Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. I’m Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). 🙂
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. 🙂
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
Hi, My name is Terry Liebman from Long Island New York. I am a 67year old recently retired dentist who loves to play and learn more on guitar. I am a Deadhead since 1973 when I went to my first show at tha Nassau Coliseum. Jerry Garcia was alive and well back then and saw the Grateful Dead many times until he passed in 1995 and these days I see the Dead and Company as I will next month when they start their residency in Las Vegas. I am a huge Springsteen fan from the beginning before stardom hit. I… Read more »
Hi Dan been following the lessons starting with the 3 ps. Really tough going trying to correct the fundamentals. I know this is important for me to become a decent guitarist. This workout plan seems right. I will follow it and see how I progress. When my motivation is down I turn to listening to the stunning songs and tell myself that this is how I want play. Thanks Dan for giving this old man hope of becoming a better guitarist.
Hi Mike, you will absolutely correct those bad habits and great work keeping at it. If you keep on and keep using the lessons you will be well on your way. I love how you are keeping your inspiration topped up too. If you have any questions at any point, do please let us know. Happy to help. 🙂
Wow! Takes me back to when I was learning the double bass at school. It is so important to develop good left hand technique and I can see how regularly revisiting the sticky fingers and walking exercises is going to build that dexterity. On the double bass correct placement of the fingers and thumb, using the weight of the arm and avoiding a vice like hand grip means avoiding severe cramp in your hand and forearm, and also allows precise, accurate playing. I can see a very close similarity with working on correct fretting hand technique in guitar playing –… Read more »
Cheers, Peter. I can imagine how important these sort of skills are on double bass too! A lot of people who teach other string instruments mention these sort of things I find but not so much on the guitar. Still, it’s of course, super important on the guitar, and essential everyone gets these nailed. Thanks for the comment and good stuff applying all this. Keep up the good practice 🙂
Oddly enough, I was messing about with a version of Dust In The Wind right before the email came! What a fun little adventure you have created. Thanks!
Hi all. I’ve made a decision to use a thumb pick. I like the clarity of sound I get with one plus my thumb tends to hit adjacent strings sometimes when not using one. One difficulty I’m having though is that when plucking two or more strings simultaneously the string that’s being plucked with the thumb pick overshadows the others volume wise. It almost sounds like that is the only string being played. I’m trying hard to hit that string more softly, but am not having much success so far. Has anyone else had this problem and if so have… Read more »
Hi Steve, what you mention tends to be one of the bigger problems with using a thumb pick. A lot of folk like to use palm muting on the bass strings when using a thumb pick to dampen the sound and volume and little. That could be one option. The other is to work on the picking of the other strings in terms of technique and volume. I find I have to work with many students on getting them to pick with their fingers with more volume. Isolated practice with each finger, aiming to increase volume, is a good way… Read more »
Great arrangement and lesson! I’m loving working on this. Got the verse section locked in much faster than I expected (gasp, am I improving?) but the interlude/solo bit which I thought wold be the easier part when first listening is proving to be much trickier for me. The jump down to that first A chord near the end is hard to stretch and land quickly, and that run of double stops is tricky to get clean. Practice, practice!
Good stuff, and it certainly sounds like you are improving for sure! Well done nailing the verse already. Yeah, that is a tricky jump and double stops can be quite tricky for sure, especially if you have never really played them and switched between them in a quick way, like we do here. Still, you are on the right path, so keep it up. 🙂
Hi, I am a 76yr. male have survived cancer. I am from Hampshire, uk. England.
I love music and keen to learn how to play the guitar. My wish is to quietly play outside in the garden for myself and also to keep the “grey matter” alive.
But my left wrist and fingers is not as flexible as i would wish but will have to find a way to overcome it.
Hi Pat, thanks for the comment. I’m glad you are here and I hope you are in good health now. I highly recommend you use the classical position as mentioned in the course. It can really help reduce strain on the wrist (and there are many other benefits of it too). Most of all, enjoy and keep us posted with how you get on. 🙂
Hey Dan, I’m Terry from Long Island NY I’m loving the 7 day course,taking my time and have the fingerpicking course as well once I feel totally confident to move on to it. Your teaching style is so enlightening as well as encouraging and entertaining. I’m recently retired and now have the time and desire to play and practice much more and I’m so happy I found you. I’m extremely motivated
to work with you as your approach to teaching is so awesome!!!
