Vassar Clement's Killer Lick

Hello! In this lesson, we're going to look at Vassar Clement's killer lick. If you listen to Midnight Moonlight by Alden in the way, you'll hear this lick in all its horrible glory.

The Challenge

This is a lick that is so difficult, it's like climbing Mount Everest. You have to start off by climbing a little hill, then climb Helvellyn, reach Base Camp, and finally get to the top. Most people don't make it to the top, and many struggle along the way.

If you are not an advanced player, this lick may take you five years to learn!

Starting Point: The Triple Stop

So, let's begin.

1. Triple Stop: If you thought you were doing well with double stops, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you're only two-thirds of the way there.

   • A triple stop means playing three notes at the same time.

2. Finger Placement:

   • Put your second finger on a C
   • Your third finger on a G below it
   • Your first finger on an A on the bottom string

3. Bow Position:

   • If you try to play that in the normal position (halfway between the bridge and the top of the neck), it's quite hard.
   • Move the bow down a little, so it's right on the edge of the fingerboard. It becomes easier to play all three notes if you push down fairly hard and play close to the heel.

4. Practice Tip: If you still find it difficult, start on the lower two strings and then angle towards the upper two strings. This in itself makes a great lick, especially if you slide it up or down, it sounds much more impossible than it actually is.

Climbing Mount Helvellyn

The first preparation is to climb Mount Helvellyn.

• Start with:
  • Third finger on A
  • C sharp
  • B flat, sliding up to B natural

Next Steps

• Begin with a double stop:

  • First over third
  • Open over first
  • Open over second

• The first three notes are...

  • (Play) and again...

• Second over fourth:

  • Our first four notes are...

  • (Play again) 1, 2, 3, 4

Moving Up

• Now, up to third position:
  • Second finger over third finger: E flat and D flat.
  • Think of that as E natural over B.

1. Finger Positioning:

   • Get your fingers into position and then take them down.

2. Final Notes:

   • First over second.
   • The last two notes are second over third, then the triple stop of one over two over three.

Base Camp and Final Ascent

You're almost there, but that's just Base Camp! Getting to the next bit will not be easy.

• What we're aiming for is...

It's All About the Rhythm

• Start again from the beginning with a slightly syncopated rhythm:
  • 1, 2, 3, 4

1. Play Sequence:
   • First over third, slide up
   • Open over second
   • Second over fourth, and that same bit we had before.

Practicing for Mastery

• Keeping off:
  • 1, 2, 3,
  • Together, slide it down three times, a semitone each time.

So, that is one over two, sliding up, open over second.

The Commitment

No one ever said this was going to be easy; it really is as hard as they come.

I first learned this lick probably 20 years ago, and you really have to practice it every day for the rest of your life, unless you're going to lose it.

Fun Assignment

If you happen to be in a band that plays You Are My Sunshine three times a week, consider incorporating this lick every time. It'll make it more interesting for you, and everyone will look at you like you've completely lost your mind!

So, your assignment is to take three months out of your life to learn this. Your next assignment? Take three months of holiday and/or therapy to get over it!