Police Dog Blues - Blind Blake

[hchoron]

Simply awesome. A very tough song to play at that speed and so cleanly.

[blueshirttail]

I've been listening to this song since I was a kid and I really appreciate you slowing it down. I never realized how nuanced some of his riffs were. Extraordinary version, sir.

[StupidFingers]

@blueshirttail Thanks! I wish I could say I slowed it down so that listeners could hear the nuances...sad to say I slowed it down so I could actually play it. Blake is just too dang fast!

[Keepthelidon]

Hey StupidFingers - your fingers ain't so stupid!

[rpby82]

Very nice. Did u learn this by ear? Can you recommend any other ragtime players? Thanks

[Rekinsky2]

Great playing, love it!!!!!

[sakuarius102]

@StupidFingers Is a Martin guitar?. What model?. The sound it's crazy !!!

[StupidFingers]

@sakuarius102

It's a Santa Cruz OM, made in about 1999. Bought it on eBay!

[noslohcinkin]

Great version, lovely nimble touch, great to find there's loads of Blind Blake appreciators out there!

[ibbipus]

hey, great playing

i´ve got one question..are there any tabs for the part from 0:10 until 0:50/1:00

i´ve got some problems with this... so when there are any tabs for this part pls send me with a pn

[StupidFingers]

@ibbipus I got started with this tune by watching Woody Mann play it in his instructional video "The Guitar of Blind Blake." Unfortunately he only goes through the instrumental breaks, and not the vocal accompaniment, so I had to resort to listening hard and guessing at a lot.

[felineth56]

Great playing and vocal too! Thank you for posting!

[breakingthe4thwall]

Awesome, do you happen to have tabs for this in open d?

[Beinard]

I know how much work went into that! Well worth it! It sounds great! Nice job!

[MrBlueEyes123]

Great

[robalid]

yyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeessssss­ssssss. thank you. this tune is hard as hell, as most ragtime is, i'd hit a wall with my playing but you just convinced me to play through it. thank you again!

[steveshowse]

@robalid The hardest part about becoming good is playing through the repetitiveness of really difficult tunes. Especially when you are still working on getting basic dexterity in your fingers. Many people I know quit fingerstyle becuase they set the bar to high. Can't start with blake...

[Zeckellin]

Great job - I agree with everyone praising you on this. Accurate. Smooth. Not as fast as Blake's - but who cares about that. The blues can be played in any tempo - fast, slow or inbetween. I enjoyed this very much, and now I might have to learn this.

[StupidFingers]

@Zeckellin

Thanks for the kind words (you and everyone else)!

[TheBeestoncowboy]

Love it great cover.......Stumbled on you through justfred chanell and had to sub

[jamiexxxx147]

Outstanding! I have watched this so many time now and you have inspired me to learn it. Brilliant guitar and a nice vocal tone too. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Do you think it would be possible to play this in standard tuning? As I am only an occasional player, I am reluctant to get into different tunings in case it confuses me!

[StupidFingers]

@jamiexxxx147

Go ahead and de-tune that guitar! Take a chance! I think trying it in standard would be challenging, but you'd have to come up with a VERY different arrangement.

[summerofska]

@jamiexxxx147 i just transposed this song in standard tuning, and if i can do it you can cuz frankly, i suck.

[StupidFingers]

@jamiexxxx147 You could probably play something in standard, but it wouldn't sound like Blake's version. And maybe a little confusion is a good thing...sometimes the best way to learn your way around a new town is to get lost and find your way back!

[ralph007]

One of the best covers of a Blind Blake Tune on YT - No THE BEST. You play it very accuratly and your tempo is realy OK!

[StupidFingers]

@ralph007 - Thanks!

[JoeDonLucas]

Great song......!!!!

[hchoron]

ps Do you have any idea who fretkiller is?

[StupidFingers]

@hchoron ... Yeah...I subscribe to his channel. The guy is amazing!!

[hchoron]

Simply gorgeous and solid playing. Kudos for learning such a difficult piece. I play it almost the same way that you do, but don't have the fluidity you possess.