Hi Terry, very pleased to hear it and thanks for the comment. That’s so nice to hear, thank you! Keep up the great practice and keep enjoying every second of it all. Love to hear about more of your progress as you keep developing! 🙂
Just started your course a week ago and cant tell you how much im enjoying it, not played fingerpicking before but loving it …i am practising Spanish Romance at the moment it will take some time ill get there …..its a lot of fun
This song is certainly a big challenge. It is slowly coming together for me. I find that at times I’ll be able to play the first 12 bars with few mistakes but the next day I can barely get through the first 5 bars! All part of the learning curveI guess. Enjoying the challenge!
Thanks for including this song!
Glad it is coming together. Yeah, it definitely is a big challenge for sure. Super pleased you are getting there and you’re doing well with it! Keep at it, use the 10x Method and you will see less and less mistakes. Enjoy the journey too 🙂
Hi Dan
I purchased the book first out of interest and then got the video – I’m so glad I did – its great to be able to go back and actually hear the patterns but I also like them on paper so win win – Thoroughly enjoy your relaxed style, presentation and delivery – money well spent – thanks
Kind regards
Fred
Thanks, Fred, yeah, I’m a big believer in both – having the book and video course. You get the best of both worlds that way and the students who have both and use both tend to make the best progress which is ace. Keep up the great practice 🙂
Today I tried the “sticky fingers” exercise for the first time! Loved it. Really challenging for my ring finger especially. But after the fourth go a round, it started to understand what I wanted it to do. This will fall into my daily practice sessions. Thanks!
Dan, I’ve clicked every link for past lessons and nothing pops up except a man holding a flag on the green! Is there a glitch somewhere or am I missing the correct link? Thanks.
Hi Walt, just to clarify, the past lessons are the ones available to each specific member for the time since they were members. Therefore, in May, you will see April’s lessons here, then the following month you will see May’s lesson, etc. I hope that makes sense? Thanks 🙂
I grew up loving this song. My favorite version is by the great Tom T. Hall with Earl Scruggs, father of bluegrass banjo. On this song, Earl is playing his unique style of guitar which he did on gospel tunes during his Flatt and Scruggs days. Please give it a listen on utube.
Thanks, Walt. I will get searching that one and will add a link to the page if I can find it. It’s such a great song and that’s one thing I love about classic tunes like this – the variety of wonderful versions from great artists. Cheers 🙂
Brilliant. Super pleased you gave it a go – hopefully a nice confidence booster knowing you were ready. Well done! Just added you to the Honours Board 🙂
I’m psyched! First try, 20/20!! And I always say I can’t read music. Well, I’ve learned enough this first week and tapped into the bit of music theory I learned and tadda!! Onward and upward!
Cheers, Brian. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying fingerpicking, which is so much fun, of course! Pleased you have enjoyed this course too. Keep at it. 🙂
Joan Baez sings more beautifully than anyone but this doesn’t show how well she actually plays. She uses the guitar as more of a percussion instrument in this version.
I like Mississippi John Hurts version the best.
But they are all pretty great as each puts their own spin on it.
Very true. She sings great and plays this one in an interesting way. Mississippi John Hurt’s version is amazing too. Yeah, that’s the beauty of a song like this that has stood the test of time – lots of cool versions around to enjoy. 🙂
It’s taken me a little while to say hello here. I’ve played guitar off and on for quite a long time. But I don’t know what I’ve ever applied any meaningful discipline to my playing. I’m looking forward to changing all that with your course.
Hi Mark, thanks for the introduction and welcome aboard. My pleasure and very pleased you are excited for the journey ahead. I hope you have loads of fun with it and any questions, do let us know. 🙂
Well my wife really likes this song so I guess will add to my repertoir, she doesnt usually comment these days so will take as an compliment.
