[MetalMopar]

I am going to try to put some of the tabs i play on MP3 and post them here: http://www.myspace.com/learnnewsongs to help people with timing out the songs. If you have any suggestions for songs or you wanna be a part of it hit me up at Learnnewsongs@yahoo.com. I am not looking for great singers, i am not going to record a little concert, this is STRICTLY to help people with the timing of the songs. Thanks.

[dadfad]

Welcome to GTU. I also have been using short sound-clips recently to go with tabs I've done. I think it helps a lot. I generally have used Sound Click for them. Like you said, I don't try to go for excellent recording quality or anything. Just something that works with the tabs. Anyway, again, welcome to GTU.

[MetalMopar]

Thanks for the welcome man. There is a program called Audacity i use. You can record for hours, i noticed some of the other programs only let you record for a few seconds, but audacity is awesome. you should check it out, if comes with equalizer stuff and its all free, its cool. Anyway, thanks again whats your site?

[dadfad]

Yes, Audacity is the one I use. It works pretty good for what I want it for (and you can't beat the price!). I used to have Cool Edit Pro, but I lost it in a crash a year or so ago (actually it was TOO sophisticated for me. I'm not great on computer stuff and it was pretty complicated to me. I was just starting to get the hang of doing a few simple things when it crashed.) Audacity is fine for what I'm doing anyway.

I have a few different sites (all on SoundClick though) where I'd put up a tune or something as examples to a post or something. Recently I've been doing some fingerstyle tabs where I try to give good text information, line by line, and tab with an exact matching sound-byte of the tab. Usually I'll play a verse or progression through at normal speed, then again at a much slower speed and then with a few improvs or whatever, and then finally with a very brief clip of the original artist doing the tune (pretty short to avoid copyright infringement, in the same way that CD sites offer a brief clip of a CD track as an example or something).

I'll give a link to a couple of the sites. Like I said, one is purely for lesson-type things. The other is too pretty much, but it's a more haphazzard kind of thing. Below that I'll put a copy of a typical tab just so you can see how I try to roll it all together into a kind of comprehensive thing. Anyway, here are the links to a couple of them:

Link One

Link Two


And a typical tab to go with one....

CODE

FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES
By Elizabeth Cotten (rec. 1957)

Freight train, freight train, runnin' so fast
Freight train, freight train, runnin' so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on,
They won't know what route I've gone.

When I am dead and in my grave
No more good times here shall I crave.
Place a stone at my head and feet.
Tell them all that I've gone to sleep.

When I die, Lord, bury me deep
Way down on old Chestnut Street
Then I can hear old Number 9
As she comes rolling by.

Freight train, freight train, runnin' so fast
Freight train, freight train, runnin' so fast
Please don't tell what train I'm on,
They won't know what route I've gone.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This tab is made to work with a sound-byte segment
I've recorded (forgive the poor recording quality).
( http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=426390 )
On that sound-byte is:

0:00-0:26 -Two basic instrumental progressions of the tune
0:27-0:55 -A progression where I've added the first verse
0:56-1:42 -Each line (1-9) of the tab/progression played slowly
1:43-2:47 -Played at full speed using improvs and syncopation
2:48-4:06 -The Real-Deal... Elizabeth herself live in 1966

Below is:

-The complete tab for the first part.
-The progression positions chorded over a verse.
-Each line 1 through 9 explained in greater detail.
-Some alternative ways to improv and syncopate
-A brief biography of Elizabeth Cotton


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Complete Tab For The First Progression


E)--3-------0--------------------------------
B}-------------------3---------1-------------
G)------0-------0---------0---------0--------
D)------2-------2---------2---------2--------
A)--3----------------3-----------------------
E)----------3------------------3-------------

E)---------------3-----1---------------------
B}--0---0------------------------------------
G)------------------------0--------0---------
D)------0--------0--------0--------0---------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--3-------3---------3-------3--------------

E)--3-------1-------0------------------------
B}--------------------------3----------------
G)------0-------0-------0-------0------------
D)------0-------0-------0-------0------------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--3-------3-------3-------3----------------

E)----------------3-----0--------------------
B}--1---1------------------------------------
G)----------------------------0-------0------
D)------2---------2-----------2-------2------
A)--3-------------------3--------------------
E)----------3---------------------3----------

