Hi Keni,just getting into this CBG thing after failing at 6 string and buying a 3 string from Michael Hutchings in AUS who builds some nice retro guitars. working my way through some videos and appreciated your "walking blues" lesson. Just need more time but thanks for the guidance and straight forward lessons. Very helpful!!!! Jeff Cornwall UK
Thanks Keni for the comment on my video. Thanks also for the link. I hadn't heard this form of the blues before, but I can see the similarity. Thanks for sharing the wisdom.
keni have you ever heard a cbg that when i slide up neck real softyl i can hear tone going both ways sometimes starts at 3rd fret or 7th and it not every time forgot to ck plugged in its odd sounds like 2 slides the one going opposit is quieter it mite be a nice effect if i can control it i wonder what it is its tundd set up intonated have you heard of this i caan play rite over it and not hear it but the fact i can do it is very odd any ideas? Slim
maybe i can exploit it and have a free effectfirst time i heard it i didnt pick it just slid slide up anh heard up and down is it a set up prob? it wont kill me but i really wonder what makes it do it thanks, Slim
sorry no way to record and it is fretless when stringd are to close you finger it and thats sitar sound string buzzing on f board for a few inches this is same tone a speck quieter its cool i LIGHTLY slide up and sound goes up and down strange onabout a o17 string and my wound ones do it sure wish i could record thanks thuoght it wound be easy mite be a great effrct its in tune like a delay backwards i wont worry i can play rite over it thanks Slim
Thanks for your kind comments on my Milk Cow Blues rendition. Keni, I just built a Highway 61 guitar and made a simple blues with it. That led me to Mississippi Fred's 61 Highway, which was new to me. That would be a fine song for you. Takes a heck of a player to do well and you're the man.
Keni, I am doing a conversion to a resonator on a small kids first act acoustic, I am thinking of making it like a 3 string with a reso but just thought about putting six strings on it but puting them in octave pairs like a twelve string let me know what you think of that and maybe give some thoughts on which strings I should use for different tunings. thanks, Kelly
The old Leadbelly "Good Morning Blues" would sound excellent with you and Bill doing it.
I'm confused on DAD tuning etc. Please verify or correct me: DAD is key of A. DGD is key of G. I see in in your photos that GDG on Freight Train is G. The opposite of what I am thinking. I play a DAD open and it matches the tone of a standard tuned D chord.
Keni Lee, Thanks for your comment on "If Things Don't Change." I appreciate the suggestions. I guess I need to get clear in my head what a bridge is. Can you name any good examples?
I'm interested in your CD's but the only set I see on ebay seems to be for a six string. I just got a 4 string frettless cigar box guitar and I'm hoping to learn how to play it better.
I'd like to purchase all pertinent Cd's at one time with the glass slide you offer if possible as I live way the heck out here in New Zealand at the moment and shipping is dear..
I busted the tip of my left ring finger a couple weeks ago and it has had the expected effect on my building and playing CBGs. I can't use the ring finger for much of anything at all yet.
This week I got frustrated with my lack of playing and tuned my 6-string open D and put the slide on my pinky finger. My 3-string playing and watching your videos had produced a marked improvement. Now I just need to dust off that CD I bought from you last year and see if I can do even better. :)
Yes, I should have been more clear that I am taking advantage of the break to work on slide technique using my pinky finger. Slide playing on my 6-string had been frustrating. Now that I have played slide on 3-strings for almost a year, it is starting to come together. Your videos are very helpful in making the transition.
My acoustic guitar seems to like open D tuning a lot more than standard tuning. It has really opened up and sounds much, much better. It's just a cheapy Fender CD140.
Thanks for sharing that video. Another helpful bit I hadn't seen before.
Keni Lee, you have talked on your teaching videos about the (my words here) carry over from cbg open tunings to 6 string open tuning playing.
