Acoustic Guitar Pull offs and Push off's for Fingerstyle Guitar

[@ilovelucy1966]

I'm a piano player but just recently started playing the acoustic guitar. I spent days, literally, watching beginner guitar videos. After about 2-2 1/2 weeks straight, I settled on Bob's. I LOVE his videos! He thoroughly explains everything...slowly. He shows the notes and gives the sheet music, for the more advanced players. If you are a beginner, this is the way to go! Anyone who complains that he is too slow, obviously doesn't need a basic beginner video. I emailed him and he responded promptly. That was a major plus because it shows that he truly wants to help people learn, not just trying to sell classes or books. I have all of his lessons bookmarked and can't wait 'til I'm good enough to play them all! Thanks Mr. Bob, you're pickin' awesome! :)

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi E H, Well, you just made my day! I can't thank you enough for the wonderful note of endorsement! I should hire you as my publicity manager!! And coming from a musical background on piano, this means even more to me because I'm certain you spent many many hours over the years hammering things out as they say. I think what happens to many beginners is, they want to be able to play instantly, but music is an investment of time and dedication. And through it all, many of life's most valuable mysteries can be achieved by endeavoring in music- not to mention how good it is for overall health, positive energy and our souls. Quite a blessing at any level. I once heard this quote: "Music is a journey and not a destination." I'm happy that you are on the pathway!!! Happy pickin' and of course if you need help or anything, I'm here...!!! always the best- bob

[@menstallation]

I started learning from Bob a few months ago and have also done some exploring on youtube to see how other people instruct along the way. I found Bob's thoroughness and attention to every detail with his instruction very helpful. Bob's teaching style is second to none in my opinion and he is always available to answer any questions gladly. Many thanks to you Bob for taking all the time to help people get started and get good at picking! Looking forward to more in the future!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Max, thank you for the kind words and I'm so happy that you are doing so well with the lessons!! I do appreciate you also letting me know how you are doing because I think it's all helpful for both of us! Hope you have a great weekend and thank you again- you made my day!! bob

[@mikehardin7444]

Mike here, your lessons are very simple to follow, had two guitars tons of books trying to learn or someone trying to teach me ( pushing) couldn't read tablature until you explained it, you keep it simple, slow, explain and show at the same time, I move forward when I'm ready not someone who tells me too. Problems are explained and simplified with your help. Songs are simple you play, teach, encourage to learn. Thank You Bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Mike, thank you for the kind comment and I'm just trying to get everyone to play this song. So glad that this is helping and don't stop, okay!! You are doing so great! All the best and have a great Monday (day off here)!! bob

[@yandeni]

Before any comment, this song gives me a crazy need to dance, with or without old shoes! Thank you so much Bob!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi VIV, this is supposed to be one of those square dance songs. Happy feet- ha ha...

[@barlo53]

Bob ,with out a doubt you are the best picking instructor I've found on the internet. Thank you.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Alan, thank you so much for you kind words and hoping you can get this lesson! If you need help just let me know! All the best and happy pickin' !! bob - thanks again Alan!!!

[@herbgraybill8963]

I thank you from the bottom of my guitar Bob for creating this lesson. I find myself wanting to use hammer on and push offs and pull offs in practically every tune I try to learn now! A lot of fun! Herb

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, So glad that the lesson helped- yes, it can get rather addicting al these little techniques. Really helps spice up a song!! I hope to be back soon with more lessons!! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

Love this stuff. It puts a smile on my face. And to think how thousands of times I sat and watched and listened to others do this. Thanks to you Mr Bob, I may just turn into one of them thar Bill Hillys!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, I'll have you goin out back and tending to the goats before too long ( ha ha).. Glad you are enjoying the lessons and the song!! Happy pickin' and have a great day! bob

[@colletter9900]

Man! I love your lessons! You keep it simple and yet it comes out sounding full and rich. Thank you so much...I really love this Hillbilly music (as my mother from Tennessee would say😊).

