Frustrated with "So Much To Say"

Stinkyfinger · Unread post by **Stinkyfinger** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:31 pm

A plea for help,

In most cases, I can master the sound and technique the guitarist uses on a particular song after a week or two. However, this is not the case with “So Much To Say.” The main (opening) riff has eluded me for about three weeks now. I’ve listened to the original recording of the song countless times; I’ve studied the tablature & video on this site countless times; I’ve studied a video of Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds performing the song on 02/02/97.

When I play the song like the DMBTab.com tablature & video suggest, I fall short of recreating that signature Dave Mathews’ sound. It sounds pretty close, but there is definitely something missing.

What’s lacking with my effort are the distinct, muted bass notes which can be heard on the original recording. I’m pretty sure the muted bass notes are: G, A-flat, A, and E respectively - They correspond with (or mirror) the treble notes, which I’m pretty sure are: C, C-sharp, and A respectively. These muted base notes add a two-dimensional, harmonic fullness to the riff. What’s more, the succession of treble notes (which are repeated four times in the intro) sound out-of-sync when I play it.

Presently, I’m using my forefinger for the first slide (from third to fifth fret) on low-E string; ring finger to bar the fives (G, B, & high-E stings), followed by an index finger slide (from the forth to sixth fret) on the G-string.

Matthews appears to use his pinky to bar the fives, but this technique is very difficult for me. Besides, using the ring finger seems to be the best option (ergonomically) after using your forefinger to execute the first slide (from third to fifth fret) on low-E string.

Incidentally, Guitar World Acoustic, Issue 27 features a lesson on the main riff, but I do not think it’s accurate. I also purchased the DMB “Legendary Licks,” by Lois Dilivio package. This “play along package”is published by Cherry Lane, and it offers a detailed transcription and a recorded demonstration CD of the song. This recording also falls short of capturing the sound & technique Matthews used on this particular song. Once again, if I play the riff the way the lesson demonstrates, it sounds scant and elementary.

I suspect my inability to recreate that signature sound must relate to the reason why Matthews uses his pinky to bar the fives. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

espn25 · Unread post by **espn25** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 1:47 pm

I have to agree, while I am really new at guitar, I can not get SMTS right either. This is the main song Im working on and it is frustrating. Once again, help would be great!

dmbaddict001 · Unread post by **dmbaddict001** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:18 pm

DMBTabs, welcome to it

I would just suggest practice your ass off and watch the Central Park dvd, thats what helped me

MakoMako · Unread post by **MakoMako** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:42 pm

All you can really do with this sort of song is practice. Its not the hardest Dave song out there, at least by an overall majority opinion, but Dave's style itself isn't easy to re-create. Alot of people try very hard to make it sound identical to Dave, which I've found to be a VERY difficult task. Any Dave song I play sounds like the song, but still sounds like myself.

The biggest suggestion I can really give is to attack the strings almost. Dave is a percussive player, and is his signature. You've got to let yourself go and play your heart out. If possible, don't even so much "think" about what you're playing. Just feel and attack it.

Just my two cents if its even worth that much.

Maldito`Tuelho · Unread post by **Maldito`Tuelho** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:58 pm

Just practice long enough 'till you can do the fives with your pinky, that way you can tell if that's what's wrong.
Personally I don't find it hard to play, but I remember having trouble on the second part of the verse, since I wasn't playing it on the right tempo.
Just a matter of trying though.

i-am-me · Unread post by **i-am-me** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:03 pm

i think you're confusing this guy's problem with a very different.

from the way he's describing it, he can play the song fine. it's those little things that make dave sound like dave that he wants to get.

and with that...not much you can say. mainly i think more mutes need to be added in.

pjdk28 · Unread post by **pjdk28** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:15 pm

you gotta use your pinky... the riff is fluid and funky. your hand should almost roll over the fret board. don't go for ergonomics, go for funk. really.

Maldito`Tuelho · Unread post by **Maldito`Tuelho** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:26 pm

pjdk28 wrote:you gotta use your pinky... the riff is fluid and funky. your hand should almost roll over the fret board. don't go for ergonomics, go for funk. really.

that's it.

Stinkyfinger · Unread post by **Stinkyfinger** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:47 pm

I appreciate the prompt responses. I ordered the Central Park Concert DVD. In the meantime, I’ll keep practicing, but I’ve been “spinning my wheels” with this one for quite sometime. I’m eager to develop the dexterity of my pinky to “bar the fives” if need be, but why is this technique so imperative?

Apparently, there’s something more to this riff than the tablature offered on this site indicates? Is this tablature accurate? Since I try to apply the KISS principle whenever possible, I cannot see an absolute need to use my pinky. I don’t want to come-off sounding like a skeptic, but I assume I need to bar the fives with my pinky to enable me to grab a note that is not accounted for in the tab?

Once again, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

i-am-me · Unread post by **i-am-me** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:16 pm

no...the notes are all there. it's just his style that's giving it a different sound.

i don't hit it with my pinky, and i think the way i play it sounds pretty good, but i get the feeling that you wouldn't be satisfied with it.

how long have oyu been playing guitar?

MakoMako · Unread post by **MakoMako** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:16 pm

The tab on the site is accurate. I can imagine if you honestly worked hard enough, you wouldn't need the pinky to make this world. But I will say that it makes it that much easier to play this, as well as many other Dave songs out there.

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:28 pm

I dont play it with my pinky either, its just a style choice, you can make it sound the same either way. Dave also bars chords like Bb with his pinky where i use my ring. Neither way is better, its just preference.

The tab on the site is perfect, but its how you play it not what you are playing. If you have the capability, post a recording of yourself playing it and we would be better at helping you troubleshoot.

paulaitchison · Unread post by **paulaitchison** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 6:34 pm

i cheet and slide the E with my thum, as soon as i did that,
it sounded cool

DrumsFoDaSoul · Unread post by **DrumsFoDaSoul** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:47 pm

Play along with the song. Sorry if you said you tried that......Your post was too long for me to read. Im impressed though.

camdp05 · Unread post by **camdp05** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 1:42 pm

Just out of curiosity, what's the weight of your pick that you use?

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