Thom Bresh Teaches Cannonball Rag

[HollerboyHellbilly]

I have watched hundreds of instructional videos and I can honestly say that this is the best one I have ever seen. He is speaking my language.

[TheDarmardar]

very cool, thanks

[Nightmarelix]

Am I right in thinking that his technique is slightly different to Merle's?

To me it appears as if Merle only uses his index finger, where as Bresh uses both his in index AND middle finger. Am I correct?

[homespuntapes]

You are correct. He points this fact out in the full video. Good job in catching that!

[wibble7773]

many thanks- wonderfully clear explaination- all best wishes from ireland

[skullfoot]

this is merle's son???

[homespuntapes]

@skullfoot

Thom is Merle's son. It's a very cool video. I got a lot of insight into Travis Picking from it. --Adam Traum

[michauvon]

yep, does anyone know? Plz, prv me as well.... thx.

[DannyDesperate]

It's strange how some simple instructional vids work, while most (despite the tech/tab/waffle) fail miserably. Thom is so comfortable here that he exudes confidence. Nice clip!

Merle was such an unorthodox player technically that it's hard (and counter productive) so to try to replicate his 'style'. Rather, it's all about feel and individuality and wanting to make the piece belong to you musically (as opposed to slavishly copying hand movements).

[Amulius]

Your right. A classic example of someone who didn't try to replicate his style, but was influenced by it, was Elliott Smith. You wouldn't realize it until you studied his picking in songs like Tomorrow tomorrow or Angeles that he was influenced by him, because he made it his own. Travis was an incredible guitarist, and he made the way for some musicians that have changed many lives.

[haydenjames1973]

Yes, the Breshman took his stepfather's name because that is who raised him. He consulted Merle Travis and Merle told him "That's a good name to use". Thom is a great friend and neighbor, I also designed his website. Just so you know, I am a very reliable source.

[ballryan76]

Does anyone know why Thom didn't keep his father's name. I've never heard the reason behind that. Can anyone enlighten me to why he's not Thom Travis? That info is not on wiki. Maybe because its none of my business but I'd like to know if it isn't a big deal.

[Westerngitarre]

That´s a good question! I wondered about this, too as i watched one dvd of him where he mentioned that merle´s his father.

[bigjeanguy]

He ditched his old mans last name so he could make a name of his own. Bresh is his stepdad's name...

[litttleboots]

My understanding (from an old article) is that the real identity of his father was kept a secret from him for years. When he was finally told, he'd been using Bresh for so long and had thought of his step father as his father.

[bloomingpower]

mind blowing

i france we had Marcel Dadi which was pretty good too doin rags

[Brutuss33]

incredible player & very nice guitar!

[guillone]

that's Travis' old guitar.

[kingmobconguero]

thats a bit weird.

[Entropy56]

My hands were to small to use the thumb so I quit.

[DaniielD]

just stunning

[packiethegreat]

I know, it requires amazing wrist strength in both hands. And co-ordination. Also you've to press the strings a lot harder than e.g rock where you can get away with a lot more errors. That makes fingerstyle the ultimate challenge!

[SNOWJAZZ66]

Nicely put, some good advice, don´t overdo not any of the thumbs when starting with travis/fingerpicking, you could risk a wrist injury, also don´t hold the guitar while picking, use a strap.

[lamajr52]

very, very nice man

[banjohead62]

thank you, your father and my mother were friends for many years she held him in the highest regard!

[pattolo]

Grande Thom!!!! Bravo insegnante! e il cannon è veramnte difficile....

[74dorset]

oh no my fingers have fallen off, damn you