Took a short while to get coordinated but started to come together quicker than expected. Recently practicing from the fingerstyle 101 book for many many hours has certainly paid off approaching new material.
Good stuff. Your wife has good taste. Yeah, it’s that type of song I find. Takes some groundwork to get it going but then it can start to come together nicely. Patience is key, and glad Fingerstyle 101 is still helping. Keep enjoying this great tune. It’s a good one to have in the repertoire for the long term. 🙂
Don’t worry, it’s natural. I did a bit at first with this tune too. One bar at a time and use the 10x Method. It’s not an easy song but you will get there! 🙂
Hi Everyone.I have had a guitar for a few years, learned some major, minor and 7th chords but then picked it up only in fits and starts to aid my songwriting or to write song parodies. I have had a few music teachers over the years who taught me a few songs but my strumming technique was still pretty bad in my opinion. Buzzing notes, fly away fingers and and often not great rhythm or timing. I really wanted to improve my technique and had been eyeing off joining the academy for some time. A week ago I ‘bit the… Read more »
Hi Joe, welcome aboard. Thanks a million for the comment and introduction. Super pleased you are seeing great results already. Keep up the great practice and of course, keep us posted with any questions and your progress. Well done so far 🙂
Hi Dan,
When using the G to C to D chord change would using the Cadd9 chord be much of a difference from the C chord?? They can all work off the D Chord and pivot technique.
Many thanks Brian
It’s a matter of taste really. I love the sound of Cadd9 and like you say, it makes the chord change easier from D and G. I always say, if you like the sound of the Cadd9 for the song, then go for it. 🙂
Hi everyone! I’m Walt from Lexington, KY. My story is similar to many of yours. I fell in love with guitar at an early age. Learned to read music, play simple lead and strum chords. A very busy career put things on hold until retirement a few years ago. Been practicing and improving a lot but slower than desired. Many of our musical tastes and guitar heroes are similar. I’ve made large strides with bluegrass flatpicking as well, but fingerstyle has been a stumbling block. Purchased Dan’s Fingerstyle 101 and have really enjoyed his tips with emphasis on structure and… Read more »
Hi Walt, welcome aboard. It’s great you are here and in the right place in terms of what you want to learn, your journey, and your musical tastes. Glad you have enjoyed the other materials so far – and now the DTAA, with it of course being the best of the best of what I have. Enjoy the lessons and of course, any questions, do let us know! 🙂
This is a very practical and thorough warmup and workout!! I printed it out and took notes after watching each video. What a great and effective way to best prepare for an enjoyable time of playing!!! THANK YOU Dan for an outstanding lesson!! I needed this!!
I have struggled for over a year to use MRP. Many, many years ago as a little boy, I learned to read music and worked my way through Alfred’s guitar course on a cheap $20 Sears guitar with very high action. Technique was never taught and apparently the force required to fret a note or chord became ingrained in muscle memory as my current guitars are very playable. All is well until playing uptempo or more difficult pieces. It seems the right hand causes the fretting hand to revert to old habits when my mind is diverted away from using… Read more »
I can imagine how much force you needed to fret the notes. High action guitars are tough! The good thing is, even though the habits are not easy for you to break right now, they are for sure, breakable. You likely need more focused time on MPR each day. Try using MPR while working on the fretting hand in isolation, then choose one bar of music that is uptempo and repeat it over and over keeping the fretting hand relaxed. Try 2-3 minutes of that a couple of times per day, and you will break the old habits! 🙂
A picking pattern played by the thumb where it plucks two alternating bass notes on beats 1 2 3 4 (usually while the fingers pick other strings). The core of it is outlined in this lesson but there is more in the Lonesome Valley tutorial and this part of the In Focus course when you are ready for them. 🙂
There’s multiple uses. You can use it for changing keys smoothly, learning about other keys, and getting to grips with stuff like key signatures. Happy to cover all this in the future too. I like it best for what we covered here – a practical way of finding chord progressions and understanding them easier 🙂
These are some fun new simple chords. Thanks! When you were plucking strings together, I couldn’t tell which strings you were plucking with each chord. Were they the same strings or different for each chord?
