Here is a simple and sensible Youtube Video Tutorial of an acoustic version of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile
gratitude to the publisher
How to Improve Your Guitar Playing
These So many guitar players want to improve their guitar playing but ignore some fundamental things. Here are some tips that are easily missed by inexperienced players.
- Learn the notes on the fretboard
- Learn the sound / texture of chord types
- Learn how to hum and play simple melodies
- Learn something new every day
- Listen to all styles for inspiration
- Play music not theory, it might be clever but if it sounds terrible, why bother?
- Learn to play slowly and in time
- Learn each song in a couple of keys if possible
- Learn to memorise songs
- Don’t compare yourself to others or criticise
These things may seem simple but they are things that are highly worth considering
Tony Hogan
Antoine Dufour
Antoine Dufour – Acoustic Guitar These Moments
Hammer ons, pull offs , taps, harmonics open tuning and beauty.
Acoustic Guitar Youtube Duet
Beautiful Celtic Acoustic Guitar Duet played by Steve Baughman and Robin Bullock called ‘Dans Keff Avec” a tune from Brittany
For more brilliant Acoustic Guitar listen to Antoine Dufour
Bert Jansch Youtube
I only just got the news that the wonderful British Folk Guitar player Bert Jansch has gone to the big gig in the sky.
Kind thoughts to Friends and Family
More Bert Jansch Youtube
How To Play Bossa Nova Guitar
Bossa Nova Guitar , some players who are born in the right country know how to play it because they got it genetically or by osmosis from growing up in the environment … think Brasil, Others need to learn it. I was looking around for a simple tutorial on playing Bossa Nova Guitar and found this site . Bossa Nova Guitar The tutorial has an mp3 audio track to follow and is written in standard music notation. In the 60’s Bossa Nova came to the fore with players like Joao Gilberto , Laurindo Almeida and particularly the music of Jobim
Check out the Tutorial Bossa Nova it has a few reasonably simple chords
Even if your eading skills aren’t strong, just break it down and count it.
Acoustic Guitar Bluegrass Youtube
Here’s a nice bit of Bluegrass Acoustic Guitar by Dave Grier and Wyatt rice
For more Acoustic Guitar check out Tony Rice
Tony Hogan
Tommy Emmanuel Youtube – Rare Video
Duck Backer the great Acoustic Guitar player just posted this video of Tommy Emmanuel , Duck Baker and Buster B Jones. They are sitting around jamming to the jazz standard, Stomping at the Savoy, it’s very casual but some great guitar lines there back in 2000
For more Tommy Emmanuel check out Tommy Emmanuel Youtube Tutorial
Emily and the Woods – Never Play Youtube
There are many acoustic guitar players who just want to play and sing and not necessarily play like virtuosos Vicente Amigo, Pierre Bensusan, or Michael Hedges. So I thought I’d do a number of short acoustic guitar articles / posts on some of the new singer guitarists who play material which sound musical and is based around simple chord patterns. The following tune is by Emily and the Woods called Never Play
Doc Watson Youtube Acoustic Guitar
This youtube video is of Doc Watson playing his Gallagher guitar complete with banjo player. The tune is the Cuckoo a traditional folk song. Its one of the most haunting songs I’ve ever heard.
For more Doc Watson, check out Deep River Blues
Al Petteway Youtube Land of the Sky
Here’s a guitar lesson by Grammy Award Winning acoustic guitar player Al Petteway
This is a very musical sounding piece of music with elements of Celtic, Folk and Country. Even hints of Doc Watson. Extremely mesmerizing by the end of the une.
For more great acoustic guitar check out Antoine Dufour Acoustic Guitar
Preston Reed – Youtube Video
Here’s an interesting video by acoustic guitar virtuoso Preston Reed, the tune is called Tractor Pull. It includes hammer ons, pull offs, artificial harmonics and tapping. this will be of great interest to acoustic guitar enthusiasts that like players such as Andy Mcgee, Don Ross and Michael Hedges.
