Tragically in 1938 Robert Johnson was murdered at 27 years young, poisoned by a jealous husband. Hubby got pissed and perhaps it was due partly the power of the guitar just like Robert Cray laments elsewhere. Only this time there were repercussions. Roy Buchanan also died in a totally weird way in jail. Sorry but it stuck with me. They ought to make a movie about Robert Johnsons' short life. Maybe they did?
Robert left a legacy of 23 songs behind him, 14 of which he recorded and 7 of which are in the key of A. Scott choose 4 of these to teach us also explaining songs in open E, Drop D and one where it not clear what tuning it is. Robert Johnson was discovered by John Hammond Sr. Who was everywhere. He discovered and signed years later SRV himself!
Anyway what is it with Mississippi Delta blues guitar players? They use their fingers and play the bass on the bottom, strum the rhythm on the openest jingally-jangally of strings they can find and throw in melody notes on the top all as part of one cadence.
There are so many different ways, once you learn what you are doing, to do that on the guitar that they sound unique unto themselves and never play it exactly the same way twice.
Then many sing on top of all that. Additionally, If you can get that steady thumb and beat thing going you hypnotize them like a mongoose do a snake! And even if you can't yet make the thumb as steady as you'd like that wont keep us from trying to satisfy our worried mind.
Scott tells us that Robert Johnson was heavily influenced by Lonnie and Tommy Johnson's guitar playing and tunings. Particularly his drop D tuning used in Drunken Hearted Man which is the next song taught. I think that is am important bit of information to be aware of as you progress as a player. Everybody is sleeping in the same bed when it comes to styles. Its a big bed.
R. J. Delta Blues Guitar Technique Page One | Page Two | Page Three
Dancing is a vertical expression of a horizontal desire.
- Robert Frost