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

Homespun YouTube Channel

Happy Traum — Sun, 11 May 2008 21:35:28 GMT

My son, Adam, has been putting short lesson segments on YouTube and I thought you might like to have a look. We'll be adding many more of these in the coming weeks and months. The idea is to give interested players a sample of some of our lessons - something you can learn from as well as enjoy. We're hoping, of course, that this will also help promote Homespun to folks who don't yet know about us.

Let me know how you enjoy these. You can have a look here:

[url=http://www.youtube.com/user/homespuntapes]http://www.youtube.com/user/homespuntapes[/url]

Memphis Minnie

Alan Wood — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:36:37 GMT

I have long felt that a DVD teaching the guitar playing of Memphis Minnie should be part of the Homespun catalogue.

I even know who could teach it as I have heard her play Minnie numbers - Del Rey.

And no, I am not a friend or relation of Ms Rey!

Resonator guitar

Everett Bennett — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:57:45 GMT

I'm thinking about buying a round neck resonator guitar and I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice about one. I'm primarily interested in using it for blues. From the little I've heard, blues players seem to prefer the biscuit type resonator over the spider type. Thanks,

Bert

dan fogelberg

Jeff Dilks — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:19:41 GMT

with the untimely passing of Dan Fogelberg, have you given any thought to a dvd dedicated to his guitar music? Pete Huttlinger would be great. Songs like Old Tennesse, Leader of the Band, Changing Horses, Crow, would be some of my selections.

John Denver & Jim Croce song's for Pete Huttlinger

David Gunzenhauser — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:26:55 GMT

Hello All,Just got some great news when I checked my email today.Pete Huttlinger sent out a new's letter saying he is wanting to do another John Denver or Jim Croce dvd for us and he is asking what song's people would like to learn.I jumped right on that and sent him my list for both JD and JC.For those who don't get his new's letter now seem's like a good time to voice your opinion on what you want to learn.This sure is some great,great new's for us JD & JC fan's.Personaly,I hope Pete will go for doing another JD first and I was able to come up with 15 more songs I would'nt mind learning and I imagine other's will too.But,I would not mind one bit getting my hand's on another JC dvd either.I've alway's liked the song Lover's Cross so maybe if Pete cover's JC again it will make it on the song list.I sure hope everyone else here will take this chance and blast Pete with their song list's.Here's a quick link for those who are interested.All for now. pete@petehuttlinger.com

Any update on Brownie Mcghee DVD??

David Stott — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:17:22 GMT

Hi Happy

just wondering if you can give us an update on the status of the Brownie Mcghee DVD...

Dave

Peter, Paul & Mary DVD?

David Stott — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:23:50 GMT

Happy--

have you ever given thought to doing a Peter Paul and Mary DVD guitar lesson?

Perhaps you could include a discussion / demonstration between Peter Yarrow and Paul Stuckey about how they combine / meld their guitars in a few tunes?

This could even be a follow-on to the guitar jamming lessons that you and Artie have done..

Dave

Video Section

Paris Bransford — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:14:43 GMT

Happy,

Have you ever thought about setting up a video section in the forum so that "your students" can post videos of the songs that were learned from Homespun tapes? This would give all of the forum member a chance to see their versions and allow comments (only kind comments of course) from the other members.

Making it easier to find the Forum

Happy Traum — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:15:51 GMT

We've made it easier for you to access this Forum by putting a link to it in the Menu Bar, which you'll now see on each and every page of the website. I hope this helps.

I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be as much posting activity on this Forum as there was on the old site. I'd love to hear from any of you about how you're responding to it. Is it friendly enough? Encouraging to add comments, questions and suggestions? We love to hear from you and are eager to build this up again as a part of the Homespun Community.

Let me hear your thoughts.

My Creole Belle

Peter Hyatt — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:08:55 GMT

My favorite song learned from Homespun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmbBE04QBLw&feature=related

fingerpicks

Dennis Millus — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:00:47 GMT

Happy on your dvd Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar you use brass fingerpicks. Would you tell me where I can get picks like those.

