Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones | Guitar Lesson (Part 1)

Learn how to play Brown Sugar on guitar as performed by the Rolling Stones. Part 1 of 2.
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Covering the two electric guitar parts (Keith Richards & Mick Taylor) and the acoustic Nashville tuned 6 (probably played by Keith).
Some great information about the recording session in Muscle Shoals by the engineer Jimmy Johnson
www.prosoundweb.com/in-the-st...
and here • Jimmy Johnson discusse...
Part 2 of this lesson series is me covering the full song against isolated drum and vocals from the original recording. See that here • Brown Sugar - Rolling ... .
Hope you enjoy.
Anything you'd like to request me to do a video on? Drop me a note at [e-mail]
00:00 Clip from Part 2 video demonstration
00:23 Introduction
02:39 Getting Keith's tone
03:25 Open G tuning
04:13 Lesson - Keith's rhythm guitar parts
13:28 Lesson - Getting Mick Taylor's tone
15:23 Lesson - Mick's rhythm / lead guitar parts
24:46 Lesson - Nashville tuned acoustic part
28:33 Final Thoughts
Also...
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[@ericmarshall4085]

Another great lesson, with the "extra" bits in it. Thank you and appreciated.

[@tomslick2058]

Kieth is such a great rythem master. If someone asked what's rock and roll. I would play this or more likely Jumping Jack Flash.

[@alcontreras4940]

Nashville Tuning, that’s the secret weapon of Brown Sugar… WOW, it makes the difference when you want to sound just like the recording. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@Tom-it6gi]

This guy has almost exactly the guitar collection I want. Epiphone Casino, Gibson ES 335, Gibson SG, Les Paul, Strat, Tele, Bass, Acoustic. I wouldn't want a three-pickup SG, or a vibrato on it. And double-necks, while cool, are kind of extravagant, imo. But all the rest, plus a few good amps, man, you've got it made.

[@charleskinsey3994]

I have long played the song , and then started playing it right and I did learn something new here . This was the most perfect guitar riffs to my ear at 12 , the tone the chords it's perfection ,and it still holds sway and holds up all these decades later . Thought I had been hitting my dedicated tuned in G guitar but one more time lol Was working out that finger stick on Monkey man yesterday . I have a 12 string and a new set of strings so I might Nashville tune my 12 string and see what I can compose .

[@fus149hammer5]

I'm back to playing after 32 years. I just wish this type of tutorial was available then. I've just bought a strat to replace an ibanez that has been idle and rotting in the attic and is now unusable. My left hand fingers are sore but I'm getting so much enjoyment just playing Keith's riff and beginning to understand what a great player he is. Taking the song apart as you do is a great help for us and now I can finally get to grips with those classic timeless songs. Thanks from across the pond.😊

[@12footchain]

You're welcome, stick with it. Glad to have you back playing

[@teye-master]

Brown Sugar (which started life with a different title that could never get airplay...) was a song Mick Jagger wrote while playing guitar trying to re-gain flexibility in his fingers recuperating from a wound on his hand when a black powder pistol exploded during the filming of his Ned Kelly movie in Australia. Keith later admitted "I cleaned it up for him, but Brown Sugar is basically all Mick". Re the Jimmy Johnson recollection: Mick Taylor was adamant to his US roadmanager and friend of mine, Tim, that he DID NOT play a strat on the song. and Bill got his see-thru bass only in 1972, so in all likelihood, the SG of Jimmy's recollection was Mick Taylor's, and the see-thru was played by Keith who did favor the guitar in 1969. Keith's favored see-thru was one that Dan Armstrong gave him, that had a white humbucker pickup in it, most probably a prototype for Dan's later ST-humbucker. The only time I have been able to reproduce that tone, was with a see-thru with a 'Fender' Wide Range humbucker that I built into a sliding module. It is not unlikely that Dan mimicked the 1969 Seth Lover design of that Fender humbucker. Anyway, just my 2 cents, but based on long long research, several magazine interviews, first-hand info from Mick Taylor, and my own experience.

