• Registered: 2012-06-11
  • Posts: 3

Topic: whistle, john prine

Hi Guys and Gals,

I am a big john prine fan. I love both his words and his picking style, I am trying to emulate him, however, I am not a natural, I am 60 and I am learning the guitar for my own pleasure with no grand illusions :-)

I have been onto his site and there you can find all his songs, words and chords, but not his very lovely style of picking.

If you listen to sovegniers, Fish and whistle, Day is done, you will hear what I mean.

Would anyone be prepared to tab out the basics for me, I know it's a big ask and I appreciate peeps might just say "go away"

anyway I thought I would ask.

Thanks in advance

Red.

  • dino48
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: whistle, john prine

Hi redrider 37 and welcome too the forum their are a lot off us in your age group here and many are just starting or picking the guitar back up after many years. I am not really do not know much about  John Prine, and tabbing songs either.I am sure someone will see this and give you some help.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: whistle, john prine

Fish and whistle only uses 4 chords I play the song in G  its  just G C G   C G  G D  G C G D G  for the verses the refrain fish and whistle is D C G  C G A D and back to G for the next verse you might try and look it up in songs or artists here for the tabs

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

4 Reply by wlbaye (edited by wlbaye 2013-06-08 15:05:29)

  • wlbaye
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  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: whistle, john prine

Howdy Redrider,

John Prine is one of my favorites and I cover a lot of his songs. I have been playing them for many years and my suggestion would be to play the chords he uses and listen to how he picks them. Have fun playing them and as you progress you will hear notes he picks out and his picking style. I don't play them all exactly like John but some I try to come close and  some I add my own interpretation. The main thing is to have fun with his songs and you will grow as you play them.

Here is a John Prine site that has nearly all the chords and lyrics to most John Prine songs. Fish and the Whistle is tabbed out as are a lot of his fingerpicked songs.

John Prine is cool and shares his lyrics, tabs and encourages others to play his songs , here is a Great site.       

http://www.jpshrine.org/music/index.html


Have fun playing

Wayne P

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: whistle, john prine

I like John Prine as well, but will never be a picker like him.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: whistle, john prine

This song is in Chordies list the chords are over the lyrics it should be easy to follow
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.g … 91503.html

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • Registered: 2012-06-11
  • Posts: 3

Re: whistle, john prine

dino48 wrote:

Hi redrider 37 and welcome too the forum their are a lot off us in your age group here and many are just starting or picking the guitar back up after many years. I am not really do not know much about  John Prine, and tabbing songs either.I am sure someone will see this and give you some help.

Thanks for the welcome

  • Registered: 2012-06-11
  • Posts: 3

Re: whistle, john prine

Russell_Harding wrote:

This song is in Chordies list the chords are over the lyrics it should be easy to follow
http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.g … 91503.html

Hi Guys,

And thanks to everyone who has replied, It was not the chords I was looking for Russell, It was John's style of picking this song. I cannot work out how he does it, the fingers he uses and the unique sound he gets.  I have to say agian I am not a natural and play just for my own amusment but anyways I thanks you for your time.

  • From: Hendersonville, NC USA
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,521

Re: whistle, john prine

One thing to remember is that John Prine always uses a thumb pick...here is a good youtube that covers John's finger picking style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLnEiezQ1q0

J  E  T  S
...and yet a Washington Commanders fan (unless they change their name again) ...long story...HTT...C

jets60's Website

  • From: Alabama Gulf Coast
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Re: whistle, john prine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdzdEQOHL_I

We pronounce it "Guf Coast".
Ya'll wanna go down to the Guf?

tubatooter1940's Website

  • dino48
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: whistle, john prine

I just saw the instruction video and realized this is pretty much the same way I play most of my music,and I have never seen John Prine before this.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman