Texas Blues Guitar taught by John Miller

DVD5 | VOB | NTSC 4:3 (720x480) | MPEG2, 29.970 fps, 4000 Kbps | English: AC3, 192 Kbps , 48.0 KHz, 2 channels | 118 min | 4.2 GB

PDF Booklet (36 pages) + WAV (Audio Tracks) | Genre: Guitar lessons

The state of Texas has had a major presence in the Blues, from the earliest days of the recording era right on up to the present day. So many tremendous Blues musicians have hailed from Texas, i.e. Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lightnin' Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Freddy King. This DVD focuses on the Country Blues guitarists who first defined the Texas Blues sound and who put Texas on the map as a prime location in Blues Country.

In this DVD lesson you’ll have an opportunity to learn from the music of the greatest of the early Country Blues singer/guitarists, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Texas sharecropper and songster Mance Lipscomb, the almost forgotten Otis Harris, ace lyricist Funny Papa Smith, the spectacular and under recorded Willie Reed, and the Post-War master Lil' Son Jackson. This is powerful and challenging guitar music, and the technique building that will result from learning to play these songs will take your blues playing to a new level.

A detailed tab/music booklet is included as a PDF file on the DVD. This includes all the lyrics to the songs as well as transcriptions of the guitar playing. The original old recordings of all the tunes is also included.

This is part of a series of 'geographical' blues lessons by John Miller. John Miller is a gifted instructor. Many artists are gifted players, but they do not all possess the gift of teaching. John Miller's teaching is a slow, methodical breakdown with anticipation of student struggles. His demeanor is humble, quiet, respectful, and enthusiastic for the music. With judicious use of the pause button, it is as close as a student can come to face to face lessons with a master.

The series highlights some of the lesser known blues songs of regional greats from long ago. The songs are wonderful to learn to sing, but for me, they are, almost to a song, terrific for acoustic solo playing. Each region has its specifics but they are perfectly suited for instruction to the Intermediate guitarist (late beginners should collect John's DVDs) as well as the Advanced guitarists who need to learn new songs.

Each geographical region has its unique songs, and John's teaching is consistent throughout. Jackson Blues, Texas Blues, Memphis Blues, Atlanta Blues as well as Theory and Chord instruction DVDs are all 'must haves' for those who learn from DVD lessons.

Titles include:

- Willie Reed - Dreaming Blues

- Mance Lipscomb - Tell Me Where You Stay Last Night

- Mance Lipscomb - Rocks and Gravel Makes a Solid Road

- Otis Harris - You'll Like My Loving

- Funny Papa Smith - Fool's Blues

- Blind Lemon Jefferson - That Crawlin' Baby Blues

- Lil' Son Jackson - Groundhog Blues