He is improvising over the changes .with the counter point with 3 and 4 voices at the same time..He is doing that over the changes..He is changing key in the middle of the performance . He is never repeating himself and he is doing that on any song. Jazz. Pop. R&B. Classical music,TV show music or Movie music..in any key..GENIUS..
If the person didn't film this and put it up on youtube I would've never heard one of the most beautiful playing I've ever heard. Makes me think about how much good stuff that's once been played I'll never hear.
This is way more than a chord melody. It is a master piece. I can hear harmony between notes, walking bass, chord tone, and melody all perfectly aligned, arranged, and played at the same time with 1000% control. Ted was a true genius.
I've watched this like 400 times every December for 7 years. It never gets old. Ted is one of the few guitarists who I feel truly earned the title of "master."
I’ve been watching this video every Christmas since 2006, which was my first year in high school jazz band. It’s hard to describe the feelings I get from Ted Greene’s performance...it’s like a full band with melody and accompaniment, a blend of jazz chords with harp-like serenity...the lyrics are not there, but he speaks them through the intricate sound he creates...and then there’s this realization that he is no longer with us...it all just brings tears to my eyes. It really captures the feeling of Christmas, at least for me: the feeling of cheer and festivity in the air, and yet a longing for those who are no longer with us. Thank you for this precious recording, I sincerely appreciate it. Merry Christmas!
Dear Ted wherever you are, You are so special. This performance is so special. In a setting that can cut inspiration short your generosity, soul and emotion comes across like a very pleasant sunny morning breeze. I also watch this every year...multiple times and get my fill of goosebumps and love that transpires from your music. Be well....
Unbelievable! Yeah I love to watch shredders, but even after about an hour I get tired of that no matter how good. This however is stuff I could listen to anytime all the time. Truly a blessing to watch and listen
Ted Greene,Lenny Breau,Johnny Smith,George VanEps and Alan DeMause are some of the greatest guitarists that have contributed much to the guitar world.Thank you for sharing your videos with the rest of us. Peace!!!
Ted was [and is] a guitar god. I take lessons from a good friend of Ted's, and every time Ted's name comes up, I get misty thinking about him. Ted's genius is that powerful.
Just beautiful and was lucky to get a few live lessons with him and we tripped each other out. Really a beautiful guy and a very mature musical awareness and one the best guitarist to ever be on the planet.He was real artist who took his playing as far as possible.
I can, but it is an issue that bears no significance in light of "The Blessings of Ted" which are bestowed upon those of us who do like his videos, which includes me !
The question here is not to be impressed but be TOUCHED , this guy was a GENIUS and a great human being as well, and this is clear in his music, but it is crucial to be vibrating in the same realm he is vibrating.Listening without any expectations might help...
just incredible...Ted had the harmonic depth of someone like Bill Evans or Chick Corea...just unreal how he overcame the limitations of the instrument so regularly (every bar, pretty much)
Kevin Rochelle Ted proved that limitations are only in the mind. He knew what notes and voices he wanted and he found them. They are all there. However, Ted is one of a handful who really knew where they all were, and the only guy who studied their possibilities to the depth that he did. This song is a study unto itself in harmony and voice leading. I break it out every year. Just stunning. I am moved every time I hear it.
Ted was my guitar hero...Thanks you Barbara for releasing these videos, and I hope every guitar player gets to see theis tender and beautiful rendition of two Christmas classics....simply beatiful player from The Master...long live Mr. Ted Greene
What a beautiful spirit this man had!Thank you Ted,for your playing, for all your books,and all your guidance,and for sharing all of your special gifts with all of us.
This legend had his act together and cataloged several books and tutored several students before his death at 58 years old.... I'm now 59... I need much more practice.. much more.
He manages to make some pretty difficult voicings so so natural and flowing without calling attention the guitar itself and its idiosyncrasies. It's so good to hear pure harmony and melody together played with such ability.
it might not be the best quality sound recording but thank God somebody had the presence of mind to get it down in history for the quality of musicianship ! this is EPIC ! COLOSSAL ! MONUMENTAL ! and pretty good too thanx MrJazzGuitar01
I understand why Ted was such a great teacher. He could take high musical concepts and teach them to his students in the manner of a mother singing to a baby. The guy was a master of the musical form of the lullaby.
