Truefire Robert Jones’ Blues Traditions: Slide Roots TUTORIAL
In previous editions of Reverend Robert Jones’ Blues Traditions series, you studied several influential slide guitar artists such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Elmore James.
In this Slide Roots edition, you’ll dive deeper into the styles of five more influential slide guitar players including Eddie “Son” House, Jr., Booker T. Washington “Bukka” White, Blind Willie Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Hudson Whittaker aka Tampa Red, and Blind Connie Williams.
In the first section of the course, Reverend Jones guides you through guitar and slide selection, tunings, muting and many of the key techniques necessary for playing authentically in this traditional roots style. In the second section, you’ll play your way through 9 performance studies, each examining the style and techniques of the artists featured in the course.
”Eddie “Son” House, Jr. commonly known as Son House, Son House, Father Of The Folk Blues, used both Open D and Open G tunings. He was a powerful singer and a strong guitarist. However, a number of factors changed his guitar style significantly between the 1930s and his rediscovery in the 1960s. This series of lessons will explore both versions of Son House’s playing.
Booker T. Washington “Bukka” White was a powerful singer and guitarist with a very personal and percussive style. While his early recordings had limited impact, it was his rediscovery in the folk boom that really led to his recognition as a great blues guitarist. Before there was Michael Hedges there was Bukka White.
Blind Willie Johnson was a Texas singer of sanctified songs. He had one of the most singularly amazing slide styles on record. He primarily used Open D tuning, but his mastery of melody allowed him to make every song interesting and unique.
Mississippi Fred McDowell was born in Tennessee, but his music is primarily associated with the Hill Country blues of Mississippi. His style features driving, repetitive rhythms that seem to have direct ties to West African music styles.
Hudson Whittaker, more commonly know as Tampa Red is most closely associated with an early style of Chicago Blues. His playing featured jazz-influenced single string runs usually played out of an Open D tuning.
Blind Connie Williams is the most obscure artist in this collection, but his slide style was unique. Williams was a Philadelphia street singer. He used multiple chord voicings, passing chords and slide techniques in a seemingly random mix that he would adapt for every song that he performed on guitar. His style demonstrates how one might play an old tune in a new way by simply reordering the licks and techniques that we are familiar with.”
Reverend Jones will explain and demonstrate all of the key concepts and approaches along the way. You’ll get standard notation and tabs for all of the performance studies. Plus, you’ll be able to use TrueFire’s learning tools to sync the tab and notation to the video lesson. You can also loop or slow down the videos so that you can work with the lessons at your own pace.
Grab your guitar, slip your slide on, and let’s play some blues with Reverend Robert Jones!