Glad you enjoyed it. When doing the plucks it was the root note of the chord plus the G, B and high E strings all plucked together. (Root note for Am7 is A string. For the D and G Major7 the root note is the D string). 🙂
Hope all is well Dan!
I have loved this song as long as I can remember. Recently I printed out the tabs for ten of your songs that I will be working on. Some you would class as easy, some medium, and a few hard ones.
I hope to slowly progress until I have learnt all 10.
Full speed ahead!
Awesome stuff, Dan. Glad to hear it. Yeah, this is a great tune. I’m glad you love it. Great stuff getting a plan of 10 songs together. Be patient, it will of course, take time, but enjoy the process and keep us posted with how you get on! 🙂
Great tips Dan super duper 😀
Cheers, Angie. Glad to hear you like the lesson. Keep coming back to it too. 🙂
Hi, everyone. I wanted to start us off with a comment to get the ball rolling. I would LOVE it if you could leave a short comment introducing yourself to the other members. I’m Dan Thorpe, from Birmingham, UK (not Alabama!). I love fingerpicking – Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tommy Emmanuel and about a gazillion others! My favourite thing about playing guitar is having some quiet time to play for myself (music is a great outlet for everything in life) and to jam with my 4 year old boy, Archie! I used to be terrible at guitar but after years… Read more »
Hey everyone, I would love to know what lessons you would like to learn. More on fingerpicking, Travis picking, chord changes, theory, jamming???… you name it, leave your ideas below!! This is the place to do so.
Hi Dan, I am an intermediate player, but am fascinated about finger style, and very anxious to get started. But i must admit i do struggle a bit with the dreaded Barr Chords, but am improving a bit. I am a Viet Nam vet, who suffers from PTSD, I am very private, so if you don’t hear much from me please understand. Thanks
Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for getting in touch. It`s great to have you here. Barre chords are tough but do make sure you take your time and use good technique with them.
No problem at all regarding being private and I hope you are doing well regarding the PTSD. Just know that the comments section and the mini-forum is there for you when needed. All the best.
I would love to see some lessons on guitar slaps and slides please. That is if you possibly find time in your busy schedule.
Cool, for sure, let us know some more details. What sort of slaps and slides? The crazy stuff or solid on beats 2 and 4 type thing? What sort of guitarists have inspired this? (I ask, so I know I’m on the right path). 🙂
No particular artist comes to mind but I would say on beats 2 and 4 nothing crazy (yet). Slapping all the strings I find okay, it’s the thumb slap I have trouble with on the low E A strings.
I have come across slaps in the odd piece of music, done right sounds amazing. Just something I would like to add to my repertoire.
Ah, okay cool, thanks for letting me know. The slaps on beats 2 and 4 are very cool. The grooves these can add are great. Will get something ready on this. 🙂
If you would like to submit a video, you can add it to your comment by including a video LINK (for example, a YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox link). (Email Dan for help if you get stuck uploading a video)
YouTube and Vimeo links are the preferred video format. Make sure that your links are set to unlisted (not private!) and then only we will see it.
Post your video below…
Hopefully, you have all noticed the new comments section at the bottom of each page in the DTAA! I would love for you to comment, ask questions and say “hi”!
Left a comment about how much I was inspired by your playing of five songs. Now I’m also inspired by your interview!
Hi Denise, amazing job and so inspiring! 👏🏻
Hi, My name is Terry Liebman from Long Island New York. I am a 67year old recently retired dentist who loves to play and learn more on guitar. I am a Deadhead since 1973 when I went to my first show at tha Nassau Coliseum. Jerry Garcia was alive and well back then and saw the Grateful Dead many times until he passed in 1995 and these days I see the Dead and Company as I will next month when they start their residency in Las Vegas. I am a huge Springsteen fan from the beginning before stardom hit. I… Read more »
Hi Dan been following the lessons starting with the 3 ps. Really tough going trying to correct the fundamentals. I know this is important for me to become a decent guitarist. This workout plan seems right. I will follow it and see how I progress. When my motivation is down I turn to listening to the stunning songs and tell myself that this is how I want play. Thanks Dan for giving this old man hope of becoming a better guitarist.
