3 ways to play Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones | Guitar Lesson

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Super Thanks (see below the video screen)
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Learn 3 different ways how to play Gimme Shelter, as performed by the Rolling Stones from their 1969 album Let it Bleed.
The lesson covers 3 different ways you can approach this song to sound like the record, whether you are in Standard Tuning, Open G tuning, or Open E tuning. I believe the original recording was done in Open E, but you can also come really close to sounding like the record in all 3 of those tunings using the techniques I cover here. This time I don't go note for note on video across all riffs in all 3 tunings, rather I show you the chord shapes and positions where everything is happening - HOWEVER I DO have all of it tabbed out note for note for all 3 tunings for my patreon members.
Another excellent lesson on this song to check out is from ‪@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials‬ where he goes note for note across the riffs and chords that you can see in video form.
00:00 Demo of song intro
01:02 Introduction / What to expect
02:30 Getting your tone
03:53 What chords they use
04:14 Standard Tuning - Opening Riff
07:38 Standard Tuning - Rhythm Chords
10:42 Standard Tuning - Lead Guitar sections
13:25 Open G Tuning - Opening Riff
16:03 Open G Tuning - Rhythm Chords
18:11 Open G Tuning - Lead Guitar sections
21:59 Open E Tuning - Opening Riff
26:00 Open E Tuning - Rhythm Chords
27:07 Open E Tuning - Lead Guitar sections
32:05 Final thoughts
Gear used in this video (if you purchase via these links I will earn a small commission):
Boss Blues Driver: imp.i114863.net/rnPQLB (I only used for lead guitar parts - gain at 10 o'clock, tone at 11 o'clock)
Xotic EP Boost: sweetwater.sjv.io/R5Py09 (on for all parts - knob at 10 o'clock)
Gibson Les Paul Classic imp.i114863.net/Vy5mAk (mine is actually a 2011 R8)
1967 Vox Cambridge Reverb (using tremelo and reverb on 2)
Also...
WIN FREE GEAR:
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USED GEAR:
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[@drsteve1999]

Your tone is amazing

[@paulcoleman3081]

You're one of the very best on You Tube. I've played in covers bands for decades and the parts you teach just flat out WORK. Love your style and attitude. Thank you.

[@robertshirley3422]

Nice and very cool of you to mention Andy at "Shut Up And Play". You're right, Andy is painstakingly and exacting at getting as close to the original studio recording as possible!! He is the first tutorial I discovered on KZbin. You two guys are the best I've seen!!

[@davidgarnett5011]

I first heard this track when the Let it Bleed Lp came out in the Uk (About 1969 or there abouts). On hearing the the opening chord I thought 'Wonderful, the Stones have re-discovered Bo Diddley' I recall interviews with Keith Richards from a long time ago where he said it was done in Open E when it was recorded. I've seen plenty of videos since where he was playing it using standard tuning.

[@GaryBook]

When Mick Taylor left, I don’t know how you weren’t tapped. Great playing. I love the three versions. Your videos are the best!

[@12footchain]

Thanks!

[@GaryBook]

@@12footchain I love your channel. You make it all so accessible. I love your discussion at the beginning to give us an education on the song. Great mix.

[@danvoges]

The best one yet 👍

[@homespuncovers89]

My favorite rock melody, I learned it on “shut up & play”, but I like the three tuning way you show it. I did some experimenting on open G tuning of Doobie Brothers South City Midnight Lady. I was very pleased. For some reason learning different tunings for the same song kinda opens up pathways on the fretboard to give amateurs a better mental picture and understanding. 🙏 thanks for sharing!

[@LeeMcDaidDonegal]

Wonderful, as always! For people of a certain age here in Britain & Ireland;, (and who aren't/weren't necessarily huge Stones fans) our first time hearing this masterpiece was in a series of TV ads for the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) called "Knights of the Road" which ran between 1989 and 1995. Thanks for another great breakdown of a classic, 12 Foot Chain!

[@glassslide]

That was a seriously great lesson of one of my all-time favorite songs, thanks!

