Highway 17 Music Lesson

Introduction
Highway 17 is the road that goes from San Jose to Santa Cruz. It's very winding with lots of hairpin turns, so just bear that in mind when you're playing this tune.

Opening Riff

• The first thing to be aware of is the opening riff.
• I'm actually doing a semi-frailing technique:
  • Playing the downbeat with the nail of my middle finger
  • Doing the upstrokes with my index finger
  • Catching the upper strings with my ring finger

Note: The thumb really isn't doing anything at this point, just occasionally catching a note.

For example, at 12, I'm strumming through it. It doesn't matter if some of the top strings are sounding; the focus is on the index and middle finger. Let me play it all.

Transition to Next Section
Now, into the next section:

• We have an E minor add nine followed by a lick in the middle.
• Be careful at 26; it gets a little fast. Practice it slowly.
• This is a different chord shape, an F sharp minor 7 flat 5.

Note: The 7th is actually the top string open, so instead of fingering it conventionally, I'm using that to get the F sharp melody note on the third string.

When I go up to the G, I follow that with the B string open, creating a descending line.

Measure 32 Changes
Here, in measure 32, the texture changes quite radically:

• I'm going to do some tapping with my right hand.
• The first technique is a chord pull-off: tap, 12th fret, pull off, then hammer on.

Example Technique: "Like this"
(Repeat the motion again)

The second time, I go up to the F and then to the A minor.

Measure 42 Technique
Now, to the B flat in measure 42.

• Those of you familiar with my music know I've used the combination of a tap, pull off, and hammer on before in various contexts.
• In this instance, all the momentum comes from that combination of the tap and pull-off at the end of that section.

From here, it goes back into the riff, and then I'm soloing over this sequence, finding the gaps.

Note: I haven't notated the solo in the transcription because it differs every time I play it.

Solo and Modality

• What you're looking at really is an A minor modality, pretty much pentatonic.
• Allow the F sharp and the F moving line to establish themselves without needing to be picked up as part of the melodic structure; let that be part of the harmony.

Final Repeats
The only change in the repeats in the arrangement is that the last time around:

• After stating the riff, it just goes straight through.

You'll notice that occasionally, not just in this tune but in others, I may get my thumb just a little beneath the bass note to give it an accent.

Example: Instead of picking across the string, I give it a little more edge by getting underneath it.

Conclusion
So, that's Highway 17!