@deltron2007 Listen to what he says at 6:29. It's better we don't see his fingers so the temptation to play patterns or copy him isn't there. He is talking the philosophy, sounds, and ideas. The best bluesmen almost always play a song a little different each time. It's important to know the notes/progressions but not copy them by wrote. It's way more important to listen to when your buddy makes a change because of what he feels. Hear and feel it coming. Playing formula progressions you'll fail.
I like the 'country E'. I learned how to play blues from Bennie Smith in Saint Louis. He was considered the dean of blues guitar in Saint Louis. When he saw me play a barre chord he said 'show me that chord again'. So I played the barre chord again. And he said, 'oh, you play dem COWBOY chords'. So I asked him a better way to play it and he showed me how to play a barre like the way Taj Mahal shows what he calls a country chord. Except Bennie would play the A string and optionally mute it.
I love this video. So many lessons I've watched in other places are so polished and about patterns... but he takes it into Mojo. The real deal, not just the image. Not that patterns are not important to understand but I like how he talks about feeling the dance of it, the walk... it's like he's not playing the guitar as much as *they* are spending time together.
Yet around 6:39 or so I couldn't help but think he was going to give himself whip lash!
god, I wish I could see his hands. Is there a better version of this video?
deltron2007 3 weeks ago
@deltron2007 Unfortunately no - but we agreed. We wish we could see his hands a bit more clearly.
daddariostrings 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
theshowmecanuck 2 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@deltron2007 Listen to what he says at 6:29. It's better we don't see his fingers so the temptation to play patterns or copy him isn't there. He is talking the philosophy, sounds, and ideas. The best bluesmen almost always play a song a little different each time. It's important to know the notes/progressions but not copy them by wrote. It's way more important to listen to when your buddy makes a change because of what he feels. Hear and feel it coming. Playing formula progressions you'll fail.
theshowmecanuck 2 weeks ago
I like the 'country E'. I learned how to play blues from Bennie Smith in Saint Louis. He was considered the dean of blues guitar in Saint Louis. When he saw me play a barre chord he said 'show me that chord again'. So I played the barre chord again. And he said, 'oh, you play dem COWBOY chords'. So I asked him a better way to play it and he showed me how to play a barre like the way Taj Mahal shows what he calls a country chord. Except Bennie would play the A string and optionally mute it.
theshowmecanuck 3 weeks ago
LOVE IT
iwishiwasbell 1 month ago
forget the guitar.. his voice is so bluesy it makes you feel like you're sitting in one of those cool old shitty bars!
SinaArtism 2 months ago
wow. he plays some phenomenal licks.
bapbap22 4 months ago
Best class on tube!!!
tripadegato 6 months ago
jeez. one of the last living legends.
taj please stay with us as long as you can.
i hope he lives to 200
tattooninja 7 months ago 4
It's such a treat to be able to listen to the masters of our time.
fngrpkn06 9 months ago
Been a fan of Taj since 1968. Love it.
clarkewi 1 year ago
how is this a lesson?
pacisablo 1 year ago
blues master
thank you
peace and love
kookookachooo000 1 year ago
any blues player should watch and respond to this .............. excellent man! mike
mjlyam 1 year ago
I love this video. So many lessons I've watched in other places are so polished and about patterns... but he takes it into Mojo. The real deal, not just the image. Not that patterns are not important to understand but I like how he talks about feeling the dance of it, the walk... it's like he's not playing the guitar as much as *they* are spending time together.
Yet around 6:39 or so I couldn't help but think he was going to give himself whip lash!
TheBluesBeggar 1 year ago
A great lesson from a great man & the video sucs..
mayito714 1 year ago