Norman Blake Plays and teaches Whiskey Before Breakfast

[@draconus0311]

I appreciate all the positive comments, ladies and gents. My grandfather, Norman, I'm sure appreciates it as well. I doubt he'll ever see them, though, considering he despises computers. LOL

[@alan4sure]

They are not the end-all by any means!

[@jasonslayton2970]

I’m from Fort Payne Alabama. I’m living around Nashville now, but, when I was a young man I’d see your grandparents out from time to time. My good buddy is J.B.‘s nephew. Norman and Nancy are National Treasures! Much love.

[@davidbrogan432]

🙏💖

[@ritaspencer2144]

He's not the only one!

[@danothemano99]

I remember telling Norman at one of his shows in the late 90's that he had an internet following and he was really taken back, like he couldn't even imagine. What an awesome and humble guy, the few times I have met him, and an inspiration to me on guitar for most of my adult life.

[@calypsojimmy]

there are so many incredible flatpickers in the world today, but the ONE that tickles me to death to watch, hear, and simply enjoy for the sake of combined technical excellence and authentic soulful southern musicality at the highest spiritual level is Norman Blake.

[@beanstalked]

I've got all three of his homespun tapes. And they're all brilliant! Apart from his really practical teaching skills, and as silly this sounds, the fact that he seems like such a nice guy encourages you to try harder. His mandolin DVD blew me away.

[@robertshorthill6836]

Where can I get this rare book with all these great tunes that are only learnable by ear and many hours or days?

[@JimmyDeLocke]

Norman is truly one of the legends of flatpicking. Ask anyone who knows. Those of you who are old enough to remember Dylan's Nashville Skyline album may recall that the hot guitar break on Nashville Skyline Rag was played by Norman. That was over 40 years ago and he's still going strong. He created a style of his own when flatpicking was new, taking Carter style to the next level. He's not just "good" he's one of the greats of the genre.

[@Banjo362]

He has such gentle touch. I like how beautiful and melodic it sounds. Sounds like a harp. I also like how its not wild or syncopated.

[@jackk9366]

Man his tone is sooooooooo goooooooodddddd I can only strive for such tightness balance and dynamics

[@knopflerado]

The first time I saw Norman play live I walked to the back of the stage to see if someone else was playing too. I couldn't believe one person was getting that much sound out of a guitar. Amazing right hand!

[@tunefultony]

I've been teaching for some years & I have never heard cross picking so simply explained & demonstrated. Mind you , Norman makes it look easy.

[@williambutler8624]

I know this a older video, but Norman Blake is one of the best flatpickers around, he makes it look so easy, he is truly a gifted musician, also he a humble person, a true entertainer, I hope him and family are doing well, just bought one of his albums, I could listen to his flat picking all day.

[@grorob52]

He is such a master! I love to watch him play it always looks like he is having so much fun. Hope he is well and knows what a great influence to all that love music

[@gombakhillbillies]

I know NB is great in technique, but what I also love about him is the tone he gets out of his guitars. Just love it!

[@alan4sure]

It helps to have a guitar 50 or 100 years old😅

[@gombakhillbillies]

@@alan4sure haha! I'm sure.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

He famously uses the 12 fret Martin dread with the slotted headstock. They have a big sweet tone.

[@amusicalheart7]

Russell, I play strictly by ear, but what comes into play is what's called muscle memory. Once you learn something you should play it until it gets so ingrained that you can think about something else and still play it perfectly. It just takes time; longer for some than for others. Certainly those who fully understand scales and music theory have an easier time learning but when it comes to performance of a song you need to know the piece so well that you throw all the conscious thinking about theory out the window and just play it from your heart.

[@818deadboys]

Beautifully put.

[@lordofthemound3890]

Straight up. There are songs I’ve forgotten how to play, but my fingers remember.

