Bruce Dumes

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Fills and Backing a Vocalist Nov 14, 2015

What do you think, Duke? Better? I think so! 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Nov 15, 2015

Wow, thanks very much, Peter! Thanks also for noticing my guitar. ;-) It's a 1942 Epiphone Century. The tuners, bridge and pickguard are non-original, but it's a great guitar with a lot of vintage mojo and really fun to play. Thanks again for the kind words; they are very much appreciated!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Soldier's Joy Fiddle Tunes as Connect the Dots Nov 13, 2015

Another really great lesson, Chris! Thanks! Looking forward to working on it.

Chris Eldridge
Chris Eldridge Nov 14, 2015

Awesome. Looking forward to hearing it!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Glide On Head Nov 13, 2015

This is such a great tune! It's so much fun to watch the video of your performance of it after watching the lesson. I know what I'll be doing tomorrow! Thanks, Duke. Best wishes for continued recovery.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Fills and Backing a Vocalist Nov 13, 2015

Duke, I had a musical epiphony today. Listening to my performance of this, I realize that I had not committed myself to the time and the groove. I worry so much about hitting the correct notes that I'm losing track of the rhythm. The intro is pretty good because it's pretty rehearsed. When I start improvising, my rhythm is getting pushed to the back seat. I realize intellectually that it's easier to take a bum note and "make it work" than fix broken rhythm, but I need to make myself aware of it when I'm playing. I just tried playing piano with this in mind, and I don't think my playing has ever sounded more musical. So, with that in mind, looking forward to more practice time this weekend! ;-)

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Fills and Backing a Vocalist Nov 11, 2015

Hi Duke! So here's my best so far with this one. I feel like this tune has been great for my playing. Thanks so much for doing it, and especially for that great track. It really made it fun to work with. I love the up-frontness of the bass! Thanks again! Feedback, as always, is deeply appreciated. Regards, Bruce

PS Loving the new album (The Acoustic Blues And Roots)!!  I forgot to check the box on the site to get you to sign it, so I'll have to do it for sure on the next one. ;-)

 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Nov 13, 2015

Duke, I had a musical epiphony today. Listening to my performance of this, I realize that I had not committed myself to the time and the groove. I worry so much about hitting the correct notes that I'm losing track of the rhythm. The intro is pretty good because it's pretty rehearsed. When I start improvising, my rhythm is getting pushed to the back seat. I realize intellectually that it's easier to take a bum note and "make it work" than fix broken rhythm, but I need to make myself aware of it when I'm playing. I just tried playing piano with this in mind, and I don't think my playing has ever sounded more musical. So, with that in mind, looking forward to more practice time this weekend! ;-)

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Nov 16, 2015

I'd love to hear you play piano to it Bruce.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Nov 16, 2015

I'd be delighted to record a piano version for you, Duke! By the way, I played a wedding gig once for the daughter of the guy who was the drummer in Roomful of Blues in the early 70s. I don't recall his name, but I remember him being a great player and having this huge old powerful bass drum. I seem to remember that his "father/daughter" dance was to a Beatles ballad like "Let It Be" or "Long and Winding Road" or something, which seemed an odd choice. But folks pick funny songs. I once played a wedding gig where the first husband/wife dance was to Frank Sinatra's "The Lady is a Tramp". Go figure! ;-) 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Gypsy Woman Last Verse Nov 03, 2015

Hi Duke!

I keep working on lessons I already covered as I move forward, so here's a new version of this, 9 months later. Chris Eldridge's lessons have inspired me to sing more unihibitedly and my playing -- I think, anyway -- sounds a lot more confident. I keep telling every guitar player I know that your lessons here at Sonic Junction have changed my life! I really can't thank you enough, Duke.

Would love to hear your thoughts regarding my progress on this and of course, any advice for improvement would be most appreciated. Sending best thoughts for continued recovery with the shoulder. 

Best regards,

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: You Don't Know My Mind Bass Runs Oct 24, 2015

Wow, fabulous lesson, Chris! Those are great licks, and it's amazing how playable they are after you've broken them down. Thanks!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Solo Oct 24, 2015

Thanks, Duke!!! 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Solo Oct 24, 2015

Hi Duke! I decided to learn your solo first, then start working on improvisation because I really love what you are doing with the time. Especially that first phrase where you start in double time feel and end up in regular time. You lay down that groove so solid that you could drive it. And again later where it jumps into the double time phrasing and then back, all while playing mostly the one repeated note. That is just so cool, and you make it sound so good, Duke. So I wanted to see if I could get the feel of doing that kind of groove on guitar, changing between the double time feel and regular feel. It almost reminds me of a Leslie speaker going from fast spin speed to slow spin. 

