Dobro Resonator Resophonic Guitar Video Samplers

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 19:26:19 -0800 (PST)
Subject: tuning

On the FOTW sampler page, the Crafters of Tennessee
Tut Taylor Tennessean TTT Squareneck Dobro Video
Sampler #4.... I cannot figure out what tuning he is
using for that song, my Dobro is tuned to open G
but I cannot get the low notes on the song.......

This is in Open G Tuning for traditional squareneck: G B D G B D

The name of the tune is "Spanish Fandango"...

Let me know if you have further questions...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 09:22:14 EST
Subject: Music available

Dear Mickey,
I swear I could listen to you play for hours. Do you have any recordings available with you playing dobro? If not get going!!!
Best regards
Jason Dumont

Greetings Jason,

Thanks for tuning in...and thanks so much for the kind words! I do love playing the Dobro...and, you can see that I have my own style and approach. Although I can play some bluegrass on Dobro, I feel it has many other possibilities within a solo context.

Yes, we do have plans for a series of CD's which will include many of my originals/arrangements that are demonstrated within our video sampler section. So, please stay tuned on our website for updates.

And, thanks again for your kind interest in my efforts...it certainly does inspire me to "get going!"

Mickey

Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 15:59:32 -0700

Thanks Mickey,

I'm leaning toward the Andrew. Hey those sample video clips are great and SO helpful in comparing the instruments. Even on my little PC speakers it is so evident what a Quarterman cone does in those Regal upgrade comparisons. I'd just accepted as "expert opinion" before.

The number you do on the Beard Vintage Cherry #1, is that your "Santa Fe Rails"? Do you have tablature for it?

Greetings Stu,

Yes, this is "Santa Fe Rails"...a piece I wrote many years ago...yes, I have had high hopes of including tablature on this one in my new upcoming book titled: "Solo Dobro...Playing Dobro Unaccompanied"...if I get it completed on Sibelius, I'd be more than happy to send you a complimentary copy of this piece...since the printing of the book can take up to a year through Mel Bay...thanks for your interest in learning this piece...

reference page: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page1897.htm

Mickey

Thanks,

Stu Harris

Subject: I want to play like that...
Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 18:49:24 +0100

Greetings from Iceland,

Greetings from the wondrous mountains of New Mexico....

"I want to play like THAT!"

I find myself saying that every time I watch the video samplers of Mickey playing Dobro. Fantastic stuff, my highest compliments.

Thanks so much for your kind words...

I was just browsing the video area and I shot bolt upright when I say the vids for the England Vine Inlay. I would walk to the poles and back to play like that fellow in those samplers. Can you suggest a path that might help me get there?

I'd be glad to assist in any way I can...to further assist you on your dobro journey, I would only need to know where you are today...otherwise, I wouldn't know which starting point to move from...are you looking to play squareneck? Or, are you playing strictly roundneck?

Who is that guy? I have spent my entire guitar dabbling life wanting to play dobro blues… what tuning is he in? Any info or insights you might share are deeply appreciated

I consider myself more of a utility player...I love playing a variety of acoustic instruments in all types of styles...in fact, during my performing years, I thrived on playing a variety of instruments and attempting to cater to everyone's taste...it was quite fun to do...only, without focus on one style and one instrument, I found myself spread thin...I've always enjoyed playing acoustic fingerstyle blues on both dobro and acoustic guitar, and it sounds like you're on the same wavelength.

On the England Vine Inlay squareneck video samplers, I believe most all of the tunings were in open G: G B D G B D from low to high...this is a squareneck tuning and is not really possible on a roundneck due to the potential stress problems...if you'd like to experiment with open G tuning on a roundneck, you might try: D G D G B D...you may already be familiar with this tuning...I've done a lot of arranging within this particular tuning...

Get back with me on how I might further assist...and keep on pickin', Mickey

Thanks, David

Subject: Purchase Order & Question
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 14:16:25 -0500

Dear Folk of the Wood,

I want to compliment you on a very well crafted web site. It is entertaining, informative, and easy to navigate.

