Bruce Dumes

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: It Hurts Me Too Endings Jul 13, 2017

Hello Corey! I'm working on playing very simple lines on the slide, really trying to focus on the tone  and playing it in tune and with feeling. That's not so much to ask, is it? :-) 

Anyway, here it is. Would be honored to hear your thoughts on it. 

Best,

Bruce

 

Corey Harris
Corey Harris Jul 18, 2017

Your slide playing is much better here...nice and relaxed. I think the quiter playing helps you get deeper into it. I would suggest working on your bass lines to the point that you can maibtain2an alternating bass. It will take s little time but it will be worth it. You can do it. All the best.....

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Soloing Jul 09, 2017

Thanks Duke!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Dust My Broom Singing Jul 06, 2017

Thanks very much, that's really encouraging, especially in regards to my singing. I understand exactly what you mean about slowing it down; I often have to remind myself that I have plenty of time. I will continue to work on getting more comfortable with the slide. Thanks again! Best to you. Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Dust My Broom Solo and Endings Breakdown Jul 06, 2017

Hello Corey. The guitar is a 1942 Epiphone Century. Thank you for your advice and good wishes! 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Soloing Jul 04, 2017

Hey Duke! Continuing to work on this one, feeling more and more comfortable all the time. I can't believe it's only been a month since I submitted the last one. It feels like many months ago. Anyway -- here it is! New and Improved: I Got It Bad. Would love to hear what you think. Thanks! Bruce

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jul 08, 2017

Hi Bruce, You are sounding very comfortable with it now. Good job! Duke 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Jul 09, 2017

Thanks Duke!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Flying Home Final Chorus Jul 01, 2017

Hello Duke! It's been two years since and I've been continuing to work on this one. So here I am, longer in the tooth, beard and hair! ;-)  Definitely older, but hopefully wiser and a better player. I feel like my playing is much more musical. Hope you agree, and would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks, Duke! Best, Bruce

 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Dust My Broom Singing Jun 18, 2017

Hey Corey! I've been trying to play this with my fingers (not nails) and I didn't realize it would mean getting callouses all over again on my right hand fingers. Ouch!! ;-)

Anyway, here's a version of Dust My Broom from me. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for all the insights.

Bruce

 

Corey Harris
Corey Harris Jul 06, 2017

 Steady rhythm here and you sing in key and with conviction.... nice.  I would suggest you just take some time with the slide...slow it down and pay closer attention to the sound.... sometimes utt is just slightly sharp or flat. Ok thanks for sharing. 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Jul 06, 2017

Thanks very much, that's really encouraging, especially in regards to my singing. I understand exactly what you mean about slowing it down; I often have to remind myself that I have plenty of time. I will continue to work on getting more comfortable with the slide. Thanks again! Best to you. Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Going Down Slow Run-Through and First Chorus Breakdown Jun 15, 2017

Thanks a lot, Duke!! Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Soloing Jun 15, 2017

Thanks Duke! Dave Brubeck wrote it and played it. Miles did a classic cover of it. 

and I didn't know until just now that Wes Montgomery did a beautiful verision of it. 

Thanks again, Duke! 

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Going Down Slow Run-Through and First Chorus Breakdown Jun 11, 2017

Hey Duke! Thanks for singing! I've always loved your voice and hearing the interplay you employ between your playing and singing. It's very helpful, as well as very enjoyable to watch you make that happen, so thanks again for doing it!

So I was trying to do a version like yours, which sounds kind of like Muddy's "Gypsy Woman" to me, but then I felt like doing something else, so here it is. Would love to hear any thoughts on it. Best, Bruce

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jun 15, 2017

Hey Bruce, I love it. That's a good way to play it and it's got the right laid back feel. Good playing and singing on it too! Duke  

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Jun 15, 2017

Thanks a lot, Duke!! Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Dust My Broom Solo and Endings Breakdown Jun 11, 2017

Hi Corey. I was taping this and suddenly the lyrics of a different song jumped into my head, so I went with it. ;-) It's a song called "Dr. Brown", done in the Elmore James style by Jeremy Spencer with the early Fleetwood Mac, when they were still a blues band. I'm working really hard to be committed to my thumb here and keeping it solid on the rhythm while the slide does it's thing. I hope that comes across well. Would be very grateful to hear your thoughts on my humble contribution in the tradition of the great Elmore James. Best, Bruce

Corey Harris
Corey Harris Jul 06, 2017

Greetings and thanks for sharing this. I can tell that you are really enjoying yourself here.  What kind of guitar is that....I like it.