To check out Preston Reed’s site go to Preston Reed
Antoine Dufour Video Youtube
Here is a very beautiful Acoustic Guitar tune by Antoine Dufour, the Canadian guitar player. It is called ‘In my own Rhythms’
For more brilliant acoustic guitar check out Antoine Dufour
Antoine Dufour Acoustic Guitar Youtube 2010
Here is a recent Antoine Dufour acoustic Youtube video recording. The tune is called To Run a Dream and is from the album Convergences
For more Anoine Dufour check out Antoine Dufour Video
Antoine Dufour Harp Guitar Youtube
Here’s Antoine Dufour on Harp Guitar and Tommy Gauthier on violin playing an original composition called Solitude. Whereas many of the guitar tappers do acrobats and exhibit phenomenal skills which will push the acoustic guitar into new areas, Antoine always leans towards playing music. Tommy’s playing on this is exceptional
Guitar Player Youtube Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn is a player I have been listening to since the mid seventies, he’s a magnificent acoustic guitar player from Canada. In this short youtube video there is a sample of his playing and also discussions about his approach.
For more Bruce Cockburn check out his playing with a great Mali musician Bruce Cockburn
Tony Hogan Super Blogs
Donovan Youtube – Catch the Wind
John Butler Youtube Zebra
With the great success of the new John Butler Trio Album (Review) , I thought it would be a good idea to poat about his old tune called Zebra, the tune that first put him on the musical map commercially. One thing about John Butler’s music that sets him apart from many other players his his ability to appeal to the alternative rock audiebces as well as the commercial market and the roots and blues audience. His concerts are currently selling out pretty fast in Europe.
Eric Clapton Acoustic Guitar Youtube – Sunshine of Your Love
Recently I’ve been looking at the idea of playing a Blues version of Sunshine of Your Love the classic Cream song. I had a look around to see whether anyone had done anything musical and interesting with the tune. Amongst what I found was Eric Clapton doing an acoustic version and I thought it would be of interest to readers. He hasn’t moved too far from the original but I must say it is a lot better than what I’ve heard in the music shops for the last 40 years.
Also of Note, the new John Butler Trio album will be out next week or so, I’ll be listening to it today and doing a review in the next day or so.
John Butler Youtube Tutorial – One Way Road
Acoustic Guitar Tutorial of How to Play John Butler’s – One Way Road.
It’s played on a National guitar on his lap, it is in G Major tuning DGDGBD and he uses a slide, with a mix of strumming and harmonics. This is a fantastic tutorial, complete with lounge chair
The right hand is finger picked and at a quick glance the underlying structure of the chords is G D E5 C, in the mid section it has sort of an a Am and Bm type of sound to it, the chords aren’t necessarily all played but are implied.. There’s some great riffs in it that are built around a G pentatonic scale with a little bit of a Bluegrass texture to it.
Here’s a link to the One Way Road tutorial in a larger size video John Butler One Way Road
Also note that new John Butler Album will be out very soon.
Voodoo Chile Youtube Acoustic Guitar – Tony Hogan
Voodoo Chile on Acoustic Guitar by Jimi Hendrix, played by Tony Hogan.
For a couple of years I’ve promoted a few hundred other guitar players on my Acoustic Guitar blog sites of all different standards and styles, some famous and some unknown. So I thought it was time to show something of myself, as I am not an online music journalist or promoter, I am someone who loves the guitar and am also a musician who likes to share information about the acoustic guitar. I also added John Martyn’s “Don’t Want to Know About Evil” at the end of it.
This recording was done in a small hall with about 100 people in Northern NSW Australia, not far from Byron Bay. I had barely sung for ten years due to the death of my oldest son Joshua because I felt extremely vulnerable at the idea of performing and singing. So I thought it fitting to play this song Voodoo Chile for him and also the many other Australian teenagers who suicide each year. I hope that all the young people out there can have happy healthy lives and we can help create a safe environment for them to grow into beautiful adult human beings.
Peace and good wishes to all
Peppino D’Agostino Youtube
Peppino D’Agostiino is a tremendous acoustic guitar player who I first heard in the 1980’s playing open tuned guitar (think DADGAD etc) . This youtube acoustic video is of Peppino performing live at the International Guitar Night Concert, which is also available on DVD.
For more information about Peppino and the other players such as Brian Gore check out International Guitar Night
Kevin Eubanks Youtube Ballad
Kevin Eubanks is a guitar player who is more famous amongst a jazz audience but his acoustic guitar playing is definitely something which would probably appeal to guitar players of many other genres. In this Youtube Acoustic Guitar Video, Kevin is playing a ballad. Kevin is highly respected amongst guitar players and is well known for his work as the band leader of the Tonight Show
Check out Antoine Dufour
Tony Hogan
Acoustic Guitar Youtube – Vin Downes New CD
It’s always great to discover new acoustic fingerstyle guitar players. Recently I came across Vin Downes, and he’s recorded a CD called “Skies and Openings”
“Skies and Openings” is the first recording by fingerstyle guitarist Vin Downes. It is comprised of eleven original songs with influences of Americana, Blues, Classical, Folk and Jazz. It includes seven solo performances and four pieces with guest musicians Lois Carpenter on bass, Mike Fumento on drums, and Jeffrey Young on violin.