[@Spaceman-jo5mz]

Great lesson of this Iconic song. Seeng it played in the three different tunings helps me understand it better. Thanks for breaking it down!

[@blendincoffee]

Just came across this channel and immediately subscribed. Such a pleasure to watch all of your videos which are really on point with your tutorials.

[@12footchain]

Welcome! Tell your friends

[@adylp7818]

Three different ways is a great concept! I play a few Stones songs in open G with a covers band. Now I’ve got another classic to add to the list without having to retune 😊 thank you!

[@rayross997]

Awesome lesson, thanks for doing this. Great you showed the 3 ways to play it.😀👍

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Stunning, that is such a treat to see the combined parts! Well done!

[@james-gang]

Thanks again for sharing! Love it!

[@jtbkilmartin9110]

outstanding lesson. Thanks a million.

[@tintintin7000]

Love this cover

[@JasonChannell]

Great work on one of my favorite songs to play.

[@a.c.4732]

...so anyway , I've got this jigsaw puzzle called Gimme Shelter , real s-o-a-b , and I''m on the verge of Gimming it to the Homeless Shelter , and along strolls 12 f c , all cool and nonchalant , shining the light in ways only he can , and before you know it , all the pieces fit the way they should , instead of the way I had them fitted ( with a mallet ) . Good Man ! Thank You .

[@alananderson5929]

Super tasty tones you’ve dialed in. Thanks

[@jimkelehan1366]

You’ve added what I was missing! Another excellent lesson!

[@limpeacock573]

Great lesson. Thank you!

[@JeffCrowell11]

Fantastic lesson as always. Thank you.

[@MrPnew1]

Fantastic lesson for my favourite Stones track 🎸Thanks

[@michaelkern9805]

Great lessons man !!

[@hkguitar1984]

Awesome, and thank you, great content SO glad I bought a Looper pedal, now all I need to do is practice getting the pedal to work for me!

[@mortenkinander]

Love it!

[@shakeyblues5128]

Wow 12 Ft, always love the Stones, ♪♫♪♫♪ I learned Open tunings & Drop tunings back in the early 80's being 13 or so. But top Shelf. Shut Up & Play channel is another top shelf channel ♪♫♪♫♪

[@robertbaker3174]

Definitely one to learn how to play. Not started yet, but on my bucket list!

[@blendincoffee]

That is such a SUPERB TUTORIAL!!!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!

[@roberta.6399]

It is very nice that you share your knowledge with us. You are an outstanding educator and I wanted to personally say thank you.

[@12footchain]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@charleskinsey2141]

You ROCK my friend !

[@chigimon]

For me the stones best song, great lesson my friend.

[@raystack6250]

Really helps visually for me when you put chord Diagram to right of screen thanks

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

Nice! I play a cigar box guitar in GDg and come pretty close, but I’m always looking to tweak and add nuances to the chords and this tutorial helps a lot!! Thanks!!!

[@johnw4659]

Thank you very much for this !

[@louisbelanger8792]

That intro is awesome! You,the les paul,your tone and the all thing!

[@12footchain]

Thank you

[@guitarprepnplus1]

Great song and great teacher.😮

[@AndrewCarlson-wj7fp]

Really wonderful job! I’ve never seen this channel before. Giving the nod to the “shut up and play” guy is cool too. That guy also does a wonderful job. (Going through a phase of reappreciating The Rolling Stones)

[@12footchain]

Welcome aboard!

[@JS-nf1sn]

You're a total boss. Thank you.

[@judgerock3419]

Best guitar teacher on KZbin.

[@12footchain]

Thanks Judge!

[@ianmorris3084]

Brilliant! I watched your earlier version of this, which included 'Jack Flash, a year or so ago, and that was such a revelation. Many thanks, from Ian, in Derby UK!

[@rolandoo002]

Nice one. Thx 🙏

[@Teleman73]

Your lessons are awesome! Your attention to detail is noteable. Scariest version was the Altamont live version at the end of the Gimme Shelter documentary.

[@5150show]

Incredible

[@JoeHernandez1210]

Wow I literally saw another lesson it wasn't as detailed as much as this one. Great content. Just Subscribed 👍

[@12footchain]

Welcome aboard!

