Hi JD ... thanks for the thoughts.  We will mock-up the tab with light-grey lines and see how it looks.  The simplicity of this design may be nice.

Hi Alex ... I agree that a view where you can see both the video and tab can be usefull.  Can you describe to me a bit more how you use this.  A couple questions I have are:

1. I assume you are looking at either the tab or video at certain times (not both at the same time) ... correct?

2. are there times when you are more focused on the video vs. tab?  

I'm asking as we have experimented with a full screen experience that has both the video and tab in it.  Thanks!

Hi JD,

Great idea.  I agree that it is time for another open mic.  I will put it on the schedule for May.

Thanks.

According to the discography of my Trio box set, Oscar Moore was the guitarist on Route 66. I checked online as well and it seems to verifies the box set: http://www.jazzdisco.org/nat-king-cole/discography/. I haven't worked through Duke's arrangement of Route 66 yet to see if it's the same arrangement. I don't know that it matters; I'd still love to learn more Oscar Moore or something from his brother, Johnny.

Hello Mike,

i'd like to know when would be the next open mic ? i've never made one since my inscription... I like the concept because we can post the songs we had time to master so it's cool. And we also can post other things so it's a kind of motivation :)

Cheers

JD

I agree i love the jazzy blues stuff too ! Lesson on Oscar Moore could be great is a killer guitarist underated ! The guitarist job in those trio is very important to get that swing without drums ! I played some double bass too and i love the trio formation (ecept i can't play uptempo ;) !

Mike about tabs...I think that could be usefull to put a link where you just click on it and it open the tab in pdf format without having them on the page...So there's more space and you can work with the video on one side and the tab on the other side of the screen....

that kind of thing you have if you purchase an homespun video method...there's the lesson and tab in pdf...:)

Corey, the album artwork alone is brilliant, I know the music is too.  Very nice.  Is that someones artwork or an altered photograph?

Hi, I recently went into some Lightnin Hopkins music and decided it was time to learn another one.  His signature style is unforgettable, so i tried my best to move along in his signature groove.  Gotta Move I would say is a good place to start with Lightnin.  I think he is tuned down a whole step (I tuned down by ear when I was listening to him, so I think this is right).  But it is not overly complicated at all, but just need a feel for it and then lock in.  Tap your foot, it keeps it really well in time.  So this is mine as I thought I would share.  Did this one this afternoon.

Brian

I love to get your input on Charlie Christian's approach to the blues and or rhythm changes. Something like Gone with what wind, or flying home.

Well that was just a question of taste i guess... but i prefer when there's no white circle behind the number of the tab. Old tab was clearer : big number and lines in grey... Let's see what others think...

Hi JD .. thanks!  What do you like about the old version of the tab?  

Hello Mike,

the print button is cool ! The chord seems big for me but it's optional. For the tab i prefer the old version graphicly but if it's the new way it's cool for me ! No i can have the tab easily printed and stored in my books and don't search for them in the website !

Thx Mike !

Hi John .. thanks for the input.  We will definitely extend the tab out.  I appreciate you letting me know about that.  For slowing down the songs ... do you want this for the lesson video or backing track?

Hi JD .. great suggestions, thank you.  I like your use case on easily being able to see the feedback given to you.  We will make sure the nested comments address this.  We will also look into the keyboard short-cuts as I agree they are very useful.

Hi Peter .. all your points are right on.  It's important that you get the phrasing from the audio / video as there is so much more to music than just the notes and their timing.  That said, I do think having beats on the tab would be a good idea.  We probably won't implement that now, but will likely in the future.  For now, we are going to add whitespace to the tab so the location of the notes are better timed to when they are played.

To everyone .. you can check out our very simple prototype here:

- chord chard

- print button (link)

- tab layout

http://harpjunction.com/lesson-page-rev2/

Thoughts and feedback appreciated.  Thanks.

Thank you Corey for taking the time to review this work and write about it in such a helpful way.  You are really a good guy and a great bluesman.

@Brian...I also wanted to say that you should try and sing more.  Listening to the video, the guitar is louder than your voice.  As you know. the tradition is built on singers who accompany themselves on the instrument.  So try and work on your singing by making your guitar playing simpler so that the voice shines through more.  Also try singing accapella as much as you can.  You might also want to record you playing the groove in a simple, less complex way and then sing along with it.  You might come up with some more vocal ideas when you mind is free from playing guitar.  Don't do this too much though, becuase then you will become used to it.  Just do it once, if you want to and it might help you to hear more objectively where you stand in the development of your voice.  Thanks again.

@Brian...how are you? I think you have a pretty solid rhythm going and I dig how you use your index finger to do so much.  I would suggest using your thumb more, definitely for the top three strings. I would suggest overall that you shorten the song length.  I think most solo blues songs should be no more than four minutes long.  I usually shoot for three minutes.  I like the different riffs thatyou have thrown in the song.  I think that you should use them more sparingly because at times it is too much.  I think that you should also look to arranging the parts of the song so that there is an order to it.  This would makje it less like a jam and more like a song unto itself. You have a nice touch on the guitar.  Thanks for posting.

HI Mike,

here is my favorites :

- full screen video reader from SJ vdo upload (like Alex said)

- I'd like so have a link with all the comment Corey made to me, because sometimes i remember a thing and have to search everywhere...

- A better keyboardshortcut for the vdo. I've never ask but they don't always work with chrome. Maybe it's my computer...

That may be all, i'll think a little bit more.

Thanks for upgrate your wonderful website !

I'd like to see:

Extend tab out

Slow down songs

Agreed, I love it all, but the jazzy, swinging stuff is my favorite. Can't get enough of those lessons.

Hey Duke,

As a new subscriber, I just wanted to let you know how much I've been getting out of your lessons, especially the ones with a jazzier focus. I would love to get your insights on a couple of classic tunes by the Nat King Cole Trio: "The Trouble With Me Is You" (which you covered on your After Hours Swing Session album) and "Frim Fram Sauce." I think either (or both) of those songs would make great lessons. When I finally figured out the descending chromatic chord progression in "The Trouble With Me", it was a real eye-opener, harmonically speaking, and I'm still not sure I'm playing it right -- is it really just dominant 7th chords stepping down to the F?

Anyway, thanks again, Duke, and keep swingin'!

One more, this time with my Epiphone Texan.  This is me, live from the bathroom.  Enjoy.  Comments welcome from Corey or anyone.  I am just trying to get this so that it is felt from the soul.  My tempo increases as the song moves along, I guess because I am not using a metronome.

Peace

Thank you Alex.  My technique is not something that I tried to do on purpose, but it is just the natural technique that I ende up with when I play with my hands instead of a pick.  It is also probably wrong...Corey will tell us.

Hy Brian...

nice video...I've never seen before the way how you use your right hand...it's very original!!!

I'd like to hear your version with an acoustic guitar as the sounds it's even warmer!!!

Take care and great job

Alex (Italy)

Duke , How about another classic from The Transmission Hour -  " If I Had You ".  Love the way you do this song . Thanks .

Duke , the version from The Transmission Hour , with your trio . Thanks .