Downes began studying guitar at the age of eleven. His early interests were in electric guitar, but this changed when he heard the music of Michael Hedges and Leo Kottke. He was immediately intrigued with the art of fingerstyle acoustic guitar.
Downes went on to earn a degree in classical guitar performance and music education from William Paterson University. Along the way, he has studied classical composition, Indian tabla, and American roots music, while developing a love for jazz and all improvised music. He has been a public school music teacher for the last 15 years and maintains a private guitar teaching studio.
“Skies and Openings” is the culmination of years spent exploring fingerstyle guitar. It is a mix of styles and moods in a pure acoustic setting.
For more info visit Vin Downes Website
“Skies and Openings” is available at vindownes.com, iTunes, CDBaby, Amazon, Soundclick, and LastFM.
Jan Akkerman Focus Acoustic Hocus Pocus Youtube
One of my all time electric guitar players (non jazz) is Jan Akkerman from the band Focus. I saw Focus live in the early seventies and Akkerman’s tone and mastery of the guitar was exceptional. I was very happy to locate Jan playing Hocus Pocus without the yodel on an acoustic.
here is another video of Akkerman
Guitar Tapping Youtube Video
Justin King has a contemporary approach to acoustic guitar, he includes tapping, hammer ons, harmonics, percussive techniques… all at the same time 🙂 There’s a lot going on here, and many people who are only used to traditional guitar styles are in for a shock.
For other guitar players that use contemporary techniques in a musical way check out Anton Dufour
Ian Anderson Jethro Tull Youtube
In the early seventies Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull was voted in a survey the man that mothers would least like their daughters to hgo out with. Obviously at that time they were not aware of the beautiful antique parlor guitar collection that he would one day have. Although many people know Ian Anderson as a flute player and Martin Barre as the guitarist of Tull, Ian’s acoustic guitar playing has had an impact on a lot of players. Although simple in style it is always very musical. In this youtube video clip Ian does the classic song Wondering Aloud which was originally on the Aqualung album. In this case the line up is a small ensemble. I all those mums saw it today, they’d probably say “How nice!”
Check Out John Martyn Acoustic Guitar Bless the Weather
Martin Carthy Youtube Open Tuning Guitar Tutorial
Recently I’ve posted about a number of British guitar players, todays acoustic guitar video article is about Martin Carthy, a very good open tuning guitarist. The song is called the Siege of Delhi (not a very nice piece of British history), it is a march and is in the tuning of CGCDGA, it’s in 2/4 time and uses a lot of alternating thumb work. Martin plays a lot of traditional music, but his ability to adapt it to open tunings on guitar separates him out from other players, his tunings are highly unusually and are a long way from the standard D, E , G open tunings. The first part of the video he plays the tune, then he dissects it.
for another great player on video check out Don Ross
Bert Jansch Youtube – Pentangle Guitar Player
Bert Jansch was part of the folk boom in the late sixties in Britain. He was a member of the band Pentangle, the band that also had the guitar great John Renbourn. His style is a little unique, he plays with a slight ‘snap’ to his playing. When you listen closely, you’ll also hear some of the musical elements that Jimmie Page used in his acoustic playing. I got to see both Bert and the great late John Martyn in the 1980’s, absolutely awesome experience. The tune Bert is playing is Black Waterslide.
To check out Jimmy Page on Acoustic guitar, go to Jimmy Page Youtube
Dan Crary Youtube Sally Goodin
Many guitar players like myself are familiar with Dan Crary from when he used to write his column in Guitar Player magazine in the seventies. At that time Guitar Player mag was one of the best educational resources for players, there was not a lot of material easily available like there is these days. Today we have an abundance of info for guitar players ranging from brilliany and inspiring to ‘what the?’
Dan Crary has a flawless flatpicking technique and he has inspired millions of players across the globe. This tune is called Sally Goodin (Gooden, Good’n)
For other brilliant guitar, check out Tony Rice
Antoine Dufour Acoustic Guitar Youtube Video
Over the last few years a number of acoustic guitar players who play open tuned guitar, one of my favourites who are continuing the michael Hedges tradition, is Antoine Dufour. He seems to be one of the most musical players who do this style. He manages to place the sound and music first and does not get lost in guitar acrobatics. The tune is called Mother
For more Antoine go to Antoine Dufour Youtube
Joao Gilberto Youtube
Here’s a Youtube of the great Brazilian guitar player called Joao Gilberto, famous from the sixties for his work with Astrid Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim (also named Tom Jobim). This the classic song Girl from Ipanema, a tune that has been ruined by many 🙂 , but when played well it is a masterpiece. Like any tune, it’s what you do with it that counts. This recording was made 40 years after the original.
