VICTORY!!! haha, good luck. Hit me up, email me, i'll keep encouraging! You can do this shit! Townes was a frickin' drunk lunatic. You can learn to pick like a drunk loon, cant ya!? Cant ya TO!!!??
And if the guitar is hard to play, bring it to a luthier to lower the action/straighten the neck A guitar that is hard to play is the worst for learning, and it reminds me to adjust my own hahaha Good luck!
Just picking up Travis picking and I was super surprised at how ridiculously tough this was--definitely an exercise in focus. It took me a solid week but there is NO way I could have done it without this video.
toby, ha, it's not easy. But so glad to hear my channel helped! What style do you usually play? Sub, like, and consider a monthly contribution. Any other song I could break down for ya?
I always shied away from fingerpicking... not very confident in my abilities, I guess. Then I saw your earlier videos. After watching and listening, I decided to pick up my acoustic and give it a wail. IT FREAKIN' CAME TO ME!!! Thank you, Mike. You got through to this dense/scattered head of mine. That is an accomplishment in it's own right. Keep up the good work!
hahah. Yes!! Thanks TR. Glad I could help. I'm forever grateful to this random old timer at guitar center. He was just like "Hey kid, everyone can move their fingers on their left hand. But that right hand work you did there...now that's something". And it wasnt anything advanced at the time. And I wasnt even into fingerpicking. But his comment stuck! Ohh the small gestures and compliments can go a long way. What song next?
@@MikesMusicMethod It does, it makes all the difference in the world, the small compliments and comments really do. That has moved me more than any gushing/false adulation ever has. (Not that I'd ever had much of either!!, but every little bit helps) I've been listening to Townes' gritty, almost Appalachian Mountain sounding; "Lungs" a lot lately. I can figure out most of the slides, pull offs and hammer ons.The song is strummed, Em & D when I play it, but with some creative license it might sound very good done fingerstyle, capo on 4th or 5th. What you think? Could you give it a shot sometime? Thanks for all you do, Mike. It is greatly appreciated! Take good care.
@@MikesMusicMethod Aw, touching! Thanks a lot for sharing! Always like to come back to your tutorials once in awhile. Great stuff, and I like your positivity. Hope you are doing fine, thanks a lot and best wishes!
What a hidden gem of youtube! Super clear teaching and really down to earth. I didnt think Id ever be able to play this but now I'm looking forward to diving into more travis picking!
welcome! So glad you found the channel. Check out the Travis Picking Playlist, and make sure to check out the Travis Picking Primer video. Those should get you rolling! NONE of my content is behind a paywall, and tabs are all free to download. Let me know how else I can help. Best of luck!
Thank you! I’ve been trying to lean travis picking for months since I started playing about 6 months ago and this song just hit me, it’s still challenging but makes sense now
glad to here Stephens! Check out my "travis picking playinglist". I walk you through the whole process. If you watch the first 10 videos in that series and give it like 3-6 months you'll be kicking arse!!
Excellent!!! I have been rusty with my practicing but learning this awesome song will get me back on track!!! I love fingerpicking!! My favorite chords too!
This song is honestly among my main motivations for picking up a guitar. I'm still learning some basics but at some point I'm gonna come back to this vid and start playing it! thanks for the amazing fingerpicking guide.
Go to my main channel page, click on Playlists. Check out my Travis Fingerpicking Playlist. The first several are in order for you there. And then sit with my video "travis picking primer". I think you'll find a wealth of info and concepts there and it'll get you going quickly to tackling Waiting around to Die. Best of luck! Join the MMM discord if you want some feedback and more help!
Thanks Mike. It has been 2 months now since I started playing and I am confident enough now to start your videos on travis picking haha. I believe I'm getting up to speed little by little, hopefuly that right hand will go on by itself at some point, but I already see it's not as daunting as I first thought !
Thanks for these lessons bro, just found this mans songs and I'm totally blown away in a way that I don't think perhaps any other musician has ever done. Great to learn these works of fucking art for the eternity 👌
quickest sub I made. I really enjoy your vibe and way of teaching, not too quick but also not explaining 3 times how to play an open chord... great song and great enthusiasm. will finish learning this and look for more good lessons from you. thank you my friend!
thanks, David. Welcome to the channel and dive in! Lots of content. Check out any of the tutorials as well as my video "travis picking primer". Let me know what songs I can tackle for ya next. And if you end up getting solid value from the channel consider monthly support so I can keep pumpin em out.
yes! that is the goal here. Trying to pay the knowledge and love fwd. Happy picking. let me know how else i can help. Sub, like, and join the discord for help and feedback.
Hey Mike, I really appreciate what you're doing. I've been learning fingerstyle guitar with old folk and country songs, and it seems like you have a tutorial for everything. Thanks and keep it up!
Thanks, man. will do! Sub, like and dive into the content. Trying to bring the most accurate tabs with joy and digestibility. Join the Discord and sign up for the mailer to keep in touch and get updates. Also have a PDF on my website as a "how to" for my channel and content. Enjoy! Lmk how else I can help
Vox, so glad to hear! Lmk what other tunes I could tackle for ya. And if you're getting value please consider the value for value model with support. This channel is completely free so people like you and other can access this content. But I'm hopeful people realize the value and can contribute so I can continue to put more and more time and effort into the channel. God bless and keep me posted on your guitar journey!
I think I can do this! Thanks man. Love townes. His music continues to inspire me to write my own stuff and get it out there, even though my stuffs not very townes like, something about him makes me want to keep writing.
i tottally hear ya. I'm not sure I sound anything like a lot of the artists I listen to either. But they're still very inspiring. you can do it!! take your time. you'll nail it. i promise.
Thanks for this tutorial - I love the delivery and after getting down the somewhat easier Nothin' I've been looking for other songs to practice and get used to using fingerpicks.
Best of luck Sammie. Consider the fingerpicks. I feel like Townes is one of the few players who used them. I'm not knocking them, but it's another tool, it's another device between your sensory input and the instrument itself. The tone can't be replicated, I agree there. But I just find fingers to be faster, easier (no looking for those damn picks all the time), and it just feels better. But either way...Best of luck! Please sub and like. I have several other videos you might find helpful. What Townes song should I do next?
@@MikesMusicMethod Thanks a lot! I've been playing for about 10 years and mainly play rock and ska but I've been getting into country stuff only recently so this stuff is kind of new to me - although I've very slowly worked through Chet Atkins' "Mr Sandman" for the past few years... I definitely see the advantages of just using fingers and for most things I do, but I like the fingerpicks for a few reasons - I like the sound, I'm a nailbiter so they're a bit less painful if I've bitten too far, I just think they're cool, and my acoustic is a big archtop which needs a bit of extra convincing to get the top resonating. "Only Him or Me", "Tower Song" or "For the Sake of the Song" would be awesome - or a more complete look at "Pancho and Lefty", perhaps? I guess there's probably a fair bit of stuff where once you get the style down you pretty much just have to work out the chord shapes and embellishments and you're golden.
ooh! Sandman is great and tough! Well done.And fair enough with the picks. If you can play Sandman than you're good and wise enough to make your own decisions. ;) Good Townes tunes, i'll add them to the list. I need to get busy!! Yup. Travis picking: find the bass notes (thumb parts) first, then figure out the chord shape, then get those tricky quick melody notes, then spend endless hours making it smooth and seamless.
thanks for your videos. if i understand you right, one measure of the Aminor thumb pattern is 5,3, 6,3 played twice. And one measure of Dm is 4,3,5,3 played twice. One measure of Em is 6,3,4,3..5,3,6,3 played once. cheers
you got it! On the Em you could get away playing it a few different ways and I doubt anyone would notice (except maybe some yahoo in the comment section!)