[@xenod1066]

Awesome.

[@daseguin]

This is absolutely perfect. Not a big fan of live Stones without Mick Taylor playing with them (because the whole band was perfect at the time) , although i do enjoy the Brian Jones era live as well. Their studio tracks all the way up through Some Girls were always great, and this one is one of my all-time studio favorites on guitar, along with Hand of Fate, with Wayne Perkins doing one of my fave solos ever, and Keith with a great rhythm, also Mick T.s lead on Sway, which was one of the most influential things that first really hit me as having a desire to play guitar (of course, after loving Jumpin' Jack Flash as my first very fave Stones song, among many other mid-60s ones). Once i was turned on to AC/DC with Bon Scott, Angus and Malcolm drove me straight into it. By the way, there's very FEW guitar players that can make this sound like the studio. Kudos to you for paying so much attention to detail. It's crucial with this tune.

[@markdesod561]

Whatta gr8 guitarist Keef was ($ probably is!!). I learned how to play it with the Capo on 2nd fret but I didn't know if it was correct (or not!!)? Great Job Doug!!

[@donsuccone]

What a great recommendation of a channel for me! Im learning guitar and all your videos are of my music taste and to my level of learning! Liked, Subscribed and I've hit the notification bell! Thanks (may be some super thanks coming your way too ❤)

[@12footchain]

Welcome aboard!

[@guydouglas6094]

Love the atmospheric/airy sound. Good lesson for standard tuning approach - clever with open E string stabs answering each bar chord. Interesting solid-state Vox amp - 1967? wow! I would expect the reverb to be a spring tank-type - very nice sound. Looks like a 10" speaker.

[@12footchain]

yeah it's a 10". I'm loving this thing.

[@kcclem1442]

I'm really loving these videos, especially the Zeppelin and Stones stuff. I don't know how many of my older brother's albums I scratched up lifting the needle and going back over stuff to try and figure it out. I was stuck on Get Yer Ya Ya's Out and Sticky Fingers for a long time, no internet back then so I didn't know about open tunings. I have a suggestion for a potential lesson.... How about Hey Negrita off of the Stones Black and Blue? I think it was the first album with the "new guy". Thanks again... K.C.

[@marcelloleoni]

Grazie per questa stupenda lezione ( come sempre) E per il tempo dedicato a tutti.🙏

[@12footchain]

Prego!

[@custom.0860]

Great lesson, nice to have the option when just summer jamming outside to play in standard on acoustic then light it up in Open E later in the night inside at the party (although my playing may get a little sloppier by then). lol

[@matthanafi]

What can I say but thanks! this lessons means a lot to me

[@12footchain]

Glad to hear that!

[@JenkinsBoatWorks]

great video. we know that Keith plays this nine ways to Sunday, too

[@soldanovht]

Great!

[@WScott-gd2mj]

Great lesson, nice to know these options. I also prefer open E, but get there by tuning to open D w/capo2…no “up” tunings needed.

[@12footchain]

Good idea

[@jahjah67]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!

[@jahjah67]

Thank you for your fine channel and the great videos. I’ve enjoyed them for quite awhile. Continued success to you, sir

[@JenkinsBoatWorks]

just saw them play this in Cleveland!!!

[@MrAndy9572ac]

Dude smokes the original tears it up and delivers dammmm 😮

[@bizzystradlin7751]

It's amazing how you can play the drums on that guitar.

[@12footchain]

Lol

[@chalyjudge7749]

👍😎❤️thanks very much!

[@myrskylintu1]

I have learned that there is at least five different ways you can play Jumpin Jack Flash riff, but imho yours is the right one. With open chord on open E. It just the meanest sound of all versions. Keith mentions the exact address of that balcony in his book where he wrote Gimme Shelter during the thunderstorm. What a video that would be if somebody would take a video from that window during the storm, and the song as a soundtrack. The exact scene that inspired Keith. On how many classics there is even a possibility of doing that? Video the exact scene where the song was born.

