Why Rev. Gary Davis was the best there ever was. (slow drag tutorial)

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Published 2024-03-13

---With TAB-- Slow Drag is one of the many rags that Rev. Gary Davis performed during his time on earth, and it's one you gotta get under your hands while you're here in the world too. The guitar-style and demanding techniques that Rev. Gary Davis had are almost singular to himself, although, once you get a handle on some of this it will prove useful in learning to play from other great great guitar-raggers too.

I've been learning and re-learning this one for the better part of 10 years. Every time I go back to his stuff I hear new and more complexities. I hope this video helps give you a leg up!

Disclaimer I forgot to tune to a tuner for this one. I'm about three cents flat. Sorry, but I am after all, a folk musician.
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All Comments (12)

@samuelhatman8995 4 months ago

Hi Kyle. I am lazy. And 70. I started adapting this tune when I was 18. You have a very accurate rendition. And tabs. I am in the care of a first time music teacher for my ADD debilitated approach to theory. I am amazed how close I am to the spirit of the effort you gave us and the Rev's intent. At 6:55 I gave up and improvised. Yep... never looked back. I love your work and this tune. My 50 year approach to this tune pales in comparison to youe loving curation of the precious classic: Slow Drag. Thank you... Wonderful!!! Sam Hatman... old picker.
@clevelandthomsen7042 4 months ago

His voice was SO POWERFUL that it took me way too long to realize what a phenomenal player he was. True LEGEND.
@PGrizzy91 4 months ago

😂 I love guitar because it gives you such a sense of accomplishment. I don’t like guitar because some days it makes you feel like you haven’t accomplished anything after weeks or months. You’re right it’s lifelong.
@OIP_1 28 days ago

i learned this (well, about half of it) from ernie hawkins on stefan grossman's channel years ago. i'm still practicing it. your channel is absolutely fantastic by the way.
@brianwinslow9967 4 months ago

Thank you for this, very cool and inspirational. I really love the chord progression at 5:15
@Jfreet025 3 months ago

The good Lord continues to bless me. I just stumbled across your channel dude. Shit yeah! Talking about The Reverend! So cool....
@andrewbowen6875 4 months ago

The man was unbelievable with no limitations like most of us. Some of chords were crazy hard
@hp2402 4 months ago

Bravo!!!👏🏼 Thank you both!!
@billallen1594 4 months ago

Good luck with the book Kyle. Am sure it’ll do well 😁
@michaeladams2644 4 months ago

Are you living in a converted container?
@Lloyd-mo 4 months ago

nobody is the best that ever was