Homespun.com Forum / Homespun.com Forums / The New Homespun Forum

A New Guitar Built By Michael Hauver - The Blind Blake Model - Played By Toby Walker

Toby Walker — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:52:32 GMT

Michael Hauver is the guy who does Neil Harpe's (stellaguitars.com) restoration work. Mike draws from his years of experience to produce some fine reproductions of the old time, ladder braced guitars. However, his models have a truss rod, graphic re-enforced rods and a bolt on neck.

This is his newest creation - The Blind Blake Model - and I'm proud to be the first owner of this amazing instrument. I figured the complete version of Blake's 'Guitar Chimes' was just the right piece to show off this instrument. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfqUBGThWg

Mike's website is:
http://www.hauverguitars.com/home.html

Baby Please Don't Go...

Michael Putnam — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:28:04 GMT

Hey, after posting my Baby Please Don't Go video to YouTube, I've realized that it's not an eight bar song, but a sixteen bar song. This makes my improvised sections off because I played 24 bars (8 bars 3 times) instead of 16 or twice that 32 bars. Ugh!

Well, it may have been the wrong number of bars, but I still like to think they were pretty well played. I'll try to maintain my dignity on this board from here on out.

Still learning.

Brooklyn Mike

Slide Techniques Documentary

Richard McKeon — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:31:05 GMT

OK, I finally have some great video clips posted here:

http://rickmckeon.com/fun.htm

These clips are just short samples so they can fall under the copyright "fair use" clause for documentaries.

Don't consider this project as finished. If you have other examples you would really like to see as part of this collection, just let me know.

Rick

Revisiting Danny Boy

Warren Mayo — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:21:17 GMT

To tell the truth, I wasn't much interested in this piece at first. I listened to Happy's arrangement and dismissed it as something that I would never play. But, Last week I took a second look and decided to try it on for size. I am Irish, but I would never try singing this one. It's definitely not in my range. The arrangement captured my attention and I have been practicing it daily now. I guess that what this says to me is that I need to continue to open my mind to different musical styles and get even more enjoyment out of playing.

Thank you Happy for this beautiful piece. I hope more arrangements like this are in the works.

Thanks again,

Irish Button Accordion

Mark Behar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:08:27 GMT

I have and am learning to play a Cajun Accordion. Although different than the Irish Button Accordion used by John on his DVD, does anyone know if I will be able to learn to play what he teaches on his DVD. My accordion is in the key of C.

e-mail updates

Steve Denvir — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:43:07 GMT

Much as I appreciate getting updates and sale info on the Homespun mailing list, it's starting to feel a little bit like spam. I think 2-3 emails a week is a little much.

Anyone else have the same issue?

Steve

fingerpicking

gardner321 — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:05:02 GMT

A new found friend, who belongs to this forum whom I will refer to as fbeeson8@yahoo.com, told me that he got help with learning guitar fingerpicking.. I took that to mean from the forum members, but all I see is adds for instructional dvds. Was he mistaken? Thomas

Dulcimer

Puffergas — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:52:43 GMT

Hi,

Someone within 30 miles from me makes Dulcimers.
www.darcyhorsedulcimers.com

I was thinking about having him make one for me. The problem is that I don't know beans about this instrument.... So I'll need some DVD lessons (etc.). He makes a chromatic scale Dulcimer.

My question is from the below link which lessons will work with a chromatic scale Dulcimer?

www.homespuntapes.com/shop/category.aspx?id=57

Just learning how to spell "Dulcimer",

Jeff

P.S. Sorry about the way I typed in the links but the auto link button didn't seem to work for me.

Intimate Lesson with Tony Rice chapters are off

Aaron — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:22:46 GMT

Is there a fix for this? I tried the update feature but that didn't fix it. Not really a big deal, there is a duplicate chapter, called "Gold Rush Performance" that puts everything out of sync. It is in title only as the second incident is really "Gold Rush First Section."
As I said, no real big deal, I just thought I would bring it to Homespun's attention.

Two versions of "Baby Please Don't Go" on YouTube

Michael Putnam — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 08:29:44 GMT

Here’s another song I recorded to share with everyone. It was one of the first songs I learned on Happy’s Easy Steps to Blues Guitar and I’ve played it for years. Because it’s only one chord I thought it was going to be easy. But once I tried to lay it down on tape, I found that because of the lack of structure (no chord changes) it was much more difficult than I imagined.

