Scarlet Begonias - Cris Jacobs

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.