“Disco”

The printed music for “Disco” is sold as an individual transcription.

“Disco” is a stylish composition for 12-string guitar. In some passages, Leo uses right-hand string-stopping to craft staccato lines; in others, he uses an intricate finger-style strumming technique to produce a multi-dimensional sound with percussive effects.

An audio recording of “Disco,” with Leo accompanied by Phish bassist Mike Gordon, is available on Leo Kottke/Mike Gordon/Clone (Private Music 01934-11662-2, 2002). This transcription corresponds to the recording with the exception of five structural edits and a few minor revisions which bring it in line with Leo’s current performance practice.

On this recording Leo plays a 12-string guitar tuned B1 F#2 B2 E3 G#3 C#4. This is, of course, analogous to dropped D tuning (D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4). He tunes his 12-string down so that there is less tension on the neck. It also sounds good down there, and it is easier to play. This transcription, however, is written as if Leo’s guitar were tuned to dropped D tuning which is, conceptually, appropriate.