The one and only song that made me become a guitar player. With great effort, and quitting several times, I learned this song back in 2008 in high school. I can play it to this day. I can't believe it's been so long. I love you Andy Mckee! Always will.
Same for me, 4 months of training in my bedroom when I was 17 ! Now i'm 28 and I play guitare again, trying to play perfectly that wonderful masterpiece
I have fond childhood memories of Dad streaming Andy's tunes from the dinosaur of a desktop in the living room while I did my homework. Andy is the reason my dad and I started playing guitar!!!
Drifting has always amazed me but what amazes me even more so is his ability to go from aggressive playing to so soft and light giving it so much emotion and so effortlessly too.. this is true art and beauty
Lol, the only reason I opened this video was to see if this song actually was THAT difficult or if I, after 10 years, perhaps had progressed enough... 1 minute in and the answer is probably not 😂
I so appreciate that this version is just a little slower, a little more laid back. It still flows beautifully, but it takes its time getting down the river. It just rides.
Saw him this night in Glasgow with the Guitar Master's tour alongside Preston Reed and Jon Gomm. Absolutely incredible performance from all of them, truly masters of their craft. They even stood around the merchandise stand at the end of the gig and were more than happy to sign anything that was thrust at them and pose for photographs hugging people (it wasn't like a clinical "meet & greet" set up). Amazing people and I hope to see them again soon!
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this song on his album, and today is the first time I’ve ever *_seen_* Andy play. The music is even more incredible while watching him!
This still gives me goose bumps over 10 years later! Thank you so much. You've gotten over a billion views on just the Drifting video across different channels. Congrats
I see you have a guitar in your display picture. I encourage you to get tabs and try to learn this yourself - it's really not hard to play. Might be Andy's easiest song!
I'm more of an electric guitar, rock type player but every time I see this guy play I want to pick up an acoustic. Really inspiring music, also Andy's cover of the theme from schindlers list, although not as technical as much of his original material, was pretty amazing.
Beautiful composition and flawless performance Andy! One word of advice for anyone who wants to be the next Andy Mckee or Mike Dawes is to ALWAYS warm up adequately before attempting to play any technically demanding pieces such as this one. I Just taught one of my students about RSI and carpel tunnel syndrome today, as he hurt his hand trying to teach himself this song using this video a couple of days ago.
Exo Genesis Thanks so much for mentioning that. My sis told me to check this out and it is nice, but I looked up the one from '06 and find it is beautiful, and much better than this version. Fuller, sweeter, it struck me very much. So, thanks, cuz I would have missed that. ~c-:
Andy, I am your fan since about 2008. My English is very bad. But I want to tell you that you are my idol. Don't listen that people say. You are amazing. With love from country that nobody loves.
Conheci hoje essa música. Que música!!! Quanta harmônica, melodia, ritmo, enfim, quanta perfeição. Parabéns amigo, ganhou mais um admirador. Deus abençoe sua vida e continue te inspirando.
Thank you so much Andy for rekindling my love for playing guitar!!! Your beautiful music is beyond great. your truly a rare artist that cares for every single note he plays. Thank you God for putting Andy on this earth
It's amazing to see the progression from the first Drifting video. This version is much more refined, and cleaner. It really showcases how you've matured as an artist and I think it's fantastic! Bravo, sir, Bravo!
The best part about living in Topeka, Kansas was getting to see Andy perform at local venues before he got big. He's an incredible talent, and I'm proud to be from the same town as him.
SteadyMercury15 i asked myself the same thing and I agree. Even though the quality of this one is better, the original big beard andy video holds a special place for me.
I have only have two words to describe this; ABSOLUTELY perfect! What a play man, what a play! All my hats of and arms in the air (i'm an octopus) for you Mr. McKee,
Kevin Akhlaghi there are some fret designs told to give more accurate pitch and better intonation, Steve Vai showed once, but they don't seem like these
Everyone should learn to play this. It’s such a great feeling when you start to get it. I still can’t play it perfectly but it’s one of my favorites! Andy is a wizard. He’s got some really good tutorials about it too.