You are right on this. After ED's 12 bar blues video on a storebought 6 string, I gave it another try. Wow, I ain't good, but I am better than I used to be and all from open string knowledge carry over.
howdy keni lee--just stopped by ta answer yer question about the strings on the vintage harp cbg.i used regular guitar strings upside down,being the heavy E as the top of the 3 string neck then the 5 above it are A D G B E and its tuned upside down in a kinda open D tuning also. thanks for your comment and question.
thanks keni lee for your reply,i believe you got the tuning listed better than i can say--i basicly dont use a tuner unless someone ask what tuning i have set the guitar at. as for the size of the harp guitar it was a box that was 10 x 5 x 3 and i took it apart to make it 10 x 8 x 2 by connecting one side to the top and the other side to the back on a frame i constructed myself to fit that size. the 3 string neck runs thru frame and each part of 2 tops makes a seam directly on top of neck thru.therefore reduces the acoustic proportions at that area but on the harp bridge side it has full acoustic proportions but in narrow form. there is only one piezo element (a new experiment--its aluminum and leather with the aluminum dog tag side screwed directly to the neck thru)to be able to amplify the guitar. there is enough vibration from the harp string side bridge to balance the piezo amplification device for all the strings. as for the frets i can still add them because the fingerboard can be removed,and i have considered putting frets on it. its all kind of experimental to me and i greatly enjoy the experiments of building to get certain results.i like your comments and suggestions and would never be offended by anything you suggest because i greatly respect your knowledge of the instrument. thanks keni lee for all you do to make these instruments more understandable for everyone interested in them.
With friends in the US, both on CBN and elsewhere I feel I sort of observe it from a distance. I'm curious though. I thought it was next Thursday (24th). Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful time whenever it is and thank you for your good wishes too.
thanks Keni... I've only dipped very lightly into Buddism so far, using mindfulness and meditation as away to cope with chronic back pain. Been meaning to look into it more, but hard to know where to start. This book looks like a good place. Thanks again : -)
Thanks for the suggestion. I will set to work on it, but it will probably be a bit late for Christmas (rather like my cards). The funny thing is that those words normally accompany a different tune here.
Actually I thought that playing your version would be better because over here it won't be known as a Christmas carol and will just be treated as another tune, by most people at least. Time then to do the other one for next Christmas.
Here are a couple of links to the one that I have known from childhood.
It's interesting. Wikipedia has a good explanation including sound clips.
I have a question about learning the US version on GDgb tuning. If I play it in the key of G I either play very much on the lower register and use the b string very little, or start at the 15th fret and play it in the high register. I have tried both and both are quite workable, but I wondered what you had in mind when you suggested it. Of course I could do one verse high and then another lower down. The alternative would be to play in a different key. I hope this isn't a stupid question.
Hi keni, good to connect with you here. I'm looking forward to watching your instructional 3 string video. (I just bought it on ebay) All the best Paul
Hi keni,
Love the video I bought your CDs last year amazing and informative ,
Great help with the three and four stringers,
Have always loved that style, been a guitar player for years 6 string fender strat etc check my music out on my page I released it last year over here am going back in studio this year to record another album and with some cigar box stuff so fingers crossed it will be up to your standard
Kindest regards
It'll never work. The turkey pot pie will get cold between Australia and the U.S. , And the dishes'll probably get dirty on the return trip...... Come to Oz,you got a date!
Hiya Ken, Ive put up a video mate ... foot tapping, slowed down playing all the stuff you mentioned. Let me know if you think its improved my playing a little. Cheers mate.
ya picked it kenni donmo inspired for sure,nowhere near as good a finish but great sound ,done one with an ironbark neck I think you my have seen a you tube clip of it me mate put up a while back, the left hander headstock I carved for my digitly impered mate, thanks heaps for the youtube lessons
Jeff Sacree
Jul 8, 2011
Mike Bingham
Jul 19, 2011
Jim Yates
Jul 25, 2011
Jim Yates
Jul 25, 2011
Bad Finger (Eric)
Jul 30, 2011
swampapple slim
Aug 4, 2011
swampapple slim
Aug 4, 2011
swampapple slim
sorry no way to record and it is fretless when stringd are to close you finger it and thats sitar sound string buzzing on f board for a few inches this is same tone a speck quieter its cool i LIGHTLY slide up and sound goes up and down strange onabout a o17 string and my wound ones do it sure wish i could record thanks thuoght it wound be easy mite be a great effrct its in tune like a delay backwards i wont worry i can play rite over it thanks Slim
Aug 5, 2011
Uncle John
Keni Lee,
Thanks for your kind comments on my Milk Cow Blues rendition. Keni, I just built a Highway 61 guitar and made a simple blues with it. That led me to Mississippi Fred's 61 Highway, which was new to me. That would be a fine song for you. Takes a heck of a player to do well and you're the man.