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it. Consider the value for value model by becoming a monthly donor. Or at least like and share. Any tunes next? Where in Englang?
you're welcome. Sub, like, and consider the value for value model! Glad the video was helpful: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=DDSNNKQVTWWS6 what song next?
Thank you alot! Your video really helped me to learn the song pretty close to the original. Even I whould never thought that Im gonna end learning to play a guitar song from Tom Hardy xD
ha, i had to look up who that was. Sure, i'll take it. I've been told Heath Ledger before. But I supposed I'd rather be the living guy than the sadly deceased who lost his mind. So glad you're learning from the channel! Sub, like and dive into the content. And please consider becoming a monthly or one time contributor to show your support of the value for value model so I can keep these videos open to everyone and not behind a paywall! thanks!!
@@MikesMusicMethod I'm trying to learn Old Coat by Peter Paul and Mary but that doesn't seem to be the type of stuff you're interested in. I've subscribed though and I'm sure I'll want to learn whatever you do next
@@MikesMusicMethod Subbed, liked, and shared to all my buddies. If you could do “Them Blues Done Gone and Missed a Call” by David Loggins or really any Jerry Reed stuff that would be really great.
appreciated, man. I've got tons of content up already. I think 29 Townes songs as well as our other favorite outlaw country favorites. Be well, man and let me know what other songs I should tackle.
Yeah, one day at a time. My advice is to do a lot of singing with scales. And just trying to hum and sing away from the guitar. This guy Max Konyi has some awesome videos on ear training. Another tip is to dont just guess the chord, but listen very specifically for single notes inside that chord. I have a video on this, but I'll make an entire ear training series one day.
Beautiful. Been playing (strumming) for years and Townes' fingerpicking style always intrigued me. And that he wore steel plectrums on his picking fingers? Anyway great tutorial.
haha. i played with those damn things for a couple of years. You'd lose em, they'd fall off, they'd get caught in strings. Annoying! He's the odd man out when it comes to finger picking. But it does give his melodies a slightly edgied attack.
@@Jooohanification I get several requests for these two guys. I like Nick Drake a lot, but can't say I've put anytime in trying to learn his tunes. What's a good fingerpicking one?
@@MikesMusicMethod @Mike's Music Method Not sure Smith has songs with only fingerpicking but the song "Angeles" has a great picking intro. "River Man", "Rider One The Wheel" and "One Of These Things First" by Nick Drake are pretty cool.
Lol Finally. I've been wanting to learn the Heartworn Highway version for a couple of years now. I'm also trying to learn the Heartworn Highway version of Pancho and Lefty. Think I pretty much have it down, but can't really figure out how to get that sound that sounds like a hammer-on when he transitions to the A-minor.
@@MikesMusicMethod Well, I guess it's subjective. But for me, personally, I liked that version a lot more than the two other studio recorded versions that I've heard. The particular notes that he picks in that version seem to sound prettier and stick out more to me. If you happen to get around to it, it'd be much appreciated. 👍🏻
Sometimes I don't know where This dirty road is taking me Sometimes I can't even see the reason why I guess I keep a gamblin' Lots of booze and lots of ramblin' It's easier than just waitin' around to die One time, friends, I had a ma I even had a pa He beat her with a belt once cause she cried She told him to take care of me Headed down to Tennessee It's easier than just waitin' around to die I came of age and I found a girl In a Tuscaloosa bar She cleaned me out and hit it on the sly I tried to kill the pain, bought some wine and hopped a train Seemed easier than just waitin' around to die A friend said he knew Where some easy money was We robbed a man, and brother did we fly The posse caught up with me And drug me back to Muskogee It's two long years I've been waitin' around to die Now I'm out of prison I got me a friend at last He don't drink or steal or cheat or lie His name is Codine He's the nicest thing I've seen Together we're gonna wait around and die Together we're gonna wait around and die
thanks so much, youre a great teacher and fun; i subs and keep coming back, i found you thru your Travis picking vids; ive been playing for twenty years (mostly open tuning delta blues slide kinda style) but im determined to master Travis picking and then to play like Mississippi John Hurt. You like his work, ever thought of doing a vid of his songs?.. Thanks again.
Thanks much. I deeply appreciate the kind words, gives me encouragement and glad people are learning from my content. And dude! I've got 3 or 4 John Hurt tunes up already! Just click on my my MikesMusicMethod guitar man icon and then "videos" and then toggle through all of them. Coffee Blues, Lonesome Valley, Since I've laid My, and Stagger Lee! Please consider the value for value model with a contribution! otherwise, blessings man. Happy picking and hit me up if you ever want some private lessons.
Don't be fooled by the intros, this fella knows stuff. Mike, I gave you 10 quid on your Patreon so I don't feel cheeky requesting some Ian Felice tutorials!
@@MikesMusicMethod Hi Mike, you said it mate, WTF!! How have you not heard The Felice Brothers or Ian Felice's solo stuff!!! I love 'In the Kingdom of Dreams' and 'In Memoriam'. However, the track I really want to crack is 'Two Reverse' from Adrianne Lenker's last solo album - she is off the scale on guitar and vocals. Seriously though Mike, whatever you put out I'll listen to and have a go at. Yourself and Eric Haugen are the best guitar teachers for me on TH-cam - thanks for all your dedication and passion. I'm sure there's loads out there like me who love you!!!
you're welcome. Sub, like, and dive into the content. i have 30 plus Townes songs on the channel and nearly 200 tutorials on outlaw country, folk, and blues
It's a lot easier to play if you use your ring finger on the first string, middle on the second and index on the third. That way your thumb doesn't have to move so much. So on the a minor shape your thumb is only playing the fifth and sixth strings, d minor it is playing the fourth and fifth and the e minor it is playing the fourth, fifth and sixth strings.
@@MikesMusicMethod I should have made it more clear in my comment. I was referring just to the right hand. In a confusing way I was suggesting using classical style fingerpicking.
thanks, Andy. I appreciate that. It feels like my song writing...some days I'm my biggest fan, moments when I finish a solid idea or tie together a melody and a lyric. Other days, meh, i dont want to play my songs, let alone ever listen to them. Same goes with my teaching. I generally feel pretty good about it in person. Still trying to hone the craft here on youtube. Let me know how I could improve!
First of all, it’s actually quite heartwarming to hear that someone as good as you, can be unsure at times and doesn’t maybe hear what we hear on these videos? Apologies if I’m way off base here, but even a learner such as myself, struggles to hear any of the good moments which I occasionally have? To put things in perspective though, I’ve seen videos from decent player who’ve been playing for many years and yet they readily admit, they can’t play without using a pick ( hate using the term finger style lol). So in answer to your comment whilst I’m only a learner I know enough to know how difficult this is, and the way you explain to the viewer, that the shit takes pure time ie in your case over twenty years of playing. I’ll have to make another comment as there is more I’d like to say.
Yep think about it this way? All of our favourite songwriters and guitar players such as Townes Van Zandt, John Prine ect who were playing this way as oppose to strumming were few and far between. In his prime Townes could pull off all of Lighting Hopkins stuff as well. They only had each other to learn off, but even now on TH-cam, given all the knowledge that’s out there, the majority of teachers don’t cover this shit as it’s bloody hard work albeit rewarding. Before I seen your vids on Dylan I never appreciated how good he was on the guitar. There is one of those freaky Robert Johnson Crossroads story about Dylan in that one of his peers said he couldn’t play for toffee and after disappearing for a weeks he came back and could play all this finger picking shit lol. I just wish I’d of gotten onto your channel from the start, as I’ve done exactly what you mentioned about not doing it right from the off? I always done a kind of approximation of it and my fingers just keep going back to my own watered down version. Steve Earle one of my favourite players, said you can break off, from the thumb, Bass part for a while as the audience will keep the beat, but you have to get back to it. That’s my major problem, keeping those two root notes going without my head going into meltdown mode. I’m gonna send you some links to some videos of Nick Lowe on acoustic as I reckon he’s a brilliant guitar player and to date nobody has been able to explain what he’s doing re the way he plays all his songs, without using the conventional chords.