I picked my 1st guitar 5yrs ago and self taught myself and I'm 17 but damn I feel like even if I play for 10 more years I won't be as good as him . P.S this song really takes toll on the left hand while learning T_T
It really does. But Andy puts his middle finger on top of his index for the left hand part to make pressing down a little easier. Try that out, see if it makes it a little easier on that left hand :)
I'm watching this for probably the 1000th time, all my girlfriends have become a fan of me and my playing because of this song, people on the street stop when I play this, and I use it to end my performances with a modest bang. This song is what made me embrace the style and apply the 10000hours rule, discovering Dawes, stricagnoli and Bundy. Thank you Andy, thank you for this part of my life.
+Kadin Hayakawa Looks like a custom job designed specifically for this playing style. His left hand is given much more room and I'm assuming this also allows for more versatile phrasing.
+Micheal Laverty it is a custom guitar but the frets are like that because it supposedly keeps the guitar in tune better through out the whole neck. he explained this in another video. You can order these guitars online but they are pretty pricey
they think they're trollers or they're just people who get on the internet and go on random videos just to dislike something, they think it's funny, they just do it to annoy other people, or they just have no taste in music.
daniel F.A.L People have a chronic inability to appreciate true greatness until it passes them by. Might explain why every great painter in history has become famous after their deaths. Might also explain why Nicky Minaj and One Direction are so popular I reckon it takes intelligence to have an appreciation for anything so sublimely crafted
I learned how to play this over many months of practice. The individual parts are actually very easy, the difficulty comes with combining them together.
Me too, man. There are other luthiers that are cheaper though. Even if they're not Greenfield, they're probably better than factory made guitars! Right now I'm looking at the luthier who made Antoine's harp guitar, Duane Noble. The base price for his guitars is about $4,000. Price and quality aren't necessarily directly related; price and popularity are, though. A lot of inexpensive luthiers today will likely raise their prices in some years. Is that a Carvin in your display picture?
Rael0505 I've been wanting to get a Carvin for awhile now. I live 10 minutes away from their San Diego factory too. Now I want to get a greenfield guitar. I'll probably end up getting a Carvin though.
This is actually one of his easier songs in my opinion. I never had any problems with combining the left and right hand parts together, and by all means, I am very far from being talented or some shit like that, but I really got this tune down in less then 4 days I believe it was :x
thekillakombat His beard was awesome. I think somebody talked him into cutting it. Someone like a douche P.R. rep. The beard "ROCKED!!!" Keep jammin Andy. Anybody that wants to change you in any way is a fool! AWESOME Jam!!! I've played "Drifting' on any device almost daily for several years now. It calms me during my most stressful times. It calms me when I'm stuck between two vehicles moving 10 m.p.h. under the speed limit or cutting me off. I just think of this song and imagine being in my canoe, drifting. :)
This song reminds me of when I first listened to the original video back in 7th grade. Amazing stuff Andy, thank you so much for this track. Really makes me reminisce.
Others took Metallica or slayer, or their favorite country song for combat. After all the time, now I take this to my combat. Thanks Andy. 13 years later.
After listening to your TH-cam videos about 100 times each, I figured I owed it to you to buy your CD's! I bought all 3! I can't wait to listen to them all. You are excellent!
Heard this song like 50 times. It has always sounded great, but I just bought new headphones and now it sounds sooooo much better! Feels like I'm right there next to Andy
The one and only song that made me become a guitar player. With great effort, and quitting several times, I learned this song back in 2008 in high school. I can play it to this day. I can't believe it's been so long. I love you Andy Mckee! Always will.
Same for me, 4 months of training in my bedroom when I was 17 ! Now i'm 28 and I play guitare again, trying to play perfectly that wonderful masterpiece
😂,almost the same happened to me, thanks for Andy, the great guitar master:)
How do you even begin to learn to play something like this?
