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Pride & joy, MTV Unplugged Stevie Ray Vaughan


Bajazz

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Posted

Anybody learned this song? I'm trying to learn it, from a very accurate TAB, but I struggle somewhat with the backbeat up-strokes. Anybody got some tips on how to get the right sound?

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Posted

That is a tuff song to master. Stevie had a definite technique to his style of playing. Much like trying to sound like Eddie VanHalen, you have to master his technique first. Years ago before his death, (before it was "uncool") I desided I wanted to master SRV's technique. One thing that really helped me was buying a couple of instructional CD/book's. The books provide good tab and the CD plays the songs at normal speed and then again very slow. They also seperate the solo from the backing tracks so you can practice over them seperatly. I spent many hours working on that backbeat-upstroke. Also, I've since played that song hundreds of times live. I suggest buying a good CD/book, I recommend Wolf Marshall's series. Practice the hell out of it, slow, then fast, it's the only way. But to really master it you must play the song in a band or jam situation where your being pushed to drive that beat.

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I've never heard the unplugged version but my advice is the same. Try and locate the CD/tab instruction combo and put in the hours. As with everything, play slow first, co-ordinate right and left hands. It's sort of a sweep pick movement. Sorry that's all I can add. I can play this song pretty true to form with or without a band. It's important that you have an accurate tab, sit down and listen, study. An instruction video or CD is very helpful.

Good luck.

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Posted

 

Originally posted by GTM

I've never heard the unplugged version but my advice is the same. Try and locate the CD/tab instruction combo and put in the hours. As with everything, play slow first, co-ordinate right and left hands. It's sort of a sweep pick movement. It's important that you have an accurate tab, sit down and listen, study.

The unplugged version is played different: on a 12-string. Therefore he don't play above the 12 fret (ok, once on 14-fret) He don't bend more than 1/4, the runs are slowed down, the fastest notes is swing-eight (triplets). That's why the song isn't too challenging except for the swinging comp upstrokes sound.

 

I have the song on mp3, video and use a chronotron plugin to slow it down. I have studied his technique, but he plays different on 12-string, I think.

 

What do you mean with "sweep movement"? Do you mean regular upstroke as you were playing rythm? It looks as if he does circular movements with his right and dampens the strings exclusively with left by closing and opening the fist as if you where squeezing an orange...Good picture:)

 

My TAB is very accurate, I've been able to find 2-3 mistakes from slowing down. It's 99% I think. I'll fix the last %

 

You should listen to the unplugged version, it's great!!

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I am very familiar with that song and that version. I had a similar problem with SRVs technique, as do most players.

 

Theoretically, it's very simple, as is most rock and blues. Stevie "scratches" the open high E and B strings on the upstrokes, and plays the notes/chords on the downstrokes.

 

Try this: play along with the song, but only play the upstroke scratches. Work on getting the rhythmic feel.

 

Once you start getting the hang of it, set your metronome for about half speed. Start the upstrokes, and begin adding the notes that flesh out the song. Get the basic song down first, before you begin adding in the fills.

 

Pride and Joy is a timeless classic. Work hard until you get it. Cold Shot uses the same upstroke technique.

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Learn to play the basic song first. Then add the back strokes. This song, as well as most blues, is a feel thing. It takes some time to learn. Once you stop thinking and just feel, it will come. Don't focus on the tab, focus on the feel. Once you learn the basic song, you can then go back to the tab and learn all of the fills and what not.

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one thing that might help with that particular technique is to learn some simple songs using upstrokes.

 

almost any reggae, ska music will do.

 

or find some Sublime music, like wrong way or something that uses alot of upstrokes.

 

most of thier songs you actually mute the strings with your left hand on the downstrokes, and play the notes on the upstrokes.

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I really have not problems techniqally with this tune, if you know what I mean. I can play the bass walk, the licks and upstrokes with correct timing and rythm at the correct speed. Technically, I could perform this song and few would notice something missing. But of respect for my audience and SRV, I choose not to at this moment.

 

The main problem is the SOUND of the upstrokes. Do I damp with both hands? Left only? Do I keep the fingers quiet on the strings on the 3 top strings or do I grab and release? (It looks as SRV keeps opening and closing his fist as if he was doing finger strength exercises with a rubber ball)

 

I'll admit that I don't get the real blues shuffle drive/feel for the song at this moment. That is something that takes time, and usually is not present until I know the song in my sleep. But I know it will come, else I wouldn't use weeks/months on this song!

 

I will try to get the feel by playing chords only, shuffle, bass notes, bass notes w/licks, upstrokes only, and etc. Basically add notes as time goes by and aim for that blues feel.

