Fellow Instrument Players?

[LiferJim]

I was talking with a fellow member on here about a month ago, about musicians that had hard styles to emulate and it got me thinking. What are some songs that took you weeks, months, or years to learn their songs and what instrument did you learn the songs on?

Here’s a few that took me a long time to learn on guitar:

The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin
No Sugar Tonight - The Guess Who
Riviera Paradise - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Bron-y-yar-Stomp - Led Zeppelin
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton


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[BernieCarbo]

I was talking with a fellow member on here about a month ago, about musicians that had hard styles to emulate and it got me thinking. What are some songs that took you weeks, months, or years to learn their songs and what instrument did you learn the songs on?

Here’s a few that took me a long time to learn on guitar:

The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin
No Sugar Tonight - The Guess Who
Riviera Paradise - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Bron-y-yar-Stomp - Led Zeppelin
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton


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I don't try to copy for the most part because I have a pretty good ear for improvisation, but there are three songs that have always bugged me because they are absolutely perfect and there is no better way to do them.

1. Life By The Drop: I think it's the only SRV acoustic song he recorded, and although on the surface it is simple, it's so hard to get the power he delivered. I've never heard a great version.

2. Clapton's acoustic "Layla": I learned it after the CD came out about 30 years ago, but something was missing. Then I saw a video of him many years later where I think his left hand was grabbing the E string while dampening to create Bb5 and C5 chords. I have strong hands, but I can't pull it off like he does.

3. Ramble On, by Jimmy Page: His right hand is super busy, but so subtle, and so hard to pull off.

[LiferJim]

I don't try to copy for the most part because I have a pretty good ear for improvisation, but there are three songs that have always bugged me because they are absolutely perfect and there is no better way to do them.

1. Life By The Drop: I think it's the only SRV acoustic song he recorded, and although on the surface it is simple, it's so hard to get the power he delivered. I've never heard a great version.

2. Clapton's acoustic "Layla": I learned it after the CD came out about 30 years ago, but something was missing. Then I saw a video of him many years later where I think his left hand was grabbing the E string while dampening to create Bb5 and C5 chords. I have strong hands, but I can't pull it off like he does.

3. Ramble On, by Jimmy Page: His right hand is super busy, but so subtle, and so hard to pull off.

I saw an interview with Joe Walsh recently where he said, he can tell a good guitar player by their right hand, not the hand on the fretboard. Makes sense as to why songs like Ramble On and Bron - y - yar - Stomp are hard to play.

Also makes sense as to why guys like Chet Adkins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Lindsey Buckingham are so hard to emulate, with their alternate picking and base lines, along with the melodies, all at the same time.

This girl does a very good job by herself on the mentioned Zeppelin classic

https://youtu.be/ee8ya3GmH7I?si=dWDR8q7kzDgpuBO3

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[Dave C]

How about anything by Yngwie Malmsteen? The talent of singing and playing the rhythms and leads of Chad Kroeger at the same time he's lead singing with 2 microphones? The note/tone clarity by Gary Moore? The control of feedback/harmonics of Ted Nugent playing a semi-hollow body at insane volume?

The musicians we all like.... we like for a reason. They don't sound like "everyone else". Typically they have a unique sound, approach, technique etc. It's hard to emulate because it's unique. I'm able to work my way through most any player's material but it's a complete copy of their material... I can't apply it to anything I screw around with that's original. I love the analog wired all out double marshal stack set up of Nugent. His live stuff from back in the day is an exercise in control of both the fretboard and his position on the stage. That his set up a foot closer or further away from his set and it wouldn't have worked. Malmsteen's classic approach and uniquely modified fretboards leads to the cleanest of the 'tapping" players and a unique progression unlike any other.

Never much cared for the supposed "gods" of the guitar from the 60's. That always seemed like a mutual admiration society that turned into a bitter lashing out society as times changed. Give me Stevie Ray over Clapton any day and all day for example.

[LiferJim]

How about anything by Yngwie Malmsteen? The talent of singing and playing the rhythms and leads of Chad Kroeger at the same time he's lead singing with 2 microphones? The note/tone clarity by Gary Moore? The control of feedback/harmonics of Ted Nugent playing a semi-hollow body at insane volume?