You have a new fan.

[BangYai]

Great job. Your playing and voice really work together well. I used to play this from some Stefan Grossman tabs so you have inspired me to brush up on it.

By the way, nice guitar....what is it ?

[StupidFingers]

@BangYai ... Thanks for the nice words...it's a Santa Cruz OM.

[BangYai]

Great job. Your playing and voice really work together well. I used to play this from some Stefan Grossman tabs so you have inspired me to brush up on it.

[RightReverendMatt]

Hey, beatlesfam129.

See Stephan Grossman's Guitar Workshop. Spend some bread on DVDs and you'll never be the same.

Rev Matt

[IBG67]

Hey man, when i first got into ragpicking, i messaged you, full of frustration, and not knowing how to vent it, but with your kind words, i figured it out, and have improved 1000%. From An Appreciative young kid.

[stringpiano]

...beautiful interpretation, man. Really. Seldom anybody´s able to do a credible Blake thing...Carry on, soldier. Please...Cordially yours, Thomas

[StupidFingers]

@stringpiano ... thanks for the kind words!

[bluegrass2121]

One of my favorite covers on youtube. Great job StupidFingers........

[StupidFingers]

@bluegrass2121 ... I appreciate the comment!

[streamkat]

Very good job.! I'm just a guitar hack at best but my guess this ain't so easy to play... I enjoyed your rendition of this song., very nicely done.

[ArkRed1]

So fine, so fine.

[beatlesfan129]

Thank you so much for the advice I will looking to purchase that book! I will also look into that montrose record! Thanks again!

[StupidFingers]

@beatlesfan129 ... Good luck guy!

[mashtones]

Speed Kills

[beatlesfan129]

Hello StupidFingers,

I am not asking for a handout or anything, but when you first started to play what were some things you did to get to this point? I know I am asking alot but i have been trying to learn the art of ragtime picking for almost a year but nothing is clicking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[StupidFingers]

Hey Beatlesfan (btw, so am I), back in the dark ages, when I first started to play, I had no formal instruction in fingerpicking. I concentrated on learning to alternate the bass with my thumb and play simple accompaniment with the fingers. The first song I learned that way was off the Montrose album "Money", the song was a cover of the Stone's song "Connection". A real simple drop-D, alternating bass kind of tune. Also, a great book you can get is Mel Bay's Complete Country Blues Guitar Book.

[psychedelichobo]

@beatlesfan129

try starting out with make me a pallet on your floor by mississippi john hurt. It's easy, and can help you learn more of that ragtime Piedmont style

[huxl3y]

@beatlesfan129

Hey not to jump in the middle of this but I have been playing for some time and I would like to suggest a couple things. First STUDY! I mean like break it apart and chew on the ideas until you can't take any more. Over and over. All the while listen to it like it will save your soul. It won't, but you know. If you listen long enough and study hard enough you will see the common melodic themes over the chord changes and then after that you can learn small little differences

[beatlesfan129]

@huxl3y Thanks. I will do this!

[btm240]

very nice. man you have those rolls down.

[dialectgirl]

I like it! :)

[passionpicking]

Sounds great!

Keep going friend :-)

Chris

[jaamboli]

Very smooth version...well sung too.....

[arjhendrix]

Hey RJ

this one is now timeless bro.

real good and i will be saying the same in a few months.

will be back. gl

Regards

[benkaimusashi]

Very nice :) lovely bend with the little finger.

[anyolguitar]

Nice version ! thank you-

[RohamK96]

youre the man! :)

[donluke578]

Just because you ain't keepin up with Blake don't mean you do justice to this tune. Man, you do a sweet version for sure!! It flows real nice....

[DirkJefferson]

Good picking. Good singing.

-

Nice voice.

[DirkJefferson]

Nicely played. Nicely sung. Good voice.

[TutorWizard]

awesomme

[alberzeta]

You're very talented person, nice voice and awesome technique acoustic guitar.

