I started working on this song again, and man is it a classic! I feel like to the general public would think the chimes that are the best part of the song. To my ears the best part (and the hardest to get to sound right) is the absolute magic that Earl is able to do with the hammer-on-pull-off on the 3rd string! Any other pickers share my option?
I agree. Yet everything Scruggs played is classic. The hammer-ons the pull-offs, his incredible sense timing, his tone, they’re all part of what puts Scruggs in a class by himself. It amazes me how we all try to get as close to his style and although we can get pretty close, it’s still just beyond our grasp. It’s not surprising though. After all, it’s his personal style and it would be like trying to copy his voice or his signature. But I hope we never stop trying. Keep working on Foggy Mountain Chimes. It’s a great tune. Working on his style is a worthwhile pursuit, and best of all, it’s a lot of fun.
I worked on that double hammeron / quick pulloff for months when I was learning Earl’s Breakdown. It’s a toughie to get the pulloff to sound loud enough at a fast tempo.