The man applauding that somebody thought was Joe Pass is photographer Bob Barry. The man next to him who helps Ted with his guitar case in the beginning, is guitarist John Pisano, who hosts the seminars at California Vintage Guitar where this was taped. John played with Joe Pass for many years. Ted was basically very shy so there may be a touch of nervousness but the shaking of his hands was deliberate- it was how he acheived his legendary vibrato. Merry Christmas everyone!
Being new to You Tube, I am learning the etiquette and pitfalls; among the only ones that I respect is being in total silence when Mr. Greene appears on the screen.
sometimes you see rare people that really didnt have enough time to reach out an touch the hearts of enough people. his rendition of hark the herald brings nothing less then musical beauty mixed with his flawless ability to create a musical wonder that, if used, would have achieved more world piece then we could cope with. instead we fight violence with violence in our ignorance of such musical wonder.
In case anyone was curious, his guitar is tuned down to about halfway between Eb and D. Ted was a fan of having his guitars in Eb so it's likely his guitar was set up for that and the tuning drifted down slightly from there.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people just can't see very well. This was filmed in a guitar store and was probably a clinic. This wasn't in a supper club for people who are clueless to the sublteties of Mr. Greenes chordal palate.
Pretty sure he talks constantly in order to distract the audience from the sheer beauty of his playing. That amount of emotion is not normally shared in public.
Ted Greene, what can you say. A beautiful spirit, a beautiful man who left us to soon. His contribution to the guitar world was great, even though very few people knew who he was. Check out his tribute page. It will give you a good idea of how cool he was. His book "Chord Chemistry" still stands as one of the best chord books ever written for the guitar. Thanks for posting this cool clip.
I have just discovered Ted. Unfortunately there is no superlative for genius!!!!!! The beautiful "off the cuff" phrase from 1:53 to 1:57 shows his class. He is the best guitarist I have ever heard. He created masterpieces from what I thought were mudane "songs", like this one. The number of "views" is a sad reflection on what the "masses", in their ignorance, appreciate. I have just ordered Chord Chemistry, which I suspect, will be my Bible.
@KABRIS1 Ted amazes me... You are so so right about appreciation and Listening ...the ability to listen is a ever evolving learning trait... Ted keeps getting better & better the older we get ... Cheers ...you have been listening very well ...Cool and bravo Dave Alberta
Holy shit i still think that's some of the most beautiful, incredible music i've ever heard, that bit on the refrain at the end where he plays the F/A - Eb/G - F/G - G/A.... in whatever detuned key it's supposed to be, WOWOWOW. heavy.
Beautiful! Thanks for uploading this. I wish people would stop arguing with youtube comments. Some people expect useful information when they get on youtube. Having to read through arguments about tone and taste is a drag and is useless to everyone except the two people arguing.
I'm dreaming, Bach has come back as guitar player. He just loves where Western Harmony has evolved to since he's been gone. He takes it all in, and begins to trail-blaze through these new sonorties with his own unique paths. That is how I feel about Ted Greene
I just love the idea of the time he must have spent to create thie music on the guitar. I'm sure he was motivated by the music and not just trying to be the best guy out there. We all have favorites but Ted was up there at the top.
There is no "best guy" out there - if anyone thinks that, they will be searching for eternity to no avail, and all beauty will have passed them by. . . .
This is still the best guitar arrangement of any song I've eve heard...
10 years later and it still is
yup
😂 strongly agree!
And the best part is, you could say this for pretty much any arrangement he has ever done haha. Dude was and still is an absolute legend.
He is improvising over the changes .with the counter point with 3 and 4 voices at the same time..He is doing that over the changes..He is changing key in the middle of the performance . He is never repeating himself and he is doing that on any song. Jazz. Pop. R&B. Classical music,TV show music or Movie music..in any key..GENIUS..
Baroque.
If the person didn't film this and put it up on youtube I would've never heard one of the most beautiful playing I've ever heard.
Makes me think about how much good stuff that's once been played I'll never hear.
