, black folks, all sortsa folks... a completely diverse poo; having only blindness in common... all just sorting the ballots by feel, no way to see the numbers and be accused of subjectivity...

Put that one in your thong, man, and get on it!

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Big Mick
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 11:04 PM

hahahahahahaha...............that is an idea that I will suggest................but what the hell has it got to do with the G chord??????...........Likewise right back atcha Rick and Heather.

Mick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: GUEST,Shameless Opportunist (Politico)
Date: 21 Nov 00 - 11:17 PM

Well, I thought you'd be in Florida and this thread was just sitting here when I decided to pass on the idea. It was obvious that this would be the best way to reach you. So I jumped on it like a fly on... rice.

Got to admit it's a winner, too good to hold onto... I'd never have slept, trying to hold in the cackling all night. Glad I was able to reach you.

Party on...

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: mousethief
Date: 22 Nov 00 - 06:11 PM

Golly, it just looks like a "G" chord to me. Am I missing something?

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Nov 00 - 07:18 PM

Mouse, it was kind of a running joke in those days. I always try to get my students to play their "G" with their middle, ring and pinky, (thus freeing up the index for "inner leads", quick changes to "C", and other little tricks to make the playing more interesting) and when I saw the picture of Mudcat's Handsome poster boy playing it "correctly" (in my opinion) I jumped at the opportunity to sing his praises!

Ya shoulda seen the "F" stuff!!

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 22 Nov 00 - 09:44 PM

Hey Rick, I hope I didn't embarrass you - I wasn't paying attention to the chatty stuff at the top of the thread.

Marion

PS It doesn't look like he's playing a Seagull in that picture either.

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Nov 00 - 12:43 AM

Haven't seen the picture for a while Marion, think it was his Guild.

Now how could you embarrass me? Keep on pickin' gal.

Rick

Subject: RE: Big Mick's 'G' string.(I mean chord!)
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Nov 00 - 02:14 AM

Yep, Marion, it was indeed the other woman in my life, my '63 Guild 12 string. I do love that guitar...........

Big Mick