Guitar and Piano Transcriptions

Cactus Tree

Guitar tablature transcribed by Les Irvin

Tuning: DADF#AD  (other transcriptions in this same tuning)
"Joni" Tuning: D75435
Tuning pattern: x75435  (others in this same pattern)
Capo on fret 4

Author Notes:

Joni's playing on this song is quite intricate and challenging. She makes extensive use of the low string as a drone and moves back and forth between 2 or 3 subtly different right-hand patterns.

Each dash of the tablature represents a 16th note. Above each staff I've written the measure numbers and (on the next line) the eighth note counts to help understand the highly syncopated rhythm. Best to listen carefully to the recording a few times before attempting it.

Right hand fingering is important here, I would guess Joni primarily uses the thumb on the 6th string, the index finger on the 5th string, and the middle and ring fingers as pairs on the 4th/3rd and 2nd/1st strings.

This transcription is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song.
You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.
Copyrighted material contained in transcriptions is used in accordance with 'Fair Use'.

Comments:

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DC48 on

This is a cool song. My older brother and sis played it -ladies album-constantly when I was very young.

I recently injured my hand and middle finger. Ive found much of JM's alt tuning works are much easier to play than I ever suspected.
I came across the key fingerings while working on homework for a class at Berklee.
I knew they lead to this song and was right!
Thanks for the work
Great tune and nice transcription.