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

Excellent Guitar Lesson

Richard McKeon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:25:32 GMT

Any of you who don't have Livingston Taylor's "Excellent Guitar Lesson" should IMO go ahead and get it. You may think he is a little corny, but upon repeated watching, everything he says is wisdom! This lesson is not about playing specifis tabbed out arrangements - it's about approaches to playing guitar. I'm amazed - here is a world-class player willing to share this great playing wisdom with us!

The first point I picked up on was "Let it ring." You control the sound. The ending is important - let it ring and then dampen it. So, the ending of a song is not just an accident - make it a beautiful ending.

There are so many other great playing lessons on this tape (DVD). Learn from a master to improve your playing!

Rick

any way to pause on instant access?

jgraves77 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:25:03 GMT

Love the quality of the lessons, but I have as yet found a way to pause lesson. I am using windows 7, if that's a problem, I hope its fixed quickly. I tried "clicking" on the screen and all that happens is VERY brief pause and then automatically continues from that spot.

Happy's Mountain Music DVD

Michael Putnam — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:48:05 GMT

Hey everyone,

Happy says he's putting out a mountain music DVD in February with these songs:

The Cuckoo
Delia's Gone
The Water is Wide
Wayfaring Stranger
Hard Times Come Again No More
Fair and Tender Ladies

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with most of these songs. "Fair and Tender Ladies" and "The Cuckoo" I know well.

But I only know a kid's music version of "The Water is Wide." I've heard of "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Hard Times," but I've never heard recordings of them. And I've never even heard of "Delia's Gone."

I'd love to hear anyone's recommendations for the seminal or important versions of these four songs.

Also, I have Alan Lomax's songbook "The Folk Songs of North America," but I'm constantly running across songs that I'd love to play, but aren't in that book. Anyone have recommendations for good songbooks for mountain music or folk music in general?

thanks,

Mike

Happy's new music theory DVD

John R. (Rick) Martindale, Jr., — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:32:02 GMT

Dear Happy,

Even though I've been playing the guitar for almost 4 decades, I still benefitted from your new music theory DVD's. I've taken songs that I wrote over 35 years ago and developed new fingerstyle arrangements using the information given. The second DVD helped me the most, as much of the first DVD was already under my belt. That said, I was still helped by the first DVD as it was an excellent refresher and firmed up my foundational understanding. I bought the DVD's thinking it would help me prepare to teach some guitar lessons. I got the extra bonus of being able to make my fingerstyle arrangements refreshingly new. Thank you very much!! Rick

Who wants more Fogelberg?

DRAngleb — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:42:41 GMT

Pete Huttlinger's new Dan Fogelberg DVD is awesome!!!

Keeping the lessons limited to just one album is interesting, but we need more of the hits. (Leader of the Band, Same Old Lang Syne, Hard to Say, Longer, Go Down Easy, etc.)

Anyone else want to see a Volume 2...or MORE?

I do.

Dale

Blues Guitar w/Flatpick & Other similar materials

derf05 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:54:50 GMT

Happy, I really enjoyed "Blues Guitar with a Flatpick," taught by Adam. I see from other posts that you are considering doing Vol 2. I can't wait. In the meantime, I am looking for additional blues instructional DVDs. I only use a flatpick and not a fingerstyle player. With this in mind, is there any other blues oriented materials in the Homespun catalogue that you would recommend to me? Would it be it be unreasonable for a level 3 player to take the some of the blues fingerstyle DVDs and attempt to adapt them to a flatpick?

Am I Doing Something Wrong or Is Web Site Misleading?

Jim Samuel — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:25:14 GMT

I just ordered a DVD set. The description said the DVD was also available through Instant Access and contained the sentence "Get these DVDs NOW for only $59.95 and start learning in minutes."

I understood that to mean that if I order the DVD now at $59.95, which I did, I could use Instant Access to start viewing the DVD right away and "start learning in minutes" before the DVDs arrive.

I cannot figure out how to get the lessons through Instant Access. When I enter my email address that I used to order, Instant Access tells me nothing is available.

Am I doing something wrong or is the description provided on the Web site not accurate?

Jim

Sick-on nails ??

workshop — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:18:47 GMT

Can anyone help me with using 'stick-on' nails?
I have tried various brands and types available here in the UK, (Amazing Nails4guitarists) and the US, (Instantnail), and I find them great to use, but I find they all seem to rot my own nail underneath!
What else is out there that won't be so damaging?
My nails have always been thin and very brittle. also what do folks feel about playing with just no nails and just fingertips? Many thanks.

Homespun Testimonials 2010 Version!

Peter Hyatt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:26:55 GMT

We've done this before, so now that 2010 has settled upon us, let's talk about the progress we have made using Homespun lessons.