[@tdichow]

I've done it in open G 🙂 not 10% as good as you though 😅 You play that guitar like a boss 👏👍💪

[@anthonymorales842]

what a great sound so deceptiely simple. I m sdtruggling to get this

[@scottymalotty]

Thanks

[@12footchain]

thank you!

[@dew6874]

Another awesome lesson!!! How about " Gotta walk,before they make me run"! Black Crowes "soul singing" or" Lickin" lesson????? Just an idea?

[@dirkseidel6309]

Talento puro ST

[@fenderlead1]

I was actually surprised when I didn’t hear Mick start to sing! I’m old and angry… Takes a lot to surprise me lol

[@bryanmbaka4938]

Magnifique ! Now there's only Jumpin' Jack Flash left! It's going to rock when you release the video!!! Are you an Eagles fan? Do you have a double neck like Felder to play Hotel California? (Version live 77 is ma favorite !)

[@Reedc16]

I learned how to play solsbury hill by Peter Gabriel on the guitar man the timing 7/4th it was hard

[@afrocoolio25]

My man. How do you get these so accurate?

[@rayross997]

Please consider Fogerty's Old Man Down the Road?

[@12footchain]

Good one. Yeah I will get to that one for sure. The song he got sued for sounding like himself, right? Love that song

[@wooferdevlin3571]

I really like the Keith vibrato, and you nailed it. Fast against medium tempo kind of sounds unhinged - spooky. Or in the immortal words of The Skipper= "It's Voodoo!" : > O Vox sounds great, even in Open E, with all the wounds, still clear and punchy- yet airy. Mick just turned 80, Keith not far behind - still recording/touring, freaks- in a good way. 🤨

[@michealhand1001]

Goes to show your never to old to Rock And Roll😂😂😂

[@mikeselsvik8357]

I remember it

[@kevinking2468]

I’m always very taken with your red lespaul - What year and model is it?

[@12footchain]

2011 R8 Les Paul, yes love it

[@acmedrygoods3033]

Great lesson. Why not mention tuning to a real open D and capo at the 2nd fret? Less stress on the neck and 5th string. I read someplace that is what Keef did but hey... the internet.

[@12footchain]

Yep. Either way

[@philfrank9226]

No open G in the studio version.

[@garyvanremortel5218]

Leo Fender sure screwed the pooch when he referred to the whammy bar as being tremelo. Trem is varying the volume, vib is varying the pitch.

[@NewarkBay357]

YourTerffice

[@captainkirk70]

It's weird that Keith plays so many things live in different tunings but does this in standard. Just sounds weak these days. Pretty sure back in the 70s he played it in an open tuning live. I tend to refer to his choices back in the glory days. 69-81.

[@captainkirk70]

Plus it's killer to see him playing a Black LPC. Honestly I prefer his humbucker tone into an Ampeg or Boogie.

[@-rubbersoul-]

@@captainkirk70probably this tune made by bassman…

[@captainkirk70]

@@-rubbersoul- My understanding is he used a transistor Vox. Which he used a lot apparently in the studio. Notably on the solo for Sympathy. Once the Ampegs came in it was more of a mix between them and Fenders. Surprisingly, I read he used a regular Silverface Twin on Brown Sugar. Which is my least favorite classic Fender amp of all time.

[@captainkirk70]

But I love his '78 tour sound. El Macambo is fantastic too. I've actually noticed some Mesa 4x12s recently live along with his tweed Twins. Not sure what's running through them but they weren't bass cabs. I saw them in 2015 again and they actually sounded ballsy again. And Jagger was mostly wearing a long sleeve black shirt and pants. Similar to the '69 tour. They were so good I teared up.

[@captainkirk70]

I have one of those SFT pedals and it nails the Keef glory period.

[@johnjaco5544]

All you need is a cigarette in your mouth and it would be totally authentic

[@robertleslie2467]

Booooooo! No tele. No tweed amp.. No Marlboro cigarettes. Booooo this man! LOL! On another note…. Love the red Lester with no poker chip. Oh how I love redheads!

[@rayross997]

Thanks

[@12footchain]

Thank you very much!