Thanks, Duke! After a week of listening to this video, I can now hear where it's still just a little rushed, or certainly could be more relaxed in some places. I'm been making an effort to keep that in mind in my practice this week, because I'm hearing that the more I get that under control, the more musical it's sounding; the more it sounds like a musical voice. Thanks again! Bruce
Hey Duke! I took your advice and listened to Tiny's version and his other stuff and started making my own arrangement, employing stolen Duke and Tiny licks, naturally. I'm really trying to pay attention to time and the groove. Looking forward to hearing your comments on this one! Thanks, Duke! Bruce
OK, I think I'm getting a better handle on the groove. I started thinking about what I'd play on piano with this track, and I realized that I'd be doing those slow blues chord triplets, like a 6/8 or 12/8 feel. So that's what I'm thinking about here, and I hope this is more on track! Thanks again, Duke.
Hey Duke! I posted a video here a couple of hours ago, but I've been practicing and it got quite a bit better. So if you saw the prior one, please watch this one too! This song is teaching me a LOT about feel, and this is definitely the best guitar playing I've ever done. I can't wait for next week! Thanks! Bruce
Sounds great Bruce! You still have a tendency to be ahead of the beat a bit. try and relax as much as possible when you do this. All you phrases are good and have lots of feeling. As all the old blues masters use to say when any youngster took a solo "take your time son, take your time". That is truly what real blues playing is all about..... duke
Hey Chris. Thanks for the great feedback! You know, it really gives me pause. I was talking to someone the other day who does rap, and I asked him how you do it, and he said really quietly, like he was letting me in on a big secret, and he said, "It's knowing when to breathe." So...taking that, and thinking that the lines of a song are like an actor reading lines -- knowing when to breathe is part of the meaning of the phrase.
Ok, I'm thinking out loud, but I'm understanding what you are saying, I think. Thanks a lot, Chris. That is extremely helpful.
Good job Bruce, I would suggest when you start the verse after the intro, dont bend the strings so far. in this style of blues the bends are just a micro tone. in the old days everyone used heavier strings and the bends we much less far. if you train yourself to just bend a little you will be able to sounf like a guitarist from the 1940s at will whenever you want. Duke
Hey Chris! This is a really great lesson! I hadn't been working on the song, but when I saw the subject was singing and communicating emotion, I had to watch it. Your voice is terrific on this song; you remind me of Gram Parsons in the way you emote. I don't think this song would be so good for my voice, so I picked another one. Apologies. ;-)
This is certainly one of my favorite songs and I think some of the most emotional yet subtle lyrics ever written. The silence of a falling star, lights up a purple sky. And as I'm wonderin' where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry. Whew. Makes me teary just to type it. Curious to hear what you think. Couldn't help but show off my new distortion pedal t-shirt.
Bruce, it's hard to argue with I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry! Great job on the singing. I can really feel what you're putting out: "the lonesome," as it were.
Since you've got the emotional thing happening, let's look at the singing, melodic side of things. Sometimes you stop and take a big breath in the middle of a phrase. Try humming through the song once, thinking in bigger, connected phrases. Try recording this. Listen back to hear what sounds good to you musically. Do this until you have a sense of how to hum/sing the melody in a way that is musically satisfying to you. Then try putting that together with the words.
Hey Chris. Thanks for the great feedback! You know, it really gives me pause. I was talking to someone the other day who does rap, and I asked him how you do it, and he said really quietly, like he was letting me in on a big secret, and he said, "It's knowing when to breathe." So...taking that, and thinking that the lines of a song are like an actor reading lines -- knowing when to breathe is part of the meaning of the phrase.
Ok, I'm thinking out loud, but I'm understanding what you are saying, I think. Thanks a lot, Chris. That is extremely helpful.
Hey Duke! Fabulous tune, looking forward to more! I'm doing my best here to keep the time locked down, but it is hard at these slow tempos. I wanted to play this on my '41 Epi, but I couldn't play those high chords on that thing.
By the way, I just uploaded a new version of "All Your Love (I Miss Lovin')" and I'd love to hear what you think! It was a shock for me to compare it to my version of the solo lesson from last summer. My confidence has certainly come a long way.
Hey Duke and Mike! Here's an updated version of All Your Love I Miss Lovin'. I think this is getting a lot closer to something. I'm trying my very hardest to emphasize the emotion in my playing. And I can finally play that three finger vibrato! ;-) Thanks again for this lesson, it's a great one.