Thank You

Dennis

Huttlinger: Learn to Play the Songs of Gordon Lightfoot

Gerard Geiger — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:52:14 GMT

I'm interested in Pete Huttlinger's new DVD on the Songs of Gordon Lightfoot. The website lists the level of difficulty as "level 1." This must be a typo because the preview video suggests this is at least an intermediate DVD. Am I right that this is a typo. I've loved all of your Huttlinger DVD's but I'm past level 1 so I'm just checking before ordering.

Also--has anyone bought this? I assume it's another great Huttlinger DVD.

The Guitar of Rory Block Video

David Stott — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:49:13 GMT

Hi there[p] I was wondering if there are any plans to release The Guitar of Rory Block on DVD Dave[/p]

Matt Glaser Ear Training Question

Benjamin Sendrow — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:10:56 GMT

In the ear training course, is there any sort of answer key to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly? I'm sure that some of the advanced parts of the course get pretty tricky, and it seems like it could be easy to be close to right but not quite without a way to check or confirm answers.

Thanks,

Ben

blues Uke Video demo problem

David Stott — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:22:27 GMT

I can't seem to get the Blues Uke Sample video to run.... it locks up my computer..

Every other demo runs fine...

Is it me or is there a problem?

Dave

Interview with Arlo Guthrie

Scott Preston — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:45:38 GMT

Arlo Guthrie was born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other, in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York in 1947. He is the eldest son of America's most beloved singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company and founder of The Committee to Combat Huntington's Disease.

He grew up surrounded by dancers and musicians: Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman and Lee Hays (The Weavers), Leadbelly, Cisco Houston, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, all of whom were significant influences on Arlo's musical career. Guthrie gave his first public performance at age 13 and quickly became involved in the music that was shaping the world during the 1960s.

Here is my Interview with Arlo Guthrie:

[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/259[/url][/b]

Scott

Jackson Browne ???

David Gunzenhauser — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:17:11 GMT

Jackson Browne has alway's been one of my favorite musician's and I've alway's enjoyed his acoustic material quite a bit.There are a few books out that cover his music but I don't see much in the way of tab.Acoustic Guitar did a great article on him a few months ago that was real enjoying.It would be great to see some of his acoustic material covered here if it is possible.Any Jackson Browne fan's out there that feel the same way????

Happy,maybe Jackson would go for covering a few of his songs on dvd or maybe someone else would be up for the task of teaching a few of his songs and his style.

Some of my favorites are,These Day's,Something Fine,A Song For Adam,Bright & Baby Blues and Cocaine Blues.

Suggestion for new lesson

Steven Satterwhite — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:18:31 GMT

I am sure that there are many Homespun customers who are in my situation: I am a struggling, but adequate, guitarist who has been helped a lot by your lessons. (I am also a studio owner and engineer.)

But I would love a fine-tuned lesson that helps me develop deliberate strategies for PLAYING FILLS. I find myself falling back on the same two or three approaches (boring), and I have to simply sit and watch while my more gifted brothers effortlessly come up with things that blow my mind musically.

For those of us who have become semi-proficient by working hard without being truly musically gifted, we need Homespun to show us some better ways of thinking about fills.

Thanks,
sssssssssteve:cool:

Conversation with The Dawg, David Grisman

Scott Preston — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:26:31 GMT

For more than 40 years, mandolinist/composer David Grisman has been busy creating "dawg" music, a blend of many stylistic influences (including swing, bluegrass, latin, jazz and gypsy) so unique he gave it its own name. In doing so, David has inspired a whole new genre of acoustic string instrumental music with style and virtuosity while creating a unique niche for himself in the world of contemporary music.

My Conversation with The Dawg:
[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/260[/url][/b]

Scott

Bass Offerings

Olafur Gislason — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:47:43 GMT

Happy et al, I wanted to encourage you to expand the offerings for intermediate level bassists. You could perhaps ask Jack Casaday to do an additional level 4 DVD akin to his advanced course at the Fur Peace Ranch or possibly bring on some new instructors in the level 3 to 5 proficiency area. An offering by Darryl Jones, Marcus Miller, Bob Glaub, Geddy Lee or Chris Squire would be a hot ticket. :) My next suggestion (other than asking you to get the forum editor to allow paragraphs, is to be enable some way to search the site for instrument and level proficiency. I was looking for a level 3 tweak DVD for my rusty guitarist to get him into some new habits and patterns, but searching for that is a bit hit or miss. Finally, I wanted to commend your staff for a brilliant suggestion last year. I called and explained I am a bassist who has played pick style for 28 years, and had converted to fingerstyle in 2003. I was looking for a DVD to help with right hand technique. One of your service people that plays guitar suggested Pete Huttlinger's Essential Fingerstyle Exercises for the Acoustic Guitar. I found that to be an excellent set of exercises for the right hand, and it translates very well for the electric bassist. I have recommended it to other bassists on the TalkBass forum often. Keep up the good work. And keep those sales coming!