[supermashriq]

Great rendition.

[Blueswailer]

It's kind of funny that Blind Blake was, not to mention blind, but also an alcoholic. And he still wrote such ragtime classics its insane. All of you straightbacks, don't give me thumbs down, I'm not downplaying Blake. He's my favourite Ragtimer, despite his shortcomings. Everyone has flaws.

Plus this version's awesome.

[Wunderburn]

awesome! Hot Tuna did a great version of this song as well!

[suuzzee5]

Absolutely brilliant!

[WeepingZeeGuitars]

Great version of a great tune. "Stupid Good." Thanks for posting- WZ

[aravec]

Superb!

[evanwinsor]

yeah man. good stuff.

[bluegrass2121]

One of my all time favorites on youtube!!!

[Sunambra]

The best

[trevorm1]

Great job. Is that a hard one to learn??

[robindavies24]

Nice job

[gorblimey61]

Nice version. Good playin' & singin'.

[mustyToasteater]

where do i can find these tabs ?

beceaus you play it different

like i do

[mustyToasteater]

where do i can find these tabs ?

beceaus you play it different

like i do

[mustyToasteater]

where can i found these tabs ?

beceaus you play it different

like i do

[warfatron]

hey, just one question.

If it's in open d tuning how come you are using a capo on the second fret, why don't yuo just play in open E?

[StupidFingers]

Maybe I should have been more specific? Some players, like Woody Mann do play it in open D (DADGF#D). Blake tunes his guitar in open D and plays it with a capo on the second fret, so that creates an open E. In the video that's the way I play it. You can do it either way. I've modified the intro to say this.

[warfatron]

thanks, great video by the way

[fishdog666]

Wow! That was no joke! Awesome job man.

[samrose08]

u forgot to activate star power man!

[A1Video]

Normal D tuning is DADAF#D...do you tune 3rd string to G.?...or rather just leave it at G? Ialways tune it up to a because the G and F# would create a dissonance when strummed open...but I know some exotic Hawaiian tuning..9th and 4ths,...so...you sure about the third string staying a t G...innerestin'.

[StupidFingers]

Well...I suppose it would be interesting...but not very "country blues" sounding. DADGAD is a very nice tuning, and I use it (see my video "Love At First Sight"), but I don't think Blind Blake did. Might be interesting to hear a version done that way.

[A1Video]

Sorry...I think I meant DADF#AD...& i use capo on 2nd fret too...i knew there was a triad in there somewhere..that's a true open D...D chord..whereas what you play DADGAD has the fourth but no third...it's not an open D...and DADGF#D..,would be quite dissonant played open...so on this tune you use....? or maybe regular tuning?..with a low D?

[A1Video]

No no...i meant DADF#AD...that's Open D...full chord.

[StupidFingers]

Sorry...I misunderstood. I actually *do* play it in DADF#AD. You mentioned DADGAD below...I don't play it in that. Does that make sense?

[A1Video]

Yes, that's the one...i love that tuning.

[wefrem]

Sound just like he plays it. Great!

[ottocarpenter]

smoking...

[warholio]

I'm sure blind blake would be honoured that 80 years on someone could do it such justice. Magnificent playing thank you!!

[warholio]

I'm sure Blind Blake would be honoured that 80 years on someone could do it such justice, absolutely great!!!

[smudgeguitar]

very nice playing - i've pinched a couple of tricks - great

[donegalpilgrim]

Next to Blind Blake, it's you and Ry Cooder. How about a tab on this one?:)

[gorblimey61]

... and a pretty good "attempt" at that!

Don't be so hard on yourself. That was just fine.

[iQuation]

this performance will keep the police dogs quite - sheer out of respect

[sockenfrank]

perfect.

[IplayBanjoNow]

It doesn't matter if this isn't as fast as Blind Blake's version. You play it so smoothly and with such accuracy. Great job. 5 stars. Thanks for this.

[jayz6288]

verry niiiiceeeee!!!

[roylad87]

silky smooth!!!

