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Thread: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

  1. #1
    Registered User ahmandolin's Avatar
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    Default 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

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    Default 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!

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    Default 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

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    Registered User ahmandolin's Avatar
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    Default 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.

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  7. #5

    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    I finally got to sit down and go through this, fantastic. Thanks!

  8. #6

    Default 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.

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    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Need Bobby's part.

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    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Quote Originally Posted by AlanN View Post
    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
    Bob's line makes the song, and it's pretty easy on guitar. Think I'll try it on mando!

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    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Quote Originally Posted by ahmandolin View Post
    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.

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    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Quote Originally Posted by ahmandolin View Post
    . . . 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!

  14. #11

    Default 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.

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    fretboard roamer Paul Merlo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Thanks for this - nice job!
    Paul

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    Registered User Mando Mort's Avatar
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    Default 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!
    "All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out." - Mark Twain

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default 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...

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    Registered User Ky Slim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Quote Originally Posted by atsunrise View Post
    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!

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    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Grateful Dead's - China Cat Sunflowew Lesson

    Quote Originally Posted by Ky Slim View Post
    ... Maybe more ears less brain? ...
    Hey, you talkin' to me?? (Not like over-thinking is a favorite hobby or anything...)
    - Ed

    "Then one day we weren't as young as before
    Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
    But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
    I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
    - Ian Tyson

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default 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.

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