The musicians we all like.... we like for a reason. They don't sound like "everyone else". Typically they have a unique sound, approach, technique etc. It's hard to emulate because it's unique. I'm able to work my way through most any player's material but it's a complete copy of their material... I can't apply it to anything I screw around with that's original. I love the analog wired all out double marshal stack set up of Nugent. His live stuff from back in the day is an exercise in control of both the fretboard and his position on the stage. That his set up a foot closer or further away from his set and it wouldn't have worked. Malmsteen's classic approach and uniquely modified fretboards leads to the cleanest of the 'tapping" players and a unique progression unlike any other.

Never much cared for the supposed "gods" of the guitar from the 60's. That always seemed like a mutual admiration society that turned into a bitter lashing out society as times changed. Give me Stevie Ray over Clapton any day and all day for example.

Yea, Ted’s live shows were incredible and I was fortunate enough to have seen him twice. To this day, The Great White Buffalo is still one of my all time favorite songs. Yes, Ted’s volume was insane at times. lol

I have always been a huge Jeff Beck fan because like you, I like unique styles. His pinch harmonics are awesome, along with his other bags of tricks.

In my younger days, I mainly played straight up rock n rock, but about 35 years ago I became heavily influenced by the blues and I definitely have SRV to thank for that. Then about 20 years ago, I started appreciating and wanting to learn lots of other styles. Now when someone asks me, what types of music do you enjoy playing, my answer is, I like it all. Guitar is a never ending journey for me and though I’m nothing special, I’ve learned a lot watching some of the truly great guitarists. I have hundreds of live shows and you tube to thank for that.


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[Dave C]

Yea, Ted’s live shows were incredible and I was fortunate enough to have seen him twice. To this day, The Great White Buffalo is still one of my all time favorite songs. Yes, Ted’s volume was insane at times. lol

I have always been a huge Jeff Beck fan because like you, I like unique styles. His pinch harmonics are awesome, along with his other bags of tricks.

In my younger days, I mainly played straight up rock n rock, but about 35 years ago I became heavily influenced by the blues and I definitely have SRV to thank for that. Then about 20 years ago, I started appreciating and wanting to learn lots of other styles. Now when someone asks me, what types of music do you enjoy playing, my answer is, I like it all. Guitar is a never ending journey for me and though I’m nothing special, I’ve learned a lot watching some of the truly great guitarists. I have hundreds of live shows and you tube to thank for that.


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A lot of great players out there that never get in the conversation. Beck is one that is a player's player. Bumblefoot is a flat out maniac with his fretless 6 over 6 double guitar. His stuff with Son's of Apollo is great. He can play any type of music and can shred with anyone. Many don't have a clue who he is.

Steve Morse is another guy who's morphed into many forms as well.

Gary Moore's live version of The Messiah Will Come Again nearly made me quit. His version of the Blues is also great. Leslie West's interpretation of the Blues in his later years was great.

Here's the video of The Messiah Will Come Again.

[LiferJim]

A lot of great players out there that never get in the conversation. Beck is one that is a player's player. Bumblefoot is a flat out maniac with his fretless 6 over 6 double guitar. His stuff with Son's of Apollo is great. He can play any type of music and can shred with anyone. Many don't have a clue who he is.

Steve Morse is another guy who's morphed into many forms as well.

Gary Moore's live version of The Messiah Will Come Again nearly made me quit. His version of the Blues is also great. Leslie West's interpretation of the Blues in his later years was great.

Here's the video of The Messiah Will Come Again.

Yes there are tons of truly amazing guitar players of all styles, that most people have never heard of.

That version of Messiah will come again, by Gary Moore is amazing. I had only heard it played by the late great, Roy Buchanan, until now. Thanks for sharing that.

One of my current favorite guitarists/musicians is Joe Banamassa. He can play those slow soulful songs and shred with the best of them. I saw him about 6 or 7 years ago at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering and he absolutely blew me away.


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[Dave C]

Yes there are tons of truly amazing guitar players of all styles, that most people have never heard of.

That version of Messiah will come again, by Gary Moore is amazing. I had only heard it played by the late great, Roy Buchanan, until now. Thanks for sharing that.

