Tab for JB's recordings

Alan Michael · From: Winston-Salem North Carolina U.S.A.

Just got my first few Jerry Byrd CDs..."Steel Guitar Hawaiian Style", "By Request", and "Byrd of Paradise". I really like the laid back mood his playing puts you in and would like to learn some of the songs in the C6 tuning. But I need to find some tab because I'm not experienced enough to figure it out on my own. I understand that you can order directly from JB in Hawaii. Have any of you gone this route and what kind of success did you have.

Thanks a bunch, Alan

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

The individual tune tab arrangements by JB are great. Some are quite difficult--try the Surprise Waltz in E9, for example. But all are worthwhile. The great majority of them are in C6. You may not completely learn any of these arrangements, but they do offer great insight into just how he does it. Once you see how he does it, you will have even more respect for how well he does what he does!

Go for it!

Chuck Trombley · From: Broken Arrow, Ok. 74012

No one can go wrong with any of JB's arrangements. IMOP his C6 material is the best way to learn the tuning. Sure, he uses lots of slants,but the end result is smooth. Soem is difficult, but don't quit. How fortunate it is for those living on the Island and able to have him as a real teacher.By the way, you can learn his arrangements but take it from me he is impossible to copy. His touch and tone is absolutely remarkable. Go for it.

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

I have all of his pro-arrangements. In fact thats all I play anymore (I'm pretty limited I guess). Out of the 200 I concentrate on about 30 at a time and rotate every couple of years.

Alan Michael · From: Winston-Salem North Carolina U.S.A.

Bob, you're right I probably wouldn't completely learn any of JB's stuff. What I usually do with new material is get as close as I can and then fake the rest. And as Chuck mentions, his touch and tone are absolutely remarkable, so I'll probably be faking a whole lot of it, but it'll be fun trying to learn some Hawaiian tunes.

Thanks for the ordering info Jeffstro. I'm gonna try and get my Christmas stocking stuffed with JB tab. I heard my friend John Knight play "Adventures in Paradise" the other night and it really lit a fire under me.

Rick, you'd be a treasure to have around. Why don't you come up here to Alaska and teach this old fella how to pick some Hawaiian guitar.

Anybody know off the top of their head if he does "Hanalei Moon" in the C6 tuning? Can anyone else suggest some of his C6 tunes that might not be to difficult to learn...preferably some that I can get tab for.

[This message was edited by Alan Michael on 11 December 2001 at 09:02 PM.]

[This message was edited by Alan Michael on 11 December 2001 at 09:16 PM.]

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

Alan, I may be sunkin' but I'm no treasure

Hanalei Moon is in C6 and it's in his Course I believe.

I've gotten a few negative emails since postin' the above statement - so I will try to answer the "theme" question they ask - "WHO ARE YOU TO BE GIVING ADVICE"

My only experience is playin' steel at a Hawaiian family's resturant for years - no country or western swing (I know nothin' about such things). I would play the standard turnarounds and fills while they sang and would play instrumentals during dinner (always JB's stuff). I went through the "write my own" arrangments phase, the lets branch out into other types of music phase (I did some rather nice Platters stuff), etc.

Now that I've relocated, there isn't much call for my stuff but I still get out and "improvise" with some bluegrass locals and a blues band - but nothin' like what I use to do. So I've turned my attention to the music that has brought me the most pleasure -JB Arrangements.

I enjoy cycling through them - always retaining about 20 of my favorites and bringing in another 20 or so on a revolving basis. Thats about 2 hours of straight instrumentals - enough for me.

About once a year I send recordings to JB for evaluation. In June I sent him and a few others one such recording - and as usual I have spent the last 5 mths "fixing" the things he and others have pointed out. I did sent two songs from this CD to Tony Priors Live365 radio show - just because I have posted here for about a year and thought I should at least let y'all hear me.

I do not try to emulate Jerry Byrd - I just like his arrangements and since I am not a "working, professional musician" - I am free to spend my time workin' hard on the music I enjoy - not tryin' to please others anymore.

I have tried to be helpful to others who ask questions (whenever I can) here on the forum but I'm growin' weary from some of the negative responses lately.

