• From: Dorset England
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 6

Topic: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

i have just been listening to the The Joker by the Steve Miller Band on video tutorials, can somebody tell me how to achieve that slapping sound. By the content of this question it is obvious to see that i am a relative beginner

2 Reply by Guitarpix (edited by Guitarpix 2008-04-19 18:23:54)

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

Hey willgard. That's me playing the joker...That's not really how steve played it ..Just my take on it. What I'm doing is a percussion strum or chop. I'm strumming the strings while muting them at the same time with the palm of my strumming hand. If you look in the tutorials you'll also find a lesson on "stuck in the middle" where I explain this technique. Sorry for the poor video quality...I have since bought anouther cam but it should be good enough to get you started... Peace! Pix

BTW...The chop can  be subsituted with a tap to the guitar for a similiar affect.


OK found this for ya... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fk0if7GW6c That's were I learned the technique from. Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

OH YEA ... WELCOME TO CHORDIE!!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: Orpington London
  • Registered: 2006-10-22
  • Posts: 390

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

er, what video

gimme linx

cheers

johncross21's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2007-02-08
  • Posts: 1,914

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

johncross21 wrote:

er, what video

gimme linx

cheers

http://www.chordie.com/allvideos.php

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Guitarpix's Website

  • From: Dorset England
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 6

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

thats more help and advice than i could ever have hoped for thanks very much

  • From: Dorset England
  • Registered: 2008-04-19
  • Posts: 6

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

been practicing it for an hour or more, getting there, fingers starting to hurt.

  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

It's a three chord song.  It's deceptively easy to play, until you start to sing.  The rhythm of the lyrics is syncopated against the rhythm of the guitar, and it makes it one of those simple songs you really have to focus on to play well.

Some people call me the space cowboy.....

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website

  • tonydr
  • tonydr
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • From: New Jersey
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 144

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

It IS hard to syncopate the vocal, especially for bad singers like me.  When I'm hanging out with friends and getting drunk, I'll struggle through the verse and then get everyone to sing along and I can usually get them into the chorus.  Usually pretty good fun because everyone one wants to sing the toking part and if they really get going, I'll circle round back again so they can sing the "pompitous of love" and "shake your tree" part.   

After all, that's why they call it alcohol.

That's alright, I got my guitar
-Jimi Hendrix
  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: The Joker - Steve Miller Band

tonydr wrote:

After all, that's why they call it alcohol.

Advice I often give my audiences - The more you drink, the better I sound.

- Zurf

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude