Why I only play Fingerstyle guitar.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2020
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LYRICS
A never-ending winter
Rests above this island
While on the other side of the world
Skies are far brighter
I'll get away somehow
By aeroplane or sea and
Escape this streaming cold
That never wants to leave
So I'll take another step towards happiness
and let this sunshine rule
'cause loneliness is just a word
don't let it take you too
I'll make myself journey
Across a foreign land
Find myself in places
I'd never have imagined
If I'd stayed in England
The gloom would overtake me
The rain would drown my soul and
No one could save me
So I'll take another step towards happiness
and let this sunshine rule
'cause loneliness is just a word
don't let it take you too
Now I'm on the other-side
Digging my feet in the sand
Watching the waves crash and
Admiring my golden sun tan
I miss the green of England
Maybe it will call me back
But for now I'm rested and loneliness is
No longer my only friend
So I'll take another step towards happiness
and let this sunshine rule
'cause loneliness is just a word
don't let it take you too - เพลง
Mary flexing over everyone by playing and telling her story at the same is the best thing I’ve ever seen.
I was reminded of Harry Chapin, just vamping and telling stories in between songs. You have no idea how hard this is unless you've tried.
@@mal2ksc You have no idea how easy it is unless you've tried it 1000 times.
did you notice the start of her sentences being on time? On the beat
@@Defhrone I imagines she internalizes it similarly to breaking down a polyrhythm. Take the two "independent" activities, line up the events in sequence (there can be more than one event at the same time), and then remember it as that sequence. The result is turning two parallel tasks into one task-swapping stream. This is how I have to learn to sing and play songs at the same time.
Imagine playing a drum kit and doing this.
The way you're talking and playing guitar is fascinating. like you made no mistakes...
Mistakes are just notes of the song if you keep playing.
I can't play without making "guitar face."
What I like is the way the cadence of her speech is just a little more rhythmic than normal speech would be...not quite Sprechstimme, but a hint of deliberation and phrasing.
F’real. It sounds a little counterintuitive, but talking and playing seems harder than singing and playing.
@@thromboid I picked up on that as well. It was very soothing to me. Course, I could listen to her talk (or sing) all day, so I may be biased. /shrug
As someone who has studied public speaking, guitar playing, and singing... I am awestruck in so many ways!
I can’t even keep on strumming in time if someone else walks into the room
Me too!
Lol and she be talking while doing it like bruh.....
@@flariohmusic7644 She be practicing while you bruhs are making TH-cam comments.
@@gatoryak7332 its all about the practice, she learns to sing, she might make some money.
@@jesszucker9573 she has an awesome voice can sing and in key 💕💪
The fact that this is 10 minutes of video all in one take 🤯
It’s almost like her version of “Alice’s Restaurant”
@@jhudso214 I SAID THE SAME THING
One of the cool things about this video is how you're talking in rhythm with the guitar: it's not just accompaniment, but it's changing the way you talk as well, putting the two elements in sync!
i dont think that was on purpose but its still pretty cool
You have to change the way you talk, it’s makes it easier if your talking is kind of on beat with your chord changes. It’s far more impressive if you can talk nonchalantly and offbeat while maintaining the beat with your guitar
She was starting to speed up the guitar as she talked, realized it, got back in the groove, and that's when the words started slotting into the "grid" a little. It happened two or three more times, but to a lesser extent because she was already dialed in.
Thats how its done!
That was the first thing I noticed lol glad I wasn’t the only one
Almost one take, one frame, you kept almost completely still, and yet the story telling keeps you interested. And wow, what a voice...
The real reason she is finger picking is because she losses a lot of picks
It is heightened intricate control over tone, feel and volume.
My Uncle is a teacher and pushed me towards pick since my youth, while I HATE IT as it jumbles what I love about the instrument.
Everyone owns their own path.
