The Hypnotic Sound of Hill Country Blues - A Guitar Lesson with a Guitar Teacher

[@camkimbrough6103]

It was pure gold growing up around him and my grandfather! Cool to see the music where I'm from still living on!! Great video!

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks so much! I love your music too! Im honored that you would watch my video and comment- Thank you so much- Id love to hear more about your music if you want to have a zoom: [e-mail] let me know 😀

[@camkimbrough6103]

@@FeedbackGuitarAcademy Sure, I'd be more than happy too do a zoom call

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

@@camkimbrough6103 Awesome! I sent you an email just now.

[@kortgreen7725]

Just found this video today! I'm gonna miss going to work, or doing anything else fir the next few weeks, months, years, or however long it takes to get this under my fingers and make it roll and chug like you do. Thanks for the input. Later Cam!

[@aobyungcp4330]

Cam your music is fire Hill country Blues is alive in Myrtle Beach SC 🎸

[@jonbeckleymorrisblues]

Well, I think you're right. I had the luck to play with R.L. Burnside for 12 years between 1982 - 1994 mostly harp, but some guitar with R.L. singing. It took me a long time to get his JUMPER ON THE LINE, POOR BOY groove down. I'm on 2 of R.L.'s CD'S, ACOUSTIC STORIES, and WELL...WELL...WELL... and there are quite a few things on KZbin with us. Much of the time I used harp as a percussive instrument along with R.L.'s groove, along with fills, and soloing. Before I met R.L. in 81, first listening to him in 76 I was deep into Fred McDowell even visiting his wife in Como in 78. Also had the chance to play, and record with Junior Kimbrough at his home along with his band when I lived with R.L. A great guy, wonderful player. With R.L. bass players had problems, but it worked with a guitar player that knew what he was doing, or drummer. I just played with him so long I got the hang of it. With me R.L. never played in F. Always E, or Spanish Open G. But, I tuned the guitars to the harp true enough. R.L. played one song in standard A Ms. GLORY B. Well, very cool video showing your deep appreciation for these guy's music. No doubt because of it I'm sure to learn more guitar stuff about music I played to for years concentrating more on harp. But, just partly from being with R.L. as a duo, and some tours with Calvin Jackson, Cedric Burnside's Father, I'm grateful I learned somewhat the style of these 3 great Mississippi Bluesmen you're all about here. Thanks again. Jon Beckley Morris

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thats cool Jon, thanks for sharing!

[@thoyo]

Man that's amazing. You're living history! Must've been an amazing experience

[@harekrsnaharerama8454]

That's amazing to hear from someone involved in a legendary musical movement, God bless 🙌

[@thomasmacmanus9913]

Thank you for posting this! I think RL is essential for any player to show the power of strong right hand and rythym playing. No pick and still have precision to mute the selected strings and hit the fretted and open notes perfectly in a split second. I played some of his songs and while seemingly simple, they take some real practice and concentration. When done well the audience responds with much positivity! I played 'Skinny Woman' 'Rolling and Tumblin' and PBM the most. 44 blues is a master lesson in the technique.

[@DJCJ999]

Thanks for your music man :D

[@DJCJ999]

RL is the GOAT... big fan over here in Scotland!

[@teabelly3]

Me tae

[@meistereckhart1387]

In Argentina too.

[@Dafoodmaster]

the alan lomax archive is some of the best music to be found on youtube, and a great initiative. and R.L. Burnside is a great inspiriation, a true blues man

[@Malama_Ki]

Alan is responsible for music as we know it sounding the way it does. His recordings influenced everyone. Alan is the patron saint of the blues. His book is awesome.

[@mistercrud1]

..absolutely terrific..you are fabulous..I’m 73 years old..I love that a young person like yourself is so well versed in this genre of Americana..and man, can you play!! Just sensational..! Thank you!..

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks so much! Im happy you like it!

[@floridacrackerguitartips6004]

Well done! Mississippi Fred, Jr, and RL are national treasures and are sorely missed. Thanks!

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

National treasures? The country treats black people like shit, lol.

[@Precisionetica]

I knew an old school guy in the church I grew up I in. He would know when to throw in that percussive almost hypnotic rhythm with his thumb . He was emulating this style .😮Wow . What a revelation!