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Collette, I'm so happy that you are enjoying the lessons here... this music is in your blood!!! Have a great weekend and happy pickin' !! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

Hey Bob. Looking forward to the new year. Just a comment to say I can not thank you enough for teaching me Hammer On's and pull offs and push offs. As you know, these take it to another level when playing. Love it. Thanks Bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, happy new year and glad to hear that you are enjoying the guitar tricks- ha ha.. It's funny but I don't even realize I do them anymore so I'm certain that you will start to experience that feeling. Yes, definitely another level and a chance to give your an extra note here and there without doing anything on the right hand. Stay well and happy hammering!! bob

[@kengoode4077]

another great lesson Bob. Glad you got Old Shoe out there for us

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

He Ken, I had to get this out, took a little while... Hope all is well and happy pickin' !! bob

[@Me2UChannel]

Thanks for the tips Bob,that's pretty cool and English is my second language but to me your teaching is clearly understood , I check out other channels and I have a hard time understanding the way they explain things, very glad I found your channel 🤝👍🙏👌😁

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Me2U, wow, thank you so much for this, and I can't imagine trying to learn something and have to hear it in another language that's not my first! I'm glad you found my channel and the lessons are helping!!!! Just in case anything is not clear, just let me know. I spend all of my time with these videos making sure it's as easy as possible to understand- never really certain as I am my own worst critic- thank you for letting me know it's clear!! Happy day and happy guitar pickin' !! bob

[@pamc7094]

Bob, What a great video! I was not familiar with those terms and techniques. The best part about your teaching style is that you incorporate the techniques into an actual song. I always learn so much from you. Thank you so much for taking the time to put together such great videos.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Pam, thank you so much for this, and yes, I though it was important to be able to use this all in context with a song- and this song is loaded with them!! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks again Pam- always a joy to hear from you!!! bob

[@johnnybx3254]

Pull offs are lots easier! I’m getting a lot of learning from this lesson! Thanks so very much Bob👍🇺🇸😃

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Jognnybx, thanks for letting me know. So far 2-0 with pull offs... I would have thought the opposite!!! Glad you are enjoying this lesson!!! Have a great evening!!! bob

[@dianeirwin2959]

Another great tune to try... your teaching method is perfect for we beginners, Bob. Thanks for being so patient with us!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Diane, thank you- I'm so glad you are enjoying the lessons and getting better on the guitar!! Have a great weekend and happy pickin' !! bob

[@barriecusens1663]

The first video I watched on finger picking a couple of years ago was one of Bob's and I immediately became hooked. Thank you.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Barrie, glad you are still pickin' away (and hooked on the guitar!!).. Happy pickin' and I hope this video helped!!! bob!

[@susanjennings3394]

Hi Bob, thanks so much for sending out your message and so thoughtful of you as always to give us something to continue to inspire us, even though you have been busy catching up on some home decorating !!! I have also been decorating my sun lounge, so I know how time consuming it can be...It has made me realise how important it is to always find , even a little time each day, to pick up my guitar and practice.Dad has been very unwell lately, ...he's had to go into hospital for a blood transfusion, but is picking up again now, but not very strong. He continues to be a real inspiration, in times of trouble , as you do...with all that has been going on, I have got out of the routine of picking up my guitar, and I have already forgotton some parts of the recent songs you have taught and shared , which makes me sad ....especially for all the time and effort you have put in....so instead of being sad, I'm going to go through and refresh ...hopefully, I'll be back on track a little quicker , second time round !!!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Sue, thanks for the note here and first I am pulling for your Dad and hope he will have a good blood report. I just got mine back and not so good with a few things. Mine is diet ... around Halloween (candy day) , no one came to the door for treats. So guess who ate all 3 bags of candy over the course of a month right before bed? I think that all showed up on my tests. Can you say triglycerides? Guitar guitar guitar.... yea, remembering how to play something will go away just like that if you don't refresh from time to time. Things I work out are impossible to remember if I don't play it frequently. All my gigs (not for this year but in previous years) are a piece of cake for me (make that a veggie cake, no sugar)- All I have to do is know what chords a song is and I can just play whatever. I don't do well with planned out material at all (like solo guitar). Those solo guitarists that have every little detail worked out, wow, that's a different breed of guitarist- I realized a long time ago I didn't have the discipline to become. So when I pick up a guitar, I honestly don't have a clue what I'm going to play when it comes to a song, as I just am familiar with the structure. With that said, I think it's a great idea to refresh and I should take my own advice. One a teaching note, I want to try to teach the improvisational guitar approach which I will bet you will like. I just have to figure out how to teach it (minor detail- ha ha).. Anyway, I'm glad all is fairly okay and you're not bumming about forgetting the material. The positive though is when you do get going, there's going to be a nice improvement (opps, I ruined the surprise).. Thanks again Sue!!! As always- the best to you!! bob