That is me
but then who doesn't
Ha, I used a pick years ago, but at some point I stopped playing, and once I picked it up again many years later, I simply got tired of wasting time looking for a pick, so started using my fingers. Of course my style of music changed so I don't really miss the pick, however sometimes I find myself re-visiting and re-learning those old songs using my fingers. Certainly adds a new dimension of style. Even do some leads using my fingers, was rough at first but it has come a long way. If flamenco guitarists can do it, why limit yourself?
In many ways, a pick can be a bottleneck, so why use one pick when you can use 4 or even 5?
Now I want to know everything about the jail-break trip!
Yes I'm curious as well
I would love to hear this full story too!
Same here, that sounds super cool! Wish we had that kind of trip in Canadian schools! Although my socially awkward and anxious self probably would have dreaded it 😂
I actually remember reading about their record setting trip when it happened. I ended up spending 4 months in Europe & England that following October.
Here's a short article I found about it: positivetv.tv/news/students-travel-to-australia-for-bristol-rag-jailbreak-challenge-without-spending-money/
Hi Mary , I started finger style at the age of 13 and now at 62 I still only play finger style even on electric guitar . My finger nails are my picks and to be honest they are capable of not only strumming but bringing out subtleties that no one can achieve with a pick . I never watch what I play and often just close my eyes and let the art of the guitars amazing sounds become the songs melody and in my case the song because due to an illness I have i can no longer sing so my guitar sings . I love your music and the intuition and unique ability you have found . I will follow your path because you are genuine ✨
Put a smile on my face, I love seeing people glow and emanate happiness without gloating.
All these people talking about how they can't strum on their own without a mistake ... I can't even talk on my own without a mistake
Your modesty is to be admired. Don't worry about the talking... keep working on the strumming.
Just lose yourself when you talk, and keep playing!
When you get from Bristol to Perth without spending any money, and your name is mary SPENDER
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
@@_DeadEnd_ 🤣🤣🤣I wish this was Reddit. Your comment deserves gold
could you explain?
@@makaki6900 Her last name (family name) is 'Spender" - but she got half way round the world without spending any money.
@@dgw3650 Whoa! I'm obviously about a decade behind here ... but wtf is that face made of??
You using a QUERTY/PICASSO keyboard?
So from 0:13 to 8:21 is all ONE TAKE?? You freaking rule. I've tried to do fingerpicking on guitar several times but I always end up playing it like a bass... probably because I play bass.
WAIT A MINUTE your guitar has 4 strings hmm good xd
lol
dude, just put a month into it . . done , guaranteed . . . youre just not throwing enough mud at the wall , to see any improvement . . and thats the key to getting better . . but every day , you know the drill
I too am a bass player, and I found it made learning fingerstyle much easier.
@@rbloch66 Do bass players mainly play fingerstyle? How common is it for a pick to be used with bass?
That was quite impressive! There's something really special about the sound of an acoustic guitar played fingerstyle.. much more enjoyable than using a pick in my opinion.
The monologue whilst playing quite sweetly had me impressed in the 1st few moments. Wow
I love the way that you delivered this story whilst playing (flawlessly) but what I really, really liked was the story behind the song. Another brilliant video Mary. Loved it.
Please! We really need to know at least the outline of the "jailbreak" story!
Please?
I play fingerstyle because that's how I started and now it feels too awkward to hold a pick.
Yes, me too!
Because you can't sing.
@@eatadick6969 What does that have to do with anything lol
@@DanishJerk123 People who play fingerstyle can't sing.
@@eatadick6969 And people who can sing, can't play fingerstyle or even strum. Yeah, truth is sad. But some people might be special who can do both, like her.
the ONLY reason I play finger style is because I absolutely hate picks. lmao
But you can’t deny the tone that a pick would made
@@hathaway.1166 If you grow some nails - they don't even have to be long - it sounds as good and almost as loud as the plectrum. But a plectrum is a bit easier and louder for strumming.
I've just never been able to get the hang of a pick. Also, why get another piece of plastic if you can just do the same thing with your fingers?
@@amandasuze Hybrid picking, its the best of both worlds, if you get the hang of it that is.
