On his third lesson in the series, Jorma concentrates on repertoire-building, delving into seven of the traditional and original guitar pieces that have favorites in both his solo shows and his Hot Tuna performances. He starts out by teaching the traditional gospel song
I Will Be All Right, demonstrating chord shapes, right hand rolls and runs learned from the playing of Rev. Gary Davis. Moving into a series of songs in the key of E minor, Jorma teaches inter-linked runs and soloing ideas that build upon one another, allowing you to play arrangements of his contemporary compositions
Been So Long, Ice Age and
Mann's Fate. These extended pieces are filled with interesting and challenging techniques that bring you to the heart of the Jorma Kaukonen guitar style. Staying in E minor, he also teaches his arrangement of another traditional gospel song,
Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning.
On his original tune
Third Week in the Chelsea, Jorma mixes traditional folk picking patterns in the key of C with rhythmic strums, back-brushing, double time playing, dynamics and other concepts that distinguish his unique guitar style. Finally, he takes apart the deceptively simple
Ninety-Nine Year Blues, a one-chord piece in G with powerful picking techniques, including fast rolls, damped bass notes, percussive rhythm and other exercises in right hand dexterity.
This DVD is a fascinating excursion into the playing techniques of one of America's most popular performers.
