Guitar Lesson: Michael Hedges Right Hand String Stopping

[@rajneeshmilarepa6090]

Dan!! The intro, with Bensusan, was played so well!! Nice. I'm teaching myself Baal T'shuvah right now, and you're absolutely correct that the string stopping is so vital to Michael's music. I once read somewhere that Michael was very specific about how long each note was to be heard. Amazing attention to detail... Loved your video, thanks.

[@dancaravetta5425]

Thank you! Check out Michael performing Baal T’shuvah during “The Artists Profile” video. He plays it during the interview and you get a good look at his right hand. Classic Hedges string stopping. Good luck with that one, it’s one of my favorites.

[@rajneeshmilarepa6090]

@@dancaravetta5425 Yes, I've been dissecting that video as well.

[@wvchet]

Working through the new edition - thank you for the string stopping explanation! Sounds great!

[@Morkeric]

Wonderful lesson, thanks for putting this up

[@swordsinging1709]

Thank you. Got to blow off the dust on that book. New Years Resolution!

[@jerrypalmer3534]

so weird, one of my guitars is a D-28, I have the same ensoniq keyboard, and same event speakers, I finally upgraded to the Neumann kh120's...Great tutorial !

[@ohwhen7775]

You're the man, Dan. Thanks for remembering MH and this vital technique from his music. Another guitarist on KZbin who does great covers of his work is Andrew Gorny, who a few years ago figured out what is probably the correct tuning for one of Michael's later pieces called Ursa Major, turns out the tuning is quite odd too. Take care.

[@dancaravetta5425]

Owen Thank you. Michael is my favorite composer and I’m just glad I got to see him perform shortly before he died. I discovered Andrew a few years ago and picked up one of his CDs. He is a great player.

[@sc7244]

Hey man, nice video. How difficult is Bensusan compared to Aerial Bounderies? I'm considering learning it next after AB. Cheers

[@dancaravetta5425]

Thank you! Tough to say since they are so different in technique. When I learned Rickover’s Dream I thought it was easier only because it seemed like there was more freedom in the piece - it’s similar to Aerial Boundaries with lots of left hand hammer-ons and smack harmonics, etc. I haven’t learned Aerial Boundaries but it’s on my bucket list. I do know it is challenging and there are a lot of subtle things going on in that piece but you can do it if you work on it. Good luck!

[@FredAndersonStillwater]

Hi Dan, I'm researching the Stropes notational styles. I can only find the one article "Hot Type", do you know if there are any documents that go into the details of the notation? Do you know if purchase a single transcription, from his website, if it will have notation information? thanks.

[@dancaravetta5425]

Hi. When I purchased single transcriptions, they included “study notes” and detail notes throughout the piece. Hot Type, for example, has 6 notes throughout. I own this transcription. Thanks for watching/commenting and good luck on this piece.

[@jeffersonyih5483]

Thanks Ive been working on this same tune in the stropes book. Do you think the string dampening notation on this song is correct? It's so hard to tell, not sure if the author got the scoop from Michael or it's his interpretation. It adds yet another layer of complexity to this already complex piece. In that first pull off its seems to say there's an instant "mute" of that string right after the pull off; so a simultaneous dampening and plucking of the next string.

[@dancaravetta5425]

Hi. Thanks for commenting. Yes, the author worked directly with Michael Hedges. You can be certain it is correct. Good luck!👍

[@Hofik66]

Great. I have Martin hd-28, what guitar strings do you use, what brand and hardness?

[@dancaravetta5425]

Thanks for the question. At the time they were mediums, most likely Martin brand since I had just had some repairs done at the Martin factory. Take care!

[@Flatfeed611]

Hey Dan, is this technique used on the first three strings only?

[@dancaravetta5425]

Isaac Cruz great question. In general, the side of the right thumb will mute the low E and A strings. It depends on the song, but definitely there are times when you shift and you may be muting both the G and D with the index finger (3rd and 4th string). Rickover’s Dream is another great song with some interesting right hand muting and harmonics. Definitely check that one out. Hope this helped.

[@paznewis107]

Do you like Pierre Bensusan?

[@danilozezza1143]

Andy mkee? EDIT is a Bensusan :O

[@davidpeightal4918]

I marvel at folks that would spend so many hours learning a piece by someone else. In the same time or less, one could erect their own composition, and do a thing no one has ever done before; adding a new unique entity to the universe.

[@paweopalczewski6533]

Yes, but studying and playing compositions of others is vital to understanding many important aspects and techniques, musical forms of the compositions etc. Also they help you learn how to play the instrument and how to compose for it. Michael Hedges also used to play and study compositions of other great composers from all the periods of time, before inventing his own.

[@devonplumley7600]

I marvel at folks that would spend time making comments on a Video this useful about something that So very many people love with seemingly no other reason then to read their own writing. Try spreading Positivity into the universe i.e. how about sharing a link to one of your great compositions you created without ever learning a masters work...