@@amandasuze That and ofc genre,
Ten years! Wow. These are the sorts of stories I love to hear from artists. They're incredibly inspiring for young musicians like myself. I've been playing the guitar for about 7-8 months now and your videos have been a huge inspiration and help to me. Hope I can find those stories that will help me break into my artistic center.
Keep doing what you're doing
I've been playing guitar for 35 years, and her videos are still an inspiration. Learning is a life-long pursuit.
Lol the Adam neely reference. Also the song sounds mostly inspired by Tracy Chapman's fast car -getting away from it all. Thanks for sharing it!
What a surprise when you started singing to find such a deep soulful voice!
This deserves a thumbs up. I can only imagine the amount of effort this video took. To flawlessly tell a story without so much as a stutter, while keeping good rythm on the guitar, then transitioning straight into the song. The song alone would have taken me a dozen takes. The finished product seems effortless, but I suspect you worked very hard in preparation for this.
I learned finger picking years ago by listening to John Lennon's "Dear Prudence". Took me about two months to get my fingers to work just right but, as with you, one day it clicked! Now I can do it while watching TV or talking to somebody - my fingers just go independently and I don't even think about it! Very nice song, by the way!
Muscle Memory --- organically being able to innately perform a task with both mindfulness, and intent, without even being conscious of it. Practice, practice, practice -- but do so mindfully. +1 on learning and practicing things aren't impossible. Mastery of any instrument, musically, is a bridge for our motor-skills between our conscious and subconscious -- the brain is able to "magically" load up your motor neurons with multiple instructions (instead of one-two-three.....it can become 1-8, 8-16, 1-32....leaving your brain able to move fast, and your body moving just-as-fast in harmony). It's hard to explain -- but when it works, it's magic --- yet reproducible with practice and being mindful.
Chunking also helps. Instead of thinking as if two independent processes are happening, make them intertwined in your head. This is why we have mnemonics for executing polyrhythms, like "pass the goddamn butter". It takes the two parallel rhythms and makes them one fused entity that is much easier to deal with, although it does mean having to ingrain each variant independently.
I've heard in a lecture , that skills like these need to progress through 3 areas of the brain , while learning . Sarts in front right . . then goes across to front left, BUT when its finally a 'perfected ' muscle memory, it goes into that 'library', which is actually back and left , inside your brain .So there is definitely a structure tothe learning ,and an acheivable end goal. . so its just the hours that need to be done , to get it to be back left . . I have also read, that practicing muscle memory skills while kinda distracted, or doing other things, .. somehow multiplies the effectivenes .. Why ? . .no idea.
From someone who understood muscle memory from a young age but has a terrible way with words, thanks for this.
@@fullbeans983 think of driving a car , and all that entailsd . . many things . . yet we do it without much conscious thought , fairly quickly . . muscle memory . . sport - muscle memory
@@thebutton7932 Pardon? I'm trying to understand your point here?
This such a magical and mind blowing video. The ease of playing while talking and I can't stop watching the right hand. It is mesmerizing.
I started learning guitar about 15 years ago, but then stopped when I found dancing. I dedicated all my free time to improving my skills there, but I've always felt a bit of a hole in my heart where the guitar was. I recently picked it back up and it took a bit to remember that the first songs I first started learning to play included Landslide and Dust in the Wind. Thanks for reminding me why I love fingerstyle so much. You're incredible. I wish you all the success you deserve.
it's a brilliant technique. I never really heard it exactly like it anywhere else.
Fingerstyle almost always makes a song more interesting.
Totally enjoyed this ! Thanks!
Wait, wait, wait. Mary, you CAN'T leave us hanging!! You HAVE to let us know how you got from Bristol to Perth and bakc without spending any money. That's too enticing to leave us hanging, girl. :)
I want to know how she got back. Did that involve spending money?
Loving the ref to KT Tunstall! Such an underrated artist ! And so worthwhile to see live - aside from being amazing musically - an absolute comedian !
