I'm not quite sure if this is the right place, but here goes....

Thanks John. I'll check it out and I know a few others who will be interested. It's trickier than some folks think it is!

Brian

Looks like a very interesting book. However, before buying, I'd like to see a list of the songs or tunes that are included, but such a list is not on your website. I'd like to see a list of which tunes by which players. 

Many of the early players were surprisingly quite good, Sam McGee playing "Railroad Blues" for example, while others like Doc Boggs on the banjo, were regional eccentrics who just happened to get recorded. 

But I'm coming at this from a love of "...old time country music..."  and not from the OT fiddle revival, which I'm pretty sure I predate.

The list of tunes is actually on the website, under "Samples." Here's a link to the first page of the list, and here's a link to the second.

You've mentioned some really interesting players. The backup style that I teach is certainly useful for accompanying songs, but the 78s that are featured in the book and the CD illustrate backup in duos and larger groups. 

Thanks for raising the question!

--John

Looks like a good book. I think the section "What are the right chords?" is probably interesting! I was surprised to see that Hub Mahaffey and Roy Harvey looked so much alike. They kind of remind me of somebody, but I just can't remember who.....

There's a striking resemblance to Edgar Boaz, too. ;-)

Hey, John, how would this do for intermediate guitar players (or maybe beginning/intermediate)? Or is it aimed at the more experienced players? (I'm not a guitar player, asking because I might get it for my mom, so apologies if the answer is self-evident to guitar players.)

Edited by - Hellion on 08/27/2012 21:37:01

That's a good question, Hellion.

I just taught a backup guitar class (essentially using the same approach as in the book) at Southern Week at Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp. It was a somewhat mixed class, including some very experienced guitar players (but not so experienced at playing backup) along with some others who were picking up the guitar after mastering other instruments. They all did beautifully.

Having said this, I wouldn't recommend my book alone as a good way to get someone who's starting from ground zero. It assumes a knowledge of chord positions in the keys of G, D, and C (along with their II- and VI-chords) and the ability to change chords easily and quickly. My approach stresses keeping things simple -- no Riley Puckett style theatrics, no barre chords, And the very most important aspect of playing old-time backup is keeping absolutely solid rhythm. 

This book should be really good for intermediate players, to help them learn about what makes for outstanding, traditionally-based old-time backup. It's probably a good idea to develop good habits from the start -- and to get oriented toward really good role models from 78 rpm records -- than to have to break habits once they've been formed.

Hi, John, Didn't recognize that as you until I took a closer look. I should probably use my piano glasses at this keyboard. I answer to Sue B. here. Sue