Bateaux - Posted - 04/29/2010:  02:39:14

Does anyone know if there's a video around of Walt Koken playing Sequoia Farewell or have any hints about figuring it out? I love the tune - it's one of the most weird and wonderful ones I've ever heard - but I'm struggling with working it out just by ear.

Thanks!!

jazz-phil - Posted - 04/29/2010:  11:03:18

I didn't know the tune until you asked so I've only heard 30 seconds or so of what I guess is the main theme so I may just be telling you what you already know. This is the bit I've heard so you know what I'm referring to muzetunes.com/playback.mp3?c=_...3u-c=&f=I

From the little I've seen of Walt Koken it appears he likes to play over a lot of chord shapes up and down the neck and frequently plays more than one string at a time when playing the lead line. If you take this as a starting point.

As I hear the tune it's in Em (I've tuned standard open G). The chords related to Em are F#dim, G, Am, Bm, C, D. If you know this you can start to look for the sounds you are hearing. Chords to note are Am, Bm ( the minor equivalent of C and D when playing in G) and the F#dim.

Chords for the bit I've heard are Em Bm Em Bm Em Bm Em Am Em F#dim C(?) Am Em F#dim Em.

I'm not sure about the C but the rest seem to work OK. The Em, Bm and Am all use the same standard Em chord shape with barring where necessary until you get to the Em before the F#dim. This Em is 9th fret 1st string, 8 fret 2nd string, and 9th fret 3rd string. The F#dim is 4th fret 1st string, 4th fret 2nd string and 2nd fret 3rd string.

Sorry it's a bit confusing but I hope it helps a little bit.

This is just my take so someone wiser and more knowledgeable may tell me I've got it all wrong.

Phil

Bateaux - Posted - 05/03/2010:  08:15:23

That's a mighty fine ear you must have there, Phil! I've had a shot at what you recommended and it sounds perfect.Now I just haveta keep at it. Thank you!!

stringbeaner - Posted - 05/03/2010:  15:27:44

Where would I go to hear the whole tune??

stringbeaner - Posted - 05/03/2010:  15:31:00

I can pretty much play what I'm hearing on that 30-second squib up there but It'd be neat to be able to pick the whole pertater.

jazz-phil - Posted - 05/04/2010:  03:14:30

Glad to be of assistance. I never thought my ear was too good, maybe after 40 years I've finally learned something!

Stringbeaner, as I've now found out, the track is on Walt's Hei-Wa Hoedown album.

Phil