Super chill video ! Loved it and the song
Great song. I fingerpick too and I started wanting to learn it when I was about 14, shortly after I started playing. I read in an issue of Guitar Player magazine that Jeff Beck fingerpicks and I wanted to play like he did. I worked at it off and on for years, but could never quite get the hang of using more than my thumb and index finger. Then, when I was 31, I cut my right index finger pretty bad (4 stitches) and while it was out of commission, I decided to play a ukulele that I had recently bought, figuring that it had one string for each of the 4 usable fingers that I had at the time. It ended up paying off better than expected because a month or so later, once my index finger had healed, I found that I could fingerpick pretty well with all 5 fingers on both ukulele and guitar.
Cool story!
/\although effective this isnt the recommended method of improving your fingerstyle kids
@@jimslater8685 Very good point. Although, I think the method could be applied and without the injury, Just decided not to use one or more of your fingers to strengthen the others and switch different fingers in and out of use to build up independence.
@@johnhmaloney I was just being satirical haha but yeah it's a good example of the ability of our bodies to adapt.
This is a style of finger picking born of just "feeling it". You can find your way and your own style. Practice!
This one bought new, for $60.00, in 1968, I was in the US Navy at the time. Still plays great!
facebook.com/100004175190834/videos/1799565653525924/
The storytelling together with the guitar accompaniment is like therapy to my soul. Also Mary's eyes and smile are captivating 😍
The smile on her lips is just the thing that makes a good musician, I love it :D You can see her remember everything they experienced on there trip and shes happy about her song. A musician that enjoys is own song is one of the best things to watch. Thanks for inspiring the world ^^
I got hooked on the idea of playing fingerstyle because I liked the idea of being able to play something by myself, that could truly accompany myself in the way another musician could. I still find the idea of polyphonic rhythms on guitar to be endlessly fascinating. That idea of keeping a bassline/rhythm going whilst playing a melody got me into great players like Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey, John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Leo Kottke... There's a big list!
Love all those artists!! Have you dug the Carter Family yet?!
I'm easily impressed with your consistent fingerpicking technique. Having done that for 5:30 mins without missing a note while talking is actually very impressive. Whenever I'm around jamming with my friends, I couldn't speak or converse with them while playing when they ask me questions, I just couldn't do it. I'd lose my focus.
I second that. I am a bassist first and foremost. When I first started playing in I bands couldn't, for the life of me, carry on a conversation. I am also a guitarist and though I have learned to sing harmonies it is still tricky. Bass is still impossible because the groove is using that available RAM at any given time. I owe the music the respect as well as other musicians. What she did is unfathomable to me.
Loved what you did with your storytelling in this video, and A Never-Ending Winter is a beautiful song. Great guitarwork, and awesome vocal lines and lyrics. Looking forward to hearing more!
Really enjoyed the tune. Thanks for sharing it
Back in the early 80's I wanted to be Cat Stevens when I grew up, so I learned fingerstyle on a 12 string. When it died, I ended up turning to classical and learning to read. Possibly the most important personal choice I ever made, considering where it's led me over the years. You play so well - it's satisfying to see others finding success with this beautiful style.
First and foremost, me as a Classical guitar player: Finger-style superiority !
Your Finger-style is amazing and so inspirational ! Love your stuff. They're educational and artistic :)
Loved the narrative style!
Lovely, thank you, Mary! 👍💖🎸😎
Forgive my lack of ambition, but I thought Perth, Scotland was far away enough before the word "Australia" popped out.
That state of a flow achieved as a musician is so pleasing, it's like you can no longer listen... only feel. If you get greedy and try to listen to yourself while flowing instead of enjoying, it can trip you up.
So glad we have recorded music and that I live in a time where I can see the artist Mary Spender inspire and entertain others as well as herself. BTW, those low notes are straight sex. Check out the band Morphine if you haven't already (The Night, Cure for Pain a couple of good songs). Pretty rad low tones.
Nicely done!!
Love your style! Nice 👍🏾
Started out last week with Travis picking, verry educational, so many different forms in Travis picking I noticed.