There are two versions up on YouTube. The first I posted about a month ago, but wasn’t satisfied. The second I just posted last night. Tell me what you think? Which do you like better?

I highly, highly recommend trying to put songs on tape for sharing. Whether or not you actually share them is not the point. The practice you get by trying to make it just right is extraordinary. When I played classical guitar, students would have little recitals and it reminds me of that. You really get to know where your song is weak when you think about performing it or sharing it with other players.

This song has evolved so much during this process it’s hard to describe. As you’ll hear, the vocals shifted from a basic on the beat delivery (1st version) to one that slips on, off, and around the beat. That middle section where I repeat “‘cause I love you so” (which is in both versions) came from singing the damn thing while I was walking down the street one day. The song got in my blood.

The improv changed as well. One of the many things I realized by watching recordings was that I was sticking to about two or three positions and usually in the treble. So you can see in the second version, that I’m trying to integrate much more of the bass end of the instrument into my solos. From watching this version, I think it’s pretty clear I’m pushing my comfort zone (the solos in the second seem a little strained compared to the first), but that’s where the fun lies.

Anyway, hope you enjoy them, and tell me what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/user/laughalotandlive#p/u

cheers,

Brooklyn Mike

New DVDs coming?

Peter Hyatt — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:50:54 GMT

Happy, do you have any upcoming releases planned?

I hope you would consider, perhaps even unedited, some of your work at seminars, like this year in Maine, available for download or DVD (I prefer DVD).

I also wonder if you would consider allowing us to purchase online some mp3s of your recent live performances (the past few years in particular) that are not out on official releases?

Lastly, I always enjoy when you perform a song completely on the DVDs...I think that many of us enjoy the full performance.

thanks,

Peter

arranging dvds

markm — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:49:32 GMT

hey all,

anyone working on traum's "arranging" dvds? i've been trying to keep myself focused on them. it always takes me awhile to get my head into working with a new dvd.

i think they are really helping my right hand technique with the fingertip brushwork and picking out melodies on the bass notes. it's great going back and forth between brushwork and alternating/monotonic fingerpicking. in this respect, it gets my right hand out of its rut technique.

i often begin the songs with a warmup of ernie hawkins CAGED positions and arpeggios. for minor songs like the cuckoo and wafaring stranger, it's a great way for me to practice the minor caged scales and positions. then i pick out the melody in the positions. then i am onto the the arrangement.

the fingerpicking versions of the songs can have tricky little syncopations often alternating monotonic and alternating bass. this is probably the hardest part of the arrangements, subtle little syncopations. throw in brush work and bass melody playing and you have alot going on! the dvds help me to just practice playing straight song arrangements, with chord substitutions and progressions, with little licks throw in here and there. so it adds discipline to my playing.

there are alot going on in these videos. anyone else working with them?

mark

Early Blues Masters Quiz

Richard McKeon — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:43:20 GMT

Just started a fun project I'm calling "Early Blues Masters Quiz." I'm collecting up a bunch (maybe 100) pictures of early blues players to see how many I can identify. It's in the early stages but here is a link:

http://rickmckeon.com/fun.htm

Any suggestions or sources for pictures will be appreciated.

Rick

5 String Banjo Newbie question

mmorris@vonmorris.com — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:53:01 GMT

OK everybody,

I've recently decided to do something I've always wanted to do: learn to pick a banjo. When I was a toddler my late father would sing me to sleep with songs from Seeger or the Trio or Peter, Paul and Mary. Now I am the father of a wonderful 2 and half year old son and want to continue the tradition.

I am a fan of both Pete Seeger and Dave Guard... those are my real inspirations. I have both Seeger's classic instructional book (and my Dad's LP version of the lessons to boot), and a book purporting to teach Dave Guard-style banjo.

here's my conundrum: Do I start with Frailing or Clawhammer, or something else? I know Pete used both (and often his own combination of both styles) and Dave played a style all his own. I'm not looking to go pro, just to knock around at home or with friends. Caveat: I last played an instrument in high school, and that was a saxophone. So I am newer than novice at stringed instruments.

I'm also looking to replace my Dad's old banjo, as it no longer holds a tune (the keys no longer keep any tension), so any advice on a serviceable, entry level, resonator-free/open back model for the hobby player would be most welcome as well.

Thanks in advance.

Are the tabs for "still warm" available?

fcwolf — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 22:29:49 GMT

Is there a book or sheet music available? I would like to look at it as I practice?

