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Solo forums => John Lennon => Topic started by: KelMar on August 23, 2014, 04:15:26 AM

Title: Donovan, Rishikesh and Finger picking
Post by: KelMar on August 23, 2014, 04:15:26 AM

I've always read that Donovan taught John the finger picking technique during their time in Rishikesh and that John then went on to use it in several of the songs he wrote while there. I'm just wondering if any of you have come across any accounts that dispute this.

Title: Re: Donovan, Rishikesh and Finger picking
Post by: oldbrownshoe on August 23, 2014, 07:30:59 AM

Seems likely as I think I read that he did the same for Paul, who he was closer to, around the same time, and subsequent songs like 'Blackbird' certainly hint at this.
Wasn't 'Rocky Raccoon' essentially a McCartney/Donovan composition?

Title: Re: Donovan, Rishikesh and Finger picking
Post by: KelMar on August 23, 2014, 07:42:07 AM

Quote from: oldbrownshoe on August 23, 2014, 07:30:59 AM

Wasn't 'Rocky Raccoon' essentially a McCartney/Donovan composition?

Paul, John and Donovan spun it out of a jam session while in Rishikesh from what I've read. The creativity must have been palpable in that time and place.

Title: Re: Donovan, Rishikesh and Finger picking
Post by: Hello Goodbye on March 03, 2017, 11:54:38 PM

While John, Paul and Donovan were busy composing, George and Ringo were seriously meditating with the yogi...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHuEvnY6_M# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jHuEvnY6_M#)




Both of them!  ;D

Title: Re: Donovan, Rishikesh and Finger picking
Post by: Moogmodule on March 09, 2021, 06:44:43 AM

What was John doing on the demo of Strawberry Field (when it breaks down he says “I canna do it”). Sounded like some type of finger picking to me. Which pre dates Donovan’s guitar lessons. Which doesn’t mean Donovan didn’t teach him another way or something of course. Donovan was a good acoustic guitarist.