Gordon Lightfoot: Don Quixote and Ode to Big Blue Intros Recreated with Tutorials!

My Guitar Detective
My Guitar Detective
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Published 2019-09-02
For tuning I use the Cleartune app available for $3.99 from the Apple App Store.
The Tuning Wheel on the app measures in 10 cent increments; so plus 30 cents is represented by three lines to the right of pitch.

High String Tuning differs from Nashville Tuning in one important respect. In High String Tuning, the 3rd wound string (tuned to G in standard) remains unchanged. In Nashville tuning, the third string is a light gauge unwound string and is tuned an octave above standard tuning.

Red Shea played with metal finger picks for much of his tenure as a member of Lightfoot's band. After all, this type of forceful finger-style playing is brutal on the nails. An alternative to metal finger-picks, that I learned from Flamenco players (and that James Taylor has adopted as well...see his YouTube video on this subject) is the application of Fiberglass Nail Wraps. It's a complete game-changer. I never have to worry about a broken nail....EVER. Unlike James Taylor. I use only two layers per finger (he uses SEVERAL!) and I can play as forcefully as I like in this way without fear of breaking a nail. I highly recommend you give Fiberglass Nail Wraps a try!

Finally, I used no effects, whatsoever, on the guitars in this video. For "Don Quixote", both Gordon and Red do not appear to be using any effects either; however, on "Ode To Big Blue" there is some reverb or chorus on Red's guitar. The guitar I'm using for the High String part is not set up for this tuning. The action should be raised, the nut should be special cut and the intonation at the saddle should be adjusted as well for the particular gauges of strings being used. I made do with this guitar as it was originally set up; so, it's noisy: string buzz and rattle that frankly annoys me because I like a very distinct and clean sound. My apologies! I hope you won't let that detract from your enjoyment of the presentation!
All Comments (16)
  • @danielibnz
    I’m amazed… at my age. I know lyrics and chords of most of Lightfoot’s songs and I used to sing some selected pieces. However, I must declare that I didn’t know of Red Shea’s high strings guitar… I can clearly identify high-string guitars, mostly on Nasville tuning (for instance in Curly Chlaker’s LP "The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot”) though I had not catch it on Red Shea’s. Many Thanks for sharing this.
  • @7761864
    That was flawless! Very nicely done, and I'll bet many have found this very helpful.
  • @gordiesings
    I could've never figured out Red Shea's parts. You have one Hell of an ear.
  • @TheHarmonicOscillator
    This work is masterful! I am so grateful for your gift and the effort you have put into this video and the others. I have been trying to play Don Quixote correctly for at least 14 years. Thanks to you, now I can. Thank you Sir!
  • @PreacherRickie
    That is the most amazing detective work I have ever witnessed. You have an amazing ear. Thanks for sharing this.
  • @jharris3284
    Like many others here I have been fascinated, frustrated, and confounded by Red's parts for years. You do a great service to Red, and by extension Lightfoot, by deciphering the intricacies without detracting from the magic. Please continue to unravel these parts - this is great stuff. There are so many great but underrated and unknown players who deserve a nod. Thanks. As an aside, I met Red briefly when he was working for Tommy Hunter in the early 80s (I didn't know then that he was Lightfoot's guitarist). He took the time to talk kindly, and humourously, to a goofy teenager with stars in his eyes. A genuinely nice person.
  • @sparkyengel4418
    I've been trying to figure out Red's part for decades on Don Q., Thank you Thank you Thank you!
  • @ronjones379
    This particular video, together with commentary is what many Lightfoot enthusiasts crave. I always wanted to be a lead guitar player but it was never meant to be. For many years after listening to and never tiring of hearing those notes, now being able to see this being done in such an intricate manner has opened up a whole new world for me. Just making a vain attempt to come in anywhere close is a thrill like non other. There are several friends close by here in Toronto who were students of Red Shea so getting together with them and sharing this when the opportunity arises will sure to be another big highlight. It's amazing how the seemingly endless ongoing feelings of joy derived from this music just keeps filtering through and opening up new paths. My most heartfelt thanks.
  • @paskatefan
    I'm not a guitar player, but this is lovely! Huge GL fan here!
  • @kenyonwallace8177
    This is simply unreal! Thank you so much. I now have a project for the fall...to learn all the high-string parts! I'd also be interested in learning the final "walkdown" of chords played on the high-string guitar at the very end of "Looking at the Rain," if you are looking for a new mystery! Thanks again!
  • @gordiesings
    Have you tried to figure out Red Shea's part on Second Cup Of Coffee ? Left channel, sounds like High String tuning but I'm not sure.
  • @crispychip360
    This is great been trying to get Red’s style down. Any chance of doing steel rail blues?