HOMESPUNDrills and Tunes For Flatpick Guitarists
Taught By Steve Kaufman.
Level 3
70-minute DVD or VHS, includes music and tab book
It’s every bluegrass flatpicker’s dream to be able to build up speed while maintaining good tone and timing. Now one of America’s hottest players gives you the tools you need to get over the musical speed bumps -- without crashing and burning as you go.
It’s all a matter of getting your right- and left-hand mechanics working correctly, and Steve has powerful advice and well-thought-out exercises to help you. Using tunes like "Old Joe Clark," "Soldier’s Joy" and "Big Mon" as drills, Steve works on your hand and pick coordination and shows how to practice for best results. Tips on left-hand fretting positions (keep a light touch, very little skin on the back of the guitar neck), combined with how to hold and move your picking hand (use a wide swing with proper depth of pick; right hand should act as metronome or pendulum) help solve mechanical failures that often slow you down.
You’ll learn how to play syncopated runs and crosspicking patterns with ease,
as well as a cross-picked version of "Wildwood Flower" that will amaze
your listeners. Steve shows you how triplets and doubletime picking will help
build your flatpicking technique and allow you to play blazing bluegrass instrumentals.
As Steve puts it, “once you’ve got the mechanics of your right hand down, it
doesn’t care what your left hand is doing.” Then it’s up to you to “oil the machinery”
by practicing, burning tunes and licks into muscle memory so you don’t have to
think about them. Finally, you’ll combine all the elements in a show-stopping
display of chord runs and picking combinations on the Don Reno classic "Little
Rock Getaway." This lesson will help all aspiring flatpickers develop their
potential and keep up with others in hot jam sessions and performances.
Steve Kaufman is the only three-time winner of the National Flatpicking Championships,
held each year in Winfield, Kansas. His music covers a broad range of styles
including bluegrass favorites, popular swing standards, Irish and Appalachian
fiddle tunes, folk and country classics and novelty tunes. Since 1976 Steve has
been performing in a wide variety of settings, from elementary schools and colleges
to major bluegrass festivals and concerts. Steve is not only a sensational flatpicker but is also a dedicated instructor who maintains an extensive teaching and workshop practice. His many instructional videos and CDs are among Homespun's most popular lessons, and his annual “Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamp” series have become a staple of the workshop circuit. Steve's ability to create tasteful and inventive arrangements in flatpick style has earned him a place as one of America's top guitarists.