Ragtime and Blues Played On A 1935 Gibson L-00

Toby Walker — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:53:56 GMT

Here's my new (old) guitar folks, a 1935 Gibson L-00 just purchased from Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. The first song I'm playing is one I learned directly from Eugene Powell - a.k.a 'Sonny Boy Nelson' during one of my visits to his home in Greenville MS. The 2nd tune is an improvised thing in E.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbppOkPHn2s

Instant Access feedback

Pete Hay — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:30:47 GMT

I downloaded the Kevin Burke 2 disc(?) fiddle package last Saturday night. As a past customer of Homespun I debated ordering the DVDs the old-fashioned way but since I wanted instant gratification I decided to give the instant access feature a try.

Right away I was a little surprised at the proprietary format you are using to both deliver and play the content. I really expected to be able to download the 2 disc images to burn to DVD and the 2 pdf files to print locally.

The file download was very slow and timed out often. This is not my normal experience when downloading large files via the internet. Also disc 1 seemed to think it was complete and the app proceeded to move on to disc two. This download was slower yet. So I just let it run and went to bed.
Yesterday while exploring the content on disc one, it seems the original download did not get all of the files so...
Off we go again with the slow download experience - timeouts and all.

Then, as I see has been mentioned on this forum before, i find you are storing the downloaded files to a directory that is normally hidden from the user! (WinXP) What's with all the hidey, hidey - sneaky, sneaky stuff. Let the user choose where the files are stored.

Next, the files are not playable by anything but your (bloated) application which really seems to have problems with playback if I skip around very much. (again Winxp 2Ghz processor with 2Gb ram)

While I am willing to try and work with this format for this purchase I did not expect this kind of experience from Homespun. Does this all come from a software piracy fear. When people bought your original cassette tapes I'm sure they were copied by some users. You still prospered.

I know I'm ranting now, but this really misses the hippy vibe I respect (and expect) from Happy and Homespun.

New YouTube upload

Warren Mayo — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:17:06 GMT

Happy, Peter and Brooklyn Mike,

and to everyone here on the forum

I have been planning a show for the VA hospitals in my state and have been looking for a PA system for the job with out breaking my bank. I found something I like and I love the way it sounds. I think the on video I look a bit stiff, but I just wasn't used to all the gadgets. I had fun playing around with this music and the PA. And Happy this isn't quite your version of the tune, but the technique of breaking up the chords is all yours. Any way I hope you like this. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucw5ZUURygw

Let me know what you think.

Funny tips for playing the blues

Michael Putnam — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:04:45 GMT

Hey everyone, this is pretty funny. I thought some of you might get a kick out of it. A friend forwarded it to me for obvious reasons.

