# What were you just playing on the guitar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893 "2006-02-17T01:38:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/21 "2006-02-17T13:19:20Z")
**slee** - that sounds great. Some of the double-tracked lead work might jump out more if you single-track it and record it dry (my record producer buddy says that is a trick he learned a while back…). Great technique… I was messing around last night, auditioning songs for my mid-life crisis band, so I was playing with… - She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult - very fun to play with an echo going full-blast - Blister in the Sun by the Violent Femmes - I Need to Know by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Too Soon to Tell by Bonnie Raitt - Bittersweet by the Hoodoo Gurus and a couple of others I can’t remember right now. All very fun to play. God I love messing around on guitar. With my rig, it sounds so damn good I just hit open A’s and D’s and let the AC/DC just resonate and fill the room… ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/22 "2006-02-17T13:29:35Z")
Last couple of songs I played were a couple of Gordon Lightfoot songs my daughter likes. She’s maybe the only 11-year-old who likes Gordon Lightfoot. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/23 "2006-02-17T13:49:43Z")
The last thing I was playing on guitar was probably Steve Earle’s “Guitar Town”. Also, that was probably about 10 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/24 "2006-02-17T14:04:28Z")
I love Steve Earle. I’ve also had pancakes with him. OK, I was in the same restaurant with him. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/25 "2006-02-17T14:33:02Z")
Last night I was jamming with a friend, and we got a pretty mean take of Jerry Garcia’s take on “Jackaroe” going. Well the chord progression and singing part. The version I’m most trying to emulate (a live version from Oregon State Prison in ’82) has a solo that’s light years beyond my ability. Still a fun song to pick at. ---
**Author:** ![krisolov](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krisolov/32/3724_2.png) [@krisolov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krisolov)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/26 "2006-02-17T14:42:10Z")
I’m working up to sucky; I can play most open chords, but don’t practice enough. For me it was part of Barenaked ladies Brian Wilson. Easy with a capo! ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/27 "2006-02-17T16:08:29Z")
> [@SanibelMan](#): > > If air guitar counts, I’m jammin’ to Steely Dan’s Bodhisattva. But I can’t really play guitar. One of my favorite guitar solos of all time. Last night I was playing Unit 7 (Wes Montgomery) trying to figure out how my digital recorder works. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/28 "2006-02-17T17:34:53Z")
I’ve always been partial to “Kid Charlemagne.” The song, not the poster here. I’m not much for solos myself, but if I were that’s one of the ones I’d want. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/29 "2006-02-17T19:51:52Z")
I’m currently working on an original composition, as well as working up a solo arrangement of “Walking in the Air”. When I’m not doing that, then it’s oldies for me: John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Beatles, Jackson Browne, Carpenters, and show tunes to keep SWMBO happy. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/30 "2006-02-17T20:35:15Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I’m currently working on an original composition, as well as working up a solo arrangement of “Walking in the Air”. > > When I’m not doing that, then it’s oldies for me: John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Beatles, Jackson Browne, Carpenters, and show tunes to keep SWMBO happy. So we both play Gordo for the Swimbo, but in my case “She who must be obeyed” is my kid. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/31 "2006-02-17T22:12:14Z")
The last thing I played was “For All The Cows” by\* Foo Fighters\*, of all things. :smack: Just felt like having some fun. Usually I play Graham Coxon songs. However, I loathe playing other people’s stuff, unless it’s just for fun or practice. I write my own junk to go with the beats my husband makes. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/32 "2006-02-17T23:11:33Z")
> [@Team of Scientists](#): > > Hey, me too. I actually learned it because someone on here recommended it in a thread where somebody was looking for songs to play on the guitar. > > I don’t know what level you’re at, but my rather inexperienced self was able to learn the sitar part. It probably helps that my roommate knows the song pretty well and was here to teach it to me, though. You might be able to get it if you check out some tabs just to see which notes you need to hit, and work on it from there. Unfortunately, rhythm doesn’t translate well in tabs, so you’ll have to figure that out alone. It’s pretty much just picking the melody over a D chord. > > Definitely a fun little song to play. I play it based on a D chord; I use my pinky to play the melody line. I actually play a little more complicated rhythm than the Beatles use, IIRC, Paul or George plays just simple threes, I play it a bit faster. For the sitar part, I have to tune my sitar to D, which is a bit higher than I like to play it (I meend better in C#). Pa (chick) pa\>dha-pa-ma-ga (chick-chick) re-ma-ga-sa (chick) low komal ne-ma-ga-low pa. I think it is based on Raag Mand, Marwa, or Desh, although usually the Pa-Dha would not be allowed in Desh. Kalyan thaat, I’m pretty sure… ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/33 "2006-02-18T00:07:04Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > The last thing I played was “For All The Cows” by\* Foo Fighters\*, of all things. :smack: Just felt like having some fun. Usually I play Graham Coxon songs. > > However, I loathe playing other people’s stuff, unless it’s just for fun or practice. I write my own junk to go with the beats my husband makes. You gotta give it to the Foo Fighters, though. They are out there, every day, fighting foo. ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/34 "2006-02-18T00:10:05Z")
> [@Ichbin Dubist](#): > > “Blackberry Blossom,” a fiddle tune I’m trying to learn. Hey, same for me, only on my banjo!! That, and trying to muddle my way through _Dirty Old Town_. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/35 "2006-02-18T00:16:24Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > You gotta give it to the Foo Fighters, though. They are out there, every day, fighting foo. And for that, I am thankful. There’s too much foo out there. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/36 "2006-02-18T00:18:43Z")
Last night I just finished my six week Swing & Jazz guitar class, so this morning before coming to work I played through Jobim’s _One Note Samba_ and _Cheek to Cheek_. Can I really play those well, or anything we went over in class? No! But I did learn a lot. I’m hoping competency will come with time and practice. ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/37 "2006-02-18T00:21:31Z")
I’ve been playing: Breathe - by Pink Floyd Show, don’t tell - by Rush Georgia - by John Mayer and I just learned that sweet little riff from Stay by Lisa Leob You say Only hear what I want to ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/38 "2006-02-18T00:52:27Z")
Played a jazz gig last night. Some songs included, Joyspring, Desafinado, and Last Train Home. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/39 "2006-02-18T02:43:52Z")
Guy Van Duser’s arrangement of ‘As Time Goes By’. My wife loves it. You can get the tab & midi [here](http://www.frettedinstrumentsnyc.com/) if you like. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893/40 "2006-02-18T05:31:19Z")
Classical Gas, only on the uke. Yes, I’m kidding - no way I can do that, I’m just learning. I’ve been trying to do a lot of things with it, but I don’t really know where to start. I can’t get the rhythm to strumming down just yet, and I can’t quite pick fast enough. So, I move from song to song, trying to find something with a good fit. The last I have tried to play, most likely, would be some form of an Irish reel. Either that, or a Mozart tune or two. The last I have actually been able to play, reasonably well, is either the Happy Birthday Song, Wipeout, or Home on the Range. Leet, I know. And, looking upstream, I’d kill to learn some Iron and Wine, although I’d lose most of the expansiveness with a uke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-just-playing-on-the-guitar/344893.md?page=3)