Hi everyone

Posted by Dani Graves on September 9, 2010 at 4:22am

My names Dani I'm a 28 year old male and I'm from a little town just outside Leeds UK. I heard Seasick Steve back in 2006 and fell in love with his music and I set myself the task of building a Diddley Bo and in researching this I discovered Bluesbeaten Redshaw who also gave me a few pointers. I am now wanting to build me a 3 string and learn to play both. I then went hunting for some Acoustic Blues and came across the gem that is The Bluesville Years Volume Six, Blues Sweet Carolina Blues which has Pink Anderson, Baby Tate, Sonny Terry amongst others all for £1. I am trying to teach myself some Acoustic Blues on my Acoustic that a friend gave me, but with no guitar experience it is a slow process.

 

If anyone's got any tips or advice on playing any of the above 3 instruments or can recommend any music, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

 

With kindest regards

          Dani

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Replies

  • Laurie Lee Campbell September 9, 2010 at 3:35pm
    Welcome Dani! The only thing I can think to recommend, is a tidbit based on my own experience....that is HAVE fun....it gets better quick (your level of musicianship) also, I played lap slide before I played very much "fingered" frets...I still cannot play bottleneck slide, worth beans!!!!! (mostly cause I don't practice much and try harder, apply myself..LOL)
    My suggestion is to give lap slide a try, alot of people never experiment playing lap style, and all that is required is a BAR (you can use a glass bottleneck) and something to raise the strings,,,,either a proper riser, like a Hawaiian guitar style adapter, OR I've used a small screwdriver under the strings to raise them above the fretboard, and currently am using a chopstick! what can i say, I'm lazy...AND , it works! you lose your first fret in using a slipped in riser, as I've described.........my three string is standard electric, and i modified; my 4 string and 6 string are intentional slide style lap setup. My "Tall Grass Blues" video at you tube (cinderellalifestyle) gives an example of what I'm talking about, the cheating screwdriver riser, LOL...........there is a great force of CBG players in the UK--it's really super!
    again--welcome!
    Laurie
  • Eric Townsend September 9, 2010 at 12:17pm
    Dude, you are so on the right track --- if you listen to a ton of that stuff until you FEEL it in your bones -- then just jam along with the stuff and you'll luck into a couple super simple slide licks that'll make you go AHH THAT'S IT. Practice sliding into single notes to a 'clean' pitch and give a little 'wiggle' to get your vibrato dialed in and sound consistent each time you slide into the note ---. If you can make one note sound totally 'right' you'll just end up building little two note --- then three note licks etc... Just practice getting those one or two notes to sound great to you...then everything else you learn or luck into will likely sound legit because you mastered that 'beautiful one note with vibrato' -- you can find some good licks/lessons on this site too if you need a little visual push...best of luck.ET
  • Kristi E. Myers September 9, 2010 at 9:19am
    Hi, Dani!

    I know only slightly more than you do, so we are in the same boat, I think! I have found some great videos, but on YouTube and on this site, and these have been very helpful. Shane Speal has a few here that are excellent, so look for those to get yourself started. I know that having experience playing a regular 6-string guitar makes this so much easier for me, but I also know that my 7 year-old daughter picked up a CBG with no experience and just started playing. Anything is possible! Best of luck to you!
  • Jared King September 9, 2010 at 8:31am
    Failte Dani! I'm in the same boat as you, not having any prior musical experience. I'll point you to a few things:

    First, check out this video by knotlenny:
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/knotlennys-3string-cbg-101
    It's his way of getting someone going. His motto is to not over think it, but, with such little experience, I didn't know what to think in the first place. It's a great primer, but he, too, came to cbgs from six string guitars.

    Next, check out this thread, here on the Nation:
    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/playing/forum/topics/excited-to...
    A little debate between long timers with interjections by those of us just learning. A few guys give their take, and there's a lot of good information, in general.

    Finally, check out LJ's series for total beginners, of which there is only three videos at this time:
    http://www.handmademusicclubhouse.com/group/cigarboxguitars/forum/t...
    It's over at Handmade Music Clubhouse. This video series I found to be the most helpful of anything, and you will be playing music after you're done with watching them.

    Good luck, and, again, welcome.

    Jared
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