How to Play "Walk Right In" on a 12-String---Alonzo Garbanzo

[@hochbob]

Alonzo you rock! You are perhaps the most creative player on the Tube. Love your sound.

[@MrTravelinJack]

Thank you, Alonzo. My singing partner and I plan to lead off our next show with this number. Without your excellent video it would just not be possible. My 12-string is tuned down one whole note and ready to go! There is no other video for this number that comes close to being to detailed and helpful.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I appreciate that very much. I've been awful about promising to make a new video and then not doing it---every attempt has run into problems of length. I'm glad this one is of service to you, though!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Indeed. We lost Erik last year, but his memory will live on.

[@georgescarlett2320]

The best one, a TWELVE string lesson.

[@krisinpa8302]

Very much enjoyed your music!. As well, the history of the music was wonderful. Thank you!

[@scorpy6331]

excellent teaching viv Mr. A..........you`ve just completed a life long desire.`preciate it

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Having never heard of Bryan C, I had to Google and then KZbin search him in order to hear what he sounds like. He has a nice voice; I don't hear the similarity you do, but I'll be happy to take that as a compliment.

[@tomnanD3]

An excellent instruction. I did a cover of this recently (I do some home recording for fun). I found that the original RTS recording had the guitars tuned to A-Flat, a half-step. Nice work here!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Thanks!! I'm not sure what the heck I did on "Last Thing", but I'll go back and give it a listen, now that you mention it.

[@guyglowmore1]

have always played it in C but i like the way you do it too. could wrap my thumb around that but don't have a 12 string lately. haven't found any the last few years that have that perfect sound and action. meanwhile today was playing it on a classical ax and forgot one chord. that's what brought me here but i've been here before longtemps ago. remember you. good music.

[@georgescarlett2320]

A "Fingering'" is only correct way, just sayin'!

[@wayyabuggermar]

Watched all three of your vids for Walk Right In. Great! Came on here with an inkling to play this on my 6 string Can't quite get that great sound and not sure I am up to the technique but inspired thanks.

[@biagiomarini]

you really have talent for teaching!!!!!!!tanks

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Update: I just listened to the Rooftops' record and I see it's in A Flat! Which means them tricky rascals were actually tuned down a half-step, not a whole step. How about that.

[@raymondcrooke]

Very interesting. I've always been an admirer of Erik Darling's distinctive guitar style since he replaced Pete Seeger in The Weavers. Thanks for the work you've done in putting up this video.

[@spinks31]

Thank you for this Garbonz. I have now got it down, thanks to your excellent instruction. Very entertaining and easy to follow. I am also trying to work out your 'run' at the beginning of "Last thing on my mind". Your version of this favourite song of mine is the best I've heard. Really enjoy your guitar work and singing , Cheers mate (from down under).

[@coontoonstudios]

Thanks for the tuning idea of DGCFAD! Sounds good on my Guild F512E.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I have a thought, 7 years and 65,000 views later. I hope this video has in some way helped some people learn useful things. That said, I have serious "pentimento" feelings now---the visual quality is too poor (dark and blurred) to make out the fingering clearly, and the whole video feels altogether too wordy and long without making basics clear enough. Mea culpa. And THAT said, I will spend some time this August making a new instructional for this that will be clearer both visually and verbally in a shorter time without all the other distractions. I will also copy this into the video caption and update here when it's finished and posted. Cheers to all.

[@tmcd8188]

Alonzo Garbanzo Will look forward to it!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

+Alonzo Garbanzo Aagh, time has been less free than I'd thought. Still wishing to revisit this tutorial, but it might still be some weeks now. Beggin' your pardon.

[@michaelluzius5704]

That being said, Mr. Garbanzo, you are really entertaining. So, please keep it up! Best wishes

[@48censor]

I love that song.

[@grenda5]

Really enjoyed your tutorial and thank you for a great detailed lesson, cheers

[@jeremymillan]

Hello Alonzo, Do you still plan on making another video for this lesson? Really want to learn it the way you play it. Thank you

[@alonzogarbanzo]

YES! My guilt alarms are going off, seriously---long promises and no delivery. Thanks for the nudge. I think I will post it as a lesson on 6-string, so as to simplify things visually, but it can easily be adapted to use on 12. This project should take less than a week. Check back onto my page in a week or, at most, two. Thanks.

