What a wonderful find. As I explore and play the 12 string universe more and more I keep finding amazing people, stories, history and songs. This is no exception.
Hi Sophie - he was great. I have a number of his Leadbelly guitar tutorials and also a copy of Leadbelly - No Stanger to the Blues, with all songs faithfully transcribed by your uncle. I wish I had known him, he appears to be such a genuine, enthusiastic and passionate individual.
@@sophieeeeee38 I’m 23 now and lost my grandpa the same year. I really felt your comments. Honestly I was thinking about this man all day and talking to my wife about him. He seems so happy in this video, I’m glad he enjoyed what he did. If you know of any interviews or things he did I’d love to read them. Seems like a real nice guy
This is an excellent presentation of one of Leadbelly's classic songs, faithfully transcribed and performed with a degree of sincerity and fidelity to the original that, sadly, you don't often find these days.
I know a lot of people are scratching their heads wondering "why would he use THAT tuning?". Well consider his situation; he's down in the deep south, in prison, with no money to buy strings for that 12 string guitar and anybody who has ever played one knows how many strings you will go through in a month's time-especially that high G string. So by tuning it WAY WAY WAAAYY down 2 and a half steps down there is almost no tension on the neck or the strings and he could probably go a year without having to change them. The heat and the humidity down here in this climate-especially in the summer is string killing weather trust me, I know.
@Chalon Bembry We just moved up here to Raleigh after over 30 years in that tropical climate where I would go through probably 40 sets of strings a year. My friend gave me a set of Stringjoys and I've done 5-6 gigs with them and they STILL sound fresh as new.
I worked for Harry Sr. and Jr., doing maintenance on their apartments buildings, in the Highlands, Back in the mid 70 till Aug 1980. I remember the beard also.
hey can you please please show me how to do the finger picking and chords in dakalb blues by ledbelly..been trying to find it for months and nothing is out there to learn this song
+carefulplants a boxing teacher will never skimp on teaching that jab,even after you learned the punch.. He must teach the right way.I didn't catch the runs..i bought the dvd so i can learn ,not watch him play.
@@huntercooke9592i bought an old book made by this company that had tabs for leadbelly tunes. It has this version of the song but the book wasnt that good. Maybe i could send you pictures?
Yes and it is the most accurate one on UA-cam actually, you can see he spent alot of time perfecting his sound, even his singing, he doesn't have Leadbelly's voice, but his phrasing is almost spot on...
The fact of the matter is that if someone is looking for how to play a Lead Belly song, then they most likely know his story. He's not exactly Katy Perry.
A lot of times, the patter can actually HELP you appreciate the music more. I'm a firm believer that if you REALLY want to play country blues, you have to have at least a basic understanding of the artform's history/evolution, as well as the life of the artists.
Harry passed away a couple of days ago. He was always a kind soul to do business with. HE IS MISSED!!!!
Sorry to read this. Hope his loved ones were looked after . Equally hope they and you and yours are all well at this testing time.
hi guyes i am his brothers daughter Sophia i am10 and my uncle past away and this is my first death i loved him soooo very much! i luv u uncle harry
What a wonderful find. As I explore and play the 12 string universe more and more I keep finding amazing people, stories, history and songs. This is no exception.
thank you for being so kind to our families loss my uncle was an amazing man
Hi Sophie - he was great. I have a number of his Leadbelly guitar tutorials and also a copy of Leadbelly - No Stanger to the Blues, with all songs faithfully transcribed by your uncle. I wish I had known him, he appears to be such a genuine, enthusiastic and passionate individual.
I’m so sorry to hear about your uncle. I’m glad you have these videos to remember him by. Know that he continues to make people smile
@@malaquiasalfaro81 i am replying now as a 23 year old adult reflecting on these sweet comments i wrote as a mere child! Thank you for your kind words
@@sophieeeeee38 I’m 23 now and lost my grandpa the same year. I really felt your comments. Honestly I was thinking about this man all day and talking to my wife about him. He seems so happy in this video, I’m glad he enjoyed what he did. If you know of any interviews or things he did I’d love to read them. Seems like a real nice guy
That’s one of the best sounding 12 strings I’ve ever heard.
