Great choice of song and great version, too, also on my list for 2024 … might as well pull it up to the top and let me think what I would do.
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Andrew, I have now listened a couple of times to both the version you have posted and this one here. Some thoughts:
- it’s all uptempo and even if you slow it down that will be quite a mental challenge to jump from the strumming into busy lead lines as in the solos in Todd Snider’s version (let alone get your fingers find the right places on the fret board)
- on the other hand most of the verse is just in D, and the melody follows the D chord tones quite closely too
- so you could build a break using the essence of Nanci’s version: she starts the song with just one strum per bar and then sings out the melody. So start the break with just that: strum the D chord on beat one followed by a short phrase that resonates the melody. You don’t even need to move your hand! You could then vary the D chord from the xx0232 to xx0775 to reach some higher notes, too. And when you get to the chorus part of the progression you are on the home straight and could just strum it out using a boom-chuck-boom-chica rhythm with alternating base and thus turning up the intensity. Should also get you back in time in the right head space to sing the next verse.
Please post a video of your version when ready!
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Understood, Richard. I’m thinking more about what to do when it’s just me playing solo, rather than when playing with others.