Stefan Grossman teaches "Vestapol" (Pt. 1 of 3)

[crazyquilt]

I had to chuckle when Stefan wondered how the music of middle class women in parlors could somehow wind up in the black repertoire.

I would be comfortable in presuming that none of those women playing tiny, ornate guitars were dusting said parlors themselves. Perhaps, after a particularly sprightly tune, they wished to have some tea. In many affluent urban households, then as now, they had help. And lots of that help was (and is) black.

Oh, and thanks (as always) for the great lesson.

[sinopsycho]

thanks for this video. 

[VinniePaah]

I wonder if Vestapol can easily be played in the standard tuning.

[peacemanreview]

Hi Stefan. I used to go to your shop in Cambridge, and Larry Unger was my teacher. I recently got back in touch with him, and am enjoying seeing your videos, and so glad I have learned some of this old blues.. You are a good man

Peace Always,

Eddie

[BatteryHuman]

i have a problem with my bass picking thumb. i can play alternating bass just fine along with melody, but the problem is my thumb, mainly on the lowest string, doesn't get much volume out of the string. i really only have this problem when playing with finger picks. anyone have any tips on how i can make my thumb stronger on the lowest string?

[pbjr60]

practice on a bass guitar with your thumb or as some pickers do use fake nails on your picking fingers instead of picks.

[LTmattYT]

try a thumbpick?

[potatoepeter1]

Mister Grossman. You give me the inspiration. Very thanks for that. Stefan for president.

[sferemonk]

Thanks for the re-tuning lesson. Useful.And lovely tune. I love the different flavours you can conjure up with the guitr. You can travel.

[sferemonk]

How? Who knows? Black people were open. Just because you're black it doesn't mean all you can be is 'black'. "Yeah, there was this cool looking black guy, i figured he's probably listening to reggae or soul, but check this out! He was listening to Mozart! it was unbelievable!"

[LTmattYT]

LOL

[PeluMaad]

@sferemonk ...so you don't like Eminem?

[aHorribleMess]

I've heard this played a lot of different ways (it's an old song...) but is there any incorrect way to play it, other than being in a different tuning and playing a completely different song?

[Gwyhir]

Great to see these vids - I got Stefans vinyl Blues guitar and Ragtime guitar records about 40 years ago - they were the best thing available at that time and th tabs were very clear.

[jimihendrix1967]

G is still out of tune but it's okay. Sounds good.

[Bigerjoel]

Hi man ,

I like your Finger Picking . Great .

[22896153]

Dear Sefen,

I have reiceved your dvd "Country Blues Guitar In Open Tunings".

what a lovely dvd,however i am having lots of trouble with the

alternating thumb, i can play the melodies and i can play the

alternating thumb but i cant play them together any tips

best wishes from a big fan  Derrick.

[ASouthernRag]

Just practice the thumb tills its a machine. make it strong as possible. then slowly add melody. you should be practicing with just two fingers is my suggestion. but make sure thumb is no longer thought process before adding melody. it wont be long from now till you got it down

[hollowneck]

It clicked for me when I started thinking of the melody notes as happening either "with" or "between" the thumb-notes, rather than thinking of melody & bassline as seperate/independant things.

Good Luck!

[megalith6]

magic: i've been following Stefan's excellent books for decades but seeing and hearing songs played is fabulous: dv really comes into its own here :)

thanks Stefan!

;)

[ynysybari]

This is nice but for a truly dynamic version check out John Fahey

[plyzorba1]

This is great. Thanks.