[@12footchain]

That is GOLD! Thank You! So that's interesting, you think Keith played his Dan Armstrong on that for his parts?

[@anthonybraga8886]

Thanks for the masterclass. Great song. Success!!!

[@hijmestoffels5171]

I liked this video a lot! Thanks. In the 70’s my brother showed me how to play Brown Sugar in standard tuning. It came close, but it sounds so much better in open G.

[@leonardkryska5126]

Well done! Enjoyed every second of your video! Answered alot of questions that were lurking about this song!

[@chops9779]

Great channel, great song and even better lessons - thanks for creating and sharing Cheers 🥂 🎸

[@mikeyhughes8992]

Brilliant lesson, loved it. Thanks very much.

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

THANKYOU so much ---your revelation is so welcome --I have searched years for these open G chords NAMES -- on their respective 1st /3 rd /5 th and 8 th fret positions --kinda confusing --but now I know them ---thankyou 12 foot chain !---your detailed analysis is superb !

[@Bob.Silverstein]

This was great! The Nashville tuning is something I've never played with. Totally going to string my spare acoustic that way to get some new sounds!

[@listairgin]

Great lesson for this absolute classic, thanks so very much 👌🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

[@ukguitaryogi2888]

great sounding nashville tuning and lesson! am trying to learn all your stones lessons! they are great ! many thanks

[@chrisbuckley2768]

Yeah I Just started using open tuning and I'm learning all kinds of new music and a lot of the songs I'm doing our guitar player inspired by Keith Richards thanks for turning me on to this

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I tune my Guitar to Open E & put a capo on the 3rd Fret to get Open G w/ a High G string. Having the additional String on the High end means I get more clarity, higher note range, & I can also transpose the song by simply moving the capo up & down.

[@clarkdolan8534]

Thanks so much. Great stuff!😊

[@geraintevans6645]

Brilliant thanks for pointing me in the right direction

[@johndaugherty4127]

What an exellent lesson. Danka.

[@lizardkingclark8872]

Brilliant video again man ✌️

[@carlosnichols9483]

This is brilliant, I am so glad I found this you're great dude,, freaking awesome. I'm 51 years old and in the last year I just started to get into open g and open e, thank you

[@12footchain]

Thanks man, great to have you here

[@GaryBook]

Try open D and capo on second fret for Open E. That is how Dylan did “Blood on the Tracks.” Explore Drop D (“Dear Prudence”) and double Drop D (“Going to California - Led Zeppelin). I love open tunings!

[@Weshopwizard]

It’s a whole new world!!!!

[@georgepelletier]

Thank you absolutely love your videos.

[@12footchain]

thanks man, spread the word, tell your friends 🙂

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

Great stuff....thanks my man...

[@SuperShawn2020]

Loved the video. I visited the Muscle Shoals’ Sound Studio last year the day before I saw The Rolling Stones in Nashville. It was so great being the room where this song was recorded. For me - it’s the greatest rock intro of all time. Thanks for the excellent video!

[@12footchain]

Nice, yeah I want to visit soon. I live just S of Nashville, so easy trip as you know

[@bk52355]

Just discovered you. Love your history, analysis, and the lesson itself. Subscribed.

[@GaryBook]

He great and such a sweet guy!

[@gergemall]

Nice guitar collection. Nice job today .

[@herkhaston1915]

Great job

[@Palmdalebandit_]

I’m spreading the word about this channel this guy is cool

[@12footchain]

Thanks brother, much appreciated!

[@WareBare]

Nice one thanks

[@attentiondeficitsquirrel7660]

I’m not really a Les Paul man but I gotta say, I love your Les Paul.

[@ThomasNorthener]

One of my absolute favorit Stones tracks are Stray Cat Blues live in 1970 Madison Square Garden (Get yer ya yas out) . Charlie was playing the drums, so laid back and with such feel. I wonder if you could play show how to play the Keith guitar, since its such a cool rhythm and vibe 😊 Thanks for the video. You know I've (years ago) been trying to hit that Keith sound... But it's impossible on a standard tuning 🤣😂, just found out many years later, that he's playing open G and E tunings.