E)--0-----------------0----------------------
B}---------------0------------------3--------
G)------1-----------------1------------------
D)------2--------2--------2------------------
A)--2-------------------------------2--------
E)----------0---------0--------0-------------

E)-------------------------------------------
B}--1-----------3----1-------1----3----------
G)------2----------------2-------------------
D)------3-------3--------3--------3----------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--1-------1--------1-------1---------------

E)---0---------------------------
B}--------------1----------------
G)--------0----------------------
D)--------2----------------------
A)---3----------3----------------
E)-------------------------------

E)------------------------------------------------------
B}--------------0------------------------1--------------
G)---0-----0---------0----(to C-chord)--------0---------
D)---------0---------0------------------------2---------
A)--------------2------------------------3--------------
E)---3--------------------------------------------------

E)----------------------------------------------------
B}-------0--------------------------1-----------------
G)---0-------(0)-----(to C-chord)---------------------
D)------------0---------------------------------------
A)----------------------------------3-----------------
E)---3------------------------------------------------

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In its simplest form, here is the tune showing where the simple chord-changes are:

[C]Freight train, freight train, [G]runnin' so fast
Freight train, freight train, [C]runnin' so fast
[E]Please don't tell what [F]train I'm on,
They won't [C]know what [G]route I've [C]gone. [G][C]



++++++++ PLAYING IT LINE BY LINE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Notes for playing line-by-line:

I'll take each line above one at a time as simply as possible. This entire arrangement
can be played using only the thumb and index fingers for picking. I'll give a "starting
position" to begin the line from and then how to pick and make changes for the complete
line. For the sake of brevity below I'll use just "s" and "f" to mean string and fret.
For example 4th-string/2nd-fret will be shown 4s/2f, 3rd-string played open would be
3s/0, etc.



E)--3-------0-------------------------------- (Line 1, out of the C-chord)
B}-------------------3---------1-------------
G)------0-------0---------0---------0--------
D)------2-------2---------2---------2--------
A)--3----------------3-----------------------
E)----------3------------------3-------------

First, hold a C-chord X32010 using XRMOIO. (You're going to be adding your
pinky on and off the treble strings and also moving your ring finger back
and forth alternating between the 5th and 6th-strings.) Add your pinky on
the 1st-string/3rd-fret. Now, begin by pinching the 5s/3f and 1s/3f with
the thumb and index. Then thumb the 4s/2f and 3s/O. Moving your ring-finger
over to the 6th-string and raising your pinky up, pinch the 6s/3f and 1s/O.
Thumb the 4s/2f and 3s/O again. Moving your ring-finger BACK to the 5-string
again and also putting your pinky down on the 2nd-string, pinch the 5s/3f
and 2s/3f. Thumb the4s/2 and 3s/O again. Ring goes back to the 6th-string and
pinch 6s/3f and 2s/1f. Thumb the 4s/2f and 3s/O.



E)---------------3-----1--------------------- (Line 2, out of the G-chord)
B}--0---0------------------------------------
G)------------------------0--------0---------
D)------0--------0--------0--------0---------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--3-------3---------3-------3--------------

You're going to start with the G-chord 320003. You need to hold it in this
way RMOOOP for making changes in the treble notes and switching to and from
the C-chord more easily. Pinch the 6s/3f and 2s/0, then pinch the 4s/O and
2s/O. Thumb the 6s/3f. Pinch the 4s/O and 1s/3f. Lifting your pinky, add your
index to the 1s/1f (making a G7-chord) and pinch it with the 6s/3f. Thumb the
4s/O and 3s/O. Thumb the 6s/3f, and then thumb the 4s/O and 3s/O.




E)--3-------1-------0------------------------ (Line 3, still out of G)
B}--------------------------3----------------
G)------0-------0-------0-------0------------
D)------0-------0-------0-------0------------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--3-------3-------3-------3----------------

Pinky back down on the 1s/3f, pinch 6s/3f and 1s/3f. Thumb the 4s/O and 3s/O. Lifting
your pinky and adding you index again, pinch the 6s/3f and 1s/1f. Thumb the 4s/O and
3s/O. Pinch the 6s/3f and 1s/O. Thumb 4s/O and 3s/O. Now put your pinky on the 2s/3f
and pinch it with the 6s/3f. Thumb the 4s/O and 3s/O.