cheers,

Brooklyn Mike

The Blues

1. Most Blues begin with: "Woke up this morning..."
2. "I got a good woman" is a bad way to begin the Blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line like, "I got a good woman, with the meanest face in town."
3. The Blues is simple. After you get the first line right, repeat it. Then find something that rhymes - sort of: "Got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Yes, I got a good woman with the meanest face in town. Got teeth like Margaret Thatcher and she weigh 500 pound."
4. The Blues is not about choice. You stuck in a ditch, you stuck in a ditch ... ain't no way out.
5. Blues cars: Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs and broken-down trucks. Blues don't travel in Volvos, BMWs, or Sport Utility Vehicles. Most Blues transportation is a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Jet aircraft and state-sponsored motor pools ain't even in the running. Walkin' plays a major part in the Blues lifestyle. So does fixin' to die.
6. Teenagers can't sing the Blues. They ain't fixin' to die yet. Adults sing the Blues. In Blues, "adulthood" means being old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis .
7. Blues can take place in New York City but not in Hawaii or San Diego. Hard times in Minneapolis or Seattle is probably just clinical depression – so move. Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, and Nawlins are still the best places to have the Blues. You cannot have the Blues in any place that don't get rain.
8. A man with male pattern baldness ain't the Blues. A woman with male pattern baldness is. Breaking your leg 'cause you were skiing is not the Blues. Breaking your leg 'cause a alligator be chomping on it is.
9. You can't have no Blues in an office building or a shopping mall. The lighting is wrong. Go outside to the parking lot and sit by the dumpster.
10. Good places for the Blues : (a) highway; (b) jailhouse; (c) empty bed; (d) bottom of a whiskey glass.
11. Bad places for the Blues: (a) Nordstrom's (b) Gallery openings (c) Universities; (d) Golf courses.
12. No one will believe it's the Blues if you wear a suit, 'less you happen to be a really old person, and you slept in it.
13. Do you have the right to sing the Blues? Yes, if: (a) You're older than dirt; (b) You're blind; (c) You shot a man in Memphis ; (d) You can't be satisfied. No, if: (a) You have all your teeth; (b) You once were blind but now can see; (c) The man in Memphis lived; (d) You have a 401K retirement or trust fund.
14. Blues is not a matter of color. It's a matter of bad luck. Tiger Woods cannot sing the Blues. Sonny Liston could have.
15. If you ask for water and your darlin' gives you gasoline, it's the Blues. Other acceptable Blues beverages are: (a) Cheap wine; (b) Whiskey or bourbon; (c) Muddy water; (d) Black coffee. The following are NOT Blues beverages: (a) Perrier; (b) Chardonnay; (c) Snapple (d) Slim Fast.
16. If death occurs in a cheap motel or a shotgun shack, it's a Blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is another Blues way to die. So are the electric chair, substance abuse and dying lonely on a broken-down cot. You can't have a Blues death if you die during a tennis match or while getting liposuction.
17. Some Blues names for women: (a) Sadie (b) Big Mama; (c) Bessie; (d) Fat River Dumpling.
18. Some Blues names for men: (a) Joe (b) Willie (c) Little Willie; (d) Big Willie.
19. Persons with names like Michelle, Amber, Caitlin, Debbie, and Heather can't sing the Blues no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis .
20. Blues Name Starter Kit: (a) Name of physical infirmity (Blind, Cripple, Lame, etc.); (b) First name (see above) plus name of fruit (Lemon, Lime, Peach, etc.); (c) Last name of President (Jefferson, Johnson, Fillmore, etc.) For example: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Pegleg Lime Johnson or Cripple Peach Fillmore, etc.
21. I don't care how tragic your life is: if you own a computer, you cannot sing the blues, period. Sorry.

Arrangements for solo acoustic guitar, Peter Huttlinger

Bruce Scheer — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:20:47 GMT

I am studying Brown Bomber....first it is so much fun to learn this stuff...but I think ( don't hate me)...that the tab would be so much more instructional if it included right hand indication for when to use your thumb. It is so fast....and if you are self taught...you get used to playing bass notes with the thumb..(6...4...etc.) but Peter often uses his index finger for bass notes. It is pretty critical to learn this to get up to speed.

I am slowly marking the notes for his thumb. Anyways, I'll survive and by the time I am done I will have the timing solidified in my brain but it would really help for tab to include these marks...

Thank you. I love these lessons. They are making me a better player!

Finger Care

Ron — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:14:15 GMT

HI,

I'm hoping somebody can offer some help for grooved finger tips on my fretting hand. They get so bad they force me to use maximum pressure and muffle tone. Pull offs become really difficult. I've lightly sanded my fingertips but the grooves run deep. There must be other mainiacs out there, with similiar problems, practicing a few hours and more every day in an attempt to justify buying all the DVD's that we do and dreaming of sounding something like Happy or Larry or Brownie or John or Jim or Keb etc. Anybody found away to avoid or minimize the problem?

Thanks,

Ron

New Larry Campbell DVD

Happy Traum — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:49:01 GMT

I can't tell you how enthusiastic I am about the new lesson by my old friend and picking buddy, Larry Campbell. It's definitely a challenge for inexperienced players, but there's enough great stuff on this DVD - powerful songs, exercises, advice and tips - to be entertaining and instructive for guitarists at all levels. Just the amazing performances by Larry and his wife/partner Teresa Williams are, in my slightly biased opinion, worth the price of the DVD, but there's SO much more! And the Rev. Gary Davis songs are classics and fun to play and sing.

If you don't know who Larry Campbell is, you haven't been paying attention for the past 20 years or so. He plays anything with strings (acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, pedal steel) at a professional level. He toured and recorded with Bob Dylan for eight years, and has also played with Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Phil Lesh, K.D. Lang... the list goes on for miles. He's currently musical director for the Levon Helm Band and received two back-to-back Grammys for producing Levon's last two CDs.

Aside from all that, he's a wonderful, warm person who really wants to teach you how to play some of his favorite fingerpicking songs, taken from the style and repertoire of Rev. Gary Davis. Check this one out. I really think you'll like it!

