The Chetboard

This boggles the brain. She's holding the guitar UPSDE DOWN, and playing the alternating bass with her index finger. Who would have ever thunk??


https://youtu.be/BJTBRkLhttQ

Doug, I agree that it's very strange but my guess is that it wasn't like it would be for you or me trying to do that now after our years of playing the way we do. I'm guessing that this was her technique from the very beginning.

I don't know if you're aware of Ron Jones? He was the older brother of Buster B. Jones and inspired Buster and got him started. Buster introduced Ron at CAAS back in the '90s and Ron played the right-handed guitar upside down.

Then there is Don Jones from New York who also plays the right-handed guitar upside down. He usually performs on the main stage every year and his thumb would have to play the higher melody notes while the alternating bass would have to be done with the index finger, although probably not the muting or muffling.

I don't claim to know all of the details with this technique but I've watched it up close several times. Others reading this, may correct some of my details.

Either way, it amazes a simple minded dude, such as myself!

Ain't that something?

Rande, Don Jones lives right there in Nashville, Tn. Always has far as Iknow.

That is Elizabeth Cotton, the lady who wrote Freight Train.

So I see, from the comments.

She has my highest respect. Not only for writing a great, classic tune, (that at one time caught Chet's ear) but for being brave enough to do it "her way!"

For the life of me, I can not imagine fingering chords UPSIDE DOWN, but she manages to do that, and do it well. Even throws in an occasional bend.

To me, that would be harder than rubbing my head and patting my belly at the same time. WAAAAAY harder!

I came along to late to see this performance. It has been removed from youtube. Dang!

I wonder why the heck they removed it??

That ain't right!

Sorry Roger. Did Don Jones ever live in New York? I'm not sure where I got that idea?