Homespun

Norman Blake has long been an icon for lovers of great country-style guitar, a "musician's musician" whose impeccable taste and sure touch have inspired countless folk, bluegrass and country players. Norman's music combines a true old-time sound with just enough of a modern touch to make his playing both timeless and contemporary.

  Norman expands the exploration of the guitar style that he so eloquently taught in his previous Homespun video, one of our most popular lessons. In an in-depth dialogue with guitarist Happy Traum, Norman demonstrates musical ideas, playing techniques and ten traditional and original songs and instrumentals taken from his vast repertoire.

You'll see, up close, Norman's unique rolling pick style, and how he combines flatpicking with fingerpicking to enhance a tune's harmonic possibilities. His instrumentals and song accompaniments include a variety of important touches: crosspicking, string-hopping, drones, ornaments, bass lines, slides and other means of creating a solid arrangement. He demonstrates powerful back-up techniques, and discusses "how to do the most with the least," which he masterfully brings to bear on these beautiful arrangements.

You'll hear about Norman's preference for 12-fret, short scale guitars (he plays a 1934 Martin 00-40H on this video), and ideas about practicing, adding syncopation to get "those notes in between the notes," and many other insights into flatpick style.

Instrumentals: "Coming Down From Rising Fawn," "Caperton Ferry," "Uncle Joe" ("Miss McLeod's Reel"), "Old Virginia Reel," "Coleman's March," "New Century Hornpipe" and "Jimmy in the Swamp." Songs: "Church Street Blues," "Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents" and "Hobo's Last Ride."