E)----------------3-----0-------------------- (Line 4, back to C-chord)
B}--1---1------------------------------------
G)----------------------------0-------0------
D)------2---------2-----------2-------2------
A)--3-------------------3--------------------
E)----------3---------------------3----------

Pinch 5s/3f and 2s/1f. Pinch 4s/2f and 2s/1f. Move ring-finger over to the 6s/3f
and thumb it. Put your pinky on the 1s/3f and pinch that with the 4s/2f. Moving
your ring-finger back over again to the 5-string, pinch the 5s/3f and 1s/O. Thumb
the 4s/O and 3s/O. Ring back to the 6-string again, thumb 6s/3f. Then thumb 4s/O
and 3s/O.



E)--0-----------------0---------------------- (Line 5, out of the E-chord)
B}---------------0------------------3--------
G)------1-----------------1------------------
D)------2--------2--------2------------------
A)--2-------------------------------2--------
E)----------0---------0--------0-------------

Hold the E-chord 022100 OMRIOO. Pinch the 5s/2f and 1s/O. Thumb the 4s/2f and 3s/1f.
Thumb the 6s/O. Pinch the 4s/2f and 2s/O, then pinch 6s/O and 1s/O. Thumb 6s/O. Then
thumb4s/2f and 3s/1f again. Thumb 6s/O. Now, adding your pinky to the 2nd-string on
the third fret (to form an E7-chord), pinch the 5s/2f and 2s/3f.



E)------------------------------------------- (Line 6, out of an F-chord)
B}--1-----------3----1-------1----3----------
G)------2----------------2-------------------
D)------3-------3--------3--------3----------
A)-------------------------------------------
E)--1-------1--------1-------1---------------

Use this F-chord 10321X held TORMIX. You'll need it to easily make the simple change in
this position. You can make the common F barre-chord if you want but it's MUCH easier
this way. Pinch the 6s/1f and 2s/1f. Thumb the 4s/3f and 3s/2f. Thumb the 6s/O. Pinch
the 4s/3f and (adding your pinky to the 2nd-string) 2s/3f. Pinky back off and pinch 1s/O
and 2s/1f. Thumb the 4s/3f and 3s/2f. Pinch the 6s/1f and 2s/1f again. Then (pinky back
down again) pinch 4s/3f and 2s/3f.



E)---0--------------------------- (Line 7, a quick C-chord)
B}--------------1----------------
G)--------0---------0------------
D)--------2---------2------------
A)---3----------3----------------
E)-------------------------------

Pinch the 5s/3f and 1s/O. Thumb 4s/2f and 3s/1f. Pinch 5s/3f and 2s/1f. Thumb 4s/2f
and 3s/1f.



E)------------------------------------------------------ (Line 8, a quick G to C
B}--------------0------------------------1-------------- combination)
G)---0-----0---------0----(to C-chord)--------0---------
D)---------0---------0------------------------2---------
A)--------------2------------------------3--------------
E)---3--------------------------------------------------

Pinch 6s/3f and 3s/O. Thumb 4s/O and 3s/O. Pinch 5s/2f and 2s/O. Thumb 4s/O and 3s/O.
Then (changing to a C-chord) pinch 5s/3f and 2s/3f and thumb 4s/2f and 3s/O.



E)--------------------------------------------------- (Line 9, an even quicker
B}--------0------------------------1----------------- little G-to-C end-tag to
G)---0-------0------(to C-chord)--------------------- the progression)
D)-----------0---------------------------------------
A)---------------------------------3-----------------
E)---3-----------------------------------------------

Change back to the G-chord pinching the 6s/3f and 2s/1f. Then use the index to pick
the 2s/O and quickly thumb the 4s/O and 3s/O in sort of a combination move with a
sort of "twist" to it. (Like playing "dum a-dum"). Change to the C-chord and resolve
the progression by pinching the 5s/3f and 2s/1f.

And that's it!


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



ALTERNATE WAYS OF PLAYING POSITIONS IN THE PROGRESSION ABOVE

These are some alternate ways to play parts within the progression. They
aren't necessarily tabbed as a complete progression below, just a bit of
variations that can be substituted in parts of the above tab which might
add a bit of variety and syncopation, similarly to how I played the more
stylized syncopated progression in the sound-byte. I won't try to explain
each little move on them because once you've done the lines above it's
pretty apparent how to do these below. Anyway, just a few ideas to try.  