John
Aug 8, 2011
Uncle John
Aug 9, 2011
Kelly copley
Aug 9, 2011
Ron "Oily" Sprague
Keni,
Could you please contact me ASAP offline at the following: ronald.sprague@aramco.com
oilyfool@yahoo.com
This is regarding a failed ebay transaction.
Best regrds,
Oilyfool
Aug 15, 2011
Uncle John
Keni Lee,
The old Leadbelly "Good Morning Blues" would sound excellent with you and Bill doing it.
I'm confused on DAD tuning etc. Please verify or correct me: DAD is key of A. DGD is key of G. I see in in your photos that GDG on Freight Train is G. The opposite of what I am thinking. I play a DAD open and it matches the tone of a standard tuned D chord.
John
Aug 16, 2011
Uncle John
Aug 16, 2011
Uncle John
Aug 18, 2011
c# merle
Aug 19, 2011
Uncle John
Keni Lee, Thanks for your comment on "If Things Don't Change." I appreciate the suggestions. I guess I need to get clear in my head what a bridge is. Can you name any good examples?
Hope you have a great time at York.
Aug 22, 2011
M Francis
Hi Keni
I'm interested in your CD's but the only set I see on ebay seems to be for a six string. I just got a 4 string frettless cigar box guitar and I'm hoping to learn how to play it better.
I'd like to purchase all pertinent Cd's at one time with the glass slide you offer if possible as I live way the heck out here in New Zealand at the moment and shipping is dear..
Sep 4, 2011
Bad Finger (Eric)
Hi Keni,
I busted the tip of my left ring finger a couple weeks ago and it has had the expected effect on my building and playing CBGs. I can't use the ring finger for much of anything at all yet.
This week I got frustrated with my lack of playing and tuned my 6-string open D and put the slide on my pinky finger. My 3-string playing and watching your videos had produced a marked improvement. Now I just need to dust off that CD I bought from you last year and see if I can do even better. :)
Sep 8, 2011
Bad Finger (Eric)
Hi Keni,
Yes, I should have been more clear that I am taking advantage of the break to work on slide technique using my pinky finger. Slide playing on my 6-string had been frustrating. Now that I have played slide on 3-strings for almost a year, it is starting to come together. Your videos are very helpful in making the transition.
My acoustic guitar seems to like open D tuning a lot more than standard tuning. It has really opened up and sounds much, much better. It's just a cheapy Fender CD140.
Thanks for sharing that video. Another helpful bit I hadn't seen before.
Sep 8, 2011
Uncle John
Keni Lee, fine dancing by you on the Sometimes A Great Nation video out today! Fun stuff.
Thanks for you kind comment on my recent video also. Other than you cat abuse, you are a good guy.
Sep 20, 2011
Uncle John
Keni Lee, you have talked on your teaching videos about the (my words here) carry over from cbg open tunings to 6 string open tuning playing.
You are right on this. After ED's 12 bar blues video on a storebought 6 string, I gave it another try. Wow, I ain't good, but I am better than I used to be and all from open string knowledge carry over.
Sep 20, 2011
lawrence
Sep 29, 2011
bairfoot cajun
Oct 23, 2011
bairfoot cajun
Oct 29, 2011
David Ford
Hi Keni,
I'll be playing three string and one string. which cd's are pertinent to the three string (assuming you don't do anything with diddley bow)?
Oct 31, 2011
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw
Hi Keni Lee.
With friends in the US, both on CBN and elsewhere I feel I sort of observe it from a distance. I'm curious though. I thought it was next Thursday (24th). Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful time whenever it is and thank you for your good wishes too.
All the best.
John
Nov 17, 2011
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw
Well, you cant' be too prepared. Enjoy the celebrations.
Nov 17, 2011
bemuzic
thanks Keni... I've only dipped very lightly into Buddism so far, using mindfulness and meditation as away to cope with chronic back pain. Been meaning to look into it more, but hard to know where to start. This book looks like a good place. Thanks again : -)
Nov 25, 2011
Hippy Chip
thanks keni I want the grandkids to get an early start! He seems to be a natural and he is definitely a ham for the camera!!!!