Hi Mike, you will absolutely correct those bad habits and great work keeping at it. If you keep on and keep using the lessons you will be well on your way. I love how you are keeping your inspiration topped up too. If you have any questions at any point, do please let us know. Happy to help. 🙂
Wow! Takes me back to when I was learning the double bass at school. It is so important to develop good left hand technique and I can see how regularly revisiting the sticky fingers and walking exercises is going to build that dexterity. On the double bass correct placement of the fingers and thumb, using the weight of the arm and avoiding a vice like hand grip means avoiding severe cramp in your hand and forearm, and also allows precise, accurate playing. I can see a very close similarity with working on correct fretting hand technique in guitar playing –… Read more »
Cheers, Peter. I can imagine how important these sort of skills are on double bass too! A lot of people who teach other string instruments mention these sort of things I find but not so much on the guitar. Still, it’s of course, super important on the guitar, and essential everyone gets these nailed. Thanks for the comment and good stuff applying all this. Keep up the good practice 🙂
Oddly enough, I was messing about with a version of Dust In The Wind right before the email came! What a fun little adventure you have created. Thanks!
Ha, nice coincidence. Super pleased you are enjoying it. Fun to write and hopefully fun for everyone to read too. 🙂
Hi all. I’ve made a decision to use a thumb pick. I like the clarity of sound I get with one plus my thumb tends to hit adjacent strings sometimes when not using one. One difficulty I’m having though is that when plucking two or more strings simultaneously the string that’s being plucked with the thumb pick overshadows the others volume wise. It almost sounds like that is the only string being played. I’m trying hard to hit that string more softly, but am not having much success so far. Has anyone else had this problem and if so have… Read more »
Hi Steve, what you mention tends to be one of the bigger problems with using a thumb pick. A lot of folk like to use palm muting on the bass strings when using a thumb pick to dampen the sound and volume and little. That could be one option. The other is to work on the picking of the other strings in terms of technique and volume. I find I have to work with many students on getting them to pick with their fingers with more volume. Isolated practice with each finger, aiming to increase volume, is a good way… Read more »
Thanks Dan. I’ll focus on that, trying to get more volume from the other fingers.
Good stuff, Steve. You’ll get there with focus. Let us know how you get on. 🙂
Great arrangement and lesson! I’m loving working on this. Got the verse section locked in much faster than I expected (gasp, am I improving?) but the interlude/solo bit which I thought wold be the easier part when first listening is proving to be much trickier for me. The jump down to that first A chord near the end is hard to stretch and land quickly, and that run of double stops is tricky to get clean. Practice, practice!
Good stuff, and it certainly sounds like you are improving for sure! Well done nailing the verse already. Yeah, that is a tricky jump and double stops can be quite tricky for sure, especially if you have never really played them and switched between them in a quick way, like we do here. Still, you are on the right path, so keep it up. 🙂
You really make everything simple to understand! Then it’s up to us to practice,practice,
practice and make permanent☮️👍
Thanks a million, Terry. Pleased you are enjoying the lessons. That’s right, precise practice and lots of focus and fun. 🙂
i’ve seen a number of online discussions on the circle of fifths and yours is
the by far the easiet to understand.
Cool, thanks for letting us know, John. Super pleased to hear it 🙂
Hi, I am a 76yr. male have survived cancer. I am from Hampshire, uk. England.
I love music and keen to learn how to play the guitar. My wish is to quietly play outside in the garden for myself and also to keep the “grey matter” alive.
But my left wrist and fingers is not as flexible as i would wish but will have to find a way to overcome it.
Hi Pat, thanks for the comment. I’m glad you are here and I hope you are in good health now. I highly recommend you use the classical position as mentioned in the course. It can really help reduce strain on the wrist (and there are many other benefits of it too). Most of all, enjoy and keep us posted with how you get on. 🙂
Hey Dan, I’m Terry from Long Island NY I’m loving the 7 day course,taking my time and have the fingerpicking course as well once I feel totally confident to move on to it. Your teaching style is so enlightening as well as encouraging and entertaining. I’m recently retired and now have the time and desire to play and practice much more and I’m so happy I found you. I’m extremely motivated
to work with you as your approach to teaching is so awesome!!!
