In this video I play an old fashioned 3 string homemade cigarbox guitar. Many of the Legends of
Blues and Country music got their start in music on a simple 3 string or 4 string homemade cigar box
guitar. It's why their music was so distinctive and it's a sound that can not be made on a 6 string
guitar.
If you listen closely to the sound of a cigar box guitar you'll immediately hear many familiar sounds
that have seeped into our modern music. The origins of these tonal qualities are not found on regular
6 string guitars. The reason is simple, early American music is derived from the banjo (4string)
whereas modern 6 string music is tuned and derived from the Spanish guitar. For Blues, 4 strings are
the root, that's why it is difficult to recreate early Delta Blues and primitive American Folk Music on a
6 string guitar. That's also the reason why when you hear a simple blues licks played on a guitar with
6 strings it just doesn't sound as authentic as the sounds you would have heard in the 1880's.
The main reason it's so difficult to get a vintage sound from guitars with 6 strings is that in late 1800's
and early 1900's the banjo or Tenor guitar (4 string guitar) was the base of Folk music in America, the
Parlor (6 string guitar) was not used in popular songwriting at the time. In a 6 string guitar, the
octaves repeat and during play, even when you don't pluck certain strings as you play and move up
and down the neck, the notes compete with the open strings. By moving from string to string you
lose the long vibrato which is key for that trademark "bluesy" sound that is easier to express on 4
strings or less. With a platform of less strings you can achieve that "slack" sound that provides the
dissonance that is distinctly "folksy" or "early American" without using European 6 string (Spanish)
guitar scales, chords and voicings. Yes, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and all those
guitar-slingers sound great, and yes their music is found in the "Blues" section of the music store, but
there not really playing anything that would be truly defined as "The Blues."
Now, yes I have my own personal taste in music that might differ from yours, I like the 3 string guitar.
To me great Blues is 1920's and 30's ...Allot of people see Son House, Hopkin's, Mississippi John
Hurt and the all those Blues Revival greats reborn in 1960's and say, "Hey, he's playing a Strat or
Dobro, that's the Blues!"...I am sorry to say that isn't were the Blues started, that was some 60 year
old guys with guitars there managers gave to them. Stratocasters and Dobros were expensive even
back then!
But long before the "Blues Revival", in simpler times and poverty there was the cigar box guitar.
Playing one will take your sound back to a time way before electricity and before the Resonator was
even invented, to the rural South and the roots of the Blues. As for me I really like that primitive, gritty,
homespun sound and that's why I follow tradition and build mostly 3 and 4 string guitars. That truly
vintage sound will never happen on something bought in the store, it will sound way too sanitary,
generic and precise....there's nothing wrong with a great store bought or 6 string guitar.... but for me
that completely misses the point of trying to recreate what might have been played 100 years ago.
If you would like to play Delta Blues, it's "airiness" that you hear comes from the music's simplicity, it's
not suppose to be complicated, over refined, lickity split fretted notes, complicated jazz chords and
scales, beefed up high power, or masked with computer effects. A great cigar box guitar sounds best
as just slide 'n play ....plus, for the guitarist, what more could be easier than playing simple slide
guitar with a pluck here and there??? It's basically one finger guitar!...Just connect the dots in your
mind up and down the strings as you play, add slide and you've got that sound you've been after all
those years but just couldn't never find it no matter what guitar you've bought before.
That is the key and link to the Delta Blues that has long been forgotten in the mass market guitar
world.
Blues and Country music got their start in music on a simple 3 string or 4 string homemade cigar box
guitar. It's why their music was so distinctive and it's a sound that can not be made on a 6 string
guitar.
If you listen closely to the sound of a cigar box guitar you'll immediately hear many familiar sounds
that have seeped into our modern music. The origins of these tonal qualities are not found on regular
6 string guitars. The reason is simple, early American music is derived from the banjo (4string)
whereas modern 6 string music is tuned and derived from the Spanish guitar. For Blues, 4 strings are
the root, that's why it is difficult to recreate early Delta Blues and primitive American Folk Music on a
6 string guitar. That's also the reason why when you hear a simple blues licks played on a guitar with
6 strings it just doesn't sound as authentic as the sounds you would have heard in the 1880's.
The main reason it's so difficult to get a vintage sound from guitars with 6 strings is that in late 1800's
and early 1900's the banjo or Tenor guitar (4 string guitar) was the base of Folk music in America, the
Parlor (6 string guitar) was not used in popular songwriting at the time. In a 6 string guitar, the
octaves repeat and during play, even when you don't pluck certain strings as you play and move up
and down the neck, the notes compete with the open strings. By moving from string to string you
lose the long vibrato which is key for that trademark "bluesy" sound that is easier to express on 4
strings or less. With a platform of less strings you can achieve that "slack" sound that provides the
dissonance that is distinctly "folksy" or "early American" without using European 6 string (Spanish)
guitar scales, chords and voicings. Yes, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and all those
guitar-slingers sound great, and yes their music is found in the "Blues" section of the music store, but
there not really playing anything that would be truly defined as "The Blues."