Over the winter I built a squareneck resonator from a kit. I am now taking
dobro lessons from a local instructor. I am learning the bluegrass style and
building a repertoire of Josh Graves tunes. I also play fingerstyle guitar and
think this style produces some interesting dobro arrangements.

I decided to order some items by - mainly because not all of the
inventory is available in the online store.

First, I have a question for Mr. Cochran:

I really appreciate the time you have devoted to creating the video
samplers. In particular, the sample "Paul Beard Vintage Cherry Dobro #4"
(page1900.htm) contains a beautifully simple melody played more fingerstyle than bluegrass
style. What is the name of this tune and who is the composer? I have learned to
play this simply from listening and watching the sample.

Thanks again for a great web site!

Alan Olson

Greetings Alan,

Thanks so much for the kind accolades on our website...we've truly put our heart, blood, sweat & tears into this effort...it's nice when someone such as yourself takes notice of this effort.

On the video sampler: "Paul Beard Vintage Cherry Dobro #4"...this tune is a traditional melody titled: "Spanish Fandango"...I believe Fandango was a form of dance...at least I've read this somewhere...now, my arrangement, on the video sampler, is heavily influenced by Norman Blake's fingerstyle guitar version...it's interesting that you did pick up on the fact that it does have fingerstyle guitar overtones. I also happen to be a fingerstyle guitarist...and believe that the Dobro has entire landscapes of potential exploration waiting to be seen through the eyes of fingerstyle guitarists such as you and myself...

Please stay in tune with me...especially if you discover new inroads for fingerstyle Dobro/Guitar...

Wishing you the best, Mickey

Subject: Video Sampler
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 12:41:21 -0600

Would you please tell me the name of the song played on the Beard Cherry
#4 & #1 sampler. It is also used on one of the Quarterman cone samplers, and
may be used on others, but I know on at least these two. It is a lot like
one of Mile Aldridge's tunes called LINDA, but differs both in tempo and
where it goes after the first string walkdown. Please let me know. I think
this is a beautiful song and am working on it. Was also wondering when you
think the Cherry Beard might be in. I keep seeing about two weeks of
11/11/02. Thanks, Weldon McAdams

Greetings Weldon,

The Beard Cherry Video Sampler #4 is called "Spanish Fandango" original arrangement with a Norman Blake influence...

The Beard Cherry Video Sampler #1 is called "Santa Fe Rails" original piece showcased on the new "Intro to Dobro Part I" video...

We're not too sure about the most recent scheduled deliveries on the Beard Cherry models due us...We did call Paul Beard who stated that it was due in this month (November)...

We do have a used Cherry Beard that should be here any day now...

Thanks for the kind words regarding our video samplers...and be sure to let us know if we can assist you further...

FOTW

Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 17:22:43 -0400

HELLO,

I ENJOY YOUR VIDEO SAMPLERS. CAN YOU TELL ME THE NAMES OF THE TUNES YOU PLAY ON YOUR BEARD V. CHERRY #1, 4 AND 8 DEMOS? I LOVE PLAYING THEM.
GOOD PICKIN'

TODD GEROY
NAPLES, FL

Greetings Todd,

In reference to the video samplers:
Thanks for your kind support on the video samplers...

Beard Vintage Cherry #8: this is a completely improvised piece...and, it does seem to have promise as a finished piece...at least parts of it seem to have some nice direction...at the very least, it demonstrates how well the Beard Capo keeps the open strings ringing bright and true.

Beard Vintage Cherry #4: this is a traditional piece titled: "Spanish Fandango"...if you want to hear a great arrangement of this piece on acoustic guitar, be sure to check out Norman Blake's...his influence is evident in my arrangement...

Beard Vintage Cherry #1: this is one of my originals titled "Santa Fe Rails"...it's also the lead-off on my latest Dobro video instructional series...

At your disposal,

Mickey