[@Whokilledjohnhenry]

This was excellent, now subscribing, thankyou. I played a 12 string guild, arent 12 strings very ethereal, they certainly have their place, thanks again and nice work!!

[@patriottothecore6215]

I figured out how to play this in standard tuning (not too difficult) - much better when you are playing stuff from lots of different bands in your set. It’s not perfect but it works ok.

[@ronaldbrasseur9327]

Thanks for the ending !!!

[@rnarizona9686]

After watching your video on Cinnamon Girl, I checked this out. I was a little rusty on both songs, but you freshened me right up--and taught me a few things along the way. I really enjoy your teaching style and manner. I'm subscribed, liked and belled. Thanks so much!

[@12footchain]

You're welcome!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Nice!

[@602davido]

If there is one song that says "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" it's Brown Sugar. It's all there.

[@Dyneemadrone]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!

[@lauriecarter8931]

Hi Mark luv the blues,that was so simple but sounded real cool cheers for that.

[@12footchain]

Thanks but who's Mark? I'm Doug :-)

[@lauriecarter8931]

@@12footchain So sorry Doug great vid.

[@willdenham]

I found one definite MS studio pic of Taylor with a Tele. Looks like Keith's. Otherwise a lot of pics of him with the SG and Keith definitely looking like he did somewhere between Sticky and Exile. They only recorded for a day or two at MS's while on tour and probably spent some time at Sunset Sound at the tail end. Hard to place all those pics from back then because they were always in a studio or onstage somewhere during that period.

[@robertgrimsted877]

Bro mate I just subscribed I always wanted to play it right thanks 👍

[@12footchain]

Welcome!

[@johnbould7544]

Great video, you should play it out for a while at the end !!!

[@paulfisher4212]

Please do a lesson All Down The Line your lessons are great. Thank you!

[@GaryBook]

Check out James James and Jeremy Bares.

[@alexbowman7582]

There's a video you'd be interested in it's John 5 Playing Mick Taylor's '58 Burst. The guitar was Keith's and he gave it or sold it to Mick I think.

[@JeanMarieMessa]

Now it dawns on me Keith could have done all 3 guitars.

[@ralex3697]

Recorded in 1971 Mick Taylor awesome guitarist

[@davidkyle2073]

Nope, recorded in Dec ‘69 but delayed release until ‘71 due to record label change…

[@debbiemolden1319]

I'm in🙂

[@silverfoxman4987]

Great video,how about tackling, Reeling in the years by Steely Dan,keep up the good work

[@jimhenderson2308]

I was very surprised to hear you say Mick Taylor was in open g as well. I've always thought he stayed mostly in standard tuning unless on occasion when playing slide

[@brianelza9807]

Love your lessons, very detailed. Just one comment… at 27:17, although there are 3 strums, the first 2 are actually 16th notes just prior to the down beat. 😊

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Or you could tune your Guitar to Open E & put a capo on the 3rd Fret to get Open G Tuning w/ an additional high String for more clarity.

[@12footchain]

I'm going to try that just to see how that sounds. Bet it sounds great

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@12footchain I got that idea from Lenny Breau who plays a 7 String Guitar w/ a High A String (like a Tenor Guitar) as it has the same scale length as a Tenor Guitar at 22.75 inches.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@12footchain I'm excited to hear it.

[@mobydick3895]

What the Stones evolved into is two guitars playing complimentary parts while making it look like it is some kind of stage malfunction. Keith repeatedly crosses in front of TV cameras while dressed like a pirate! They are the Kings of wandering around on stage during performance. They make it look easy. It is not!

[@carlomezzatesta4659]

What's the rush the songs over 50-years old what's an extra couple of minutes make. Great vid cheers will be looking forward to doing part 2.