This is way more than a chord melody. It is a master piece. I can hear harmony between notes, walking bass, chord tone, and melody all perfectly aligned, arranged, and played at the same time with 1000% control. Ted was a true genius.
Well put. He had a very rare talent
I've watched this like 400 times every December for 7 years. It never gets old. Ted is one of the few guitarists who I feel truly earned the title of "master."
+Matt Landon I agree.
very well said Matt, it so sad ted left so soon. his legacy will always be cherished.
The same thing happens to me! His understanding of the guitar was amazing. I hope people upload many videos of him playing!
Couldn’t agree more with your statement sir .
The Yoda of guitar. So sad he wasn't better documented, and forever thankful for the pieces we have to enjoy and learn from
I’ve been watching this video every Christmas since 2006, which was my first year in high school jazz band. It’s hard to describe the feelings I get from Ted Greene’s performance...it’s like a full band with melody and accompaniment, a blend of jazz chords with harp-like serenity...the lyrics are not there, but he speaks them through the intricate sound he creates...and then there’s this realization that he is no longer with us...it all just brings tears to my eyes. It really captures the feeling of Christmas, at least for me: the feeling of cheer and festivity in the air, and yet a longing for those who are no longer with us. Thank you for this precious recording, I sincerely appreciate it. Merry Christmas!
Dear Ted wherever you are,
You are so special. This performance is so special. In a setting that can cut inspiration short your generosity, soul and emotion comes across like a very pleasant sunny morning breeze. I also watch this every year...multiple times and get my fill of goosebumps and love that transpires from your music. Be well....
Unbelievable! Yeah I love to watch shredders, but even after about an hour I get tired of that no matter how good. This however is stuff I could listen to anytime all the time. Truly a blessing to watch and listen
Ted Greene,Lenny Breau,Johnny Smith,George VanEps and
Alan DeMause are some of the greatest guitarists that have contributed much to the guitar world.Thank you for sharing your videos with the rest of us. Peace!!!
The reach he has. Fingers splayed where no man has gone before. Christmas tunes in a Hawaiian shirt.
Absolutely beautiful! Man, I need some lessons!
Chord Solos....Jim Hall style of Jazz playing. www.berklee.edu
Very clever, articulate and played beautiful.
Jason, you are a guitar legend.
.... ' .l
+Burton
His tone was godly. It sounded like a harp or a piano in parts.
I’m right there, front & center, and knew then this was one of those special experiences in life I would always remember. Thank you 🙏🏼 for posting.
Ted, why do you have to leave so soon. We missed a lot my guitar hero. RIP and thank you
A true musician playing for the right reasons.
This brought tears to my eyes !! What an amazing guitar player and teacher. His music will live forever in our hearts.
Go to his website dude.
You'll be amazed with all the tunes and pieces you can learn for free! All PDF's. God Bless Ted Greene!
one could only hope to one day know the fretboard as well as this man
it is astounding harmony.....the key changes are mystifying......a joy to hear
The king of guitar teaching. Rest in peace Ted!
wow....wow..genius...so straight from the heart..lushfull chordchanges..bass..subtle melody notes...everything ..GENIUS!!!
Ted is one of my heroes. Such a great player. Thanks for posting this.
Ted was a master of chord melody! Wow, this is just beautiful. I wish I could have met Ted. So much emotion in his playing.
Ted was [and is] a guitar god. I take lessons from a good friend of Ted's, and every time Ted's name comes up, I get misty thinking about him. Ted's genius is that powerful.
Just beautiful and was lucky to get a few live lessons with him and we tripped each other out. Really a beautiful guy and a very mature musical awareness and one the best guitarist to ever be on the planet.He was real artist who took his playing as far as possible.
The harmonies for Hark the Herald angels were perfect.
I can't comprehend people who would dislike any videos of Ted. What an incredible musician who was so generous with his incredible knowledge.
I can, but it is an issue that bears no significance in light of "The Blessings of Ted" which are bestowed upon those of us who do like his videos, which includes me !
