Lloyd Green/Tommy White: “Variations of a Theme: Part 1�

Charley Hill · Post by **Charley Hill** » 2 Dec 2015 5:57 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q78jWwo ... tion=share

â€œVariations of a Theme: Part 1â€
Written by Tommy White and Lloyd Green

Tommy White and I wrote this tune, but mostly Tommy and itâ€™s virtually all his melody. More importantly than this beautiful melody though is the fact that around 50% is played with pedals B and C and the knee lever lowering the 2nd string a half and whole tone, and the E to F lever. The strings are mostly 2, 4 and 6.
This is a wholly new concept of how to use the pedals and strings on the E9th. It gives different voicing to the normal triads played, with the melody often being on the 2nd or 3rd rather than top string and no 3rd string is involved in the new segments of the tune. When playing it much will be counter-intuitive and mirror imaged, which initially was confusing to both Tommy and me, unusual in itself. Iâ€™m only putting this out there because Tommy and I wanted to add some missing elements and dialog to the language of the E9th tuning.
Russ Pahl played the rhythm guitar, the only other instrument, and produced and mixed it.

Lloyd Green

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 2 Dec 2015 6:05 pm

That's the best song in ages!

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 2 Dec 2015 6:06 pm

Llong Llive Lloyd!

And Tommy, too, of course.

That is a beautiful piece and is further proof that you don't need a whole bunch of levers and pedals, all you have to do is learn to play. Easier said than done.

Thank you to Lloyd, Tommy, and Russ for producing this wonderful piece of music.[/i]

Charley Hill · Post by **Charley Hill** » 2 Dec 2015 6:23 pm

I wonder how he does it?

Tim Russell · Post by **Tim Russell** » 2 Dec 2015 7:08 pm

Perfect, nothing more to add.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 2 Dec 2015 7:35 pm

Beautiful. I am carried away!

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 2 Dec 2015 7:53 pm

Only Lloyd could relate my small contribution of ideas on this melody so beautifully, and it means so much to me for Lloyd to give me such credit.
Now, I must say, my contribution to the melody was constructed from ideas in a way of playing taught to me by Lloyd through the years. Virtually every idea for the melody is tied to Lloyd's unique way of playing in what I've come to refer to as "tensioned reverse positions", which obviously expands the E9th tuning, opening possibles not played in this way before that I know of. Wow, he played the entire song employing this method!
I think one of the very best exhibitions and examples of what can be done on the E9th I've ever heard. Thank you so much Lloyd! Also, thanks to my friend Russ Pahl for making this recording happen and for his great guitar playing and musical expertise.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 3 Dec 2015 4:33 am

Simply lovely. I like the elevated dialog whether I can grasp it now or not; keeps me listening for its elements,
pushing the envelope of what once was counter-intuitive. Thank you Charley Hill.

Floyd Lowery · Post by **Floyd Lowery** » 3 Dec 2015 5:15 am

WOW This is my favorite kind of petal steel guitar music.

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 3 Dec 2015 5:21 am

This is probably wrong but at least I’m trying!

They’re in F.

(with 2nd string lowered 1/2 step)
3 pickup notes start:

Hit 1st fret 5th fret
Slide to 3rd fret
Hit 2nd string (lowered 1/2 step )
and then hit 4th string

Then with B&C pedals down and 2nd string still lowered 1/2 step
and hit strings 2 - 4 - 6 for the F chord

Then (with B&C still pedals down and 2nd string still lowered 1/2 step)
Hit string 4 and slide note to 5th fret

Let off on the pedals but keep the 2nd string lowered 1/2 step

At the 5th fret hit strings 2 - 4 - 6 for the A7 chord

This is as far as I’ve gotten (or may ever get!)

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 3 Dec 2015 6:55 am

Beautiful!! Simply Beautiful!! J.R.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 3 Dec 2015 7:24 am

Awesome...really.
So...when do we get to hear Part II?

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 3 Dec 2015 7:44 am

Unbelievably beautiful. This sends chills down my spine..

Kind Regards, Walter

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 3 Dec 2015 7:58 am

As good as it gets... can hardly wait for part 2

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 3 Dec 2015 8:26 am

Deleted

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 3 Dec 2015 9:04 am

Stunning. Quintessential Lloyd Green. As much of an intellectual and technical challenge as it obviously was, musically it rises far above being only a technical exercise.

Steven Meyrich · Post by **Steven Meyrich** » 3 Dec 2015 9:11 am

That's lovely, thanks.

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 3 Dec 2015 11:47 am

Peter Freiberger,
Perfectly stated. I wish I would have said it!
Even though I had a hand in it and can play the song, it's Lloyd's artistry that does the song justice.
As has been said, just beautiful!

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 3 Dec 2015 12:33 pm

Thanks Tommy, but I'd rather be able to play it like you can, than just say it!

Mike Daly · Post by **Mike Daly** » 3 Dec 2015 4:19 pm

Lloyd, Tommy, and Russ... That is beautiful...Thank you and looking forward to more from your collective muses ?

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 3 Dec 2015 5:30 pm

Excellent. I refer to this type of playing as, "Reaching out and touching folks".

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 3 Dec 2015 10:16 pm

I'm not at the same level as Lloyd or Tommy, obviously, but in my own personal studies I keep finding new things to do with strings 1 and 2. Stuff that's far outside the usual "licks" most folks quickly discover in that region.

I love this delicate voicing, Lloyd!

Craig Schwartz · Post by **Craig Schwartz** » 4 Dec 2015 4:41 am

Wow, seems totally from the heart , or say a heartful prayer , just a wonderful song , you guys are genius's

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 4 Dec 2015 12:07 pm

Any chance this could be become a tab course, Tommy?

gary pierce · Post by **gary pierce** » 4 Dec 2015 4:58 pm

Awesome playing by Lloyd, and Russ. I wonder if thats the old LDG Bud.

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Lloyd Green/Tommy White: “Variations of a Theme: Part 1�

Lloyd Green/Tommy White: “Variations of a Theme: Part 1�

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