[@susanjennings3394]

Hi Bob, You really made me laugh with the candy story ...I hope it hasn't turned into a new habit, especially with all the Christmas treats on the horizen !!! Thank you for your kind thoughts for dad, he has been doing better this week and is back up and about causing mischief, which is a good thing ! We had a message yesterday from the electrciy board to let us know that our electric would be turned off from 9am until 5pm, as some repairs needed to be done. So I had a plan... I decided that I would take this time out to go through all the songs you had taught and hunt down any weak spots ... I realised that all was not lost !!!!! I could still play most of the songs most of the way through, but not necessarily in the right order ?? !!!!! I thought I'd just go through the videos to refresh, but hey ho, the electric was off ! So I had to resort to reading the tab although it probably took me twice as long to get there ! I really enjoyed it and dad was there encouraging me telling me it sounded good, even the rubbish parts ...I am going to continue to work on the week spots now for a while, instead of always playing my favourites, as they were the ones that just came naturally !!! Hope you have a great Christmas Bob and that Santa doesn't bring you too much candy !!!!! @@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons ,

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@susanjennings3394 Hey Sue, I'm so glad to hear that your Dad is doing better- that is nice news to hear to start my day! Say hi for me okay! It's great that you remembered the music for the most part. This is a good idea to do about once a month (turn off the electricity?- ha ha)... I am on a health kick now and haven't eaten anything that is remotely bad! Lost about 18-10 pounds so far but it's going slow. There's a soup diet that I will do once in a while that will drop the weight as you eat more of the soup (like 15 pounds in a week). But right now I'm just not eating carbs such as bread, pasta etc... of course no candy... I feel so much better. Santa is bringing me some broccoli for Christmas!!! Glad your Dad is okay.... Happy guitar day Sue- chat soon!!

[@firefly1124ful]

I really enjoy your videos. I started learning Guitar about 4 months ago so I have tried out a lot of other instructional videos. You are in my top 3. I am very surprised that you dont have more likes!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Kimberly, thank you and glad you are enjoying the videos. If you can even play a little of this song, you are not a beginner anymore- unbelievable progress for 4 months only! Have a great weekend and all that matters is the people that do come here (love them all) will get better on the guitar! bob

[@Bruce1026]

I enjoy ALL of your lessons, Bob. I have learned a lot of new techniques from your videos. Pleas keep up the great work and I will be sure to share your site. Thanks!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thank you so much Bruce, it's so great to have your support and help and yes, lots of new techniques here. I'm hoping they will be easy enough but I think the pull off is the most difficult. Have a great weekend and happy pickin' !!! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

I find myself coming back to this song over and over. it is great to see you enjoying yourself with this. I am up to 110 on the metronome. What rate are playing it at the beginning of the video? Herb