For those of you who have posted before, give a brief intro of your start with Homespun, assuming that new members have not read your story. Let us know how you found Homespun, what level you began at, where you are now, and which lessons have been the most valuable.

Warren, do you want to go first?

I've heard Warren's playing and singing and he is terrific. He has heard my playing and he has survived hearing my, er, vocal, er, singing. :)

If you are new here, it would be great to hear your story. Some have started at the tender age of 65 or more, while others here are quite a bit younger.

It would be fun and inspiring to hear of your progress:

1. How you came about to find Homespun

2. Where you were, skill wise, when you started Homespun Lessons

3. What lessons have served you most

4. What Level you are currently

5. Hopes and aspirations for the future!

Include how much you practice, what guitar you play, and how your family reacts.

This will be great! :P

Peter

Instant Access File Locations

Stilli — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:39:48 GMT

I'm really excited about the Instant Access program and I think it will be a great success. My main concern at the moment is about file locations and unless this feature has been added recently I think it is one that should be addressed as soon as possible.

The last thing I want on my system drive (C: on my Windows PC) is any amount of large video content or any other data for that matter, I keep all my other data on a second hard drive and keep my C: drive clear for system and program files.

Because of this I am trying out the program on a second PC and will only consider using it on my Studio PC and download more lessons when the ability to choose file locations is available.

Keep up the good work this is truly a step in the right direction, just downloading my first lesson now.

Regards,

Martin

Instand Accsess Change in real DVD

Armin Lonsinger — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:01:33 GMT

Hi,

I’m from germany and first i must say sorry for my bad english. I have a question. I have bought a double DVD from Mike Dowling. Now I have to note, the Instand Access doesn’t work for me. I need a Real DVD. I want delet my Instand Access acount and will it Change in a real DVD. Ist hat possible.:(

Thank you for answer

Armin

Wanted: Advanced Dobro lesson... Andy Hall

Andy Dunnigan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:23:04 GMT

Hello Happy and forum,

Myself, and certainly many other Dobro enthusiasts would like to see another Dobro DVD made and released. I wholly understand the infeasibility of swooping Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes, who are constantly on tour and recording; There are plenty of other great teachers, though, who I would think would be willing.
We indeed have truly great lessons from Jerry, Rob, Stacy and Cindy, but after inhaling these lessons I think many of us are craving another drag that delves into higher more advanced technique and song selection.
One name that I think would be an archetype for the homespun cast is, Andy Hall. Hall is a great Instructor, who is always giving workshops and an incredible player with impeccable technique. Any lesson would be great - Possibly fiddle tunes for Dobro? anything that explains the technique behind the sonic runs that permeate bluegrass dobro currently.
What do the other Dobro aficionado's think? Andy Hall, Ivan Rosenberg, another Rob Ickes lesson would, of course, be incredible as well... or Jerry.

Sorry to Ramble... Happy thanks so much for the joy and "woodshedding" supplements throughout the years.

-Andy Dunnigan/Missoula/University of Montana

Instant Access Interface ... eh ...

RustyAxe — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:59:24 GMT

I'm not keen on the weak interface of IA. For example, how does one pause and resume? No way to slow down or frame by frame. Are the hard DVDs the same way, or do they act like any other DVD and play through any number of standard media players?

(C'mon, some basic transport control should be part of ANY media application!)

Slide DVDs

First Bassman — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:31:29 GMT

Do any of the various slide DVDs cover slide in Standard tuning?

Or is it all Open tunings?

(Please don't start a discussion about which tuning is "easier.")

And do any of the DVDs cover actual logic, approaches, theory, etc. about Slide or do they just go through some songs (like so many instructional DVDs do).

Thanks.

Pedal Steel vs Dobro

tjommy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:34:47 GMT

If I learn to play the Dobro will that transfer to the Pedal Steel and lap steel guitar? I now play guitar with standard tunings. I've never tryed alternate tunings, slides, lap, peddal, steel, or hawian guitar.

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.

STICK-ON nails

workshop — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:31:50 GMT

Sorry, should read Stick-on nails,

Innovative Arrangements Geoff Muldaur

Peter Hyatt — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:28:25 GMT

Happy,

I've wondered how popular this DVD has been. I've not seen it discussed much but it is a real "sleeper" to me; excellent for continuing fingerstyle instruction but also for the enjoyment of sitting back and watching!

Just a Little While is, by itself, worth the price alone

I enjoy the format if host/performer, I think, because as an instructor, you guide him well; slowing him down (almost like you have one eye on us; your students!)

Although my preference remains your direct teachings (Mountain Music soon!) any future plans for more host/performer releases?

Peter

PS: his guitar is stunning! Almost 80 years old??

