Joe Tennis Raleigh NC
Man, it's a good day for this blues picker... all in one day a set of new ebony bridge pins arrived for my 000, a new resonator, and perhaps the best of all, the 2nd CAGED DVD.
The first DVD was great - I've been struggling with Fretboard Logic and Fretboard Roadmaps and your DVD made it all that much easier... I can't wait to dig into the second DVD!
Simon Prager London
I
just recently bought your Gary Davis 4 DVD set and I wanted to let you
know how impressed I am with it. I
am a semi professional singer and guitarist (that means that I get paid
when I do it but I don't even begin to live off it). I have been a fan
of Gary's since I saw him on a blues package in London in about 1964/5.
I have worked away at his stuff ever since (not as dedicated as you though).
I have turned on quite a few people to his playing although only a small
part of my repertoire is his. That includes Death don't have no mercy,
Sampson
and Delilah, slow drag, buck dance, sit down by the banks of the river
and quite a few of the things on the DVDs. Stefan spent an afternoon with
me about 35 years ago and showed me some very useful things but other
than that, I've just taught myself by listening. That is a very hard way
to do it and your DVDs have been a fantastic revelation because although
I had the bones of the shapes he used, I hadn't really a clear idea of
some of the counterpoint which is going on.
This is just
to say thanks really. I think you've done a truly remarkable job. There
is plenty of stuff in print about Gary's music and how he played it but
nothing that begins to do justice to that genius in the detail that yours
does. I will tell people to buy the DVDs (and to get them direct from
you).
Larry Epstein Bloomfield MI
The workshop was GREAT. [Fur Peace Ranch] This morning I played Blue Monk in the key of C and had all the positions and passing notes down (unlike in our student performance). I'm sure that as I work on it, all kinds of new understandings will come along...a little finger memory wouldn't hurt either!
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your patience and diligence in getting ALL that information across. I'm just sorry I couldn't have had access to this knowledge years ago.
It was a pleasure spending time with you again. I'd be happy to recommend your course to anyone. I hope to see you soon. Maybe I can get on the waitlist for the Rev. Gary Davis weekend in October.
Steve Nelson
Louisville KY
That was my 3rd Fur
Peace class, and by far the most beneficial. Don’t get me wrong,
I have enjoyed all my experiences there, and learned some cool songs every
time. But this time I realize I have learned real practical music theory…
(actually I think music fact is a better description). I know I have only
scratched the surface with the method you have given us, but we have the
method now to understand the fret board. And I am actually excited to
practice the arpeggios and progressions…. Never thought I’d
say that… Thanks for your patience. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
You are one ‘Bad Ass’ player!!
Jim Talbert
Fitzwilliam NH
QUESTION 1: Does Ernie wear a special thumb pick? It looks like he wears
his thumb pick way up on the thumb joint and I have had some trouble with
my thumb pick coming off in hard strumming.
Is that why he wears it that way?
Question 2: Has Ernie ever done a DVD on open G slide
guitar technique? I
am using the Eric Clapton Unplugged DVD for some ideas but would enjoy
a
truly instructional video on how to slide better.
Question 3: I play slide on a 1966 Gibson B-25, what model
is Ernie using in the
DVD? Does he ever use a soundhole pickup?
Ernie
1. thumb pick - I use a golden gate large on my knuckle a la Gary Davis
for more control.
2. I never have done a dvd on an open G slide. I hope to some day. Maybe
Steve James has one.
3. Which dvd? I use a variety of sloped shouldered Gibsons: J45, J50,
SJ, or J200. I love those B25s.
Dan White - Australia
Interesting stuff! Looked at the caged system a few years ago
and this is a different way looking at it, wonderful! The RGD series is
spectacular. Working on 2 songs and going well. Tell Ernie that he's done
a fine job on them. Though I will have to alter some fingerings as I have
white man hands and unable to pull my thumb over the bottom 2 strings.
Have played years with the thumb on the E string but that A is much too
difficult with the other fingerings. Oh well I'll get something close.
Now I have a busy couple of months.........years.
Tom
Groh - Lombard, IL
The
diagram below shows you all of the primary notes on the fretboard of the
guitar. You'll use it in order to identify the name of the key signature.
In order to get a sharp (#) simply go up one fret. To get a flat (b) just
go down one fret. For example F# (2nd fret, low E string) would be one
fret higher than F (1st fret, low E string). Hi Ernie I have been playing
my arpeggios I print out the fretboard and circle all the 1 3 5 notes
and practice. Seems to be working
Click Here for a printable version
Brian
Reitz - Apple Valley, MN
I very much enjoyed the lesson I had with Ernie the last time I was in
Pittsburgh. I've been playing one of the songs that Ernie taught me, "God
will take care of you" and I'm really enjoying it. I'd sure appreciate
the opportunity to learn more from Ernie.
Gary
Alt - Galion, OH
Do you plan on making any more Lightnin' Hopkins instructional dvds in
the future?
I got so much out of your first one. It was great. Also wondering if you
know of any
other dvds that may be of some help on the style and playing of Lightnin'
Hopkins.
I am really into LIGHTNIN STUFF!
Ernie
I don't know of any other dvds to help you with Lightnin'. I will be making
a Texas blues dvd for Stefan Grossman that will have some Lightnin' on
it.
Steve
Nelson - Louisville, KY
I am signed up for his April class on the C-A-G-E-D system @ FPR. I have
a very basic exposure to the system given by Marjorie Thompson at a FPR
class last year. I do not own Ernie’s DVD, but I have his RGD DVD’s
and have worked on ‘Keep your Lamps…’ and ‘Samson
and Delilah’.
Would you suggest I get the C-A-G-E-D Video and work with it before the class?
Ernie
It
wouldn't hurt. It's not absolutely necessary but the more you can prepare
the better. I look forward to seeing you next month.
Andy Pitt - Montpelier, VT
I've been finger picking for about 45 years. I do Gary Davis, Blake, Fuller, etc.- Until about 4 years ago I've only used the flesh of my finger tips. Then I got into finger picks -I like the percussive quality. I started out with plastic Dunlops. The problem was, (even after I got used to their cumbersome thickness), - they would loosen or tighten depending on the temperature of the environment or time of year. It would often happen in the middle of a gig. I switched to metal which are easier to reshape on the spot. However I much prefer the sound of plastic. I spoke to Fred Kelly (I like his thumb picks) about making finger picks- possibly a combo of plastic with metal wrap arounds. I've tried Alaska's & pro pick--nothing has done the trick--
Do you have any suggestions for:
1- Keeping the plastic ones on my fingers (I'd prefer not to use tape)
2- A thinner plastic finger pick- the Dunlops (I use the clear large one) are pretty meaty
I would appreciate and look forward to any advice you may be able to offer.
Ernie
The larger the picks, the meatier the tone. I boil them in water and then shape them by squeezing them. The fat ones stay on very tight.
Geoff Caldwell
- Stockton, NJ
Do you use bone bridge pins as well as saddle and nut? What opinion do
you have about the sound change. Also what strings do you use? 
Ernie
I think my luthier uses bone on everything. I cannot tell the difference.
I use Martin SP medium gage strings. For my '89 J-200 I use the 8/20 bronze
because the guitar is very bright. Normally I use phosphor.