This is phenomenal! Thank you so much for sharing this with all the information surrounding the playing included!
This is an excellent presentation of one of Leadbelly's classic songs, faithfully transcribed and performed with a degree of sincerity and fidelity to the original that, sadly, you don't often find these days.
Is this video a part of a course?
@@oldmaterizz4516 yes
Thanks for the history on this classic!
I bought my 12 string set from this guy! Great guy indeed.
lovely man....still missed today
Tuning is B-E-A-D-F#-B, every string is tuned down five half steps
I know a lot of people are scratching their heads wondering "why would he use THAT tuning?". Well consider his situation; he's down in the deep south, in prison, with no money to buy strings for that 12 string guitar and anybody who has ever played one knows how many strings you will go through in a month's time-especially that high G string. So by tuning it WAY WAY WAAAYY down 2 and a half steps down there is almost no tension on the neck or the strings and he could probably go a year without having to change them. The heat and the humidity down here in this climate-especially in the summer is string killing weather trust me, I know.
@Chalon Bembry We just moved up here to Raleigh after over 30 years in that tropical climate where I would go through probably 40 sets of strings a year. My friend gave me a set of Stringjoys and I've done 5-6 gigs with them and they STILL sound fresh as new.
Funny enough the first guitar I got was stuck in this exact tuning because I didn’t know how to change the strings
I knew Harry and worked with him and his dad. Really sorry to hear that he passed. When I knew him, he had a beard!
I worked for Harry Sr. and Jr., doing maintenance on their apartments buildings, in the Highlands, Back in the mid 70 till Aug 1980. I remember the beard also.
Harry Lewman was indeed an authority on Lead Belly and a fine player.
i miss my uncle sooo much
Love this guy!
hey can you please please show me how to do the finger picking and chords in dakalb blues by ledbelly..been trying to find it for months and nothing is out there to learn this song
🎉🎉
can you maybe slow down and explain the chords? for cryin' out loud
Kevin Clark They are standard first position chords G-D-A. maybe you should get acquainted with the guitar before attempting any songs.
+Kevin Clark Buy the dvd / download which explains everything.
+carefulplants a boxing teacher will never skimp on teaching that jab,even after you learned the punch..
He must teach the right way.I didn't catch the runs..i bought the dvd so i can learn ,not watch him play.
woa
thx so much
Harry has now decided to reveal himself for who he is. Sorry about the confusion. Hard day at the clip making factory.
I'm confused, did he do something?
thank u
what tune is thisguitar in? i am playing in standerd tune e-a-d-g-b-e this song is in the key of "A" but he is playin D-G-A chords can anyone help!
Sounds good on my 57 framus
How is that guitar tuned
Right that’s what I was thinking too
Anyone have the tabs to what he is doing?
Still looking for tabs ;), have them
@@oldmaterizz4516where the tabs?
@@huntercooke9592i bought an old book made by this company that had tabs for leadbelly tunes. It has this version of the song but the book wasnt that good. Maybe i could send you pictures?
Harry's "Fannin Street" is freaking scary....R.I.P.
Is this leadbelly's version?
Yes and it is the most accurate one on UA-cam actually, you can see he spent alot of time perfecting his sound, even his singing, he doesn't have Leadbelly's voice, but his phrasing is almost spot on...
Do you need a 12 string. And fingerpicks?
you probably know by now but no
No
Guy plays well but the dvd is a rush to show how good he plays.
Does he really think you can rush a lesson of lead belly,not easy guy to play.
Gone too soon.
he shuts up at about 3:28
The fact of the matter is that if someone is looking for how to play a Lead Belly song, then they most likely know his story. He's not exactly Katy Perry.
A lot of times, the patter can actually HELP you appreciate the music more. I'm a firm believer that if you REALLY want to play country blues, you have to have at least a basic understanding of the artform's history/evolution, as well as the life of the artists.
thanks for that.
However, the best was Fred Gerlach also RIP.
Nice! Here's an alt arr improvised for fingersyle ua-cam.com/video/9Gp1QQHK_uA/v-deo.html
Yeh this isn't Ari, great guy though