[OhMrBeefy]

more please! :)

[stephen518]

Where're your stupidfingers ?

[bluephil]

Perfect Mr Blake !

[stinkhippie]

still pretty good, nice voice

[hypnosync1]

Just perfect. Hope to see more of your work here.

[Jtherva]

Very nice

[outdoorasskicker]

Awesome, great job.

[alanabit]

Well played and sung! It is faithful to the original, but it also has something of you in it. Can't ask for more than that!

[andthenor]

right the **** on

perfect picking,

perfect lyrics,

perfect TEMPO

thanks-

[huskuvhovsep300]

your a beast. your simply amazing

[pissballs]

Sounds pro!

[dagetage]

mighty fine, Hoss...You are really carrying on the great traditdions.. Keep upi the great work

[dagetage]

wonderful pickin' and singing too,,,Keep up the fanastic work

[dagetage]

That is one of the best versions I have ever heard of this classic number...YOur pickin is awesome and your vocal is right up there too...Keep up the good work...

[z454]

Super!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lansdownekid]

I wouldn't worry about the tempo friend, you did a grand job, good playing and singing :-)

*****

[lttpohio]

sweet

[AndyLeece]

love finger pickin blues, need to learn them any pointerts

[RJcur]

Just awesome mate, five stars!!

[kownakblues]

favorite blake tune, so nicely played thanks for sharing

[1wiesehoefer1]

very nice playing, best wishes from germany

[codder63]

I havent read all the comments,so this might have been mentioned already, you seem to be in,D A D F# G D not D A D G F# D.

Eitherway very nice job.

[0Reilly08]

This is the nicest rendition, to my ears at least that I've found on YouTube.  You have a very relaxed execution that makes it easy on the ears.

[mustafacurry]

SF, i think the g and f sharp could be mixed up.

[joelatuttle]

awesome performance

[andthenor]

very nice.

perfect tempo, crisply played.

thanks!

[batfink777]

Sooo nice! *****

[stringpiano]

Well StupidFingers.... maybe your choice of nick is exessesively misguidin´ your audience. After all your fingers don´t match any comparasation to the concept of stupid. Luckily. This is one fine interpretation of Blake´s wonderful tune. Very diffucult to reproduce to an admireable extend. You did it. Nice voice by the way...

[zamix23]

Your version remains the number one! 5 stars touch!!

[arjhendrix]

thank you for going to the roots for them blues.

ur unique and great.

[porpendeja]

great voice. i gasped a little when you started singing. and to play all the while.

[TiuAndria]

Bravo!

Ma ti sto dietro alla grande... :)

[tokotokobrm]

A perfect performance!

You are splendid.

[mikedh9]

really nice version. thanks.

[paris1952]

Very fluid and with the right syncopation. Excellent.

[anotherjoshua]

great. real nice voice, too.

[mikedh9]

great job! thanks for this.

[dayve07]

so cool. brilliant version !!

[charsalutube]

I'm in awe. I haven't tried any open tuning in so many years but perhaps I'll give it a go again.

[fwlappin]

Hi from England

Blind Blake would buy you a pint, this is very good, thank you!

[fwlappin]

Hello from England

I think Blind Blake would buy you a pint.

If they sold this in my local record shop I'd buy it. I agree, your voice is spot on.

Thank you

[longtoothslim]

great stuff, loved it !

[TheRat47]

I really love this version and I appreciate the clear view of your fingering. I've got this mostly worked out now.

One minor problem, though. Your intro to the video says:

" It's in an Open D tuning (DADGF#D)."

But you have the guitar tuned DADF#AD, not DADGF#D. You clarify this in one of your posts way back on page 1 or 2, but you never corrected the intro and people probably don't read back that far. You may want to fix that. Some folks could get frustrated trying DADGF#D.

[TheRat47]

Outstanding performance. I think you underrate your voice, too. I wish my fingers were this stupid.

[Paullythehat]

Nice one buddy. Ideal voice for it too, i think.

[nitalfarista]

wow, very impressive playing! greetings from brazil!

