How to play Folsom Prison Blues on a 3 string slide cigar box guitar by Nigel McTrustry

A song that was in my life since year dot. My parents had an album "Train songs" by Johnny Cash.
Tuning = F C F
Folsom Prison Blues
I hear the train a comin'
It's rolling round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone..
When I was just a baby my mama told me. Son,
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry..
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars.
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a movin'
And that's what tortures me...
Well if they freed me from this prison,
If that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away.....
W: cigarboxguitarsaustralia.com/
F: / mctrustrycigarboxguitars

[@alanpayton547]

Yet another "Good One" Nigel, your lessons have been my main method of learning to play, since I started the CBG journey (addiction!) nearly 2 years ago, "your a legend cobber"

[@vgstratocaster1]

Thank you for this lesson and alternate tuning! Wanted to play this song for a long time! You made it easy to learn!

[@Hedgehog_Inklings]

picked up my very first CBG today and will be using this as my first lesson/song! Thanks for posting! Your a great teacher!

[@Tim_the_Astronurd]

I just discovered the world of 3 string CBGs. just had to drop a like and comment. still helpful 6 years later. thank you, sir!

[@TheBootlegger007]

Thanks. Glad to hear it.

[@Julian-bq9qv]

excellent - clear teaching, simply explained. Thank you!

[@gtbwi]

always a fan just a revisit because I like your teaching techniques right on right on you're doing a good job FRIENDO

[@barroo19]

Thanks mate, love your lessons, keep em coming

[@gtbwi]

holy shit Nigel...! I really really really appreciate what you just did..! Because I don't play guitar but I'm going to get a 3 string or four string cigar box shovel guitar and if this is the only song that I should learn to play it would make me feel so awesome thank you for the inspiration I am non musical but it is my mission now to do what you just did no matter how simple to the rest of the world... Thank you

[@skylark4901]

Just getting started to make a CBG and God if I can't make it sound similar I don't stand a chance, always loved all the Johnny Cash, thanks

[@BrooklynAvenue]

Thanks so much for this, especially considering there are country music fans in my family, this was so easy!

[@allandunn1431]

Thanks! I've just started CBG, and this lesson was just what I needed. Nice one ;)

[@careyautorepairs]

I love the 3 sting cigar box guitar.

[@jptheflipper3825]

I Love that song and have now learnt it for my CBG Canjo thanks to your video, Thank you. Can you please do a lesson on how to play Get Rhythm or Walk the Line

[@marcd1981]

That was very good information, Nigel, thank you for the video. I'm just getting started with CBG and these videos will help very much.

[@TheBootlegger007]

👍🏻 Thanks Enjoy.

[@GiovanniPortas]

Fantastic lesson !

[@rodparker6530]

Yeah boy. Tha was amazing. Thank you. All these years I thought it was out of my rank.

[@npkinsey9913]

Love you ♥️ Great help. 🙌🎸

[@coolpinkone]

Sweet !! Love it .. Thanks!

[@larrysymak6902]

larry symak from Canada love your stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dianecoffee4467]

Nigel I love your playing and especially your teaching. I'm learning it thanks to you. Thanks mate.

[@TheBootlegger007]

+Diane Coffee Cheers Diane

[@saddevilmusic1037]

I just started playing. you were the first (and favorite) tutor. thanks bro, loved the mobkeys(minor threat) video

[@TheBootlegger007]

+Saddevil Music Cool!

[@wezilman]

I loved you in Shaun of the Dead!

[@findout6903]

Thank you Nigel. Bought CBG after watching this. Love them.

[@Kryynism]

Who's did you buy?

[@Julian-bq9qv]

Nigel is still the best....

[@glassbackdiy3949]

Good job, thanks man

[@GAUCHEROO8]

I love it!

[@7884golfguru]

Awesome bro 🍷🍺👍😎

[@gustavocasado8878]

Good!. I don´t known the FCF tuning in the CBGuitar. Regards from Argentina.

[@sssidney]

I’ve been playing a bit of slide ,I’ve always loved the blues and slide so really tempted to get myself a cigar box guitar they look like fun.I no nothing about prices if anyone can help?Great vid btw my dad loved Cash so I’d have to learn this one.

[@carot2003]

Impressed..

[@TheJimbo1791]

You got great voice, man.

[@jimmy59ca2001]

i am just learning and you teach very clearly and easy to understand, thanks, what if i come to aus for a holiday, you got time to teach lol, jim

[@TheBootlegger007]

+Jim Church It wouldn't be the first time i've taught someone who has been here on holiday!

[@Heather22056]

Good video.

[@WORRO]

Nice!

[@richardsouthall4298]

does anyone know a website which covers tuning, chords and songbooks for a cigar box guitar tuned to ADF. There doesn't seem to be much around as most info is for GDG tuned guitars

[@michaelmolloy7215]

Hi Nigel, I just started and you videos and lessons are brill. I was wondering if you have an intro for Folsom Prison on slide guitar. I can only find intros for fretted. Cheers mate!