Not crazy. I suffered from capo pinch. My capo was probably too tight or I put it on funny and it's slightly sharp at the 5th fret. Hope it's not too annoying!
@@MikesMusicMethod Haha no worries! I spent all day with this one and I'll Be Here in the Morning and feel pretty confident playing em now. Thanks for making good shit, stoked for more!
Hi! Do you have a tab for this one? I looked over the list on your website several times, but I couldn’t find it, unless I just completely missed it. Many thanks for the lessons!!! I’m finishing up Pancho & Lefty and want to do this one next.
thanks, man! So glad the lesson was helpful. aww yeah! and dive in. I have tons of Townes songs up! And sorry, i did it early on my youtube journey and wasnt tabbing things out then. But feel free to Sponsor it! www.molaromusic.com/sponsoring-a-song people would appreciate it. It's just impossible to find time for all this stuff!
I’ve got the chords and the pattern down thanks to my awesome guitar teacher. I just need to figure out how to sing while playing. This may be the hardest part to master!
I've discussed this inside of videos, but never did a stand alone video just on this topic. That being said, it's the same methodology. Measure by measure, piece by piece. First just strum and sing, then just use the thumb and sing...then add the hard inbetween stuff. need a video!?
@@MikesMusicMethod I would love a video on that, please. I find the singing while playing to be easy for simple songs like Zombie by The Cranberries or Riptide by Vance Joy but figuring it out for such a complex song as Waitin’ Around to Die is super difficult.
@@MikesMusicMethod Not yet, I bought a guitar just for this song and I'm so glad I have found you as my teacher - love your style man. I've ordered a capo off amazon but for now im just getting the hand movements down. Hope you're doing well Mike :)
Subscribed and liked. Just picked up an acoustic guitar and trying to teach myself starting with this one. Thank you so much! Also, what guitar are you playing? It's beautiful and sounds great!!
hey, thanks Andrew. it's a Takemine classical guitar. You just picked up acoustic and you're trying this one first!?!? Check out my Travis Picking Playlist. Progress slowly. It wont be as painful! ;) th-cam.com/play/PLim_0PRqdn-DCjVoJEe5bkOUijH7f56Ra.html
@@MikesMusicMethod Thanks for the suggestion - I’ll check it out. And yes, I love Townes and have been trying to teach myself electric guitar over the last couple of months and am slowly making some progress, but I wanted to pick up an acoustic and attempt finger picking as well before I get flat picking embedded in my muscle memory!
A big resounding: no way! ;) I must admit, I love the optimism and go get em attitude you have. But these are not for those new to the guitar. here's what you can do though: learn the chord shapes for waiting around to Die. Am, Dm, Em. Practice strumming them along with the song. When you get good at that then ONLY do the thumb part. Forget the melody and practice the thumb going back and fourth between the correct strings on the right chords. And after you get real good at that, add only ONE melody not with the index finger in between some of those thumb hits. I'll make a beginner finger picking series for you!
@@MikesMusicMethod thanks for responding!! I’m gonna do these exercises on top of your beginners playlist. And also the beginner finger picking when is out. Thanks
I've been playing for 14 months and I can do this song without looking at the guitar half the time so it's realistic for a begginer cause this is the first real song I ever learned
Unfortunately not! I wasn't generating tabs at the beginning of my youtube journey. If i find the time I'll get to it. Consider sponsoring the tab! ;) www.molaromusic.com/sponsoring-a-song
Hey, I am just trying to learn to sing some of these folk tunes. My ear is not really that great yet so I am trying to use a tuner to get it figured out. Maybe you can help me with something. It seems like Townes and you are singing a half step down during some parts. For example in the first chord with the A-Minor shape, we play the notes A, F and D on the guitar but it sounds like the vocal is focused on G# mostly, Is G# Even in the right key? Is this just a Folky way of adding character to the song? Would it be wrong to sing along to the A-minor shape with an A? I know the pitch fluctuates around with that folky twang to get that characteristic sound, I am just trying to figure out what I am actually aiming for in theory. Maybe you can offer some advice?
Myles. Great question. I would first tackle chord theory. Learn what triads are (major, minor chords). And learn how to sing them. There are tons of vocal drills you can find online. Just search "singing major and minor triads". So when I'm playing a C major chord, i want to be able to sing all the 3 notes in that chord (C E G). Once you practice this enough your ear will lock in and just here it. But...from there comes in the art and creativity. Over a C chord (assuming we're in the key of C). I can technically sing any note in C major (CDEFGAB). If I'm giving it a blues feel then I also have Eb and Gb and Bb as an option. lol. So it just depends on the style you're going for. This is why music is so diverse and inexhaustible. But this is hard in text...check the description underneath the video, join our Zoom meeting on Thursday and I'm happy to spend time discussing this with you. Or if you have the funds and commitment take some lessons with me!
Great tutorial, I usually just learn songs from the tabs but that was nicely pieced together, great way to learn. Do you also share tabs for these videos on the paid service?
Donnie. No no. Everything is free. I deeply believe in and promote and support the value 4 value model. What are these videos and tabs worth for you? A certain amount per song you learn? Monthly support? Each viewer decides and all the content is free. As for tabs...MikesMusicMethod.com some of the older songs I didn't have tabs for. But all the vast bulk of the tunes have free tab downloads.
@@MikesMusicMethod For me I think it would be a certain amount per song. I started one-one lessons a few years back but I was really just going along saying okay I want to learn this song. After the lessons got me on the road as far as travis picking is concerned the rest was just the graft I was prepared to put in. Paying per song sounds like best value for money. When learning a new song I like to getting the nuts and bolts sorted, play the verses, sing with verses, then I try and dress it up a bit by working on intro and instrumentals. I got a lot out of this video, as I said I felt it was well pieced together and I got the nuts and bolts down a lot quicker than I usually do. Having the tab would allow me to work offline, the odd bit of support for when I'm banging my head off a wall. That all sounds like a good value package worth paying for, video, tab and bit of advice/guidance here and there.
@@donnieneylon5519 Thanks for sharing and for the positive feedback. As I said the newer videos have the tab on screen as well as for download. And that's the idea, just the value4value model. Pay what you can when you can and I'm always here to field questions, as well as hosting the regular Zoom meeting every Thursday eve (link in video description). Patreon, paypal, BTC, or however else you can provide treasure and talent towards the channel. And for those who cant afford it at the time still get to ride the coat tails of those who can and choose to. A win-win i think! What song next, Donnie!?
@@MikesMusicMethod Sounds good Mike, I will contribute song by song for now and hopefully it will go some way to helping you keep the show on the road. As for next song, the plan is to try and get this one down good first. I just noticed you have Tecumseh Valley done, that's my next little beauty. Going forward, well I love Townes, Blaze, Prine so I'm in good company here with plenty of material but I have others that I would love to try, some of these guys are still alive :). I won't ask you to get one down until I'm ready to commit to learning. John Moreland has some beauties, The Hill Country Devil (Michigan Rose), you could have a listen see what you think. There is one song I've been obsessed with this last year, Cheap Wine by Charlie Parr. It's usually played on a resonator or 12 string acoustic. I think it's a quick hit in far as getting it worked out but certainly difficult to deliver it the way Charlie does. I think it's a masterpiece, the story, the simplicity, the hypnotic rhythm, the vocals. You should give it a listen if your not already familiar, its the same pattern I believe through out, I think he lets fly with a very extra notes here and there between verses. I'm listening to live versions, one at Slab City, CA, another slower version at Terrapin Station, you can youtube them, would be interesting to see what you come up with.
