Finding music that I like to play is not easy. I've found 4 or 5 celtic to work on and enjoy that. But very recently I've been listening to my Tommy Emnanuel video (on go train). What an amazingly clean guitar player. And he plays some really fun songs on the video. You probably know them, though they were new to me, just having entered the music world, more or less, 18 months ago.

He played Frieght Train, Windy and Warm, and I have since discovered another one along the same lines - Santa Cruz, By David Qualey, as arranged by Steve J. McWilliam. I'm going to have fun with this. Whole new world opening up. I'm not even sure where these songs fit in the spectrum of music out there. Seems sort of like some form of blues, but not the heavier stuff. I guess they are bluegrass.

Also, one more question. There are some wonderful tunes in the movie, Oh Brother where art Though. What kind of music is that considered, and does anyone play some wonderful fingerpicking songs that fit into this music genre - so I can start a lookin.

thanks,

Stuart

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Stuart,

Stuart,

A good number of the performers on Oh Brother are mostly connected to the bluegrass world, but much of the music is closer to old time and gospel and early country forms than to bluegrass. But as soon as that is said, it brings up the question of the usefulness of categories, as all these musics blend together. One useful fact: almost all the songs were written before bluegrass emerged in the mid '40s. Also, few of the songs are performed in a full-fledged bluegrass style.

Stuart,

Freight Train and Windy and Warm are a style of fingerpicking typically called alternating thumb. It is usually classified as folk music.

Merle Travis, Chet Atkins did some pioneering with it. Tom Bresch is a great player. Doc Watson does some of that style. If you google it you will find a bunch of info.

Dave Berch posted a thread on tips how to play it a while back. Here is the link:
Alternating Thumb Link

thanks ninesteps. I don't like the alternating thumb thing that much. But I like the songs. And for the most part I think they can be played either way.

Great to try something new. You always learn so much.

Stuart