Owls tab by Leo Kottke

Patrick Schwemmer
pschwemm@hotmail.com

"OWLS" By Leo Kottke
ALBUM: Greenhouse"

Transcription and Tablature by Roger Hess and Scott Jones.
3/8/97

Tuning CGDGBE (tuned down a few steps from standard pitch)
12 String only!

Notes:

"OWLS" is one of those tunes that has been somewhat of a mystery for years.
I learned to play a version of it back in the late 70's, but I knew it
wasn't right. The recording had chords that were full and resonant, and mine
were thin and stifled because many were done with full barre chords.

The main problem was that most of us were stuck in the mindset that most
anything Leo Kottke created was probably in Open G, Open D, Open C,
standard, or Dropped D. So I had learned to do "OWLS" in Open G, although
it was clearly not right, and eventually I lost interest in it out of
frustration.

Now, many years later, and as a result of a collaborative effort with fellow
Kottke-tabber Scott Jones, we have transcribed OWLS in an unusual tuning
that, right or wrong, seems to fit. Working from Open G, I determined that a
low C was present, so the bass D was dropped down two steps. Some things
started falling into place, but not all. It wasn't until Scott heard an open
E string in one of the chords on the recording that I got bold and cranked
the top D string up to E, giving CGDGBE. The tab started falling into place
after that. I felt better about the tuning when I saw it in Mark Hanson's
book "Alternate Tunings", although Scott seems to be familiar with it.

This piece makes good use of the 12 string guitar, and attempting to play it
on a 6 string would require modification. There are many places where the
thumb is highlighting the high octave string of a pair, and it won't sound
right on a 6 string. Fingerpicks can be helpful, also.

There are some unusual timings in a couple places that are noted in the tab.
I can't comprehend unusual rhythms, so I can't tab them. I deal with measure
9, for example, by just following the recording. If you tap your foot, it's
going to need to have a little extra "hang time" in that measure.

The 6th string C in this tuning will tend to muddy up many of the chords
unless it gets damped at the chord transition, as at the end of measure 10,
for example. Use the heel of the right hand or the base of the thumb to kill
the C string.

Most arpeggiated chords are indicated by staggering the notes in the tab,
and should be rolled off quickly.


TAB NOTATION
() = form the note but play softly or not at all
p = RH thumb
i = RH index
m = RH middle
a = RH ring


"OWLS"


  PART A 4/4 time.

  |-----------------0-----------0--|-------------0---------------0--|
  |---------3-----------3----------|-----3---------------3----------|
1  |-2--/4-------4-----------4------|---------4---------------4------|
  |---------0----------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
         i    i  p        p        p

Note drone bass in measure 3

  |-----------------0-----------0--|--------------------------------|
  |---------3-----------3----------|-----3--------------------------|
3  |-2--/4-------4-----------4------|---------4\2-----0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|-------------------------0------|
  |-0-------0-------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
         i      p        p        p

Repeat Measures 1,2,3, 4 one time


Note the change from alternating bass to single string bass in measure
6.

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0-----------0----------|-0-----------0------------------|
5  |-2-/-4-------2-/-4-------2-/-4--|-----2-/-4-------2-------0------|
  |---------0---------------0------|-----------------0-------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0-------0----------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
   slides start at fret 2, watch the timing.


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0-----------0----------|-0------------------------------|
7  |-2-/-4-------2-/-4-------2-/-4--|-----0-----------0--------------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0-------2--------------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0-----------------------0------|
  |--------------------------------|-----------------0--------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &

Repeat Measures 5, 6, 7, 8 one time



The first beat in measure 9 is almost played rubato, since the C arpeggio
takes a little longer than one beat. The same tempo pick up at 2 (after the
arpeggio) but it is out of sync with the original beat. Listen to recording.
The notes with asterisks above them are accented, and the notes in between
are rolled off lightly. Practice this part by including the last two beats
of measure 8.

