Corey Harris

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Rambling on My Mind


Rhythm

This week we will begin learning Robert Johnson's blues classic, "Rambling On My Mind". This is one of the all-time greatest blues tunes ever written and there seem to be a million versions. In this first lesson we focus on the main shuffle riff as well as how it fits in with the slide riff. I want you to take your time with the rhythm and tempo of the tune and check that you are not playing too fast or slow. I hope that you enjoy this song. See you all next week.

Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
Open E Tuning
Corey Harris
Slide Guitar
Open E Tuning
Robert Johnson
Rambling on My Mind

Print Print Chords & Tab

Rambling on My Mind background listening: Robert Johnson

loop @ 1:25 open E tuning (E B E G# B E)

loop @ 1:46 run-through

loop @ 4:36 main shuffle riff (14 bar blues - I I I I I IV IV I I I V IV I I)

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loop @ 7:10 slide riff

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loop @ 7:38 slide riff together with the shuffle

loop @ 8:40 walkdown

 

 

Comments

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Douglas Irwin
Douglas Irwin Nov 05, 2013

Just love your lessons. With my split personality of acoustic and electric, I just love it all. The passion is there, the effort is put forth, the only negative is time. 

Just wanted to thank you for your effort & time to help others.

Doug Irwin

Mike Caren
Mike Caren Oct 09, 2013

Hi Doug,

Good question.  We don't currently support uploading videos with an iPad.  We have it on our list for release around the end of the year.  In the mean time, you can record a video on your iPad and then upload it via your MacBook / PC.  Thanks.

Doug Philbrook
Doug Philbrook Oct 08, 2013

Corey,

Thanks for the great lessons, has truly helped a great amount. My only question, I've tried recording from my Ipad, but it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe you or someone at SJ has a suggestion?

Thanks

Doug

Alex Barbera
Alex Barbera Sep 22, 2013

@Corey...grazie...I'll post a video soon only on the shuffle...I really want to focus on basic things and I've been always interested about learning the shuffle by an afromerican blues musician as it part of his culture! 

thanks for sharing

Ciao

Alex

Corey Harris
Corey Harris Sep 21, 2013

@Alex...when I go to the 12th fret with the slide I usually brush the strings if I am playing two or more strings at the same time...or I pluck individual strings.  Keep working on the rhythm...I think you are almost there.  It sounds like you are playing the strings a little too heavy with your thumb.  I hear a slapping or a knocking sound which should not be there.  Try playing with a lighter touch and maybe that will help.

Alex Barbera
Alex Barbera Sep 12, 2013

@Corey..here's my feedback....tryin to work on rythm only and put some slide...licks that I used to play in the past executing this tune...I have a question....when you go to the 12th fret with the slide, are you plucking the strings?!?!?!?

Thanks 

Alex

claudio
claudio Sep 11, 2013

Corey, about singing I already asked in another section on the website that it would be great to have lyrics of the songs we are doing here.

I do know english but singing is another matter and It would be great to have lyrics to study easily the singing part of the songs we are doing here.

Thank in advance

JD Krooks Crouhy
JD Krooks Crouhy Sep 10, 2013

Wow nice lesson ! I didn't had this tune on my mind for a long ! A cool Shuffle groove with a lot of subtility like doing the high e at the end of the riff  ! RJ is the master ! I'm studying his singing in Kind Hearted Woman in slow motion and is singing is awesome... 

@Peter for open E i use 12-54 and open D (and G) 16-56. Maybe it's too much tension for the 0.26 G strings. Also watch wher the strings breaks ? At the saddle ? Near a special fret ? Changing tuning also use the strings, if you can stay in one tunning it's better. I often change my reso strings it's sound better when they're new :)

Alex Barbera
Alex Barbera Sep 09, 2013

Peter this sounds strange to me if you are using 0,13 on your resonator guitar...are you using any kind of fingerpicks!?!?!?

0,13 could be hard in an acoustic but in resonator....boh..I don't know....in proportion 0,13 for a resonator it's like a 0,10 for an acoustic guitar!!!

Corey usually tune his resonator in open E...I don't know which gauge of strings he uses on it....but if he uses 0,16 than it's not a problem of strings...but it could be something else...

 

Alex Barbera
Alex Barbera Sep 07, 2013

Hy Peter...Does this happen with your resonator guitari!?!?!?!?! Strange!!! Which gauge of strings do you use?!?!?!? Me, I usually tune in open D and put a capo on the 2nd fret with my acoustic guitar...0,13 strings...with the parlour I tune directly in open E as I use 0,12 strings....

when I had the resonator I used to put 0,16 D'addario and tune in open D capo 2nd fret but, as it is a resonator guitar, it should be fine even direclty in open E!!!!  

claudio
claudio Sep 06, 2013

It's one of my favourite even for me. Thanks Corey.

Alex Barbera
Alex Barbera Sep 06, 2013

@Corey...wow...one of my fav ever!!! :) Thanks....when you go to the 12th fret with the slide it sounds just like a train comin...:)

 
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