Little Martha (tutorial) - cover by Tonedr

[IHatchetJack]

It's always strange for me to learn so much from a stranger. I feel sort of helpless as far as gratitude is concerned. For people like me, who learn by sight and ear, you've seriously done something special sharing your knowledge here. Thank you very much!

[tonedr]

you've made it all worthwhile just by sharing these kind words...i hope you enjoy playing this one and i know people will enjoy hear you play it!!

your friend,

dale

[LOOKN450]

As far as this song goes, you are among the best players I've seen perform it, buy you are able to translate your interpretation of it, at least to me, so much better than anyone else I've seen, and I'm very grateful. The fingerstyle pieces I know all require some form of alternating thumb, mostly between the E and D strings, so the hardest part for me aside from the fact that I hate fingerpicking bar chords, is that I have to keep my thumb locked only on the E string ... Thanks again !!

[tonedr]

really appreciate your very kind post and i'm glad we could share this great tune....all the best with your music!!

dale

[fghidoli]

It is a great satisfaction and joy to play this great song and this is only thanks to your excellent explanation. THANK YOU!

Francesco

[tonedr]

this is such a great song!!  Thanks for your very kind post and i wish you all the best with your playing...your friend, dale.

[001mulehead]

thanks for the tips what is your mind split or something?

[tonedr]

haha...i think my mind is just warped!! You can play this and i hope you enjoy working it up....dale.

[texblue27]

if i could ever manage to play this as well as you did, i would not need to learn anything else on guitar, i would just play it all day long...

[tonedr]

haha....and in my book that'd be just fine sir!! And you can play it just as well or better - i'll be looking for your post:) and i'll help any way i can.

your friend,

dale

[verithomas]

Thanks so much! Very helpful video.



[tonedr]

thanks for checking it out....all the best with your music!

dale

[peonwarrior]

Thank you for this song. Awesome job!

Kev from France

[tonedr]

hello sir...really appreciate you checking this out - all the best with your music!

dale

[hospitaler808]

jimmy ppage never usedf a capo

[tonedr]

thanks for watching...i think you may have the wrong guitarist on this piece - this was played by Duane Allman & Dickie Betts....2 of my faves:)

[Rothman66512]

Thank you so much for such a great video. I was going down the road the other day listening to some Allman Brothers and Little Martha came on. It's been a while since I had heard it and I was wondering how difficult it would be to play. After watching your video I had it nailed down in about 15 minutes. I really can't thank you enough. What a beautifull song. On a side note, that acoustic you're playing is gorgeous and sounds fantastic. Maybe I'll get around to posting a vid of myself playing it

[tonedr]

i'd love to see your video if you post!! I LOVE this tune and never tire of playing and i appreciate you checking out the video and i'm glad it may have helped some - enjoy playing this tune and thanks for your kind post!

dale

[marbleheadband]

i tried.....i,m going back to electric & my fuzz box......

[tonedr]

lol..

[brittain522]

Thank you so much, you are such a good teacher, your grips and instructions are very clear, sweet!

[tonedr]

thanks for the kind post...all the best with your music!

dale

[trevorwenokur]

Great job man! Please check out my cover too, im young and only been playing for a year.

Long live the allman brothers!

[tonedr]

will do....thanks for the kind post and keep pickin!!

[TheZbluesman]

thanks a lot tonedr! You are the Man!

[tonedr]

appreciate you checking out the video and hope you enjoy playing it!!!

dale

[jeffreyhsykes]

I've gotten the first section down pat. Once you realize that the double stops are the key it really falls together and becomes a question of keeping the rhythm. Great lesson.

[tonedr]

thanks for the kind words and taking your time to check this out.....i NEVER grow tired of playing this tune. All the best with your music,

dale

[jeffreyhsykes]

@tonedr Hey. Is there an underlying reason why you play this in D with the capo? Just curious. I am going to explore the open E as well. I've never been much for alternate tunings beyond Drop D. Gotta experiment more.

[tonedr]

for me it's mainly a guitar thing - easier on the guitar to tune down than up so that's my reason....i can thrown a capo on and be in E if i want as well. Hope all is good,

dale

[jeffreyhsykes]

Great lesson. I came here via the Little Martha/Blue Sky vid with Trucks and Haynes. Didn't expect to find this lesson. I've looked for a long time for a way to play this. Hope to learn your version by the weekend. Thanks again!