[@jeremymillan]

Awesome... as I have no 12 string yet! Thank you Sir!

[@juneberry78s]

Thanks for the way to play it in A. I've played it for years in C (C-A-D-G-C etc) but it does sound better on a 12 string in A. Glad you corrected the One Chord Wonder statement.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Yeah. I was really stupid saying that. Glad I'm smarter now, at least a tiny bit!

[@thomaspaine2723]

Thank you.....very helpful and great song....Use brighter lights for the video tho..pretty dark.......

[@newbiefromnewbie]

and "Bob's your Uncle".....LOL Nice Job; think I'll give her a try. I'm always on the lookout for cool songs to play on my 12; got any more suggestions/vids?

[@snookseaglin]

Sounds great! you got lots of cool moves, how'd you know bob's my uncle?

[@sorvit9]

wow! awesome ! how about teaching us the enterteiner? that will really make my day! thanks and keep up the great art !

[@quangske]

Very instructive AND entertaining, Mr Garbanzo. May I ask what strings you're using on your 12-stringer? Brand and gauge?

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I assemble my sets out of a medium-gauge 6-string set (Elixir brand, always these days), doubling the first and second pairs and buying singles from just strings.com to provide the octaves for the other four courses. I think they descend from .010 (3rd course) to .015 (fourth) to wound .020 (fifth)---.022 will work if you can't get .020---and finally a .026 or .028 on the bottom course. This lets me tune everything down three semitones, a minor third, down from "absolute". Lately though I've used Elixir's new Medium12-string set, which is just about what I've described here. They seem pretty good so far! Be a lot simpler.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

A four-years-late update: I only used that medium-gauge Elixir 12-string set once; it put too much tension on the neck and my action started getting difficult. Back to my assembled sets! The neck recovered nicely after I went back.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

@NorthTulsaBoy Well, thank you for all that, though I must repeat the caveat about the "lore"---please ignore my stupidity about Gus C's original, as I was simply talking through my proverbial hat!

[@Billsingsong]

What guitar model and Brand is that? Why do you turn it one whole step down? Are you playing the roof top singers version

[@alonzogarbanzo]

1. Larivee D-3-12, 1996. 2. Because 12-strings have typically been down-tuned as much as a fourth, as Lead Belly, Pete Seeger and Blind Wille McTell did, or a whole step, as was typical on Gibson 12s in the mid-60s to relieve stress on the neck, or any other interval, depending on the player's taste. I now keep my Larivee down two whole steps, my Weigert 12 down a full fourth (like a baritone guitar), and my Samich 12 down a full step. 3. Yes, in the video I frequently refer to Erik Darling, who founded the Rooftops, as the originator of this way of playing the song, as if in the key of A. On the record, Erik and Bill tuned their big Gibson B-45s down a half-step; I believe I wrongly stated on this video that they were down a whole step. I've seen a lot of people doing it in C. I guess it's easier in C because it involves no barre chords, but something gets lost in the translation, at least in my book. It's much more punchy and funky in A positions. I had the good fortune to meet Erik Darling in 1963 and I watched him VERY closely when he played this tune onstage. By the way, these days I find this old video way too cutesy and long-winded. I remade it a few years back and recommend the newer version over this video. Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn_TZIVjf9R-qMk

[@Billsingsong]

@@alonzogarbanzo also they would, and or could turn them down because the truss rod during that period could not handle the stress at a standard E tuning. I believe now and from my what I have read that the truss rods and even double truss rods are put in 12 strings where they could handle the standard tuning, I have mine a half step lower or may do it one whole step little lower or even at standard tuning. It’s a Taylor 150 E.

[@heatmanable]

bang on dude

[@lezondmk]

What kind of guitar are you playing? Make.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

That is a Larivee D-3-12 built in 1998.

[@bigchiefadopethiefa]

Am I correct this is a X braced 12 looking to get one made any advice. On a X braced 12 the luthier I'm using in my price range only build s X though my love is with Lead Belly and Blind Willie

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I'm replying after five years, so I don't know if you're still there. But yes, that is an X-braced 12-string, and it's hard to find anything made these days that isn't cross-braced. But I bought a ladder-braced 12-fret (very) large-body instrument just last fall from luthier Gideon Weigert, and it sounds wonderfully old and similar to Lead Belly's. I keep it tuned down a fourth, as Huddie generally did.