Now, yes I have my own personal taste in music that might differ from yours, I like the 3 string guitar.
To me great Blues is 1920's and 30's ...Allot of people see Son House, Hopkin's, Mississippi John
Hurt and the all those Blues Revival greats reborn in 1960's and say, "Hey, he's playing a Strat or
Dobro, that's the Blues!"...I am sorry to say that isn't were the Blues started, that was some 60 year
old guys with guitars there managers gave to them. Stratocasters and Dobros were expensive even
back then!
But long before the "Blues Revival", in simpler times and poverty there was the cigar box guitar.
Playing one will take your sound back to a time way before electricity and before the Resonator was
even invented, to the rural South and the roots of the Blues. As for me I really like that primitive, gritty,
homespun sound and that's why I follow tradition and build mostly 3 and 4 string guitars. That truly
vintage sound will never happen on something bought in the store, it will sound way too sanitary,
generic and precise....there's nothing wrong with a great store bought or 6 string guitar.... but for me
that completely misses the point of trying to recreate what might have been played 100 years ago.
If you would like to play Delta Blues, it's "airiness" that you hear comes from the music's simplicity, it's
not suppose to be complicated, over refined, lickity split fretted notes, complicated jazz chords and
scales, beefed up high power, or masked with computer effects. A great cigar box guitar sounds best
as just slide 'n play ....plus, for the guitarist, what more could be easier than playing simple slide
guitar with a pluck here and there??? It's basically one finger guitar!...Just connect the dots in your
mind up and down the strings as you play, add slide and you've got that sound you've been after all
those years but just couldn't never find it no matter what guitar you've bought before.
That is the key and link to the Delta Blues that has long been forgotten in the mass market guitar
world.
| Stop!!!! Go no further until you watch this short video below. It's a must see, you won't believe it's not butter! |
This is a style of guitar I make that I call Paw-Paws Dobro. I have made countless of
these and these rank high on my list of favorite guitars to make. They are almost the
same as another guitar I make allot called the "Delta Field Harp" except that I brace it
slightly different to give it more low end and sound a little more Country, I guess to say
a more "Country Blues" than a "City Blues" sound that it has the tone scooped out of
the bass.
these and these rank high on my list of favorite guitars to make. They are almost the
same as another guitar I make allot called the "Delta Field Harp" except that I brace it
slightly different to give it more low end and sound a little more Country, I guess to say
a more "Country Blues" than a "City Blues" sound that it has the tone scooped out of
the bass.
Here is one with a Light maple
stain. I make them in all shades.
I also make them in 3 string.
stain. I make them in all shades.
I also make them in 3 string.
| EMAIL ME at: john@reddogguitars.com |
Here below is a really difficult sound to get on a 6 string guitar, but when you play a
cigar box guitar with just a few strings, all the non essential repeating strings and
unused parts are stripped away. Watch this short Hot Rod video and I know it will flip
your boring store bought guitar world upside down and completely cure you of mass
market hum drum insanity.
Now grab hold of the steering wheel and let's drive off into somewhere dreamy!
cigar box guitar with just a few strings, all the non essential repeating strings and
unused parts are stripped away. Watch this short Hot Rod video and I know it will flip
your boring store bought guitar world upside down and completely cure you of mass
market hum drum insanity.
Now grab hold of the steering wheel and let's drive off into somewhere dreamy!
That is a sound that can NEVER be made with 6 strings!...go try and report back here
immediately with your tail between your legs!!!!
...but look seriously, not to beat a dead horse some more, but not only is a 3 string guitar
easier to play, but it is funner to play...and most important??? you look 10 times cooler
when you whip out a cigar box guitar with just a few strings and blast the Les Paul snobs
out of the room!
Drop your Strats...leave your Les Pauls in the closet....burn your Chinese made
guitars...there is much more to music than the status quo!
immediately with your tail between your legs!!!!
...but look seriously, not to beat a dead horse some more, but not only is a 3 string guitar
easier to play, but it is funner to play...and most important??? you look 10 times cooler
when you whip out a cigar box guitar with just a few strings and blast the Les Paul snobs
out of the room!
Drop your Strats...leave your Les Pauls in the closet....burn your Chinese made
guitars...there is much more to music than the status quo!
| Perhaps you want to play something really spooky ??? It's easy with a 3 string guitar made from a cigar box. The Victrola Delta Tramp can take you back to the battle fields long ago, have a peep! |
The Coontown Troubadour 1891
You might not have know that Robert
Johnson, Muddy Waters and even
the great Lightin' Hopkin's; they all
played the cigar box guitar.
