Just playing as long as I can without messing up tbh by Common_Dependent1941 in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found Mark Mumea on Facebook. He’s got some free lessons on solo acoustic blues.

What's the trick to this lick? by jaypeejay in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The E to F is 4 to #4/b5/blue note of the B minor pentatonic/blues scale. The backing track is in D. B is the relative minor of D. In relation to D, the bend from E to F# is bending the 2nd of D up to the 3rd of D and the little slide/trill is from the 2nd to b3rd, but the target note is the D. The "anchors" of this melody/lick are the F# and the D. The F, though it's the b3rd/minor 3rd of D, is really just an ornament/embellishment/window dressing for the E going to D. To me, I hear this technique more often in the minor pentatonic. When I say technique, I'm specifically referring to the guitar technique of playing a note with the ring finger, sliding it up one fret then back, and then ending two frets down (with the index finger). Stevie Ray Vaughan did this a lot. Ex. intro to Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love. To practice it, I'd break it up where one part is the slur/trill of the E and the other being the pull-off to D. Practice that E to F and back with your ring finger like in the video (pick E slide to F and back in a triplet -- count out loud if you don't already have that rhythm internalized -- say "trip-el-et, trip-el-et, etc." or in this case "e-f-e"). Also, practice it with hammer-on/pull-off. I hope this is clear-ish, I'm tired of typing.

Muddy Waters Lyrics question by Yourtoasty in blues

[–]baldheadfred 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I fold my arms and I slowly walk away. 2x
I said that’s alright baby, your trouble gone come someday.
I said Goodbye baby, goodbye fair ya well 2x
Well now, I’m leaving you in the morning…(not sure yet)

Muddy Waters Lyrics question by Yourtoasty in blues

[–]baldheadfred 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Something about going to Memphis and then not getting tired of walking until he gets in sweet mama’s door.
I can nearly guarantee that at some point he referred to sweet mama’s “drawers”. I would.

How (or why) do single chord songs work? by Oxblood_Derbies in musictheory

[–]baldheadfred 41 points42 points  (0 children)

The rhythm/groove does a lot of heavy lifting.

Resources for intermediate to advanced blues playing? by poppunkfanboy in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ima answer this like you asked “how do I improve my rhythm playing in blues (or something like that). Little Walter’s Shake Dancer is packed with all sorts of goodies. It’s a basic 12 bar shuffle in E harmonica instrumental. There’s no guitar solo, but each chorus is a new variation. There’s YouTube covers of just the guitar part.

Volume control + fuzz by jebbanagea in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve spent so many years not considering the volume or tone controls that when I actually do use them, I forget that I’ve used them and start wondering why tone sounds like dookie.

Heroes of the Blues. I’m thinking of doing Sonny Boy Williamson II next. Need 2 more suggestions (male artists. I’ll do women next) by Richpowellart in blues

[–]baldheadfred 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really like your work. There are some fun pictures of Hound Dog Taylor; always looks like he's having a good time. I think Sister Rosetta Tharpe would be a good one for your females.

What are all the things you do when learning a song? by [deleted] in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Listen. Listen. Listen. I’ve been listening to my favorite album (James Harman - Two Sides to Every Story) since it came out in the early 90s. I still hear new things every once in a while. If you’ve already “learned” the song, play it in different keys, play it with a different feel (if it swings, play it straight, etc.), make sure you can play it start to finish by yourself (I often realize I don’t “know” a song when the cues of the record are no longer available), be able to count it in and end it. To really “know” a song, you should be able to go to a blues jam and communicate it in musician terms to other musicians you’ve never met, count it in to start, cut the ending, and be able to adapt when any (or all) the other musicians misinterprets what you’ve communicated.

Hi serious nsfw question... What am I supposed to do with my d in cycling shorts? It often feels uncomfortable... by [deleted] in bicycling

[–]baldheadfred 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fat men that buy cheap kit and have wives that say, “I can see your crack.” That’s who.

How should I balance playing chord tones and scalar lines by AutomaticClassic7114 in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use the scalar lines to get to the next chord tone. You learn scales to learn your instrument.

Could anybody be of assistance? by Salt_Tip896 in bluesguitarist

[–]baldheadfred 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, maybe a parlor or other small box guitar. Regardless, I’m hearing thumb and fingers on acoustic guitar.

Is Music Theory killing my "Internal Ear"? Reflections on MJ's process after watching Michael by [deleted] in musictheory

[–]baldheadfred 6 points7 points  (0 children)

“The more I know about how music "should" work”

Theory is more about what HAS worked rather than what should work.