In
this 4 volume series of videos John Cephas teaches the guitar playing
style of legend Mr. Skip James. Skip James was one of the first
blues artist to be recorded, the foremost practitioner of the bentonia
sound of the Mississippi.
He was an inspiration to the then young
Robert Johnson. His music was often described as the Deepest and
Darkest of all the Blues, eerie. mesmerizing down right haunting.
His vocal style featured his falsetto phrases. His guitar playing
was based mostly on open tunings, in G and D minor.
Most blues players believed his style of picking, mixed with the odd haunting
tunings proved too complicated and difficult to try and master. Until now thanks
to John Cephas. John begins each tape with a very thorough explanation of all
the licks and signature moves Skip James used. Chord progressions and turn arounds,
bass runs, and tuning to D minor is all explained. John sings each song he teaches
several times and explains how to train your voice to get the falsetto sound.
Clear close up shots of each hand and picture in picture techniques are used
so the viewer won't miss a lick. John style of teaching breaks down each move
very slowly multiple times, and he constantly tells the student which finger
is on what string. John has been teaching guitar for decades and it shows, in
all his videos.
