Jerry Garcia’s solo on the studio version of “Touch of Grey” is one of those iconic solos that’s so well constructed that it has become part of the song. When I play this song, I stick quite close to the original solo because if I don’t, I just don’t think it sounds right.This solo is also a virtual clinic in arpeggios and the CAGED system. Just about every note lines up perfectly with the chord of the moment. And, in fact, the chord progression is interesting/complex enough that simple arpeggios of the chords mesh together quite well to make a great melody.

Here’s The Original:

Here’s a simple backing track, slowed down a bit for practice:

Touch of Grey – annotated tab pt. 1

Touch of Grey – annotated tab pt. 2