Lawrence Juber DADGAD instructional dvd

fcwolf — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:18:56 GMT

Does a booklet come with a download to this dvd?

Happy's Collins guitar

John R. (Rick) Martindale, Jr., — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:20:04 GMT

Dear Happy,

I noticed that you started playing a Collins guitar having switched from a beautiful Taylor. As I listened to your mini lesson on the Masters of War, I was struck by the clarity, tremendous sustain and beautiful tone of the Collins guitar that you were playing. I was also aware of the great sound of your Collins on your Music Theory DVDs. Your guitar sure did sound magnificent! Here is my question: Was it the Collins guitar that sounded so good, or was it great studio adjustments?

I own 2 Taylors, a 410 and a GS8-- and a Mossman Great Plains. I love my Taylors and my Mossman, but everything changed when I played some new Collins guitars. I had the delight of playing a half a dozen Collins guitars in Wimberly, Texas at a small music store the other day. My heart burned in a good way as I played those Collins guitars.

Are you allowed to make any comments on the guitars you play? Do you agree with my assessment of the sound of your Collins guitar? What model and year is your Collins? Rick

James Taylor Instructional DVD

Albert Leger — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:05:52 GMT

Happy,

I love James Taylor's music and style. I also like Peter Huttlinger's instructional DVD's of John Denver and Jim Croce. Could you get Peter to do an instructional DVD on James Taylor's music. Especially his hit songs like Sweet Baby James, You've Got a Friend, Mexico, etc.

Thanks,

Al :)

A Question For All You Pickers Out There

Toby Walker — Tue, 18 May 2010 11:51:46 GMT

How many of you folks have found yourselves in the same situation as this:

You've learned a bunch of really cool tunes but are stuck as to what do do next with them. You'd like to add more things to them, perhaps even improvise but haven't a clue as to how to go about that.

Would anyone like to see a future homespun video that explains how to do this in a very approachable and doable way?

The reason I ask is that a number of people have come to me with this and I'm always happy to show them how to take their playing up to that next level.

Thanks in advance folks and keep on having fun.

Toby Walker

Mississippi John Hurt's Guitar For Sale!! See Video

tobywalker — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:27:16 GMT

Hi Folks,

I just received an email from Harry Tuft of the Denver Folklore Center that Mississippi John Hurt's guitar, the one you'll see in this video, is for sale. Harry informs me that, in his own words: " the Miss. John Hurt guitar IS, in fact, available for purchase, as it is in the estate of a friend, proceeds to go to his daughter. So, if anyone is interested, encourage them to write me at info@denverfolklore.com, or call the shop at 303-777-4786."

Here is a video of me playing that guitar:

http://www.littletobywalker.com/pages/videoclips3.html

Eddie lang- jazz guitar original

David Stott — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:31:21 GMT

Eddie Lang seems to be accepted as one of the originator of jazz guitar.

you have got to love those pictures of him in the 1920's wearing a tux and playing an archtop acoustic guitar.

Leon Redbone reportedly patterns his playing after Eddie.

there seems to be a black hole in tab, or anything for a guide to Eddie Lang's playing

Have you ever given any thought to tackling Eddie Lang's stiuff on a lesson?

A Guitar question

Joe Moore — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:50:34 GMT

Hello all ,

I haven't been here in a while . Since I last was here , I had to trade in my beautiful Martin because ....... I was unable to use it . I had weight loss surgery last June and it worked ( 82 pounds ) but I now have a condition in my left arm and hand called Partrinage Turner Syndrome. Long medical story but this causes weakness and Martins are hard to play . I now a have a beautiful Red Strat but my acoustic soul yearns ! Before I reluctantly go into the world of chromatic dulcimers , I want to ask a question . Does anybody know of a short scale acoustic with a thinnish neck ? I am not a millionaire so I don't think I am a high end candidate . I looked at the Big Baby Taylor. Any thoughts ? thank you

PIANO INSTRUCTION?

charliehornsby — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:06:29 GMT

hi,

i'm looking for some good rock, blues, piano DVD's but i always find them disappointing. they usually cover stuff that i already know.

is there a good way to find out what DVDs would be best for my skill level? i'm a semi-pro player. trying to improv my chops.

are there any DVDs or instructors in particular that you recommend for advanced rock, country blues?

thank you!

grateful dead lesson?

David Stott — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:38:08 GMT

I saw mention in an article by Jeffrey Pepper Rogers regarding a Grateful Dead guitar lesson to be released from HomeSpun in summer of 2010

any truth to this??

if yes, has a release date been set yet?

details of lesson content?