Mandolin Tab for Divin Duck Blues

kazt279 — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:08:08 GMT

Can somebodey tell me where I can find the entire Mandolin tab for the Divin Duck Blues I have like the first four bars but would really like to get the entire score in Mandolin Tab.

Thanks

Mike Dowling

bunkhabit — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:23:37 GMT

I'd like to see another Mike Dowling Swing Guitar DVD.

Or maybe put out a DVD with all the extra footage (and TAB) of David Hungate's rhythm playing on that "Improvising Hot Lead Solos" DVD...
...and combine it with a lot more TAB to go along with that "Swing Guitar Practice Sessions" book & CD. There are so many nice phrases in those rhythm tracks to learn - some simple suggestions TAB'd out would be really great... It would also be helpful to see a couple of chord diagrams to suggest a variety of voicings.

Or maybe a "Rhythm's Where It's At" Part 2 DVD teaching how to comp all those rhythm parts found in that "Practice Sessions" CD. THAT would be something to learn.

FLASH! Instant Access DVDs now have looping feature!

Happy Traum — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:08:57 GMT

Any new DVDs you download now have a feature that allows you to choose an in and out point, which then "loops" that section over and over until you disable it. In the near future, you'll be able to update any previously downloaded lessons with the same functionality.

When a DVD is playing, simple press "i" for the in-point and "o" for the out-point. To disable, press "l" (lower case L). That's all there is to it.

I'll let you know when lessons you've already downloaded are ready for updating - any day now!

Question about Instant Access

Michael Putnam — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:27:10 GMT

Hey Happy et al.,

I am a back-up fanatic. Once my hard drive crashed and I lost a lot of important stuff, so I have a couple of questions about downloading lessons.

1. I'm assuming with Instant Access that it is possible to back up the file to a DVD, that is, burn it onto a blank DVD?

2. I'm also tight for space on my hard drive so I may just want to burn it onto a DVD and use it from there. Can I burn it onto a DVD, delete it from my hard drive, and use it from the DVD? Or does it need to install and stay on my hard drive?

I searched on these issues and couldn't find anything.

thanks,

Mike

Fun Tuning To Experiment With

Toby Walker — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:49:36 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I thought I'd share this cool tuning with you all.

I'm tuned to CGDGCD with a capo on the 1st 5 strings at the 5th fret. This turns it into a lofty C suspended tuning: CCGCFG.

This tuning is tons of fun to fool around with. This is 'Nobody's Fault But Mine.' Copy the following URL and enjoy the video.

If you have any questions about the tuning or the chords I use feel free to give me a holler.

Best,
Toby

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

can immediate access dvd's be burned to media?

Dave Elson — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:37:09 GMT

If I download dvd stuff can I burn it to dvd for playing and safekeep?

And do they all include PDF files of the wriiten stuff too?

Thanks.

President's Day sale doesn't apply to Instant Access

dleuen — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:13:49 GMT

I'm really a fan of the Instant Access system you have here at Homespun. Today I received an email about a President's Day sale and saw a DVD I'd be interested in. When I visited the web site, the sale price was listed for the DVD but the Instant Access was still listed at full price. Will Instant Access prices be adjusted for the sale too or is that only for the DVD version?

Don

Where's the TAB

Chuck — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:47:18 GMT

I just downloaded a great video by Frederic Hand, but there's evidently no tablature file attached to the lesson. Is there some available? I've brought many instructional videos through the years, and all had TAB.

Fingerpicking Allman Brothers

Toby Walker — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:42:14 GMT

Hi folks,

Don't know about you, but I've always been a fan of the Allman Brothers. I thought it would be kind of fun doing some of their songs in a different way.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy.

Whipping Post: Actually, I call it 'El Whipping Post' as I've added some spanish influences in the middle. This combines alternating bass with improvisational lead guitar on top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZO6F8jW3o

Little Martha: Done it a G6 tuning which can lend itself to all kinds of possibilities. Again.. I've added some 'Dicky Betts' style lead to this while keeping a bass line going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bycj9WAEHFY

Toby Walker

Internet Blues Radio

Warren Mayo — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:50:32 GMT

For anyone interested, Weenie Juke Radio is back on the internet. I just wish I could get this in my car when I drive. Here's the link:

http://weeniecampbell.com/juke/playing.php

I hope you all enjoy this..

Dan Fogelberg DVD is here!

Happy Traum — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:00:31 GMT

Pete Huttlinger has become one of Homespun's most prolific - and popular - instructors. We have just released his latest DVD, [url=http://www.homespuntapes.com/shop/product.aspx?ID=1544]"Learn to Play the Songs of Dan Fogelberg,"[/url] and it's terrific! Not too advanced, either. It shows intermediate-level players how to get that special guitar sound that fans of Dan's music loved. As always, Pete's lessons stress accuracy and playability, giving you insights into both the guitar in general and Dan's inspiring songs in particular.