Similar story here. Learnt it back in 2009 when I was 16
@@TyrfingHD im only one who learned rhis in 5 days after 2 months of practising guitar?
I have fond childhood memories of Dad streaming Andy's tunes from the dinosaur of a desktop in the living room while I did my homework. Andy is the reason my dad and I started playing guitar!!!
bass, percussion, rhythm and lead guitar from one guy on one guitar. unmatched imo
my dad showed me this a decade ago and it's still one of our favourite songs to this day, thank you Andy for all that you do
I remember watching my first Andy McKee video on MySpace. LEGEND!
Drifting has always amazed me but what amazes me even more so is his ability to go from aggressive playing to so soft and light giving it so much emotion and so effortlessly too.. this is true art and beauty
Unbelievable. I play guitar full time, but this is next level. Andy's untouchable!
Good guitar tunes cannot get old ever.
What a brilliant fingerstyle pattern.
It just really colored the whole guitar music.
Who still can’t play this in 2024?!
Dude I'm right back at being 13 lookin at my guitar like I should just burn it lol
Oh oh me me!!
Lol, the only reason I opened this video was to see if this song actually was THAT difficult or if I, after 10 years, perhaps had progressed enough... 1 minute in and the answer is probably not 😂
@@peters7256 same here!
I have forgotten all i learnt after 5 years of not playing, am back to relearn all
I so appreciate that this version is just a little slower, a little more laid back. It still flows beautifully, but it takes its time getting down the river. It just rides.
Saw him this night in Glasgow with the Guitar Master's tour alongside Preston Reed and Jon Gomm. Absolutely incredible performance from all of them, truly masters of their craft. They even stood around the merchandise stand at the end of the gig and were more than happy to sign anything that was thrust at them and pose for photographs hugging people (it wasn't like a clinical "meet & greet" set up). Amazing people and I hope to see them again soon!
Been watching him for years.. him and a lot of fingerstyle guys are very underrated! So much feeling in his playing.
I can only imagine the amount of hours beyond this composition and performance. Great music, Mr Mkee.
You are a great player Andy
how do u make sooshee
Hkr
So talented. Great creative melody and chord structure. Keep playing and making music that inspires the next generation.
i saw him play this live yesterday while he was opening for dream theater he was amazing as always!!!!
Such a unique guitar, the angle of the bridge and fret board are insane
He has his own facebook page, and he almost replies to every single comment posted. One of the most humble guys I've seen.
I love it you're breaking every rule of playing the guitar and still making it sound amazing.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this song on his album, and today is the first time I’ve ever *_seen_* Andy play. The music is even more incredible while watching him!
I just checked to make sure it's still amazing in 2024... This video aged like fine wine!! 🥂 Cheers to you being awesome!
I rarely listen to instrumental music with absolutely no vocals, but this is still one of my favorite pieces and I can’t stop coming back to it.
This guy is insane….ly good! 🙌
I saw Phil Keggy live in a small church once. This reminds me a lot of him. I have to see Andy play live some day. Great uplifting song. Cheers.
This still gives me goose bumps over 10 years later! Thank you so much. You've gotten over a billion views on just the Drifting video across different channels. Congrats
I was 9 when I first listened to this masterpiece. Now I am 25. Damn how nostalgic. Thank you, Andy.
still listening to this in 2016.............
same here.
Story of my life
As Always ...
Same here :D
who isn't? :)
so beautiful!! You make it look effortless although I know it's not!! thank you for sharing your talent!
I see you have a guitar in your display picture. I encourage you to get tabs and try to learn this yourself - it's really not hard to play. Might be Andy's easiest song!
He's right! it was the first AM song I learned as well! give it a go! it's a fun song to get down on! :D
cool I will have to check it out and thanks!
***** If you want a challenge, you can try Hunter's Moon.
Thanks I think both are over my head! But I do enjoy listening and watching!!
It's like he's playing keyboard, drums and guitar all at once. Skill level off the charts!
How can anyone dislike this!! Even someone with cloth between their ears must be able to see the mans got talent..