Hey Duke! Just a quick note to say that this was a really great lesson. I found it very inspiring and will study it carefully, along with all the slow stuff from that great Freddie Federal set that I bought because you introduced us to this great song! Thanks! Best, Bruce
Thank You Bruce, Of course Freddie is an inspiration to nearly everyone who plays the blues. i guess now i will have to get the Federal singles CD and see what I'm missing. Seeing I only had two of the 45s I'm missing a lot for sure! Duke
Hi again, Duke! I didn't expect to be responding again so soon, but I think I'm getting much closer. I don't hear this as 100% spot-on, but overall I'm much happier with the solo. Your thoughts would be most appreciated, of course! ;-) Thanks, Bruce
Like I've said before, I always end up learning so much from doing these videos. I've watched this a bunch of times. I woke up early this morning and had a realization about what's still not happening in my solos:
1. I am not taking responsibility for the groove. I'm not fighting with the rhythm section, so much as not completing the picture as well as when I'm playing rhythm and singing, where I think it's grooving pretty successfully.
2. I'm too often just playing licks instead of making thoughtful statements that connect to tell a story. Easier said than done, right? ;-) That's what I was attempting to do at the beginning of my 2nd chorus by making a statement, then repeating it with a note changing to account for the IV chord, because that's what you'd expect a vocal line to do.
Thanks a lot, Duke. That means a whole lot to me. It's worth 50 years of working at music to hear that from one of my heroes! I know..."Play it...don't say it." ;-) Thanks again, Duke. I've literally got tears in my eyes.
Hey Duke! When I heard the backing track, the first thing I thought of was the great tune "The Outskirts of Town", which fits great over it and it was one I already knew, so sorry about that, but that's what I sang. ;-) I tried to keep the "Use What You Got" feel to it. I had a lot of fun playing over this one -- a little too much fun at times. As my technique is improving, so is the temptation to overplay, but I'm attempting to keep it in check. I've also been listening to a lot of Michael Bloomfield recently, and I can kind of hear that influence in this. I've got to be more careful what I listen to! ;-)
Thanks a lot, Duke. That means a whole lot to me. It's worth 50 years of working at music to hear that from one of my heroes! I know..."Play it...don't say it." ;-) Thanks again, Duke. I've literally got tears in my eyes.
Like I've said before, I always end up learning so much from doing these videos. I've watched this a bunch of times. I woke up early this morning and had a realization about what's still not happening in my solos:
1. I am not taking responsibility for the groove. I'm not fighting with the rhythm section, so much as not completing the picture as well as when I'm playing rhythm and singing, where I think it's grooving pretty successfully.
2. I'm too often just playing licks instead of making thoughtful statements that connect to tell a story. Easier said than done, right? ;-) That's what I was attempting to do at the beginning of my 2nd chorus by making a statement, then repeating it with a note changing to account for the IV chord, because that's what you'd expect a vocal line to do.
Wow, thanks a lot, Duke! I'm having a lot of fun with the great backing track. I have been singing the lyrics for "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town" with it instead of "Use What You Got" because it's the first thing I thought of when I heard the track and I just love that tune. It works great with the track.
You are most welcome for that post of the Freddie version! Thanks for introducing me to yet another incredible tune, and of course all your lessons. My friends have been pretty impressed (I say with all modesty) with the improvement in my playing since taking your lessons. One expressed a hint of jealousy and I said, "Hey, just go to sonicjunction.com and start taking lessons with Duke! It's not a secret!" For me personally, the single biggest thing that has helped my playing has been submitting the videos. I really wish more folks would do it because I really think it works. I feel like it keeps me honest, and pushes me to tell myself, "Maybe it's good enough, but I can do better."
Anyway, thanks again, Duke! It's such a thrill to talk guitar with you. :)
Thanks, Duke! After a week of listening to this video, I can now hear where it's still just a little rushed, or certainly could be more relaxed in some places. I'm been making an effort to keep that in mind in my practice this week, because I'm hearing that the more I get that under control, the more musical it's sounding; the more it sounds like a musical voice. Thanks again! Bruce
Hey Duke! I took your advice and listened to Tiny's version and his other stuff and started making my own arrangement, employing stolen Duke and Tiny licks, naturally. I'm really trying to pay attention to time and the groove. Looking forward to hearing your comments on this one! Thanks, Duke! Bruce
OK, I think I'm getting a better handle on the groove. I started thinking about what I'd play on piano with this track, and I realized that I'd be doing those slow blues chord triplets, like a 6/8 or 12/8 feel. So that's what I'm thinking about here, and I hope this is more on track! Thanks again, Duke.
