Inspired by fingerpicking greats such as Rev. Gary Davis, Lightnin' Hopkins, Merle Travis, and Doc Watson, among others, Stefan Grossman (no slouch himself) presents a beginning-to-intermediate course on the rarified skill of mastering fingerpicking guitar techniques. Fingerpicking can be characterized as a powerful amalgam of rhythm, bass, and melody (in many cases combining a “boom-chick-a-boom” backbeat with prominent melody lines), all requiring a good degree of coordination. Grossman encourages novice fingerpickers, reciting Davis' assertion that folks should approach the guitar like a piano player, but one with three hands (the left hand frets the guitar, while on the right, the thumb is the “second" and the index finger represents the “third”). Together, these three "hands" can create a complex rhythm section intertwined with lead lines. With 170 minutes split over two discs, Grossman allows plenty of time to play with students through the fundamentals--building on skills throughout the process--while also serving up archival footage of some of the greats. Songs taught include "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor," "Oh Mary Don't You Weep," "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Coffee Blues," and "Delia," while two enclosed booklets contain both the regular and tablature versions of the guitar parts. Recommended. [Note: Grossman's Country Blues Guitar in Open Tunings and Fingerpicking Blues Guitar Solos are also newly available.] Aud: P. (C. Block)
Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques
(2004) 2 discs. 170 min. DVD: $39.95 (booklets included). Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop. Color cover. Volume 20, Issue 1
Fingerpicking Guitar Techniques
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