Interview with Sitar Player Stephan Mikes

Scott Preston — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:38:20 GMT

Although many Westerners have been fascinated by the sitar, Stephan Mikes one of the few who have undergone the years of rigorous one-on-one training in classical Indian music necessary to do justice to this ancient instrument. As a primary student of sitar master Roop Verma, Stephan is part of a teaching lineage that goes back over 600 years and includes Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. He combines his knowledge of Eastern music with the influence of Latin, Middle Eastern, Afro-Cuban, and Carribean rhythms to create compositions which are unique and compelling. In addition to the sitar, Mikes proficient on guitar, zither, mandolin, lap steel guitar and various types of synthesizers.

My Interview with Sitar Player Stephan Mikes:
[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/254[/url][/b]

Scott

Interview with Sam Bush

Scott Preston — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:41:56 GMT

Besides helming the ever-popular Sam Bush Band, the mandolin prodigy from Kentucky has been a prodigious influence on musicians young and old. Bands like Nickel Creek, Yonder Mountain String Band, and String Cheese Incident, to name just a few, are indebted to Bush's example, not only in his wide-ranging choice of material and rock-based acoustic grooves, but by his captivating, high-energy live shows, which have made him an in demand headliner.

Here is my Interview with New Grass Pioneer Sam Bush
[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/252[/url][/b]

Scott

New Homespun Site

Warren Mayo — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:22:06 GMT

Happy, I have to say that the new web site is wonderful. I like the layout and I like that the video clips are on the same page as the DVD discriptions. The whole thing is realy nicely done. As far as the new forum; it will take some getting used to. The new Gordon Lightfoot DVD. That's not just a home run, but a grand slam. Pete did a wonderful job. I know that you are extremely busy, but if you have the time' take a listen to a home recording I just posted. I would be interested in any constructive thoughts that you might have. This is my own arrangement of "Pencel Thin Moustach" by Jimmy Buffett.. here's the link.

capo

John R. (Rick) Martindale, Jr., — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:08:54 GMT

Hello,

I watch Happy and other instructors change the position of their capo without having to re-tune their guitar. I use a Shrubb capo, but I wonder if I have not adjusted it correctly, because I almost always have to re-tune my guitar when I move the capo. This discourages me and reduces my use of the capo. I can't blame it on my guitars as I have good quality guitars. What am I doing wrong? Rick

Help me, Happy!!

Benjamin Sendrow — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:15:09 GMT

My life is probably half over and I still cannot play the bagpipes! I've been a pretty good Homespun student over the years--how about a Level 1 Bagpipes DVD? Any chance?

Thanks,

Ben

Intervals and harmonization

Everett Bennett — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:17:36 GMT

I'm looking for a lesson that teaches guitar intervals and harmonization. I have Happy's dvd on Creating Easy Song Arrangements where he covers the basics on this. I'd like to understand more. Can you recommend anything? Thanks, Bert

Kelly Joe Phelps

hawksc — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:08:40 GMT

In the catalog there is "The Slide Guitar of KJP", "The Finger Picking Guitar of KJP" and "The Guitar of KJP". The latter title is a 2 disc set and I can't figure out if it is a separate set or just the first two titles combined. Can anyone help? Also, when posting messages here, the Carriage Return does not seem to work. i.e. I can't make paragraphs because the "return" key doesn't register. Any ideas there? Craig

The name: Homespun

Tom Bibber — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:18:38 GMT

Hi Happy - I was listening to your "Complete Fingerpicking Guitar Method" last night and heard background voices on the song I was studying. They grew a bit louder and I could distinguish a child's voice. After a minute you explained the voice was your then 2 year old son, Adam. I burst out laughing at the wry sound of your voice explaining this, I detected a mixture of bemused exasperation and obvious pride. After a few minutes I realized just how appropriate the name Homespun is! :)! I have purchased Adam's 2 DVD's on Rock Guitar for my sons and am wondering if he has any other lessons planned?