Hi Terry, very pleased to hear it and thanks for the comment. That’s so nice to hear, thank you! Keep up the great practice and keep enjoying every second of it all. Love to hear about more of your progress as you keep developing! 🙂
Just started your course a week ago and cant tell you how much im enjoying it, not played fingerpicking before but loving it …i am practising Spanish Romance at the moment it will take some time ill get there …..its a lot of fun
Super pleased to hear it, Douglas. That’s great you’re enjoying it and keep having fun! 🙂
Hi there. I’m wondering why I cannot access the next star quiz. I’ve passed the first one and would like to look into the second star quiz. Thanks.
The 2-star quiz is not quite ready yet but it will be very, very soon. Hope you enjoyed the first one 🙂
This song is certainly a big challenge. It is slowly coming together for me. I find that at times I’ll be able to play the first 12 bars with few mistakes but the next day I can barely get through the first 5 bars! All part of the learning curveI guess. Enjoying the challenge!
Thanks for including this song!
Glad it is coming together. Yeah, it definitely is a big challenge for sure. Super pleased you are getting there and you’re doing well with it! Keep at it, use the 10x Method and you will see less and less mistakes. Enjoy the journey too 🙂
Hi Dan, Love learning these strum patterns, amazing how much better they make things sound. p.s. loving this course
Hi Frank, brill. Thanks for letting us know. That is wonderful. Delighted you are loving these lessons and the course. Keep up the great practice 🙂
Hi Dan
I purchased the book first out of interest and then got the video – I’m so glad I did – its great to be able to go back and actually hear the patterns but I also like them on paper so win win – Thoroughly enjoy your relaxed style, presentation and delivery – money well spent – thanks
Kind regards
Fred
Thanks, Fred, yeah, I’m a big believer in both – having the book and video course. You get the best of both worlds that way and the students who have both and use both tend to make the best progress which is ace. Keep up the great practice 🙂
Great lesson! Thanks.
Super stuff, thanks! Yeah, it’s an exercise I really love too. 🙂
Today I tried the “sticky fingers” exercise for the first time! Loved it. Really challenging for my ring finger especially. But after the fourth go a round, it started to understand what I wanted it to do. This will fall into my daily practice sessions. Thanks!
Great stuff, super pleased to hear it. Yeah, it’s a really powerful exercise for sure and glad you are seeing benefit from it right away. Good stuff 🙂
Dan, I’ve clicked every link for past lessons and nothing pops up except a man holding a flag on the green! Is there a glitch somewhere or am I missing the correct link? Thanks.
Hi Walt, just to clarify, the past lessons are the ones available to each specific member for the time since they were members. Therefore, in May, you will see April’s lessons here, then the following month you will see May’s lesson, etc. I hope that makes sense? Thanks 🙂
I grew up loving this song. My favorite version is by the great Tom T. Hall with Earl Scruggs, father of bluegrass banjo. On this song, Earl is playing his unique style of guitar which he did on gospel tunes during his Flatt and Scruggs days. Please give it a listen on utube.
Thanks, Walt. I will get searching that one and will add a link to the page if I can find it. It’s such a great song and that’s one thing I love about classic tunes like this – the variety of wonderful versions from great artists. Cheers 🙂
Just added this version to the page. Thanks, Walt. I love it. 🙂
Wasn’t planning to take this quiz yet, didn’t think I was ready… but got 19 out of 20 on my first attempt. Yippee!
Brilliant. Super pleased you gave it a go – hopefully a nice confidence booster knowing you were ready. Well done! Just added you to the Honours Board 🙂
I’m psyched! First try, 20/20!! And I always say I can’t read music. Well, I’ve learned enough this first week and tapped into the bit of music theory I learned and tadda!! Onward and upward!
