How to Build and Play Cigar Box Guitars and other Homemade Instruments
TUNING: C MINOR (IMPLIED) – A variation of the Open G tuning (GDG). To get this tuning, simply take an Open G cigar box guitar and raise the middle string to Eb.
The song, “Nine Days in Jail” is from R. L. Burnside’s album, My Black Name A-Ringin’.
For reference, we present the original song.
R. L. played the original version in the key of C#minor…or somewhere near that. (He probably didn’t use a tuner.) Shane Speal arranges the song for Cminor using a new tuning that is very similar to Open G: G Eb G.
Here’s the lesson. Enjoy!
Get the free 3-string cigar box guitar tablature for John Denver’s classic “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
Here’s the latest free tablature from Ben Gitty: Okie From Muskogee by Merle Haggard. Click the image below to download the printable PDF document!
This classic song by one of the greatest Country singer/songwriters has just been added to our tablature library for FREE download. This two-page tab includes lyrics, 3-string tablature and chords. Click the image above to download the printable PDF document.
We just added this great old country gospel song to our knowledgebase. Ben Gitty tabbed it out for 3-string Open G GDG cigar box guitars – click the image below to check it out!
Shane Speal is back with another lesson on how to play your Cigar Box Guitar with a slide.
Click here for the permanent knowledge base entry for easy bookmarking
Shane Speal dives into some of the history of Cigar Box Guitars and explores the term “Guitarcheology”
Click here for the permanent Knowledge Base listing for easy bookmarking.
This past weekend, Samantha Fish took the stage at the 3rd annual New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival.
Among the many great acts to play over the weekend, Samantha was one of the biggest name in attendance. She even waived her normal fee for playing AND made sure her band was paid.
She’s a great musician with a great heart. Check out this clip from the recent live broadcast that Cigar Box Nation posted to their Facebook page.
Click here to see the video on the Cigar Box Nation Facebook page.
Need some tips and tricks on how to use a slide with your next Cigar Box Guitar? Check out this video from Shane Speal explaining how he uses the partial slides with his guitars and shares some tips for getting the most out of them!