That's the way

[Keith Erickson]

I don't play the guitar as much these days but when I do, my first tune is always, "That's the way" off of Zeppelin #3.

Lately I've been finding myself more and more drawn to "That's the way" on the mandolin. It's such a fun tune to improvise with.

My next Mando-Zepp tune will be "Hey, Hey What can I do?" I've just got to just off the 45 rpm or the box set.

[gschmidt]

Great tune. I'm a HUGE LZ fan.

Please share how you play it. I'd love to learn it myself.

[Flowerpot]

So what tuning is used for the guitar on "That's the way" -- sounds like non-standard, but I'm not sure. That's a very relaxing tune, and of course the mandolin adds a lot.

[Keith Erickson]

Hey there Guys,

On the Led Zepp #3 lp, it sounds like an open tuning in G of somesort.

I am going to try to explain. #However I have to admit that my musical terminology is ... # well... # ... less than professional http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

On the guitar- I start off with a G chord, then Am7 ( pinky on 3rd fret High E-String ) then move up with the same "Am7" fingering up two frets and then Gmaj7. #On the way back to the G chord, I go back the same exact route that I came.

The chorus is made up of Bb, F & C chords.

On the mando- #I start off with the G chord, C chord then moving up 2 frets with the "C" fingering and then Gmaj7. #On the way back to the G chord, I go back the same exact route that I came.

However the difference is that I play the Bb with the G's as drones. #Those drone strings really make for a really haunting sound.

I will see if I can post some pics.

[dan@kins]

If you tune it (guitar) to an open G the chord shapes are super easy and it really sounds best IMHO. Just like the record. My fav Led Zepp tune! You tune the guitar like a b#%$jo.

Page played with a lot of open tunings.

I'd like to learn th emandolin part to that. I'd have to teach the gutiar part to one of my buddies.

[Keith Erickson]

If you tune it (guitar) to an open G the chord shapes are super easy and it really sounds best IMHO. #Just like the record. #My fav Led Zepp tune! #You tune the guitar like a b#%$jo. #

Page played with a lot of open tunings.

I'd like to learn th emandolin part to that. #I'd have to teach the gutiar part to one of my buddies.
Dan,

I totally agree with you that it sounds 1000% percent better on open tuning. However the version I learned was from UnLedded CD from Page & Plant which was not an open tuning.

[dan@kins]

Oh I see Keith. . . didn't realize that.

I'm gonna try that version later tonight when I get home.. . with the notes you've laid out here.

(I wasn't trying to correct you or anything) I'm an advocate of gettting done like you like to play it. Thsi is just one I know and I wanted to jump in and talk about it too. =)

Beautiful song!

[Keith Erickson]

(I wasn't trying to correct you or anything) #I'm an advocate of gettting done like you like to play it.
Yeah Dan you show off http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Only kidding.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Seriously though you are absolutely correct on the open tuning. However I have to admit (shamefully) that I wouldn't know how to tune the guitar to that particular open tuning.

If you know could you share? Inquiring minds would like to know http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Thank you,

[metalmandolin]

From low to high...d g d g b d. Enjoy, then try "In My Time Of Dying"! Same tuning.

[Keith Erickson]

From low to high...d g d g b d. Enjoy, then try "In My Time Of Dying"! Same tuning.
Much oblidged to you Roscoe http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[dan@kins]

Yea what metalmandolin said. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Keith Erickson]

Kudos to you both Roscos & Dan ( and yes you 2 Dan ) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I picked up the guitar and tuned to D,G,D,G,B,D and boy did it work perfectly http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I must have played the guitar version 10 times last night but at the same moment I couldn't help feeling like a mental midget for playing it incorrectly for so many years.

Why stop there? I naturally turned to the mandolin and proceeded to play "That's the way" another 10 times. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I wasn't too far off on the mando version. Previously I had the chords and rhythm slightly off.

I was like a kid on Christmas morning....

I was so wound up that I couldn't fall asleep. I got back out of bed and I continued on to "Hell's Bell's" ( apologies John that I played the AC/DC version ) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I must have played "Hell's Bell's" hundreds of times on the guitar but there is something absolutely beautiful about the mandolin that gives me that feeling that I could never get from the guitar.

[dan@kins]

"there is something absolutely beautiful about the mandolin that gives me that feeling that I could never get from the guitar."

You said it brother! I can't quite put my finger on it (no pun intended) but it inspires me constantly and thats a good thing!

[tree]

Since you're fooling with open G, you should give Honkey Tonk Women a try. #Keith Richards did a ton of those Stones songs in open G. #Sorry for the hijack, but a lot of the Stones stuff is just a playground for open G tuning. #Exile on Main Street especially.

[Keith Erickson]

Since you're fooling with open G, you should give Honkey Tonk Women a try. #Keith Richards did a ton of those Stones songs in open G. #Sorry for the hijack, but a lot of the Stones stuff is just a playground for open G tuning. #Exile on Main Street especially.
Tree,

Not a problem!!! No need to apologize. You're giving many of us advice and I sure do thank you for your input. I'll definitely have to give this a try.

Much oblidged http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Dave Hicks]

Good source for Led Zep tabs, including mando:

http://www.led-zeppelin.org/multimedia/index.php?m=tablature

D.H.