Townes got me through more than i can say on here. I'd love to be able to talk to you about some of his shit. Would be cool to learn more of his stuff over a call with you man. and i also wanted opinions on some of my original songs
Hey Alamo. drop me a line: MikesMusicMethod@gmail.com I do private lessons, that's my main gig. And hey, fellow song writer. Would love to hear the tunes and offer feedback.
@@MikesMusicMethod Indeed, was merely being facetious. I read the Late Great, TVZ, oh dear, it's a difficult read. They took the codeine out anyway years ago, so now it'll just make you ill I guess. I wouldn't attempt it.
@@thiscorrosion900 no you werent. Admit you were gonna drink a bottle, but thank goodness for your pal Mike on the internets, saving your damn life! ;)
Man, unfortunately on this video and one other I ran into "capo pinch"! A term I labeled for when you tune yourself up perfectly, and then put the capo on too tight or too loose and fail to retune with the capo on!! So it's just slightly sharp I believe. Apologies.
@@MikesMusicMethod hey while I have you here, I’d like to hear how you do I’ve Got A Name by Jim Croce. I still gotta look through your channel to see if you have it already hahah
i know! I call that annoyance "capo pinch". I must have made the mistake of not rechecking my tuning after putting the capo on. It's in relative tune, but the capo squeezed everything a bit off. Apologies. I'm trying to improve every video as I go along, so hopefully this hasnt and wont happen again.
haha. I dont know why that's funny but it is. I remember laughing my butt off the first time I heard: "Why are black people so tall?" - "Because their knee grows". hahaha. I still laugh out loud typing it to myself.
Ya know. I think it's this video that I recorded the entire damn thing and realized I was suffering from "capo punch". Always retune the damn thing after putting a capo on! Sorry. Hope it's not too annoying.
Welp that's it, you've convinced me to get off my ass and start practicing after an 8 year break from trying to learn guitar.
VICTORY!!! haha, good luck. Hit me up, email me, i'll keep encouraging! You can do this shit! Townes was a frickin' drunk lunatic. You can learn to pick like a drunk loon, cant ya!? Cant ya TO!!!??
@@MikesMusicMethod I'll try my damned best that's for sure
And if the guitar is hard to play, bring it to a luthier to lower the action/straighten the neck
A guitar that is hard to play is the worst for learning, and it reminds me to adjust my own hahaha
Good luck!
Thanks man, learning to play this on guitar is better than just waitin' around to die
ha, indeed!
Just picking up Travis picking and I was super surprised at how ridiculously tough this was--definitely an exercise in focus. It took me a solid week but there is NO way I could have done it without this video.
toby, ha, it's not easy. But so glad to hear my channel helped! What style do you usually play? Sub, like, and consider a monthly contribution. Any other song I could break down for ya?
I always shied away from fingerpicking... not very confident in my abilities, I guess. Then I saw your earlier videos. After watching and listening, I decided to pick up my acoustic and give it a wail. IT FREAKIN' CAME TO ME!!! Thank you, Mike. You got through to this dense/scattered head of mine. That is an accomplishment in it's own right. Keep up the good work!
hahah. Yes!! Thanks TR. Glad I could help. I'm forever grateful to this random old timer at guitar center. He was just like "Hey kid, everyone can move their fingers on their left hand. But that right hand work you did there...now that's something". And it wasnt anything advanced at the time. And I wasnt even into fingerpicking. But his comment stuck! Ohh the small gestures and compliments can go a long way. What song next?
@@MikesMusicMethod It does, it makes all the difference in the world, the small compliments and comments really do. That has moved me more than any gushing/false adulation ever has. (Not that I'd ever had much of either!!, but every little bit helps) I've been listening to Townes' gritty, almost Appalachian Mountain sounding; "Lungs" a lot lately. I can figure out most of the slides, pull offs and hammer ons.The song is strummed, Em & D when I play it, but with some creative license it might sound very good done fingerstyle, capo on 4th or 5th. What you think? Could you give it a shot sometime? Thanks for all you do, Mike. It is greatly appreciated! Take good care.
@@MikesMusicMethod Aw, touching! Thanks a lot for sharing! Always like to come back to your tutorials once in awhile. Great stuff, and I like your positivity. Hope you are doing fine, thanks a lot and best wishes!
What a hidden gem of youtube! Super clear teaching and really down to earth. I didnt think Id ever be able to play this but now I'm looking forward to diving into more travis picking!
welcome! So glad you found the channel. Check out the Travis Picking Playlist, and make sure to check out the Travis Picking Primer video. Those should get you rolling! NONE of my content is behind a paywall, and tabs are all free to download. Let me know how else I can help. Best of luck!
Thanks for the tutorial!
This is such a great tutorial. You have the best positive energy and explain and break down the picking patterns so well !!!
thanks, Mocho. Sub, like, share and consider value via support if the video brought you value. What song can I throw at ya next?
@@MikesMusicMethod you def have my sub and support! If you could do la complainte du soleil by Laura cahen that would be amazing, no pressure ofc
@@mocho8145 !! dude. this song is great! thanks! added to the list! Where ya from?
@@MikesMusicMethod Tennessee B^) and you??
thanks so much dude this song is the reason I bought a guitar and now I'm finally learning to play it :)
heck yeah! That's a great story. Excited for your journey and future victory!
Insterest pick for starting to learn guitar, may I ask if the song means something important to you?
This song is a good reason to buy a guitar!
@@basti_marr it was the first Townes song I ever heard and that was how I discovered one of my favorite artists
@@connorbettge3810 very cool I also recommend nothing by him the picking is a little bit more complicated than this but not too hard
Beautiful sad song. Thanks for the lesson.
indeed. you're welcome. please sub and share. what song next?
You’re a legend for this vid
thanks, man! can you play it!?
@@MikesMusicMethod not in it’s entirety but almost fully learnt, mainly thanks to your video
Love you for this lesson man. This song speaks to my soul :)
Indeed. A great song. Happy picking, let me know when you get it down!
Thank you! I’ve been trying to lean travis picking for months since I started playing about 6 months ago and this song just hit me, it’s still challenging but makes sense now
glad to here Stephens! Check out my "travis picking playinglist". I walk you through the whole process. If you watch the first 10 videos in that series and give it like 3-6 months you'll be kicking arse!!
Excellent!!! I have been rusty with my practicing but learning this awesome song will get me back on track!!! I love fingerpicking!! My favorite chords too!
best of luck and keep me posted how it goes! And then let me know what song next.
This song is honestly among my main motivations for picking up a guitar. I'm still learning some basics but at some point I'm gonna come back to this vid and start playing it! thanks for the amazing fingerpicking guide.
Go to my main channel page, click on Playlists. Check out my Travis Fingerpicking Playlist. The first several are in order for you there. And then sit with my video "travis picking primer". I think you'll find a wealth of info and concepts there and it'll get you going quickly to tackling Waiting around to Die. Best of luck! Join the MMM discord if you want some feedback and more help!
