The Ponyman is my absolute favourite Gordon Lightfoot song - the version he recorded for the “Sit Down Young Stranger” album. He recorded it again in the 80es but that version for me has no sparkle. It is my go-to-song I listen to on the way home after tough days in the office and it always takes me to happier places. So obviously it’s been on my want-to-learn list for a while.
I started transcribing the picking pattern at the start of last year - there are a couple of tutorials out there on youtube but none of them sounded like what I hear when I listen to the recording, especially when it comes to the sparkles on the D chords. So DIY then … it took me a while to figure out a core 20-bar pattern - there are variations for each of the verse as just so happens and I had to distill them into “my” basic version. And then learn and practise it.
A year ago I could not get to play the pattern at speed, let alone had the picking stamina to play through the whole song. I’ve paused practising the song a couple of times for a few months and worked on other songs. When I tried again in May this year it - finally - felt different so I went for it. It still took effort to get speed and stamina up - and then add the lyrics - but it was no longer mission impossible.
Hopefully this encourages some of you to not give up dreaming - get a good balance between keep chipping away at the dreamer and letting it rest for a while and you’ll get there in the end! (And if anyone wants to learn this song I’m happy to share a tab of my version.)
With the Ponyman under my belt I was on a roll and went on to learn another fast picking song that’s been on the want-to-learn-list for a while: Blaze Foley’s Big Cheesebrugers and good french fries - the quintessential summer song for me. Hope you enjoy, even with a couple of hickups in the lyrics. I’ll get there in the end
Get the heck out of my brain!! I am all over what you are dealing. Good stuff from some of my favorite artists. Love the finger picking goodness. You totally rock. Play on playa!
Wow Molly! Fun songs, really clean, balanced picking and the stamina to keep it going. Your investment in hours of practice has paid off well. Do you know John Prine’s music? He has many great, entertaining fingerstyle songs. “Illegal Smile” is one on my playlist.
And Michael, yes, I know John Prine! Such a treasure of a song writer! I’ve learned a couple of his songs already (have you seen this one here: Open Mic - John Prine ?) And for sure I will add more of his songs to my repertoire over time! Illegal Smile is so cool and sooo John Prine, although my personal favourite is the Happy Enchilada song, especially this version here at the kitchen table: https://youtu.be/cNu46mpJC60?t=111
That song fits you like a glove Molly. I see it was a dreamer but you certianly cracked it now. Bravo!
Edit: oops! didn’t notice the second song first time around. Another solid finger pickin’ performance!
Thank you so much John @Willsie ! Yes, double helping … it’s funny with these videos they are like busses none for months then I have a pile to record.
Roch @sticktothemuse I think I’ll put a few more of Blaze’s songs in my to-learn-queue, not enough people sing and play these songs. Maybe around your neck of the woods, but certainly not over here!
Thank’s Roy @robert.c.1984 for stopping by and it makes me happy that you enjoyed it!
Wow, that was amazing, Molly
I’ve never heard these two fun and catchy songs before, and I’ve enjoyed them a lot.
Your performance was awesome and very impressive. Great playing and singing. Being able to play these songs really must feel like a dream come true, and your video motivates me to have a closer look at the fingerstyle lessons now
Thank you so much Gunhild!
Yes, it does feel great to be able to play these songs and it is sooo much fun too!
But it also has been a journey. As with anything on guitar it takes some time to develop the skills and build up muscle memory and in this case stamina. You have to enjoye every step of the way, working through easier songs (or - not to be frowned upon - simplified versions) and slowly improving. “Where you’ve been is good and gone all you keep is the getting there”.
So find some finger picking songs you love and go for it! It is not harder than anything else on guitar, just different techniques. DM me if you want some more tipps.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words
You are absolutely right, it does feel great when you are finally able to play your favorite tunes.
I come from quite a different musical corner (mostly rock and punk rock), and this happened to me when I recently discovered power chords in Grade 2.
It is so much fun to play along to my favorite tunes now ( Oh well, in simplified versions, of course )
But I’m always interested in other genres and techniques too, so I enjoyed your performances a lot.
Fingerstyle is such a beautiful technique, and your videos have motivated me. Of course I’m aware of the loooooong way of practice and effort ahead of me
Currently I’m working on “Good Riddance” by Green Day. Justin has a great tutorial for this beautiful song with a nice fingerpicking pattern. It is played quite fast, but I hope to manage this dreamer song one day
Keep enjoying your musical journey and have lots of fun and success
So happy you liked my songs!
. I’ll look for your posting!
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