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  • Marisa – Big Yellow Taxi

    Posted by Marisa on June 5, 2021 at 12:39 pm

    My first foray with alternate tuning, and I have to say, I’m a fan. I chose one of the greatest songwriters ever, Joni Mitchell. Really listening to all her musical nuances while studying her work, I am blown away. I can only hope I caught the flavor of this piece… I coupled it with my most flexible nylon pick for movement. I love the sound the pick makes on each string!

    https://youtu.be/pdeQpoqSLtk

    Marisa replied 3 years, 8 months ago 22 Members · 44 Replies
  • 44 Replies
  • albert_d

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    Well if you have gone into enemy territory to capture a prize, you certainly did so with success. You have captured the Essence of the Song and the alternate tuning rang out resonating your enthusiasm. You didn’t say which alternate tuning you used but it suited the piece. Thanks for sharing.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 5, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      @albert_d Please forgive my act of omission, apparently I under-estimated the geekiness of guitar geeks…😂

      I am in open D

      DAF#DAD

      I highly recommend playing around with that- so much fun!

  • Alfred

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    Wow, you went the full Joni Mitchel on this one! Terrific job!

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 5, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      Thank you @Alfred👍🏻✌🏼

  • N-lightMike

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    <div>
    </div><div>Wow, that was an amazing job with that song @Marisa . The chords rhythm and voice were spot on. You definitely captured the spirit of Joni Mitchell’s song. Thanks for posting, it’s always fun watching your enthusiastic performances. </div>

    MG 😀

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 10:09 am

      Thank you @Mike-Gaurnier Happy to entertain! 😄

  • Alisa

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 3:56 pm

    I am blown away, that was an amazing performance. I love that song, and I loved your interpretation of it.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Thanks for listening and for your kind words @Alisa

  • Bob_E

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 5:30 pm

    That was awesome Marisa, brought back some memories. Joni was a favorite. Thank you for sharing.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 10:07 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it @Bob_E 👍🏻

  • Chris_H

    Member
    June 5, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    Great performance @Marisa , Joni Mitchell would be proud!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks for your support @Christopher_H 😃

  • Fly

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 12:27 am

    Awesome job Marisa, glad you didn’t go the full hog and do that laugh she does at the end tho 😅 great song and this suited you very well.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 10:11 pm

      @Fly… you know, I was tempted! 🐷🤣

  • Mark-D

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 5:02 am

    Marisa, it sounds fantastic, thank you for posting your video.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 6, 2021 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks for listening @Mark-D

  • Marty73

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 8:04 am

    Very nice cover @Marisa well played too! 😊
    👍😊😎

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 7, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks @Marty69 I always appreciate you listening to me! 😎

  • andy_e

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Nice! I enjoyed your guitar playing and singing! Looks like you are having fun!

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 7, 2021 at 10:49 am

      Do much fun!! @andy_e Thanks for listening!

  • Philb

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 7:13 pm

    Great cover! May I say that the shirt also captured something of that era. 😀Wonderful performance!

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 7, 2021 at 10:51 am

      Good catch @Philb Thanks for your support!

  • David

    Member
    June 6, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    Marissa

    The alternate tuning was spot on and your strumming and singing were amazing. You really nailed this one and captured the bluesy Joni too. I am a huge Joni fan so this was a real treat for me to listen to a couple times. Nice job 👏👍👌😀

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 7, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      Coming from you that means a lot! @David 😀

  • bugmeist

    Member
    June 7, 2021 at 5:16 am

    I can only echo what everyone else has said…Great performance! On a historical note the ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ when Joni wrote the song referred to police cars, which in Toronto at the time were yellow.

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 8, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Thank you, and thanks for the historical note…totally makes sense!

  • Guerra6007

    Member
    June 7, 2021 at 10:06 am

    Great cover of that song! Keep it going, Marisa!

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 8, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Will do! 👍

  • SteveinCT

    Member
    June 8, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    Thx for posting, that one’s in your wheelhouse! To sing Joni, and bring the lyrics around to poignancy of her old man leaving by the screen door….well, bravo. I’m a fan of Neil’s, who also has open tuning, and of course Stones are pure Open G…but other than the barre chords, I don’t know other chords (yet) once I’m in open tuning. Jes wondering, your process in learning the chords to the song….even using the E shape…

    • Marisa

      Member
      June 8, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      Hey @SteveinCt! I always prefer to have real music in front of me, not the fake “tabs” that are basically chords written over words- too many mistakes! But, that isn’t always possible. I was lucky with this one because I was able to find a video of Joni playing it and I could clearly see her fingers! That was a gift for sure. That E shape is key, it is used in all 3 positions in song. Thanks for your kind words. This song goes in my play book, for sure! 👍🏻

    • SteveinCT

      Member
      June 9, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Right, if you can see Joni play it, you can copy, but I always wonder what is that E shaped chord when in the second position of open tuning…in other words, how do you structure chords (and invent new structures) if in various alternate tunings. Some of the guitar riffing on classic Joni albums “Blue” and “For the Roses” is intricate stuff…Joni was a great player. To my surprise, the SKILLS section of TAC explains how to tune the guitar to alternate tuning….but that’s it, it leaves out new ways to structure chords, and other playing intricacies that make open tuning sound great.

      • Marisa

        Member
        June 9, 2021 at 12:04 pm

        I would try a search on youtube asking Song name, open tuning guitar tutorial.

        @SteveinCT

      • SteveinCT

        Member
        June 9, 2021 at 12:17 pm

        I’m sure I’ll find my way on this, it’s just that i find it DISAPPOINTING (as a new member) that this basic info isn’t within the Skills “Decoding Alternate Tuning” course…maybe you feel the same way. Or maybe I’m asking too much of what is the current new TAC curriculum….

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