I do hope that you do a backing track with the vocalist and no lead guitar! That would be fantastic!

Thanks for the great lesson!

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Little Red Rooster Drop D Version Rhythm Oct 19, 2015

My pleasure, Kip. They can do it so that you can't really tell it's not real. And if you go back every 2 or 3 weeks, they "fill" it where the nail has grown, so that it still looks pretty much like a natural nail. Good luck to you! Hope you decide to stick around Sonic Junction. I really love it. I came initially because Duke Robillard has been one of my guitar heroes since the early 70s, and I stumbled across this site shortly after the guitar bug bit me. I've been here for about a year now, and it just gets better and better. And no, they don't pay me for saying that. ;-) I'm just a fan. Take care.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Little Red Rooster Drop D Version Rhythm Oct 19, 2015

This is really a lot of fun to work on! By any chance are you going to teach the harmonica part? I have a harp holder that my wife gave me and I've never taken it out of the plastic, so I'd love the motivation. If you are...are you playing cross harp? So that would be a harp in concert D, I think? Thanks, Guy! 

Kip -- believe it or not, after being frustrated at breaking a nail (I can't get used to fingerpicks) I went down to the nail shop and got fake nails put on my thumb and three fingers. It has CHANGED MY LIFE fingerpicking wise. It's made it a little harder for me to play piano (my principle instrument!) but I'm getting used to it, except for the clicking noise. ;-)  The ladies always giggle a little when I come in the shop, but I don't care. 

I was surprised when I met Happy Traum and found he also gets the mysterious (and probably toxic) nail stuff done. Probably a lot more pickers too. 

Kip Marchetti
Kip Marchetti Oct 19, 2015

Bruce - dude - when you say it CHANGED YOUR LIFE I have to believe you. I confess for a half second I was thinking snipe hunt but then I thought about it and figured it makes perfecrt sense. I don't know if I have it in me to do that but it's a definite thought. Maybe if my wife accompanied me. I have tried several times to use finger picks and have struggled ... its just not the same for me. Thanks for the tip.

Yes thiis song is loads of fun to work on and the reason I signed up to give the site a test drive. I've always loved this song dating back to an early Stones album ... yep I'm pretty old. I'm not having any problems with the thumb walk up .. the little improvised solo or anything else except the most important part - the riff - I can sort of do it a different way like the advice given to an earlier post but I want to play it like the video ... that "Cat" can pick (name escapes me) and I love his performance.  I'll probably be working on it for a long time.

Fake nails ... never thought of it. Thank you man.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Oct 19, 2015

My pleasure, Kip. They can do it so that you can't really tell it's not real. And if you go back every 2 or 3 weeks, they "fill" it where the nail has grown, so that it still looks pretty much like a natural nail. Good luck to you! Hope you decide to stick around Sonic Junction. I really love it. I came initially because Duke Robillard has been one of my guitar heroes since the early 70s, and I stumbled across this site shortly after the guitar bug bit me. I've been here for about a year now, and it just gets better and better. And no, they don't pay me for saying that. ;-) I'm just a fan. Take care.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Grand Slam Solo Wrap Up and Backing Track Oct 19, 2015

I have experimented with different intros and after locking in with the Charlie/Benny version, I've come to really like Paul's intro.

Still working on the tune -- I can play it at about 94% of the original speed, but that last 6% is really tough! However, the journey of a thousand intervals starts with the first step. ;-) Hope to have a video soon.

Looking forward to seeing yours, Steve!

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Nov 02, 2015

looking forward to hearing you play it Bruce.Duke

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: You Don't Know My Mind Swing in Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Oct 18, 2015

Ah, I see! I was thinking of the character more like a guy looking back kind of bittersweet on the mess he's made of his life; he knows he's been a rogue, but had a good time nevertheless. Instead, he's like a guy bragging to his current girlfriend about what his next one will be like. Sort of a Neal Cassidy/On The Road thing. Ok, interesting!

Yeah, I think I was less steady in the verses because I hadn't learned the words properly yet. So now that I have the character in my mind, it will be more fun to learn them and get comfortable with the rhythm of the words against the guitar. This idea of really absorbing the lyrics and drawing a character for yourself to sing as (this is how I interpret "feel the lonesome") that you feel from it, putting yourself into the song in order to sing -- acting, almost. I've never once considered it as part of learning a song. Odd, now that I say that out loud, considering I played piano and sang in bands for 30+ years. 