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey my friend Herb, it's great to hear from you and hoping all is well- glad you are pickin' away! So if the metronome is clicking off counting the downbeats (4 per measure) the tempo is about 105). But if you are playing all the beats of the metronome (1/8th notes) that speed is 210. Now getting up to 110 (I'm assuming you are playing a note each time the metronome sounds off ) that is excellent work Herb!!!!!!!! You know I'm not impressed with speed as the accuracy is of most importance to me. But if I didn't tell you this before, to get speed, what you want to do is to set your metronome to 110, and after you have played it well for your practice session, go ahead and sneak it up to 112 or so (just a little bit). You probably won't notice the difference.. if you can play it at that speed, then that's your new baseline tempo. Next day, keep it there but don't be tempted to raise it, just stay there a few days (or when you know you it's smooth). Then at the end of one of the last day you play at 112, go ahead and raise it to 114 or so... Keep repeating this process moving the metronome in small steps but over time. In other words, the key is to stay at that comfortable tempo a while before moving it up (that will mean days and repeated practice sessions. It's like weightlifting- you just don't bench press 400 pounds the first time.... you have to train to get up to that weight. I hope this helps and have a feeling that you already do something similar to this. And by doing it this way, you will be surprised that in a month or two, you will go up 25- 40 or even 80 clicks higher, just by slowly moving the metronome up slightly and not sacrificing cleanliness and smoothness. I hope something here helps!!! Happy pickin' and just a warning- heard Earl was down in your neck of the woods... (ha ha... bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Appreciate you taking the time Bob. My motive was to put a number on my target of playing along with you in the beginning of the video. I hope I am saying this in a way that makes sense. I remember you always stressed that speed is not the goal, it will just come on it's own. I have noticed just that. Then the fun starts. LOL The bit you do about Earl is hilarious. Even my wife makes the joke about ccchurch!!! I tried doing something similar with a closeup of the mouth in an effort to send it to my grandson with who I exchange videos. Ha HA ..It was pretty scary! LOL He is only 3 years old. Maybe I will wait a year or two on that plan. As always, great talking to you. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.....Herb

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@herbgraybill8963 this is way too funny, you doing this to your Grandson! I think you probably scared him! ha ha... I'm glad that at least someone gets my warped sense of humor. When I was down at Billy's house it was kind of scary, like something you'd see in one of those horror movies. I swear he probably thought Eisenhower was still our president. For some reason (maybe it's the music) I can relate to it all, as so many people in the music style I play are like Billy and the main audience. It's the part of America that most people will never see.. Best to you and God's blessings to the family, your wife and kids and your Grandson! Chat soon and hope all is well. bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

Hey Bob Thanks to your teaching talents I am up to 100 bpm on this song! I had to tell somebody! You are the best! Herb

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

HEy Herb, you are a speed demon!!! that's incredible!!!! I think you are the best!!!

[@gtsipejr]

I'm honored to be your 100th thumbs UP with no downers. Great video Bob. GT (edit): It's literally impossible to sit still when you're playing this song.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey GT, wow, this might be a first! Wish I had a gift or something to send you!!! ha ha... Yea, this is a real toe tapper- aka- a barn burner... Next I should teach how to play and dance at the same time- ha ha... Wishing you happy pickin' - thanks again- bob

[@62gwj]

Definitely pull downs for me Bob great lesson, many thanks this is a nice style of guitar playing please keep it coming !

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Guy, I think it's about 6-1 with pull downs in the lead. Glad you are enjoying the songs! Happy pickin' and have a great weekend! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

Ha ha! I must be slowing down. All the times I have viewed this vid, I just now noticed the fuzzy little slipper. You teach me and you keep me laughing at the same time. What a blessing.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, yea, the old shoe- I thought fit with the song and I recorded the foot stomp too- that slipper had a "good tone" ha ha... Thank you for noticing! Happy pickin' and as always Herb, a pleasure to hear from you!!

