Topic: Robert Belfour PT Lessons

[pbyhre]

Is there any chance I could hit somebody up to make a copy of Robert Belfour's lesson(s) from this years PT?  I don't know if copying these is kosher, but I'm broke and have to work, so I can't get up there this year.  The complete lack of any written or recorded lessons on Mississippi hill country blues is frustrating for someone like me that can't just listen to something and figure out how to play it.  One of you more musically adept folks should write a book or do a DVD!

Thanks,
Pete

[Slack]

Sorry Pete, making copies of PT workshops for those not attending is - as you guessed - not a kosher thing to do.  I think the only folks that could make copies for outside distribution would be the Centrum folks - you might contact Peter at Centrum (peter@centrum.org) and ask if they have any plans on doing this.

Thanks,
slack

[Bill Roggensack]

When the "Wolfman" was at PT 10+ years ago, his classes did not take the format of "lessons." Basically, he just played his stuff, and even relatively experienced players had trouble getting much to take away. Of course, Robert never thought to mention he was tuned way down, and had no recordings at the time - so you either got it or you didn't. Last time, I didn't. This time around, I'm going to soak it up, since I've had the benefit of listening to and figuring out some of his recorded work, and also, having some of the basics revealed in a class John Miller did two years ago. I love that dark hill country sound, and Belfour is a master player. Unfortunately, the concept of "lesson" doesn't fit - it's really the sort of thing you have to experience first hand.

[uncle bud]

Pete - while, like Slack said, passing around class recordings to non-participants would not be kosher, I'd recommend posting a follow-up here after PT is over asking if those who take Belfour's classes can provide some insight into the playing style based on what they see. As FrontPage points out, it's highly unlikely there will be any detailed teaching in the sort of demo/tab style. More likely the oral tradition/folk process at work. But that said, I'm sure people can discuss some of the style, tuning etc.

[pbyhre]

Thanks guys.  I will do a follow-up post after PT.  I'm envious as hell of you lucky !@#$!@#$! that get to attend. 

I probably need to find some time and extra pennies to take some lessons and attempt to get past this "noodling around" stage that I've been stuck in for the past 10 years.  Can anyone recommend a good teacher in Portland, OR?

Pete

[GhostRider]

Hey:

Lucky you living in Portland, you've got one of the best CB players in the US in your hometown and she gives lessons. Mary Flower.

http://www.maryflower.com/

Alex

[pbyhre]

Thanks Alex,
I'd seen Mary on a local PBS show here, but didn't know that she gave lessons.  I just sent her a note to see if she wants to take on the challenge of a student of my limited abilities.

Pete

[Stuart]

Can anyone recommend a good teacher in Portland, OR?

Pete

There's also Terry Robb:

http://www.terryrobb.com/

[Peter McCracken]

Pete, sounds like you should be here (in PT) - can you get time off work? Call me at Centrum if it's possible (360-385-3102, x127).

Also, there are two young folks in Portland playing a punked up version of the hill country music - Hillstomp is their band name, John Johnson and Henry Christian - they'll be in Port Townsend this year for the weekend, but you should look 'em up.

Peter McCracken

[Buzz]

Dear Pete:

It is great that Peter No Slack McCracken posted to you. Do call him, he may have some tricks up his sleeve about camp.

Wax and I played some of our jugband tunes in Portland, after Steve Cheseborough and before Mary Flower, a few weeks ago. Then the next day Terry Robb came to our festival gig.

Mary is very knowledgable and a terrific player. Terry also has great technical chops, and a huge repertoire. Both are well-steeped in the pre-war country blues tradition. The recommendations from our fellow Weenies to seek them out, are right on. You have both to ask about lessons.

Buzz

[pbyhre]

Thanks Buzz,
I emailed Peter and told him that I was planning on winning that darned Powerball this year so I would have the time and $$$ to attend next year.

The big news for me is that Mary Flower is going to attempt to teach me a thing or two about this 6-stringed thing of frustration and fun, when she gets back from touring in Sept.  I'd love to see Robert Belfour, but private lessons are probably a better use of my money at this stage.  Hopefully I'll be able to join you all next year.

pb

[Red Dog]

Hey--Doesn't Lovesick Steve Cheesboro (sp?) (from Mississippi, also instructor at PTCBW) now live in Portland?  Last I heard he does.  RD

[Slack]

Right Red Dog, Steve would also be an excellent instructor - a Bo Carter specialist and Jug Band specialist too.

PB, you have an embarrassment of great Country Blues instructors in your town. 

[hambone]

Could someone post up what they believe to be Robert's tuning? I thought I'd seen it somewhere but can't find it.
Muchos gracious.

[waxwing]

I took Robert's first class with John Miller sort of moderating. Robert taught licks from Black Mattie that day, but first he taught us his tuning which he referred to as "Crossnote Spanish". Actually he was tuned to Spanish but pitched down to about the key of E. Essentially he tuned to suit his voice. Way down there, eh? That would be B-E-B-E-G#-B, from bass to treble. His style pretty much requires an amp as many of the notes are created by hammer-ons and pull-offs on unstruck strings.

All for now.
John C.