[tonedr]

hope you enjoy working it up and playing!!  Thanks for the kind words....best with your playing,

dale

[docgrok]

Thank you for the time and effort you spent making this available to folks like me. I've been out of work for a few months and the guitar has been a very comforting and positive focus, helping me make the most of this time. This song has always meant a lot to me - a friend played it at my wedding. But he couldn't help me half as much as you! Thanks again brother (and don't worry, I'll be getting a day job;). One other note: what a tragedy to have lost Duane so early on.

[tonedr]

thanks for taking your time to share some of your story and i appreciate the kind words! This song seems to be one with a lot of meaning to many folks and you obviously have a very special connection to it. Thanks again and all the best with your music!

dale

[Doobro]

Dale , I have always wanted to learn this tune . I didnt realize how simple this song was . When you said to tune to open D and use a capo on the second fret , that was the key. I have learned a couple of tunes from watching your method. Great job agai. pleae don't stop adding songs to the list .. you do some of the best tutorials on the Web. Take care my friend

[tonedr]

i really appreciate you taking time to share this kind post....it is very appreciated and i hope you enjoy playing this great tune!  All the best with your music,

dale

[rickpa79]

ve been playing for 40 yrs, all self taught, can't read a lick of sheet music. with your tutorials, you've shown me in one morning what i tried to figure out for all this time and couldn't.

god bless you my friend, and keep 'em comin'

[tonedr]

thanks so much for your kind post - i'm glad we are keeping this great tune going! All the best with your music,

dale

[beau00100]

Thanks that was a great lesson very well presented.

[tonedr]

sure appreciate the kind words sir - I wish you all the best with your music!

[TheZayne34]

@tonedr Hey Brother!. I love the fluid fingerpicking, it looks soo easy . and a guitarist of 33 years,i am by no means the most fluid fingerpicker at all( too many years of playing thumb ,index and ring finger) odd i know. I am all 5 ditgets now for about 15 yrs.Your lil' Martha was great to learn! Thank you for the lesson! Keep on strummin bro!!

[tonedr]

hello friend....i appreciate you kind post and glad to hear you are playing/enjoying fingerstyle guitar! I wish you all the best and know i'll in any way i can.....dale.

[aerosmith1501]

Thanks tonedr, my girlfriends dad played this in church and I've wanted to play it since. He plays it in standard tuning and its much harder but yours and his both sound the same and our awesome

[tonedr]

hope you enjoy working it up and let me know if i can help in any way!

[josh1988ist]

Thanks so much for this video! I've been wanting to play this since like 7th grade and I'm now 22. I've learned about half of it now.. in a few days I should learn the rest!! Great piece of music!!

[tonedr]

Really appreciate your kind post....I wish you all the best with your music!

[dmiller0912]

hey thanks for this lesson this was very well done i appreciate it a ton you are very good!

[tonedr]

thanks for your kind post & I hope you enjoy playing this great tune - all the best with your music!

[gtac432]

I have been playing for about one year now. The songs I most wanted to learn to play were Blackbird, Landslide, and Little Martha. I can handle the first two but it will be awhile before I can handle Little Martha. However, you have provided me with a roadmap to get there. I will be returning here often. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your knowledge and ability with us. I am most grateful.

[tonedr]

great to hear about your music goals and playing! Those are some of my favorites as well....thanks for your kind words and know i will help in any way - all the best with your music!

dale

[GTinsdale]

What a great lesson and what a great gift!! I've been wanting to learn how to play Little Martha for years. And now, thanks to you, I can play it! Thanks a million!

[tonedr]

thanks for your kind message - it made my day! Such a great tune & I wish you all the best with your music!

dale

[jtcappad]

i absolutely love your lessons. you have greatly helped with my fingerpicking abilities and i love your musical taste. keep these lessons coming!

[tonedr]

i'm so glad they are helpful and thanks for taking your time to check them out......thanks for your kind post and all the best with your playing!

dale

[tonedr]

thanks for your kind post.....it is very appreciated! I wish you all the best with your music....your friend,

dale

[Talesofspace8]

been wantin to play this song for an age, now within 30 mins i can play it almost perfectly. Thank you brother, one more allman song that i can fix my soul through.