I'm more of an electric guitar, rock type player but every time I see this guy play I want to pick up an acoustic. Really inspiring music, also Andy's cover of the theme from schindlers list, although not as technical as much of his original material, was pretty amazing.
Beautiful composition and flawless performance Andy!
One word of advice for anyone who wants to be the next Andy Mckee or Mike Dawes is to ALWAYS warm up adequately before attempting to play any technically demanding pieces such as this one. I Just taught one of my students about RSI and carpel tunnel syndrome today, as he hurt his hand trying to teach himself this song using this video a couple of days ago.
He sure has cleaned up. Looking much better now than 3 years before!
I don't know why but i love the candyrat 2006 version more :/
Exo Genesis agreed
was there a basis for this music or did he make it by himself?
Exo Genesis Thanks so much for mentioning that. My sis told me to check this out and it is nice, but I looked up the one from '06 and find it is beautiful, and much better than this version. Fuller, sweeter, it struck me very much. So, thanks, cuz I would have missed that. ~c-:
Andy, I am your fan since about 2008. My English is very bad. But I want to tell you that you are my idol. Don't listen that people say. You are amazing.
With love from country that nobody loves.
This man has ascended
Conheci hoje essa música. Que música!!! Quanta harmônica, melodia, ritmo, enfim, quanta perfeição. Parabéns amigo, ganhou mais um admirador. Deus abençoe sua vida e continue te inspirando.
How there can be thumbs down in videos like these is beyond my comprehension.
This video is the reason why TH-cam got rid of the 'thumbs down' button. :)
@@garrettk7166 Michael collens
He doesn't just play the guitar... he makes sweet love to it.
I said the same thing. Like I get music is art but he really makes not just the song but the way he plays it all just one very artistic thing.
😖
I get what you're trying to say but the wording kinda sounds weird 🤣
Thank you so much Andy for rekindling my love for playing guitar!!! Your beautiful music is beyond great. your truly a rare artist that cares for every single note he plays. Thank you God for putting Andy on this earth
I could warch & listen to this all day.
Great song!!! Can't stop listening to this
149 people were looking for cars!
+blapen
xD omg dat true
yes!
watch yo profanity
sean hannity
aaahahahaha
Lmao
It's amazing to see the progression from the first Drifting video.
This version is much more refined, and cleaner. It really showcases how you've matured as an artist and I think it's fantastic! Bravo, sir, Bravo!
It feels like I am really drifting in life whenever I hear and hear this...carefree relaxed and moving in the air like a feather 👍❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
The best part about living in Topeka, Kansas was getting to see Andy perform at local venues before he got big. He's an incredible talent, and I'm proud to be from the same town as him.
I find it interesting the subtle differences in how he plays it now versus how he played it in previous videos.
It is so amazing to see you play guitar
He really is amazing
Which one do you prefer the one in 2006 or this one?? I like the 2006 one better
SteadyMercury15 i asked myself the same thing and I agree. Even though the quality of this one is better, the original big beard andy video holds a special place for me.
I have only have two words to describe this; ABSOLUTELY perfect! What a play man, what a play! All my hats of and arms in the air (i'm an octopus) for you Mr. McKee,
This is 10 times better than that pop music we have today! Or hundred times better, or more!
This song makes me feel every emotion that the human body can have
at which point do you get angry? i think i missed that part
Chris Johnson
Maybe when it ends?
I have not witnessed anyone mixing such beauty with a distinctive slapping technique since Chris Brown.
What's up with your frets dude.... dope but I feel like im tripping on acid looking at them.
maybe they provide a more accurate indication of the notes?
Kevin Akhlaghi
there are some fret designs told to give more accurate pitch and better intonation, Steve Vai showed once, but they don't seem like these
It helps reach the high frets on the lower strings.
Manas Yadav
It's for more accurate intonation on higher frets.
Look up "fanned fret guitars"
Chapeau, Maestro!
Everyone should learn to play this. It’s such a great feeling when you start to get it. I still can’t play it perfectly but it’s one of my favorites! Andy is a wizard. He’s got some really good tutorials about it too.
