Here's one of the great classics of the Delta blues, "Future Blues," by Willie Brown.
This piece should not present any major problems ... the 'chord' positions are easy and logical to figure out ... and the timing is very constant; tied 1/8th notes (dah-dah, dah-dah, dah-dah, dah-dah) for most of the tune.

It's in "Spanish" ... G tuning, (D-G-D-G-B-D/low to high strings).

Son House recorded a 'version' of this tune called "Jinx Blues" ... and Charley Patton recorded versions of the tune; "Jersey Bull," "Love My Stuff," "High Water Everywhere," "Bird Nest Bound," "Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues," and "Moon Going Down."

As always, take your time, play it slow ... as you get more familiar with the finger positions and timing ... pick up speed. Not too fast ... at best, I would place this tune at a medium tempo ... not a fast tempo. (But that's just my choice ... play it like you feel it!)

This is a very satisfying tune to play ... and the guitar ideas that Wilie Brown implements 'define' Delta blues ... and even though this is not a 'slide guitar piece,' the tune should prove useful in much of your slide playing in open G tuning, as well.

There's always the opportunity to improvise ... once you've got the overall idea of the tune down ... and I enjoy playing the tune with many improvised verses on the guitar.

Have fun with this definitive Delta tune.

Cheers,

Hawkeye

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...here's part 2 of Willie Brown's "Future Blues."

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Okay ... okay ... I was improvising a bit in the previous post(s) of "Future Blues"... for those of you who want a version that is very close to the original recording ... here's as close as I care to attempt.
Have fun,
Hawkeye

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... and here's page 2 ... of the version of "Future Blues" that is closer to the original.

Cheers,

Hawkeye

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Thank you very much, Hawkeye!

Thanks, Hawkeye. This is one that I play sometimes. The tricky part is in the rhythmic nuances. The emphasis shifts from the downbeat to the upbeat in a very dynamic and syncopated manner.

Muddy

Thanks Hawkeye

I can kinda play this - gasp of astonishment from myself (a harty laugh from her on the sofa)
I'm now off to give the P.C. up to the girlfriends ebay needs and to figure out what Muddy said actually means. It sounds very insightful though!!

Hopefully if I can work it out I'll get better -
why oh why was I only given a recorder in school? - I'll spare you my rant on this topic suffice to say music didn't feature on my school curriculum and I'm now playing catch up.

Cheers
Teshu

Hawkeye
Thanks for all the tabs!!!
I know there not for everyone but I need all the help I can get.

Teshu

Bukka,
Hope you can get this one into your repertoire.
It's fun to play.
Cheers,
Hawkeye
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Muddy,
Yes, the tempo emphasis does shift ... along with the interesting dynamics and synocpation ... and, to me, that's what makes the piece a blues 'evergreen' ... and I think the hardest part of "Future Blues" for the beginner and intermediate player ... is singing the lyrics along with the unique accompaniment.
Best Wishes,
Hawkeye
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Teshu,
Glad to help. I'm going to post a few more of my country blues transcriptions ... maybe a Son House, a Mance Lipscomb, a Big Bill Broonzy ... and one of Brownie McGhee.
If you have any requests ... let me know.

After I post a few more acoustic/country blues tunes ... I'm going to post some electric/urban blues transcriptions by BB King, Albert King, Freddy King, T-Bone Walker, and others.

Enjoy the workout(s).

Cheers,

Hawkeye

Another great one, Hawkeye. Think I first attempted this one off a Stefan Grossman reel-to-reel tape that he sold

I'd be interested in a Blind Willie McTell style so I could put my 12-string to better use. Even the stuff on his Last Session album is great, you can still hear the basis of his 'sound'.

Look forward to your T-Bone -- my main man!

Cliff

Cliff,
Thanks for the encouragement ... and input.
I'll transcribe a McTell tune for you ... I've recorded Statesboro Blues, which you can hear a sample of at:
http://www.hawkeyeherman.com/media/Track15.MP3

... but I think I'll pick another one of McTell's many great tunes to post.

I'm going to enjoy transcribing the T-Bone guitar material (and the challenge) ... as I listen to "Daddy Bone" more than anyone ... I think I'll listen to one of my favorites, "Glamor Girl Blues," and see if that's got what we're looking for.

Cheers,

Hawkeye

FYI: By the way, Cliff ... Dick Waterman has been my good friend for many years ... and we were on a blues cruise together a few weeks ago ... swapping stories over dinner one night ... and he told me that many years ago ... in the 1960s, some folks used to call Stefan Grossman ... "Kid Future" ... because he played such an authentic replication of the Willie Brown tune.
Hawkeye