Scott Ainslie: Mississippi John Hurt-5 Pay Day

My lessons on Hurt's music and other topics are now available through our Patreon page: / scottainslie . Minimum donation: $5/month. Let me know how you get on in the comments.
This fourteen-minute lesson explores the rhythmic and melodic lexicon of John Hurt's lovely little Open-D tune. I believe he recorded it in E, and have always played it myself in an E5 tuning [E-B-E-E-B-E]. Here it is taught in Open-D [D-A-D-F#-A-D] in deference to my lovely wooden guitar, which might explode if I took it up to open E! More information on Hurt, some TAB drills for this song are all available at CattailMusic.com. Skype lessons also available.

[@zenbanjo2533]

Sweet groove. Hard to do that.

[@scottainslie]

There is a swing in Hurt's style. Many folks hear (or worse, see) it as square eights, when it is actually a quarter note-eighth note triplet. Thumb first, but the hammers and such are just delayed from where the square notes would be, and land on the beat (with a thumb notre, the thumb playing every beat. Took some time....s.

[@lizenwen]

This is the best conclusion of this série of tutorials. Very great job. Thank you very much. Best regards

[@scottainslie]

Very happy to have your comment and thanks. There are about ten more videos of Hurt tunes behind a low pay wall ($5.00) at my Patreon page along with over 220 archived posts. It was all available for free before the pandemic ended our touring and forced me to try to recoup at least a little income. Details at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie. Best wishes, and thank you.

[@lizenwen]

@@scottainslie it is done. Thank you again.

[@scottainslie]

@@lizenwen I'm a little embarrassed. I don't mean to hustle you at all, but you can stay as long as you like, and everyone on Patreon, contrary to their business model, gets access to everything, whether they pay $5 or $50. The only reason to subscribe at a higher level is as a sign of the value you place on the work, or to buy a place at the table for the people who can't afford more. I am moved, and grateful. Do keep in touch there, let me know what you like and would like. It helps me prioritize upcoming projects. I take this as an act of friendship. My thanks.

[@lizenwen]

@@scottainslie no problem Sir I suscrided because I wanted it. I am learning guitar via MJH's repertoire which I like very much. I always improve faster when learning one of his tune....But I also like Mance Lipscomb, Skip James, RL Burnside .... Apart from old country blues I like folk music. I am a retired french tug boat captain, filling my free time now, learning guitar, luthery, sailing my small wooden boat and reading books. I like the way you are teaching. Thank you for dedicating time for us. Best regards

[@scottainslie]

@@lizenwen Mon frere: this cheers my heart. Thank you. Keep me posted on Patreon and I'll do my best to be useful to you. There is no use me dying (*I'm in fine health at 70.5 ans) with this knowledge in my pocket. All the best, s.

[@33maxfletcher]

Love it. Thank-you.

[@scottainslie]

Thanks, Max. Long a favorite of mine, too.

[@gortagnan]

Lots here for me ! Subscribed and thanks...

[@scottainslie]

Thanks. Glad you found it. I have 15 lesson on Hurt's music and other videos, a growing collection of stuff. And offer Skype lessons, as well, if that's in order. Enjoy the work here. Let me know how it goes.

[@hnders]

Thanks!, Scott. These are great lessons for a music that would be lost but for ur commitment to keep it alive. Hans

[@scottainslie]

Cheers, Hans. All the best, s.

[@gibby6904]

Just subbed! Terrific stuff Scott!

[@scottainslie]

Subbed? Oh, subscribed? I am old, clearly. Thanks, Gibby...more at Patreon.com/ScottAinslie for just $5/month...