[@TheBootlegger007]

Hi No i don’t have an intro. When I play it live I just start the riff and the band joins in. Playing solo just bring in the foot. Glad you like the vids!

[@Jack-fs2im]

great stuff.will it work with nylon strings mmm

[@colinwilde7178]

For the solo instead of 3 & 4 on the high string I play 8 & 9 on the middle string, which are the same notes. This saves having to move up and down the neck so much and I find it quicker to play.

[@TheBootlegger007]

That’s great!

[@guybartlett9587]

yes sir!

[@poodlenoodlesoup1]

Please I must know what effects/pedals you have hooked up to that? Thank you .

[@TheBootlegger007]

No effects just a 5 watt Roland cube amp on Brit combo setting with reverb. Muting the strings is important to get that sound.

[@SurfnPics]

Hi Nigel, just bought my first CBG after watching your videos, Can i ask what length your glass slide it looks like its short enough for your finger to bend at the big knuckle?

[@TheBootlegger007]

Its a dunlop 218 slideRegular Wall Thickness - Large Diameter 22 x 25 x 69mm | .87 x .98 x 2.72" | 12-13 Ring I sell them on my website

[@malcolmi]

most cool

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

hello , for newby player, what ist the best recomendation 3 or 4 strings. I play the violin and the piano but no the guitar. Thanzs!

[@TheBootlegger007]

Personally i prefer 3 string. That's what it's been about for me. Primitive, basic raw sound ( 3 notes in a chord etc)..But everyones different. 4 string is fine but thats not far off 6 so i'd use my 6 stringer. i also don't get the whole sticking a 6 string neck on a cigar box either. It's all mainly about the look for some. it was a 3 string cbg played by shane Speal that got me into this 10 years ago.

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

Nigel McTrustry thanks!

[@davel3118]

Nigel, do you have this song lesson for a 4 string cigar box ?

[@TheBootlegger007]

If i was to play this on a 4 string i would have my CBG tuned F C F A and play it exactly the same. Only using the bottom string when i played "chords" ( or all the strings at once). You could play the solo starting on the G# on the A string on the 13th fret (an octave higher)instead of on the 3rd fret on the higher g string. I hope that makes sense

[@Daverino93]

Extremely new to guitar- are you using your slide on all 3 strings in the verses?

[@TheBootlegger007]

Yes when i go up to the 5th fret etc Except when it’s open F.

[@MrDoug527]

How do you get the echo? I'm using a Pignose amp.

[@TheBootlegger007]

It's just reverb and muting the strings to get that sound.

[@keithjohnson5190]

I know this is 9 years old but why do you have it tuned to FCF, most I have heard was GDG? Doesn't that limit you if playing with others?

[@TheBootlegger007]

Not all songs are in G. It’s just a starting point for beginners. When I perform i have at least 2 cbgs. One for D ,E ,F &one for G A etc Also a song might be in C. You might have a guitar tuned to G and play along with your home base being the 5th fret. I hope that helps.

[@keithjohnson5190]

@@TheBootlegger007 Thank you for the reply, I guess I will need to make one or two. I liked the video.

[@jamesanthony8438]

My CBG is really hating F C F tuning.... it sounds really good open, but the moment i place the slide down on it, it just goes waaaay outta whack.

[@TheBootlegger007]

+James Anthony What gauge strings do you have on? Try the E A & D out of a light gauge set.

[@jamesanthony8438]

Just the default strings that came with it from China... which is probably more of my problem, as well. Cheap, $35 Chinese CBG... but hey, it's still a lot of fun to play around with. :)

[@VioletGiraffe]

I was looking for a cheap Chinese 3-string guitar and couldn't find any. Where did you buy it?

[@jamesanthony8438]

VioletGiraffe I ran across it at a local Half Priced Books seller. The company had apparently picked them up in bulk and was selling them throughout their stores in the area.

[@pedromartinezdealbornozari9798]

where did u got that cigar box guitar ??

[@TheBootlegger007]

+Pedro Martínez de Albornoz Arias i built it. checkout my website for more :)

[@dgperforms1]

Man, this would actually be an AMAZING Video....IF the sound was mixed correctly.

[@jjack7246]

Hola. Great video. I'm a new be. I can't hear the thread numbers when your picking. I think your saying 3.4.6.8.? Can you give me the thread no numbers. Thanks

[@margarettelford2459]

Hi, The solo is 3 4 7 9 7 10 7, 3 4 7 9 7 10,

[@jjack7246]

@@margarettelford2459 thank you senor

[@prereitz]

how long did you make your neck

[@TheBootlegger007]

24 3/4" Scale

[@Mapleleaf1969]

Did you say the strings are tuned F C F ?

[@TheBootlegger007]

Yes that’s correct. It’s also in the video description.

[@chrisw9121]

How NOT to adjust your audio levels before uploading?

[@jaysaw8151]

another easy lesson my unmusical butt can learn