Elizabeth Cotten is one of the most famous guitar players that has a style that is close to impossible to replicate. In this video, you’ll learn about her life, her impact, how to play one of her songs, and some of her best albums.
★ Learn more about starting your Guitar Journey: https://tonypolecastro.com/
★ FOLLOW on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tac.guitar/
Fingerpicking is a difficult technique to learn on guitar, especially when trying to copy Elizabeth Cotten’s style. Because she played the guitar upside down, she played the bass notes with her fingers and her thumb played melody.
This is perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Elizabeth Cotten’s fingerpicking style. There’s plenty more to look at, and you’ll get a chance to learn all about her and her playing style in this video.
If you’d like to know more about the actual technique, I’ve also written an article about how to fingerpick.
To wrap up the lesson on Elizabeth Cotten, I’m recommending some of the best Elizabeth Cotten albums. Whether you’ve never heard of Elizabeth Cotten or you’ve been playing “Freight Train” for years, there’s always something new to find when you listen to her music.
In addition to covering Elizabeth Cotten, I want to tell you about Jessica, a TAC Family member who created routines to find more fun, focus, and progress on her guitar journey!
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll get your weekly dose of acoustic guitar news you can use!
Hi Tony,
Another great show! Thankks!
john
Hi again Tony,
I loved the format! Keep it up!
john
Pick like James Taylor . Please show his method.
Hi Tony,
Check out Kerry Leigh. He is not just a guitar player; he seems to play everything!
john
Another artist to consider. Josh White. I have 3 of his albums. Interesting and unique. TAC member Lee Wayt
Great new format. Doc Watson and Leo Kottke would be artists to learn about.
Thanks,
Steve
I enjoyed this format, Mississippi
Hurt would be an interesting study, Thanks Tony
Loved the deep dive of Elizebath Cotten. Great inclusion to your format
Truly like the format, and offer Woody Guthrie, John Coletrane, Bob Dylan
I would love to find out more about Mance Lipscomb. I got to hear him back in 1972 at the coffee shop on campus of Texas A&M, and I believe he was quite the blues man, while performing he was telling stories and pulled out his pocket knife and used it as a slide. It was on a weekend and was a very small crowd so I was lucky enough to be front row right across from him.
I enjoyed the Elizabeth Cotton piece. It would be great to have one on James Taylor.
Thanks,
Wm
Great program about Elizabeth Cotton. I like the “deep dive” format on an artist like this. Picking up on that, I’d love to see a program on the Mississippi John Hurts technique (I apologize in advance if you’re already done so-I’ve only been a TAC member for a few months). I’ve been trying to unravel it for some time now but can’t seem to nail it down. I love his sound and his playing. Nothing seems so authentically American folk music than him, to me e.g. I Shall Not Be Moved! Thanks again!
Tony, I think this approach of going deep on a single artist or style is great. It adds to the daily exercises and other skills/knowledge base. Others in the Acoustic world you might want to consider include folks like Neil Young, Jimmy Paige, Happy Traum, Lindsey Buckingham, Brownie McGhee, Nancy Wilson, Jim Croce, Tracy Chapman, Steve Winwood, Mason Williams, James Taylor, and the list of possibilities goes on and on.
Thanks
yes, great format. What about a Chris Smither focus on his style and guitar playing.
I did like this format. One of the artists that has influenced my fingerpicking is Mississippi John Hurt. I would love to see a deep dive into his style and life.
Loved this session on Eliz. Cotton I felt like a not boring history lesson as well as inspiration when I’m feeling lazy thank you
Liked the deep dive, perhaps a dive into Doc Watson?
Great segment on E. Cotten. Gets us back to the roots, her stories priceless. Upcoming profiles might include John Fahey.
Loved the piece on Elizabeth Cotton. Two of my favorites are James Taylor and Lightning Hopkins.
Love the deep dive. How about doing Leo Kottke?
Love going deep method …… found it inspiring ……. would suggest Neil Young or Chris Kristopherson
Tony – Love the deeper dive on one artist. Would love to see something on Jody Stecher … great follow up to the claw hammer episode.
Hea Tony, love the format kind of like the old A.T. show. Get out your Vasilvsky tee shirt i sent you last Stanley cup, Vasie shut them down last night, new record 8-0. Fingers crossed 2 in a row. Your friend Guy B. IN CHAMPABAY fl.
Enjoyed the format, have been interested in Elizabeth Cotton’s style for quiet some time. Another favorite from my college days was B.W. Stevenson.