[@susanjennings3394]

Hi Bob....just love this song...with my Irish blood...it would definitely go down well over here in the local bars ! When you played the song through at the beginning and at full speed, I thought ...gosh, I've got no chance of getting this one...but as always, when you break it all down for us, I know I'll be able to play it with practice and yet again, you are teaching us new skills along the way. I tried out the slide...which is sounding a bit scratchy at the moment !!!! and find the pull off's a bit easier than the push off's .....maybe because I was following what you first showed us, so it was the first one I tried ??? Thank you for all the time, research and effort you put in to make these lessons the best they could possibly be.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Sue, yea, all these Hillbilly songs have Irish roots for sure!!! Now the score is 3-0 for pull off's !! I would have thought the other way around! You are going to get this- I'm certain of that!!!! Hey to Dad for me - hope all is well... !!!

[@billyb2397]

Thanks Bob, I'm still working on Hill Billy Serenade but keen to start on this.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

No rush!!! This song will be waiting for you!! Hope you have a great weekend filled with fun pickin' !! bob

[@julie22141]

Been working on this one for a few weeks now, great sound (at least when you play it LOL!). It will be a while before I get anywhere near that, but it's good to have a challenge! And I can definitely say I find the pull offs easier. Thanks for another great lesson Bob!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Julie, this is an example of what seems so simple but does have some intricacies. I am betting you will get it! So now it's 7-1 with the pull offs! Very interesting as I would have thought the other way around!

[@susanjennings3394]

Hi Bob, not had to much time lately, but just come over here to be in a happy place for a little while and try to get up to speed with this one !!! Ive got the idea in my head, and the sequence of events, but I'm still getting used to using the pick ....although it will be worth the effort, as it does make the sound ring out so much nicer. Hopefully with practice, I'll be able to get up to speed , but for now, I don't think anyone will be thinking of doing a jig when they hear me play....maybe more like a waltz !!! Thank you for all time, care and thought you put into everything you do , and hope you're keeping safe and well.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Sue, seems like everyone has put their guitar down for a while, but it's all good. Don't worry about the speed. Slow and accurate is better than fast and frantic! Hope you guys are okay- I've been fixing up my house but will be back soon with more to follow... Happy (waltz time) pickin' !!!)

[@bobbigascoigne5232]

Love this one! Will have to really work at it to get it but man, I like this one! Thanks Bob.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Bobbi, I'm glad you like this song!! I think you will get this if you just go slow with each section! Happy weekend- happy pickin' !!! bob

[@akirageass8378]

I choose your channel and you to be my guitar guide and I learned pretty faster in a few months😁hope you're on a condition and keep safe mr.bob..

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey again Akira, this is great that you are taking a lot of the lessons here and moving ahead so fast... I will bet that you have talent! Yes, staying safe (thank you!) and hope you do the same- Please keep me posted with your progress and have a great guitar day!

[@akirageass8378]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons I appreciate being notice by my "teacher" it was an honor😃 and I'll make sure that I will always keep your lessons in my mind whenever I play my guitar...

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@akirageass8378 the honor is all mine- I'm happy to be a part of it all for you!!! Happy guitar and keep me posted with your progress!!! bob

[@varunagrawal7036]

Yesterday was teacher's day here in India. You are the best guitar teacher in the world! Happy teacher's day Bob! 🎸 😊 Btw I am not the only other person to begin using your line. Happy Pickin!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Varun, well, I don't know if I deserve it but it's so nice of you to say!!! Thank you and happy pickin' ha ha ha... hope you have a great day. your friend- bob

[@kyleem8187]

Hi Bob! Pull offs feel easier for this learnin picker...thanks for your no nonsense style lesson. Peace to you! Kylee

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Kylee, now it's 4-0 for Pull off's!! I am so surprised I would have thought other way around!! Hope all is well with you!! happy pickin' and chat again soon!! bob

[@johnpicton4306]

