Guitar help--Winterwood

Subject: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: John Hardly
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 10:23 PM

Any of you pickers play Don McLean's "Winterwood"?

I'd be interested in the left hand fingering you use in the opening A chord sequence....particularly the second bar, after the initial hammer on.

I'm finding the most success with my index finger on the D string and then using my middle finger for all the hammer-ons and pull-offs. Still feels a little awkward and doesn't sound as smooth as I'd like

how 'bout you?

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: John Hardly
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 11:51 AM

bump

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: Deckman
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 09:39 PM

Hi John ... sorry I can't help you with the guitar arrangment. I've never been one to emulate others guitars, note for note. However, I absolutly LOVE this song. Some years ago I had a wonderful (beautiful) singing partner named Lynne. She and I sang this as a duet. We left people stunned at the finish. Great music. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: Bugsy
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 12:55 AM

So-------- how about giving us your arrangement Deckman?

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:59 AM

Hi John,

This is one of the songs that I wanted to see him play when he visited the NYS Fair three years ago. This and "Empty Chairs". I seem to recall that he played it capoed and the chords weren't the chords I thought from the record.

I have always felt that Don McLean's strength in his guitar playing was his deceptive simplicity. I am not saying that he is a simple guitarists, anuthing but. But he gives that feeling on first listen and then when you get into deciphering what was done you realize that he is intricate. As much so with the left hand as the right. James Taylor has that same ability.

Don

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 08:00 AM

I just checked OLGA for this song and its not there. Others are with TAB attached.

Subject: RE: Guitar help--Winterwood
From: John Hardly
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 08:55 AM

Don<
I really agree with your characterization. The McLean songs I know, like the Taylor, are in the embellishments. Even when you get the chord progression down, even though there's a lot of latitude for different arranging, there's usually a little something that makes it sound "right"(would you ever play "Fire and Rain" without the slide into intro? ). I noticed after I had "And I Love You So" down beautifully----that he plays it differently and, surprise! I like his better...

Right now I'm having some success with using my middle finger for the initial hammer-ons (low E and A strings) and then fretting the G string with it while I do the pull-off on the high E string with my ring finger. It's not smooth but I think if I stick to this way I can make it smoother with practice.