Owning a Resonator was all but a
dream in poverty and buying or
playing a Martin or Gibson was
completely out of the question!
You might not have know that Robert
Johnson, Muddy Waters and even
the great Lightin' Hopkin's; they all
played the cigar box guitar.
Owning a Resonator was all but a
dream in poverty and buying or
playing a Martin or Gibson was
completely out of the question!
Everything starts somewhere...well, Bo wasn't
the first to make a square guitar...far from it!
In the mid 1860's newspapers from across the
country published "how tos" to make your cigar
box banjo, this is dates May 18th 1866.
the first to make a square guitar...far from it!
In the mid 1860's newspapers from across the
country published "how tos" to make your cigar
box banjo, this is dates May 18th 1866.
This cigar box instrument is an early
example of this exact type of
construction.
It is from The National Cigar Box
Guitar Museum and dates to the late
1880's or early 1890's.
example of this exact type of
construction.
It is from The National Cigar Box
Guitar Museum and dates to the late
1880's or early 1890's.
These below are a style of guitar I enjoy making in honor of America's past.
They are my "1884" guitars. By far easily my most popular guitar, I have
made these sometimes months in a row and made nothing else, just one
after another.
I have made so many of these over the years that I have lost count. I never
get tired of making them and I really enjoy giving them to people. I have
hundreds of photos of all types of finishes so I won't bore you with posting
the many 1884 styles. Here is a few samples. I have made them in dark
colors, light woods, 3 and 4 string, pearl or with black, chrome, and
copper..on and on....These are also great sounding guitars!
They are my "1884" guitars. By far easily my most popular guitar, I have
made these sometimes months in a row and made nothing else, just one
after another.
I have made so many of these over the years that I have lost count. I never
get tired of making them and I really enjoy giving them to people. I have
hundreds of photos of all types of finishes so I won't bore you with posting
the many 1884 styles. Here is a few samples. I have made them in dark
colors, light woods, 3 and 4 string, pearl or with black, chrome, and
copper..on and on....These are also great sounding guitars!
They are not the same! Maple, Mahogany, White Oak, Cedar and Hickory are
all popular but they all have different tones, I will try whatever I think will
sound good.
all popular but they all have different tones, I will try whatever I think will
sound good.
I also make them in three string. They really stand out with hardtails!
| Any shade, any style. email me, john@reddogguitars.com these are great guitars! |
Photo c.1890
Ok back to guitars for sale, I don't want to be pushy, that DVD took
months to make in editing and work, I did it to help people who want to learn
about 3 string guitars and cigar box playing, but my job in NOT selling DVDs,
That would stress me out! I build guitars...however if you want to learn to
play cigar box guitar...this DVD is awesome! anyways, lets go to the next
page...Lots of real cool guitars for sale are yet to come.
months to make in editing and work, I did it to help people who want to learn
about 3 string guitars and cigar box playing, but my job in NOT selling DVDs,
That would stress me out! I build guitars...however if you want to learn to
play cigar box guitar...this DVD is awesome! anyways, lets go to the next
page...Lots of real cool guitars for sale are yet to come.
| Anyone can master 3 string cigar box guitar....yes, I said it, I said the "M" word!!! You CAN master the 3 string guitar in playing BOTH freestyle Delta Blues with and without a slide. It is not difficult, It just takes correct explanation of the techniques, patience and practice. This DVD explains American music the way it was played from the 1880's to the 1930's. Watch this short clip to see the easily understood playing techniques to becoming a great 3 string guitar player. |
| The truth is, primitive Delta Blues and American Folk music was created by people who could not read or write music, Nor did they know any music theory or even what an A chord was! So, why do you need to learn what an 'A chord' is to play cigar box guitar??? The answer is, you don't. This video shows you how to get that raw Delta Blues sound without headaches or over thinking it ...all without having to know any chords, theory, or unnecessary garble. All of which what was never meant to be so difficult. It's all about the mechanics. Like a puzzle I have easily easy broken them down ...not just the licks and runs BUT THE TOOLS ON HOW TO BUILD THE LICKS AND RUNS!!!!!!! THEY WILL BE YOUR LICKS RIFFS AND RUNS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU COULD DO. This is the most complete how to play 3 sting guitar DVD ever made, It covers all the sounds from Vintage finger plucking & Delta Bottleneck slide and even Raw Electric Blues. Also covered and often overlooked is one of the absolute most important aspects, HOW TO CORRECTLY TUNE a 3 string guitar I will show you how to tune without ever using a tuner, or even knowing the names of the notes. I explain how to set up your guitar to get those primal vintage sounds. How to set up the Amp, The strings and various sizes with in depth explanation about their tone and tension, Different slides with in depth explanation about their contrast in your playing....and more. I