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Hey all,

Its been a little while since I've posted anything on the blues, but I saw this article about the late great John Lee Hooker and it reminded me of the guys back over in Memphis.  You can check it out here...

This article also has a link to open tunings.  Using open tunings is something that I've worked on for a number of years and I've alway enjoyed the different sounds I could get.  Usually I'll tune my guitar up to a F (F-C-F-A-C-F) and get a Led Zeppelin type sound.  Think Bron-Y-Aur-Stomp or Black Mountain Side. 

Recently I've been working with open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) and I kept running into problems trying to use the chords that typically go along with open D tunings. 

Then I see the words of John Lee Hooker, "Don't come to no fancy chords; Don't come to no fast playin." 

Like a frieght train it hits me and I remember a lesson I got a number of years ago as I was learning how to play some RL Burnside songs:  Take it easy...let your fingers develop each note as an individual sound...keep the rythm steady and methodic....let the guitar do the talking.  Nothing fancy, nothing fast. 

If you want a good example of what I'm talking about, check out the video's on the link above or check out a few of these blues greats:

T Model Ford, RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough,


Good luck and keep them blues in your blood.

Compton


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