She's talking on the beat of her playing :D Almost sounds like a song at some points.
You are my target goal of just being able to love the guitar enough to keep it in the conversation. Brilliant! Love you.
I've been struggling to find motivation to play guitar this year, and I give up most of the times I pick up the guitar. But listening to you and to this whole story now, brought me back that feeling I used to have when I started to learn fingerpicking. Thank you for that ♥️
I play guitar in the same way.
I never liked a plectrum/pick, and even though my guitar hero (Bert Jansch) used a thumb pick, I could not play with one.
And so, I just play with the flesh of my fingers, and it is so tactile, like you are really in touch with the instrument.
Yes I need to learn fingerpicking better. Somebody got a haircut
Nick Drake, Tommy Emmanuel are the Gods of finger picking
I noticed the hair too :) suits her nicely
Look at this
@@jasonleonard9776 ummmmmm paco de lucia exists
@@pineapplej7310 yeah I mean classical/flamenco isn't used usually termed 'fingerstyle' so. But yeah he's ridiculous
Very nice video Mary! Thank you for sharing and encouraging others to work through learning finger style.
Inspired. Thank you Mary.
I learned how to play fingerstyle when I couldn't find any of my picks.
Actually, I approached learning guitar after being a vibraphone player. I was already accustomed to playing a lot of arpeggios on vibes and playing arpeggios on guitar just came more naturally using my fingers than a pick. I still use a pick when strumming because to me that's a lot more like my right hand is the drummer where when I fingerstyle everything is more orchestrated.
Same lol! I have picks now but I would keep losing them and just practice everything without
Haha :)! Picks are all buried somewhere between couch cushions!
"Harmonic style of 18th century European musicians" Adam neely approves ✔
..so do i.
@@joycesanders4898 HAHAHA.
Mary was a narrator on that video of Adam’s :)
@@TargaMiata yeah. A lot of my other favourite youtubers were also part of that video
LOVED IT!
Loved that, thanks
The entire monologue whilst playing reminded me very much of Richard Thompson, in particular his solo acoustic tour when there was never a time on stage when he wasn't playing, even while talking with the audience. You are truly talented. Bristol to Perth in under 30 hours without spending money seems the perfect story for a film. But, who would you cast as you?
She’s done some voice acting, so it could be an animated film.
Lovely story. Lovely voice. Lovely song. Like you said... always a student. For me, I only play fingerstyle because it means that I never need to find a pick. That plus I love trying to play all of the parts of a song together (bass, drums, harmony, melody).
What an original and awesome video! And yet another great tune. Really dig your music and videos. Thank you.
Awesome job!
Any chance you could tell us how you got to Perth with no money at all?
That's honestly one of the greatest achievements I've ever heard of.
And how did you get back!
Committed a crime and the British state transported her?
But doesn't explain successful escape.
Ian Stobie If I recall, British convicts sent to Australia could return to the motherland after serving their time, but 6 months in a leaky boat (check out the tune by Split Enz btw) was perhaps not too appealing, and the few that were still alive in this situation likely chose to stay.
@@TomMarvan I didn't know that. My guess as to how Mary pulled it off is that she's probably an army brat. So she blagged some military transport. Salisbury, where she was brought up, is an army town, next to the main British tank training area. And I seem to remember, not sure from where, that she was born in Germany, where lots of the British army used to be based.
@@ianstobie Someone else linked to the story about it -- she flew commercial flights. How she talked her way into doing so for free would be a fascinating story in its own right.
You must have seen Jeff Beck, he dropped his plectrum a long time ago.
Love the song Mary, thanks for the vid.
As always, supercool tips!
I started on electric guitar ,played for a couple of years, then saw a finger picker playing real well known songs, and fell in love with it. Somehow using all my fingers picking seems very melodic and memorizing, instead of just ripping the scales. Too each his/her own off course, but as strange as it may be, I get what you're saying. Now after 38years or so that's my first love, cannot stop as its hypnotic and gets me a natural high from it. But songwriting is really tough and you really need to live it, I believe, to be able to articulate and tell your story. Thanks for this video, it reminded me why I started playing years ago.