[tonedr]

hey brother that makes this vid worthwhile! Thanks for your kind post - keep rockin, your friend,

dale

[dwhealy54]

very clear and helpful thanks

[tonedr]

thanks for taking your time to watch - all the best with your music!

dale

[galidune]

great sounding guitar you have. well done. i visited duane and berry a few months ago. they're doing ok.

[tonedr]

haha - I'd love to visit that place & maybe get some of that mojo! Thanks for the kind post,

dale

[firbough]

Nice job tonedr... thanks for the new tune!!!

[tonedr]

thanks for watching - all the best with your music!

dale

[kaiservunderbar]

very nice informative lesson, I like the tuning too, allows for more leverage further up the neck. Thaks again

[tonedr]

i'm with the the tuning is a lot of fun - appreciate your kind post and thanks for watching!

dale

[bobbybrown90]

My new guitar didn't get destroyed(THANK GOD)

[tonedr]

terrific - you did great! Keep that baby in drop D and play the fire out of it! Keep pickin,

dale

[bobbybrown90]

whats with all these people complaining about the tuning? open d with a capo at the 2nd fret is essentially open e. I've actually ruined an acoustic guitar(relatively cheap one) by tuning to open e and ended up with a split head stock and to add insult to injury the strings broke it wasnt worth the money to fix either. Any way with my next acoustic im using a capo for this tuning. By the way great lesson keep them coming.

[tonedr]

i've got to say i totally agree with you - i really don't know what the big deal is and i'm sorry about your guitar. I think everyone i've heard, accept DAllman, plays this in open D. Hope you are doing great and best of luck replacing or fixing your gear, keep pickin,

dale

[bobbybrown90]

@tonedr i recently just got a new guitar. I seem to have a problem with self sabotage because i tried tuning it to open e. when i began tuning the third string i heard a noise and was terrified. This pretty much let me know it ain't happening.

anyways just saying. also have u done south city midnight lady by the doobie bros?

[MeltedProphet71]

Great song, great tutorial, thanks again Dale

[tonedr]

I appreciate you checking it out! As you said a great tune - all the best!

dale

[burns335]

A brilliant tutorial. Many thanks

[tonedr]

Thanks so much for watching - all the best!

dale

[garbeaj]

Curious why you chose to tune this way rather than open E which was how the original recording was done...Does it make it easier to make a combined arrangement of the two parts?

[tonedr]

i've addressed this question before in this section, here goes again. i think it is safe to say that this tune is almost always played by today's players in open D, even Kottke's cover is in open D.

I guess my answer to your question is one i would imagine you could have already presumed - less tension on my guitars. I'm just not going to tune my guitar to open E, especially for long periods of time.

I'm interested......what tuning do you use to play it?

[garbeaj]

@tonedr Sorry for the repeated question...I probably would have seen your answer had I taken the time to scroll further. I use open E as on the record. I haven't had any troubles with keeping a guitar in open E before as it relates to the tension...I don't play acoustic guitars in open E very often-except maybe to play this tune. Since I don't have any problems with tension, I find it easier to just tune the 5th,4th and 3rd strings up and have at it...I think the strings resonate better this way

[tonedr]

Great post and very appreciated - it certainly gives players wanting to learn this great tune something to consider. I wish you all the best with your music!

dale

[IPlay4G0d]

Thanks! Been wantin to learn this for a while.

[tonedr]

hope the video helps some - please let me know if i can help in any way. All the best with your music!

dale

[hochbob]

Truly outstanding tutorial on a classic tune. As a player, I know how difficult it is to slow things down. You do it with ease. The sound of your guitar is awesome and you make it sing. Thanks.

[tonedr]

thanks a lot for watching and your kind feedback is greatly appreciated! All the best with your music,

dale

[midge2112]

This was awesome! Thank you so much!!!

[tonedr]

thanks for taking your time to watch - all the best with your music!

dale

[MrWaddlesgee3]

OMG THANK YOU!!! i learned it in 15 mins!!!!!!! such a great song

[tonedr]

i'm glad the video helped - thanks for watching and keep pickin!

dale

[mattmossop]

Yes it will definitely help me quite a bit... definitely couldn't figure it out on my own, lol.

