Help with Halloween

[lzldmb]

I have taken the tabs from dmbtabs.com (http://dmbtabs.com/song.php?sid=13) and I have tried to play it. However, I am having problems with the slide. What should do about strumming? Strumming all the way through the slide doesn't seem right, but not strumming at all seems just as goofy. Do I need to hit the 2nd fret and 8th fret? Any help here would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Josh

[Firedncin8nancy]

the slide is really quick... so its not a big deal if you dont really strum it... try the luther college version and play along

[lzldmb]

Originally posted by Firedncin8nancy
the slide is really quick... so its not a big deal if you dont really strum it... try the luther college version and play along

Ok. Thanks. I will check that when I get home. I was at Champaign in December when Dave started the Halloween tease, he played it really slow. I was going to listen to that, just so I can tell if he strummed it. However, it would make sense that he probably tailer's his playing during the tease because it is so slow. It is hard sometimes listening to Dave when he is playing Tim because they often mix with each other.

Is it a very fast song to play?

Josh

[Haiku Jimi]

Yes, its a pretty fast song, but its not that tough. The slide is very quick, so like firedncn8 said, you shouldnt even worry about strumming during the slides. The slides should take no more than a fraction of a second, therefore, no strumming needed.

[Haiku Jimi]

ehhh 2 minute rule....

yea, about your other question, about the sliding 2 to 8. Well, you hit the first note, then you hit 2, then slide to 8. You DONT have to strum on 8, just slide to it. Then go on to the next chord.

[lzldmb]

This is a tricky song to make sound right. I can hear fragments of Halloween as I play, and occasionally I can hear the whole thing. Although it is just four simple chords, I think it is rather difficult to perfect.

Are there any tips other than practice that anyone can give me?

Josh

[Mathers420]

Originally posted by lzldmb
Are there any tips other than practice that anyone can give me?

Fall in love, then get your heart broken. That would work

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Mathers420
Fall in love, then get your heart broken. That would work

still wont improve your guitar abilities, just your ability to write songs

[Mathers420]

Originally posted by unccrombie
still wont improve your guitar abilities, just your ability to write songs

yeah it was a sorry attempt at a joke, but I think halloween would be a lot easier to play when you are pissed at a girl.

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Mathers420
yeah it was a sorry attempt at a joke, but I think halloween would be a lot easier to play when you are pissed at a girl.

haha, you would think so...but it isnt for me. i cant get the verse to sound right at all

[AJDMB05]

Step 1) Try not to be afraid of breaking a string or 4.
Step 2) Beat the shit out of said strings.

Seriously, if you can get the first note and slide down, the rest is all about the emotion you put into it. As Dave once said in an IEM "Just go right into it, bam BAM bam bam BAM BA-BAM BAM BAM" (actually referring to Carter's part of the song but it works) I've broken picks playing Halloween before. :mad:

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by AJDMB05
Step 1) Try not to be afraid of breaking a string or 4.
Step 2) Beat the shit out of said strings.

Seriously, if you can get the first note and slide down, the rest is all about the emotion you put into it. As Dave once said in an IEM "Just go right into it, bam BAM bam bam BAM BA-BAM BAM BAM" (actually referring to Carter's part of the song but it works) I've broken picks playing Halloween before. :mad:

yeah im having problems with the chord part after the slide, the slide part sounds fine but after that it all goes down hill. i need to replace my strings anyways, the coating is comming off (i have had them for 4 months) ill just go crazy for a while and see if it works out

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by unccrombie
yeah im having problems with the chord part after the slide, the slide part sounds fine but after that it all goes down hill. i need to replace my strings anyways, the coating is comming off (i have had them for 4 months) ill just go crazy for a while and see if it works out

If you'be got it down until after the slide, you should be able to get the rest. After the slide, there are only two chords (B5 and C5). You just hit each one twice quickly...thats the easiest way. So basically, after the slide you hit B5 twice then immediately C5 twice, and go back to the start.

[AC-777]

Some friends and I were playing the other day and we just randomly decided to play halloween and it actually sounded really good considering we had never played together until that day. Isn't it awesome when you play with certain people and you just mesh real well.

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Haiku Jimi
If you'be got it down until after the slide, you should be able to get the rest. After the slide, there are only two chords (B5 and C5). You just hit each one twice quickly...thats the easiest way. So basically, after the slide you hit B5 twice then immediately C5 twice, and go back to the start.

that's what i do, i'm going to make a little clip for you tonight or tomarrow afternoon, it sounds different then what it should seeing i know i'm playing it right now.

[AJDMB05]

I have everything other than the fast muting at the end of the 8x10xxx chord. I hear two mutes after the C5 chord in L@LC and they're pretty fast. That and Why Do You Run Around Here still gives me slight problems jumping between Am and F.