For more beautiful guitar, check out Paco De Lucia
Classical Guitar Youtube – Ana Vidovic
Here is a very nice video of Ana Vidovic, the great young classical guitar player. Pierre Bensusan the DADGAD player based in France introduced to her music some months back. I thought it would be nice to post about a video played in a more disciplined style for a change. The tune is Asturias by Albanez. It was performed at the New York guitar festival in 2006.
Here is an Harmonics lesson by the wonderful guitar player Badi Assad
Harp Guitar Classical Youtube
This Acoustic Classical Guitar video caught my eye, it is played on a guitar which was built in Paris in 1930. John Doan is playing a piece by Fernando Sor. It also made me laugh a little watching John play, he starts out on the middle instrument and through out quite casually plays on both the upper and lower instruments. The piece is not overly complex but requires a little bit of a rethink.
For information about this type of Harp guitar go to Harpolyre
To hear a contemporaryHarp Guitar Player check out this Youtube of Don Alder Harp Guitar Video
Acoustic Guitar – Antoine Dufour Youtube
Antoine Dufour is one of the new breed of Acoustic Guitar players who play percussively by using techniques such as hammer ons, Guitar Harmonics and open tunings to take his music outside the traditional way of playing. The difference between Antoine and many of the other players who are attempting this style is on his recordings he focuses on music and not just flamboyancy. Michael Hedges, the great (late) American guitar player was one of the founding players in this style on his recordings in the 1980’s. And these days there are is also Andy McKee and Don Ross who pla in a similar vain.
This tune is called Spiritual Groove.
To hear another Antoine Dufour song, check out Catching the Light
Acoustic Guitar – Jimmy Robinson Youtube
Every now and then I think it’s important to introduce visitors to this site to acoustic guitar players that they are probably not aware of. Recently I got an email from a player by the name of Jimmy Robinson who said to check out what he was doing, so I did, and I loved his playing. His choice of notes and chords on guitar is quite extraordinary, and also what surprised also was the texture of his voice, how nicely it sat against his guitar. In some of his other material I was hearing snippets of Robbie Basho, there’s a little Hedges in there two and mabe some Bruce Cockburn and at the same time a uniqueness. Jimmy is from New Orleans. I’m grateful for the email and more than happy to share his music with you.
Here’s Jimmy’s website, check him out Jimmy Robinson Site
Doc Watson – Youtube Deep River Blues
Doc Watson is a player who has inspired many acoustic guitar players, and the tune Deep River Blues is one that is part of many acoustic guitarists repertoire. It’s a great song to build on. Here’s a Youtube of Doc Watson playing and singing his original version, it’s two and a half minutes of classic Doc complete with guitar break. It’s one of those songs that when you can play it, it plays automatically.
Here’s another Doc Watson Youtube Video called Black Mountain Rag
Peter Finger Acoustic Guitar Youtube
Peter Finger is a magnificent acoustic guitar player who I reckon deserves much broader recognition. There are a stack of guitar players out there who are rated very highly and often they are only half the player of guys like Peter. Peter is a European based Guitar Player and if you haven’t heard him maybe it’s time to check him out. The tune is called Vive La Vie. This tune reminds me a little of one Pierre Bensusan’s tunes.
Here is another video of Peter Finger at the Guitars dot Net site
Crosby Stills Nash – Helplessly Hoping – Youtube
It was 1971 when I first heard Crosby Stills and Nash sing Helplessly Hoping. This youtube video was recorded in the early 90’s. Crosby Stills and Nash, set the benchmark for all other acoustic guitar bands with vocal harmonies to be measured by.
To hear another Crosby Stills Nash on Youtube, go to Wasted on the Way
Don Ross and Andy McKee Youtube
Don Ross and Andy McKee on Youtube Video. Both these players play extraordiary guitar, to have them together is a treat. The tune is called Ebon Coast.