Any other old classic rock acoustic pieces you'd recommend?

[tonedr]

i love Melissa by the Allman Bros and From The Beginning from ELP - just a couple to think about.

[mattmossop]

Awesome... thanks a lot. I wanted to learn this, but didn't think there'd be a lesson on youtube.

Also, not criticising at all, but you called the F sharp string G a bunch of times.

Thanks again!

[tonedr]

I appreciate you watching & I hope it helps a bit in working up this great tune! Thanks for your feedback it is appreciated and will help me in the future.....keep pickin!

dale

[dturbide]

Good stuff tonedr.

[tonedr]

thanks for watching!

[SaintStephen68]

Really, really nice - and very clear instruction - thanks.

[tonedr]

Thanks for taking your time to watch & your kind post is very appreciated! All the best with your music!!

dale

[dljop]

Wow! Thank you so much. Your teaching method is second to none. This lesson couldn't have been laid out any better. It is people like you who keep me inspired and keep it fun. Thank you so much. I am new to fingerstyle and was wondering if you had any tips to help my playing flow a little better. Sometimes my thumb loses it's rhythm and messes the whole thing up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[tonedr]

thanks for taking your time to check out the video and your kind post is greatly appreciated!

For me i have to play it slow for a LONG time and get it smooth then speed up. This goes against all my natural inclinations but it seems to pay off. My tip might be to try to play it slow and as smooth as you can then the tempo will come easily.

all the best with your music,

dale

[dljop]

Thanks Dale. I'll definitely give that a shot. It makes sense, although it goes against my inclinations as well. But obviously what I have been doing has just been slowing me down anyway.

Thanks again

[tonedr]

please feel free to contact me any time if i could help at all - keep pickin!!

[nutbrook]

Another "impossible" tune nailed thanks to your excellent tuition Dale

Many thanks from the UK

Peter

[tonedr]

hello Peter, hope all is well sir! Thanks for giving your time to watch the video - i wish you all the best with your music,

dale

[mlbg10158]

I've always loved this tune, and you play, and teach, it beautifully. Bravo!

[tonedr]

thanks for your kind post and i appreciate you watching the video - isn't it a great tune - all the best with your music!

dale

[lespauljunky74]

This has to be by far one of the most informative instructional I have every seen. Wow...the miracle of the internet and a very talented guitarist. Your approach to learning Duane's magnum opus, or swan song, was incredible. I actually nailed the for 35 seconds of the tune in just a few viewings.

Keep doing what you do... you do it well.

Best,

Junky

[tonedr]

really appreciate your very kind post and thanks for taking time to watch! I agree with your comments on this great tune - timeless! All the best with your music,

dale

[sonny1597]

Dale

Thanks for the instruction here .. I am attempting to learn this piece and your instruction is simply great! I was in Macon, GA and saw the place where Duane wrote the song , the grave of Little Martha Ellies.

So I decided to try the piece and after 40 years of being a causal picker I ended up going to a guitar studio and taking lessons. Also picked up a new Larrivee D-05 while at the studio. Lessons work but your video sure makes it alot easier .. Again, Thanks. Al

[tonedr]

that is a great story and i appreciate you taking the time to post it! Got to be some good mojo just being in that place. I hope you enjoy working up and playing this great tune......all the best with your music,

dale

[ArizonaGreene]

Hey there! I'm only 13 years old and have been playing for a little under two years, and when I heard Little Martha for the first time I knew that I wanted to be able to play it but didn't think it was possible. Thanks to your video I can now play it. Thanks bunches!

[tonedr]

made my day! Thanks for watching the video and more importantly for at 13 wanting to learn such a great tune - all the best with your music and i'd love to help in any way.

your friend,

dale

[DarryllorMichael]

Thanks! Once you got me started this song almost became obvious. Sign of an excellent teacher. Reason I asked about which guitar you picked up naturally - friend handed me his C-10 other day and I was impressed! I'll try the OM. Have a Martin D-18 30+ years - Collings sound wonderful.