Need More Bottleneck Blues and Beyond!!!

David Rivers — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:50:03 GMT

Any idea when Mike Dowling's new DVD will be released? I just purchased his signature slide from Diamond Bottlenecks and need more stuff to work on. :w00t: Thanks...Dave

blind blake turnaround?

Elby — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:29:04 GMT

I'm enjoying the Ernie Hawkins "CAGED" series. On the 3rd DVD he shows versions of "West Coast Blues" in several keys. He mentions that the turnaround is a classic Blind Blake turnaround. I'd love to learn this turnaround in the keys he shows, but it goes by too quickly in the video, and isn't in the tab. Could someone tab just the turnarounds for me? Thanks very much, Elby

Missed you in Virginia, Happy!

David Tardio — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:34:09 GMT

Hi Happy - sorry you couldn't make it to Acoustifest in Virginia yesterday - hope you are feeling better! Artie regaled us with funny stories and played in DADGAD (of course) as well as some stuff off of Thief of Time (all excellent). All of the performers were very open to answering questions during and after the sessions - I was very impressed! Hopefully next time around we'll hear the two of you play together! Take care.

Interview with Kelly Richey

Scott Preston — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:05:23 GMT

Guitarist/singer Kelly Richey has been described by one music critic as: “Stevie Ray Vaughan trapped in a woman’s body with Janis Joplin screaming to get out.” That’s an apt appraisal of the Lexington, Kentucky native, who’s now been based in Cincinnati for many years. Over the course of many album releases (and a live DVD), Richey has often been compared to such greats as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan because of her ability to capture and entertain an audience with ripping guitar leads that both sing and astonish.

Here is my Interview with Kelly Richey:

[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/224[/url][/b]

Scott

A Slice of Heaven in Southern Ohio, The Fur Peace Ranch

Scott Preston — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:25:15 GMT

Conceived in 1989 by Jorma & Vanessa Kaukonen, The Fur Peace Ranch is nestled in the rolling foothills of southeast Ohio.

In 1989, Jorma and Vanessa Kaukonen looked at a piece of land in Meigs and conceived what Jorma calls "a ranch that grows guitar players." Not a fantasy camp, but this would be a place where both budding and seasoned musicians could immerse themselves for several days, and emerge with renewed inspiration and tangible progress in their music.

Vanessa Kaukonen was kind enough to talk with me about what the Fur Peace Ranch is all about:

[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/222[/url][/b]

Scott

Interview with Jorma Kaukonen

Scott Preston — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:17:38 GMT

In a career that has already spanned nearly a half century, Jorma Kaukonen has been the leading practitioner and teacher of fingerstyle guitar, one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll.

He was a founding member of two legendary bands, The Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna, a Grammy nominee for his highly acclaimed “Blue Country Heart,” and the most in-demand instructor in the galaxy of stars who teach at the guitar camp that he and his wife operate in picturesque Southeastern Ohio, The Fur Peace Ranch.

here is my Interview with Jorma Kaukonen:
[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/220[/url][/b]

Scott

Show Review - Richie Havens, 3.29.08, Peachs Grill

Scott Preston — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:05:23 GMT

I had a truly enjoyable evening of live music Saturday night as I was able to see Richie Havens perform at Peachs Grill in Yellow Springs, OH

Here is my review of the show:
3.29.2008 Richie Havens, Peach's Grill, Yellow Springs, OH
[url=http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/212]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/212[/url]

Scott

Double-Time Hesitation Blues

Clint Craft — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:14:17 GMT

After 3 years of working on Hesitation Blues, I'm still unable to figure out the double-time section. :angry: Jorma says double-time is just "playing the same thing twice as fast," but that doesn't seem to be the case. For one, he seems to stay on the chords twice as long (four base notes for each Am and E chord instead of the two allotted throughout the rest of the song). I've learned to wrangle my thumb over the neck for the torturesome G7 Jorma uses, and I've moved on to learn other songs in the "Acoustic Guitar of Jorma" series, but I cannot figure this part out. This section really shouldn't have been omitted from the printed tablature, IMO. Also, I've seen the back issue of acoustic guitar where Jorma teaches this song, and it's omitted there as well. If anyone reading this has been able to tab this part out, I would REALLY appreciate a copy. Any other words of wisdom on understanding double-time would be much appreciated as well. Thanks!