That is really so incredibly helpful! Thanks again!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Little Red Rooster Main Riff and Chorus Oct 18, 2015

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.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: You Don't Know My Mind Swing in Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Oct 17, 2015

Hi Chris -

I felt like you were right behind me when I was recording this, so it seemed very natural at the time to turn back towards you on your solo sections! Another very interesting lesson. It was a lot of fun playing along with you.

Best regards,

Bruce

Chris Eldridge
Chris Eldridge Oct 18, 2015

Bruce,

Your rhythm playing sounds great. You've got the basics down very well. 

2 things:

-although you mostly did a really good job of staying in the pocket, it came out a few times. Some of that probably has to do with following me on the solos, which probably were speeding up/slowing down slightly in between verses - that's ok and it is natural for that to happen when playing with other people. The place where you want to hold the pocket a little more steady is in the verses. You did a very good job, but if I'm looking for something to critique, that's the place. 

-the vocal is coming from a ne'er-do-well, a rambler, rounder or whatever you want to call it. So in addition to feeling the lonesome, feel the badass on this one.

 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Oct 18, 2015

Ah, I see! I was thinking of the character more like a guy looking back kind of bittersweet on the mess he's made of his life; he knows he's been a rogue, but had a good time nevertheless. Instead, he's like a guy bragging to his current girlfriend about what his next one will be like. Sort of a Neal Cassidy/On The Road thing. Ok, interesting!

Yeah, I think I was less steady in the verses because I hadn't learned the words properly yet. So now that I have the character in my mind, it will be more fun to learn them and get comfortable with the rhythm of the words against the guitar. This idea of really absorbing the lyrics and drawing a character for yourself to sing as (this is how I interpret "feel the lonesome") that you feel from it, putting yourself into the song in order to sing -- acting, almost. I've never once considered it as part of learning a song. Odd, now that I say that out loud, considering I played piano and sang in bands for 30+ years. 

That is really so incredibly helpful! Thanks again!

Kip Marchetti
Kip Marchetti May 16, 2016

Hi Bruce - just out of curiosity what is that guitar you're playing (btw really well). It's a beauty.

Thx

Kip

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes May 16, 2016

Hey, thanks, Kip! Very kind of you to say so. That's my Gibson J-45.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Intro and Fills Oct 16, 2015

Beautiful stuff, Duke! Can't wait for the track on this one! You sound great, but I cringe for you every time I see you move your shoulder. Hope the recovery continues to go well. It's great to have you back!

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Little Red Rooster Main Riff and Chorus Oct 12, 2015

Thank you Guy for the powerful advice. 

Guy Davis
Guy Davis Oct 18, 2015

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.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Oct 18, 2015

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.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Little Red Rooster Main Riff and Chorus Oct 11, 2015

Hey Guy -

I'm terrible with names, so if you don't mind, I'll just call you "guy", alright? See there, I'm trying to start off with a joke. ;-)

The Howlin' Wolf "London Sessions" has always been a guilty pleasure of mine; guilty because it's not the original great recordings, but I was just starting to learn about the blues when the album came out and I still love it, especially the acoustic part you are referencing here and on the record when Eric Clapton tells Wolf, "Why don't you play acoustic on it, so that we can follow you better?", and Wolf says, "Oh man, c'mon. You got nothin' to do but count it off, and a...change...one...two...three...four....you change...when he says...when he says...BOOM!" or something like that. My brother and I used to quote that to each other all the time.

So this version of the tune feels very familiar and happy to me. Thanks for it! I need to get that guitar a little more solid before attempting to alienate the neighbors with my vocal rendition. Any feedback along the way would most appreciated. I found that I didn't really need to do a full Bm to get the same effect. 

Best Regards and thanks again!

Bruce

Guy Davis
Guy Davis Oct 11, 2015

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.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Why Don't You Do Right Chords Oct 10, 2015

Adding my voice to the chorus, Duke -- welcome back! Of course your presence was always felt. I'm still working on playing Boy Meets Goy along with Charlie and Benny. I can do it pretty well at about 89% speed so far. I never thought I'd be able to pay a Charlie Christian solo on guitar! Thank you Duke, Paul and Sonic Junction!

I love that Black Coffee record too. I have the 10" version and listen to it often. She really had wonderful time.

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: You Don't Know My Mind Chords and Melody Oct 09, 2015

Hey Chris! Great tune, great lesson. I've loved this tune for over 40 years since first hearing it on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" -- one of my favorite records ever. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas for this one in the upcoming lessons! Like the beard! ;-)  Working hard on remembering to "feel the lonesome" when I play. Take care and thanks!

Chris Eldridge
Chris Eldridge Oct 15, 2015

Bruce, "Circle" is a classic! Looking forward to hearing your rendition of this one!

 
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