How the Other Half Lives

The title says it all, but there's so much more I could say about this tune.

It's special to me for a variety of reasons. It's unique. It's unconventional. The left hand doesn't move at all for the first minute and fifteen seconds of the piece, but I manage to strum two alternating chords and play nine notes at once... on six strings.

The main reason this tune is special is that I had the honor of playing it for my hero, Michael Hedges. It was just before his "Tap Root" CD was released. I only met him once, but I got to show him one of my first Harmonic Capos and played some of my early tunes like "From Point A", "Returning Home" and "Frames of Reference".

"How the Other Half Lives" was his favorite. His jaw actually dropped. He watched my hands very very closely and then gave me the highest compliment I've ever received. That was a day I'll never forget.

You can download this tune and the rest of my first two CDs for FREE at http://www.weaseltrap.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bob
• Kilgore
• Acoustic
• Guitar
• Weird
• Extreme
• Impossible

[DrShpilev]

Bob, you are an absolute genius! o.0

I cant believe this video has so few views.

[weaseltrap]

@DrShpilev Thanks for your kind comment! It's nice to know that somebody is.watching.

[jmack619]

so THATS " how the other half lives ! " I just typed the complete phrase in my utube search box ,and here I am . Is there lyrics for this piece of music ?? thankyou for the great music

[weaseltrap]

Hey, thanks for watching!  Sorry, there aren't any lyrics. I'm vocally challenged so I just don't go there...

[dmanfromm]

Thanks for answering my first question, but now I have another: how do you know what the note will be when you play on the other side? And once again, great tune. You might want to check out this song called "Rito" by Pino Forastiere; he uses the same technique.

[weaseltrap]

Hey, thanks for telling me about "Rito". He makes really good use of the dissonant tones as well.

Knowing what notes are available on the other side isn't always obvious, but some points are predictable. Playing on the fret just above a harmonic point will always give you a "tonal" secondary note:

6th = 2 octaves above the open string

8th = 1 octave, plus a fifth

13th = 1 octave

Putting a regular capo across the 6th fret would be useful.

[benzy366]

I could be wrong, but I think that you are the first to play in this manner (behind the fingured frets)...

No wonder Hedges' jaw droped...

[highwaysalmon]

As a dedicated fingerstyle guitarist myself, I can honestly say that this is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard on the instrument.

Keep up the incredible work!

[Lalaldd]

This is really good, REALLY GOOD

[adam12894]

wow... amazing

[UrMumsaDangler]

Absolutely amazing! Subscribed!

[Emaniac69]

@DrShpilev agreed. Guitar genuis

[dmengeler]

Another one of my favorites. Hmm.. this one may be more awesome than IDIBITS.

[thefuzzzzz]

ben is noob, this isn't leo at all... *shifty eyes*

[BSzili]

this is absolutely amazing!