Thanks Mike. It has been 2 months now since I started playing and I am confident enough now to start your videos on travis picking haha. I believe I'm getting up to speed little by little, hopefuly that right hand will go on by itself at some point, but I already see it's not as daunting as I first thought !
Thanks for these lessons bro, just found this mans songs and I'm totally blown away in a way that I don't think perhaps any other musician has ever done. Great to learn these works of fucking art for the eternity 👌
indeed!
quickest sub I made.
I really enjoy your vibe and way of teaching, not too quick but also not explaining 3 times how to play an open chord...
great song and great enthusiasm. will finish learning this and look for more good lessons from you. thank you my friend!
thanks, David. Welcome to the channel and dive in! Lots of content. Check out any of the tutorials as well as my video "travis picking primer". Let me know what songs I can tackle for ya next. And if you end up getting solid value from the channel consider monthly support so I can keep pumpin em out.
thank you! this is amazing
you're welcome! Were you able to learn the song? And hey, you're a musician yourself. Play any guitar on your songs?
@MikesMusicMethod I’m on my way to learn it, planning to post a cover of this amazing song soon. And yess, I play guitar on my acoustic covers 😊
You are an excellent teacher, I find your style very easy to pick up.
yes! that is the goal here. Trying to pay the knowledge and love fwd. Happy picking. let me know how else i can help. Sub, like, and join the discord for help and feedback.
Thanks for making the effort wanted to learn this. Many thanks
Glad it was helpful. what song next?
Hey Mike, I really appreciate what you're doing. I've been learning fingerstyle guitar with old folk and country songs, and it seems like you have a tutorial for everything. Thanks and keep it up!
Thanks, man. will do! Sub, like and dive into the content. Trying to bring the most accurate tabs with joy and digestibility. Join the Discord and sign up for the mailer to keep in touch and get updates. Also have a PDF on my website as a "how to" for my channel and content. Enjoy! Lmk how else I can help
Thank you, I've been in quarantine for the last week and your videos have helped a lot learned three new songs and it feels good
Vox, so glad to hear! Lmk what other tunes I could tackle for ya. And if you're getting value please consider the value for value model with support. This channel is completely free so people like you and other can access this content. But I'm hopeful people realize the value and can contribute so I can continue to put more and more time and effort into the channel. God bless and keep me posted on your guitar journey!
Amazing man, subscribed! You gave me the motivation to get out my rut and get back to guitar!
yes! Glad I could help! I like the screen name, Is it worth me jumping over and getting an account up on Dlive?
I think I can do this! Thanks man. Love townes. His music continues to inspire me to write my own stuff and get it out there, even though my stuffs not very townes like, something about him makes me want to keep writing.
i tottally hear ya. I'm not sure I sound anything like a lot of the artists I listen to either. But they're still very inspiring.
you can do it!! take your time. you'll nail it. i promise.
Thank you man! Had a hard time trying to figure out the fingerpicking pattern. Your video helped a lot!
Glad it helped! Sub like and dive in. I have over 200 tutorials, 30 of them townesntunes
Thanks for this tutorial - I love the delivery and after getting down the somewhat easier Nothin' I've been looking for other songs to practice and get used to using fingerpicks.
Best of luck Sammie. Consider the fingerpicks. I feel like Townes is one of the few players who used them. I'm not knocking them, but it's another tool, it's another device between your sensory input and the instrument itself. The tone can't be replicated, I agree there. But I just find fingers to be faster, easier (no looking for those damn picks all the time), and it just feels better. But either way...Best of luck! Please sub and like. I have several other videos you might find helpful. What Townes song should I do next?
@@MikesMusicMethod Thanks a lot! I've been playing for about 10 years and mainly play rock and ska but I've been getting into country stuff only recently so this stuff is kind of new to me - although I've very slowly worked through Chet Atkins' "Mr Sandman" for the past few years... I definitely see the advantages of just using fingers and for most things I do, but I like the fingerpicks for a few reasons - I like the sound, I'm a nailbiter so they're a bit less painful if I've bitten too far, I just think they're cool, and my acoustic is a big archtop which needs a bit of extra convincing to get the top resonating.
"Only Him or Me", "Tower Song" or "For the Sake of the Song" would be awesome - or a more complete look at "Pancho and Lefty", perhaps? I guess there's probably a fair bit of stuff where once you get the style down you pretty much just have to work out the chord shapes and embellishments and you're golden.
ooh! Sandman is great and tough! Well done.And fair enough with the picks. If you can play Sandman than you're good and wise enough to make your own decisions. ;) Good Townes tunes, i'll add them to the list. I need to get busy!!
Yup. Travis picking: find the bass notes (thumb parts) first, then figure out the chord shape, then get those tricky quick melody notes, then spend endless hours making it smooth and seamless.
thanks for your videos. if i understand you right, one measure of the Aminor thumb pattern is 5,3, 6,3 played twice. And one measure of Dm is 4,3,5,3 played twice. One measure of Em is 6,3,4,3..5,3,6,3 played once. cheers
you got it! On the Em you could get away playing it a few different ways and I doubt anyone would notice (except maybe some yahoo in the comment section!)
Great video, thanks. I've been working on this for a few weeks and its coming along, just gotta get the hammer ons in there.
keep at it, you'll get it! good luck. Any other tunes or ideas for videos you'd like to see?
Appreciate you sir
thanks.
Always been a strummer , never could get pickin down lol . Sounds great !
go through my travis picking playlist. You can learn!
Great picking lesson Mike👍🏼🎸🔥💯First time that i get closer with it✌🏽😎Thank you 🙋🏼♂️
you're welcome! Sub, like and consider monthly support. What songs or concepts can i break down for ya next?
Looking forward to learning this! I really like your vids!
thanks Reid. I'll keep em coming. Anything else you'd like to see done?
@@MikesMusicMethod do you think you could do 'Down from Dover' by Dolly Parton?
Thumbs up....times “10!”
Great help!
even a metal dude likes my videos!? Saaaaweeeet. I actually grew up on Megadeath, metallica, and anthrax
Awesome Mike. Great lesson. Thank you! Greetings from England, UK!
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it. Consider the value for value model by becoming a monthly donor. Or at least like and share. Any tunes next? Where in Englang?
THANK YOU GOOD SIR!
you're welcome. Sub, like, and consider the value for value model! Glad the video was helpful: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=DDSNNKQVTWWS6
what song next?
Thank you alot! Your video really helped me to learn the song pretty close to the original. Even I whould never thought that Im gonna end learning to play a guitar song from Tom Hardy xD
ha, i had to look up who that was. Sure, i'll take it. I've been told Heath Ledger before. But I supposed I'd rather be the living guy than the sadly deceased who lost his mind.
So glad you're learning from the channel! Sub, like and dive into the content. And please consider becoming a monthly or one time contributor to show your support of the value for value model so I can keep these videos open to everyone and not behind a paywall!
thanks!!
Really clear and helpful instructions
thanks, man. I'll keep em coming. What tune next?
@@MikesMusicMethod I'm trying to learn Old Coat by Peter Paul and Mary but that doesn't seem to be the type of stuff you're interested in. I've subscribed though and I'm sure I'll want to learn whatever you do next
Excellent lesson, thanks
thanks prophet. Please sub and like and consider the tip jar. What tune next?
@@MikesMusicMethod Subbed, liked, and shared to all my buddies. If you could do “Them Blues Done Gone and Missed a Call” by David Loggins or really any Jerry Reed stuff that would be really great.
Thank you for this. 🙏
ur welcome! lmk how the picking goes!
that was good man
thanks for the lesson i was hoping to pick that one up!
i went ahead and subbed
peace
appreciated, man. I've got tons of content up already. I think 29 Townes songs as well as our other favorite outlaw country favorites. Be well, man and let me know what other songs I should tackle.