[@jamesmills4850]

R.L.Burnside is something else. His 1984 session on YT is a masterclass, and R.L's version of Poor Black Mattie which kicks off the performance is sublime. For me it's one of my favorite songs and totally hypnotic...I think the 1984 version of Poor Black Mattie is up there with Robert Petway's Catfish Blues, which is absolutely my favorite arrangement Catfish Blues. Both of these Gentleman's aforementioned songs are my favorite Blues songs by some distance. They have an otherworldly quality to them.

[@davisworth5114]

I was in the studio at the Univ. of Washington in Seattle, 1971 when Fred did this session, I was a concert promoter for the Seattle Folklore Society. I was blessed to meet and learn from many of the great original country bluesmen. This is a good lesson, it calls for a lot of drive to play this stuff, and dynamics to vamp when you sing. When Fred played in open G, he played a C shape for his lV7 chord.

[@jonasscottcowan9194]

Yeah and that C shape in open G yields a Cdom7th with the 7th on the fifth string. He'd accentuate that like a Boogie lick. I use that a lot instead of sliding on the fifth fret which gets old real fast. What a cool experience to actually meet those cats.

[@jonbeckleymorrisblues]

@@jonasscottcowan9194 can you write down exactly what fingers are where on that C shape Fred McDowell chord on the 4? Thanks

[@jonasscottcowan9194]

@@jonbeckleymorrisblues it's simple. Make a standard C chord. In open G, the bass note on the fifth string is now a Bb, the flatted 7th of the C major scale . You can play it straight with an alternating thumb lick and/or accent it by bending it a little depending on how much stank you want to put on it.

[@jonbeckleymorrisblues]

@@jonasscottcowan9194 Thanks for getting back to me. It's slightly embarrassing because though I consider myself a harp player first, and a guitar/piano player after that I've played in Open G for years. Fact I worked with R.L. Burnside between 1982 - 1994 then A few times in '99, and occasionally would play guitar while he sang. It took me a while, but I finally got that 1 chord vamp groove (Jumper On the Line) and other songs groove. And, that slap the strings effect--even on 2 of his CDs Acoustic Stories where I'm playing guitar on Kindhearted Woman Standard A And MEET ME IN THE BOTTOM Open G R.L.'s version.... but I've gotta ask you okay Spanish Open G Hi to low: D-B-G-D-G-D.... So wouldn't the flated 7 for C be on the 3rd string 5th fret? Open G 1 fret G# 2 fret. A 3 fret A#, or B F.... Making it the flated 7 of the C when it's in Open G. I'd love to hear some of your guitar stuff. I'm out of practice, but I recorded a couple CDs in Standard, and Open G from stories R.L. told me over the years, and want to record them again. Let me know, and I'll give you my email. And, if I'm insane over that 3-5 fret thing.

[@jonasscottcowan9194]

@@jonbeckleymorrisblues the flat 7 in open g is on the 3rd fret on the 3rd and 5th strings. Played with slide and muting all the other strings you get really cool sounding octaves. Try the melody for you gotta move in G on strings 3 and 5, open , 3, 5, and 7.

[@jjiacobucci]

These syncopated rhythms are really difficult to discern by oneself. Your channel is a God send. Your split screen and your manner of breaking it down is awesome. Thank you !

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

I appreciate it- Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@robertjanko6709]

I highly recommend Fat Possum Records. RL. Burnside, Kimbrough etc. can be found there.

[@bustov75]

RL Burnside, no fancy elecrtronic, just his talent!!!! there are soi many blues musicians to discover!!!! great lesson and also great history review!!!!

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it!

[@wandajames143]

What’s wrong with fancy electronics? I like Hendrix

[@davidreidy5750]

Been a long time fan of R.L. since late 90s.Found him thru Jon Spencer blues Explosion albums I bought theu the yrs.Then did more research on blues history and man I love these legendary players.🗽♥️

[@WillieBeard]

"My songs, they have just the one chord, there's none of that fancy stuff you hear now, with lots of chords in one song. If I find another chord I leave it for another song." Junior Kimbrough

[@timreigstad3249]

Hill country is where the boogie was really born!!! It’s one of the hardest style to play in my experience…good to finally see some vids on it…RL, Fred, and Junior…need some notariety…keep ‘em comin out…

[@beeemm2578]

Can't beat music that comes directly from the human condition. It doesn't get more authentic. Man, that shot of his name out on the billboard of some joint ... thats good times there. Great video. Very inspiring 👏

[@dangitdan9938]

Robert Belfour is another guy, my personal favorite.