Dave Stott

any new fiddle materials planned for the rest of 2010?

donald lockyer — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:50:53 GMT

I am saving up to repurchase kenny kosek 6 cd set, to buy his become a better fiddler, and to get stacey philips bootcamp bluegrass dvd.

I am torn though as I want to purchase the irish fiddle package as well.

so my question is there anything on the horizon say before christmas for fiddle perhaps by jim wood or anything like that.

Iphone 4 video in high def

Peter Hyatt — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:40:51 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNeD9yF24ZI

the iphone video is strong...I don't know why it is in the small screen size here, as I am just playing with it...30 seconds of "Hey, Hey" with Struttin' Rag's ending! :P

Andy Irvine

Drunkenviking — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:27:21 GMT

Hi!

Is it any news regarding a possible Andy Irvine instructional DVD? Preferly a 10-DVD box.. Unrealistic dream I know.. But I WANT! ;)

Cheers

christmas fiddle dvd lesson request

donald lockyer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:09:25 GMT

I would like to play christmas songs for my family when i go home but the only book I have on christmas tunes is 20 piano tunes mostly in the key of f.

so i am making a request for chrismtas fiddle tunes for next year.

1. little drummer boy

2. jinglebells (fancy version hopefully)

3. good king wenchlas

4. the christmas song

5.the first noel

6.do you hear what i hear ?

7.frosty the snowman ?

8.hark the herald angels sing

9. happy holidays

10. saw three ships come sailing in

11. we three kings of the orient are

12. i'll be home for christmas

13. jingle bell rock

14. let it snow snow, snow

15. oh come all you faithful

16.silent night

17. up on the house top

18.winter wonderland

19.parade of the wooden soliders

20. what child is this

21 ding dong,,

22 carol of the bells.

I am looking for like the 20 easy fiddle tunes version but kind of intermediate version so i can learn to put some vibrato, some tasteful grace notes, and how to do these tunes fiddle(bluegrass) style so we always got some rhytm,, like the chords put in on steve kuafman flatpicking videos.

heck I wouldn't mind a advanced version if there is someone who could these christmas tunes and turn them hot so we sound impressive as we play.

Anyone going to Falcon Ridge folk festival?

Michael Putnam — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:30:37 GMT

Hey everyone,

I signed up a month or so ago for this festival. It's my first time, but it promises to be a great ride! Any other Homespuners going to be there? I'll be camping with my family. Hope to see you there!

http://www.falconridgefolk.com/

cheers,

Brooklyn Mike

Study with Happy in Person in Maine this August

Happy Traum — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:31:22 GMT

There are still a few spaces left for my classes at Guitar Intensives in Bar Harbor, Maine Aug. 8 - 13. It's in a gorgeous setting right on the coast. I'll be teaching along with Mike Dowling, Ernie Hawkins, Del Rey, John Miller and other top players. Learning guitarists at all levels are welcome - and it makes a fantastic vacation, too!

I'll be teaching three classes: Arranging for Fingerstyle Guitar, Music Theory for the Guitarist and the Blues of Brownie McGhee.

There will also be classes in improvisation (Mike Dowling), the C-A-G-E-D Method (Ernie Hawkins), Chord Voicings (John Miller), Memphis Minnie (Del Rey) and lots more.

This camp is very inclusive and welcoming. You'll learn a lot and have a great time, too. Check it out at http://www.guitarintensives.com

Bluegrass vocal accompaniment tracks

TomW — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:38:47 GMT

Anyone know where I can get Bluegrass vocal accompaniment tracks with the music?

new theory book & CD

Michael Putnam — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:30:53 GMT

Hey Happy,

Can you give a little more detail please on how or to what extent the new theory book & CD expands on the DVD lessons? I have really gotten a lot out of the DVDs, and would like to know, for example, if the new book gives more detail to the same topics or develops entirely new topics, or a little bit of both....

thanks,

Brooklyn Mike

home recording

Richard McKeon — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:10:48 GMT

I do some video recording with my Panasonic H8 and the results are OK, but I could probably do better with a camera with external mic inputs. So, any of you who record yourselves what kind of sutup do you use? I can't afford to get into a really expensive professional setup, but might be able to do better than I am.

Happy, your DVDs are always high quality. You probably use several cameras, a cameraman on each, external mics, etc. and then have someone mix the whole thing down?

Rick