[@BURGRKNG]

Theory won't help most situations when improvising live if you're playing at a fair clip, theory is for training your ear more than anything imo

[@monsterzero1965]

I actually learned something here Norman is not just a show off teacher. Brilliant player

[@HomespunMusicInstruction]

Delighted you got something from this!

[@randeezydizzle]

"And I'm gonna play this tune on the third fret just because that I like the sound of it there" is what I tell people every time they ask why I play a song with a capo

[@LunaMoonJune]

I love this song... been singing it forever !!

[@austenrobinson2747]

He is one of the best I ever heard. 4 foundation flatpickers in no order. Norman, Tony, Doc and Clarence. Everyone learned to master their craft my listening to and patterning themselves after one of these guy or parts from each.

[@joereadel]

I've been watching this for 10 years and it never gets old. Norman's crosspicking is so clean

[@johnojazz78]

I love the way Norman plays it swung at a slow tempo, most flatpicking on old time tunes tends to be pretty straight (nothing wrong with that either)

[@AndreJDaniels]

no kidding. Was just listening to Monroe and boys absolutely smoke through Roanoke and then this. Lovely.

[@giannirocco7492]

Now THAT'S a bad man!I've always had so much respect for Mr.NormanBlake it's hard for me to describe...long story short,he's truly a great player and awesome human being!

[@mosrite60]

Norman, Tony Rice , Bryan Sutton the three top flatpickers in my mind. Discounting ole Doc of course who is still above everyone when it comes to flatpickin'

[@bchunter53]

I might add Kenny Smith and Bob Minner.

[@bigmuddy1]

@birchwand Norman is so relaxed because he confesses he has never had a real job, just playing music. If only we could all do that!

[@vintageguitarguru]

@birdy2foot The guitar is a very rare D-18h. It was originally meant to be played in the hawaiian style, but was converted to be played in the standard spanish style.

[@MidwestBriar]

ive been trying to figure it out for months and I think I finaly get it thanx to this video

[@Tree_born_crooked]

Working on this now, I really recommend this set of dvds

[@DilloTank]

I hear you Matt, me too. It's pretty simple, but damn hard to do!!! Lordy, Lordy have mercy!!! There's only one Norman!!!

[@mlwsf]

Yep, ain't learning that this week at best, though I am tempted to say lifetime. Lol. Dude makes it look effortless for sure.

[@tedpeterson1156]

"Jess because I like the sound of it thar.." Capo anywhere you like.. LOL What a great lesson.

[@billlowe6883]

Excellent

[@tacratt6091]

I would love to hear that old D18 with a good neck set, taller saddle, and bone nut. Norman makes it still sound good!

[@mygad]

It's a great video from a great DVD. I've got the first one and going to get the second one.

[@YTSlide]

I loved it when Norman said "I'm gonna play this tune on the 3rd fret just because I like the sound of it there." What he's saying is, don't worry about music theory people. Play what sounds right.

[@AlbertoDati]

Yeah, his right hand is amazing!

[@BaronEvola123]

Norman Blake is the most down home guitar picker ever.

[@NancyEMcGill]

beautiful sound.

[@bazthehandyman]

Lovely !!

[@lkb3rd]

@redflare31 That's standard tuning capo'd at the 3rd fret, using the "c" form.

[@GuitarSlinger2112]

If your right hand tenses up, identify the farthest part up your arm that's getting tense. Let's say it's your shoulder and you find all you rmuscles are clenched up down to your fingers. Instead of trying to relax everything, just concentrate on freeing up your shoulder and don't worry about the rest of your arm just yet, once you have learned to control the muscle tension there, focus on your biceps and triceps, then your elbow, then your forearm, then your wrist and finally fingers.

[@willchaney8931]

I had a guitar teacher give me that exact advice!

[@ztahs]

Love the albums that he made with Tony Rice

[@jmdbb]

I love those albums too. Mostly guitar and singing. Nary a mandolin or fiddle in sight to play all over the guitars. I wish there were more albums like this I could find.

[@rico700hd]

Great tune and advice- thanks!

