Topic: The Octave G String

[snakehips]

Hi there !

My pal, Prof Scratchy recently made me up an mp3 disc with the Rollin Log Blues on it.
I just love that song. I was trying the learn the bass parts but couldn't manage any more than that. Then in a phone conversation last night with the Prof, he mentioned the high octave G string, using a 10.

Regular tuning but stick a 10 on the 3rd string and tune it to G, an octave higher than normal (it didn't feel to tight). Capo up to the 3rd fret and play e-chord shape, hammering on the 3rd string 1st fret. The other chords find themselves easily enough.

Well, I tried it out and BINGO !! It works !

Whats more, I think it is possible to play and sing this (by oneself !) without a 2nd guitarist. I'll practice it more, learn the lyrics and perhaps get the Prof to record it for me.

I'm really excited !

Thanks you guys !! (Mr Miller especially)

Do you think they stumbled upon this one day when not having the correct string to replace a bust G string ??

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I found this song on YouTube last night, another instance of a player using the octave G string.  Apart from the Pruitt twins, Papa Charlie Jackson and Pete Franklin, there haven't been that many who did it, but Seth Richard is definitely strung that way here.



EDITED TO ADD:  I thought I'd go back and try to pick up Seth Richard's lyrics here.  I'd appreciate help with any bent bracketed passages.

When you see me comin', put your man outdoor
when you see me comin', put your man outdoor
I am comin' back home, baby, never leave no more

Mama, mama, what make you treat me so mean?
Mama, mama, what make you treat me so mean?
How you treat me, like a man you never seen

Brownie, brownie, what's on your worried mind?
Brownie, brownie, what's on your worried mind?
Brownie, brownie, what's on your worried mind?
How you keep my poor heart achin', worried all the time

Brownie, I ain't got no money, and I ain't got no place to go
I ain't got no money, ain't got no place to go
Ain't got no money, ain't got no place to go
And if you take me back, baby, I never do wrong no more

Ah, the woman's name's Bertha, that's the woman I want to see
Woman name's Bertha, that's the woman I want to see
Ah, she's stayin' in North Carolina, won't even write to me

I'm gonna put some wheels on my shoes
I'm gonna put some wheels on my shoes
And I ain't gonna start rollin' until I cure those homeless blues

Edited 5/30 to pick up line from alyoung

All best,
Johnm

[alyoung]

"Ah she's stayin' in North Car'lina, won't even write to me."

BTW, sounds to me like there's more than one high string there; I doubt it's just an octave G ; I'd always assumed he was playing a modified 12-string.

[Johnm]

Thanks for that line, Al, I'll get that in there.  Seth Richard may have additional strings, but his third string is the only one that is an octave high.  If he has any others they're unisons.
All best,
Johnm