Hey Duke! I think this should sound a lot better. Hope so, anyway! Thanks for the feedback! Bruce
Hey Duke! I posted a video here a couple of hours ago, but I've been practicing and it got quite a bit better. So if you saw the prior one, please watch this one too! This song is teaching me a LOT about feel, and this is definitely the best guitar playing I've ever done. I can't wait for next week! Thanks! Bruce
Sounds great Bruce! You still have a tendency to be ahead of the beat a bit. try and relax as much as possible when you do this. All you phrases are good and have lots of feeling. As all the old blues masters use to say when any youngster took a solo "take your time son, take your time". That is truly what real blues playing is all about..... duke
Hey Duke! I think this should sound a lot better. Hope so, anyway! Thanks for the feedback! Bruce
Hey Chris. Thanks for the great feedback! You know, it really gives me pause. I was talking to someone the other day who does rap, and I asked him how you do it, and he said really quietly, like he was letting me in on a big secret, and he said, "It's knowing when to breathe." So...taking that, and thinking that the lines of a song are like an actor reading lines -- knowing when to breathe is part of the meaning of the phrase.
Ok, I'm thinking out loud, but I'm understanding what you are saying, I think. Thanks a lot, Chris. That is extremely helpful.
Thanks Duke! I'll definitely keep that in mind!
Hey Duke. What a great tune, and a very pretty intro. I love that chromatic double-stop lick! Absolutely beautiful. Thanks! Bruce
Good job Bruce, I would suggest when you start the verse after the intro, dont bend the strings so far. in this style of blues the bends are just a micro tone. in the old days everyone used heavier strings and the bends we much less far. if you train yourself to just bend a little you will be able to sounf like a guitarist from the 1940s at will whenever you want. Duke
Thanks Duke! I'll definitely keep that in mind!
Hey Chris! This is a really great lesson! I hadn't been working on the song, but when I saw the subject was singing and communicating emotion, I had to watch it. Your voice is terrific on this song; you remind me of Gram Parsons in the way you emote. I don't think this song would be so good for my voice, so I picked another one. Apologies. ;-)
This is certainly one of my favorite songs and I think some of the most emotional yet subtle lyrics ever written. The silence of a falling star, lights up a purple sky. And as I'm wonderin' where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry. Whew. Makes me teary just to type it. Curious to hear what you think. Couldn't help but show off my new distortion pedal t-shirt.
Thanks a lot for the really great lesson!
Best,
Bruce
Bruce, it's hard to argue with I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry! Great job on the singing. I can really feel what you're putting out: "the lonesome," as it were.
Since you've got the emotional thing happening, let's look at the singing, melodic side of things. Sometimes you stop and take a big breath in the middle of a phrase. Try humming through the song once, thinking in bigger, connected phrases. Try recording this. Listen back to hear what sounds good to you musically. Do this until you have a sense of how to hum/sing the melody in a way that is musically satisfying to you. Then try putting that together with the words.
Hey Chris. Thanks for the great feedback! You know, it really gives me pause. I was talking to someone the other day who does rap, and I asked him how you do it, and he said really quietly, like he was letting me in on a big secret, and he said, "It's knowing when to breathe." So...taking that, and thinking that the lines of a song are like an actor reading lines -- knowing when to breathe is part of the meaning of the phrase.
Ok, I'm thinking out loud, but I'm understanding what you are saying, I think. Thanks a lot, Chris. That is extremely helpful.
Hey Duke! Fabulous tune, looking forward to more! I'm doing my best here to keep the time locked down, but it is hard at these slow tempos. I wanted to play this on my '41 Epi, but I couldn't play those high chords on that thing.
By the way, I just uploaded a new version of "All Your Love (I Miss Lovin')" and I'd love to hear what you think! It was a shock for me to compare it to my version of the solo lesson from last summer. My confidence has certainly come a long way.
Anyway, thanks again, Duke!