[@sleeperino3054]

His version of Kimbrough’s “Done Got Old” is crazy good

[@dsgutt]

Outstanding lesson. I particularly appreciate you bringing in some of the blues masters to put the music in context.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks- Im glad you liked it!

[@f00tst0mp]

I haven't scrolled the comments BUT "You See Me Laughin'" documentary introduced me to Hill Country Blues & these amazing men. So much goodness!

[@bretmosley]

Around 6:45 with the Mississippi Fred McDowell pattern, start with an offbeat upstroke on the thumb to get the groove to get happen. I've played with Cam Kimbrough - he clued me in to that important detail...the thumb upstroke is essential. In other words, what makes the whole thing jump is that 16th note syncopation before the 1.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Cool, thanks for sharing!

[@jonbeckleymorrisblues]

Thanks also from someone who played with R.L. for years, and Junior some as well. But, mostly harp! And, do believe Mississippi Fred McDowell was a sure'nough Blues God. Any, other things you've picked up on would be well appreciated!

[@andercoyote4170]

Thanks for the tip

[@samkitty5894]

Thank you for doing this. More people should be aware of this amazing style. It is my favorite, by far. People need more real music in their lives.

[@Skyflower44]

I'm new here. I started playing guitar during covid. I lean right in to the blues naturally . This is brilliant👍👏👏👏💗

[@Malama_Ki]

The Black Keys sell out three nights at Madison Square Garden in 15 minutes and that wouldn’t have been possible without these gentlemen here, especially Junior.

[@robertsmithers9059]

I picked up on this stuff in the 90's, couldn't get enough of it - Fred, RL, Junior, T Model Ford, and the Fat Possum label... looks simple on paper but getting the groove takes some work...

[@thekingofelfland3294]

I discovered this music three years ago while learning guitar. Fantastic music. Haunting rhythms and full of attitude.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Glad you like it!

[@davidlawlor4317]

I'm obsessed with this hill country blues. Thankyou

[@agrenmusic]

Wow so happy you made a video about this. Junior Kimbrough is such a legend

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnalves5979]

Never new what that type of blues was called. Thank you for the excellent break down of the songs.

[@r.l.six-musicandrecords552]

So happy you talked about McDowell, he's a big inspiration on my slide playing.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Im glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jefferyroy2566]

Bonnie Raitt learned much of her slide style from Mississippi Fred at a young age.

[@remimarchand]

Great breakdown and overview! Although I would say that to get close to RL's tone, using no pick and having the right hand placed so high near the neck is essential. Using bridge pickup instead might help as well.

[@wesleyzuber8146]

I was lucky enough to see R.L. Burnside twice. His live shows were incredible

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

I just now discovered this style and I'm in love. I really dig the percussive element and hypnotic effect. Way cool!

[@johnf8283]

I've come back to this video so many times and it's so appreciated. I've learned a lot about the sound I'm trying to get from my guitar. Thank you Sir 😊

[@olasrives3422]

I have a great appreciation for these men and their music. We are musical neighbors. I'm from "The Shoals" of Alabama and music has always been a huge part of this area since the beginning of time. I will never grow tired of the songs they sing and play because deep down these songs exist inside all of us.

[@fingielblu3938]

Hello from Poland 🇵🇱 Superfluous word !!! Respect ✊️

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Thank you for keeping this style alive and enlightening someone like me that never knew this stuff existed.

[@toddwilliamson8557]

I saw RL Burnsides at the Grand Emporium in Kansas City ,MO (Westport) sometime in the 90s. He walked onstage, grabbed his acoustic, sat on stool and started playing. After the first song he stared into the audience and stated' I aint playing another till somebody gets me a goddamn beer', I think every table in the joint sent him a beer he had like 14 up there ' he thought that was damn funny. For 2 hours he gave the greatest lesson in true Country Blues I have ever seen. Amazing show. He only drank about 1 and half of those beers during the show just a little sip after each song to 'wet the whistle'. What a story teller. He was the last of the true bluesman, men who had direct ties to sharecropping, prison farms and slavery.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidSpriggs-cm7vu]

Fred's "Shake em on down"...my favorite !