Beautiful, love from Perú
Thank you very much. Can u play it now?
Therrrre we go.. that’s it. Wow if only this existed 15 yrs ago haha
you the greatest my man
Thanks, Tang. Sub and share and consider the tip jar.
Thank you so much!
of course! What song next?
Coulda sworn that E was major. Still trying to develop my ear so this is really appreciated.
Yeah, one day at a time. My advice is to do a lot of singing with scales. And just trying to hum and sing away from the guitar. This guy Max Konyi has some awesome videos on ear training. Another tip is to dont just guess the chord, but listen very specifically for single notes inside that chord.
I have a video on this, but I'll make an entire ear training series one day.
It is major or should be for the key of A minor.
Very instructive, really nice lesson, thank you!
thanks, man. Appreciated. Dive into the content. I've got a lot of fingerpicking tutorials out
@@MikesMusicMethod Definitely will!
Thats Beautiful ❤
Thanks
Beautiful. Been playing (strumming) for years and Townes' fingerpicking style always intrigued me. And that he wore steel plectrums on his picking fingers? Anyway great tutorial.
haha. i played with those damn things for a couple of years. You'd lose em, they'd fall off, they'd get caught in strings. Annoying! He's the odd man out when it comes to finger picking. But it does give his melodies a slightly edgied attack.
thank you sir
ur welcome, mr. mavid.
Legend. Thanks. On it !!
let me know how it goes!
great lesson!
Thanks, sub and check out some others. The newer videos have tabs for download and in the videos themselves. what song next?
@@MikesMusicMethod Just subscribed! Don’t think I have a particular song request. Maybe a Elliot Smith song? Nick Drake?
@@Jooohanification I get several requests for these two guys. I like Nick Drake a lot, but can't say I've put anytime in trying to learn his tunes. What's a good fingerpicking one?
@@MikesMusicMethod @Mike's Music Method Not sure Smith has songs with only fingerpicking but the song "Angeles" has a great picking intro.
"River Man", "Rider One The Wheel" and "One Of These Things First" by Nick Drake are pretty cool.
Спасибо!
You're welcome!
Lol Finally. I've been wanting to learn the Heartworn Highway version for a couple of years now.
I'm also trying to learn the Heartworn Highway version of Pancho and Lefty. Think I pretty much have it down, but can't really figure out how to get that sound that sounds like a hammer-on when he transitions to the A-minor.
yes! glad i could help. Maybe i'll do Pancho next. You think Heartworn is his best version of it?
@@MikesMusicMethod Well, I guess it's subjective. But for me, personally, I liked that version a lot more than the two other studio recorded versions that I've heard. The particular notes that he picks in that version seem to sound prettier and stick out more to me.
If you happen to get around to it, it'd be much appreciated. 👍🏻
@@MikesMusicMethod I would adore you for doing Pancho next - absolutely adore you (the Heartworn Highway version)
@@viral262 that's a good one. Consider it done.
@@MikesMusicMethod You have made a very happy person - looking forward to it!
Laighed at grown men weep, uncle seymour bless his kind soul
ha. indeed.
Can you do a tutorial of I'll be there in the morning by Townes too please!
used to cover that song at gigs! It's a great one. It's on the list...NOW. thanks
Sometimes I don't know where
This dirty road is taking me
Sometimes I can't even see the reason why
I guess I keep a gamblin'
Lots of booze and lots of ramblin'
It's easier than just waitin' around to die
One time, friends, I had a ma
I even had a pa
He beat her with a belt once cause she cried
She told him to take care of me
Headed down to Tennessee
It's easier than just waitin' around to die
I came of age and I found a girl
In a Tuscaloosa bar
She cleaned me out and hit it on the sly
I tried to kill the pain, bought some wine and hopped a train
Seemed easier than just waitin' around to die
A friend said he knew
Where some easy money was
We robbed a man, and brother did we fly
The posse caught up with me
And drug me back to Muskogee
It's two long years I've been waitin' around to die
Now I'm out of prison
I got me a friend at last
He don't drink or steal or cheat or lie
His name is Codine
He's the nicest thing I've seen
Together we're gonna wait around and die
Together we're gonna wait around and die
thanks, I should get in the habit of posting the lyrics.
thanks so much, youre a great teacher and fun; i subs and keep coming back, i found you thru your Travis picking vids; ive been playing for twenty years (mostly open tuning delta blues slide kinda style) but im determined to master Travis picking and then to play like Mississippi John Hurt. You like his work, ever thought of doing a vid of his songs?.. Thanks again.
Thanks much. I deeply appreciate the kind words, gives me encouragement and glad people are learning from my content. And dude! I've got 3 or 4 John Hurt tunes up already! Just click on my my MikesMusicMethod guitar man icon and then "videos" and then toggle through all of them. Coffee Blues, Lonesome Valley, Since I've laid My, and Stagger Lee! Please consider the value for value model with a contribution! otherwise, blessings man. Happy picking and hit me up if you ever want some private lessons.
Actually it does make the lovely black fellow weep in Heartworn highways.
That's Uncle Seymour Washington
th-cam.com/video/lLDyC2vV9T4/w-d-xo.html
That's Uncle Seymour
Don't be fooled by the intros, this fella knows stuff. Mike, I gave you 10 quid on your Patreon so I don't feel cheeky requesting some Ian Felice tutorials!
thanks yeates! and wtf? How come i never heard of this guy. Give me some tracks by him you love.
@@MikesMusicMethod Hi Mike, you said it mate, WTF!! How have you not heard The Felice Brothers or Ian Felice's solo stuff!!! I love 'In the Kingdom of Dreams' and 'In Memoriam'. However, the track I really want to crack is 'Two Reverse' from Adrianne Lenker's last solo album - she is off the scale on guitar and vocals. Seriously though Mike, whatever you put out I'll listen to and have a go at. Yourself and Eric Haugen are the best guitar teachers for me on TH-cam - thanks for all your dedication and passion. I'm sure there's loads out there like me who love you!!!
@@MikesMusicMethod Should of mentioned, 'Days of The Years' by Felice Brothers - wouldn't need a tutorial but I think you'll love the song xx
very nice thanks man
you're welcome. Sub, like, and dive into the content. i have 30 plus Townes songs on the channel and nearly 200 tutorials on outlaw country, folk, and blues
I like your vibe bro
thanks, Reece, Did you learn the song?
@@MikesMusicMethod yessir! I just had to see that finger picking style he used ! I appreciate it bubba - he’s my favorite songwriter
Love it mike. Great tutorial. Is it just me or is you guitar slightly tuned down? I like it coz it sounds so moody but I swear mine sounds different
thanks, man. Nah, it's just because I'm playing a nylon string/classical guitar. It has a warmer/darker tone than compared to a steel string.
It's a lot easier to play if you use your ring finger on the first string, middle on the second and index on the third. That way your thumb doesn't have to move so much. So on the a minor shape your thumb is only playing the fifth and sixth strings, d minor it is playing the fourth and fifth and the e minor it is playing the fourth, fifth and sixth strings.
hmm, that's hard to follow in writing...Not sure what changing my left hand has to do with my right hand thumb moving less...?
@@MikesMusicMethod I should have made it more clear in my comment. I was referring just to the right hand. In a confusing way I was suggesting using classical style fingerpicking.
lovely
thanks. Did you learn it!?