[@12footchain]

It's out. Did these a while back. Part 2 is just me playing through the whole song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXynmWdoaLKVnNE

[@gvp999999]

Pretty sure Keith used the plexiglass guitar on this, through a Fender Bandmaster combo.

[@1rwjwith]

I think KR may be using a Gibson Melody Maker on it, the open G tuning. I saw a interview a few years ago with Jim Dickinson who played piano on Wild Horses and who was at Mussel Shoals with them, he said it was not a Tele but was a smaller Gibson, not a Les Paul. Thanks.

[@12footchain]

I saw that interview too, described as a "lower model gibson" like sg or melody maker or something. I think it's funny how so many folks don't accurately remember the gear they use back in the day

[@williamtynertyner1425]

Possible, but Jim also recalls there were no drugs or booze in the studio and footage (and just knowing how The Stones Rolled in '69) proves otherwise.I still believe Richards is using the Dan Armstrong on this tune w/ a Twin, Taylor one of the two SG's he had on the tour which was in progress, and Richards (or maybe even Jagger?) on acoustic.Regardless, what a great F'ing song, the definition of Rock n Roll more so than anything else imo and a very good ,complete lesson here.

[@colink4823]

All of your videos and breakdown of songs are excellent. I've subscribed. I'm curious as to the 12 foot chain name. Can you explain, I'm curious. Thanks

[@12footchain]

Thank you! It's a metaphor for breaking one's self imposed restrictions. I talk a bit about it in my first video on CCR. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmKZooCbfpele9U

[@colink4823]

@@12footchain great metaphor. I think we all have self imposed restrictions, some hard to break. Greetings from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Any chance of doing some Rory Gallagher songs..thanks

[@12footchain]

@@colink4823 greetings! I lived S of Dublin in mid 70s as a kid. Great memories. Love all things Ireland

[@colink4823]

@@12footchain fantastic

[@motioninmind6015]

Well, I was hoping for some new insights based on the title of the video but honestly, Andy at Shut Up and Play Your Guitar already covered this brilliantly years ago. You could have made a short about the Nashville tuned acoustic and then the title would have been more accurate. You're way to hesitant in your presentation, with too much "ummm, I think that's what they did but I'm not sure". Your CCR video is much, much better, btw 👍🏼

[@attentiondeficitsquirrel7660]

Taylor used a ‘58 LP a lot, a Strat, and his ES-335. For some reason I always imagined him using the 335 on this song.

[@m.e.8153]

Maybe cause he used one when they played it on bbc top of the pops back in 1971. Miming with only Mick Jagger doing a live vocal...

[@attentiondeficitsquirrel7660]

@@m.e.8153 never saw that actually.

[@davisdeen-ty4so]

Keith Had A Black 59 les paul custom around that time ,just saying

[@Flare4roach]

Hey man, what is the extra knob for on your SG? Did you have that done?

[@12footchain]

Hey, no it's a master volume. It's this artist series from gibson. Really really great guitar. www.gibson.com/en-US/Guitar/USA19H701/Kirk-Douglas-Signature-SG/Ebony

[@Flare4roach]

@@12footchain Awesome. PS. Just subscribed!

[@12footchain]

@@Flare4roach thank you!

[@bristolfashion4421]

once Ry managed to teach the guitarist how to play, the Stones could milk that riff for years...

[@NoirL.A.]

is th les paul a GEORGE HARRISON signature model? it looks just like 'lucy' incl. missing the flip switch ring.

[@12footchain]

Its not the official GH one. It's an R8 that I made those changes to to make it look like Lucy

[@costasarantidis4499]

It looks kinda like Dickey Betts' refinished Les Paul... it's a beauty

[@avlisk]

Does Ronnie play anything different when they play this live? Thanks.

[@12footchain]

Not sure

[@funkuncle999]

Whats amazing is someone in the recording session thinking, 'oh, what this needs is a Nashville-tuned acoustic with a capo on the third fret'.

[@williamtynertyner1425]

That would be Richards if I was betting.