Alan, sorry about this long statement on your thread. There are some "shortcuts" (I was forced into them because I only have use of my right thumb and index finger) to employ on some of his more difficult phrases.

Here is my current playlist: Blue Hawaiian Moonlite, Akaka Falls, Kilima Waltz, Tiare No Tahiti, Drowsy Waters, Indian Love Call, Beyond the Reef, Lei Aloha Lei Makamae, Pau Waltz, Across the Sea, Blue Hawaii, Waipio, Hawaiian Paradise, Adventures in Paradise, Hawaii Aloha, Kanaka Wai Wai, Aloha Sunsetland, Weddin' Song, Maui Moon, Isa Lei, Beautiful Kahana, Harbor Lights, Grass Shack, Hula Lady, Beach at Waikiki, Hula Blues, Kolopa, Aloha Oe, Cold Cold Heart (my only country), San Antonio Rose (my only w. swing) Amazing Grace (for my mom), Danny Boy, Away in the Manger, Blue Christmas, Silent Night, Silver Bells, White Christmas, What Child is This

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Rick, don't let let a few negative e-mails get you down! You've shared lots of great info on the forum and many appreiate it very much. Always remeber that the forum is a public place ... with about the same percentage of nice guys, nasty people and outright idiots as ANY public arena. Send me an e-mail please, I've been trying to send you one but it keeps failing.

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

Thanks for the support Andy - you have always been a great source of info. and cool updates on various products.

These E9 tunes are presently bumped from my list for the holidays but get reinstated for the New Year: Kawohukapukalani, I'll be all Smiles Tonite, Surprise Waltz, Mama E, Kauai Beauty.

Aloha y'all

Alan Michael · From: Winston-Salem North Carolina U.S.A.

Andy's right Rick. There is a whole lot of people that look to this Forum for the great source of information that it is. I for one really appreciate any suggestions that will help me in my quest to learn to play this instrument. As for all the negative feedback...well I just ignore all that stuff. Everyone has their own agenda but I'm only interested in information and I thank you for your comments.

I'm not a professional either, Rick. I play music strictly for pleasure but I like to be productive in my approach to learning. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew with JB's material but I'm gonna give it a whirl anyway. By the way, your list of songs looks quite impressive. Do you remember which of JB's recordings has Surprize Waltz on it?

I wonder if buying JB's course would be a better bang for my buck than just a bunch of solo tabs.

[This message was edited by Alan Michael on 12 December 2001 at 05:03 PM.]

Dave Mayes · From: Oakland, Ca.

Alan, you'll get incredible bang for your buck with any purchase you make from Jerry - he's practically giving this stuff away ! I think $5.00 is the most he's asking for an arrangement that would choke a horse !
His video is a must - you have to see the man in action.
"Surpise Waltz" - the "Admirable Byrd" album.

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

I agree with Dave Mayes; all the JB stuff is well worth the price, a real bargain. What I like about the indivdual arrangement tabs is the detailed info on how he approaches a melody on the instrument. I try to not get too wrapped up in trying to imitate Byrd exactly. First, I'd probably burst before I reached that level of artistry even if I alloted the time it would take. Second, there is already one Jerry Byrd and one is enough.

Byrd has been a major contributor to the development of steel guitar music. In my opinion, any steel guitarist would do well to learn all they can from him.

Hats off to anyone who can play "Surprise Waltz" well!

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Hey Rick! The kind, sincere and worthy comments offered just ahead of mine are far more valuable to you than any of the cheap-shot crap that has been directed at you thro' the annonymous email route.
I look forward to your comments as well as those of Jody Carver, Kenny Dail, and all of the rest of the fine, conscientious Forumites that share these pages with us.
Alan, I might suggest you consider Jerry Byrd's arrangement of "Over the Waves"; "Wabash Wah-Wah Blues", "Moonland", "Coconut Grove", "Georgia Steel Guitar"
and a host of other equally simple tunes. They have an easy to hear melody line;and, by digging this out "BY EAR", you will be able to mine the innards of the C6th tuning and from their each and every additional song will be that much easier for you to capture. If I can be of specific help, email me. Take care you two.

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