The Unwritten Theory of Guitar Harmolodics

James Blood Ulmer answers two questions: what are you doing on your guitar and how is your guitar tuned?
filmed and edited by Kewulay Kamara & Mory Kamara

[@ToddDever]

James Blood was a real inspiration for me. Once I heard Black Rock I knew he was onto something special. Thanks for sharing about your tunings. I excited to try them out.

[@livelooper]

...now, how many years have we waiting for this :-)

[@krisscanlon4051]

Always loved his work...used to play those big guitars which is right in front of him.

[@lennonist9746]

James Blood has flew over any guitar theoly with some genius of his own.

[@piptaylor99]

After waiting 35 years since I last saw JBU live in London I took my son to see him and his Trio play in London last night. JC120 amp, what looks like the same Black Gibson Byrdland guitar and only a Boss Metal Core ML2 distortion pedal in the line (no Wah Wah this time). What power and creativity. Awesome James many thanks for coming to the UK.

[@TheToocold]

Blood is using open A tuning in at least one instance. He is playing Vestapol, or Sebastopol. Totally legit, so often used in Country and Blues. He is from North Carolina.

[@timothyaaronstyles9532]

South Carolina

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

A Genius..nuff said

[@georgesember9069]

I wish I had the courage to change tunings. I play nylon string classical guitar, no cut away. I try to focus on where to notes are by ear. At 80 years old, it’s too late to change, at least for me!

[@jonathanvaldez0]

cool vid. Happy belated Birthday to James Blood Ulmer!

[@bzbzob]

This is excellent, thanks so much man. Been listening for decades, always a serious inspiration (that somehow extends beyond music itself) and I will always wonder how you do it (even though I now finally know the tunings). I wrote a song inspired by Black Rock Music, it is called "Bloodology." Will try to get it on youtube one day and will send a link if I do... Again, much appreciation for this and the music.

[@piptaylor99]

What a discovery and revelation, it confirms the tunings that I have read about over the years. I hope there is more film/interview content to come I would love to understand more about these tunings and his music. James Blood Ulmer is still the best concert I have ever been to many many years ago in London. Possibly early 80's. Has he played in the UK since?

[@afrigal2420]

still love your work!!

[@sambac2053]

Thank you Maestro!

[@brennaaaahhhhhhhhhhh]

Best video on KZbin

[@exalted_kitharode]

What's that music on the background?

[@raktimparashar]

Why would one need to tune guitars to different tunings? Is there a benifit that the player get from this.

[@wallacecollect]

It stops you playing cliches.

[@markstevens2888]

Humbala?

[@markstevens2888]

Huge fan. Lifetime musician

[@jaysonknox319]

serious question: what does "Um-Ba-La" mean?

[@jaysonknox319]

i tried to look it up, but got nothing

[@markuselipka]

you probably mean `hamdullah`?

[@abdullahibnyahya88]

He is saying alhamdulilah which means all praise and thanks are due to Allah