Me too!!! Cheers!!!!
One "Picks" their nose,we FEEL and CONTROL the strings of the intsrument.
she broke my brain when she started talking while playing
An impressive display of storytelling with words and music at the same time. Subscribed... :)
Beautiful story and song! Thanks for sharing and keep being awesome!
You know, if this singer songwriter thing doesn't work out, you've the perfect looks, voice, and persona for a big screen British Spy. But, I do like the music. Thanks
Porque no los dos? Plenty of musician/actors out there.
I just play hybrid picking, cause' no one can't play like that at school 🤣
I finger pick in the same way that you'd see a hip hop bass player but free stroke - makes blackbird super easy, not much else though...
It's because I play bass
Me too and now I can’t stop it.
@Peter Martins actually, my first purpose just to get a girl LOL, Cause' musician generation in my grade is very rare. So yeah it's just look cool and the girl will amazed. LOL
@Peter Martins yup, you're right
@@buddybeetle take a long break. Resets your brain, just dont fall.into.the same pattern
Wow, I would love to hear more about the actual details of your trip! That is awesome that you were able to do that.
Really like your mind, and talent to boot… thanks for the share
Come on... You cannot drop that bomb and leave without explaining how you got to Perth!
she never said why she "only" plays fingerstyle
Okay I absolutely love how you're playing guitar and telling your story at the same time.
First time properly hearing you. Lovely. Thank you for sharing
Personally, I find fingerstyle easier. Like a lot. And also more freeing because I can, say, play only the 5th, 4th and 2nd strings if I need to.
Mary - I can't imagine the things you had to do (within legal limits) to get to Oz! Are you a fan of Jon Gomm? I've recently been made aware of him, having enjoyed Newton Faulkner's percussive style. Jon's new album The Faintest Idea is magical. ❤️
Amazing you are a great inspiration!
Love how talking over your progression is practicing your technique.
Did I stroke out at some point or did the question in the title go unanswered
Well, well, well. Perth never did that for me! My ears are wondering why you did not catch the train to Adelaide and Melbourne!
Try the fjords of Norway next, i think they will be real hit for you! All jokes aside, I am going to do that again. Thank you!.
Great video and wise advices.
im totally learning that progression. loved it
When’s a full LP happening? I can only listen to Lone Wolf so much😂
I remember being shocked when I discovered that playing with a pick was kinda the norm, and I realised I might've been under a rock
i always play with a rock, so this is a shock to me.
@@snowjix call me Patrick
The way she speaks and explains with the guitar playing in the backgroud is so soothing
I love to watch your videos. I find it relaxing to hear your voice and your playing. Just wonderful.
That playing while talking reminds of Springsteen telling a story.
it also reminds me of larry graham explaining his slap bass technique in that 80's interview
@@koba5152 that's a classic
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Freee Threee 3
I know another person who does not use a pick... SLAP! the like button!!!
hehe OMG Davie504 :)
Using a picc is NOT EPICC!
Super fluid right hand Mary 💪It's always a pleasure to watch what you do. Thanks for continually inspiring as always, and congrats on that beautiful strat 😊
Thanks for your story. Also, great groove!
Have a nice day!
How the heck did you both manage free plane trips that got you to Australia? Also once you got there, did you have to use money to get back?
I’m thinking corporate / private jet .
Lmfao 😂 Perth 🏴
Guessing the implication is that they're not spending any of their savings, but rather earning what they need as they go? Say they played music to earn money, or picked up any small jobs they could find, for example?
Admirable, but the playing and talking stressed me out ... that part in me where voice and playing connect, somewhere in my thyroid, was engaged. Sometimes she is doing it like a song, speaking and playing in time. Other times there is an eerie disconnect ... like two different people are doing it. Spookie. But AMAZING.
This is so much fun =D love the melody. Well done.
Your performances on TH-cam are very well recorded. The quality of the recordings help me appreciate your vocal talent and guitar tones.