Topic: Thumb-lead favorites

[big joe weems]

Hey all,

What are your favorite songs that have been played on guitar in a "thumb-lead" style?

          Some I like are: 1. Worried Man Blues 2. Cumberland Gap

Also, I have heard some credit Maybelle Carter with pioneering this style. But weren't there others before her that played in this style?

Thanks,
Joe

[One-Eyed Ross]

My first introduction to guitar back, well, let's just say that there was a Texas Democrat in the oval office, was my dad showing me Mother Maybelle's style...and the first song I learned "on my own" was Wild Wood Flower.  But, like you said, there were others....maybe Merle Travis?  Can't remember which started first, and too lazy to look it up right now.

[stunasty 55]

What is the thumb lead style exactly?


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[Mike Billo]

Thumb style lead is playing the melody on the Bass strings while holding a chord shape.
 Sort of, the opposite, of most fingerpicking (melody played on treble strings within a chord shape)

It seems to have always been fairly prevalent in early Country Music. Mother Maybelle is the most well-remembered for it (Because she was awesome!), but there were lots of others.
Merle Travis didn't come along until the '40's but Riley Puckett, Roy Harvey et al were playing melodies on the Bass strings years before

[stunasty 55]

Thanks! Leadbelly plucked most of his songs this way. "Dancing With Tears in my Heart", as well as "I'm Alone Because I Love You" are two of my favorites.


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[Lastfirstface]

Lonzie Thomas' "Rabbit On A Log" is a good one.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I'm a big fan of Blind Willie Johnson's non-slide thumb lead songs, like "The Rain Don't Fall On Me" and "Trouble Soon Be Over".
All best,
Johnm