The ShadowMusic Web Community

I'm conscious that lots of folks want to get as near as they can to sounds made by The Shads, so I've started this dedicated sub-forum. It's intended to be a repository for all those little wrinkles (and caveats) more experienced players have amassed over the years in one easy-to-find place.

I'll get the ball rolling with one or two posts, but feel free to join in, add your advice, ask your question and, of course, disagree...

Added later... As this area has proved popular with much more stuff from members, I've moved my original posts to the beginning of the thread to give beginners a start in each of the important areas of "that sound"...

Many thanks to all contributors for their later, more erudite and eclectic postings...

Hi David,

A great idea!

Amanda

David Martin wrote:I'm conscious that lots of folks want to get as near as they can to sounds made by The Shads, so I've started this dedicated sub-forum. It's intended to be a repository for all those little wrinkles (and caveats) more experienced players have amassed over the years in one easy-to-find place.

I'll get the ball rolling with one or two posts, but feel free to join in, add your advice, ask your question and, of course, disagree...

Hi Dave,
I take you as the "man in the know" about the techniques that Hank uses to get those glorious tones.
I am keen to know the string muting techniques (et al Atlantis ) where the bridge muted sounds still plays clear compared to some of my attempts which sound more muffled. Any suggestions?

Simple to describe but needs practice to perfect... You simply vary the pressure from the side of your hand on the bridge. So for Wonderful Land a steady constant pressure which gives the echo a sufficiently "clipped" sound to work on, whereas Atlantis is a lighter pressure - removed before the note goes completely dead - so you get a muted sound with a degree of "ring" left to it...

Make sense?

For me muting also works well with the base of my hand rather than the side. In addition to very effective muting, this leaves the hand in a more natural playing position. Does anyone else do this?