Nov 25, 2011
Bluesheart
Thank you for your comments about my pedal Kenni!
Dec 7, 2011
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw
Hi Keni Lee.
Thanks for the suggestion. I will set to work on it, but it will probably be a bit late for Christmas (rather like my cards). The funny thing is that those words normally accompany a different tune here.
All the best and enjoy your holiday.
John
Dec 16, 2011
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw
Hi Keni Lee.
Actually I thought that playing your version would be better because over here it won't be known as a Christmas carol and will just be treated as another tune, by most people at least. Time then to do the other one for next Christmas.
Here are a couple of links to the one that I have known from childhood.
The first is Kings College Choir - Cambridge.
The second is a version sung by Maureen Hegarty.
All the best and thanks again.
John
Dec 16, 2011
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw
Hi Keni Lee.
It's interesting. Wikipedia has a good explanation including sound clips.
I have a question about learning the US version on GDgb tuning. If I play it in the key of G I either play very much on the lower register and use the b string very little, or start at the 15th fret and play it in the high register. I have tried both and both are quite workable, but I wondered what you had in mind when you suggested it. Of course I could do one verse high and then another lower down. The alternative would be to play in a different key. I hope this isn't a stupid question.
All the best.
John
Dec 17, 2011
Arnold Kelly
Thanks for the welcome, Keni Lee. :)
Dec 17, 2011
Paul 'PapaHogg' Smith
Hi keni, good to connect with you here. I'm looking forward to watching your instructional 3 string video. (I just bought it on ebay) All the best Paul
Jan 3, 2012
Paul 'PapaHogg' Smith
Thanks Keni, I'll drop you a line in due course.
Jan 3, 2012
PooStickPaul
Keni, thanks for the group add! Paul.
Jan 9, 2012
Joaquin G. Silva
Diggin the tunes, Man! Brother you are the real deal. I'll send you some pics when I finish the build and some audio when I can.
Jan 11, 2012
steve payne
Hi Keni thanks for the invite, you look like my kinda guy! feel free to check out my you tube channel, search on Geordiebluesman.
Jan 13, 2012
Ian MC Donald
Love the video I bought your CDs last year amazing and informative ,
Great help with the three and four stringers,
Have always loved that style, been a guitar player for years 6 string fender strat etc check my music out on my page I released it last year over here am going back in studio this year to record another album and with some cigar box stuff so fingers crossed it will be up to your standard
Kindest regards
Ian
Jan 14, 2012
Troy Pierce
Sweet tunes!
Jan 26, 2012
Troy Pierce
Great! Come round and do my dishes......
Jan 27, 2012
Troy Pierce
It'll never work. The turkey pot pie will get cold between Australia and the U.S. , And the dishes'll probably get dirty on the return trip...... Come to Oz,you got a date!
Jan 31, 2012
Craig bluesbox williams
Keni, keep doing what you doing. I found this video a long time ago and posted it up on my WS bluesbox site.
http://wsbluesbox.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/instruction/
looks like the video was disabled, but it worked for a long time and i have a bunch of people tell me that they watched and used it.
Where are you in the States?
It would really cool to link up one day and share some tunes.
Feb 1, 2012
Craig bluesbox williams
Well, when i checked it this morning to copy the link for you, it was disabled for some reason. if it worked for you, than thats great.
NJ, huh? i heard it is really great out there in the fall. if i ever make it out that way..........same goes if you ever venture west.
Feb 1, 2012
Careless John
Hiya Ken, Ive put up a video mate ... foot tapping, slowed down playing all the stuff you mentioned. Let me know if you think its improved my playing a little. Cheers mate.
Feb 3, 2012
johno
ya picked it kenni donmo inspired for sure,nowhere near as good a finish but great sound ,done one with an ironbark neck I think you my have seen a you tube clip of it me mate put up a while back, the left hander headstock I carved for my digitly impered mate, thanks heaps for the youtube lessons
Feb 26, 2012
steve chunk hales
cheers, not sure i am ready for part 2 yet.
Feb 28, 2012
steve chunk hales
have ordered it
Feb 29, 2012