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Luther Dickinson Talks Music and Influences in Interview with Jackie Greene for D'Addario Strings [YouTube Video]

Francesco Marano

by Francesco Marano

Published October 8, 2015

Singer-songwriter Jackie Greene sat down with musician Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi AllStars, The Word) at Nashville's Americana Fest to talk guitars and music for the first episode of the Guitar Power Acoustic series produced by D'Addario Strings. The two have a lot in common, having been members of The Black Crowes and Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh's Phil & Friends at different times. Check out the clip above.

The conversation begins with Luther talking about how his dad, famed Memphis record producer and musician Jim Dickinson, influenced him to play in open tuning. He riffs on some Bo Diddley before explaining how Memphis musicians like Bukka White and Fred McDowell influenced his smooth slide playing.

If you're a professional guitar player or just learning the instrument, Luther shares a few key points about technique. He says the key to learning guitar is to focus on one string at a time, then no matter what tuning or key your in, your fingers and ears will connect with what you're playing.

The two of them jam out briefly before Luther gives a tutorial about the fingerpicking style and the importance of the thumb's role. The late Mississippi blues guitarist R.L. Burnside influenced Luther to play light and loose instead of tight and precise.

Another helpful tip Luther shares is about songwriting. If you're writing a tune, follow through with the idea and finish it before breaking it down to its bare minimum. Doing so allows you to put it back together to however you see fit, thus helping to develop your personal style.

It's fun to watch two musicians with similar rootsy styles talk guitar. It's educational and the jamming sounds great, too!

For the latest music, news, and tour dates from Jackie Greene and Luther Dickinson, check out their Zumic artist pages.

Get more information about D'Addario Strings over at daddario.com.

Source: D'Addario Strings YouTube

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artists
Jackie Greene Luther Dickinson North Mississippi Allstars
genres
Acoustic Blues Blues Rock Folk Rock Jamband Singer-Songwriter Southern Rock
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