[@georgescarlett5441]

Hey Mate, Good Vid., but wrong on the tuning. They tuned down only 1/2 step. "Twas the general habit, (back in "The Day") to drop the tension of a 12ver, and normally only by 1/2 step, (not me, She Breaks, She Breaks). Gb bg

[@georgescarlett5441]

Yup, Got no prob. with either of these accomplished musicians being able to play any and all parts, It's only the live youtube Vid. I was referring to, where Bill played all the leads. Gb bg

[@DeHuwite]

Do you ever alternately go by the name of Chic Peas?

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Not normally. I did, just once, decades ago, call my act Chick P. and the Garbanzos, but not in any way you would have heard about, I think!

[@DeHuwite]

You kiddin' me? Those guys were great! Have a reunion then and serve lots of hummus!

[@alonzogarbanzo]

I'd falafel about not inviting you.

[@DeHuwite]

Alonzo Garbanzo I'd pita first to show up and the lavash to leave (sorry best I could do).

[@alonzogarbanzo]

First half was great. The second, uh well... anyway, I believe we've managed to get everything out of this theme we're likely to!

[@georgescarlett5441]

Also, Note that it wasn't Eric playing the lead runs. And I now read where Ya say only down 1/2 step! Need to read all, before swinging "Maul", LOL1 Gb bg

[@alonzogarbanzo]

+george scarlett Uh, yes, and also be aware that back in '63 I saw Erik (with a k, not a c) from about 15 feet away, playing ALL them runs, and spoke with him afterward. Yes, on the occasions when Bill played second 12, he sometimes took a few lead lines; but he often played backup 6-string to Eric's B-45-12.

[@markjordan4593]

Yes, agree with your comment, if only you had not wasted the first half then slowed the technical stuff down.

[@lukeplayin]

You sound like Bryan Cranston! :D

[@alonzo62290]

kool name

[@derekmtheriault]

Thanks Uncle Bob. UGottaListen2B4UDie.

[@rtrivanovic707]

I learned this song from a Hal Leonard Fake Book. Lot easier than trying to follow him. He did a great job though.

[@tomthefunky]

"A double 12 string assault."

[@rontrivane]

Very good video but it took till 3:23 before you played any music. Too much talking in the intro. It would have been nice if you first played through what you were going to teach us. On instructional videos the trick is to get our interest first.

[@tedtimothy9074]

Glen Campbell played on the Rooftop version

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Sorry, but that information is incorrect. Erik Darling and Bill Svanoe both played early Gibson B-45-12’s on the recording, . Before I met Erik at the Troubadour in 1963, he and Bill played it exactly as on the single. I’m not sure where you got the impression that Glenn played on their record, but you 're probably conflating the Rooftop record with a quick knockoff album of 12-string instrumentals recorded by (the then-unknown) Glenn to cash in on the new 12-string craze-- which had just sparked by the success of “Walk Right In”. Glenn's album was called "Glenn Campbell Plays 12-string Guitar", and it included an instrumental cover of the Rooftops tune . And though I'm a big Glenn fan, it wasn't too good a cover compared with Erik's .

[@k.c.meaders4796]

Very difficult to understand his dialogue, but guitar comes out well.

[@alonzogarbanzo]

FINALLY, folks, I have posted a better, higher-res, and much less frivolous and talky video on this topic. I suggest you watch that instead of this one! Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn_TZIVjf9R-qMk

[@liveinrenonv14]

12 is damn close!!!bible+10 string lyre

[@yonkieponkie]

hmm, a little too complicated for me, i think i will stick to my Simon & Garfunkel!

[@วายุกูลเปลี่ยนศิริ]

มืด ดูไม่จู้เรื่อง

[@apolloroma6783]

talking video

[@MrHankbmarvin]

Too much bla-bla-bla speaking....

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Yes, I agree, but you really ought to read things a bit more before leaving negative comments. I already have advised people to go to the new video, but you seem to have ignored that.