have seen many how to play Lessons such as "Mel Bay" Resonator Guitar and Blues videos that were completely false and some were so incorrect that it would be impossible to get a truly vintage American sound by studying them. I am going to be frank,...if someone trys explaining Blues music in this way, "it's a G,...open E.... or D tuning ....or this flat and that sharp," you are heading IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.....THAT is NOT Blues music. If many of the great Bluesmen of last century didn't know a G chord from a Flying Saucer or space-ship part... then why on earth do you need to know how to make a 'G chord' on a homemade guitar?....just the simple fact of discussing primitive American Folk music and then trying to define it in European keys and phrasing and it's boundaries will completely insure you never understand anything. If you are tired of trying to learn and always frustrated with Music theory, Keys, chord arrangements and stuff that really doesn't have anything to do with Delta Blues, Slide guitar and 3 string guitar, than you will enjoy this DVD. Enjoy it comfortably watching TV, American Folk music is super easy! That's what defines it, the more you try to learn and the harder you try, the less it sounds like Delta Blues and the more it sounds like contemporary and European music. Look, if some guy did it in a barn a 100 years ago, you can do it too! try this, clear your mind, think of a peaceful time well over a 100 years ago, think of an old barn at the edge of a southern plantation, think of a guy who could not read or write holding his homemade guitar sitting in that barn He's just strummin' away a breezy Sunday afternoon..... Now, do you think he knew what a D chord was transposed over the major scale???? Do you even think he knew what in the heck a major scale was???? NO way!!!! OK, so why would you need to know complex chords, scales and keys???? I think the music store "Blues Series Lessons" turned more people away from learning guitar than it ever helped! Alright, your still here?? watch these videos of 2 very different styles and meet me below when your done. |
This DVD will show you ALL of those techniques to play those EXACT styles AND
MORE,
not just those songs...but different styles that make up American music,
you can freestyle and improvise forever on and make up a 1000 songs
whats better? learn and copy one song?
or learn the tools to build a lifetime worth of great songs.
I think the Eskimos said it best with a saying that's several centuries old,
"If someone is hungry, you could give a man a fish."
or
you can Teach a man to fish and he gets all the hot Eskimo mamas 'cuz his freezer is
so jam packed full of large tasty fish!!!
I think that's it, I think that's their ancient saying???
....anyways, you WILL be able to build your own music,
not just play other peoples songs,
yes, Learning songs from other people is fun, but that is no crowning achievement.
Open up your own world of music, it truly is fun and rewarding at heart. I am gonna
let you decide if this is what you would like to learn, it's easy, you can do it, thank you
for your time, John
MORE,
not just those songs...but different styles that make up American music,
you can freestyle and improvise forever on and make up a 1000 songs
whats better? learn and copy one song?
or learn the tools to build a lifetime worth of great songs.
I think the Eskimos said it best with a saying that's several centuries old,
"If someone is hungry, you could give a man a fish."
or
you can Teach a man to fish and he gets all the hot Eskimo mamas 'cuz his freezer is
so jam packed full of large tasty fish!!!
I think that's it, I think that's their ancient saying???
....anyways, you WILL be able to build your own music,
not just play other peoples songs,
yes, Learning songs from other people is fun, but that is no crowning achievement.
Open up your own world of music, it truly is fun and rewarding at heart. I am gonna
let you decide if this is what you would like to learn, it's easy, you can do it, thank you
for your time, John
| I am proud to say these are Disc mailed in a sturdy Disc mailer. This was not made to get rich, This was a labor of love. I build and sell guitars. This was made to help people. I hardly have grand ideas of selling homemade DVD's spun on my computer to retire on. Any money made on this would be nothing more than diaper money and or juice money for my daughter. These were made and recorded in my house on a simple hand held recorder studio? nope...my kid's room??? yes! they are several 100 hours worth of work in recording and editing these are super fun and cutting edge Disc not bells and whistles and fancy wrapping that will have no use. I take pride in that fact, It is made of recycled cardboard and addressed with a magic marker title! This CD is made at home by me, not some high dollar studio. No cellophane, No Plastic shrink wrap, No Plastic covers! watch this video and see why! |
Understanding 3 string guitar How To
Play DVD
26.50 USD
shipping worldwide $2.15 USD
26.50+2.15=28.65
yes! anywhere in the world same price,
2.15!
14 to 21 days Post Office "snail" mail
Questions??? email
john@reddogguitars.com
Play DVD
26.50 USD
shipping worldwide $2.15 USD
26.50+2.15=28.65
yes! anywhere in the world same price,
2.15!
14 to 21 days Post Office "snail" mail
Questions??? email
john@reddogguitars.com
From Robert Johnson to Mudddy Waters...
...or simple and clean ???
| email me at john@reddogguitars.com |