Super stuff. Well done, makes me happy to read this and have just added your name to the Honours Board. 🙂
Hi all, I played my first good sounding accurate bar cord today. It takes a bit to change to it, but I finally did it. lol, I guess it is possible
Brilliant, well done, Larry. Yeah, just goes to show you can definitely do this! Keep up the wonderful practice and keep believing in yourself. 🙂
I was very happy with what I learnt in the lesson the video course is very good thanks Dan
Thanks, David. Very pleased to hear it, and keep coming back and using the course for best results. Most of all, enjoy! 🙂
Many thanks Dan, I am getting to like the sound of fingerpicking as opposed to playing with a guitar pick. Great little course. 🤙
Cheers, Brian. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying fingerpicking, which is so much fun, of course! Pleased you have enjoyed this course too. Keep at it. 🙂
Joan Baez sings more beautifully than anyone but this doesn’t show how well she actually plays. She uses the guitar as more of a percussion instrument in this version.
I like Mississippi John Hurts version the best.
But they are all pretty great as each puts their own spin on it.
Very true. She sings great and plays this one in an interesting way. Mississippi John Hurt’s version is amazing too. Yeah, that’s the beauty of a song like this that has stood the test of time – lots of cool versions around to enjoy. 🙂
I’ve noticed my pinkie getting stronger from the short blues riff. Love this challenge.
Good stuff, that is superb. Keep it going, you are doing great. 🙂
I’ve seen some mention following the 30 day plan. Maybe I missed it. But, where can I find that plan? Thanks!
You’ll find that in the “Daily Plans” section if you scroll down a little. Enjoy! 🙂
I like this motivational component to the group. I’ve been working to make the DTAA a consistent part of my day. So far, so good for week one!
Pleased to hear it, and I love how you have dived in and are making it a habit using it daily. That bodes well and keep it up. 🙂
Hi, Dan:
It’s taken me a little while to say hello here. I’ve played guitar off and on for quite a long time. But I don’t know what I’ve ever applied any meaningful discipline to my playing. I’m looking forward to changing all that with your course.
Thank you for making it available.
Mark
Hi Mark, thanks for the introduction and welcome aboard. My pleasure and very pleased you are excited for the journey ahead. I hope you have loads of fun with it and any questions, do let us know. 🙂
Well my wife really likes this song so I guess will add to my repertoir, she doesnt usually comment these days so will take as an compliment.
Took a short while to get coordinated but started to come together quicker than expected. Recently practicing from the fingerstyle 101 book for many many hours has certainly paid off approaching new material.
Good stuff. Your wife has good taste. Yeah, it’s that type of song I find. Takes some groundwork to get it going but then it can start to come together nicely. Patience is key, and glad Fingerstyle 101 is still helping. Keep enjoying this great tune. It’s a good one to have in the repertoire for the long term. 🙂
I feel so uncoordinated.
Don’t worry, it’s natural. I did a bit at first with this tune too. One bar at a time and use the 10x Method. It’s not an easy song but you will get there! 🙂
Hi Everyone.I have had a guitar for a few years, learned some major, minor and 7th chords but then picked it up only in fits and starts to aid my songwriting or to write song parodies. I have had a few music teachers over the years who taught me a few songs but my strumming technique was still pretty bad in my opinion. Buzzing notes, fly away fingers and and often not great rhythm or timing. I really wanted to improve my technique and had been eyeing off joining the academy for some time. A week ago I ‘bit the… Read more »
Hi Joe, welcome aboard. Thanks a million for the comment and introduction. Super pleased you are seeing great results already. Keep up the great practice and of course, keep us posted with any questions and your progress. Well done so far 🙂
Thanks. These are very helpful!
Thanks, glad to hear it 🙂
Hi Dan,
When using the G to C to D chord change would using the Cadd9 chord be much of a difference from the C chord?? They can all work off the D Chord and pivot technique.
