Warmer days are on the way! My version of Tommy Johnsons classic, Big Road Blues. This song is originally recorded in Dropped D tuning (standard tuning with low E dropped to D). Performed by Keni Lee Burgess in Open F tuning (Open E capo 1st fret)

23 thoughts on “Big Road Blues Tommy Johnson Bottleneck Guitar

  1. Thank you for your question. That the action (string height) needs to be high to play bottleneck style is a common misconception. The proper string tension for the slide is achieved by a relationship between the tuning and string gauge. The action is actually about the same height of a standard set up. You should be able to fret notes with your fingers across the entire fingerboard too. Enjoy.

  2. How did use use a capo and still be able to play bottleneck?

  3. Thank you. Well you are certainly doing some playin’ there boy! Enjoy.

  4. Hey cool video!

    Check out my F Zero – Big Blue on Guitar video!

  5. Thank you. I think you mean Cool Drink of Water? Instrumentally for me that would make a great cover, but you should ask Daddystovepipe about this song. He would be able to do those vocals. Enjoy.

  6. Thank you. Ya, thats my thing. Figuring out everything in Open Tuning. I’m in Vestapol tuning, not Spanish. Enjoy.

  7. Thank you Eugene. Please go to ebay and search, Keni Lee There you will find my instructional video CDs that include tab and my music CD, Good & Evil. I teach Big Road Blues on CD 1. Please feel free to write, if you have any further questions. Enjoy.

  8. Hello from Ireland Keni!!!
    How can I buy some of your music and tab?? Your playing is totally inspiring to watch and listen too. This song in particular is fantastic and I’d love to add it to my songlist. Many tanks dude, happy new year and PLEASE keep playing and posting videos. Eugene.

  9. Thank you for your comments. I’m sorry about the lighting. Unfortunately, in the video compression process there is a reduction of light. It is my hope that by utilizing the video, audio and tablature the lessons would be clear. To offer the CD at a very affordable price, and still offer 2 hours of lessons required some compromises. If there is something I can help clarify, please don’t hesitate to write. Happy New Year!

  10. Hello Keni,
    I just received good and evil, love it. I also got your bottleneck blues CD. The part I wanted to see, it was like you where in sitting in the dark. The lighting does get better on the cigar box guitar stuff. I wish it all would have been done on six string guitar. I did have a hard time following the tuning on some of your guitars, I guess the neck scale was shorter or something. I did use a capo, and that did help. Just wanted to give you my thoughts, Thanks for what you do

  11. Thank you for the kind words. I played guitar in standard tuning for many years. I always wanted to play slide in open tunings, but I was never able to figure it out. I finally decided to really investigate deeper, and it has been a lot of fun. I’m glad you are finding it just as interesting. I hope you consider supporting my efforts by purchasing one of my CDs that are for sale on ebay. Just search: Keni Lee. If you have any questions about the lessons, please feel free to write. Enjoy.

  12. Hi Keni, for some time now my enthusiasm for playing has been slowly ebbing away, and I have been playing less and less. Then, I stumbled across your videos. It seems odd to me now, that I hadn’t ever considered a resonator guitar, but watching your video it suddenly hit me like a "bolt out of the blue"! Since then I have learnt a few of your songs and now have a resonator on order. I am full of enthusiasm once again and ready for a whole new era. Thank you for being so generous and inspiring!

  13. Thank you. Please visit my page and click on Playlists. The videos are organized for better selection.

  14. Thank you. Please visit my page and click on Playlists. The videos are organized for better selection.

  15. Thank you. Please visit my page and click on Playlists. The videos are organized for better selection.

  16. Thank you. Yes, youtube is a big world, there are certainly much better payers out there than myself. I think of these musicians as my "teachers". I seek them out often when I can’t find that missing lick.
    Singing and playing is a challange sometimes. It would help if you practice and record a instrumental version first. Then you can practice singing to the recording. Later putting the two together will make for a better performance.
    This guitar is not old and, was made by Donmo guitars.

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