[ Masterclasses ](/courses#masterclasses) Share Members only Join Guitargate to watch this masterclass in full. Masterclass Posted Oct 23, 2026 Jam Band # Scarlet Begonias - Cris Jacobs [Cris Jacobs](/instructors/cris-jacobs) Verified Artist @cris ## About this masterclass Howdy! In this weeks Artist Session, Cris Jacobs shows us how he plays Scarlet Begonias by the Grateful Dead. He's going for the Cornell 77' vibe with the HUGE Phil Lesh sliding bass line. Can't beat it. Watch the video, download the song, and upload your own version!! Also - don't miss the attached Guitargate lessons on chords, form, and melody for this tune. Drums: 1/4 Kick and Snare, 82 BPM Track 1: Jerry's Part (main layer) + Bobby's part (layer 2) Track 2: Phil Lesh style bass part Track 3: B Mixo Solo! \#jam-band ## Transcript AI summary In this masterclass, Cris Jacobs explores the iconic guitar interplay from the Grateful Dead's "Scarlet Begonias," using a Teleport pedal by Guitar Gate. He focuses on recreating the multi-guitar dynamics that make this song so distinctive, drawing inspiration from the legendary Cornell '77 performance. Cris begins by setting up a simplified drum groove at 82 BPM, which provides the perfect foundation for building layers through looping. He starts with Jerry Garcia's guitar part, demonstrating the essential rhythm and melodic elements that define the song's intro. Next, he adds his own complementary guitar part, showcasing how multiple guitar lines weave together in classic Dead fashion. He then tackles Phil Lesh's bass line, noting how Lesh would vary his approach from show to show, but specifically recreating elements from that famous 1977 Cornell performance. With all the rhythm elements in place, Cris demonstrates lead playing over the progression, emphasizing the use of B Mixolydian mode—the scale that gives "Scarlet Begonias" its characteristic sound. His approach shows how the different instrumental layers create the rich, interlocking texture that defines the Grateful Dead's ensemble playing. This masterclass offers both technical insight and practical demonstration of how to capture the spirit of the Dead's collaborative sound using modern looping technology. Cris encourages viewers to create and share their own versions of this classic tune. Full transcript What's up everybody, Chris Jacobs here, messing around with this Teleport pedal made by Guitar Gate, and I'm going to do a little groove on one of my favorite Grateful Dead songs that has some really cool multi-guitar interplay that we can demonstrate here, Scarlet Begonias. And of course, with Dead stuff, you could do versions across the decades. So we'll go with a little Cornell '77 vibe here. So I tapped out a tempo here, about 82. Let's hear this drum groove for it. Obviously, a way simplified groove, but it works perfectly with the loop situation, so let's get it going. We'll do Jerry's part first. All right. Let's do my weird part. All right. And the reason I think I was going for a Cornell '77 vibe was more based off the Phil Lesh bassline because he, of course, changed it show to show, but what he did on this, I will try to duplicate somewhat. But okay. Let's get the bass part going. All right. Play a little lead. B Mixolydian to your heart's content. And that's Scarlet Begonias. That's the intro of that. Check it out, upload your own version, and can't wait to hear it. Have fun. ## Songs in this masterclass 1 song [scarlet begonias - cris jacobs](/song/scarlet-begonias-cris-jacobs) [Cris Jacobs](/user/62076/view) Verified Artist 46 Download 13 Members only## Watch the full masterclass Included with GuitarGate Membership — the full video, transcript, downloads, and practice songs. Create a free account to preview, or sign in if you already have one. [ Create free account ](/user/register?destination=/node/24526) [Sign in](/user/login?destination=/node/24526) ## Student submissions 1 post Oct 24, 2026 Post by Jon\_Garrett Instructor [Cris Jacobs](/instructors/cris-jacobs) Verified Artist @cris Cris Jacobs has earned his place as one of the most compelling voices in American roots music. A masterful guitarist with a soulful, elastic voice, Jacobs brings both fire and finesse to the stage, weaving rock, soul, Americana, and funk into a sound that’s as dynamic as it is heartfelt. 3 Masterclasses [ View profile ](/instructors/cris-jacobs) More from Cris Jacobs [ All ](/instructors/cris-jacobs) [ Members only ](/masterclasses/cris-jacobs/jack-whistle-hammer) [Jack The Whistle & The Hammer](/masterclasses/cris-jacobs/jack-whistle-hammer)Intermediate [Cris Jacobs](/user/62076/view) Verified Artist [ Members only ](/masterclasses/cris-jacobs/china-cat-sunflower-cris-jacobs) [China Cat Sunflower - Cris Jacobs](/masterclasses/cris-jacobs/china-cat-sunflower-cris-jacobs) [Cris Jacobs](/user/62076/view) Verified Artist This masterclass includes - Full video masterclass - 1 practice song - Full transcript + AI summary - Community discussion