It isn't possible to duplicate it. The only way is if somebody can actually copy it in the speed in which he did it-and he was extraordinarily fast-and do it blindfolded. Nobody can do it. Period.
Dear Jim Bruce: I heard Blind Blake's "Sun to Sun" on KBRD radio this morning, looked it up on TH-cam, and found your tutorial. Nice job. Thanks for making such a straightforward instructive video. Carry on.
Hey Jim! You and your excellent videos have done more to help me get where I want to be in my playing than anything else I've tried. You have a depth of understanding of Blake's work that beats all but it's your ability to help others learn from it that is truly remarkable. Just excellent! Thanks!
man o man you are awesome ,,,,love that double time thumb thang...really when my shoulder is better and i can play guitar ,,,its all about the ragtime for me and will be getttin those lessons you offer,,, thanx R
Hey Mr. Bruce, I'm a big fan of your finger picking! I was wondering if at some point you could post a lesson on "Rope Stretching Blues"? I can't find it anywhere and the audio is difficult for me to decipher. Thanks for keeping Blind Blakes music alive!!
***** Fantastic! Can't wait for your next video. Thanks again for your knowledge and teachings! You have a lot of students out there, including myself.
At 4 minutes you say that in Southern Rag Blake used all his fingers (as in the very opening line). A while ago I watched Woody Mann's documentary on Rev Gary Davis and was amazed to see that he really only seemed to use his thumb and first finger! I wonder why? (I think maybe Merle Travis was the same.) But for me that is one of the factors that makes Blake a much more sophisticated player. I'd be interested to know what you think, Jim!
Another angle on Blind Blake: David Olusoga chose some pre-War blues last week for his Desert Island Discs. It struck me there is now enough visual material for a TV programme about him: an article in The Times, a death certificate, a grave, stories (of the research which produced his death certificate, of the romantic discovery of 'new' recordings in an old steamer trunk,) possible testimonies to his playing by e.g. Ry Cooder and Ralph McTell, NOT TO MENTION the work done by you and one or two others in making Blake's wondrous techniques available to other guitarists via TH-cam! And as David O is interested in pre-War guitar (and his chosen luxury was a Martin), I thought that he would be the ideal person to pitch the idea to a production company and to present the programme -- provided that he likes Blind Blake, that is!
Woody Mann does a good job on blind blake. Most of the stuff that he did also he used the guitars that did not have x bracing. So the sound was different. For being a great guitar play that he was feel that history is being very kind to him. I also feel that he was killed for being a playboy.
Well said, sir (and, to be fair, the difference is 1 string, 1 fret-not much). I regretted the way that sounded as soon as I sent it-- I was just thinking in terms of Gary Davis and B.B. Fuller using the diminished as the weapon of choice in place of the 5 chord when going back to A. Thanks, incidentally, for responding-- I very much admire your work.
The Eb7 works better than a diminished, because it gives you that nice semitone run down on the 4th string: f e eflat d. You hear that run better when Jim plays it faster.
Jim, it sounds as if he's strumming all of the "ands" ( or 2s and 4s depending on time) and not single picking with the thumb. I have yet to hear anyone play it like Blake himself, but I think you are the closest yet.
94 years after that recording and we're still examining, still studying Blind Blake's approach to the guitar. That is incredible.
For sure--I'm trying to learn it myself
It isn't possible to duplicate it. The only way is if somebody can actually copy it in the speed in which he did it-and he was extraordinarily fast-and do it blindfolded. Nobody can do it. Period.
Man that guitar chimes is so good
Blind Blake is my Guitar Hero. I have never heard anyone come as close as you to capturing Blind Blake's style. Fantastic.
You are so good brother Jim, God bless you brother
Dear Jim Bruce: I heard Blind Blake's "Sun to Sun" on KBRD radio this morning, looked it up on TH-cam, and found your tutorial. Nice job. Thanks for making such a straightforward instructive video. Carry on.
This tutorial is good in sound and graphics, also for the camera close up position, love it and thank you so much, Jim!