Bruce
Hey Duke and Mike! Here's an updated version of All Your Love I Miss Lovin'. I think this is getting a lot closer to something. I'm trying my very hardest to emphasize the emotion in my playing. And I can finally play that three finger vibrato! ;-) Thanks again for this lesson, it's a great one.
Whoa, great stuff, Slim! Very cool!
Hey Duke! Just a quick note to say that this was a really great lesson. I found it very inspiring and will study it carefully, along with all the slow stuff from that great Freddie Federal set that I bought because you introduced us to this great song! Thanks! Best, Bruce
Thank You Bruce, Of course Freddie is an inspiration to nearly everyone who plays the blues. i guess now i will have to get the Federal singles CD and see what I'm missing. Seeing I only had two of the 45s I'm missing a lot for sure! Duke
My pleasure, Peter! Use it in good health, as my grandmother used to say. ;-)
Hi again, Duke! I didn't expect to be responding again so soon, but I think I'm getting much closer. I don't hear this as 100% spot-on, but overall I'm much happier with the solo. Your thoughts would be most appreciated, of course! ;-) Thanks, Bruce
Thanks, Duke! I will do my very best! ;-)
Like I've said before, I always end up learning so much from doing these videos. I've watched this a bunch of times. I woke up early this morning and had a realization about what's still not happening in my solos:
1. I am not taking responsibility for the groove. I'm not fighting with the rhythm section, so much as not completing the picture as well as when I'm playing rhythm and singing, where I think it's grooving pretty successfully.
2. I'm too often just playing licks instead of making thoughtful statements that connect to tell a story. Easier said than done, right? ;-) That's what I was attempting to do at the beginning of my 2nd chorus by making a statement, then repeating it with a note changing to account for the IV chord, because that's what you'd expect a vocal line to do.
Anyway -- the learning goes on! Thanks, Duke!
Thanks a lot, Duke. That means a whole lot to me. It's worth 50 years of working at music to hear that from one of my heroes! I know..."Play it...don't say it." ;-) Thanks again, Duke. I've literally got tears in my eyes.
Hey Duke! When I heard the backing track, the first thing I thought of was the great tune "The Outskirts of Town", which fits great over it and it was one I already knew, so sorry about that, but that's what I sang. ;-) I tried to keep the "Use What You Got" feel to it. I had a lot of fun playing over this one -- a little too much fun at times. As my technique is improving, so is the temptation to overplay, but I'm attempting to keep it in check. I've also been listening to a lot of Michael Bloomfield recently, and I can kind of hear that influence in this. I've got to be more careful what I listen to! ;-)
Thanks! Bruce
Yeah Man! Great performance. You are really getting the vibe happening and I am enjoying seeing it. Keep up the good work! Duke
Thanks a lot, Duke. That means a whole lot to me. It's worth 50 years of working at music to hear that from one of my heroes! I know..."Play it...don't say it." ;-) Thanks again, Duke. I've literally got tears in my eyes.
Like I've said before, I always end up learning so much from doing these videos. I've watched this a bunch of times. I woke up early this morning and had a realization about what's still not happening in my solos:
1. I am not taking responsibility for the groove. I'm not fighting with the rhythm section, so much as not completing the picture as well as when I'm playing rhythm and singing, where I think it's grooving pretty successfully.
2. I'm too often just playing licks instead of making thoughtful statements that connect to tell a story. Easier said than done, right? ;-) That's what I was attempting to do at the beginning of my 2nd chorus by making a statement, then repeating it with a note changing to account for the IV chord, because that's what you'd expect a vocal line to do.
Anyway -- the learning goes on! Thanks, Duke!
Wow, thanks a lot, Duke! I'm having a lot of fun with the great backing track. I have been singing the lyrics for "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town" with it instead of "Use What You Got" because it's the first thing I thought of when I heard the track and I just love that tune. It works great with the track.
You are most welcome for that post of the Freddie version! Thanks for introducing me to yet another incredible tune, and of course all your lessons. My friends have been pretty impressed (I say with all modesty) with the improvement in my playing since taking your lessons. One expressed a hint of jealousy and I said, "Hey, just go to sonicjunction.com and start taking lessons with Duke! It's not a secret!" For me personally, the single biggest thing that has helped my playing has been submitting the videos. I really wish more folks would do it because I really think it works. I feel like it keeps me honest, and pushes me to tell myself, "Maybe it's good enough, but I can do better."
Anyway, thanks again, Duke! It's such a thrill to talk guitar with you. :)