March ‘24 Challenge Response – Richard G

[Richard G]

For this month I’ve applied the CAGED system to that iconic piece by Willie Brown, ‘Mississippi Blues’ and played it using the A Major Blues Scale.
The repeated main riff is centered around an E shape at the 5th fret which is an A major chord and starts with a typical blues run up to the major 3rd of the key, hits the A9 double stop and resolves into an A6 triad.
The open 5th and 6th strings are struck alternately throughout the main riff as backing.

The first break follows the traditional route but the second break utilises triad runs in the D and E shapes from CAGED.

I guess Brian was really looking for composed melodies derived from the CAGED system but I wanted to play and analyse Mississippi Blues and discover where it fitted into this system. I’m pretty sure Willie Brown in 1942 wouldn’t have used the terminology CAGED but nevertheless it’s good to understand the theory behind what he probably produced quite naturally.

I’m looking forward to watching and listening to everyone’s challenge this weekend, so here’s mine …

https://youtu.be/xUVVlbUZuJs?si=v1aT1_Bxak6oGsJH

[Jennifer D]

Oh yes that was very good I liked it!

[Bill]

Another wonderful finger picked submission Richard. I really liked your thought process to analyze a tune you know so well and really understand what is going on with it. Sounds great!

[Manfred M]

I have to admit, while listening to you, I totally forgot to think about CAGED, because I was so fascinated by your playing, Richard. A great sophisticated rendition of „Mississippi Blues“ with much feel and dynamics. As always a great pleasure to listen to you.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[John H]

Wonderfully played Richard. Kudos to you for taking something with which your are familiar and moving it up and around the neck. What could be more rewarding? You gave me chills at around 1:30 with your dichotomy (playing more than one thing at a time). I could listen to you all day. Thanks for sharing.

John H.

[Guido]

You chose an approach similar to mine, Richard, choosing a known song. The result is simply brilliant, your finger style picking is top notch as usual and you played beautifully this old classic. Liked especially the bass-walking section, but in general an overall great rendition!

Guido

[Mark T]

From your introduction, Richard, it sounded like this tune really got under your skin and, no matter what challenge Brian gave us this month, THIS is the tune you were going to use, come hell or high water 😂😂. Oh, I know that feeling so well – but, as expected, your fingerstyle playing produced yet another masterful performance! Truly impressive 👍🎶😎

[David R]

Well. That was awesome. Your fingerstyle playing is very impressive. Think I’ll be whistling that rest of weekend.

[James B]

You’ve delighted your fans once again with this stellar performance, Richard. I think I like it more than ‘Windy and Warm’ from the
December challenge. Loved the walking bass line with the high E ringing out. Top notch blues picking!

James

[AndréM]

Awesome blues for an early morning.
Great toe tapping.
lovely tone from your Martin.
Well done.

AndréM

[Paul S.]

Yikes, how do you do that? Beautifully played! I loved everything about this… the way you shift from light and quiet to growly and loud, the double stops, the thumping bass line throughout. It was all great. And you have articulated a useful concept: That the CAGED system can be used to understand any style of music played on the guitar.

[Mike D]

Wow that was great listen, well done sir!!

Live on planet Earth ? You got the blues.

[Alan K]

Wow, what an amazing arrangement played flawlessly Richard. It is always a pleasure to hear you play. I imagine it must have taken a while to get this on under your fingers. Really love the bass lines.

[sunjamr]

Hey Richard, I think that may be the best sounding acoustic recording I’ve ever heard here on the forum. The rich tone is incredible. Maybe sometime you could share how you actually recorded this.

Sunjamr Steve

[JoLa]

You did what you do best, Richard – play an acoustic fingerstyle blues! It is such a pleasure to hear and watch you play, your precision and ever so steady beat always fascinate me. If I had to analyze what chord shapes or scales you played I would get a headache so I just settled in and enjoyed your performance to the fullest 🙂

🎸JoLa

[Michael L]

Gosh, Richard, I always love to hear you play. So smooth and musical, and this is no exception! A familiar tune, played well. I find that when I recognize how a song fits into the chord shapes/position it makes easier to recall later, too. It’s kind of pegged onto the fingerboard that way. Thanks for a great peformance!

[Catherine Arsenault]

Wow loved this !!!!! Great Blues very tasty!!!!

[Tom D]

You explore a super interesting angle to this challenge Richard. And while we won’t know if the CAGED tool as we know it would have influenced Willie Brown’s music, it’s great to hear your CAGED insights as you play Mississippi Blues. And, as always, I love to hear you play. Great arrangement played with great feel. You express your bass, melodic, and harmonies so distinctly and beautifully. Cheers, Tom

[JoeD1]

Awesome fingerstyle playing as always Richard! I seriously doubt Willie was thinking CAGED at all since I don’t believe anyone knew about it until the ’70’s. I do enjoy listening to you play!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Andre H]

As always a great tone!! Solid submission. Great to hear!

[Denise]

Great fingerstyle piece and so skillfully played. I tried to follow all your finger movements🙂.
Love the alternate bass lines, percussion and these classy turnarounds. The Boogie part starting 1:30 sounded so good. That must be very difficult to play.
You really make me to want to improve my fingerstyle. It’s just blues at its best.
Denise

More Blues!

[Pat]

Swqeet full sound u got there on that guitar. Good job using the caged system.

[David H]

Richard, once again I am speechless. That was so good! Please don’t ever leave us.

[Laurel C]

Opted out of understanding CAGED on this one, just happy to watch and soak up the music. Glad to be introduced to a tune I have not heard before and what a stellar one it is. Top Notch playing once again Richard, the dynamics of your playing just kept delivering. You are a star.

[Bob Utberg]

What a great idea for the Challenge Richard! And played like a pro! Sounds amazing and yes – wonderful use of the CAGED system for a Classic Blues song. Well done.

Bob U. (aka Bobby Ut)

[Reuben B]

Wow, this was just excellent Richard. At first I really thought you were using a backing track, until I paid closer attention to the video and realized it was just your thumb excellently doing the bass line. It was _that_ good. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Pap]

Richard, that was really brilliant for this challenge. Some people don’t need CAGED concepts. You and Willie have that in common. I love your style of playing….you are super talented! Nice submission. Cheers. Pap

[Martin W]

Just wonderful Richard , so many skilful elements to this piece , that bass thumb as always keeping things in check , the syncopation at 1.30 was so good , love that snap at 2.51 and the subtle lick that followed it .
Excellent cover of this classic tune .
Enjoyed it a lot .

Martin

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