The question here is not to be impressed but be TOUCHED , this guy was a GENIUS and a great human being as well, and this is clear in his music, but it is crucial to be vibrating in the same realm he is vibrating.Listening without any expectations might help...
just incredible...Ted had the harmonic depth of someone like Bill Evans or Chick Corea...just unreal how he overcame the limitations of the instrument so regularly (every bar, pretty much)
Kevin Rochelle Ted proved that limitations are only in the mind. He knew what notes and voices he wanted and he found them. They are all there. However, Ted is one of a handful who really knew where they all were, and the only guy who studied their possibilities to the depth that he did. This song is a study unto itself in harmony and voice leading. I break it out every year. Just stunning. I am moved every time I hear it.
That's so beautiful! Ted was amazing.
That's enough to bring a tear to your eye........
Ted was my guitar hero...Thanks you Barbara for releasing these videos, and I hope every guitar player gets to see theis tender and beautiful rendition of two Christmas classics....simply beatiful player from The Master...long live Mr. Ted Greene
This is the best version I have ever heard of this song. He's plays chords I could never think of playing. What a unknown genius!
Ted,You were one of my teacher Alan DeMause's
favorites and you are dearly missed.Thanks for everything.
Musikologist
What a beautiful spirit this man had!Thank you Ted,for your playing, for all your books,and all your guidance,and for sharing all of your special gifts with all of us.
Always beautiful, sensitive and complex.
Anyone that would dislike this is not capable of appreciating harmony and true artistry.
And they should be taken out on the street, and tarred and feathered for their shortcomings (The Great Book of Jabber - Chapter 7, verse 3)
That is so beautiful. I've seen it so many times but it's still so moving.
His notes go together like the colors in a beautiful painting.
This legend had his act together and cataloged several books and tutored several students before his death at 58 years old.... I'm now 59... I need much more practice.. much more.
Thank you Mr. Ted Green. You inspired to come up with my own arrangement of this song. May you rest in peace.
wow, amazing. this guy is fascinating to me and I'm usually into shred stuff
I don't know who is arguing about this. It's nice to listen to and nice for this time of year. Ted was great.
He manages to make some pretty difficult voicings so so natural and flowing without calling attention the guitar itself and its idiosyncrasies. It's so good to hear pure harmony and melody together played with such ability.
Smoothest key change ever
Wow , no words to describe his mastery over the instrument, simply beautiful!
I’ve heard this song a million times before but hearing him play it made me feel like I was hearing it again for the first time
it might not be the best quality sound recording but thank God somebody had the presence of mind to get it down in history for the quality of musicianship !
this is EPIC ! COLOSSAL ! MONUMENTAL ! and pretty good too
thanx MrJazzGuitar01
Ted Greed is just unbelievable! What a humble human being and a class musician
I understand why Ted was such a great teacher. He could take high musical concepts and teach them to his students in the manner of a mother singing to a baby. The guy was a master of the musical form of the lullaby.
I am going to start go through this marvelous tutorial performance this December, hopefully for the next few more December's to come ❤
I like hearing ted on a semi hollow , I know he’s mostly known for the tele , but as I heard him say , this guitar is home for me
18 year old youtube video. Wow. I remember discovering youtube right when it came out. I knew it would turn into something huge, but... wow
❤ if you didn’t know how talented this guy was, you’d almost think that guild has a musical life of its own all its own
What a sweet sound he Had!!
Amazing. I really love what he played.
such mellow classical music ever played his playing puts you in your sweet place
The man applauding that somebody thought was Joe Pass is photographer Bob Barry. The man next to him who helps Ted with his guitar case in the beginning, is guitarist John Pisano, who hosts the seminars at California Vintage Guitar where this was taped. John played with Joe Pass for many years. Ted was basically very shy so there may be a touch of nervousness but the shaking of his hands was deliberate- it was how he acheived his legendary vibrato. Merry Christmas everyone!
Thrill me EVERY TIME YOU SEE THIS VIDEO! ((TED WAS AND IS FANTASTIC)
Being new to You Tube, I am learning the etiquette and pitfalls; among the only ones that I respect is being in total silence when Mr. Greene appears on the screen.
sometimes you see rare people that really didnt have enough time to reach out an touch the hearts of enough people. his rendition of hark the herald brings nothing less then musical beauty mixed with his flawless ability to create a musical wonder that, if used, would have achieved more world piece then we could cope with. instead we fight violence with violence in our ignorance of such musical wonder.