[@jakesmet9426]

For me, Tony Rice and Norman Blake. We stand on the shoulders of innovators such as Mr. Monroe, Earl, Hartford, Vassar Clements, Stringbean, Uncle Dave Macon. Jeff Austin, founding member of YMSB, comin hot off 'OH, BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?'.

[@timmyles314]

Nice. Thanks for this lesson .

[@davidbrogan432]

💖

[@ryanbouchard1185]

Awesome

[@planezane]

Hey J.D. Try going to "The Festival Tapes 7.0: Bluegrass Sampler". It's a great video of Norman, Nancy and James Bryan performing "The Old Brown Case". Good luck to you.

[@keisenburg9828]

I work with Norman Blakes grandson!

[@818deadboys]

Awesome

[@aliwhitwell]

Agree entirely. Tim O'Brien also manages to have the same relaxed right hand when playing the mando and guitar.

[@alan4sure]

Bryan Sutton too and Kenny Smith. And Molly Tuttle.....hmmmm.

[@aaronjones3613]

Beautiful

[@Vanguard448]

@1deadtoe I think it's more like saying that the Atlantic Ocean is a little bit bigger than a paddling pool.

[@1nonconformist]

@1deadtoe: tiger woods is also one of the greatest philanders to ever live, whether you like his golfing or not.

[@jameslumley2463]

Norman Blake, can you show us how to play "Maple on a Hill"?

[@robertshorthill6836]

Wish he'd spend about 45 minutes teaching Elzic's Farewell. Man, that would be priceless.

[@ptalbany]

he makes it look so easy lol someday is all I say someday

[@JohnTimothy-m8x]

Can you play it now

[@Poodlepups]

Second that comment...I'd like to hear The Old Brown Case too. Robin Bullock played it for me but said I should hear the original.

[@rerite2]

Hello Everyone. Question for all the musicians out there who can help this tone-deaf human figure something out: when a musician, like Norman Blake, plays a song like the one in this video, is the musician thinking, consciously, of each note to play? Such as: C..D...D...C...C...G., etc. ? Or is the song played strictly by "ear"? I assume some musicians play a song so many times they can play a song in their sleep? Do you start out slow, playing note by note, naming each note, and work your way up? Thank you!

[@socializard1]

there is the learning of the song...then there is practicing the physicality of the song (muscle memory)...then you throw in your own runs or mix it up a little so it becomes your own. but when you've played so many fiddle tunes a lot of the runs are somewhat similar so the muscle memory for the song comes much quicker when you've got more songs under your belt. I don't learn every note. I just know what key he's in and have an idea of where he's going by knowing for example he's in the key of C (or Eb with the capo) playing in 1st position. I'm by no means a fancy player. i'm maybe a strong intermediate player (at almost 17 years! d'oh).

[@rerite2]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@lkb3rd]

Instead of thinking of note names, he is probably hearing what it's going to sound like in his head as he plays it. As far as how to start, as socializard1 says, learn lots of tunes. A second thing you can do is to start singing your lines to get the sound of the notes in your head. Learn to sing do re mi fa so la ti do, and the "Doe, a deer" song maybe. Don't worry about sounding like Pavarotti, just focus on getting the pitches right. And stick with it and have faith :) It takes time and effort.

[@rerite2]

thank you

[@philkinzer6486]

Man he makes this look like taking candy from a baby!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Crumpleshadow]

tune starts at 0:48

[@I0MSammy]

Thought it would be of interest to mention that the second version that Norman does is very similar to Joscho Stephan's technique of playing arpeggios which he calls a "rake".

[@BURGRKNG]

Its like sweep picking but you give it more pick

[@EverTommy]

@birchwand how does he acheve that reaxed right hand technique? The same way he got to Caernigie Hall...................practice1

[@rickykelleher9833]

3:34 I'm sure that lick inspired landslide

[@moritzengel2735]

awesome

[@TruegrassBoy]

@1nonconformist I agree!