For more Andy MCkee, go to Andy McKee
Alex De Grassi Youtube – Live in the Hotel Room
You may be familiar with the great Michael Hedges who recorded on the Windham label in the 1980’s. William Akkerman, co-founder of this label introduced us to some extraordinary musicians apart from Hedges, there was keyboard George Winston, Robbie Basho, Darol Anger and among others, Alex De Grassi. I feel that too many people who weren’t listening properly were in a hurry to throw some of the material into the New Age category, something that to many musicians often means 45 minutes of Cmaj7 to Fmaj7 with a synth in he background. Alex De Grassi’s recordings are now legendary and albums such as Turning: Turning Back and Slow Circle set the benchmark for quality in opened tuned guitar playing.
This recording is of Alex De Grassi recorded i a Hotel Room, just the guitar. Watch how he develops.
To hear more great Acoustic Guitar check this out some of the following Antoine Dufour, Don Ross and Howlin’ Wolf
Taylor Guitars Youtube for Safe Guitar When Flying
Taylor Guitars has created a Youtube response for safe travel for guitars after a Taylor Guitar was damaged in transit
To see the song written about the broken guitar go to Anti Airline Song
Harp Guitar Youtube Andy McKee
Here’s another Harp Guitar Youtube, this one features Canadian Andy McKee
To see Don Alder playing Harp Guitar, Click Don Adler Youtube
Harp Guitar Youtube Don Alder
Here’s another great guitar player Don Alder playing Harp Guitar.
And here is Don’s Site Don Alder, check it out
If you are interested in Harp Guitar, check out builders from the early 1900’s like the Larson Brothers. Click on the link to go to Whaley Guitars, a site that has info on Harp Guitars Whaley Guitars
To Hear Michael Hedges on Harp Guitar Click Michael Hedges Youtube
Tommy Emmanuel Youtube Tutorial for Guitar
Here’s Tommy Emmanuel doing an Acoustic Guitar Video on Youtube. This has some great practical ideas on how to practice.
So simple and sensible
And here’s Tommy reinventing Classical Gas Tommy Emmanuel Youtube Classical Gas
Acoustic Guitar Video Youtube Antoine Dufour
Here’s a great Acoustic Guitar Video on Youtube by Antoine Dufour, extremely funky and percussive, It’s called Drac and Friends
And if you liked that, check out this: Antoine Dufour Acoustic Guitar
Tony Hogan
Lior and Serena Ryder Youtube
I just saw the show Rockwiz on television it had Lior and Serena Ryder performing Neil Youngs Heart of Gold. Very nice. Lior also did a very good acoustic tune. Excellent backing band as usual. I love it when music is live and there’s combinations of people peforming who don’t normally work together but manage to create something fresh. Nice harmonica too. I’ll update soon about where Lior is performing, he’s a Sydney based musician and he’s very musical. I’m glad they put this tune on youtube to share with us.
Liors website Lior
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Dies – Greatest Sarod Player Youtube
It is with great sadnes I received the news that one of thw orlds greatest musicians has died. Ali Akbar Khan the great Indian Sarod player died on the 18th of June. The great violinist Yehudi Menhuin once said “Ali Akbar Khan is the worlds greatest musician” . John McLaughlin studied with him. I studied with a student of Ali’s by the name of Ashok Roy. This line of Indian music runs back to Tansen the great court musician of Akbar the Great.
News article about Ali’s passing.
Ali Akbar Khan College of Music
Quote from Collge website, “Our most beloved Khansahib passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday evening. Khansahib had been a dialysis patient since 2004, and had been enduring numerous health issues ever since. The great Maestro had continued his music teachings publically at the Ali Akbar College until just weeks ago, and continued to teach music at home until the day he died.”
Acoustic Guitar Fingerstyle Arrangement – Part 5 Danny Boy
Here is Part Five of my Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar Arrangements in TAB and music Notation.
This one is the old Irish tune, Danny Boy also called the Londonderry Air. This is in the key of C, as usual I have kept it reasonably simple. This is a two page arrangement.
Here is the the Printable Version DannyBoy Acoustic Finger Style Guitar TAB and Notation
Here is the computer generatedMidi File Danny Boy Midi File
Kenny Rankin Dead- Sad News
I just heard the news that the great singer songwriter guitar player Kenny Rankin has passed on.
I am grateful to him for his beautiful music which I have listened to since the early seventies.
Sending well wishes and Bluessing to Kenny Rankin’s family from all those who loved Kenny’s music in Australia, Kenny holds legendary status amongst many people that I know.
Here is Kenny in action
Also, this is so perfect, the song that he wrote Peaceful Kenny Rankin
Here is a news article about Kenny’s passing
The Acoustic Guitarist 