Hi Folks,
This week we are starting on a new song. Howlin' Wolf's "Shake For Me." It's a true blues classic and one I have loved since I was a teenager. Hubert's slinky, rhythmic guitar is always amazing and unique. This week we are concentrating on two parts of this song. The main riff and rhythm chops and the all important bass line. The bass line works great on guitar also and is one of the most important parts of the song. It's pure Hubert, whose guitar work is about the coolest and most expressive in the blues.
Get the bass line and also the riff and rhythm accents down and we will work on the solo for our next lesson.
Enjoy!
Duke
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Chicago Blues
Duke Robillard
Chicago Blues
Howlin' Wolf
Shake For Me
Hubert Sumlin
Loop 0:33 Duke's Thoughts on Hubert Sumlin
Loop 2:45 Lead Riff Breakdown
Loop 6:26 Breakdown of Main Bottom Groove
Loop 9:20 Practice Loop of Main Bottom Groove
Loop 9:52 Closing Thoughts
Comments
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Hi Duke,
Always loved this riff from "Shake for Me". I tend to play the Fleetwood Mac "Long Grey Mare" more often. I need to brush up on my words for more variety. Love the lessons.
Speaking of Shake For Me, I found this reference from an interview with Hubert from 2006:
"On just about all the numbers we recorded Wolf always turned me loose, let me do what I wanted,'' Sumlin recalls. "One time the Chess brothers hollered at me in the studio when we recording Shake It For Me… Leonard Chess said; Hubert, turn it down, turn that thing DOWN! Wolf just stopped the music and pointed across the room at where they were in the Control Booth. Wolf goes: When there's something to be said, let me tell him, not you! You fools operate the studio and leave the music to me. C'mon man, let it rip!"
"I wasn't really loud,'' Hubert says indignantly. "I can hear and I can hear good – I was just playing with the guys. The guitar sounds upfront on the records we made but it wasn't like that when we recorded it, we needed to hear one another. The way we did it everyone would be heard – the piano player, bass player, drummer – but when I played my solo, maaan you better get out my way!''
Nice !!!!!! Always loved playing Hubert's riffs . From Killing Floor to Smokestack Lightning , he always held down the groove . Forgot about this song , thanks for waking me up Duke .
TOP SONG TOO !!!!!!!!!!
FAR OUT FREAKY GEETAR MATE !!!!!!!!!!