Craig Dobbins - The Guitar Style of Jerry Reed (Songbook)

Jerrys accompaniment style is just as interesting as his solo playing. Three important techniques he uses are Clawin . the three finger roll (or Swarmin , as he has called it), and Clawhammer (my own term). Lets take a brief look at each.

Clawin is a technique based on the right-hand pattern p i . The thumb plays the melody on the bass strings, the index provides a middle voice, and the middle and ring fingers together give the accent on the treble strings.

Following are three examples of how Jerry might claw. Remember to accent the each time.

Ex. 1 is built on an A7 chord.

Ex. 2 is in drop-D tuning. The lick is based on a D chord position. Listen to Little Things (from Red Hot Picker ) to hear how Jerry uses this lick.

Ex. 3 uses the E7 position shown below.

The three finger roll is Jerrys adaptation of banjo technique to the guitar. He uses thumb, middle and ring fingers, but I have notated for thumb, index, and middle fingers to make it more playable.

The three examples below will work with any chord position. Once you have the rolls down smoothly, try them out on your favorite progression.

Jerry not only used this technique to create some memorable instrumentals, but some memorable back-up work as well. Check out Shenandoah (from A Good Womans Love ) or MacArthur Park and Something (from Me and Jerry ).

Ex. 4 and 5 show how Jerry might use the three finger roll to create a lick for an intro or ending.

Ex. 4

Ex. 5

Clawhammer is Jerrys adaption of the Travis- or Atkins-style thumbpicking lick. Example 1 shows how Merle or Chet might play it.

Ex. 1

Example 2 demonstrates Jerrys version.

Ex. 2

Try the pattern with this progression:

E7 E7 A7 A7 E7 E7 F 7 B7 etc.

Example 3 is the same lick in open G tuning,

Ex. 3

Try it with this progression:

G G7 C7 C7 G G A7 D7 etc.

An important note: Jerry doesnt usually mute the bass strings with the heel of his right hand. Rather, he stops the 5th and 6th strings with the side of his thumb on beats one and three, just as he picks the 4th string. This gives the pattern a more funky sound.

OFF THE RECORD

Jerrys recordings are like an encyclopedia of great licks. Some of the following examples are from instrumentals, but most are intros, fills, breaks, or endings from vocals. (As Jerry said in the interview, I like to play and sing.)

Dont stop at just learning these licks; use them. Plug them into your own playing, or let them inspire you to create your own variations. Remember, Chet said no matter where he goes, he hears some guitarist playing a Jerry Reed lick!

GUITAR MAN ( Unbelievable Guitar and Voice, Best of Jerry Reed )

One of Jerrys early RCA recordings, later a hit for Elvis Presley (with lead guitar by Jerry, of course). Tune your 6th string down and claw awhile.

By JERRY REED

WOMAN SHY ( Unbelievable Guitar and Voice )

Watch the position jump in the first measure.

By JERRY REED

A THING CALLED LOVE ( Nashville Underground, Best of Jerry Reed )

The right hand uses both the p i pattern and the three finger roll.

Words and Music by JERRY REED

TODAY IS MINE ( Alabama Wild Man, Best of Jerry Reed )

Pay careful attention to the fingering, and dont rush.

By JERRY REED