Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

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Oct-05-2018, 11:48am
ahmandolin

Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Hey Folks,

Tried to post this in the Grateful Dead Section but I don't see it. So here is a China Cat Sunflower lesson. Hope it is useful and let me know what you think!

I received a request to keep the mandolin horizontal. I went for it here but it effected my playing. Not sure it was worth it. I'll experiment with the camera next time.

Hope to see y'all on the road,

-Andrew Hendryx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZvfjyR0kAA&t=7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZvfjyR0kAA&t=7s
Oct-06-2018, 6:37am
Stompbox

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Wow, looks and sounds great. I am away for a few days, so I can’t wait to get home and work this out!
Oct-06-2018, 7:20am
AlanN

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Nice and easy, much appreciated. I compared the key to a recording I have...Road Trips, Vol.2 No.3 Wall of Sound...and it's in G, too. Now, to fold in Bob's counterpoint :mandosmiley:
Oct-06-2018, 1:49pm
ahmandolin

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Hey Alan, it seems like the song is generally in G but not terribly hard to transpose if needed. Especially with the closed position melody.
Oct-11-2018, 3:20pm
Stompbox

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

I finally got to sit down and go through this, fantastic. Thanks!
Oct-16-2018, 2:13pm
Southern Man

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Thanks Andrew,

I'll see you in a couple of weeks in Urbanna. Very excited about that.
Oct-16-2018, 2:31pm
Tom C

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Need Bobby's part.
Jan-03-2019, 9:58pm
Charlie Bernstein

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanN

Nice and easy, much appreciated. I compared the key to a recording I have...Road Trips, Vol.2 No.3 Wall of Sound...and it's in G, too. Now, to fold in Bob's counterpoint :mandosmiley:

Bob's line makes the song, and it's pretty easy on guitar. Think I'll try it on mando!
Jan-03-2019, 9:59pm
Charlie Bernstein

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahmandolin

Hey Alan, it seems like the song is generally in G but not terribly hard to transpose if needed. Especially with the closed position melody.

On guitar it slides up and down the neck to any key easily. Worth trying on mando.
Jan-03-2019, 10:01pm
Charlie Bernstein

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahmandolin

. . . I received a request to keep the mandolin horizontal. I went for it here but it effected my playing. . . .

All you have to do is lean WAY to the left!
Jan-15-2019, 1:37pm
David L

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

My favorite instrumental version of "China Cat sunflower" is by Joe Goldmark on pedal steel. This smokin' version is on the album "All Hat, No Cattle". The whole album is great covers, including "Whispering Pines", by The Band.
Jun-11-2019, 11:11pm
Paul Merlo

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Thanks for this - nice job!
Jun-12-2019, 6:22am
Mando Mort

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

I love this tune and how you break it down piece by piece. Just subscribed to hour youtube channel. Thanks!
Jun-12-2019, 2:58pm
Simon DS

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

I’m sorry, I cant see how it moves on to the G mixolydian, meaning the scale of D major.
It seems more like F lydian, or the scale of C major with the centre on it’s IV? F major chord?
Though I’ve probably missed something...
Jun-13-2019, 8:24am
Ky Slim

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Quote:

Originally Posted by atsunrise

I’m sorry, I cant see how it moves on to the G mixolydian, meaning the scale of D major.
It seems more like F lydian, or the scale of C major with the centre on it’s IV? F major chord?
Though I’ve probably missed something...

G Mixolydian is the fifth mode of C major. F lydian is the fourth mode of C major. Much of the Dead's music would be described as mixolydian. Maybe just learn it first and then if you must you can back into the theory once your ears and fingers are wrapped around it. Maybe more ears less brain? Good Luck!
Jun-13-2019, 8:40am
EdHanrahan

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ky Slim

... Maybe more ears less brain? ...

Hey, you talkin' to me?? (Not like over-thinking is a favorite hobby or anything...)
Jun-13-2019, 11:00am
Simon DS

Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

Oops, typo, it’s a bit of dehydration too. :)
I meant to say:
‘I cant see how it moves on to the G mixolydian, meaning the scale of C major.
It seems more like F lydian, or the scale of C major with the centre on it’s IV? F major chord?’

It seems to my ears that dropping the F# note to F makes me hear, and want to play an F major chord under the riff instead of G major chord. I can hear that the G major fits ‘better’ in a traditional sense, but it’s that tension that I’m hearing too.
I love this song, and great explanation, thanks.