How is it possible to play this way?

Montreal 007 · #1 08-29-2014, 11:41 PM

Lately i have been watching and listening to videos of Late Richie Havens. And i have been trying to play like him (a feable version compared to him of course) He plays his guitar in Open D tuning....Tuning my guitar to Open D is easy.....What i can't comprehend is how Ruichie Havens basically plays guitar with his thumbs. AND i just can't do it. My hands are to small.....I'm calling on the experts in this forum for assistance. Is there an easier way to play the same chords Richie does (WITHOUT THUMBS) ???There's got to be a way. (i hope) To my eyes It seems we have a great guitarist who never took guitar lessons !!! Yet he sounds brilliant. HELP....Here is a link of Richie playing guitar to give you a visual of what i mean. There are many more videos of him on u tube that show the same thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEC_97p3C0k

Kanuck · #2 08-30-2014, 01:55 AM

I too have marvelled at Mr. Havens guitar style for most of my life, and I also suffer from SHS (small hand syndrome). I'd really like to hear the responses to this aswell. Maybe I can get a thumb prothsesis.

emuhunter · #3 08-30-2014, 01:55 AM

I'm SURE others will have constructive advice, but just to get the ball rolling so we know your current skill set... What are your present thoughts on and abilities regarding barred chords, and playing outside of the three fret range of open chords?

Long Jon · #4 08-30-2014, 03:51 AM

Nice link ..... "Here Comes the Thumb"!

Oldguy64 · #5 08-30-2014, 04:46 AM

So...
Narrow nut and neck
Consider an 11-50 string set.
Spend much time in "woodshed".

Looks like a last of barre shapes improvised.
It also appears that Havens was somewhat super-sized.
You'll have to get a book/app that shows chords in his preferred tunings.

So much of what he is doing seems so counter-intuitive that there will have to be a great deal of muscle memory re-training.

Dreadfulnaught · #6 08-30-2014, 06:12 AM

I personally have catcher's mitt sized hands so I have no problem with barre chords, even on a classical. Hands come in all sizes, it sounds like you just need a narrow neck and medium to light strings. When that is sorted out, tune it to Vestapol and noodle around to find seventh chords, minor chords, etc.I think a then flexible pick would also help to get Richie's sound.

devellis · #7 08-30-2014, 08:07 AM

Although I really admire Richie Havens and his playing, I'm not sure I'd try to emulate it. He's the "total package" and I'm not sure his playing style would be nearly as engaging if someone else were doing it. I think he adapted a style that suited his needs, hand size, very distinctive gravelly voice, and strongly rhythmic playing style. Not sure it would work as well for others. Just my 2 cents.

stormin1155 · #8 08-30-2014, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devellis

Although I really admire Richie Havens and his playing, I'm not sure I'd try to emulate it. He's the "total package" and I'm not sure his playing style would be nearly as engaging if someone else were doing it. I think he adapted a style that suited his needs, hand size, very distinctive gravelly voice, and strongly rhythmic playing style. Not sure it would work as well for others. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, I agree. It's his singing, rhythm, delivery... the whole package that makes him great. His guitar playing on it's own is really pretty unremarkable, and the thumb-over thing pretty much limits you to pretty basic chording.

ocmcook · #9 08-30-2014, 08:25 AM

i would guess he is in open g or in open d tuning

Guitarfish · #10 08-30-2014, 08:49 AM

That video is a classic, however my all time favorite is 'License to kill'. The story line grabs me for whatever reason. I long ago gave up trying to duplicate it.

cliffenstein · #11 08-30-2014, 10:01 AM

Havens' style is cool for him, but doesn't bode well for standing performance and lends itself to a very singular sound. I wouldn't recommend it.

Glennwillow · #12 08-30-2014, 10:22 AM

Richie had huge hands and long fingers, a long thumb. I enjoy watching and listening to him play but I have never made any attempt to duplicate his style. It's highly unorthodox, for one thing, but it would also be impossible for me and for most people to emulate. My hands are not small; they are not huge, either.

I think one of the secrets of life is to find out where your strengths are and to use them. My strengths would never have been realized by trying to play like Richie Havens.

- Glenn

Dreadfulnaught · #13 08-30-2014, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffenstein

Valens style is cool for him, but doesn't bode well for standing performance and lends itself to a very singular sound. I wouldn't recommend it.

I really did like La Bamba.

I think that copying what other people do is a good transitional step towards developing your own style.

McShepherd · #14 08-30-2014, 10:38 AM

Awesome that, in just over 10 posts, we changed the performer in question from black folk singer Richie Haven to hispanic rock-and-roller Richie Valens.

Per Havens' style on display, definitely a great use of open tuning and, as one other poster mentioned, sitting down. Music therapists use a lot of open tuning so they can share their instrument with patients without having to train them. As a professional, Havens definitely sells this one with solid vocals, supportive but non-distracting rhythm accompaniment and the confidence that comes from experience.

cliffenstein · #15 08-30-2014, 10:38 AM

Typo...I of course meant Havens. OP corrected.