One of my current favorite guitarists/musicians is Joe Banamassa. He can play those slow soulful songs and shred with the best of them. I saw him about 6 or 7 years ago at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering and he absolutely blew me away.


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I kike Banamassa as well. I've always loved his work with Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham in Black Country Communion. I've seen them a few times. Rumors are that they are touring this fall.

Sway by BCC with Banamassa



Last son for my resting place with Joe on lead vocal.

[BernieCarbo]

I saw an interview with Joe Walsh recently where he said, he can tell a good guitar player by their right hand, not the hand on the fretboard. Makes sense as to why songs like Ramble On and Bron - y - yar - Stomp are hard to play.

Also makes sense as to why guys like Chet Adkins, Tommy Emmanuel, and Lindsey Buckingham are so hard to emulate, with their alternate picking and base lines, along with the melodies, all at the same time.

This girl does a very good job by herself on the mentioned Zeppelin classic

https://youtu.be/ee8ya3GmH7I?si=dWDR8q7kzDgpuBO3

That girl killed it, and it was all in the right arm. I've given causal lessons over the years, and people always worry over the left hand, when all the music really comes from the right. When I was about 20, I talked with a girl who could play classical like Segovia, and she told me the key is to focus on relaxation and exactness. To this day, I spend about 20 minutes almost every day playing extremely slow and purposefully and relaxed.

Funny you mention alternate picking. I play mainly blues, but also have a bluegrass background. Tony Rice is the only one I always come back to, because he broke all the rules and focused on melody instead of rules. Some players adhere to a strict down-up-down-up pattern, but Tony just does whatever makes sense. For instance, a lot of players when they are cross-picking on three strings, they will do a d-u-d-u-d-u even though it requires a lot of extra movement. If I'm doing the same pattern, I'll do d-d-d-u-d-d-u-d-d, changing the stroke only when I'm changing direction. It just sounds cleaner, at least for me. I'm not a guitar scholar, but in the Gypsy jazz world it's called the rest stroke, and this guy does a pretty good job of explaining it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odneZ_hDe3w

And speaking of Gypsy jazz, Joshco Stephan is my favorite, and amazingly I found a Yngwie Vs Django guitar lesson. It's pretty interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRQv9DOy4k

[LiferJim]

I kike Banamassa as well. I've always loved his work with Glenn Hughes and Jason Bonham in Black Country Communion. I've seen them a few times. Rumors are that they are touring this fall.

Sway by BCC with Banamassa



Last son for my resting place with Joe on lead vocal.

Thanks for the videos, as I hadn’t seen them in a long time. They rock! Since you’re into Joe, I’m sure you’ve probably heard him from a very long time ago, jamming in the band Bloodline, which was kids of a bunch of famous musicians, including Robbie Kregor and Berry Oakley.

https://youtu.be/fgq4ZlUY7tk?si=K1gqcCKmkyeyru-_


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[LiferJim]

That girl killed it, and it was all in the right arm. I've given causal lessons over the years, and people always worry over the left hand, when all the music really comes from the right. When I was about 20, I talked with a girl who could play classical like Segovia, and she told me the key is to focus on relaxation and exactness. To this day, I spend about 20 minutes almost every day playing extremely slow and purposefully and relaxed.

Funny you mention alternate picking. I play mainly blues, but also have a bluegrass background. Tony Rice is the only one I always come back to, because he broke all the rules and focused on melody instead of rules. Some players adhere to a strict down-up-down-up pattern, but Tony just does whatever makes sense. For instance, a lot of players when they are cross-picking on three strings, they will do a d-u-d-u-d-u even though it requires a lot of extra movement. If I'm doing the same pattern, I'll do d-d-d-u-d-d-u-d-d, changing the stroke only when I'm changing direction. It just sounds cleaner, at least for me. I'm not a guitar scholar, but in the Gypsy jazz world it's called the rest stroke, and this guy does a pretty good job of explaining it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odneZ_hDe3w

And speaking of Gypsy jazz, Joshco Stephan is my favorite, and amazingly I found a Yngwie Vs Django guitar lesson. It's pretty interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRQv9DOy4k

Those are some very good tips and I appreciate that very much! I haven’t played much Bluegrass, but I do like it. I go and watch an Irish band called We Banjo 3 quite often and I also like Billy Strings a lot. Also love the country chicken picking of guys like Vince Gill and Albert Lee. Those guys are phenomenal in my eyes.

