Here is the way I play this song and transition into Rider.
China Cat:
Jerry's intro bass notes to kick it off.
Intersperse Weir's 12 fret G chords.
Transition into Weir's signature riff until the vocals start.
Sing the vocals with the G and F chords at the 3rd and 1st frets.
Garcia's first solo way up high and let other open strings ring a little since they're essentially the open G chord which adds resonance.
Next set of lyrics with the G and F chords.
Garcia's 2nd lead which can be extremely hot even on acoustic guitar.
Last set of vocals with G and F chords.
Bobby's lead into the feeling groovy jam.
Bobby's chords and interspersed fills.
Settle to the 10th fret D chord and begin Jerry's takeover which will pull you up to the 12th fret region as he notches it up. (This can be killer hot, so play it forcefully, and don't worry about other strings getting played a little, just hit that lead line hard and it will carry the day.)
I Know You Rider:
Come into the familiar Garcia lead line off of his killer hot set up, and then settle down for Rider with the D chord anywhere below the 10th fret D chord.
Sing the lyrics and do each of Jerry's leads after each set of lyrics.
Skip the second Jerry long lead and close out the song early with the I know you rider gonna...lyrics with the chords backing your vocals rather than singing with nothing behind your voice.
On the final D (ar ar ar arm armsssssss) play the open D, then 5th fret D, then 10th fret D, and finally the 14th fret D
End with the final F C interchange and the G D, and wrap up with the lingering Jerry lead line.
A great way to play the song, you get all the identifier-markers played (a little Bobby, a little Jerry), and if you're feeling very "kind" this way of playing it will have you smiling afterwards.
China Cat:
Jerry's intro bass notes to kick it off.
Intersperse Weir's 12 fret G chords.
Transition into Weir's signature riff until the vocals start.
Sing the vocals with the G and F chords at the 3rd and 1st frets.
Garcia's first solo way up high and let other open strings ring a little since they're essentially the open G chord which adds resonance.
Next set of lyrics with the G and F chords.
Garcia's 2nd lead which can be extremely hot even on acoustic guitar.
Last set of vocals with G and F chords.
Bobby's lead into the feeling groovy jam.
Bobby's chords and interspersed fills.
Settle to the 10th fret D chord and begin Jerry's takeover which will pull you up to the 12th fret region as he notches it up. (This can be killer hot, so play it forcefully, and don't worry about other strings getting played a little, just hit that lead line hard and it will carry the day.)
I Know You Rider:
Come into the familiar Garcia lead line off of his killer hot set up, and then settle down for Rider with the D chord anywhere below the 10th fret D chord.
Sing the lyrics and do each of Jerry's leads after each set of lyrics.
Skip the second Jerry long lead and close out the song early with the I know you rider gonna...lyrics with the chords backing your vocals rather than singing with nothing behind your voice.
On the final D (ar ar ar arm armsssssss) play the open D, then 5th fret D, then 10th fret D, and finally the 14th fret D
End with the final F C interchange and the G D, and wrap up with the lingering Jerry lead line.
A great way to play the song, you get all the identifier-markers played (a little Bobby, a little Jerry), and if you're feeling very "kind" this way of playing it will have you smiling afterwards.