[@andhemills]

This was an engaging video for the knowledge and history without actually taking this as a lesson. I might try to emulate this technique with bass.

[@noblestsavage1742]

I got fascinated with this music when the deep blues documentary came out with that fella from eurythmics. I was just starting to play guitar at the time and I couldn’t figure this stuff out but I got it eventually. I’ve never actually met anyone that plays it but good on you for helping folk along with this. Greetings from sunny Scotland👋🏻

[@nortonscarton]

Great class , I always love this kind of percussive blues guitar , as a Brazilian I never knows exactly how to named that style . Thanks 🙏

[@jimphilidor9031]

I've seen the last clip and has been truly impressed. I didn't know anything about this style, though. Some of this stuff reminds me of desert blues, with it's hypnotic, repeating riffs.

[@duaneanderson6393]

wonderfully done Fred McDowell is one of favorites....I am hooked on this stuff.! amen

[@MyChrisfish]

A great big thank you from a guy who has loved hills country blues for a long time. Your videos are wounderful ! ! ! There are to few teachings out there on this style. And it is hard to find instruction like yours. I have to give a shout out to TheSpottyToad who has videos on this style I studied some years ago! Hope hes doing well also. Thanks again FGA this was great

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks so much- Im glad you like it!

[@DannyGatton94]

This particular cultural and musical aspect of the blues has always fascinated me

[@dwightrobertson275]

Finally someone that gets this style.Thank you!!!

[@oldoutsider59]

You found the 'train'...very rare for a young guy. There's hope for the world yet. Well done lad.

[@prtauvers]

Fantastic video and lesson- wish I could play like that all night long- will be watching this again for your great playing tips.

[@rigmormortis164]

How strange this may seem in this strange days.. this KZbin site is unike,pure gold stuff,i wouldnt be surprised if you have 100k subs bye the end of next year..much love and respect from a Swede🇸🇪

[@wandajames143]

Man the black keys nailed this

[@walkerroadrevivalrevelatio565]

Your an amazing teacher I’m learning so much from you Thank you God bless you always

[@GuitarBluesHury]

Great Lesson! Real Blues stuff.

[@mattdrake7694]

Thanks for this tutorial. This is a good channel. Helped me get out of a rutt I was in

[@marchatesyou1]

1st heard R.L. Burnside on a vans skate compilation cd as a teen in a remix of his let my baby ride song...loved him ever since

[@paulmcginn5146]

That is a beauty guitar. F holes with flames of fire shooting out. Love it. Love the hypnotic boogie very much as well. Have a Yamaha acoustic. Had a Gibson G 62 reissue.

[@douglashague2355]

that recording of RL by Tav Falco of him playing that small set is my favorite piece of recording history. Have never been so in love with a recording

[@daviddawson1718]

This style of playing doesn't tear up the fingers of farmers who spend hours per day working with our hands.

[@bassman7115]

I actually use this technique in bass playing. Never knew it was called "Hill Country Blues" style. How cool....

[@normalwhiteguy1555]

love the vintage guitars we got to see, thanks

[@codystewart1014]

This is dope. Makes me excited to try this out. I dig your passion about it, man.

[@mrgetdoughneo3427]

Love how in-depth you went for this vid respect

[@bamawewin3565]

Great Job, I recently got to hangout with RLs Grandson Cedric. Good stuff. Thanks.

[@joewood.official2936]

Jumper on my line in my top 5 of all time same as all night long i have always loved this music love your enthusiasm for the awesome music thank you truly

[@beauwhitlock5034]

I grew up in the early 90’s around Holly Springs/Oxford Mississippi. The fat possum label really preserved those guys and brought them to my attention. They were the real deal.

[@AlexanderBeaton6]

Magic Sam always gave me this vibe even though he was a Chicago guy

[@Juan-ci6vc]

Another thing ive noticed is Hill Country is often played in minor keys while delta in major. Either way they both use the blues scale because that's what matters!!

[@bassplayer1966]

I already love this after 20 seconds!

[@nyrory1658]

He'll yeah! R.L. Burnside super underrated

[@billhillyer334]

Love this style playing

[@doblet664]

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar, god bless you👏👏👏🖖

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

Yeah i'm down with it, gonna explore this some.

[@RandomChessTalk]

What an amazing video! I actually never realised this is different category than delta, I thought all that is called delta. Thanks it's great video!