Hey Jim! You and your excellent videos have done more to help me get where I want to be in my playing than anything else I've tried. You have a depth of understanding of Blake's work that beats all but it's your ability to help others learn from it that is truly remarkable. Just excellent! Thanks!
Wow! Awesome playing and picking! Thumbs up:)
man o man you are awesome ,,,,love that double time thumb thang...really when my shoulder is better and i can play guitar ,,,its all about the ragtime for me and will be getttin those lessons you offer,,, thanx R
Always good clear straight ahead explanations. Good Job!
Brilliant Jim😎
riveting video fella. Loved every minute of it. Pat on the back from me Jim.
brilliant playing great lesson
thanks for sharing these tips and tab. very helpful.
You inspire me. Mucho gracias.
You nailed it Jim!
Great lesson!
cheers, enjoyed it
Hey Mr. Bruce, I'm a big fan of your finger picking! I was wondering if at some point you could post a lesson on "Rope Stretching Blues"? I can't find it anywhere and the audio is difficult for me to decipher.
Thanks for keeping Blind Blakes music alive!!
***** Fantastic! Can't wait for your next video. Thanks again for your knowledge and teachings! You have a lot of students out there, including myself.
loved this!!!
Great Subtitling!! LOL.
Bruce says: "Guitar Chimes" and the subtitle says: "Pizza or Chinese" ..
Hahahaha!!
great stuff bro....
This guy should be sitting in with Jorma and Jack.
Impressive BB playing! Q: In Southern Rag you lift up your picking hand. Do you use your ring finger there?
Hey Diolch! learned plenty.
At 4 minutes you say that in Southern Rag Blake used all his fingers (as in the very opening line). A while ago I watched Woody Mann's documentary on Rev Gary Davis and was amazed to see that he really only seemed to use his thumb and first finger! I wonder why? (I think maybe Merle Travis was the same.) But for me that is one of the factors that makes Blake a much more sophisticated player. I'd be interested to know what you think, Jim!
Another angle on Blind Blake: David Olusoga chose some pre-War blues last week for his Desert Island Discs. It struck me there is now enough visual material for a TV programme about him: an article in The Times, a death certificate, a grave, stories (of the research which produced his death certificate, of the romantic discovery of 'new' recordings in an old steamer trunk,) possible testimonies to his playing by e.g. Ry Cooder and Ralph McTell, NOT TO MENTION the work done by you and one or two others in making Blake's wondrous techniques available to other guitarists via TH-cam! And as David O is interested in pre-War guitar (and his chosen luxury was a Martin), I thought that he would be the ideal person to pitch the idea to a production company and to present the programme -- provided that he likes Blind Blake, that is!
3:32
0:16 and 3:20
Woody Mann does a good job on blind blake. Most of the stuff that he did also he used the guitars that did not have x bracing. So the sound was different. For being a great guitar play that he was feel that history is being very kind to him. I also feel that he was killed for being a playboy.
🤩🤩🎸🎶👍🇨🇱🍷
you're sure that's Eb7 and not the diminished chord?
Well said, sir (and, to be fair, the difference is 1 string, 1 fret-not much). I regretted the way that sounded as soon as I sent it-- I was just thinking in terms of Gary Davis and B.B. Fuller using the diminished as the weapon of choice in place of the 5 chord when going back to A. Thanks, incidentally, for responding-- I very much admire your work.
The Eb7 works better than a diminished, because it gives you that nice semitone run down on the 4th string: f e eflat d. You hear that run better when Jim plays it faster.
Jim, it sounds as if he's strumming all of the "ands" ( or 2s and 4s depending on time) and not single picking with the thumb. I have yet to hear anyone play it like Blake himself, but I think you are the closest yet.
Vintles1 i'll second that
Indeed, it's something I have incorporated in my playing. th-cam.com/video/IrcZz42PcQc/w-d-xo.html
Open G ?
Standard tuning
HELENObbg standard with capo on the 1
"When you're the #1 ragtime player, and your first song is WEST COAST BLUES, where do you go from there"? Answer" You become Rev. Gary Davis
Jeez, who did the subtitling? Obviously doesn't understand the Sheffield accent!