black soul choir, how to play (or not to, i really don't know for sure;)

[blubottl]

I made a tab for this and a few other songs, uploaded to Banjohangouts Tabarchive.

[seth1452]

thank you man :) that helps a lot

[blubottl]

no problem mate:)

[seth1452]

yea the fifth string thing sounds better, im just trying to figure out the fingering, Im pretty sure I have most of it, but would still like the videos if you can do them, just like a slow step by step thing would be grand.

[blubottl]

I've uploaded a collection of clips I made today, linked it in the info somewhere:)

the audio/video quality is pretty poor...

Also I forgot to check the pitch of the tuning in relation to this video, so unfortunately it's a bit off :/

Be sure to check out the straw foot video in related. You'll really get a feel of Davids approach. Great to play along to for practice. I can't nail the way he's keeping the beat with his right hand on the body though. Theres one of kingdom of Ice as well:)

[seth1452]

Also I cant quite seem to get the part you are talking about in the main verse, the change up where you do the 3rd string on the 8th fret, its a toughy for me, if you do this, I would crown you king of all youtube.

[blubottl]

Yeah, I was going to change that, after watching some higher quality clips of David playing the main verse live, I saw that he's not doing the 8th fret thing. rather he produces the same note by striking the 5th string (the short one I mean) with his thumb, this way you don't need to change hand positions:)

[seth1452]

I dont know if this is asking too much, but is there any chance you could make a video, showing close up your finger strokes you make, and slow motion step by step for black soul for each part, I have been messing around with it for like 3 days now and am so close, but still cant quite get there.

[blubottl]

I'll see what I can do, bear in mind I'm no video editor, so don't hold your breath:P

I'm going to where my banjos at this weekend. Hopefully I'll have time to do this then:)

[seth1452]

yea the finger movements are so tough for me to figure out, I play claw hammer and its been working well kinda, but not as good as this, top notch

[blubottl]

thanks man, thats too much :)

I started out learning the banjo in the bluegrass style, but I enjoy the style of David Edwards better. Don't know what the correct term is (thumb lead clawhammer or something?)

Back to phyllis Ann, the bits i play here :)

well its only two different positions in this video really. first is the same as the "chorus thingy" index 2nd fret 2nd string, middle finger 3rd fret 3rd string.

[blubottl]

the thumbstroke for this is a bit different though, and follows through all the way. The pedal note sounds twice, to achieve this you hit the 3rd string with your thumb, and then the 4th with your index in consecutive order (as they are the same pitch in this position:)

Every other time strike the 1st string open, hammer on 3rd fret, then 2nd string with thumb and 4th string with index. I don't have my banjo here now, makes it a bit harder to remember. So a bit awkwardly to put in writing

[blubottl]

and then there is the small "show off fill" :P

initial position...

index at 1st fret 3rd string

middle at 2nd fret 2nd string.

There are some slight differences happening in the transitions between these two positions, I don't think I am able to put it in writing. I guess I'll have to upload a small video this weekend if I get a chance:)

[seth1452]

Hey if you know how to play that ending song, it's called phyllis anne, and I would apreciate if you show some pointers on it too, I have it down kind of, but would like some more, your's sounds better.

[blubottl]

hey! Thanks for the comment :)

I dont really know how to play phyllis ruth, only the transition that he does at the end of BSC when playing it live. Sorry :/ but if I do learn it I'll try to make a new movie and upload. My best advice for now is to watch different videos of David playing it live. Thats how I got the fingerings on this one. Focus on hand positions and play around a bit, and after a while you'll have it down :D

[blubottl]

*phyllis ann, I meant :P

[krimskrams]

interesting! you pretty much figured it out the same way i did!

[blubottl]

It's down that alley I think, done some hours watching the live stuff, although the thumb picking is a tad more random on my part;)

[krimskrams]

i once asked david about his style, he said it's basically clawhammer variations. he apparently didn't know much about theory or notes, and he couldn't explain more, so i guess there is a great intuitional feel :)

[blubottl]

cool, thats what makes his music so great, its not about playing it this way or that, its all about the music and feeling :)