 For the song,  I would suggest that you work on your slide. By that I mean the tone and the phasing of the slide lick. I hear your metronome... That's good you are using it. Make it your goal to learn to tap your foot to keep time. Also try to get your bass to the point that you can keep it steady  throughout the song,  while you are playing the slide lick.  Good luck

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Jul 06, 2017

Hello Corey. The guitar is a 1942 Epiphone Century. Thank you for your advice and good wishes! 

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Soloing Jun 04, 2017

Hey Duke! So, here's another shot at "I Got It Bad". Hope you like it! Best, Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Soloing Jun 02, 2017

Hey Duke! Man, I just love hearing you play. So, since I've given you a few I Got It Bad's already, I was hoping you wouldn't mind listening to a tune I just started working on yesterday. There are a few sub-optimal notes in the solo, but I like where it's going. For some reason, I hear it played with a very tight vibrato, which I know is not a Jazzy thing to do, but that's how I hear it. Anyway -- if you don't mind, and it's not breaking any Sonic Junction protocols :-), I'd love to know what you think about my version of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way". Best of luck with your gigs in NY this weekend! Take care, Bruce

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Jun 15, 2017

Very nice Bruce, I've heard of that tune but never heard it. Who is it by?Nice melody.  Duke

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes Jun 15, 2017

Thanks Duke! Dave Brubeck wrote it and played it. Miles did a classic cover of it. 

and I didn't know until just now that Wes Montgomery did a beautiful verision of it. 

Thanks again, Duke! 

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Melody Breakdown May 28, 2017

Thanks, Duke! I really appreciate hearing that! I'm getting a little closer all the time to being able to play more of what's in my head. Your lessons have helped me get over hurdles that I've struggled with for years. And I'm having a lot more fun. I've been pleasantly surprised, watching my own videos, to see myself smiling sometimes while I'm playing, rather than looking all nervous and full of self-doubt. I just LOVE to play the guitar! Thank you, Duke. May the watchful eye of Muddy Waters shine upon you. Best, Bruce

(a poster in my guitar room)  

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Vocal Melody and Comping May 27, 2017

Hey Duke! Some nice progress on this, I think. Hope you like it, would love to hear what you think it and also about the arrangement. It's not incredibly original, but I think it works ok. Hope all is well with you. Regards, Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Melody Breakdown May 21, 2017

Hey Duke! In case you saw my previous video, please watch this one too. It's got a bit more coughing ;-) but much better playing. I'd really like to hear what you think. Thanks for the great lesson! 

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard May 28, 2017

Great job Bruce! I love the way you play the melody with double stops. ery good idea! Nice solo also.Duke

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes May 28, 2017

Thanks, Duke! I really appreciate hearing that! I'm getting a little closer all the time to being able to play more of what's in my head. Your lessons have helped me get over hurdles that I've struggled with for years. And I'm having a lot more fun. I've been pleasantly surprised, watching my own videos, to see myself smiling sometimes while I'm playing, rather than looking all nervous and full of self-doubt. I just LOVE to play the guitar! Thank you, Duke. May the watchful eye of Muddy Waters shine upon you. Best, Bruce

(a poster in my guitar room)  

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: I Got It Bad Chords and Rhythm May 11, 2017

Hey Duke! Gosh, I love this song. I found this great soundie of Ivy Anderson singing it with Duke's band. It's amazing to watch her. 

And here is my take on it. I decided to sing on it as well, since I'm just playing the chords. Hope you like it! 

Best,

Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Born Under A Bad Sign Solo Apr 30, 2017

Hey Duke! So here's an attempt at the whole tune. What a great song and so much fun to play! Thanks for the great lesson! Bruce

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Born Under A Bad Sign Albert King Style Fills and Riffs Apr 24, 2017

Hey Duke! I just came across this interesting article about Albert's Flying Vs, and wanted to share it with everyone. Best, Bruce

 

https://www.vintageguitar.com/3813/albert-kings-flying-vs/

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Apr 25, 2017

Thanks Bruce!

Bruce Dumes
Bruce Dumes commented on: Born Under A Bad Sign Albert King Style Fills and Riffs Apr 22, 2017

Hey Duke! I sure am glad to learn this. It's pretty hard to hear Albert's guitar on the record. For me, anyway. But once I learned the parts from you, I could hear it. How's this sound? 

So thanks! Looking forward to next week's lesson!

Bruce

Duke Robillard
Duke Robillard Apr 23, 2017

Sounds good Bruce! You're gettin the vibe for sure. Duke

 
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