E)--3--------0-------------------------------------------- from C
B}-----1-----------------3---------1----------------------
G)--------0--------0--------0-------------0---------------
D)-----------------2-----------2----------2---------------
A)--3--------------------3--------------------------------
E)--------------3----------------------3------------------

E)-----------------------------------1------------------ from G
B}------------------0--------3--------------------------
G)---0------2-------------------------------------------
D)------0---------------0--------0----------0-----------
A)------------------------------------------------------
E)---3---------3-------------3-----------3--------------

E)--3----------0--------------------------------------- from G
B}-----0----------------3---------0--------------------
G)-------0---------0-------0---------------------------
D)-----------------0---------0---------0---------------
A)-----------------------------------------------------
E)--3----------3--------3----------3-------------------

E)----------------------------------------------------- from C
B}--0h1------------------------------------------------
G)-------0---------------------------------------------
D)-------2---------------------------------------------
A)---3-------------------------------------------------
E)-----------------------------------------------------


E)--------------0--------------0----------------------------- from E
B}---------------------0------------------3------------------
G)---0h1------------------(1)------(1)----------(to F-chord)-
D)--------2----------------2--------2-----2------------------
A)-----------------------------------------------------------
E)----0------------0-----------0-----------------------------


E)---------------------------------------------0------------ from F
B}---1----------3----------------------1-------------1------
G)------2----------(F into a D9-chord)-------------------2--
D)------3-------3---------------------------0------------0--
A)----------------------------------------------------------
E)---1-----1--------(move thumb up)----2----------2---------

E)------------------------------------------------------------ from G
B}--------------------0--------------------------1------------
G)--0-------2-----------------(into C-chord)---------0--(etc)-
D)------0-----------------0--------------------------2--------
A)-----------------------------------------------3------------
E)--3------------3--------------------------------------------

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ELIZABETH COTTEN

Elizabeth Cotten was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1895. She
began playing at about age eight on her brother's banjo. She soon learned
guitar as well, playing her brother's and her father's instruments. This
is one of the reasons her exact fingerstyle pattern is so hard to play
exactly like she did. She was left handed and because she had no guitar
of her own she simply reversed the position of those normal right-hand
strung guitars and played them with the strings upside-down, picking with
her left hand, fretting with her right. Her thumb picking the treble
lines while her fingers picked the bass. Unless you are a left-handed
guitarist who learned the same way she did (like Robert Cray for example),
it would be extremely difficult to duplicate exactly the way she played.

She'd become a single-mother and a domestic by her early teen years. When
she joined the church, she gave up playing (many Black churches back then
believed the guitar "the Devil's instrument" in a very literal way). She
eventually moved north, living in New York City and still working as a
maid. Her affiliation with the Pete Seeger family actually began shortly
after moving th Washinton, DC. when Mrs. Seegar was shopping in a downtown
department store. Her young daughter had wandered away and gotten lost.
Elizabeth found the child and returned her to Mrs. Seeger. The grateful
Mrs. Seeger offered her a job as the Seeger's maid.

One day while cleaning alone in Seeger's music-room, she took a guitar down
from the wall and began playing it. Seeger came in and she was afraid she
would lose her job and quickly hung it back up and apologized, but instead
he asked her to play some more and was extremely impressed by her skill.
Soon afterwards Seeger, who was quite a popular musician, fell out of favor
with the public and record labels in that McCarthy Era because he was a Com-
munist. A few years later as that era wound down and he regained popularity
again, he helped establish Cotten's career as a folk-blues artist during the
Folk Revival of the early '60s. She toured a great deal and was recorded by
several blues historians. She also appeared several times on television,
including Pete Seeger's public-TV show "Rainbow Quest." She retired as a
domestic around 1970 and not long after began to tour full-time. Near the
end of her life she was given a National Endowment for the Arts National
Heritage Fellowship Award as a living national treasure and also won a
Grammy as well in 1979 for a compilation of her tunes in the best Tradi-
tional Music category.

In the years before she died she continued to play until very near the end.
I was fortunate enough to see her in concert in very early 1987 where she
shared the bill with (of all people) Donovan. While her playing was weakened
by her age, it was still delicate and beautiful, her voice clear. She died
at the age of 92 on June 29th, 1987.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ END +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++