And Thank YOU, Tony!!!
So, I live about 15 miles from Woodstock and that’s where Happy Traum lives. Have seen him playing and around the area forever. Some great shows when he played with brother, Artie. Have also seen him with fiddler Molly Mason. We have a great local music scene
Fantastic show! Like the new format. Thank you for introducing me to Elizabeth Cotton and her legacy of finger
picking. I feel ashamed I didn’t know of this fellow native of North Carolina. What an inspiration for me as I continue my TAC journey.
Rev. Gary Davis?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlQZwHcBqyQ
Like Libby Cotton – finger & thumb – but the other way round.
Please consider doing a show on Chris Smither. I discovered him only recently when he was featured in an Acoustic Guitar Weekly edition. I was blown away by his guitar playing and songwriting ability. Check him out !
Hi Tony, Epic story about Elizabeth Cotton. Love the little teaching interlude, that could be expanded on TAC website perhaps. I also like seeing TAC members being featured, maybe even before and after playing ability etc. Still like to see some focus on other new artists, and even a small interview might personalise it a bit if possible. New family bluegrass band the Petersons may be a great fit one day. Another great show, well done and thank you for your dedication.
Hello Tony, i found your talk on Elizabeth Cotten very interesting. I would love it if you could find the time to introduce and explain the songs of JJ Cale and his impact on our current guitar heroes.
Thank you
Michel
Ottawa Canada
Mississippi John Hurt-another finger picking great! Thanks!
Tony, thank you for showcasing women artists. Enjoyed learning about
Elizabeth Cotton and Molly Tuttle. Please consider featuring Rhiannon Giddens on banjo.
What can you tell me about Ike Everly? Yeah, I love this format. But I have to admit, in a previous episode, You introduced me to a builder whose guitar I have to own, someday.
Hi Tony, I would like to say a big thank you for my introduction to Elizabeth Cotton today on your very informative show.
What a lovely lady and so inspirational in every way- thank you.
You are calling for favourite guitar players & styles- I would like to see Chet Atkins if that’s possible please as I am a very avid fan of finger style guitar.
I am one of your guitar geeks and always look forward to the Tuesday info and presentation here in Sydney Australia.
Bye the way,why don’t you sell those big shirts that you ware- I would buy one.
Cheers -Billy M????
Cool session on Elizabeth Cotton! Deep dive on Jackson Browne, please!
Tony,
You should check out Brownie McGhee. He had a long and interesting career. Played quite a bit with Sonny Terry on the harmonica. Grew up right here in Kingsport, TN.
I liked the format, and enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth Cotten. Another guitarist you may want to check out is Etta Baker. She was an American Piedmont blues guitarist and singer from North Carolina.
Yes like the focus on a singular artist. How bout something on Roy Clark or Buck Owens.
Yes, love hearing the musician’s personal story and then diving into their unique techniques.
Guy Clark
Great Format. I’ve heard her songs a lot, but had never heard anything about Cotton.
I think that one of the best reasons I love the acoustic guitar is Peter Rowan. I started watching and listening to him in the mid 80’s at music festivals and live shows around the San Francisco bay area.
John Fahey please
This was a great piece about Elizabeth Cotten. Keep it up and THANKS!
Mike Brooks
Park Ridge Illinois
Every Sunday I take a bunch of your guitar challenges, Key Chords, Riffs and dexterity exercises that are my favorites and I’ve printed out. I put together 4-5 packages of 4-5 of these mixing them up a bit. Then I pick one of the packages for the coming week that I will work on. This takes the decision making out of my hands and saves time. Then I will practice a song or play lead along with a song on YouTube if I have time. I may only have time to do a package or part of a package but it’s waiting for me when I pick up the guitar. Because I work at the same package for a week I can see improvement. I always try to finish with something I can do that’s fun. Anyway, that’s what helps me practice 5-6 days a week consistently.
Love the format. How about Mississippi John Hurt.
Suggest Chet Atkins as a subject for finger picking
Enjoyed it very much Tony. It is so amazing to see and listen to the people who have the music in their souls and seek to find ways to share it!
Thank YOU!!!!
I just after the stuff of life impeded my watch Acoustic Tuesday 192. I truly enjoyed and learned so much from once again AT session. I really would love to see a deep dive on Tommy Emmanuel … he seems such a talent that is sure highly followed but doesn’t often get the exposure I think his style and talents might open acoustic enthusiasts!
A Truly Great show Tony !!!