Many thanks Brian
It’s a matter of taste really. I love the sound of Cadd9 and like you say, it makes the chord change easier from D and G. I always say, if you like the sound of the Cadd9 for the song, then go for it. 🙂
Hi everyone! I’m Walt from Lexington, KY. My story is similar to many of yours. I fell in love with guitar at an early age. Learned to read music, play simple lead and strum chords. A very busy career put things on hold until retirement a few years ago. Been practicing and improving a lot but slower than desired. Many of our musical tastes and guitar heroes are similar. I’ve made large strides with bluegrass flatpicking as well, but fingerstyle has been a stumbling block. Purchased Dan’s Fingerstyle 101 and have really enjoyed his tips with emphasis on structure and… Read more »
Hi Walt, welcome aboard. It’s great you are here and in the right place in terms of what you want to learn, your journey, and your musical tastes. Glad you have enjoyed the other materials so far – and now the DTAA, with it of course being the best of the best of what I have. Enjoy the lessons and of course, any questions, do let us know! 🙂
This is a very practical and thorough warmup and workout!! I printed it out and took notes after watching each video. What a great and effective way to best prepare for an enjoyable time of playing!!! THANK YOU Dan for an outstanding lesson!! I needed this!!
Cheers, Krystal, very pleased it was helpful. Enjoyed coming up with this and nice to know you like it. Keep up the great practice. 🙂
I have struggled for over a year to use MRP. Many, many years ago as a little boy, I learned to read music and worked my way through Alfred’s guitar course on a cheap $20 Sears guitar with very high action. Technique was never taught and apparently the force required to fret a note or chord became ingrained in muscle memory as my current guitars are very playable. All is well until playing uptempo or more difficult pieces. It seems the right hand causes the fretting hand to revert to old habits when my mind is diverted away from using… Read more »
I can imagine how much force you needed to fret the notes. High action guitars are tough! The good thing is, even though the habits are not easy for you to break right now, they are for sure, breakable. You likely need more focused time on MPR each day. Try using MPR while working on the fretting hand in isolation, then choose one bar of music that is uptempo and repeat it over and over keeping the fretting hand relaxed. Try 2-3 minutes of that a couple of times per day, and you will break the old habits! 🙂
Interesting and new to me chord progression. Now to try it in different keys! Thanks Dan.
Good stuff, John. Glad to hear it. Have lots of fun trying it in other keys and let us know how you get on. 🙂
Hi Denise, You’re determination and tenacity to reach this achievement is truely inspirational. Thank you for sharing!
Great lesson Dan, I have now moved to the classic position and find it much better to play my chords. Regards Frank
Cheers, Frank. That is great you have taken this on board and seen the difference already. Well done. 🙂
Good morning Denise, I enjoyed seeing you you play and you are spot on with your improvement. Thank you for sharing with us.
Sounding good, very courageous of you sharing your expertise.
Thank you
Hi Denise not just good playing but enjoyable
That was super, Denise. All that practice has paid dividends.
What is Travis picking?
A picking pattern played by the thumb where it plucks two alternating bass notes on beats 1 2 3 4 (usually while the fingers pick other strings). The core of it is outlined in this lesson but there is more in the Lonesome Valley tutorial and this part of the In Focus course when you are ready for them. 🙂
I don’t know any music theory so this was a gentle intro and very interesting. What’s the purpose of knowing the circle of fifths?
There’s multiple uses. You can use it for changing keys smoothly, learning about other keys, and getting to grips with stuff like key signatures. Happy to cover all this in the future too. I like it best for what we covered here – a practical way of finding chord progressions and understanding them easier 🙂
These are some fun new simple chords. Thanks! When you were plucking strings together, I couldn’t tell which strings you were plucking with each chord. Were they the same strings or different for each chord?
Glad you enjoyed it. When doing the plucks it was the root note of the chord plus the G, B and high E strings all plucked together. (Root note for Am7 is A string. For the D and G Major7 the root note is the D string). 🙂
Hope all is well Dan!
I have loved this song as long as I can remember. Recently I printed out the tabs for ten of your songs that I will be working on. Some you would class as easy, some medium, and a few hard ones.
I hope to slowly progress until I have learnt all 10.
Full speed ahead!
Awesome stuff, Dan. Glad to hear it. Yeah, this is a great tune. I’m glad you love it. Great stuff getting a plan of 10 songs together. Be patient, it will of course, take time, but enjoy the process and keep us posted with how you get on! 🙂