[@therealrandcamp]

Gold Rush it is! But I think it's Blake's version.

[@e1ay3dme12]

Is Norman not just about the most "down home" person ever?

[@1deadtoe]

Wow! Give this tread a rest. Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfer who has every lived whether you like him or not. Ditto for for Norman Blake as a flat picker. He is one of my favorite musicians. I'm a big fan of Norman and Tiger.

[@wvmiller]

I believe that this Martin D-18 is one of the very early dreadnaughts, 1932-33?? In any event, the neck is very wide (1 and 7/8s at the nut) and with the slotted or open peghead, which disappeared soon afterwards. It is also a 12 fret guitar, which allows the body to be larger, producing very big tone. Norman kept and played the guitar on records for several years. To the best of my knowledge this guitar begain life as a dreadnaught, not a Hawaiian, though it could have been an H conversion.

[@ryokokato4027]

0:47

[@fjlawrence]

I wonder if his fiddle and mandolin buddies feel the same about the key of Eb?

[@benjaminking3677]

They make capos for mandolins now but fiddle players beware!

[@jacobk23]

What's the song playing in the intro?

[@TheKingDoge22]

Gold Rush

[@BoyajianDon]

I forget- what is the name of the song in the intro?

[@mbsnyderc]

Donald Boyajian Whiskey before breakfast.

[@spiercevaughn]

Donald Boyajian Gold Rush

[@bloodletter3400]

It's The Gold Rush and it sounds like the Tony Rice Version

[@redflare31]

wat tuning is it in? standard? drop d?

[@alan4sure]

Standard tuning.

[@GuitarSlinger2112]

Don't be surprised if this takes a few weeks or even months to accomplish. The important thing is to do it one at a time. You're re-teaching your nervous system how to cope with playing a complicated and precise instrument. Don't move on to the next body part until you have been able to play for at least a whole day w/o tensing up the part your're currently working on.

[@bluto212]

"at least a whole day," that's nuts

[@jackpenny8572]

sheeeeeeyiiit

[@springsten]

@redflare31 Standard

[@JohnnyHurbonConnections]

Geius in the house

[@djandersen39]

The usual key for this tune is D, so I'm sure if Norman or anyone else were playing with fiddle or mandolin players, he'd just slide the capo down to the second fret. Problem solved.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

You'd think, but in videos of Rising Fawn playing live you see him make James and Nancy play in b flat all the time lol. On the other hand, when they played d tunes live I've seen videos of him just taking the capo off and playing straight d position arrangements instead

[@blackdogleg]

Clarence White

[@EarlMalmsteen]

Gold rush, probably the Tony Rice version

[@brendanflaherty4624]

shhhhh dude

[@fameisfun]

Gold Rush

[@kaptenmax]

@1deadtoe tiger woods is a good golfer

[@bluto212]

Doesn't strike me as a whiskey before breakfast kind of guy though.

[@leeblake3989]

No, but his father was at a time and his grandfather was up until whiskey and cigars killed him.....at 95.

[@1deadtoe]

Saying Norman Blake is a good guitar player is like saying Tiger Woods is a good golfer.

[@davidbrogan432]

😎🔥

[@TypingHazard]

Tiger Blake is a good golftarist

[@ElmerDurrer]

......is like saying Tiger Woods is a normal ladies man......

[@johnholland723]

How many children does Norman have?

[@leeblake3989]

2 of his own. Me and my brother and a step daughter from Nancy.

[@charlespeterson3798]

Blatantly put and abstractly.But sly. And subtle. Crafty Bendy and twisty.J'J won't never a touched no BLUE note, Lord aw god, Never. Keep them down in the holler cards and letters comin'.

[@KennethDaly-t8d]

AI voice for Jim Beam... Lol

[@petermuller161]

I bet he would call himself a good player.

[@davidbrogan432]

💖

[@EverTommy]

@birchwand how does he acheve that reaxed right hand technique? The same way he got to Caernigie Hall...................practice1