   *    *
  |---0-----0-----------2----------|-2--h3-------2-------0----------|
  |--1---------------------------1-|-----------------------------0--|
9  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-2--2----2---------------2------|---------2---------------2------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-----------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
   1    2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
   pimp


  |-7--------------/12-------------|10h12p10------7h10p7\-----------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
11 |-------------0------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0---------------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-------------0---------------3--|---------2--/5-------5----------|
  |---------------------1----------|-----1------/4------------------|
13 |-----0-------------------0------|-----------------------------0--|
  |---------2----------------------|---------2--/5-----------5------|
  |--------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-----------------0--------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-5--/7-----------------------7\-|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|---------------------0----------|
15 |-------------0-------0----------|-----------------------------0--|
  |---------0---------------0------|-------------------------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-------------0------------------|-------------0------------------|
  |-1-------------------1----------|-1--/3--------------------------|
17 |(2)--------------------------2--|-2--/4---------------0----------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0----------------------|
  |-2---------------2--------------|-2--/4-----------4\-------------|
  |--------------------------------|-------------------------2/-----|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-------------0------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------------------0----------|-----------------------------0--|
19 |-0---------------------------0--|---------------------0----------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0---------------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |/7------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &


  Repeat entire Part A.


  Part B, 4/4 time.

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
21 |-7-------------------7----------|-------------7-----------7------|
  |---------0---0-----------0---0--|-----0---0-----------0---0---0--|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
       p  i  p  m  p  i  p  i  p  m  p  i  m  i
                                p

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
23 |-5h7p5-------4h5p4---\-------2--|/4-------5--p4-----------4--h5--|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0----------0-----------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
                            p  i  m

Accent the upbeat at the asterisk to make the octave string ring out.
Measures 25 and 26 work best by using an A chord type fingering on the
indicated strings instead of a barre. The 4h5 hammer at end of measure 24 is
done with left hand ring finger, which sets up the transition to this A
chord shape.
                 *
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
25 |-------------5---------------5--|---------------------5----------|
  |---------------------5----------|-------------5------------------|
  |---------5---------------5------|---------5---------------5------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
27 |-5--/7---------------7----------|-------------7-----------7------|
  |---------0---0-----------0---0--|-----0---0-----------0---0---0--|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
       p  i  p  m  p  i  p  i  p  m  p  i  m  i
                                p

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
29 |-5h7p5-------4h5p4---\--------2-|/4-------5--p4---------------0--|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0-----------0---0------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |-----------------0--------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &


There is another fractional beat shift here after the 5hp5/7 that is
not shown in the tab. Listen to the recording, or just play on beat.

  |-5h8p5--/7--------------------7-|-------------7------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
31 |---------------------0----------|-----0---------------0----------|
  |-------------------------0------|---------0---------------0---0--|
  |-----------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
                                p  i


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-------------------------3------|-----------------3h5p3----------|
33 |-4-----------4-------4-------4--|-------------4------------------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------0---------------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
             i

     Rubato to end of part B.
  |-3------------------------------|-5h8p5-/7-----------------------|
  |-1------------------------------|--------------------------------|
35 |-0------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |(2)-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1
   roll


  |-9h12p9-/10---------------------|
  |--------------------------------|
37 |--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|


  Part C, Rubato.

Ignore measures markings except where beats are indicated.

  |--15-------14/17-----12---------|--10----------------------------|
  |--0-----------------------------|--0-----------------------------|
38 |--0------0----------0----0------|--0-------------------------|
  |--0-----------------0-----------|----------------------------|
  |--0-----------------------------|--0-----------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   strum                  p  p



  |--8-/11----------10-------------|-------3------------------------|
  |-----------------0--------------|-------1-------3-\1-----0-------|
40 |-0---------------0--------------|----0----------4-\2-----0----0--|
  |--------------------------------|-------2------------------------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|---------------4-\2-----0-------|
  |--------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
          strum       p i



  |---0----------------------------|-------0------------------------|
  |(1)------------1----------------|-------1-----/3----------\0-----|
42 |------------------0-------------|-------------/4----------\0-----|
  |----2-----------------2----0----|----0---------------------------|
  |--0-----------------------------|-2----------2/4----------\0-----|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   roll               p i

  Repeat Part C with variation.



  Part D, 3/4 time with some rubato.