We think you'll really like this one!

Jim Weider's Blues

Alistair Taylor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:06:08 GMT

I'm trying to get a feel for the differences/similarities between Jim's "Basic Licks and Classic Solos for Electric Blues Guitar" and his "Electric Country Blues." I've worked with a borrowed copy of Jim's Rockabilly lesson and I really like his playing and teaching. I have a good basic level of skill with acoustic country blues but want to make more use of my newish Fender Telecaster in playing electric blues. I'm not sure what I'm asking, just trying to get a sense of the two lessons. Any reviews/insights anyone can give me would be appreciated. Is electric blues a better electric starter lesson? From the samples, I really like the sound of the electric country blues (and might be an easier transition for me).

alternate and simpler ways to chord

Joe Moore — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:32:03 GMT

It's me again with a thought and request . My guitar teacher is a jazz guy and is amazing . He showed me a partial barre which I can barelly do that replicates the A and I can move it up the neck to get B ,C, D . He even showed me how to get to a form of Am that way . Iguess this is related to the CAGED theory but I would love a video on this showing no talents like me how to overcome some issues in your left fretting hand . Hey , just a thought

Unwatchable Instant Access Video!

socrchik2000 — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:19:24 GMT

I Purchased ''Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner'' With Your ''Instant Access Download''
When I Tried To Watch It The Video Was Choppy & Unwatchable

I Have Vista And It's Updated
I've Updated & Have Quick Time 7
Uninstalled & Re-downloaded The Video Fiddle for the Absolute Beginner
I Have Tried Changing The Compatibility Mode
But The Video Quality Is Still Poor

This Is Very Disappointing
Help Needed

angle button?

michaelb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:22:39 GMT

I downloaded several DVDs...on one it says to use the "angle button" on my report to see the chords the guitar player is using. Problem is, of course, I'm on a computer--a MAC to be specific. No remote, and certainly no angle button.

How do I access this information that presumably is in the download?

michael

Beginning Fingerpicking advice needed - which product?

edcag — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:25:48 GMT

There's -
Happy Traum's Complete Fingerpicking Guitar Method
Easy Steps to Guitar Fingerpicking - 3 DVD set
Fingerpicking Made Easy by Happy Traum

Based on the titles, it's hard to know which to buy.
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

If this'll help - I am a long time player with some knowledge of chords, scales, and theory, but I am not a natural. Also, I have never studied/practiced alt. thumb technique.

Thanks, in advance.
ed

John Sebastian Ragtime guitar?

poopeyesmith — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:09:41 GMT

I have the John Sebastian Instructional CD for guitar from Homespun and have enjoyed it greatly. However, I noticed John is playing a very catchy ragtime or country blues finger picked tune on acoustic guitar in the introduction to the program which is not identified. Does anyone know the name of this song and how I could get the TAB for it or instructions how it is played? Thanks!

Instant Access and Clawhammer Banjo

Barbara Schlatter — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:10:10 GMT

Thanks so much for the Instant Access option! It works great! :D I have worked through Bob Carlin's EXCELLENT claw hammer lessons 1 & 2. Now I want to learn bluegrass but don't know what to get. :w00t: I have the basics of claw hammer down so what do you suggest to learn bluegrass banjo. I am also at the advanced intermediate finger style guitar level.

Crashing computers

dooty — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:39:29 GMT

I am very close to having to killing my computer and formatting the hard drive and reloading everything. Am I correct to think that I can just download again my lesson that I bought at Christmas to the same email address?

Thanks in advance,

dooty

Robert Johnson download

gabriel — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:37:49 GMT

I downloaded the 2-DVD set of Rory Block Teaches the Guitar of Robert Johnson.
I had no problem with the first DVD but the second one does not play. The chapter (song) list is there but there is no video when the play button is activated.

Is the Instant Access catalog updated?

Erik Gran — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:20:18 GMT

I can't access the titles that were announced to be added to the Instant Access catalog in an email dated January 15th. Is it some kind of problem with my program/computer, or is the catalog still not updated?

Anything works like normal, my videos play and I get no error messages when I launch the program.

I run a version that was downloaded via the Mandolin Cafe, if that makes any difference.

Erik

Fur Peace Ranch Discount

Happy Traum — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:21:00 GMT

Hi All,

Jorma is offering a $100 discount for anyone who applies to one of the 2010 guitar workshops via Homespun. If you're interested, contact me and I'll send you a coupon: happy1@homespuntapes.com. Take a look at the [url=http://www.furpeaceranch.com/workshops.html]Fur Peace Ranch [/url]website for the full listing of guitar workshops.

I'll be doing a special week of Brownie McGhee style (among other things), May 14 - 17. Rory Block and Woody Mann will be there, too. It should be a fine time for all!