Learn to play Poultry in Motion by Bill Kirchen: an absolute masterclass of Telecaster playing, packed with chicken picking, country bends, jazz chromaticism and rockabilly swagger.
Soloing
I’d Rather Go Blind by Etta James
In this lesson I’m looking at I’d Rather Go Blind, originally performed by by Etta James, and an all time great soul/blues track. For this video I’m taking my inspiration from the 1972 Rod Stewart recording which features guitar work from Ronnie Wood, whose playing on this tune is a masterclass in tasteful, supportive rhythm guitar.
It’s a long video, and I get into lots of interesting topics – some simple rhythm, guitar approaches, adding connecting notes between chord changes, double stop fills using 4ths, 5ths and 6ths, and I also discuss how are you might solo over these chord changes. This is a really fun tune to play, whether as a rhythm guitarist or a lead player. Hope you enjoy it.
Marquee Moon by Television
This is probably the most ambitious series of lessons I’ve ever embarked upon. A detailed multi-part look at Television’s 1977 classic Marquee Moon. I’ve gone all out with this one, transcribing every single the guitar parts with as much attention to detail and accuracy as I could manage. Hope you enjoy the videos.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
You Ain’t Goin Nowhere by The Byrds
In this video I’m soloing over the Byrds/Dylan country-rock classic. I’m attempting to play some of the pedal steel licks you can hear on the recording, and also throwing in some ideas of my own, with lots of country soloing licks and tips along the way.
In the comments for his video there was quite a bit of debate about exactly who played on this recording. It seems hard to get any definite information. I’m sticking with Lloyd Green on pedal steel, but some are certain it’s Clarence White on B-bender Tele.
Update – this controversy seems to have been resolved thanks to this brilliant comment underneath the video on YouTube:
Tab and Backing Track
Head over to my Patreon page for a detailed tab of my solo as well as my backing track to download and play along to.
D For Dangerous by The Reverend Horton Heat
In this video I’m taking a detailed look at a fabulous psychobilly instrumental from The Reverend Horton Heat. It’s a real virtuoso display from the RHH guitarist Jim Heath. If you want to learn the whole track then it will be something of a commitment, but the track is full of great licks and bits of rockabilly vocabulary, so feel free to sift through it and learn one or two licks that grab you.
Tab and Backing Track
A detailed and accurate tab for the entire track can be found on my Patreon page. I cover all the little licks and variations you can hear in the recording, some of which I didn’t have time to describe in the video. You can also play long to my backing track, with awesome real drums from my friend Steve Duffy.
Jigsaw Puzzle Blues by Fleetwood Mac
This is an amazing early Fleetwood Mac instrumental with stunning guitar from the amazing and underrated Danny Kirwan. In particular it’s a string bending and vibrato masterclass.
Tab and Backing Track
A detailed and accurate tab can be found on my Patreon page. Also, my backing track with drums provided by my good friend Steve Duffy.