How do you play Miserlou?

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »

How do you play Miserlou?

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JeffLeites Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 343 North Hollywood, California	Posted on Feb 03 2008 02:29 PM Do you play the low main riff on 1 or 3 strings? I've been playing it on 1, but I think I like playing it on 3 better. — My Web Site - Tunes - Pictures - Guitar Projects - Hard Rock Cafe Guitar Pins Last edited: Feb 03, 2008 15:17:36 Top
Icetech Joined: Dec 16, 2006 Posts: 892 Macomb Mich	Posted on Feb 03 2008 03:07 PM i can't... so i don't — I wanna play just like him when i grow up... Top
wooza Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Posts: 1618 Ithaca, NY	Posted on Feb 03 2008 03:07 PM I play on only one string, which I'm assuming is the norm. I thought the whole "point" of the song was to play on just one string (not that I'm trying to say there's any wrong way of playing it). Top
B_Zilla Joined: Oct 13, 2007 Posts: 90 Rochester, NY	Posted on Feb 03 2008 04:02 PM I play it on one string as well. That's just the way I learned it, and it feels most comfortable to me to play like that. I've tried playing it on three strings as well, but I just feel like I can pick much faster by only playing it on one string. Oh well, to each his/her own... — "Hope is a waking dream." - Aristotle Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 03 2008 04:37 PM One string although I haven't played it in years. I find the double picked surf songs lack in fun to play by myself sans band. Although in band context I don't have a personal preference. Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on Feb 03 2008 06:15 PM I've really only played on two strings for the arpeggio (high to low, up the neck) between playing the main part on the low E, then playing the main part on the high E. Although I can still get all the notes and phrasings, I can't play "Miserlou" at full speed, like I could 10+ years ago, when all I had was a heavy strung acoustic 6-string. Maybe when I get a set of .12s or .13s on my Strat, I can start working on getting my speed back, even if it means also experimenting with the types of picks I use. Matt — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
DannySnyder Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11046 Berkeley, CA	Posted on Feb 03 2008 06:25 PM One string, just like on the high part. This is why it's critical to have your guitar set up well so it doesn't rattle as you work your way up the neck. — Danny Snyder "With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3797 North Atlantic	Posted on Feb 03 2008 06:29 PM One string on the low E for the first melody, then the E & F note on the B string (with a ringing open E), to the G# and beyond on the E string. It gives me more punch for that part. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
estreet Joined: Mar 17, 2007 Posts: 839 United Kingdom	Posted on Feb 03 2008 06:38 PM Big E & Little E — http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery. Top
NoisyDad Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 215 West Hartford, CT	Posted on Feb 03 2008 07:06 PM Ditto here - the two outside strings. — http://www.aquatudes.com http://www.facebook.com/theaquatudes Top
bigtikidude Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 25538 Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.	Posted on Feb 03 2008 07:12 PM JeffLeites Do you play the low main riff on 1 or 3 strings? I've been playing it on 1, but I think I like playing it on 3 better. Jeff this is probably because your more of a ventures style player, than a Heavy Dick Dale school player. not a put down, just a school of style that your into. Jeff(bigtikidude) — Jeff(bigtikidude) Top
BillyBlastOff Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1070 Ventura County, Calif.	Posted on Feb 03 2008 11:30 PM Speakin' of Miserlou. They pumped out about 20 seconds of it, at today's Superbowl in the 1st Qtr. Wonder if Dick was watchin'. He would have to be stoked. Jeff. My suggestion would be play it like nobody ever has. Maybe a wah-wah, runnin' thru a Marshall 50 watt head with two sets of cabs with Celestions, with an echo-plex blastin' thru a 70's Bigg Muff, comin' off a Gibson Flyin' V with extra slinky Ernie Ball strings. Now there's a Miserlou............... Billy — Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent........................... Top
wooza Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Posts: 1618 Ithaca, NY	Posted on Feb 04 2008 01:42 AM BillyBlastOff Speakin' of Miserlou. They pumped out about 20 seconds of it, at today's Superbowl in the 1st Qtr. Yeah, I heard that too! That was cool. Got me pumped up. Top
surfer Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 428 South Florida	Posted on Feb 04 2008 08:21 AM Theres a recent post of Dick at the NAMM show playing it. It confirmed to me that I had been playing right all these years....top and bottom strings. — www.cutbacksurfband.com Top
WR Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3832 netherlands	Posted on Feb 04 2008 08:46 AM I try to do it all one string like it's supposed to be done, but usually after the first two lines or so I resort to playimng inone position, I think caus eI dont have to look at the neck that way. I tend to play the high part a bit like RevHank, mixing the b and e strings. — Rules to live by #314: "When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is." https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/ Top
wilkat1 Joined: Dec 03, 2007 Posts: 107 southern Illinois	Posted on Feb 04 2008 08:52 AM Not very well. Oh, wait, technically. Yeah, I play it on the top and bottom strings. — Swing! Twang! Shake! Twist! Top
eddiekatcher Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2773 Atlanta, GA	Posted on Feb 04 2008 08:58 AM I recently relocated the bridge to the middle register and now I am using almost the whole fretboard. This also seems to make the presentation somewhat more listener friendly......ed — Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps? Top
spy Joined: Mar 29, 2007 Posts: 815 Athens, Greece	Posted on Feb 04 2008 09:06 AM Low E and high E, too. But liked revhank's idea. I'll try it... — Every word is like an unecessary stain on silence and nothingness. Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3797 North Atlantic	Posted on Feb 04 2008 05:44 PM A friend of mine saw Dick in Paris in the 1990's and swears he played it like I mentioned. Who knows, it sounds cool. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
vlindwall Joined: Sep 14, 2007 Posts: 2	Posted on Feb 06 2008 04:39 PM Why not explore the traditional folk versions of Miserlou? There's a wealth of inspiration in listening to the source, beyond Dick Dale's interpretation. Try Rhapsody or whatever you have access to. You can also probably find a transcription for the folk version, that you can build off of. I have one, but don't currently have the time to try to post it. I agree with a previous post--discover your own way to play it! Top

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