I feel the same as Paul Lawler. I can't seem to get past just stringing together licks and runs that I've individually learned by rote...and that isn't really improvising is it. It certainly an act of bravery when in front of an audience...especially a small one that's intently listening.

Hi Paul, another fine suggestion. 

I’m still giving thought on how to teach improvisation via this format. On a very fundamental level improvising, especially when you’re just beginning to do it, is such an act of bravery. It almost can’t be taught but behaviors can be encouraged. And there are exercises that can illuminate the path. I’ve tried to sprinkle tips about improvising throughout the last few years but at some point I will give a fully dedicated lesson on the subject. 

How about "Don't Give Your Heart to a Rambler"?  I love Jimmy Martin and TR's versions.  There's a great live video of you playing it with the Punch Bros where you nail a couple of amazing solos. 

I'd love to get some ideas of how to string together a couple of solos.  I'm kinda stuck in the rut of learning solos note-for-note (as best I can) but not having the freedom to improvise my own on the fly.

Thank You!! I will do another chromatic song in the future, yes!

More Chromatic!!! You are The best!!

Dan Zanes did a great lesson on Four Strong Winds, and I can no longer find it on his site. Any way to get it back on there?

Hi Chris!
Hope that you are doing well and the Punch Brothers tour is going good.

I just wanted to hear your tips on flying with a guitar? What do you do? Do you gate check or take it on board? And do you fly with all your guitars?

Thanks :-)

Great idea, Paul! Both Tony’s and Clarence’s versions have so much nuance and style, floating over a bed of simplicity. Also, you’re right - a little red wine never increased anyone’s inhibitions!

You possibly get asked about this a lot Chris, but if you could add I am a pilgrim a la Tony Rice or Clarence White to the learn a song list that would be great. I've been working on it for a while, and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch of stuff. I'll post a vid of me doing it soon. I get so damned nervous and stiff when I press the record button though. A red wine or two may help....I'll try that.

Chris,

I'm curious how you set up your guitars, particularly regard to action height at the 12th fret? Does this generally differ on your 000 vs your dreads?

If you removed financial\career reasons (e.g. you play bluegrass for a living so you need a dread) and sentimentality (e.g. Uncle Johnny), which guitar would you keep purely for the joy of playing solo in your living room? I'll pray you're never forced to choose just one of course, but I'm interested in what you'd choose. :)

-Mike

still waiting?.............

I suggest you to focus only in one song. 

Never had trouble with my up to date debit card Mike that is linked to my PayPal...very odd.

Will try a different method but I'm sure  it ordering a new card...that's ridiculous when my current one is valid 

Kind regards

Tim

Hi Tim - thanks for the details.  I just checked and your payment didn't go through -- hence the prompt.  FYI that PayPal requires an up to date credit card to start a subscription.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.  

No Mike the full lesson of Elder Green will not play, it stops and prompts me to pay, which I did over a hour ago...Tim 

Ok Mike, let me see first if Corey Harris video will play the full lesson...Tim 

Hi Tim -- I just emailed you with your account details and a couple follow up questions.  Please email me back and we will get this fixed. 

Hi, I have just rejoined and paid my subscription, but it is not recognising this and I only get a few seconds of the lesson

Does anybody know where I can find out how to play " I want my dog to live longer." What little I can  find online in  the way of chords is off. I found a video, of them playing it, but a real detailed lesson would really help.

Thank you

Really great to know about the Felix! I never really thought about all of the challenges associated with the pickup and mic combination, but that's mainly because I've seen people use blender systems that are all integrated. Good to know.

I actually do use a Tonebone PZPre, and am glad to know you used use it with Punch Brothers! I agree it is a great preamp. I usually have to kick in the lowpass filter and the eq is pretty nice. The boost is pretty good too. For what I'm doing/using right now, it works really well. Depending on the gig, I'll either just take a line out of the Tonebone into a PA, or if I'm doing a solo gig then I run it into an AER Alpha amp. 

Thanks for all of the information!!

The thing that I love about the Felix Is that it really gives you some very useful (and high quality) eq options for tweaking the sound. And it has a super pristine audio path and lots of provisions for routing the sound. It‘s kind of like a deluxe Swiss Army knife, which can be very useful. When you’re amplifying an acoustic guitar with a pickup and an internal mic you are going to be amplifying all sorts of odd sounds and resonances that only exist within the box, so having good eq to eliminate issues really can help. I also use an Empress ParaEQ on the effects loop of the Felix to have even more control. 

Another great preamp is the Radial ToneBone PZPre. That’s what we were using in Punch Bros until we discovered the Felix. It’s quite a bit cheaper than the Felix but sounds really great. It can’t handle a stereo signal and power an electret mic the way that the Felix can - and for me at this point those things are important - but it has a nice fat musical quality and a pretty good eq section. 

Awesome, thanks Chris! I looked into the Grace Felix. Between that and the Neumann you use for the gigs with Julian you clearly go for nothin' but the top of the line! 
I have a K&K pure mini in 2 of my guitars right now, so I'm glad you like that pickup. I agree there is some nuance lost for sure, but when you're trying to do Travis-style groovers like I tend to pull out at gigs you can get away with a little bit. I'm considering down the road upgrading to the Trinity Pro, which basically adds an internal mic to go with the mini. 
Thanks for the info! Hope PB or you and Julian make it down to New Mexico sometime!

Black as coal here but while I'm thinking about it, because I always forget to mention that I'd love to see a lesson someday with your arrangement for Angeline the Baker ... upper and lower register stuff ... crosspicked ... ya know ... not to be too demanding or particular about it LOL ... 

Thanks James! The pickup is a LR Baggs Lyric and I'm blending it with a Joe Mills mic via a Grace Felix preamp. The Grace is really great and aside from the guitar maybe the best component, I think. I also really like the K&K pure mini as a pickup. It doesn't sound like a natural acoustic guitar, but it captures a lot of useful stuff. Combined with a mic it can really work well I think.

Here you go! Forgive the messy handwriting and probably incorrect notation style!