I would love to see a lesson about applying whole tone and diminished scales without scaring the audience away. I can tell when they are used in music, like the intro solo of Stray Cat Strut, but I have no idea how to use them myself.
I just dloaded Barcelona this morning. Spent about an hour with it so far and Im getting close ( unpolished of course ). I'm working it on a A&L nylon string parlor and the song sounds very nice and "earthy" with it. Anyway thanks for the great lesson, hope you have more similiar to this one in the future. Also would like to mention, Im a lefty but dont have too many issues transposing the lessons.
JMH - I think I know exactly what you mean ... I have your suggestion written on a "post it". The Willies will be recording next week but after that I'll concentrate on a few requests- thanks
The "post it" is getting full but I appreciate the suggestions... just finished the "Playing the Blues" lesson and I'm happy with the sound and the format. On to new lessons asap! -Jim
I know you've probably run out of room on the "post it", but I thought I might chime in anyway. So far I've got the "Prettiest Girl in NY", "Arpeggios as Exercises", and "All of Me" lessons. I've learned a lot from each of them and enjoyed myself in the process. A couple of things that have crossed my mind while going through them...on the "Prettiest" lesson, while it's neat to have two versions of the song, it would be cool if there was a bass and drum backing track without the guitar as well. I don't know if that's even possible, but it would be nice to practice along to when I tackle a certain section, or maybe someday the whole song. Another thought I had is that since it seems to be an apartment recording type situation, why not turn on a webcam and make them video lessons? It would be cool to see your hands as we go along. As far as requests, more chord melodies for us solo players! Thanks for all information and inspiration, Jim!
Sorry to add even more to the already considerable heft of the Post-It, but...
How about "'Round Midnight" as a lesson? The snippet in Justin Sandercoe's interview on YouTube is just gorgeous, and I for one can always use more insight into playing in keys not traditional everybody's favorite to play guitar in... (Great interview, btw!)
hey Jim - Question... on the new (very cool, I love it) Playing the Blues Changes lesson, you mention in the recording that you play the rhythm with middle, ring and pinky fingers on the 4/3/2 strings respectively. The RHYTHM page shows the "1" finger bar'd across all the strings with a second finger min 3rd to maj 3rd hammer on before the third finger comes down to bar on the fourth beat. I'm taking it, that this is just another option? And - I guess my tack on question is, if you do bar the first finger, using it to play the 6th string, and the 4/3/2 strings, do you just hold it down somehow making sure to deaden the 5th string? This always seemed hard for me!
If the question makes no sense... please disregard my detailed geek-dom.
Hi Jim… Keep up the good work on the series of blues lessons. The first lesson was a great foundation. The second not only built on the first lesson it also unlocked some of those doors. I especially liked your discussion and example of how Roy Bucahaun was using the same notes as every one else but some how made it seem fresh and exotic. For the first time I realized music, especially the blues, it’s a lot like poetry. Every poet is using the some words but with completely different results. A poet like Charles Bukowski is cutting every thing to the bone creating small powerful works void of most poetic devices. Son House is doing the same with his version of the blues. Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan are at times overwhelming the listener with multiple ideas expressed in many different ways. Both are using the same language as Son House. I like the way you repeatedly emphasize the 3rds, fifths and flat 7’s. I now notice a lot of blues phrases end on a flat 7. I never thought about that before I took lesson one. The lessons are a great mix of musicology, technique and the complete songs are great. I’m looking forward to lesson three! Maybe you could include some volume knob effects and how to include them in the context of a song. I would like to create some of that exotic sound in my living room.
Comments
Steve
You have an ETA on the blues series lessons? Looking forward to them. Thanks!
Any chance of a lesson on Gotta Get Drunk from the Little Willies album? I love the solos on it
Cheers,
Iain
On to new lessons asap! -Jim
Just curious on that
A couple of things that have crossed my mind while going through them...on the "Prettiest" lesson, while it's neat to have two versions of the song, it would be cool if there was a bass and drum backing track without the guitar as well. I don't know if that's even possible, but it would be nice to practice along to when I tackle a certain section, or maybe someday the whole song. Another thought I had is that since it seems to be an apartment recording type situation, why not turn on a webcam and make them video lessons? It would be cool to see your hands as we go along.
As far as requests, more chord melodies for us solo players!
Thanks for all information and inspiration, Jim!
How about "'Round Midnight" as a lesson? The snippet in Justin Sandercoe's interview on YouTube is just gorgeous, and I for one can always use more insight into playing in keys not traditional everybody's favorite to play guitar in... (Great interview, btw!)
If the question makes no sense... please disregard my detailed geek-dom.
Thanks - b.
Neal T