I'll see if I can get a microphone to work and maybe I'll toss up a recording. If you haven't attempted playing it yet, go for it, you might be surprised at the fun of it. :D

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by AJDMB05
I have everything other than the fast muting at the end of the 8x10xxx chord. I hear two mutes after the C5 chord in L@LC and they're pretty fast. That and Why Do You Run Around Here still gives me slight problems jumping between Am and F.

I'll see if I can get a microphone to work and maybe I'll toss up a recording. If you haven't attempted playing it yet, go for it, you might be surprised at the fun of it. :D

thats supposed to be A minor to B minor, not A minor to F for the "why you run aronud here" part....really

:)

[unccrombie]

i need to bring this one back. i posted above that i'd get a sample. well here it is. i think it sounds right on, but i tried to add the quick mute and i screwed up a ccouple times. disregard the chorus, it doesn't sound right

http://www.itypical.com/john/halloween.mp3

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by unccrombie
i need to bring this one back. i posted above that i'd get a sample. well here it is. i think it sounds right on, but i tried to add the quick mute and i screwed up a ccouple times. disregard the chorus, it doesn't sound right

http://www.itypical.com/john/halloween.mp3

I do'nt hear much for the 1x3 at the beginning of each time through the riff.

[unccrombie]

i play 123xxx and then just slide down to 8 on the 2, kinda like a combo. its the only way i can do it right now

[Lou]

-----------------------
-----------------------
-------------------9----
--3----------/9---x--9/10------
--x----------x----7--x-----
--1----------/7------7/8-----


thats what i play

[TheBigCaptain]

Originally posted by unccrombie
i need to bring this one back. i posted above that i'd get a sample. well here it is. i think it sounds right on, but i tried to add the quick mute and i screwed up a ccouple times. disregard the chorus, it doesn't sound right

http://www.itypical.com/john/halloween.mp3

something about that just isnt right

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by TheBigCaptain
something about that just isnt right

definitely. Unccrombie, you're missing the first chord...you're just starting from the slide instead. Also, your last two chords seem wrong as well or atleast the 3rd one does. But most importantly, you're playing about 4 times faster than Dave has ever played it. Slow down...it'll be easier, not to mention you could then play along with the song...which really is much slower than that.

Not to comment, I'm just trying to help

[TheBigCaptain]

yea, just try to play it along to a d&t version or to a dave and carter version to get the rythm down

[Mathers420]

also if you are having problems with the first chord and the slide you can just hit the F of the first chord and then the do the slide.


e|-----------
b|-----------
g|-----------
d|---------9
a|-----2/--x
E|-1-------7


or something like that, it might help you break up the first part

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by Lou
-----------------------
-----------------------
-------------------9----
--3----------/9---x--9/10------
--x----------x----7--x-----
--1----------/7------7/8-----


thats what i play

That 3rd chord should be there. All the chords/octaves are rooted on the low E.

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by Lou
-----------------------
-----------------------
-------------------9----
--3----------/9---x--9/10------
--x----------x----7--x-----
--1----------/7------7/8-----


thats what i play

That 3rd chord/octave is wrong. This is correct.


----------------------------------
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
--3-------------9---9---/10---10--
--x----2/8------x---x----x----x--
--1-------------7---7---/8----8--

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Haiku Jimi
definitely. Unccrombie, you're missing the first chord...you're just starting from the slide instead. Also, your last two chords seem wrong as well or atleast the 3rd one does. But most importantly, you're playing about 4 times faster than Dave has ever played it. Slow down...it'll be easier, not to mention you could then play along with the song...which really is much slower than that.

Not to comment, I'm just trying to help

im not starting from the slide, like i said before i cant play it regularly right now. i play the first chord as 123xxx then just slide with my middle finger down to 8 and continue. and thanks for tellin me to slow down. for some reason i like to play fast? i do that with warehouse too, i dont know. so what im playing is this


------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
--3-------------9---9---10---10--x--x-
--2/8----------x---x---x----x---x--x-
--1-------------7---7---8---8---x--x-


i know its changed a hare....but i'm not playing anything else wrong

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by unccrombie


i know its changed a hare....but i'm not playing anything else wrong

well if you say so. That 123 chord isnt really correct either.

Not to be on your case or anything, really...but the song still sounds wrong.

[TheBigCaptain]

you need rythme man

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by Haiku Jimi
well if you say so. That 123 chord isnt really correct either.

