Comment

Comment by Keni Lee Burgess on January 5, 2011 at 9:47am

You know I should of told you, GDg is of course another key than the video. If you wanted to play it how it sounds in the video, you would need to tune DAD.

For GDg, I use strings ADg from a standard pack. (CD4)

To tune DAD, use EAD from a standard pack. (CD1)

Enjoy.  

Comment by Keni Lee Burgess on January 5, 2011 at 9:42am

Thank you Wes for your response. Definitely. Right on the money.

Guitars, especially standard tuned guitars, are not the best instrument for understanding how music works. Moving from string to string does not work out as nice as the notes on a piano keyboard. Your right, starting with a simple one string instrument is a great way to begin. Actually, a great deal of slide is played on the first string on a 6 string guitar too. The 2 bass strings (strings 6 and 4) are alternating and the melody line ( notes on string one) fall either on the bass note beat or in between them. The melody line is actually the lyrics set to music. Please watch this video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A211hZFewdk 

In a nutshell, this is the foundation of Delta Blues. If you get this down, it is easier to move into more complex arrangements and add additional strings. This arrangement can also be played on a 3 string CBG tuned 151 (GDg) Alternate G and D while playing slide on string g. Timing is key. Slow and steady. 

Enjoy, Keni Lee  

Comment by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 5, 2011 at 8:07am

Keni, I needed some of your advice as per your posts and came across this blog.

 

Let me second [playing one string] as a method of learning slide and delta blues. One thing that I think early players get frustrated at is 'what notes to what strings' and then find out that the same notes are on different strings. Confusing to say the least, but when you concentrate on a lead or even rhythm line on one string, it does help you learn where the notes are per that string and even help you feel the blues.

 

Cheers

 

-WY