Help with The Stone

[wAvy]

This song eludes me. I've been playing it for a looooong time, I just feel as though I play it incorrectly. Even though I've watched the solo Dave played after the interview he had on that one talk show trillions of times, I just feel like I'm playing it wrong.

1. Is the song muted during every one of these? It sounds like it to me, especially since I don't hear Dave accidentally do a hammer on between the first 2-3, which is very hard to avoid if not muting (for me).

2. To go from the last 2 to the next chord is pretty much impossible in the amount of time that Dave plays it, seriously, try it. I play a 0 (or open string) in the place of the last 2. It sounds similar but not as good, does he really play it like that? |
v
E:----------------------------------
B:------------------------------------
G:-----2-------------------------3----
D:---------3---5-5--2-3-2------x-----
A:-5-----------------------------1---
E:--------------------------------3--


3. How does he transition between the first chord here, and to the first 5, I put lines there to illustrate. I always chop 4 times, is that right? It doesn't sound right if I try to move to the 5 immediately. What's the correct way?
E:-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------
B:-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------
G:-------3--|------------------2-----------------------
D:-------x--|--5-5--2-3-2---------------3--0--2--------
A:-------1--|---------------5-----3--1-----------3--0--
E:-------3--|-----------------------------------------

Also, this question has to do with playing in general. Is there an advantage to playing with your middle, ring and pinkie finger on your strumming hand hanging loose? I play with a clenched fist, out of habit, but I never see any one else doing that. Does that affect my playing negatively?

I know these are some fairly specific perfectionist questions, but they've really been annoying me. Thanks for the help.

[Hydro120]

1. Yes. All of the fast picking is, for the most part, muted. It's all picked, too. No hammer-ons. Even the 2-3 you mentioned is picked.

2. Even though the alternate way you play it may sound okay, it's still incorrect. What makes it easier is the fact that you don't have to play the full chord on beat 1, just the root note, and the rest of the chord really comes in on beat 4 (if you're counting it in 6/8).

3. I'm not sure how to explain it, other than you just do. What exactly are you having trouble with in the transition? Keep in mind you technically don't have to have your fingers all on the fretboard for the entire measure before you play the 5-5-2-3, you can sort of play a muted rhythm for a beat while your fretting hand is moving to the next position. Also, the correct way is the way you tabbed it out. No 4 or anything else.

4. I don't see any immediate advantages or disadvantages to holding your hand a certain way (I assume you mean your picking hand). If it were me, my fingers would get in the way if I tried to curl them up, and I wouldn't be able to effectively palm mute.

[taparoo]

2. To go from the last 2 to the next chord is pretty much impossible in the amount of time that Dave plays it, seriously, try it. I play a 0 (or open string) in the place of the last 2. It sounds similar but not as good, does he really play it like that?

I wouldn't worry about hitting that 2 too much. Instead i'd just mute the string instead of playing that note. You can hardly tell the difference either way. And I'd say to take it real slow, and get the picking down at a slower tempo, then gradually speed it up to where you can play it comfortably. I still can't consistently play the riff. I have to warm up first, and even then I can only play it about 5 times through before I have to stop because my fingers can't take it anymore.

[wAvy]

1. Yes. All of the fast picking is, for the most part, muted. It's all picked, too. No hammer-ons. Even the 2-3 you mentioned is picked.

2. Even though the alternate way you play it may sound okay, it's still incorrect. What makes it easier is the fact that you don't have to play the full chord on beat 1, just the root note, and the rest of the chord really comes in on beat 4 (if you're counting it in 6/8).

3. I'm not sure how to explain it, other than you just do. What exactly are you having trouble with in the transition? Keep in mind you technically don't have to have your fingers all on the fretboard for the entire measure before you play the 5-5-2-3, you can sort of play a muted rhythm for a beat while your fretting hand is moving to the next position. Also, the correct way is the way you tabbed it out. No 4 or anything else.

4. I don't see any immediate advantages or disadvantages to holding your hand a certain way (I assume you mean your picking hand). If it were me, my fingers would get in the way if I tried to curl them up, and I wouldn't be able to effectively palm mute.

1. Thank you

2. By the root note you mean just play 3 on low E for a strum and then place my two other fingers on for the next strum?

3. That is what I do, I play a muted rhythm (chop) 4 times (up, down, up, down) to put a break in there, I stay in sync with Dave somehow when I play along with the video.

4. I meant my strumming hand (edited original poast.)

[wAvy]

Oh man, you just helped me out big-time. I took another look at the video, and realized I'm playing the 3x13 chord too quickly so I can make room for my stupid chopping. I'm now playing the 3x13 chord with my index, middle, and ring fingers for a faster transition, and it works perfectly. Lengthened the chord and now I move directly from it to the 5.

THANKS!

[Hydro120]

Oh man, you just helped me out big-time. I took another look at the video, and realized I'm playing the 3x13 chord too quickly so I can make room for my stupid chopping. I'm now playing the 3x13 chord with my index, middle, and ring fingers for a faster transition, and it works perfectly. Lengthened the chord and now I move directly from it to the 5.

THANKS!

If you meant me, you're welcome, and if you need any help on any other DMB songs, send me a PM.

Best of luck!

[Gold]

wavy: I believe holding your strummin hand clenched like you do is the correct way to do it. Myself, I'm way too dependant on balancing my strumming hand with my pinky on the guitar, so sometimes I practice on keeping it clenched but it's hard.

[SPOTLIGHT5584]

is it possible of someone to make a video to show the strumming patterns they use and how their hold strumming hand moves?

[SPOTLIGHT5584]

is it possible of someone to make a video to show the strumming patterns they use and how their hold strumming hand moves?

[CWMCALL]

Here is one that Pat made a quite a while ago.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/w4vc3c

I hope it helps

[nate]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtUUwyGHQSY

Dave on Charlie Rose. Watching this helped me play this song.

[wAvy]

Thanks for all the help guys. I hope you're right Gold, cause that's the way I'm used to doing it. Also, that's the video I was saying that I watched a trillion times, Nate. Thanks though.

Also, if you watch Pat's video, he actually hits 0 or (open chord) when supposedly you're supposed to transition from 2 to 3x13. He clearly takes all of his fingers off the strings when you hear that string played. That's what I did because it really is hard as shit to do it with the fingering he's using for the 3x13 chord. It is possible if you use your index, middle and ring fingers, however, which I used to do when I first began playing the song. I switched to the way Dave plays it just because that's just what Dave does, but I went back now.

[Hydro120]

Thanks for all the help guys. I hope you're right Gold, cause that's the way I'm used to doing it. Also, that's the video I was saying that I watched a trillion times, Nate. Thanks though.

Also, if you watch Pat's video, he actually hits 0 or (open chord) when supposedly you're supposed to transition from 2 to 3x13. He clearly takes all of his fingers off the strings when you hear that string played. That's what I did because it really is hard as shit to do it with the fingering he's using for the 3x13 chord. It is possible if you use your index, middle and ring fingers, however, which I used to do when I first began playing the song. I switched to the way Dave plays it just because that's just what Dave does, but I went back now.

Ring, index, and middle finger is way easier for me as well.

[proudestmonkey41]

i was always taught to keep your strumming/picking hand closed. for speed/ aerodynamic type reasons?

[pjdk28]

benaroya is a good one to watch