Not to be on your case or anything, really...but the song still sounds wrong.

yes i know it's wrong, that's why i said it, what sounds wrong with the other half...just tempo? the rhythm sounds fine...but maybe im wrong? as it seems i have been lately

[PilotC150]

here's my take on it. Maybe this'll help. I started slow, then sped up the tempo at the end.

http://www.cs.und.edu/~chrisa/song/

[TheBigCaptain]

Originally posted by PilotC150
here's my take on it. Maybe this'll help. I started slow, then sped up the tempo at the end.

http://www.cs.und.edu/~chrisa/song/

exactly

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by PilotC150
here's my take on it. Maybe this'll help. I started slow, then sped up the tempo at the end.

http://www.cs.und.edu/~chrisa/song/

perfect, i'm going to use this to help me, should make a considerable difference

[greppson]

all the chords start on a beat

the only thing that needs to happen is that the slide from 2 to 8 needs to end on the second best, meaning you land on the 8 just as you count to 2(or tap your foot a second time).

listen to one of the slow halloween teases from one of the december shows, that will make it VERY clear as to how this is played. play it slow, then gradually speed it up and see if you can keep landing the slide ending on the second beat. then it will sound right and be a lot easier to sing the verses as well.

[greppson]

one last thing--

if you have any musical experience, think of the 2 to 8 slide as a grace note, with the 8 being the second beat.

[unccrombie]

Originally posted by greppson
all the chords start on a beat

the only thing that needs to happen is that the slide from 2 to 8 needs to end on the second best, meaning you land on the 8 just as you count to 2(or tap your foot a second time).

listen to one of the slow halloween teases from one of the december shows, that will make it VERY clear as to how this is played. play it slow, then gradually speed it up and see if you can keep landing the slide ending on the second beat. then it will sound right and be a lot easier to sing the verses as well.

well put, good advice

[greppson]

sorry made a mistake...

the last two "sets" of chords that are played--each set doesn't necessarily start on a beat. they actually start on the "and" of the beat, so you play the first 7x9xxx starting on the "and" of 2 and second 7x9xxx on the 3. the first 8x10xxx starts on the "and" of 3 and the second starts on the 4.

this is if you think of each beat as a number and tap the floor on those numbers, the "and" is when your foot is lifted up at the point where you are getting ready to tap.:)

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

think of it as eighth notes...:) damn music minor in me!:lol

[PilotC150]

Originally posted by greppson
sorry made a mistake...

the last two "sets" of chords that are played--each set doesn't necessarily start on a beat. they actually start on the "and" of the beat, so you play the first 7x9xxx starting on the "and" of 2 and second 7x9xxx on the 3. the first 8x10xxx starts on the "and" of 3 and the second starts on the 4.

this is if you think of each beat as a number and tap the floor on those numbers, the "and" is when your foot is lifted up at the point where you are getting ready to tap.:)

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and

think of it as eighth notes...:) damn music minor in me!:lol

And I was just about to yell at you "no, you're wrong" and then you fixed it here!

Cuz they don't all start on the down beat. :D

No music minor here, just many many years of musical experience.

[unccrombie]

and i'm very thankful for both of you :D

[smallwaise]

Originally posted by Mathers420
yeah it was a sorry attempt at a joke, but I think halloween would be a lot easier to play when you are pissed at a girl. trust me it, it is :mad:

[unccrombie]

ok. once again, let me have it. i listened to pilot's example a lot, so i hope it's an improvement from before. i didn't use a pick on this, couldn't find one, so if it's not loud enough let me know.

http://www.itypical.com/john/halloween.mp3

[PilotC150]

Sounds A LOT better!! The only thing I can say now is that you have too much of a pause between the first chord (1x3) and the start of the slide. Because of the pause, it lags and you get off time.

Try tapping your foot at a constant speed and playing along with that. The first tap (beat 1) is the (1x3) chord. By the time you tap your foot a second time you should be done with the slide. The third tap will be the second (7x9) and the 4th tap will be the second (8x10). I hope that all makes sense.

[Haiku Jimi]

Originally posted by unccrombie
ok. once again, let me have it. i listened to pilot's example a lot, so i hope it's an improvement from before. i didn't use a pick on this, couldn't find one, so if it's not loud enough let me know.

http://www.itypical.com/john/halloween.mp3

much much better! :)

the onyl thing was what pilot said. Its off ever so slightly though. The pause before the slide is like a fraction of a second off, and that makes it off beat. Try listening to a Dave and Tim version from 97 or 99 or something. In the beginning you can hear Dave's rhythm very well, and just try playing along with that till you get it completely.

But good job though!

[unccrombie]

thanks guys. to make the slide work better, and not have that pause, would it be better to mute with the middle or index finger. right now i play the 1x3 with the index on 1 and the ring on 3, and mute the 2 slide with my index then just slide with my index. would it be easier to mute with my middle finger so that im right there and can just slide down?

[PilotC150]

Keep finger 1 on string 6, finger 2 on string 5 and finger 3 on string 4, ALWAYS. You can mute the A-string however you wish (with your 2nd finger or with the pad of your 1st finger) but then DEFINATLY do the slide the 2nd finger. Cuz then when you get to the end of the slide your fingers will be in the right place to play the next chords.

[unccrombie]

thanks, i think i got it now, counting the beats really helped