Fred McDowell's stuff is difficult. Good attempts at those tunes but I think you are trying too hard. Clue - Fred McDowell holds onto that 3rd string, 1st fret more much more than you think he does. Also, when he goes "up to the 4th chord", rather than fretting or sliding up the the 5th fret, just fret the 3rd string, 1st fret and some of the other strings open - it was a revelation when I finally sussed that out after about 30yrs of trying to play his stuff right ! AND, when he slides on the low frets (1st & 2nd strings) for wee melody riffs (ascending & descending across the strings), trying holding onto that 3rd string 1st fret during ALL of that, coming off for the pull-off on that 3rd string, when descending right down to the wound strings - it blew my mind when I realised that THAT is what he was doing (keep your finger on that 3rd string, 1st fret - even on parts where he is technically in the 1st chord (eg. for the WHOLE sequence in D, of "where were you baby, when the rooster crows 'fo day"). You're welcome !!
Looking back on this video 2 years later, I definitely agree with everything you’re saying. Nowadays im trying more so to do stuff “in the style of” instead of note for note because I find my hands have their own preferences if that makes sense! Really really appreciate ya checking this video out!
@@ianrosscohen - I've never managed note for note stuff either. Anyway, the blues guys never play EVERYTHING note-for-note the same way every time anyway - BUT they play in their style and that's what I try to do - find their style. I bet you play those Open D McDowell tunes better already - time for another video ? I only found that 3rd string, 1st fret thing in the last few years, after trying for more than 30yrs - so I'd consider MY progress pretty slow !
I hope ya know how helpful your videos are to the blues guitar community! You’ve been the best resources for getting down the Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Elmore, etc, sound. I figured out so much stuff from you!
@@ianrosscohen- well, as much as I'd like to hide all the things I've learned, I also remember how hard and slow it was to learn all this stuff - AND I prefer it being played as close to the style as possible. I do feel there is a difference between " playing in the style of" and just not got it anywhere close enough yet. You are so nearly there on lots of stuff, and I'm just a few years ahead of you ....... 'cos I'm much older, ha ha !! On the other hand, for piano playing, I've been working at it for years, to play in the style of Otis Spann - and there are quite a number of piano players who are way more advanced and close to that style than I am - and some players (notably in my mind, Chase Garrett) he have helped my playing a lot, by watching his videos.
Fucking world class vibrato there, man. Loving all of this. Thank you for it.
great job!
Class playing..thank you 😊
Very cool. Thanks for uploading!
Cool video , had to sub cheers from New Zealand
Love it! That's the blues baby!!
thanks a lot for sharing !
a lot ! ;)
Nice job
Awesome 👌 Please consider adding Done Left Here to the next round.
how have you only got 1 comment. thats madness
Fred would have been proud!
Really sweet playing and an awesome guitar! Couldn't see the headstock, what exactly is that?
Oops, I guess I could just look at the description, huh? 😂
Fred McDowell's stuff is difficult. Good attempts at those tunes but I think you are trying too hard. Clue - Fred McDowell holds onto that 3rd string, 1st fret more much more than you think he does. Also, when he goes "up to the 4th chord", rather than fretting or sliding up the the 5th fret, just fret the 3rd string, 1st fret and some of the other strings open - it was a revelation when I finally sussed that out after about 30yrs of trying to play his stuff right ! AND, when he slides on the low frets (1st & 2nd strings) for wee melody riffs (ascending & descending across the strings), trying holding onto that 3rd string 1st fret during ALL of that, coming off for the pull-off on that 3rd string, when descending right down to the wound strings - it blew my mind when I realised that THAT is what he was doing (keep your finger on that 3rd string, 1st fret - even on parts where he is technically in the 1st chord (eg. for the WHOLE sequence in D, of "where were you baby, when the rooster crows 'fo day").
You're welcome !!
Dude. If you had any idea how many hours I’ve watched your videos. You’re the best!!!
Looking back on this video 2 years later, I definitely agree with everything you’re saying.
Nowadays im trying more so to do stuff “in the style of” instead of note for note because I find my hands have their own preferences if that makes sense! Really really appreciate ya checking this video out!
@@ianrosscohen - I've never managed note for note stuff either. Anyway, the blues guys never play EVERYTHING note-for-note the same way every time anyway - BUT they play in their style and that's what I try to do - find their style. I bet you play those Open D McDowell tunes better already - time for another video ? I only found that 3rd string, 1st fret thing in the last few years, after trying for more than 30yrs - so I'd consider MY progress pretty slow !
I hope ya know how helpful your videos are to the blues guitar community! You’ve been the best resources for getting down the Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Elmore, etc, sound. I figured out so much stuff from you!
@@ianrosscohen- well, as much as I'd like to hide all the things I've learned, I also remember how hard and slow it was to learn all this stuff - AND I prefer it being played as close to the style as possible. I do feel there is a difference between " playing in the style of" and just not got it anywhere close enough yet. You are so nearly there on lots of stuff, and I'm just a few years ahead of you ....... 'cos I'm much older, ha ha !!
On the other hand, for piano playing, I've been working at it for years, to play in the style of Otis Spann - and there are quite a number of piano players who are way more advanced and close to that style than I am - and some players (notably in my mind, Chase Garrett) he have helped my playing a lot, by watching his videos.
Nothing quite like auto-focus adds that much unwanted "spice" to video recordings.
See.. Fred could swing hard… nobody seems to get that..