Walknbluez wrote:
Rusty, thanks so much! After they said that, I was like, I'm not worthy to be playing Phil. You've restored my confidence somewhat!
When you say I'm behind the beat, do you mean on the entire song or just at the beginning when I was starting the two beat country feel? I have since changed the way I play this as of last week, and instead of those two notes I've got about nine including a passing tone before I go to the B. In any case, I think playing behind the beat, ahead of the beat and on the beat are things I have to work on for other songs as well....it really makes a difference in the feel of the song. I think sometimes I have a hard time getting this right. Ironically, even though I was behind the beat on this one, I think on other tunes I have a problem where I'm playing ahead of the beat when I actually should be playing behind the beat and makes the song seemed rush, even if the drummer isn't rushing the tempo. Can that happen? GDTRFB is a good example I think. When I listen to '77 versions of this it seems Phil is behind the beat and I like the feel it gives it. Although the 90's versions of it it seems different. I digress but I think this is important for me as well.
As for box patterns, I fiddled around with the info on the link eric provided and it actually proved somewhat helpful and gave me some ideas.
Thanks to you all for your help, I really love this site and feel at home here! The only problem is I've got a zillion questions because I'm constantly thinking about this music!
Of course you're worthy! It's a myth that Phil is some unattainable pinnacle, he's just a very creative and knowledgeable player, and you're well on your way.
Seems like you have a good understanding of how to play behind or ahead of the beat, it just takes a little work to put it into practice. Try it against a metronome, they don't lie and they are always right on the beat.
In the Don't Ease recording your moments of two-beat feel are way behind the beat while your walking parts are a on the beat. It's probably driving your drummer crazy if he's paying attention, actually... no offense intended.
One good compromise for Don't Ease between full-time walking feel and 2-beat feel is: Instead of Root, Five, hit Root Root Five Five. That way you're playing four quarter notes but still keeping that country feel. It's just one of many variations you can use, and makes for a good transition if you're ramping up your activity level as the song progresses.
Phil's 77 GDTRFB recordings are definitely behind the beat do have a great feel! The most likely cause is that by that point in the show he was probably pretty drunk.
He himself considers that period to be sloppy, and while I agree, I love it. I try to purposely inject some looseness and sloppiness into my Phil playing for that reason, and have to conciously tighten it back up to play 80's GD, JGB or Phish. By the 90's he was probably bored and ready to go home by that point in the show.
A zillion questions are not a problem!