EP448 Shady Grove

[Reuben B]

This lesson is kinda fun to play. However I am still struggling with making C-shaped chord anywhere that needs barre-ing, which is used a lot on the 2nd half of the song (so that was an exercise for me.)

[Ken]

I think most people struggle with that bar c shape. non the less you kept a good rhythm and timing, most important.

Ken F

[Mark T]

Beautifully played, Reuben – lovely precise picking! Really enjoyed that 👍🎶

[charjo]

Well played, Rueben, you handled the CAGED C chord admirably. I usually bar only the top 3 strings or sacrifice the high E altogether with no bar.
John

[John H]

Well done Reuben, one of my all time favorites and you cover it well. Love you tone on that Taylor as well.

John

[Bob Utberg]

Reuben, to my point in my most recent post: I love your version slower than the lesson!!! Reminds me of Ain’t No Sunshine!!! Very well played. Hey, tech question: Are you gettin all of that AMAZING TONE from that device in front of your guitar?? I struggle with all the “bells and whistles” of recording – as you can tell. How do you do that? What is that cool toy in front? Please help me to get better sound and quality! Utbergdmd@netscape.net is my personal email
Thank you and great job here! Bob

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Reuben B]

Thanks Bob for the nice comment. Yes, when I play it “cold” (i.e. without looking up Brian’s tempo in the lesson), this the tempo I end up naturally play. I do take your point in your other post re: tempo. Though when I re-listen to Brian’s lesson, his faster tempo do have its own groove (not sure I could play it though).

The device is Zoom H4N Handy Recorder. It has a built-in X-Y mic and record to an SD card. I just recently got it. I literally just put it in front of the guitar (using the mic-stand adapter), adjust the mic level a bit, and hit record. I did not do anything else to process the sound other than just combining it with the video (recorded with a cellphone). It’s really nice; Before I have this recorder I had to drag around a laptop + audio interface + either a mic or plug the guitar to pedal or something. With the Zoom recorder is just captures the sound acoustically. I also used it for my January challenge BTW: the recorder also has 2 line input so I just plugged the output of my pedal directly to it.

All to say, I am very novice in term of recording tech, etc, so I really was just trying to get the simplest setup 🙂 (my other option before was just to use the cellphone mic).

[sunjamr]

I enjoyed listening to your flatpicking on this excellent lesson, Reuben. True, you hit a few bad notes – as we all do – but like Brian has said many times “As long as you keep the beat going, most people won’t notice if you hit a bad note.” And you kept the beat going perfectly.

Sunjamr Steve

[Reuben B]

Thank you. And yes, on the bad notes, it makes me appreciate that much more those who can consistently play perfectly, and also how hard it is to get a “perfect recording” 🙂

[Garry]

Well played Reuben! Nice sound, steady beat and solid fingerpicking. Love the way you move your right hand over the sound hole and closer to the bridge to change the tone of the piece. All the best!

[David L]

I enjoyed listening your rendition very much, Reuben. Nice work.

[Tim G.]

Enjoyed it Reuben!

[Dieter]

Sounds very authentic, great playing.

Dieter

[Helen Lazaridou]

This was so enjoyable!!!!the sound as well as your fingerpicking were great!!!I know what you mean with struggling 🤣🤣but we are all in the same boat!!!!!so let’s enjoy it!!

[Reuben B]

Yeah, though I’m glad to be struggling with good companies. That’s how we grow afterall.

[Geoff]

I know talent when I hear it Reuben and you have it. In my opinion, you played this VERY well. If you did struggle I don’t think it is particularly evident from watching you. Personally, I avoid barring like the plague so, assuming you are able to do full bars, you are a few steps ahead of me.

[Reuben B]

That’s very kind of you to say Geoff, thanks.
I can’t do a full bar, at least not consistently 🙂 I even think my pinky is barely long enough to reach for the the 5th string (I think I used my ring finger on at least on occasion).

[Jean-Michel G]

Yep… that dreaded C-shape barre chord is a real pain! And I agree with the others that you handled it rather well! Well done.

Those Zoom handy recorders are extremely useful! I own the H2n (an older model) and I am so satisfied with it that I never upgraded.
The only caveat (@Bob Utberg) is that you have to make sure to place the mic at the right (sweet) spot. Other than that, it’s eazy peazy.

[Reuben B]

Thanks for the nice responses! I appreciate them.

[DougE]

Very nicely done! I’ve been working on this one for quite awhile and still struggling with getting that C shape clean myself. You’ve inspired me to stick to it.

-Doug

[Kenneth M]

Really nice playing. Thank You!

[Anonymous]

Nice one Rueben, I am still learning this one, such a great traditional tune.

[Mark H]

That’s great, I actually prefer your tempo.

I could never seem to find it on the guitar. I took up clawhammer banjo a few years back and learned it in sawmill tuning on that instrument. I may well take a stab at it again on the guitar.

Keep pluggin’ away, your fingerpicking- and groove are rock solid and that guitar has great tone.

[Mike D]

Super Smooth !!

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[Author]

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