Topic: New instructional DVDs from John Miller

[lindy]

Gordy just sent me an email informing me of this:

http://guitarvideos.com/video/dvd/99495dvd.htm

There's a 10-minute clip from this 2-DVD set on the website.

[Stuart]

Hell, our own Johnm even made the front page:

http://guitarvideos.com/

[Johnm]

Thanks for posting the link, Lindy.  I hadn't realized that the DVDs had been released.  In addition to the two volume set, "Intro to Chord Theory and Chord Voicing", there have also been instructional DVDs on Texas and Memphis Blues released.  Tunes, players and playing positions/tunings for the two blues DVDs are as follows:
   Texas Blues:
   * Dreaming Blues--Willie Reed, A in standard tuning
   * Tell Me Where You Stay Last Night--Mance Lipscomb, Dropped D, in D
   * Rocks And Gravel Makes A Solid Road--Mance Lipscomb, E in standard tuning
   * You'll Like My Lovin'--Otis Harris, A in standard tuning
   * Fool's Blues--Funny Papa Smith, E in standard tuning
   * That Crawling Baby Blues--Blind Lemon Jefferson, G in standard tuning
   * Groundhog Blues--Lil' Son Jackson, E in standard tuning

   Memphis Blues:
   * Happy Blues--Tom Dickson, D in standard tuning
   * I Couldn't Help It--Allen Shaw, G in standard tuning
   * Long Train Blues--Robert Wilkins, C in standard tuning
   * Frank Stokes' Dream--Frank Stokes, E in standard tuning
   * Reachin' Pete--Memphis Minnie, G in standard tuning
   * Good-Looking Girl Blues--Furry Lewis, in Spanish tuning

Both of the Blues DVDs include the original recordings of the pieces and have the lyrics transcribed (thanks Weenie Campbell and all who helped), as well as TAB and standard notation.  You can find out more about the DVDs and or order them at:  www.guitarvideos.com.
All best,
Johnm  

[Slack]

Congrats John - they look like terrific DVDs!

[uncle bud]

Great selections. Willie Reed and Otis Harris on instructional DVDs. Tom Dickson and Funny Papa Smith. Who'd-a thunk it.

[Johnm]

Thanks for the good words, guys.  I think Stefan deserves a lot of credit for putting out instructional material focusing on more obscure players and performances.  Re the "Intro to Chord Theory and Chord Voicing" set, I hope people will be open to learning more about how music and the guitar work, and as we found out at Blues Week at this last session, this information can be hugely helpful for arriving at different arranging strategies for Country Blues, moving ideas around, etc.
All best,
Johnm 

[jopoke]

Ordered all 3 on Monday....

Joe

[frankie]

That's some bunch of music on those DVDs, John.  Congratulations!

[Johnm]

Thanks, Frank.  It was exciting spending the time with the tunes to see what the players were up to.  "Dreaming Blues" is sort of a miracle, such an abundance of ideas in one song.  I want to work on Willie Reed's "Texas Blues" too, one of these days.  I know you've worked on Lemon's "That Crawling Baby Blues" too, and I found myself marveling at the conception of Lemon's primary up-the-neck signature lick on the song; it makes so much sense both in terms of how it sits on the instrument and how it works out for the right and left hands of the player.  The Lil' Son Jackson "Groundhog Blues" was really a sleeper.  I'd thought all along I was going to do one of his DGDGBE tuning tunes like "Gambler's Blues" or "Roberta", but ended up doing an E tune.  Probably my favorite on the Memphis DVD is "Frank Stokes' Dream", which starts out as an 8-bar blues, switches to a 12-bar blues, and like "Dreaming Blues" has an abundance of ideas.  It's a treat just being around these kinds of tunes.
All best,
Johnm

[frankie]

Lemon's "That Crawling Baby Blues" too, and I found myself marveling at at the conception of Lemon's primary up-the-neck signature lick on the song; it makes so much sense both in terms of how it sits on the instrument and how it works out for the right and left hands of the player.

I think that's one of the most miraculous licks ever...  sits so sensibly on the guitar as you say, but doesn't sound obviously "guitarry," I guess you could say.  It sounds to me almost like he's imitating a piano riff.

[TX_Songster]

John,
The Chord theory DVD set looks to be just the ticket for me.  I have avoided music theory like a friend with the flu.  Over years of playing I have picked up some bits and pieces of theory and chord structure, but the fretboard is still largely a mystery.

Now I know what to ask for at Christmas!