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
44 |---7----------------------7\----|---4----------------(4)---------|
  |--0--------0------------0-------|--0--------0---------0----------|
  |-0-------------------0----------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &



  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
46 |---12---------------------------|--11----------------------------|
  |--12-----------------12---------|-12-----------------------------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0-------------------0----------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
48 |----9---------------------------|----9-h11-----------------------|
  |--10-----------------10---------|--10----------------(10)--------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
50 |---7-----------------7----------|--------------------------------|
  |--0--------0--------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p


  |----5---------------------------|-5---h7-------------------------|
  |---5----------------------------|-5------------------------------|
52 |--5------------------5----------|---------------------5----------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-----------5--------------------|-----------5--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--5-----------------------------|-5---h7-------------------------|
54 |-5------------------------------|-5------------------------------|
  |---------------------5----------|-----------5--------------------|
  |-----------5--------------------|---------------------5----------|
  |--0-----------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &



  |-------8p7----------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---8p7------8--/12--------------|--------------------------------|
56 |--0-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0-----------------------0------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
                    1  &  2  &  3  &


Arpeggios are 4 notes played on three strings. Second chord in each
measure is played on the upbeat.
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
58 |----7-----------7---------------|----4-----------4---------------|
  |---0------------0---------------|---0------------0---------------|
  |-00-----------------------------|-00------------------0----------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
   pima               pima


  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |----5----------------7\---------|---10---------------------------|
60 |---5----------------------------|---8------------7---------------|
  |--5--------5--------------------|--10----------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1       i



  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---8-----------10---------------|--------------------------------|
62 |--8-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-10-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
          lightly



   Part E, 3/4 time.

  |-----------10--12---/15---------|--------------------------------|
  |-10--/12------------------------|----------------0---------0-----|
64 |---------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |-12-p10-------------------------|------10------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|-12-----------------------------|
66 |---------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |---------------------10---------|--------------------------------|
  |-7----h8---10--/12--------------|--------------------------0-----|
68 |---------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |-12--p10---12---12--------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------0-----|--------------------------------|
70 |---------------------0----------|--------------------------------|
  |-----------0--------------------|---------------------0----0-----|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p  i


  |-----------10---12--/15---------|--------------------------------|
  |-10--/12------------------------|----------------0---------0-----|
72 |---------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |-12--p10------------------------|------10------------------------|
  |---------------(0)-------(0)----|-12------------(0)-------(0)----|
74 |---------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p


  |--------------------------------|----5---------------7-----------|
  |-12--\10------------------------|---5----------------------------|
76 |----------------12---11\--------|--5-----------------------------|
  |-----------0--------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1
             p


  |-7------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|--------------------------------|
78 |-0-------------------0----------|---------------------0----------|
  |-----------0--------------------|-----------0--------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p                p

  Repeat Part E, with variation.


  Part F, 3/4 time.

  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---5----------------------------|-5---h7-------------------------|
80 |--5-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------------------5----------|-----------5--------------------|
  |-----------5--------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &
             p           p


  |-5------------------------------|-5---h7-------------------------|
  |-----------5--------------------|--------------------------------|
82 |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |-0------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &    1  &  2  &  3  &



  |-/7-----------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
84 |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |----------------------0---------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  slide up        p (lightly)
  from fret 3


  Part G. Return to 4/4 time.

  |---------10--12-/15-------------|-12-p10--------------10---------|
  |-10-/12-------------------------|-------------12-----------------|
86 |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0----------------0-----|---------0----------------0-----|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-----------------10-------------|-12-p10------12-----------------|
  |-7--h8---10-/12------0-------0--|---------------------0----------|
88 |--------------------------------|-----------------------------0--|
  |---------0----------------0-----|---------0----------------0-----|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |---------10--12-/15-------------|-12-p10--------------10---------|
  |-10-/12-------------------------|-------------12-----------------|
90 |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0----------------0-----|---------0----------------0-----|
  |-0---------------0--------------|-0---------------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &


  |--------------------------------|---------7----------------------|
  |-12-\10-------------------------|---5-----0-------------------0--|
92 |-------------12------11\--------|--5------------------0----------|
  |---------0----------------------|(5)----------------------0------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|---------0-------0--------------|
  |--------------------------------|-0------------------------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &
                            (weird timing)


  |--------------------------------|-------------0---------------0--|
  |-------------0---------------0--|-1----------(1)------1------(1)-|
94 |-----0---------------0----------|--------------------------------|
  |---------0---------------0------|---------2---------------2------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|--------------------------------|
  |--------------------------------|-0---------------0--------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &  1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &



  |-------------0---------------0--|
  |-----1------(1)------1----------|
96 |--------------------------------|  Repeat Part A twice and
  |---------2---------------2------|  it's finished.
  |--------------------------------|
  |-0---------------0--------------|
   1  &  2  &  3  &  4  &