There are a lot of great guitar players in town, and Stan taught most of them everything they know. Phenomenal doesn't begin to describe his playing. Complete mastery of the six-string is more accurate. Michael Henningsen Albuquerque Alibi (2000)	Blues guitar lessons book.(WITH ALL NEW LONGER AUDIO FILES!) Finally finished a blues guitar lessons book that works better for those students who are on their own. THE BLUES GUITAR BOOK "Thumpin' Thumb and Fiery Fingers" (or flappin' flatpick). This is a 166 page book with 69 tracks on 2 CD's. I am putting the first 10 lessons (about 20% of the book)on line in pdf and audio! FOR FREE! In this book are the tools to understand, create, and build a blues musical vocabulary. Knowledge that can solidly support you in your quest for blues artistry. Those things you need to know in order to play strong, convincing blues guitar. This book concentrates on finger picking style blues. It stresses independent thumb/finger(s)but most all of it works well using a flatpick. Country blues like Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, some piedmont "Folk blues" like Miss. John Hurt style, a section on bottleneck slide using open tunings, a bit about "jazzin' it up", also a "blues chord book section and more. This book encourages you (and shows you step by step, how to put it together in your own way using the tools all those great masters had. Just a lot for musicians in general, on any instrument (or not). And not only guitar lessons, but lessons on topic's like --The 12-bar form--"Theory light"--musicianship in general---etc... These lessons are taken from the lessons plans I've developed over the last 30+ years. They will of course contain info. on just about every style. I love it all-acoustic and electric, city and country! I will try to get the rest of the book up there on line for everybody, but that may take some time. No BS, just the basic foundation to understand and play and jam in that stew. And for all those players, and aspiring players who can't afford my books (When you can find them for sale.), or make any workshops. Remember,those first 10 lessons on line for free, and more later on! The text in PDF files and any audio in mp3 files. (Check it out!) stanhirsch.com/blog. My Lessons Guitar lessons in Albuquerque When I'm in Albuquerque I have a teaching studio there. Not just blues guitar lessons. Actually I teach almost all styles of guitar. Electric as well as acoustic. Blues, Rock, Jazz, Country, Pop, Slide,whatever. (I love it all). Also --Theory--composition, etc... e-mail me stan@stanhirsch.com Some of the questions I could answer: How do you replace your Drummer and Bass player with your thumb? If you are playing solo acoustic guitar, could you get everybody up and dancing? Instant lead guitar patterns explained in 10 min.. Is that poss.? If you are playing solo acoustic guitar, could you get everybody up and dancing? What does Hendrix " The Wind cries Mary" have to do with playing country guitar licks? Does it help to drink the whiskey first before using the bottle neck for slide? What does a 5000 plus year old Egyptian flute that plays the pentatonic scale have to do with blues,rock,country? And Physics(the natural scale of the universe.) How is it possible that with just a bit of easy theory and these 6 chords ( A, C, D, E, F, G,), I could write my own chord book? Workshops Along with my regular acoustic and elec. guitar lessons in Albuquerque I have been really enjoying teaching blues guitar workshops. The class situation is a different dynamic which is very cool. Guiness Blues Fest-(Warrenpoint N. Ireland)---- Telluride Blues Fest. Telluride Colorado.---- New Mexico Jazz WorkshopAlbuq. N.M.(MY Home)---- Augusta Heritage Arts Blues Workshop, West Virginia Thanks to all my students who attended the workshops. Feel free to e-mail me any questions. Love you all! Thanks, Stan A few E-mails from students. I've taken lessons from a number of people and none have approached your ability to break concepts into their fundamental units and make them easy to grasp. "Daniel E. Pearcy" dpearcy@supersmilz.com ------- Your playing and knowledge are an inspiration. And you are pretty damn funny too. "jim neil" jencanty@msn.com ------- Stan, Honestly I thought your class was over the top! I usually gravitate to my electric, but after your class I had to go out and get a better acoustic! "Sabert Lewis" sabertlewis@hotmail.com ---------- Stan, I really enjoyed the workshop.I think all the different blues styles and songs that you used as examples was very informative. Looking forward to next workshop! Larry Compton--lcompton59@aol.com ---- Stan, I enjoyed your class a lot. The one thing that opened up new territory for me was using the right hand (actually thumb and fingers) for bass notes and chords (and licks) played separately. Guess I always knew that was out there but never had been shown how to make it happen. Thanks! Harry Bertico---bertico@aol.com---------- Stan, I can feel the blues, I can hear rhythm, but I’ve had a hard time getting that to my fingers. (the way you explain is of course the key.) Having the style shown to me one step at a time. Also the atmosphere was very relaxed. Only a teacher’s personality can create that. I’ve taught thousands of people (more than a hundred at a time), and I’ve found that a relaxed atmosphere and some laughter is very conducive to absorbing and then retaining information. You did a good job in creating that atmosphere. Enjoyed your class immensely, & hope to do future workshops with you. Jay Barnes--jaysblues@earthlink.net --------- Stan, I enjoyed your class immensely. In the almost 40 years I’ve been playing, I had absorbed in bits and pieces. Before your class my understanding of the blues was disjointed and complicated. You taught me the essence and structural underpinnings. You’ve pushed me beyond learning and forgetting licks-to actually making music. "TonyWilliams" --tonyw@pozzisouthwest.com------ Stan Thanks again for your great teaching sessions at Augusta this year. I've been going through the recordings and syllabus at slow pace and gradually catching on to those Texas licks. Great stuff that you present in a way I can actually learn it! "Pud"-----crhassell@bellsouth.net Quotes and E-mails from workshop directors who hired me. Stan, Thanks for all your hard work, you were stellar as usual! ..a consumate professional at all times, and a very nice man to boot.If I weren't the director of this camp, Id' be sitting at your feet in your classes and soaking up your knowledge. Mark Galbo-Director-Telluride "Blues Fest." Guitar camp. mark@rockandrollacademy.com- ..Stan receives rave reviews from his students who go away from his classes inspired to play and practice with plenty of info. to work with. Stan presents his teaching materials in a clear and concise manner and demonstrates both his love of the blues and his love of teaching in every class. -Maud Beenhouwer-Education Coordinator-New Mexico Jazz Workshop -- nmjwoffice@flash.net - Augusta Heritage Center Blues Week“Students flock to his classes...because they love what he brings to the program. I have hired many fine teachers, and Stan Hirsch is one of the best...that’s why I keep asking him back.” Rich DelGrosso http://www.mandolinblues.com Some famous students Although Mcfadden learned many of his diverse styles through listening and osmosis, he credits an old teacher, Stan Hirsch, with giving him the self-assurance to tackle new things. "I'd listen to Jimmy Page and say-I can't play that".McFadden remembers."But he would prove me wrong by showing me that I could. He gave me knowledge and confidence" Interview with Eric McFadden (Guitarist with George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, also, Guitarist with Eric Burton.) Guitar Player Magazine-June 2000
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