Canadee-i-o by Nic Jones - Tips for guitarists by Sam Carter

[gundusaurus]

Simply a great video, certainly taught me a thing or two about music I

didn't know from before.

Thanx from Norway.

[gavjjj]

So lovely to hear this played by you Sam. Thanks.

[KevBGuitar]

Think I met you in Twickenham after you were supporting Martin Simpson, did I not? Lovely stuff, Sam, and, might I say, a very dignified response to the usual "musicianship as competitive sport" trolling. Keep it up, and hopefully will get a chance to see you play again soon.

[joelstewart]

More banjo comparisons. That tuning is virtually the same as double-c tuning on a banjo, (just a tone down and with extra low strings). It's about the most common tuning claw-hammer banjo players use, and the 2nd most common tuning banjo players use in general.

[Vincemartyn]

I need to see Sam Carter play a gig. He's a dude! Where do I find his gig list?

[ceneg]

Excellent stuff.

[TomRAFC]

i dont know if nick played banjo but he was also an excellent fiddle player

[stepanthony]

Nicely done. Definately going to try out that tuning.

[palesummer]

Seriously big thank you, Sam... I was listening to Canadee-i-o in the car, thinking "what the hell tuning is that?". It's also interesting about Nic's guitar sound... of course the slack tuning plays a big part of it, but I didn't appreciate that till now. Your performance of the song is top-notch as well!

[bofritty]

Very well done. This has been a pea under my matress for some time, and now I can play it. If you are ever in Detroit (i know, but if) look up the Brewmaster at the brewery by the river. I'd be happy to return the favor.

[BadboybillyC]

Thanks. You have great insight and great taste. This song is one of the greatest pieces.

[onecanmadman]

good point about the thumbpick I tried at first with a long one and it really put me off. Plus its not too easy finding a left handed one! cheers

[KingofRoath]

Thanks Sam, I only discovered this song a few weeks ago, and it is top of my list of guitar to be played before I die. And I'd never work it out on my own. I've found some tab as well, so now I've got a fighting chance!

[BynWreetsmart]

Sam, I thanked you when I saw you @ the Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds but thanks again for giving such a great insight to the wonderful playing style of Nic Jones.

I am now making a fairly decent attempt at Farewell to the Gold but I have a long way to go on Canadee-i-o!! I am having great difficulty sourcing the John Pearce thumbpick which I think would be very useful. Where do you get them from? Hoping to see you again next March either at York or Bury. Cheers.

[samjohncarter]

@BynWreetsmart You can get John Pearse thumbpicks from hobgoblin music, type hobgoblin into a search engine. See you in March!

[maxwellc13]

This is a helpful and illuminating video for those curious about this style but unable to see Nic play.Nic used a small metal thumbpick(from Germany, made for zither players) and no fingernails. Carthy does the same,I think. If you look on the cover of Penguin eggs it's just about visible,slightly out of focus.Supposedly you need two fingers to do the 'slap'.There is footage of him playing this song(1980) in a studio-somewhere in the BBC vaults.Thanks for posting,just the same.

[richuea]

Brilliant video, thanks so much for this. Love your cover of it too!

[fionnghaile]

Monkey see, monkey do. Any chance of your own version? Nic already did a good version. (Be sure and only keep comments that boost your own ego which is what Youytube is for))

[samjohncarter]

@fionnghaile Hello. Yes indeed, Nic's version is brilliant. If you listen carefully at the start of the video you will hear me say 'this is a video I've made to show as closely as I can how Nic Jones played Candee-i-o on the Penguin Eggs album'.

I record very few traditional songs as I write my own, which you can find online, but if you do want to hear my own version of a traditional song check out 'Oh Dear, Rue The Day' from my album 'Keepsakes'.

[fionnghaile]

@samjohncarter ....funny how the truth always gets negative votes. How about putting up a video explaining 'How to play in your own style'.? Monkey see....Monkey do.

[InParticularNobody]

@samjohncarter A very restrained reply, well done!

In my opinion, it's generous beyond measure that you're sharing this - it gave me a fighting chance of learning Nic's glorious version (6 months and still working at it).

Guitarists will always want to emulate their heroes' playing. Nowt wrong with that - it keeps the tradition alive. Again - thankyou for your generosity in posting rather than just keeping the skills to yourself.

[samswank]

Extremely helpful, and you capture the feel and vibe of Nic's playing quite well.

[NoRecordsVideo]

Brilliant! Thanks.

[caughtservice]

A beautiful song that still brings a lump to my throat, why? The combination of the guitar and the words plus the rendition. Thank you so much for giving this and being true to the original. There are other versions out there but yours is ace.

Now I can try it out at last,

Thanks

[lenard1977]

Very informative Sam, thankyou. did you study music?  is your profession related?

[hanghang71]

can you show us how to play it,i'm grateful to know the tecnique but would really appreciate the chord shape/changes love +peace

[magocacana]

I love this song so much..

i always tried to play it with my fylde Orsino but ...i'not good enough

well done!!

[noviceaccompanyist]

Sam, thanks very much for posting this very helpful and public spirited of you. Like the others I am in you debt. I have the tab, an old photocopy Mike Raven sent me before he published it in the new book. Did you work out?

Simon.

[rma913]

Nicely done. You took it too a much tighter place than I was able to. Keep posting the great playing.

[maxwellc13]

Nic used a metal thumbpick(I think you can almost see one on the cover of Penguin eggs),but if asked he'd always say he didn't know where to get one(!)

[llamov]

Sam: Thank you so much! I've been playing around with the guitar 40+ years but only recently discovered Nic Jones. Your info on his tuning is exactly what I was looking for.

I am very grateful.

[whatsupfamousface]

Totally Loved this video! I'm really curious how rockstarz do these sortsa things, and your explanation was very engaging and insightful! Super thank-you!

**Shannon**

[afterthought9]

Really grateful for this. Just a shame you can't see you right hand-no idea whats going on with the banjo percussion!

[brucefetter]

thank you very much!

[guitashamilele]

a quick question - is the general pattern flick - thumb - index - middle ?

[guitashamilele]

you have to love youtube - I've been waiting for someone to make this video all year, and now here it is! Thanks and Merry Christmas

[walrus8111]

Another great vid, is there any advise on chord shapes in this particular tuning as im not that knowlegable, also is there any books you could recommend? Thankyou so much. can't wait until your next video.

[sadmachine]

thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. there's a real dearth of info on nic's playing out there and so much to learn from it.

[jerball]

Wow, Sam. Thanks so much. Very, very helpful. I've loved Nic's music for years and have recently discovered yours. I had one of your cd's imported to the States not long ago. Great stuff. Keep it up!

[ianmcgeachy]

Great tuition video this. Agree with the previous comment on that matter. Theres plenty of 'pro-commercial' instructional vids out there that are not approaching this standard of information.

So -thanks again for this- and good to see altruism and also genuine ability is still around in this old world.

-ian

[BeareTube]

Thanks for sharing, Sam. You cover the salient points superbly. I'm sure Nic will be smiling sweetly if and when he sees this.

My only complaint is that you don't post videos more often. Bravo!

[ProGuitarTuition]

your an excellent player and concise teacher. If you don't teach now then you really should as you skills are definately needed. I am a teacher btw. Thanks