In case anyone was curious, his guitar is tuned down to about halfway between Eb and D. Ted was a fan of having his guitars in Eb so it's likely his guitar was set up for that and the tuning drifted down slightly from there.
What harmonies and that ending was the topping on the cake!
is a privilege to enjoy this
A supreme treasure- if anyone has some audio restoration tools it would be a great service to see if the audio can be enhanced
Eargasm at its best!
Oh how I wish I was one of those incredibly lucky fellas present there that day...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and some people just can't see very well. This was filmed in a guitar store and was probably a clinic. This wasn't in a supper club for people who are clueless to the sublteties of Mr. Greenes chordal palate.
Pretty sure he talks constantly in order to distract the audience from the sheer beauty of his playing. That amount of emotion is not normally shared in public.
Ted Greene, what can you say. A beautiful spirit, a
beautiful man who left us to soon. His contribution to
the guitar world was great, even though very few people
knew who he was. Check out his tribute page. It will give you a good idea of how cool he was. His book "Chord Chemistry" still stands as one of the best chord
books ever written for the guitar. Thanks for posting
this cool clip.
Masterful. So inspiring to see this, thanks for posting.
I have just discovered Ted. Unfortunately there is no superlative for genius!!!!!! The beautiful "off the cuff" phrase from 1:53 to 1:57 shows his class. He is the best guitarist I have ever heard. He created masterpieces from what I thought were mudane "songs", like this one. The number of "views" is a sad reflection on what the "masses", in their ignorance, appreciate. I have just ordered Chord Chemistry, which I suspect, will be my Bible.
just astounding beauty of the instrument
@KABRIS1 Ted amazes me... You are so so right about appreciation and Listening ...the ability to listen is a ever evolving learning trait... Ted keeps getting better & better the older we get ... Cheers ...you have been listening very well ...Cool and bravo
Dave
Alberta
what a gift this man is.
Absolutely sublime playing
This makes me cry...
Nice simple (for Ted Greene) take on a Christmas classic. 'Miss ya, Ted.
Bravo, Mr. Greene. R.I.P.
yeah, what you said. I don't understand how people 'dislike' such videos. Thank you.
Playin Ted Greene brings intelligence in your guitar..thank you maestro...
Holy shit i still think that's some of the most beautiful, incredible music i've ever heard, that bit on the refrain at the end where he plays the F/A - Eb/G - F/G - G/A.... in whatever detuned key it's supposed to be, WOWOWOW. heavy.
It's that good it brings tears to your eyes
1:40
Yeah this is home for me, this guitar
beautiful
Green was a master of the guitar and chord voicings! I miss him a lot!
That is SO SO SO Beautiful!
i feel honored to share the same birthday as mr. greene
Beautiful! Thanks for uploading this.
I wish people would stop arguing with youtube comments. Some people expect useful information when they get on youtube. Having to read through arguments about tone and taste is a drag and is useless to everyone except the two people arguing.
I like the way he wobbles his head for vibrato. It could be he was the only one who could hear that vibrato. Great musician
That was GREAT! Thanks for sharing.
Every note should be hanging in the Louvre. You'll never see another like him...or Lenny.
Genial Castro comes close and he’s still alive!
This is beautiful.
I'm dreaming,
Bach has come back as guitar player. He just loves where Western Harmony has evolved to since he's been gone. He takes it all in, and begins to trail-blaze through these new sonorties with his own unique paths.
That is how I feel about Ted Greene
It's so beautiful ! Poetic and melancholic !
Very nice !
Gifted . Thank you .
Just plain phenomenal!!!!
This man was a treasure
I just love the idea of the time he must have spent to create thie music on the guitar. I'm sure he was motivated by the music and not just trying to be the best guy out there. We all have favorites but Ted was up there at the top.
There is no "best guy" out there - if anyone thinks that, they will be searching for eternity to no avail, and all beauty will have passed them by. . . .
FANTASTIC!
I do miss Ted So. He was beautiful as his beautiful was and is.
amazing ted.
one word, amazing!!!