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A word on damping or muting with chords. I will usually use both hands. But it's not really a concious efford. I hear the sound and both my hands automatically do what they have to do. A lot of guitar playing, blues in particulary is played this way. I know it's not really the answer you seek. Continue to work on the song and the sound will find it's way through you head into your hands. From what you say it sounds like you've got the hard part done already. If you know the bass line and the up strokes then just lay back with the song and "feel it". Seek and practice, keep at it and intuitively you'll find suddenly you've got it.

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Posted

Bajazz

 

Again, I would bet a $1,000 that the problem you are having is feel. You are thinking to technically. Playing blues is about feeling. It took me awhile to get this song, then one day, once I stopped thinking about it, it just came. Relax and have some fun. I know this isn't the answer you want to hear, but it is the truth.

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Stevie plays the B and E strings open with an upstroke, and immediately mutes them. While the strings are muted, he plays each note of the bass walk.

 

Again, I advise you practice just the upstrokes, to dial in the rhythmic feel.

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Posted

 

Originally posted by Bajazz

Anybody learned this song? I'm trying to learn it, from a very accurate TAB, but I struggle somewhat with the backbeat up-strokes. Anybody got some tips on how to get the right sound?

 

 

First of all I have to say that the unplugged version of this song is one of my favorite. I myself have tried to learn this acoustic version using the electric version tab and its just not the same. That being said...I would really like to get my hands on an accurate tab of the acoustic version.

 

Anyway...to try and help you out...your ahead of the game if you have learned the bass line. The upstrokes will eventually come to you. Like others have mentioned...on the upstroke SRV plays the high E, B, and possibly G string followed by a mute with the left hand. The technique I use, is to play the bass line with my fingers in the form of a barre. Don't play with your fingers arched...if you do you will have a hard time muting the strings. Don't actually barre the strings, just get them into position to mute the E and B string on the put stroke.

 

Its hard to explain this in words. Once you get the bass line and upstoke down...go and play it on a 12 string...its amazing!

 

Goodluck,

Kevin

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those damn upstrokes drive me crazy too!!

I mute them with my non-picking hand, but I still haven't mastered that great song. Thought it would be a great song to learn on the acoustic and play for my wife, but not yet...

Still practicing though!! :cool:

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Originally posted by iceberg

Anyway...to try and help you out...your ahead of the game if you have learned the bass line. The upstrokes will eventually come to you. Like others have mentioned...on the upstroke SRV plays the high E, B, and possibly G string followed by a mute with the left hand. The technique I use, is to play the bass line with my fingers in the form of a barre. Don't play with your fingers arched...if you do you will have a hard time muting the strings. Don't actually barre the strings, just get them into position to mute the E and B string on the put stroke.


Its hard to explain this in words. Once you get the bass line and upstoke down...go and play it on a 12 string...its amazing!


Goodluck,

Kevin

Last night, I played the video 1/2 speed, and figured out the following:

 

  • So I guess you're right. Let's take a common notation for shuffle, where you divide each beat in eight-triplets:

 

1 - downstroke

2 -

3 - upstroke

 

Now, to play Pride & joy, we need sixplets (correct name?)

 

1 - downstroke picks bass tone (rings out entire beat)

2

3

4

5 - upstroke picks open E and H (maybe G) strings

6 - left hand fingers mute notes on step 5

 

or you could notate 1-and-2-and-3-and...

Note that on beat 2, SRV hammers on (3^4) while he plays the upstroke.

 

Am I getting closer folks? Actually, I'm saying what you all have been telling me, but one thing is for sure: He don't scratch upstrokes on muted strings.

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Posted

Your right...he doesn't mute with the right/picking hand. The tempo is really to fast to have time to mute with the right hand. Plus its easier to mute with the left.

 

I learned this song before I saw the video and I instinctively muted with the left hand. It just comes natural.

 

Your also right that he DOESN'T stratch anything. It is obvious that the E, B, and G string are quickly stumbed on the upstroke followed by a quick mute with the left/fret hand.

 

Keep at it...you'll get it eventually.

 

 

 

 

 

Originally posted by Bajazz

Last night, I played the video 1/2 speed, and figured out the following:

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    Posted

    Don't have a hat, but I took the time to tune my old 12-string. The sound is getting closer, but I still have to work on the techniques. BTW, I think that the mute might be done on the count 1 (not on 5) That makes it a lot easier:

    1. bass note and mute E-B

    2. let bass note ring

    3. upstroke on E-B

    I noticed that the upstrokes weren't as loud on the 12-string, and watching the video, it don't seem as SRV hurry to damp before he frets the bass note. I think Iceberg is right: you fret the bass notes with a barre that at simultaneously mutes the high strings. You would normally fret a little before hitting the notes, that makes the mute happen a tad before beat 1. So the only thing to think about is to make sure all strings but the bass is muted on beat 1.

    That leaves me to think far too techniqally/advanced/difficult... Story of my life.

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