Tip for playing Tripping Billies

[MattyTrane]

The only thing hard about this song is muting the A (and D if you like) strings. So for those you of you play from what you see on vidoes or at concerts, you should know that the way Dave plays it is far harder than it needs to be. (he uses his index and middle finger then switches to ring and pinky then back). I play the song differently... I keep my middle finger on the bass E string and use my ring finger for the G string and never switch. This prevents me from fretting too late etc and not getting the SOUND! (Remember: The whole point is to make it sound good, not look like Dave, be yourself) I just thought I'd throw that out, it works well and is a bit easier for me and the few people I teach.
Riot

[Dmb41ants]

if u play it the way he does, its alot easier, and it helps for other songs too, ur better off switching, it'll help u in the long run, if you're gonna learn a song by DMB, u mine as well play it the way he does, then u know you cant go wrong

[DmbFanJason]

I'm totally with dmbantz on this one. It may look harder to play a song the way dave does, but why would he make it harder on himself to get the same quality sound. If dave plays something a certain way, it's for a reason. I have found that the way dave plays it is the easiest once you get it down, and most certainly sounds the best!

[MattyTrane]

"Easier once you have it down." I know his way to play it, and i know mine. I think his way takes something very simple and makes it more difficult than it is, so i play it a different way. I realize this is a very common chord that Dave usesbut he plays it the same way i do on songs like Too much and LIog. As you can see from the title i put this out there as a tip to get people just learning to know that the sound is more important than the way you play.
Riot

[Dmb41ants]

i dont mean to argue.... i know what you are saying, but if u learn it the way he plays it, it makes it alot easier for granny and grey street, once u train your fingers, it makes it much easier to play, so my advice is to watch storytellers, and watch how he uses all of his fingers, with as little movement as possible

[MattyTrane]

Who knows how to play Grey Street and Granny. *Raises Hand* I do know how to play it his way thats not the issue. If you get the same sound, "as little movement as possible" is not an issue.

[CheersDtoT]

Dave's strumming style is very simular to most folk singers ( Willy Nelson ) . When Dave plays he keeps the beat with his strumming hand , in songs like stone he is picking single strings but it looks like he is strumming , thats because that is how he keeps the beat . To play like Dave you need to keep a beat and keep the tempo . When playing songs like the Stone he plays the single strings but their is also muting , he will use a lot of muting in his songs . Now if you mute a string and play it you can tell , but you can learn how to control the sound of you muted string ( like how high , and how defined ) . I'll tell you what it's not easy , it takes lots of practice . But once you get it songs like The Stone and Tripping Billies and What Would You Say , and So Much To Say are nothing , you will be able to play those and sing like the man him self ....... but practice , practice ,practice ,practice ,practice . Thats all I can say !
Cheers

[PilotC150]

To get back to the dicussion of the classic dave chords. I have always played them with just 2 fingers the whole time. Pointer on E and middle on G. That's just how it works for me. You have to remember some people have smaller hands and it's tougher, if not impossible, for them to play it like dave does. Although I don't have small hands and CAN play it like dave with enough practice, I choose to do it this way because it works. I completely understand that dave does it that way so he doesn't have to move his hand/arm as much, but that's his choice. So unless I'm getting paid to play the stuff exactly like Dave does, I'll continue doing it my way.

[jpittman]

You just gotta do whatever works. My hands are not very big (inherited stubby fingers from my dad), so it takes a little extra work sometimes to figure something out or get my hand to stretch.

Bottom line: if you're having fun playing, and you like the way it sounds, run with it. We all emulate Dave, but we don't have to be him.

[firedancer86]

Thats a good point!

You have to taylor it to your own style to some degree or else it won't sound right. Only Dave can play "exactly" the way he plays and sings...if you ever want to come up with your own music, you want some of your own flavoring...if you try too hard to sound and play like him, you lose something that can come out of ONLY you! If you have your own style, flaunt it! Use Dave's style to help mold your own!

That goes to any guitarist!

[CheersDtoT]

Like the famous quote " It's not the size , it's what you do with it " It's all about training your hands to make the stretch . When I was talking to TR . I noticed that he has smaller hands than I do . My hands are med. size and I can make those stretchs just fine , TR hands are small and he can do it , I'm telling you it's all about training your hands to make that stretch !! Cheers

[Jonny B Good]

6StringSamurai: I too used to play the intro with 2 fingers...for me I was most comfortable/able using my ointer and middle finger...

but, and I'm guessing on this..but I think it's a safe assumption..the reason dave plays with all four fingers is becuase when he ends the intro...the verse chord uses all four fingers roughly in the same areas that he uses them in the intro. If you also learn how to play the nature intro, you will see what I'm talking about...what actually seems hard is MUCH MUCH easier..IF you are playing the entire song..I couldn't imagine going into the verse chord after fretting the last intro with only 2 fingers

Again...play as you feel and as you like...have fun but when you learn the rest of the song...you will see why Dave plays it th way hed does.

[nuts eh]

Dave's strumming style is very simular to most folk singers ( Willy Nelson ) . When Dave plays he keeps the beat with his strumming hand , in songs like stone he is picking single strings but it looks like he is strumming , thats because that is how he keeps the beat . To play like Dave you need to keep a beat and keep the tempo . When playing songs like the Stone he plays the single strings but their is also muting , he will use a lot of muting in his songs . Now if you mute a string and play it you can tell , but you can learn how to control the sound of you muted string ( like how high , and how defined ) . I'll tell you what it's not easy , it takes lots of practice . But once you get it songs like The Stone and Tripping Billies and What Would You Say , and So Much To Say are nothing , you will be able to play those and sing like the man him self ....... but practice , practice ,practice ,practice ,practice . Thats all I can say !
Cheers

hey i know it was all in good spirit and shit with your post to help people out, but i gotta say man, that is one of the wordiest, self-righteous fuckin posts i've ever seen. Perhaps you should take up teaching a class on mr dave matthews, you over informing fuck.

[jkanter]

hey i know it was all in good spirit and shit with your post to help people out, but i gotta say man, that is one of the wordiest, self-righteous fuckin posts i've ever seen. Perhaps you should take up teaching a class on mr dave matthews, you over informing fuck.

That's enough....I'm completly ready to close this topic if it's gonna turn into this. There was nothing wrong with his post. He was helping someone out w/ something they asked. Bashing will NOT be tolerated on these boards. I am thinking about deleting the post but there is no reason to do that.

[firedancer86]

I'm glad to see that Jkanter is at least compelled with some morals and cooth...there is no reason for bashing on any board for any reason...it really isn't needed...This is a very clean cut site and it would be a shame to have it get to racey...