Continuing the Cycle On the Not So Carter Carter Style

We’re continuing the cycle, by taking the Not So Carter, Carter Style arrangement and converting it to a cross-picking arrangement. The melody of this version is in the higher register, so we’ll be using the backward roll to cross-pick it. Let’s first look at the first four measures of the Carter style version:

Now we’re going to apply the backward roll. Check it out:

What we see is that the melody gets displaced a little because the roll starts on the 1st beat, the and of the 2nd beat, and on the 4th beat. I try to put them there because it will help accent the melody by having it at the beginning of each roll. This also adds something interesting for the listener’s ear, because the melody is unexpectedly different, which is, well, kind of nice.

Now I’ll apply it to the whole tune, and here it is:

You can get the printable PDF here.

There you have it: the Not So Carter, Carter Style transformation into cross-picking. This may all seem very systematic, but it is designed to make it easy to follow, and to get you started creating your own arrangements. Ultimately, your ear should have the final say. If it doesn’t sound right, then change it. Don’t just follow the method blindly. These are guidelines for getting started, and can help create great arrangements, but always be listening.

Hopefully this has all made sense, but if you have any questions feel free to email me, or send a message on Facebook.

I had a request for You Are My Sunshine, so in the next session I’ll be going through whole process in My, Sunshine, You Are Cross.

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Happy Picking!