Lol made weep. Man you know you’re good at this don’t you?
thanks, Andy. I appreciate that. It feels like my song writing...some days I'm my biggest fan, moments when I finish a solid idea or tie together a melody and a lyric. Other days, meh, i dont want to play my songs, let alone ever listen to them. Same goes with my teaching. I generally feel pretty good about it in person. Still trying to hone the craft here on youtube. Let me know how I could improve!
First of all, it’s actually quite heartwarming to hear that someone as good as you, can be unsure at times and doesn’t maybe hear what we hear on these videos? Apologies if I’m way off base here, but even a learner such as myself, struggles to hear any of the good moments which I occasionally have? To put things in perspective though, I’ve seen videos from decent player who’ve been playing for many years and yet they readily admit, they can’t play without using a pick ( hate using the term finger style lol). So in answer to your comment whilst I’m only a learner I know enough to know how difficult this is, and the way you explain to the viewer, that the shit takes pure time ie in your case over twenty years of playing. I’ll have to make another comment as there is more I’d like to say.
Yep think about it this way? All of our favourite songwriters and guitar players such as Townes Van Zandt, John Prine ect who were playing this way as oppose to strumming were few and far between. In his prime Townes could pull off all of Lighting Hopkins stuff as well. They only had each other to learn off, but even now on TH-cam, given all the knowledge that’s out there, the majority of teachers don’t cover this shit as it’s bloody hard work albeit rewarding. Before I seen your vids on Dylan I never appreciated how good he was on the guitar. There is one of those freaky Robert Johnson Crossroads story about Dylan in that one of his peers said he couldn’t play for toffee and after disappearing for a weeks he came back and could play all this finger picking shit lol. I just wish I’d of gotten onto your channel from the start, as I’ve done exactly what you mentioned about not doing it right from the off? I always done a kind of approximation of it and my fingers just keep going back to my own watered down version. Steve Earle one of my favourite players, said you can break off, from the thumb, Bass part for a while as the audience will keep the beat, but you have to get back to it. That’s my major problem, keeping those two root notes going without my head going into meltdown mode.
I’m gonna send you some links to some videos of Nick Lowe on acoustic as I reckon he’s a brilliant guitar player and to date nobody has been able to explain what he’s doing re the way he plays all his songs, without using the conventional chords.
dig the tutorial, seems like guitar may be slightly detuned, or am I crazy? I'm capo'd on five and sounding way off from where you're at.
Not crazy. I suffered from capo pinch. My capo was probably too tight or I put it on funny and it's slightly sharp at the 5th fret. Hope it's not too annoying!
@@MikesMusicMethod Haha no worries! I spent all day with this one and I'll Be Here in the Morning and feel pretty confident playing em now. Thanks for making good shit, stoked for more!
I'VE TRIED SOME TVZ SONGS FROM YOU TUBE AND FOUND GUITAR WAS TUNED 1/2 FRET FLAT FROM STANDARD.
IF I NEEDED YOU
JUST PICKED OUT THE G AND TUNED TO IT.
Hi! Do you have a tab for this one? I looked over the list on your website several times, but I couldn’t find it, unless I just completely missed it. Many thanks for the lessons!!! I’m finishing up Pancho & Lefty and want to do this one next.
thanks, man! So glad the lesson was helpful. aww yeah! and dive in. I have tons of Townes songs up! And sorry, i did it early on my youtube journey and wasnt tabbing things out then. But feel free to Sponsor it! www.molaromusic.com/sponsoring-a-song
people would appreciate it. It's just impossible to find time for all this stuff!
I’ve got the chords and the pattern down thanks to my awesome guitar teacher. I just need to figure out how to sing while playing. This may be the hardest part to master!
I've discussed this inside of videos, but never did a stand alone video just on this topic. That being said, it's the same methodology. Measure by measure, piece by piece. First just strum and sing, then just use the thumb and sing...then add the hard inbetween stuff. need a video!?
@@MikesMusicMethod I would love a video on that, please. I find the singing while playing to be easy for simple songs like Zombie by The Cranberries or Riptide by Vance Joy but figuring it out for such a complex song as Waitin’ Around to Die is super difficult.
Thanks. That's a great help!
much appreciated. any other songs you'd want to hear?
That A minor is very similar to the intro of Metallica’s “The Call of Ktulu”
haha. I dont really hear it, but yes, they're both minor. Ride the Lightnin! I grew up on that stuff.
THANK YOU!!!!
You're welcome! did u learn it!?
@@MikesMusicMethod Not yet, I bought a guitar just for this song and I'm so glad I have found you as my teacher - love your style man. I've ordered a capo off amazon but for now im just getting the hand movements down. Hope you're doing well Mike :)
@@MikesMusicMethodI learned it pretty good. Thanks again.
Subscribed and liked. Just picked up an acoustic guitar and trying to teach myself starting with this one. Thank you so much! Also, what guitar are you playing? It's beautiful and sounds great!!
hey, thanks Andrew. it's a Takemine classical guitar.
You just picked up acoustic and you're trying this one first!?!? Check out my Travis Picking Playlist. Progress slowly. It wont be as painful! ;) th-cam.com/play/PLim_0PRqdn-DCjVoJEe5bkOUijH7f56Ra.html
@@MikesMusicMethod Thanks for the suggestion - I’ll check it out. And yes, I love Townes and have been trying to teach myself electric guitar over the last couple of months and am slowly making some progress, but I wanted to pick up an acoustic and attempt finger picking as well before I get flat picking embedded in my muscle memory!
Thank you so much for the work, brother. Do you think it’s realistic to pick this song as the first song to learn to play the acoustic guitar?
I actually might try Nothin first...
I just tried yours beginners lessons, no it’s not realistic :(
A big resounding: no way! ;) I must admit, I love the optimism and go get em attitude you have. But these are not for those new to the guitar. here's what you can do though: learn the chord shapes for waiting around to Die. Am, Dm, Em. Practice strumming them along with the song. When you get good at that then ONLY do the thumb part. Forget the melody and practice the thumb going back and fourth between the correct strings on the right chords. And after you get real good at that, add only ONE melody not with the index finger in between some of those thumb hits. I'll make a beginner finger picking series for you!
@@MikesMusicMethod thanks for responding!! I’m gonna do these exercises on top of your beginners playlist. And also the beginner finger picking when is out. Thanks
I've been playing for 14 months and I can do this song without looking at the guitar half the time so it's realistic for a begginer cause this is the first real song I ever learned
Thanks babe
Just for you, honey.
Hey Mike! Thanks for this one. Is the TAB for this one on your website? I can't seem to find it.
Unfortunately not! I wasn't generating tabs at the beginning of my youtube journey. If i find the time I'll get to it. Consider sponsoring the tab! ;)
www.molaromusic.com/sponsoring-a-song
Hey, I am just trying to learn to sing some of these folk tunes. My ear is not really that great yet so I am trying to use a tuner to get it figured out. Maybe you can help me with something. It seems like Townes and you are singing a half step down during some parts. For example in the first chord with the A-Minor shape, we play the notes A, F and D on the guitar but it sounds like the vocal is focused on G# mostly, Is G# Even in the right key? Is this just a Folky way of adding character to the song? Would it be wrong to sing along to the A-minor shape with an A? I know the pitch fluctuates around with that folky twang to get that characteristic sound, I am just trying to figure out what I am actually aiming for in theory. Maybe you can offer some advice?
Myles. Great question. I would first tackle chord theory. Learn what triads are (major, minor chords). And learn how to sing them. There are tons of vocal drills you can find online. Just search "singing major and minor triads". So when I'm playing a C major chord, i want to be able to sing all the 3 notes in that chord (C E G). Once you practice this enough your ear will lock in and just here it. But...from there comes in the art and creativity. Over a C chord (assuming we're in the key of C). I can technically sing any note in C major (CDEFGAB). If I'm giving it a blues feel then I also have Eb and Gb and Bb as an option. lol. So it just depends on the style you're going for. This is why music is so diverse and inexhaustible. But this is hard in text...check the description underneath the video, join our Zoom meeting on Thursday and I'm happy to spend time discussing this with you. Or if you have the funds and commitment take some lessons with me!