Good song, seems hard to get used to. The other link in the email doesn't have the song sheet music for Old Shoe.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey John, yes it takes a while to get used to with all of the fancy pull off's and such. The link that you are taking about sends you to the page with the other songs too- you just have to click on the Old Shoe folder. Let me know that you found it (or if not- will send to you.. Hope all is well!!! bob

[@jeanettesvensson2184]

Hi Bob! This one, "Old Shoe" was my favourite! But these pull offs and push offs was all new to me. Tried them 5 minutes ago, and I find the pull off easier. Not to say that I got that one right either... 😂 More to learn, and as usual you make this pickin' happy for us all! ❤🌻🌻🌻

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Jeanette! Yes, I remember you saying you liked this song!! Thank you for letting me know that the pull off is easier- You are the first person to comment about my question and my guess is the push off would be easier. Score 1-0 for pull offs ( ha ha). Hope you have a great weekend- I'm going to just relax today and play guitar in front of the tv set!!! Yee Haw!!!

[@jeanettesvensson2184]

Sounds like you have a great plan for your weekend! Here it's almost bed time, but I'm a night owl so I won't finish my sunday just yet. Maybe I'll try playing the guitar while watching TV - my knitting will have some competition. 😊 Have a great sunday! Take care!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Jeanette, sorry I missed this follow up comment. Just thought of something- how about knitting a guitar (ha ha).. sorry for my warped sense of humor. The knitting takes a huge amount of patience so, I already know it's going good on the guitar for you. Hope you are having a good week!!! bob

[@jeanettesvensson2184]

If I had only started learning playing the guitar when I was 4... 🙄😊 You have a great weekend, Bob!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

thanks @@jeanettesvensson2184 - I'd like a try at that rewind button!!

[@Dannick]

I like that bro thanks 🎸🎶🎶😇🙏🌹

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thank you Dancik, I'm glad this helped!!

[@Axelremus]

Your videos are so nice and easy to learn i just started 15 days ago and i have a big progress. Pleas if you can let us teash “you are my sunshine” finger pick please, thanks for your video lessons.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Leqso, great to hear from you and that would be a great song to teach. I will add that to my "request list". Currently I had to take some time off from the lessons but will be back asap! Have a great guitar day and thank you again!! bob

[@CaffeineJogger]

lets go with Old Shoe! The sheet music doesn't have the small rectangular boxes above each measure Bob? Strain on backs of the wrist and fingers 4/5. Gotta practice this Bob.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thanks Rog, yea, on the chord chart I had to ditch the chords above as it was too confusing- this song is more like solo picking than play a pattern with chords. Above I just listed the overall chord that it would be (just the letters like G C and D) but this song doesn't play chord shapes... I hope that makes sense? Yes, takes a while to get used to all the little things in this song! THanks Rog- hope all is well!!

[@julie22141]

I never imagined I'd ever be playing this kind of Hillbilly music - it's just my cup of tea! Now to try out those pull offs, push offs, slides and hammer on's. Stay safe and may those goats never get to your sunflowers!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Julie, you are already a hillbilly with that goat in your back yard!! And thank you for watching till the end- !!! See, you never know... ha ha..

[@herbgraybill8963]

The insignia for the hammer on and the slide look identical. How do I determine which to use? Thanks ahead for your help Bob. Curious about all that great equipment in the background. You have a lot of power back there.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, that insignia seems to be the same for hammer on's, push off's or pull offs... I don't know why and I even looked it up to make sure. When I'm doing the play along, it should be easy to see what I'm doing, and to make sure, just watch the video as I will break down each measure. Recommend maybe making your own note in those questionable spots with a P mark or H mark. Also, I make a mistake at the intro part (teaching it) as measure 1 I'm doing hammer on's when it's supposed to be a slide according to the chart. Either will work but the hammer on I think sounds best. My day job is record producing and hence all the gear! Happy pickin' Herb, you will get this!!! Just one step at a time!! bob

