Technique of the Dead

This question is in reference to Jerry Garcia (no pun intended in my subject title, I assure you). I guess I could buy the Tab for his solos or a tape on his style but I'd like to try for myself first. So far I have run into dead(lol) ends everywhere. If any one has any info on what scales he uses, how he gets his sound, what exactly style he is playing (sounds like drug induced banjo on guitar to me) I would appreciate it. I like to try and learn by ear, however he is frustrating me with his weird style. I have become extremely intrigued with what he is doing. At first I thought he was terrible, but after listening I realized he is somewhat of a master at playing within chords and noodling around them all at the same time. He plays over quite a variety of chords, being a rock/metal player up till now it makes no sense to me. He is also very schooled in banjo, mandolin etc... If I could determine what scale he is playing it would more than likely help me learn his style and some of his tricks...which don't seem really like conventional tricks, but I can't seem to figure it out. It seems so unorthodox. I am currently in a band that wants to get more free form improv, jazzy etc.. I could also use some tips on Steve Kimmock, Medeski Martin and Wood, and Derek Trucks or Warren Haynes. Please help!

I have been a Deadhead longer than a guitar player- but from my listening and reading about his style... you are on the right track with you banjo assumption. Garcia's early influences were bluegrass and old-timey music. In fact, one of the first versions of the what later became known as "Grateful Dead" was "Mother McCree's Uptown Jugband Champions." Garcia played banjo in Mother McCree's.

As Garcia and the Dead evolved and experimented with pschedelics, there playing became very free-form taking there influence from such Bay Area jazz innovators like Ornette Coleman. Garcia's use of modes and arpeggiation is more or less his "voice" as guitarist. In much of his solos, he incorporates the melody of the tune and embellishes around them. From my reading, in Garcia's early days he would sit around for hours and hours just practicing scales and modes- Myxolidian, Aolian, Lydian, etc.

Garcia can probably be identified as THE most unique rock guitarist EVER. I say this because he is not really a rock guitarist. He had so many influences outside of rock music that shaped his playing including bluegrass, jazz, country, old-timey, jug band, etc. Another amazing thing about Garcia's playing is that he tried to phrase his playing as a trumpet would be played. This was of course before the days of MIDI- listen to his playing and you will hear it yourself.

While this info is not very technical- it gives you an idea of where his playing was coming from.

He did great lead work while only having 9 fingers!