[@5150show]

Outstanding, just subbed , cheers from New Zealand

[@rwsfwifi]

Great content some history and a great lesson. Can’t get enough

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thank you!

[@arlaabrell8658]

That was good, a lot of people have little knowledge of Hill Country/North Mississippi blues. You chose good examples but you left out Jessie Mae Hemphill, if you haven't checked her out do, it's worth it. Also, I saw someone say you weren't too good at the style, pay them no mind, after a while you'll get better, it's very rare someone who isn't brought up with the sound will "get it" right away.

[@myradioon]

Not only "a lot of guys" play this style. Jessie Mae Hemphill would tell you that. John Lee Hooker is the exemplar of playing this style with his index finger although he's not from Hill Country. Mississippi Fred McDowell too.

[@songpartsandsolos2624]

Great stuff, this sound is so difficult to replicate, great job

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thank you!

[@gabrieleguidoni2867]

you cant immagine how much I enjoyed this lesson.. I am approching finger picking... please keep posting! Cheeers from italy!

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Thanks so much- Im glad you liked it!

[@gideonsings]

Thank you for posting.. I always wanted to learn this technique since I saw the documentary. Thank you

[@kipponi]

R.L. Burnside in the beginning. I can hear it instantly.

[@bristolfashion4421]

That's RL Burnside in the intro section... nice !!

[@no59do56]

Check out Cedric Burnside too

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Cedric is one of my favorite artists!

[@Jef-sj6zc]

Cool you dig yourself in this stuff. By the way , I really love you're sound with your Gibson ; sooo authentic 👍👍👍

[@user-fc6ci8dh3m]

Brother R.L. Is about the best you’re gonna get unless a electrified band is playing behind him. Just him, just one guitar. That’s his greatness. Later stuff was junk.

[@richardvink8931]

Great video! Love these guys. Only learned about them a few years back... really groovy and hard not to move;) hound dog taylor even speeded it up.

[@MaxP374]

Im gonna save this video.😁 Rural bluz is amazing.

[@santosknives6278]

That was some good music for sure!

[@phillacey878]

The first time l heard RL Burnside l was hooked man his grooves were something else hypnotic ya had to move with his groove luv it.😂👁👀✌️

[@zapapelttari8226]

Thank you once again !

[@paulgabes787]

Great Video! the first sound clip sounds like when the levee breaks.

[@STEAKEGGSANDCHIPS]

Great lesson thanks mate. Got bitten by the RL Burnside bug a few years back

[@bjones8470]

I’ve always said it’s driving rhythm that gets people on the dance floor

[@krischanlive]

RL Burnside is the shit dude. The thumbnail is from "see my jumper hanging out on the line" where the baby's whining in the background is in tune with the song, I remember that one :)

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

I really like what you're teaching here Definitely I'll be coming back!

[@TerebiJoke]

Cool lesson! Would love to see more of these deep dives on very specific genres/styles

[@mikemoodie]

Awesome video, best I've seen on this driving rhythm style

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

I appreciate that- thanks for watching and commenting!

[@jimsliverootsculturemusic]

Fred McDowell named Eli Green as an elder guitar influence in his area. One time, Fred took producer Chris Strachwitz on a very remote journey through unknown paths until they found a house in the woods. Eli Green's house. There are two recordings from this visit to Eli's on Fred's 1965 "You Got To Move" album: Brooks Run Into The Ocean and Bull Dog Blues. Even more raw than Fred!!

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Cool thanks for sharing- Ill have to check that out!

[@joeclark7082]

If you care to hear a first hand student of these hill-country bluesmen, check out Richard Johnson on Beale St. He paid his due in the juke joints you are talking about and is a phenomenal player. His album Foot Hill Stomp changed my music world

[@sachinkarne1423]

Thank you for explaining so well and making me understand the technic of hill country blues.

[@FeedbackGuitarAcademy]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@seal869]

Interestingly this was recommended to me after I was watching some Tuareg rock licks. And I was just thinking about that the other day, that a lot of Tuareg rock sounds a lot like something I might hear from Dan Auerbach (who unabashedly bites from old heads like Kimbrough & Burnside). Especially the drone technique you mention; this is heavy in Sahel blues, and I imagine it comes a lot from their traditional instrument called the gimbri, which plays a lot like a banjo in terms of its drone string.