@@MikesMusicMethod Thanks for the help! It makes sense now.
thanks sweet video can ur next be of the song cocaine blues?
this is like the 5th request! What's up with it? Did this song make an appearance in some hit TV series that my living-under-a-rock existence missed?
and...of course, anything for Ben Konobe. (see! see!!! I sometimes come out of my cave. Too bad i'm pretty certain I can't spell Kanobe? correctly.)
Mike's Music Method righht im just glad people are talking about it seems nobody knows good music anymore and haha you should be stand up comedian
Great tutorial, I usually just learn songs from the tabs but that was nicely pieced together, great way to learn. Do you also share tabs for these videos on the paid service?
Donnie. No no. Everything is free. I deeply believe in and promote and support the value 4 value model. What are these videos and tabs worth for you? A certain amount per song you learn? Monthly support? Each viewer decides and all the content is free.
As for tabs...MikesMusicMethod.com some of the older songs I didn't have tabs for. But all the vast bulk of the tunes have free tab downloads.
@@MikesMusicMethod For me I think it would be a certain amount per song. I started one-one lessons a few years back but I was really just going along saying okay I want to learn this song. After the lessons got me on the road as far as travis picking is concerned the rest was just the graft I was prepared to put in. Paying per song sounds like best value for money. When learning a new song I like to getting the nuts and bolts sorted, play the verses, sing with verses, then I try and dress it up a bit by working on intro and instrumentals. I got a lot out of this video, as I said I felt it was well pieced together and I got the nuts and bolts down a lot quicker than I usually do. Having the tab would allow me to work offline, the odd bit of support for when I'm banging my head off a wall. That all sounds like a good value package worth paying for, video, tab and bit of advice/guidance here and there.
@@donnieneylon5519 Thanks for sharing and for the positive feedback. As I said the newer videos have the tab on screen as well as for download. And that's the idea, just the value4value model. Pay what you can when you can and I'm always here to field questions, as well as hosting the regular Zoom meeting every Thursday eve (link in video description). Patreon, paypal, BTC, or however else you can provide treasure and talent towards the channel.
And for those who cant afford it at the time still get to ride the coat tails of those who can and choose to. A win-win i think!
What song next, Donnie!?
@@MikesMusicMethod Sounds good Mike, I will contribute song by song for now and hopefully it will go some way to helping you keep the show on the road. As for next song, the plan is to try and get this one down good first. I just noticed you have Tecumseh Valley done, that's my next little beauty. Going forward, well I love Townes, Blaze, Prine so I'm in good company here with plenty of material but I have others that I would love to try, some of these guys are still alive :). I won't ask you to get one down until I'm ready to commit to learning. John Moreland has some beauties, The Hill Country Devil (Michigan Rose), you could have a listen see what you think. There is one song I've been obsessed with this last year, Cheap Wine by Charlie Parr. It's usually played on a resonator or 12 string acoustic. I think it's a quick hit in far as getting it worked out but certainly difficult to deliver it the way Charlie does. I think it's a masterpiece, the story, the simplicity, the hypnotic rhythm, the vocals. You should give it a listen if your not already familiar, its the same pattern I believe through out, I think he lets fly with a very extra notes here and there between verses. I'm listening to live versions, one at Slab City, CA, another slower version at Terrapin Station, you can youtube them, would be interesting to see what you come up with.
@@donnieneylon5519 thanks again for the great note. Cheap wine has been added to the list for ya!
Awesome
learn it!?
It's not just like Heartburn Highways. Your guitar is in tune. I never heard Townes play on that documentary where he was in tune.
! ahaha
Townes got me through more than i can say on here. I'd love to be able to talk to you about some of his shit. Would be cool to learn more of his stuff over a call with you man. and i also wanted opinions on some of my original songs
Hey Alamo. drop me a line: MikesMusicMethod@gmail.com I do private lessons, that's my main gig. And hey, fellow song writer. Would love to hear the tunes and offer feedback.
and how old are you alamo, under 21? youtube Mike's Music Method mentorship: th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=mike%27s+music+method+mentorship
🙏❤️🙏
awww yeah!
is this in the key of d minor ?
Yes. It's an Aminor shape but with the capo on the 4th fret you're in Dminor playing a i iv v
👍
His name's DM...the Delta Momma. Take some while you practice this, it'll help. Cough syrup. Lots.
nope. there's way more fun ways to get off that dont accidentally put you to sleep permanently.
@@MikesMusicMethod Indeed, was merely being facetious. I read the Late Great, TVZ, oh dear, it's a difficult read. They took the codeine out anyway years ago,
so now it'll just make you ill I guess. I wouldn't attempt it.
@@thiscorrosion900 no you werent. Admit you were gonna drink a bottle, but thank goodness for your pal Mike on the internets, saving your damn life! ;)
@@MikesMusicMethod haha, nah I swear I'm a teetotaler. Only play TVZ and drink Robitussin on weekends.
Is the tuning different?
Man, unfortunately on this video and one other I ran into "capo pinch"! A term I labeled for when you tune yourself up perfectly, and then put the capo on too tight or too loose and fail to retune with the capo on!! So it's just slightly sharp I believe. Apologies.
@@MikesMusicMethod all good, you sound closer to the original than I do so I might just try and ear your tuning. Thanks for answering!!
@@MikesMusicMethod hey while I have you here, I’d like to hear how you do I’ve Got A Name by Jim Croce. I still gotta look through your channel to see if you have it already hahah
@@aljones2398 of course, I try to answer all of these.
@@aljones2398 I've gotten several Croce requests recently but haven't tackled any yet. Want I've Got a name, or box no10?
Good tutorial! It would have been nice to tune your instrument properly! Let say at A440 for example! Maybe next time?
i know! I call that annoyance "capo pinch". I must have made the mistake of not rechecking my tuning after putting the capo on. It's in relative tune, but the capo squeezed everything a bit off. Apologies. I'm trying to improve every video as I go along, so hopefully this hasnt and wont happen again.
@@MikesMusicMethod
Keep on your good work!
Wow! I played this for my dad and now he's a black guy!
haha. I dont know why that's funny but it is. I remember laughing my butt off the first time I heard: "Why are black people so tall?" - "Because their knee grows". hahaha. I still laugh out loud typing it to myself.
@@MikesMusicMethod I read this comment and now my black dad is weeping. Mission accomplished. 🛬
I love it..
RUSSIA FOR EVER
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thank ya, sir. Was Townes Russian? ;)
If you can’t dance and play at the same time you ain’t doing it right
ha.
You're so fucking beautiful
And you, Haley, are a sweetheart. xoxo
Is your guitar out of tune or is mine?!
Ya know. I think it's this video that I recorded the entire damn thing and realized I was suffering from "capo punch". Always retune the damn thing after putting a capo on!
Sorry. Hope it's not too annoying.
Just wanted to check I'm not going mad! 😀 Thank you, it's a great tutorial.
I can't believe that this was the very first song that Townes Van Zandt had ever wrote
you can't believe it because it's obviously not true. Guy was a great story teller, every great story teller is a great bullshitter. ;)
@@MikesMusicMethod oh I see hahaha for him
Pretty good guitar pickin', for a white boy.
Pretty dull comment for a witty guy. ;)