Product Details

• Actors: Happy Traum
• Directors: Happy Traum
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Homespun Tapes
• DVD Release Date: May 1, 2005
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0009IW98E
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,349 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

So you want to play the blues? Well, veteran guitarist, instructor and Homespun Tapes founder Happy Traum offers the very best way for you to get started!

This basic course in fingerstyle blues guitar breaks it all down into easily digested topics for novice players. You’ll start by learning the basic blues forms and getting them securely under your belt. Then, Happy provides a number of "easy steps" that will build up your guitar technique, increase your understanding of the style, and help you develop the ability to start playing great blues songs.

Some of these steps include learning basic blues chords, syncopated strumming patterns, 12-bar and 8-bar blues progressions, bass runs, and more than a dozen variations for the all-important blues turnarounds, intros and endings. As you work your way through this lesson, Happy imparts numerous tips, suggestions and invaluable information about music theory and musicianship that will affect all of your guitar work.

As you conquer each of these basic steps, your playing will get stronger and more confident, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an accomplished blues guitarist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great beginner blues DVD, September 9, 2005

By 

C. Sabick "lost in the blues" (vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DVD-Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar #1- Starting From Scratch (DVD)

This is a wonderful product for folks like me who are just starting their exploraton of the blues. Happy does a great job with the basics and then piles on a lot of variations and tricks that make even the most basic 12-bar sound fun and interesting. I would certainly recommend it for novices. More advanced players might skip the beginning and move on to Disc 2 but this is a great foundation for beginners.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another fine Homespun product!, April 17, 2007

By 

Peter Hyatt (Orrington, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DVD-Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar #1- Starting From Scratch (DVD)

Great DVD for those who already know how to play basic guitar chords and want to learn the blues. From the first 15 minutes, Happy will have you playing 12 bar blues and begins to show little "secrets" that sound quite impressive, though not difficult to play. Happy's enthusiasm for acoustic blues is contagious and if you have already learned to play basic guitar chords, you are ready for this DVD. It is like having expensive lessons in your home. Play the DVD for 15 minutes; shut it off, and practice every day. After a few days, turn it on for the next segement, and repeat. Some of the DVDs are quite easy, where as others may require more practice between "lessons". If you do not know the basic guitar chords and wish to learn, Homespun has many other excellent products, including David Hamburger's Acoustic Guitar Method, vol 1 and 2. Homespun DVDs make it possible to have terrific lessons in your own home. Affordable, well directed (you get the split screen of the right hand and the left hand), and enjoyable, I have found no better instruction for the guitar or piano than Homespun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb instruction, September 15, 2007

By 

anonymoose (LA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DVD-Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar #1- Starting From Scratch (DVD)

There are many books and dvd's out there on acoustic blues. These 2 volumes by Happy Traum are the best I've found.
Easy to follow for beginners and intermediate players, and Happy's good-natured ways will win you over.
A feel-good experience every time, whether you just watch them or practice along!!!
10 stars.