How to get that triplet (rake) sound?

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 19 May 2015 2:43 am

I've always referred to this lick as a "triplet", however I'm not sure if that is the correct term for it or not.

I was watching a Gene O'Neil clip and he throws a couple of them in this song, one at 1:22, and one at 1:49. Listen closely, he does them quick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vroXlv9gXTI

I've heard many players do them over the years, Lloyd, Buddy, Weldon, and others.

First of all, what is the correct term for the lick?

Second, how do you do it?!?

Other than rolling the thumb & fingers in a quick movement, I don't know how they get that unique sound with this lick.

Despite many years of playing, I've never been able to duplicate the lick - and back in the day, I had pretty fast fingers, lol.

Any tips?

Dick Sexton · Post by **Dick Sexton** » 19 May 2015 3:36 am

I know that technique as a rake. The first two at about 1:22 are forward rakes using the thumb, two notes, two strings. The one at about 1:49, is a reverse rake using the back of the thumb pick, pulling it back across the strings. Gene O'Neal was a killer player...

I believe these are triplets...
[tab]
4__________________________________________________
5__3___3__3A____3A__5A____5A__8___8__10____10--10A_
6____3_______3B________5B_______8_______10-----10B_
7__________________________________________________
[/tab]

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 19 May 2015 5:57 am

Another way to to do those rakes is, to use the thumb forward and drag fingers one and two towards you. Thumb then middle finger then index finger. 'Most' rakes are done with string's grouped, such as 7,6,5 or 4,5,6 etc, etc.

It looks like Gene is keeping his index finger out of the mix for most of that, so he maybe doing thumb and middle finger only and doing drags, who knows. It can be done many ways depending on your dexterity.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 19 May 2015 7:09 am

It's either a rake or a "pinch", which is about the same thing. Trying to pick them individually won't work.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 19 May 2015 7:19 am

Lane Gray wrote:It's either a rake or a "pinch", which is about the same thing. Trying to pick them individually won't work.

Maybe it won't work for you, Lane, but that happens to be the way I usually do it!

John Owen · Post by **John Owen** » 19 May 2015 7:42 am

All I know is that is a really cool clip. Talk about mastery of the instrument! Yikes.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 19 May 2015 7:59 am

Cage uses one as the intro here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVrkBB6kj_0

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 19 May 2015 8:42 am

On the Gene O'Neil clip, you can see how he does the lick at 1:49. He puts his thumbpick on the highest string and rakes it back towards him for all four notes.

The lick at 1:22 uses at least one finger and the thumb. Maybe two fingers and the thumb... can't tell without a close-up shot.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 19 May 2015 10:30 am

I've been playing for over 30 years and never thought to do a backwards thumb pick rake until now - amazing...

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 19 May 2015 12:03 pm

That is a fun tune. ...my four year old girl was bouncing through the house dancing to this one.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 19 May 2015 12:57 pm

Gene O'Neal was a true master. I was a t St. Louis that year and everyone was trying to figure out how he does that Funky Monkey thing. Jimmy Crawford got close but have never heard anyone else play til yet.

I use that type rake quite often but I do it like Dick says, start with thumb on one string and rake backwards with finger. It's a technique that just came natural and I've never tried to learn it.

I use it a bunch in this tune, not near as good as Gene though,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uc7_wd9Fjc

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 19 May 2015 2:17 pm

Thanks guys!

After I thought about it and with your descriptions, it makes sense now. It is very similar to "sweep picking" that rockers use on electric guitars.

I guess I've attempted that rake over the years, but since it didn't come easy for me, I moved on to other things. I'll have to work on that one, as it is a very cool lick and I've always liked the sound of it.

It's what separates the men from the boys, I guess...

Jim Hinds · Post by **Jim Hinds** » 19 May 2015 2:48 pm

Henry Matthews wrote:Gene O'Neal was a true master. I was a t St. Louis that year and everyone was trying to figure out how he does that Funky Monkey thing. Jimmy Crawford got close but have never heard anyone else play til yet.

I use that type rake quite often but I do it like Dick says, start with thumb on one string and rake backwards with finger. It's a technique that just came natural and I've never tried to learn it.

I use it a bunch in this tune, not near as good as Gene though,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Uc7_wd9Fjc

That is some great playing Henry, and I would say you got that raking move down.

Steve Schmidt · Post by **Steve Schmidt** » 19 May 2015 3:50 pm

Henry
Nice job on that song and absolutely great PP tone. That's what their suppose to sound like

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 19 May 2015 5:01 pm

Henry,

You're raking that with the index finger aren't you? You do make it look easy...

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 19 May 2015 5:22 pm

For me, thumb going forward, fingers coming back. If I try the thumb raking backwards, my pick gets caught on the strings and almost rips my thumb off.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 May 2015 5:43 pm

yeah nice, henry!

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 19 May 2015 6:01 pm

Thanks guys and yes, I use my index finger and then usually pick melody line with thumb right after rake.

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 20 May 2015 3:58 am

Just wanted to weigh in on this after I had a chance to put these tips to the test this morning. As with any new lick, I need a bit of practice to make it "perfect", but I can nail it pretty good 3.5 out of 5 times without it being too sloppy.

Richard, (others, but I mention Richard since he brought this up;

I'm finding that I can really get a pronounced, clean "staccato" attack sound by using my thumb & raking back sort of forcefully over the strings.

I tend to curl my index finger and place it against the flat of my thumb pick to assist in not pulling the thumb pick off, then sort of tilting my thumb back at a slight angle and raking 3 or 4 strings. I'm getting the best sound from that, moreso than from using my fingers, at this point anyway.

Just thought I would mention that technique I am using in case anyone else might want to try it.

Again, thanks to all for the pointers.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 20 May 2015 8:05 am

Thanks Tim.

And Henry, That video was real nice. I had never heard you play before.

Richard Keller · Post by **Richard Keller** » 20 May 2015 8:15 am

Henry,
sure would be nice if you would post a few more videos on YouTube.
Really like you playing.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 20 May 2015 11:05 am

Thanks guys, here's a couple more. I think sometimes I over do the triplet thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpdxzFXFLHY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Anp0wD1iEM

Richard K., I sent you an Email

Ron Funk · Post by **Ron Funk** » 20 May 2015 5:17 pm

Gene was a very talented player.
Did he play a normal C6th tuning on his Sierra ?

His version of "If" (the pop song recorded by Bread) is a classic

Sorry if this post diverts the intent of Tim's original inquiry regarding Gene's 'rake.'

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How to get that triplet (rake) sound?

How to get that triplet (rake) sound?

Commonly called...