I also appreciate the videos. I just really started playing with my right hand fingers about 12 years ago and learned a lot from guys like Lindsey Buckingham and Tommy Emmanuel.

Lately I been learning a lot from John Mayer because I love his chord voicings.

Discovered Mike Dawes about 1.5 years ago and he is quite amazing. Also discovered Monte Montgomery about 10 years ago. Though their different styles, they both are great acoustic players. Check out Monte’s guitar on the closeups, as he has beaten the heck out of it over the years. About halfway through Little Wing, the band stops and he goes back to that pure acoustic sound and it sounds amazing to me.

https://youtu.be/WQdOCzLH6d4?si=P5PRTkSRr6-iXVtl


https://youtu.be/PjpkVv9OrZQ?si=ibKkYiixzcqJkEh9


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[BernieCarbo]

Those are some very good tips and I appreciate that very much! I haven’t played much Bluegrass, but I do like it. I go and watch an Irish band called We Banjo 3 quite often and I also like Billy Strings a lot. Also love the country chicken picking of guys like Vince Gill and Albert Lee. Those guys are phenomenal in my eyes.

I also appreciate the videos. I just really started playing with my right hand fingers about 12 years ago and learned a lot from guys like Lindsey Buckingham and Tommy Emmanuel.

Lately I been learning a lot from John Mayer because I love his chord voicings.

Discovered Mike Dawes about 1.5 years ago and he is quite amazing. Also discovered Monte Montgomery about 10 years ago. Though their different styles, they both are great acoustic players. Check out Monte’s guitar on the closeups, as he has beaten the heck out of it over the years. About halfway through Little Wing, the band stops and he goes back to that pure acoustic sound and it sounds amazing to me.

https://youtu.be/WQdOCzLH6d4?si=P5PRTkSRr6-iXVtl


https://youtu.be/PjpkVv9OrZQ?si=ibKkYiixzcqJkEh9


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Keep sending those vids. I like to watch them.

In the first video I sent, look at the comparison between alternate and rest picking right around 1:15, and you'll see that his hand hardly moves with the rest stroke (maybe that's also called sweep picking?).

The main advantage of alternate picking is that you always know where you are on the beat, but by my experience it just becomes automatic even if the beat fall on an upstroke.

[Dave C]

Thanks for the videos, as I hadn’t seen them in a long time. They rock! Since you’re into Joe, I’m sure you’ve probably heard him from a very long time ago, jamming in the band Bloodline, which was kids of a bunch of famous musicians, including Robbie Kregor and Berry Oakley.

https://youtu.be/fgq4ZlUY7tk?si=K1gqcCKmkyeyru-_


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It's been a while since I saw that one. There's one from a news show of him as a kid jamming with some blues guys from a news show... I'll see if I can find that one.

BCC just released a new album a couple months ago.

[LiferJim]

It's been a while since I saw that one. There's one from a news show of him as a kid jamming with some blues guys from a news show... I'll see if I can find that one.

BCC just released a new album a couple months ago.

Is it this one?

https://youtu.be/YgrbQCaOXaQ?si=boEOCCKxZHxk9c9W

Speaking young guitar prodigies, I saw Derek Trucks while living in Charleston SC, in a small beach bar. He was 13 at the time and I watched him in amazement. The video below reminds me a lot of that evening and that’s the same band he was playing with at the time and the same year.


https://youtu.be/MLQTbmUYI4A?si=-n49bu4cL7ucx2aC


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[LiferJim]

Keep sending those vids. I like to watch them.

In the first video I sent, look at the comparison between alternate and rest picking right around 1:15, and you'll see that his hand hardly moves with the rest stroke (maybe that's also called sweep picking?).

The main advantage of alternate picking is that you always know where you are on the beat, but by my experience it just becomes automatic even if the beat fall on an upstroke.

Yes, I watched those videos very closely and they are definitely very informative.

This is one of my favorite videos. Love Tommy’s attitude and the fact he seems to always be having a good time. The interview in the second part of the video is great too.

https://youtu.be/RI-sMNpQYHQ?si=AGsprQEd2r2rElHH


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