[tonedr]

C-10 is a GREAT model from Collings IMO. Wow the D-18 sounds like something very special - congrats! Keep pickin and i really appreciate you getting in touch - all the best,

dale

[whitato1]

Wow, can't ait to work this out. Thanks again for this wonderful lesson! If you are ever wanting to visit Switzerland, my wife and I have plenty of room. Take care andsmay God bless, from and old Carolina farm boy! Also, loved the Carolina in the Pines lesson as well. Took me back home!!!!!!

[tonedr]

you are very kind and your post put a big smile on my face - wish we could sit and pick these together. I'm in KY so i'm just down the road from your home place. Thanks for your kind offer - if we come i'll have my guitar!!

your friend,

dale

[missa1019]

Thank you, thank you. This is one of my favorites. I have been playing for about 9 months now and this is one of the songs that inspired me to start playing. I'm still having difficulties with my barre chords. I need to get those down and stop ignoring them. Hopefully I can get this down good enough so I can play it for my dad sometime.

Thanks again

Melissa

[tonedr]

hello Melissa - great to hear about your music! I appreciate you using the video and i hope you get this tune right where you want it - i know it will thrill your dad!! Let me know if i can help in any way - keep pickin,

dale

[classicrock1956]

Excellent. Again, thanks for showing where the 'missing jewels' are that I can hear but can never find on the fretboard.

[tonedr]

sure appreciate you watching.....all the best!

dale

[tonedr]

Never heard that story - thanks for the post!

[UfiPilot]

The story goes that Allman had a dream where Jimi Hendrix showed him the melody of the tune in a Holiday Inn motel bathroom, using the sink faucet as a guitar fretboard.

[bigredridinhood]

Absolutely marvelous! Thank you for your time!

[tonedr]

Thanks for taking time to watch - all the best!

dale

[tonedr]

Thanks for the kind post - hope you enjoy working it up!

dale

[greekflatpicker]

I've been looking to learn this.

5*****,Dale.

You're a great teacher,thanks for the lesson.

[VBALLERS]

What a pretty song! You are awesome! I'm guessing you learn these songs by ear. I haven't mastered that gift yet. Thanks for the lesson!

[tonedr]

thank you for taking your time to listen! This song i learned from tab mainly - i do a bit of both, ear and tab, and sometimes steal by watching! Aren't all guitar players guilty of that - hope all is good,

dale

[elevn7]

Dale, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to working on this. What a great song.

Thank you so much for showering us with all these gems.

[tonedr]

it is such a great old tune isn't it - i hope you have a great time working it up and let me know if i can help in any way. I still can't figure how it took me so long to get around to playing it - i just love playing through it. Thanks again!

your friend,

dale

[jackloganbill]

Dale,

Your Youtube "site" setup is fantastic. Easy and clear to navigate. It's great to not have to page through a dozen pages of videos! Great job!

[tonedr]

thanks...i really appreciate your kind post - much appreciated! Hope life is being kind, your friend,

dale

[jackloganbill]

Another great "lesson"! How on earth do you remember all of these tunes??

Thanks again

jack L

[tonedr]

hello Jack....how are you sir! Thanks for taking your time to check this out - hope all is good,

dale

[loveguitars]

Excellent

[tonedr]

thanks for watching - hope all is good!

your friend,

dale

[williaamnac]

Thanks a lot for that great lesson

[tonedr]

thank you for the kind post - all the best,

dale

[fuddster000]

Nicely done and I like the tone you get.

Cheers!

[tonedr]

sure appreciate you taking time to watch - hope all is good,

dale

[archambault65]

Great lesson thanks!

[tonedr]

thanks for watching - very appreciated!

dale

[rickjes]

top notch as usual...Tonedr

your Canadian admirer...Rickjes

[tonedr]

hello friend, really appreciate the kind post and thanks for taking your time to check it out!

best,

dale

[dschenk952]

That's a nice one, Dale. Glad to see you unplugged for a bit.

[tonedr]

thanks for watching - hope all is good,

dale

[tlc445]

Great lesson. It's a little different from the way I learned to play it. I always had trouble getting a clean sound on that 5th fret bar the way I did it. I think your way will be easier to get a clean sound.

[tonedr]

sure appreciate you watching - glad to hear you enjoy playing this great tune! Keep pickin,

dale