Sounds like the music that plays during your local forecast on the weather channel.
HAHAHAHA
It's true!
Or a harvest moon game
Is that good or bad?
If the Weather Channel played math rocky American Primitive Guitar
2:45
Where I'm always wrong too :'D
lol
Even the bests slips👌
DADGAD is the shit
amen. preach on.
Tyler Nieves DADF#AD*
no, actually is DADGAD
PerrierGames No, it's better when the G string is down a half step trust me. Lol. It makes an open D chord. I'm quite aware of this I promise.
Tyler Nieves more like baghdad
many years later i learned about you from my 6th grade music teacher, your song is still as great as ever. please continue making music im now 25
This video never gets old.
Lets all send some prayers to the 153 blind people that happened to miss click this beautiful piece of art.
I picked my 1st guitar 5yrs ago and self taught myself and I'm 17 but damn I feel like even if I play for 10 more years I won't be as good as him . P.S this song really takes toll on the left hand while learning T_T
It really does. But Andy puts his middle finger on top of his index for the left hand part to make pressing down a little easier. Try that out, see if it makes it a little easier on that left hand :)
+Andrew Gomez Thank you for your reply . Nevertheless , I pretty much learned the song and if feels awesome :3
Don't worry about... it's fake. I tried to make my guitar do this and it couldnt.... lol...
Play forever and there will always be someone better. Kinda like the old gunfights in the West.
Yup...
I ripped the most awesome fart while watching this. The funny thing was it was in time! Great guitar !
BAHAHAh
Oos (fart)
TH-cam level in 1 comment
Rodrigo Camargo 0.0 wtf man
+Parttimehobo Oh no, don't tell me the smell just got to you?
I'm watching this for probably the 1000th time, all my girlfriends have become a fan of me and my playing because of this song, people on the street stop when I play this, and I use it to end my performances with a modest bang. This song is what made me embrace the style and apply the 10000hours rule, discovering Dawes, stricagnoli and Bundy. Thank you Andy, thank you for this part of my life.
I loved the old version of this.. it has 52 million hits. Dude! It's a great song!!
What kind of guitar is he playing? The frets are off set in a weird way! i like it!
+Kadin Hayakawa Looks like a custom job designed specifically for this playing style. His left hand is given much more room and I'm assuming this also allows for more versatile phrasing.
+Micheal Laverty it is a custom guitar but the frets are like that because it supposedly keeps the guitar in tune better through out the whole neck. he explained this in another video. You can order these guitars online but they are pretty pricey
+Kadin Hayakawa is a custom guitar made by Galloup Guitars. It's a fan fret model.
+Kadin Hayakawa It's a Greenfield guitar. The model is G4. And it's a fan fret guitar. Fan fret guitars are very expensive.
Playing that guitar In cursive
I just wonder when someone click on dislike button why they do that?
This play is awesome makes me practice even harder....
they think they're trollers or they're just people who get on the internet and go on random videos just to dislike something, they think it's funny, they just do it to annoy other people, or they just have no taste in music.
Jesus. This guy is incredible! I'm always floored when someone does it all - and superbly!
This delicious piece of art ages like fine wine.
Who. The fuck. Dislikes this.
The same kind of people who gave 21 grammys awards to Kanye West!
Comicdominicano
lol XD what´s wrong with people?
daniel F.A.L People have a chronic inability to appreciate true greatness until it passes them by.
Might explain why every great painter in history has become famous after their deaths.
Might also explain why Nicky Minaj and One Direction are so popular
I reckon it takes intelligence to have an appreciation for anything so sublimely crafted
McFly 130 mistakes.
Comicdominicano lol..exactly
2:44 Ohhh he made a mistake. There is that one broken note. So he is mortal...
I think he actually just added it so we'd *think* he's mortal. Gotta throw us off his divine scent somehow.
Another one at 0:22 - 0:23 where he missed the strum.. so he is indeed mortal...
