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Blues and Country Fingerpicking 101: Conquering the Challenge of the Steady Thumb Level 1/2
This class is open to any players, from near-beginners to experienced guitarists, who want to unravel the mysteries of the steady-bass thumb-and-finger styles used by blues and country pickers as well as by innumerable folk singer/songwriters. The necessary coordination of maintaining a rock-steady rhythmic bass while picking syncopated melody notes stymies many learning players, but Happy has had fifty years of experience and, if anyone can get you picking this way, he can. A wide range of songs and styles will be taught, along with exercises and pointers to improve your playing skills. Class prerequisite: Ability to play and change chords smoothly in the basic positions.
- 04/13/12 - 04/16/12
- Fingerstyle Guitar
- Apply Now!
The Blues of Brownie McGhee
Level 2/3
Brownie McGhee’s rhythmic fingerpicking style, rich accompaniments, intricate lead playing and wide-ranging repertoire influenced generations of guitarists around the world. Happy Traum learned to play directly from this master bluesman, and he knows how to make Brownie’s songs and techniques accessible to all aspiring acoustic blues players.
Happy starts with the basics so that even novice blues players will be able to get off to a solid start. Concentrating on the keys of E and A, his detailed lesson covers all the musical components that made Brownie’s playing distinctive. Happy provides numerous playing tips and advice along with first-hand insights into Brownie’s life and music.
You’ll learn to play classic songs from Brownie’s repertoire, including I’m Gonna Tell God How You Treat Me, Move to Kansas City, Betty and Dupree, Me and My Dog, Sporting Life, Living with the Blues, Key to the Highway, Blood Red River, Careless Love and Pawnshop Blues.
AnchorAbout Happy Traum
During the past forty years, Happy Traum's interest in traditional and contemporary music has brought him recognition as a performer, writer, editor, folklorist, teacher and recording artist. He has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has appeared on recordings as a featured artist, as a member of various ensembles, and as an accompanist. He has played and recorded with Bob Dylan, Chris Smither, Maria Muldaur, Eric Andersen, Rory Block, Jerry Jeff Walker, Allen Ginsberg, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and innumerable others. Happy is the author of more than a dozen best-selling guitar instruction books, has written numerous magazine columns and articles, and for three years was editor of Sing Out! The Folksong Magazine. Perhaps Happy's most important and lasting musical contribution has been Homespun Tapes, which he and his wife Jane founded in 1967. They have a catalog of approximately 400 different music instruction lessons on audio cassette, CD and video tape, taught by top professional performing musicians. Happy produces all of the lessons, and brings to Homespun his many years of experience as a popular and productive member of the music community. www.happytraum.com
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Coming Soon!!