Hello William. Thank you for the complement. I reckon there are worse teachers than me.

Bruce, there's always room for improvement in any piece that we play. Each time you play it, play it like you are discovering it. That keeps it alive.

The day that a teacher tells me, "Bruce, that was absolutely perfect! Couldn't be improved upon!", I'll know for sure that I'm dreaming , Guy. ;-) There was a story that the great cello player Pablo Casals was asked when he was like 97 or something why he still practiced every day. "Because I feel I'm making progress", he answered.

re: "play it like you are discovering it"

I read a book by a guitar teacher who has a plaque on her wall that says, "I don't know how to play the guitar"  to remind herself to approach it like that every day. 

Thanks again, Guy! I'm getting a lot out of these lessons.

TO BRUCE DUMES:

Hello Bruce. Your job is to play it as if you own it. Commit to your right thumb, and don't rush anything for anyone. The slow, steady pulse of the thumb, is what drives the song. The whole band had to listen to wolf, to know exactly when to change to the 4 chord. (D9) the slow, steady pulse is what enabled them to do that. Original Rolling Stones bass player, Bill Weyman, had the extraordinary gift of being able to play just the right notes, at just the right time, especially on the slow blues, and that is what allows the band to change chords as a unit. When you are playing this song solo, focus on the thumb, even more than the B minor chord. The slow pace gives it majesty, and authority.

Regarding the voice, I developed as a guitar player partly in order to hide my voice. Its thickness and clumsiness where a source of embarrassment to me. Claim the rhythm, and then claim your voice.

Reply to Boyd R:

If the stretch is difficult because you need more practice, then you know what to do. If your hands are literally too small to make the stretch, then create a way. Try capoing up a few frets to lessen the space your fingers have to cover. Ultimately, you might try lifting the index finger, which bars the second fret, off of the neck while your pinky does its work on the 5th fret.( As long as you keep hitting the open A string with your thumb at regular quarter note intervals, your fingers can get away with a lot). You could resolve the sequence by doing a barred A cord at the 5th fret.

Mike,I'm glad that it takes you someplace special. Make sure that you bring your wallet with you, in case you need to get a cab back home.