[daveythelad]

Brilliant - nicely performed - very slick! Thanks

[hockeygod10]

great playing.

is that a takamine?

[StupidFingers]

Thanks! And nope, it's a Santa Cruz.

[doUcare4music]

You are too modest.. dem is some, MEAN, fingers... There is one Old piece, I'd love to hear... Do you take requests ?

[robotkiwi]

hey stupidfingers, that was really something i am a teenager who is into the old style blues. You have inspired me to go further with my playing.

top job !

[Borethegreat]

first person ive seen on youtube with the same guitar as me.

nice.

i love my martin.

[houndheadhenry]

Really great version, well played :-))

[jumpfoot123]

great!

[edaz92]

i've watched a couple renditions of this song on utube

and this is by far the best

i would pay good money to go and see u play the blues

peace x

[elliepete]

Brilliant I've started to learn it now thanks

[elliepete]

your amazing

[mikeberk810]

fanstastic man!

you've got a really great feel and the voice really seems to match it.

good job,

michael berk

[mmiloaway]

a sweet version! much akin to Etta Baker's :)

[llanbradach]

You sound great and I love your picking guitar style.

[johnsmithqqq]

i like it!

[dreamsofhaegum]

I've been playing this for 35 years and never nailed it like that. Great. I'll be getting the old 0018 out tomorrow. Thanks

[6stringsdown]

Wow, very nice. Very convincing feeling with both the voice and guitar.

[JACKTHESMILLER]

OUI OUI c'est bien C'est juste c'est pure,

Encore un peu monsieur le guitariste.

Bravo et chapeau...

[rayoll]

damn you played that really nicely. I've done that song for ages and I don't get your lovely tumbling feel. Fine singing too. I am not allowed to sing anymore since I married a singer!

[EnglishPub]

by far the best version on youtube (that may not be saying much but seriously, hella good)

[StupidFingers]

Thanks Pub...love the AC/DC, sounds great! One of these days I'll have to strap on my electric and put "Back in Black" out there.

[jacquillo]

the voice sings in a very different style, but the guitar is close to perfect.

[tiegs]

good job - check out Jorma doing it on Italian TV - Have you seen that one?

WOW>

[boomerhgt]

brilliant great version i love this song great talent

[hchoron]

great picking. really fluid for a difficult piece.

[kenhughesblues]

Beautiful job! You really have gotten the Blake harmonies and techniques. I enjoyed your rendition very much. Have to look at some more of your tunes!

[BennyFromCrossroads]

Classic! Lovely guitar, good voice, great playing.

[dsarkissian]

Awesome

[jaxguy1930]

I must say you really nailed the song! Good job!

[nigsvon]

Really musical! The best modern version I've heard. Your guitar has great sweet sustain, what is it?

[StupidFingers]

Thanks for the awesome complement! It's a Santa Cruz OM, about 10 years old.

[WillHirsch1]

Beautiful man, just beautiful! Did you work this out yourself or did you get tab someplace? I learned Woody Manns take on it which was good for someone new to Blake's stuff but I'd really love to see the tab for your version!

[StupidFingers]

I know I explained all this about 50 comments ago or something, but I learned it from a combination of Woody Mann's instructional video, various tabs, and just listening a bazillion times to Blind Blake's recording. Mostly that last one, though, because all the available published tabs are incomplete (at least all that I could lay my hands on only showed the instrumental breakes, never the verses), and most don't show exactly how Blake played it.

[bobgure]

My favorite Blake song. Pretty good, I must say. Better than Grossman's take on it.

I play it in open E. You say Blake did it in D capo'ed. I Never thought of that, getting it note for note from the recording. Like most of his stuff, it's deceptive. Very difficult, espec. with syncopation and the alternate thumb groove. His feel is very difficult to get! I try for a 'harder' thumb attack to simulate the 'left hand piano' stride effect. Painful fingers!!

Thanks for this...

[Mikey4lock]

Lovely ring to to git box, harmonic heaven.

Thanks mate