Whitehouse Blues -John Renbourn (cover)

[@allancopland1768]

Back for a bit more. Love your rendition. A great old tune. So good. You DO it justice. Love it.

[@DjNikGnashers]

You're too kind Allan. I only wish I had got the chance to meet the great Bert & John in person. I was lucky to meet Jacquie McShee 3 years ago at a folk festival, she was really lovely, chatted for a while and signed a CD for me, even let my wife take a pic of us together. There is something absolutely magical about the combination of John's technical mastery, and Bert's way of almost plucking the strings off the fretboard, which went together perfectly. I do my best to try and keep this amazing music alive, I wish I was a better player, but I'll keep practising ! I'm learning Bert's version of 'October Song' at the moment.

[@yungalexander1738]

This is cool. For real.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@allancopland1768]

Thank you Mr Gnashers. Like it a lot. A lovely old tune. You should do more stuff. I keep staggering across ur posts. Keepin' stuff alive. Good man. I was a massive fan of The Pentangle in the day, and especially Jansch, the only Scot (when I still had teef an hair) but I still am. Kudos man.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Wow such a kind comment, thank you. I'm a very average player, but I do love Bert & John's music.

[@leoroberts]

Footstool worked :)

[@DjNikGnashers]

Thank you Leo. It's a 'Hercules' metal foot stool matey, as my friend Kev put his foot on my Music room cheapo one and it just folded flat !

[@JulesPellattMessyStudySessions]

I really like this, Nik! I love that 3rd chord in the opening riff. Can you give me a numeric formula (e.g. Am = X02210)?

[@DjNikGnashers]

Thank you Jules, it's one of the trickier songs I learned, especially the picking hand. Standard tuning, capo on 2nd fret, 3rd chord is (counting from the capo) X05530 I tend to keep my 2nd finger on and just add my ring finger/pinky to make the new chord, as the previous chord and following chord are the same Am7 shape.

[@JulesPellattMessyStudySessions]

@@DjNikGnashers Thank you, Nik. That's brilliant! I think that is an Am11, which I've never thought of using in this song; but it is perfect! As you say, a difficult song, not least because of Renbourn's deft, light tough when syncopating the right-hand rhythm picking. What a genius player! I will definitely have a go at recording this in the light of your help. Many thanks again.

[@JulesPellattMessyStudySessions]

I forgot to mention: I cannot fully replicate JR's pick/strum technique when he brushes/flicks the nails of his right hand in downstrokes (ditto many other players like James Taylor). The simple reason is that my nails are thin and brittle and don't last long in either up or down strokes! Consequently, I've been using metal finger-picks for many years - but this means I cannot play those downstrokes as the picks are pulled off! If you're interested they are National NP2-B brass picks and give a really clear, mellow sound on D'Addario phosphor bronze light gauge strings (also use them for the same reason when finger-picking the 12-string). I know one professional player in the UK, Dave Howard, who uses finger-picks (Gibson hard plastic ones) who manages to play strong downstrokes without losing his picks. I've tried but only manage a feeble, tinny sound otherwise the picks fly!

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@JulesPellattMessyStudySessions Thank you Jules. To be honest, I don't use a thumb pick, nor do I use my nails. I actually trim all of my nails very short, because I actually love the soft, warm, sound of flesh on the strings. I don't particularly like the click you get when striking with a nail or thumb pick. I play things in a way I like the sound of, and don't really try to emulate my heroes, because I know I will never be as good as John, Renbourn, Bert Jansch, John Martyn, Jim Croce, Dave Evans, etc. Hence I don't try to :-) I loved the way Bert almost plucked the bass strings off his guitar, awesome & aggressive sound, but a few years ago at an open mic when I played a few Bert Jansch songs, somebody said to me "don't worry about not sounding like Bert, none of us can, just play things your own way, and simply be yourself", and that has stuck with me. I also use Elixer polyweb strings to cut down on the string noise, as that is another thing I don't really like to hear when I play. But hey, everyone has their own 'thing' and I never try to suggest anyone else plays in the same way I do, I just do what works for me. And if somebody else enjoys my playing, like yourself, it just makes me feel honoured that they took the time out of their busy lives to actually listen and appreciate my playing, it means so much, genuinely.

[@JulesPellattMessyStudySessions]

@@DjNikGnashers interesting insights, Nik. You certainly make the most of those fingers!