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RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Peter Hyatt — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:16:21 GMT

I love this set.

I love, very much, the personal anecdotes.

I hope that any future tapes include them. The more I watch this set, the more I enjoy it.

It feels like a master craftsman at the top of his game. It makes me long for more.

selfishly yours,

Peter

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Marc Brode — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:54:25 GMT

I received the Brownie McGhee DVD in the mail yesterday, and my fingers are sore already. That's because since receiving it I have been playing guitar for eight hours straight! (And i'm not kidding).

This DVD is excellent! (and I'm still only in the first disk). I recommend this lesson to all acoustic blues fans.

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

JOHN STEWART — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:10:33 GMT

This lesson is great. Anybody considering getting it should order it. I was working on it today and there is so much you can learn from it.

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

David Stott — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:21:52 GMT

Happy,

My dream has come true, the Brownie Mcghee lesson is absolutely awesome... I am currently engrossed in learning Me & My Dog, & Sporting Life.

Do you have any plans to do a Volume 2 possibly teaching the tunes that Brownie did in the key of C or D?

Dave Stott, one very happy camper...

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Happy Traum — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:44:24 GMT

Peter,

That's a great story and a wonderful posting. Thanks so much for sharing all those wonderful thoughts about our lessons. I'll bet it won't be long before Christina is playing duets with you.

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Peter Hyatt — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:37:58 GMT

Everett,

I am with you on this one.

The personal anecdotes really add to the teaching. You cannot replace that human touch which only helps increase the love of his music. In a way, Pete Huttlinger does that with John Denver; though it is not from the perspective of a young man in awe of his hero as is the case of Happy. I would have enjoyed even more stories of being on the road with Denver. Pete's a great teacher.

Those early impressions of looking up to someone, as a boy, and later even as a young man, if they last a lifetime, meant that the young man (or boy) was admiring true talent. It is not a screaming teen watching slick produced fluff (which is so much the case today) who, a few years later, is embarassed. The talent of Brownie continues today through what he left behind. I felt this way watching on TV the closing of Shea Stadium in NY, where I grew up in awe of Tom Seaver. Now, it is the closing ceremony and Seaver is addressing the crowd and I am flooded with boyhood memories that will be with me for the rest of my life.

I love the variations of "Sportin' Life Blues" that I have heard and find myself getting a feel for my own version (dare I say that?), which my wife loves.

It is also nice to hear my kids singing these songs. They love Mississippi John Hurt and although I know the songs now, I still go back to that DVD, adding polish mostly, but also because I enjoy the performances of Happy and John Sebastian on it; and it is interesting to me how my 6 year old son, and his 8 year old sister will stop in the living room and sit down; sometimes watching, sometimes just playing there listening. Later, when I play those songs, they sing right along.

I don't know if I shared this before but it is a funny story for me.

I was playing Artie's DVD on lead guitar and Artie is just so enthusiastic about bending a note...and he is in the key of A, going on and on just how great this note sounds (and he is right) and I am practicing it, over and over.

Later, I turn off the DVD but continue to practice this particular lick in A where the note is bent when Christina (7 at the time) walks in and has a very serious look on her face. She is staring at me with a very disapproving look on her face.

So, to make her smile, I play the bending note and realize that this is what is bothering her.

She said, "Dad, did Happy say it was okay for you to do that to your nice guitar?"

My wife and I almost passed out from laughing. :hehe:

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Everett Bennett — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:27:49 GMT

No doubt, this is Happy's masterpiece. By far the best lesson Homepspun has developed and the most exciting. And I love the bonus tracks as well as Happy's anecdotes about Brownie. Happy, I can't wait to see what you do to top this one!!

Bert

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Robert Boris — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:18:39 GMT

This is a great DVD. If you liked Happy's DVD, Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar, you will love this DVD of Brownie McGhee. I'm half way thru the first DVD. I also bought Brownie McGhees CD, Folkways Years: 1945-1959. Brownies style seems to work with a flat pick also. I'm trying to get a little creative with this style.

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Everett Bennett — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:43:51 GMT

Got it ordered. can't wait!!

Bert

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

Peter Hyatt — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:19:09 GMT

Warren,

remember telling me that you used to watch the Happy/Sebastian DVD on MJH just for the enjoyment?

This is the same...the anecdotes, the personal touch....this is just terrific!

I did sneak ahead to "Sportin' Life Blues" as I bet others have.

this is a real bargain....lots and lots of "private" lessons....

I hate to ask, but...

anything else coming down the pike from Happy?:P

Pete

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

JOHN STEWART — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:13:39 GMT

I mailed a Josh White/ Brownie Mcghee combo order today. Can't wait to get it.

RE: Brownie McGhee Lesson

David Stott — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 07:42:39 GMT

I whole-heartedly agree with Warren's comments..

This is an awesome lesson and Happy has outdone himself and all of my expectations.

it is the old oak publications book brought to life and then some...

it is amazing and I am telling everyone I know to buy a copy for themselves..

Dave

Brownie McGhee Lesson

Warren Mayo — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:59:46 GMT

Happy,

Great Job!

I received the new Brownie McGhee lesson yesterday and I viewed it last night. I want to say what a great job you did on this and the level of material with your insight is awesome. I had learned most of the techniques that you teach from previous lessons and hearing you play. I just never put those ideas together to be able to play Brownie's songs. I think this is a perfect DVD that could be listed as "Easy Steps to Fingerpicking 4". Although it is Brownie McGhee material this realy helps put it all together. I do hope that you will consider another Brownie DVD in other keys and a fingerpicking volume 4.

I wish you great success with this production.

Best regards,

Warren