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White Ape by Leo Kottke
White Ape
This is the version he used ONLY when playing a 6. The 12-string version-as
recorded-uses different fret positions to take advantage of the bass string
pairs upper-octave notes. He also plays some of the D chord arpeggios above
the 12th fret, since it was played on a cutaway (bass E string on the 14th
fret/A and D strings at the 12th) - which you'll see sounds ENTIRELY
different on a 12 verses a 6. The basic pattern, in standard tuning, is an
exercise in 1st position use of arpeggiated chords on the 4 lowest strings
throughout the first thematic statement. Begin with a hand position
where the thumb is close to coming around to the fretboard at the 2nd fret.
Make the C major chord variation of Index finger on D string/2nd fret, 2nd
finger/lo E string/3rd fret, 3rd finger/A string/3rd fret, and just play the
lower 4 strings for the whole first pattern. Think of it like a Cello
voicing, and try to flow thrugh the pattern with lightness and precision,
fluidly. That will allow greater emotional effect in the latter expansion of
the theme. Play the whole first pattern with only the thumb, striking evenly
downward.
>From the previously outlined first hand position which comprises the
first 4
notes, move your 2nd finger down to the 2nd fret (lo E string) while leaving
the other strings open, playing the next 4 notes as lo E/2nd fret,open A,
open D, back to open A. Placing your index finger on the A string/2nd fret,
your pinky on the D string at the 4th fret and your 2nd finger poised above
the open G string at the 2nd fret, play open lo E,A string (w/index), D
w/pinky, open G, G w/2nd at 2nd frt,
open G,D w/pinky, open G. Begin opening pattern again, but this time after
the first eight notes, make the Em pattern using your 2nd and 3rd fingers so
you can do the
next two notes-the octave E pitches, followed by open G string, then a
walk-down on the D string of 2nd fret to 1st fret (if you did the chord as
stated it's easy to have your index there) to open D, ending the phrase with
the A string/2nd fret. Start the motif a third time, but this time the eighth
note is a two-fret slid note from 2nd to 4th fret on the D string using
either your 2nd or 3rd finger (he did both-at whim), followed by the open lo
E, then slide the D string back to the 2nd fret, voicing BOTH notes this
time, the D string open, the A in the 2nd fret,the open D string, open A
string, A string/2nd fret..then repositioning as at first in the song go
A/3rd fret,lo E/3rd,A/3rd,D/2nd..lo E/2nd, open A, open D..finishing with the
A then D strings in the 2nd fret. If you become fluid on those changes you
can see how each time this theme comes around it is just improvisations on
this pattern in the bass strings. I never saw him play it exactly the same
twice, but the idea is to reach out farther from low to high on the fretboard
during the arpeggiation of these chords as the song progresses. (see earlier
note re D chord above 12th) the other theme he uses to wind us back
around to
this C chord/D chord/Em chord pattern (which is the main theme) is even
simpler. Just noodle around on these chords: You ended the bass pattern on
Em. Start there, but now use the treble strings to voice the upper theme,
accompanying the notes with the usual bass strings in the 1st position major
chords (on the beat.) Using your fingers (he very rarely uses picks, even on
12) hit open B, open hi E (simul lo E,which continues to ring), then
arpeggiate the Em chord with your fingers from the lo to high strings. Place
your 3rd/pinky on the B/hi E in the3rd fret and hit B/3rd fret, E/3rd fret
then open as transition notes to a lush, rolling D major chord (hammer-on the
hi E as chord forms if desired). D major sus (open hi E string),D major
chord, G major chord, A major chord sus (open B string), A chord, A with the
B/3rd fret, which obviously leads back to D(chord). Finally, arpeggiate
an A
chord from the A string up to the B string open-2nd fret-3rd fret, then a
second time, but with just the 2nd-3rd fret for the B string. After a
two beat rest, you're back to the bass string motif. The coda on the record,
which I never saw him play in concert (probably 'cause it's thin without
accompaniment) is just playing an open lo E string while sliding up and down
on the D string along a mixolydian (warpath guitar, if you prefer) scale -
ending with a B chord using the 3 lowest strings 3 times..lo
E/2nd,A/2nd,D/1st fret...two beats rest and back to the main bass motif. If
you ne to the recording and follow these directions, meanwhile learning to
ignore the string section, clarinets, sitar etc. the simple beauty of the
tune should reveal itself to you easily enough.
It plays very well behind spoken prayer, by the way, although it was
conceived as movie music.
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