Pete Seeger's "The Power of Song" should be seen by all!

Happy Traum — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:05:23 GMT

Pete Seeger was undoubtedly the biggest single influence on my early musical life. It was because of him that I started playing the guitar and banjo as a teenager, and it was through his concerts and recordings that I learned my first repertoire of songs. Most importantly, through his example I gained a deep and abiding appreciation for the fact that music - especially folk music in all its varied forms - can stand for something besides commercial gain. Pete always championed “living room” music over mass-market formats; amateur song-swapping over professional accomplishment; home-made songs over Tin Pan Alley hit-makers. It is this inspiration that made me want to teach others to play music.

Pete was a pioneer in the music instruction field. I first learned banjo picking from his book, “[url=http://www.homespuntapes.com/shop/product.aspx?ID=625]How to Play the 5-String Banjo[/url]” (Homespun is now the publisher of this wonderful publication) and the accompanying LP record that Folkways issued way back in the fifties. In a very real way, without Pete’s foresight there might never have been a Homespun Tapes, so we were completely thrilled when Pete agreed tape his instructional DVD, [url=http://www.homespuntapes.com/shop/product.aspx?ID=621]How to Play the 5-String Banjo[/url], to update his book and record and bring it to you in a visual medium.

This past week my brother, Artie, and I were asked to play some of Pete's songs and be on a panel discussion following the showing of the recent film biography, “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song,” at WAMC, our local Public Radio station. We appeared along with Jim Brown, the filmmaker, historian Ed Renehan, and the new executive director of the Clearwater, Jeff Rumpf. It was the third time I have seen this masterfully made film (it has shown on PBS during their recent fund drive). Each time I was overwhelmed by the strength, integrity and accomplishments of this modest giant of American folk music. Aside from giving us songs such as “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “We Shall Overcome” and so many others, Pete has almost single-handedly started an environmental movement that is responsible for cleaning up the Hudson River, which has inspired similar movements throughout the U.S. and across the world.

Pete’s impact on American culture is undeniable. His commitment to his life’s work has been recognized by a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Award, the Presidential Medal of the Arts, and even induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

At almost 89 years of age, Pete is still going strong. I strongly recommend that everyone sees “The Power of Song” when it plays at a theater, is on TV, or is available on DVD. It is inspiring, deeply moving, and a total musical treat.

Music notation key (tab)

sonicland — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:33:04 GMT

I'm feeling really stupid about this. I just received the Mississippi John Hurt DVD and I'm really looking forward to learning this style. The DVD looks great but the printed tab book does not have an instruction key to explain how it works. I've looked everywhere on this site and can't find any explanation. I thought the music notation key in any issue of AG Mag would work but it looks different, there's no numbering on the notes to tell you what finger to use on the picking hand. Is there a tab explanation anywhere on the Homespun site? What am I missing here?Thanks for any help.

Interview with Stephanie Winters (plays w/ Richie Havens)

Scott Preston — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:37:51 GMT

Classically trained cellist Stephanie Winters is a pioneer in bringing the strength and richness of her instrument to different musical forms and genres. More than 100 artists have sought Stephanie out to record and tour with them, including Corrine Bailey Rae, Paula Cole, The O'Jays, Dar Williams, and Anne Murray.

Since 2004 Winters has been a cornerstone of Richie Havens' live show, playing more than 100 performances a year in North America, Europe and Australia with the Woodstock legend. She played on Havens’ last release, "Grace of the Sun", and is featured on Havens' forthcoming CD "Nobody Left to Crown" which was just released in Europe and is slated for a 2008 release in the United States.

here is my Interview with Stephanie Winters:
[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/196[/url][/b]

Scott

Interview with Richie Havens

Scott Preston — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:40:08 GMT

This was one of my most interesting Interviews I have done so far. I had the pleasure to chat with music legend Richie Havens. Richie was the first performer at the original Woodstock in 1969 and is getting ready to release his most recent cd "Nobody Left to Crown".

Here is the link to the Interview with Richie Havens:

[b][url]http://www.cincygroove.com/?q=node/190[/url][/b]

Scott