[@palacerevolution2000]

For those sessions it was actually Keith on an SG. And Taylor (acc. to engineer) was on a Strat. It is odd, because we don't have any shots of Taylor on a Strat in those years. Jagger wrote the song. It was originally called "Black P*ssy". There is a great clip of him playing a very early version to Ike & Tina Turner. And they're both laughing, going "Wtf did he just say?"

[@funguy4utube]

Do ya think Mick J. wrote it in standard and Keith transposed it to Open G?

[@12footchain]

No idea

[@MrFrampo56]

More than likely. I’m pretty sure in fact.

[@melodymaker135]

I read somewhere that Mick liked Keith’s open tuning experiments and gave it a try (brilliantly!) on this song. Writing a rocker in C major with a bunch of Eb, Ab and Bb chords in standard tuning is possible but unlikely for a then-intermediate guitarist like Mick Jagger 🤷‍♂️

[@largilmartin6529]

Have to agree,to much talking,but a great lesson.

[@larryn2682]

Leave off the low E string. It's five-string open-G.

[@motioninmind6015]

I tune my low-E up to G, then I have the double G strings ala Moonlight Mile. I love the sound. I leave it that way I capo the 4th fret for Jumping Jack Flash, Tumbling Dice and Midnight Rambler. Give it a try 😊

[@MrFrampo56]

Yep. Keith always rips the low E off On electrics anyway. Tuned to open G.

[@johnbuell8035]

Not practical for a guy in a band playing various songs

[@MrFrampo56]

@@johnbuell8035 just have a guitar kept in that tuning. Or don’t.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@MrFrampo56 Or you could tune your Guitar to Open E & put a capo on the 3rd Fret to get Open G w/ a High G for more clarity.

[@mauricerose3082]

...how about Hot Legs...?

[@paulpasternak2026]

Flicker. The cord chart segues (Soften them please. Called flicker in the dawn of film. Very interesting fictionalized historical novel, with the same name The flicker. Btw, Les Paul DID NOT invent the over dub. The amount of disinformation in these areas and the areas themselves phenomenal

[@especs02341]

I am going to dispute that Mick Taylor even played on this song. All those licks are Chuck Berry licks and Keith was the CB guy. Plus, the vibrato is not even close to Mick's vibrato. And, if you listen to the live version Mick took it in a totally different direction.

[@12footchain]

You could be right!

[@Mathijs1974]

You are totally correct, all the outtakes prove that Taylor’s part have been erased, and Richards overdubbed all parts in February 1970 at Olympic Studios.

[@markthompson7817]

Not even the Stones play this anymore, think about it, I love the sound, think about the what it says… I am no woke lib but think again…

[@thedude4594]

I learn covers to write new songs not to be in a sellout cover band. Write your own music y’all!!!

[@jameslabs1]

The vocals are too low compared to the guitar volume. Good lesson otherwise, as always.

[@rogerkeddy9591]

Just get on with it stop talking about which guitar was used.

[@codetech5598]

I never subscribe to a channel that tells me to hit the subscribe button.

[@12footchain]

Ok, but....technically I asked, not told, and pretty sure said something like "if you like what see..." so whatever pressure you are reacting to isn't coming from me, my friend.

[@codetech5598]

@@12footchain And it the middle of the video an animation pops up showing the clicking of the button and bell. It comes across as very tacky in my opinion.

[@12footchain]

@@codetech5598 ok, all good.

[@rogerkeddy9591]

Too much talking just get on with it.

[@user-nv1ts9kq8o]

Talk a little less

[@atomicflash1753]

You talk too much, people don't have all day to learn a 3-minute song

[@jimellenburg6180]

Talk less, teach more

[@benjaminmcdougall8805]

You go way too slow, it's too boring to wait

[@stevesteve1198]

OMG if you're in that much of a hurry forget guitar bro! It takes years to be good trust me. This guy is a fantastic teacher. Pretty much note for a note as far as I can see

[@mudcrunch6955]

Who knew Odenkirk played guitar?!

[@markymark3au]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!