Mississippi John Hurt's appeal was universal, he was very much a musician of his time and place, playing within a tradition, but mapping out his own territory with subtleties of touch, phrasing and use of the guitar that were all his own. Though famed for fingerpicking in the alternating bass style, John would often employ omitted beats or syncopated runs, rather than sticking to an unvaried alternation. Also, unlike many musicians of his region, he was comfortable playing in a variety of keys, routinely working in E, A, D, G, and C in standard tuning, as well as Open G and Open D and Open G tunings.

This DVD presents instruction in John Hurt's repertoire, with songs chosen to showcase his playing in different keys. The video lesson includes, at its conclusion, rare documentary silent film footage of Mississippi John Hurt playing guitar at his home in Washington, D.C. The accompanying booklet includes TAB/standard notation transcriptions and lyrics of the songs.

Titles include: Spike Driver Blues, My Creole Belle, Monday Morning Blues, Slidin' Delta, See See Rider, Louis Collins and Frankie

90 minutes • Level 2 • 34 page PDF tab/music booklet

Review: Excellent! John Miller is obviously a gifted guitarist, but more importantly to those of us who purchase these DVDs for instruction, he is also a gifted teacher.

With his easy going personality, he is a very likable figure, as you will spend many hours on these DVDs, revisiting the lessons repeatedly, as you learn some of the most beautiful fingerpicking songs ever composed.

This two volume set, along with Homespun's DVD with Happy Traum and John Sebastian teaching the music of Mississippi John Hurt, will give you a really well rounded MJH education!

You will learn the songs and those that hear you will enjoy them tremendously...even my kids sing, “My Creole Belle”. – Peter Hyatt/Amazon Customer Review