There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.
does this guy have 12 fingers ?
Yea :-:
forget 12 lol. try like 24
I learned how to play this over many months of practice. The individual parts are actually very easy, the difficulty comes with combining them together.
harharharharh thats funny cus he only has 10
No, he has 6 hands. Lol
I sincerely thank you for this song!
I have a feeling that nobody has told him that this isn't how you should play the guitar. Thank God for that :D
Wish I could afford a Greenfield !
Me too, man. There are other luthiers that are cheaper though. Even if they're not Greenfield, they're probably better than factory made guitars! Right now I'm looking at the luthier who made Antoine's harp guitar, Duane Noble. The base price for his guitars is about $4,000. Price and quality aren't necessarily directly related; price and popularity are, though. A lot of inexpensive luthiers today will likely raise their prices in some years.
Is that a Carvin in your display picture?
Rael0505 It is a Ibanez RG920
Rael0505
I've been wanting to get a Carvin for awhile now. I live 10 minutes away from their San Diego factory too. Now I want to get a greenfield guitar. I'll probably end up getting a Carvin though.
This is actually one of his easier songs in my opinion. I never had any problems with combining the left and right hand parts together, and by all means, I am very far from being talented or some shit like that, but I really got this tune down in less then 4 days I believe it was :x
Thats one of the reasons it's such an incredible song, because it has so much emotion and so much skill but it's easy enough to pick up
i started learning it today and I have to agree, it is a great introduction song into the world of tapping+drumming on the guitar
r/iamverysmart
only reason i dislike this video is that he cut off his awesome beard.
thekillakombat His beard was awesome. I think somebody talked him into cutting it. Someone like a douche P.R. rep. The beard "ROCKED!!!" Keep jammin Andy. Anybody that wants to change you in any way is a fool! AWESOME Jam!!! I've played "Drifting' on any device almost daily for several years now. It calms me during my most stressful times. It calms me when I'm stuck between two vehicles moving 10 m.p.h. under the speed limit or cutting me off. I just think of this song and imagine being in my canoe, drifting. :)
Beautiful melody, Beautiful playing and Beautiful head
Andy your is Genius musician off all time!
Andy has quickly become one of my favorite artists to listen to.. might not be the best.. but I can't quit listening.
Забавно но 97 оленей умудрились поставить дизлайк))
Sorry to say, but the tuning and tone is no where near as fantastic as the original 2006 video.
this man is talented beyond words.
i do love the rawness of this version...thx 4 sharing 💜💜🌟
Crazy guitar for a crazy musician. Absolutely incredible. Yet, never seen that kind of guitar before.
This song reminds me of when I first listened to the original video back in 7th grade. Amazing stuff Andy, thank you so much for this track. Really makes me reminisce.
THIS IS OUTSTANDING! 🤩 🥳
Others took Metallica or slayer, or their favorite country song for combat.
After all the time, now I take this to my combat. Thanks Andy. 13 years later.
Great playing Mr. Mckee! You are awesome!
After listening to your TH-cam videos about 100 times each, I figured I owed it to you to buy your CD's! I bought all 3! I can't wait to listen to them all. You are excellent!
What I love is that he Fret buzzed at 2:45 but shows no sign that he messes up, he just continues on!
Heard this song like 50 times. It has always sounded great, but I just bought new headphones and now it sounds sooooo much better! Feels like I'm right there next to Andy
Have you at Indianapolis on 12/9/2021, love how you play drifting. Thank you for bringing all this.
Absolutely wonderful harmonics at 1:32! Also at 2:34 and really throughout. Caught me by surprise! Well done, Andy! Beautiful playing!
2021 and I’m still mesmerized
Thank you. I saw you in concert in Lawrence with two other legends.
The best acoustic guitarist. Like +Andy Mckee
The song that made me fan. Bringing back good memories. Thanks Andy
Andy... How do I learn to play like that????? In love with Drifting. You're amazing, man.
ive seen this played by him 1000 times....yep still enjoying it, never gets old.