Richard Smith, Part 2: Atkins-Style “Nine Pound Hammer”

from: Advanced Fingerstyle Workshop with Teja Gerken

This lesson is part of the course Advanced Fingerstyle Workshop with Teja Gerken.

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Meet 15 of the best players in the international fingerstyle guitar community, as they demonstrate their techniques, playing styles, and signature tunes.

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ED GERHARD

In this lesson, Ed Gerhard teaches his popular fingerstyle arrangement of the traditional tune “The Water is Wide.” Gerhard used dropped-D tuning and a capo at the third fret. Because he tunes his guitar down a half-step from standard pitch, this results in his performance sounding in the key of E. If you prefer, you can leave your guitar in standard dropped-D tuning and place the capo at the second fret instead. Gerhard stresses the importance of supporting the tune’s melody and gives pointers for effectively building an arrangement in a dynamic fashion. virtuerecords.com

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RICHARD SMITH

Richard Smith, Part 1

Richard Smith, Part 2: Atkins-Style “Nine Pound Hammer”

Richard Smith, Part 3: Richard’s Kirk Sand Signature Model

Richard Smith, Part 2: Atkins-Style “Nine Pound Hammer”

In this lesson, Richard Smith breaks down his arrangement of “Nine Pound Hammer.” Though based on the Merle Travis original, Smith’s take on the classic tune makes use of Chet Atkins-style thumbpicking, creating a great rhythmic drive. Smith demonstrates several variations and explains how he combines notes fretted up the neck with open strings. richardsmithmusic.com

"Nine Pound Hammer" (Available to subscribers)

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