For anyone out there who managed to get my version of Georgia to stream on Real Audio, I've slaved over a hot iMac to put up a page of TAB for it, if you're interested. This is a good exercise if you want to get into a bit of Drop-D tuning.

This guitar part is a good example of what I've been trying to put into words all these months. If you look at it, you'll notice that there are no six note chords there. The part is more of a bass line with chords or chord pieces attached. Sometimes just a bass note and a higher note above it. You'll see how the bass line sometimes adds a note other than the tonic to a chord, as in the D/A (read "D over A", meaning a D chord with an A bass note). These details add so much to an arrangement. You don't have to play an A bass note there, it could just be a D chord, but it just sounds so good when you do. Such a strong sounding lead-in to the next chord.

The B augmented is another example. It could just be a plain old B7, but that sharp five adds so much to the vibe of the song. I put the lyrics up too. I was amazed at how few words there are. I went to a lyrics site to make sure I was singing it right. That's it. Incredible to think that such a huge song that has lasted all these years and become such a classic consists of so few words.

As I recall, I came up with the verse structure from Ray Charles' version, kind of a simplified guitar arrangement, picking up those augmented and dimished changes. The middle eight I changed drastically.The first half bears little resemblance to the original as a chord progression, but the same melody can quite happily sit on top of it. I've always loved that about music, the way you can play the same melody over countless chord progressions. There are some great examples of it in "The Simpsons' where the wonderful theme melody is played against new chords.

By the way, if you listen to Ray's version, he does it in G, not D.

I guess this is all a bit boring for those of you who didn't hear the version of Georgia I keep refering to. It's nothing earth shattering, but it will definitely give you something to work on if you're stuck, so try one more time to get it to stream. I guess I should just load it up as a normal 'downloadable' file, then you'll be able to hear it. I'll let you know here it is when I do.

This goes against my grain, this TAB thing. It's a good tool to use in cases like this though, as one aspect of a lesson, but it is far better to be able to know what it is you're doing in the context. The fact is, there are many, many ways through those chords, an infinite number of embellishments and alterations. TABing something out seems to imply that there is but the one way of playing something. Not true. I'll say it again, if you're wondering what the trick is to being able to play all the other ways, PlaneTalk reveals it. It couldn't be easier to order. Just go to How to Order at my site.

Order: http://www.lorange.kirk.net/order.html

The main thing is to get you playing. By the way, the only time you should put a guitar in its case is when you're travelling. Other than then, it should be out in full view, maybe on a stand, in a safe place. Better yet, hang it on the wall, like in a music shop. I got a coat hanger, cut it with pliers and fashioned it into a double hook. All mine are out. A guitar in a case is a crime. I've reported many to the SPCG, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Guitars.

Georgia TAB

I'm gone. K i r k
http://www.lorange.kirk.net