[@ianbartlett2626]

Hey Bob! Just got the Hillbilly Serenade under my fingers and love the sweet sounds of this song.. Now on to This Old Shoe - like this one a lot. I am finding pull-offs work really well for me on all strings. My hammer-ons are solid and the slides are working well. Loving this old shoe but it may take some time to get it up to the speed you are playing it. How many bpm is that?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Ian, Glad you are playing the Serenade and happy you are on Old Shoe now. I think Old Shoe is around 110 but it doesn't have to be that fast- whatever you can play it at and sound good I say. Pull off's it is.. majority of everyone said the same thing.. Hope everything is well with you guys- I was just thinking about you the other day. I had to take a little break here as I'm fixing some major house problems. I probably won't be able to play anymore from the work (my hands feel like aching clams- ha ha).

[@CaffeineJogger]

Hei Bob, this "Old Shoe' tune? second measure? For a beginner would you advise to slide down with the same finger on frets 2 then 4(thumb, thumb) or instead of sliding using alternate middle and ring fingers etc? You did mention having no firm rule here and indicated changing depending on your mood etc? For me sliding down is easier but that might change with practice. You always alternate between fingers rather than sliding? Seems so at least with this song.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Rog, at some point you are going to be watching another video and choose different fingerings than what is displayed, as I have to frequently do this with stuff I have to learn. Ultimately the idea is to make the song "your own" and all those little decisions with fingerings I recommend are my easiest, but not necessarily yours. As long as you are not doing something that interferes with the groove and timing, it's all good. As you are probably figuring out, every little decision you make effects the surrounding measures both front and back. Since you are focusing in on this, it lets me know that you are very aware of this... and I couldn't be happier. This whole thing is called by musicians "making the changes"...

[@varunagrawal7036]

Hi bob! I have some news... About half a month ago i took part in a music competition (online, of course) hosted by my school. (I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I'm in high school.) The competition is held every year, and i had participated in it last year and come second (despite being only a few months into playing guitar). This time though, i beat the guitarist who beat me the previous year and came first... which means that now i am officially the best bassist (just kidding! 😁) at my school despite having played for just a year and a half. I am thrilled! However, after the competition, something happened to me. A few months into the lockdown we began with online classes, which are very draining. It uses up a lot of energy and leaves me in no mood to do any homework or anything similar for the rest of the day. Recently i have found myself drifting away from music and playing the guitar less and less. I am finding myself in a situation a bit like a guitar rut, but more to do with life. However, about half an hour before writing this i had a look at some of your lessons and am feeling a bit better... hopefully this rut won't last very long 😕? Anyway.. thank you for all your help and Happy Picking!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

WOW!!! VARUN!!! this is GREAT NEWS!!! Congratulations!!!! What an accomplishment!! I am very proud and happy for you!!! I will bet that you really worked hard to win this, as that is always the case with anyone who can make such leaps and bounds. You must be on top of the world !!! So great!!! So................... I guess I am not so surprised about the rut.. The RUT, yea, I know those all too well, and now that you have/had one, welcome to the club. But just because you are getting better and better doesn't mean you are not going to have them. In fact, the higher you climb, the further you can fall. I've had ruts that lasted a few days, and ruts that lasted months. Some ruts even lasted a year. So here's a couple of facts to realize- 1. Obviously you have talent 2. Obviously you are going to be playing music for the rest of your life 3. Ruts just happen 4. When you get out of the rut you will improve! I know this might sounds strange but I almost welcome the rut at times. Getting out of the rut means that there will be something that moves me - an inspiration. And this inspiration can be right in your face, or something that slowly creeps up on you.. Since I am never really happy with my playing, I am somehow always at least in a little rut, which makes me work harder. And sometimes just taking a big old break is all that was needed- a new way to look at things. I hope that something here will help- but trust me, you are no where near alone as anyone who plays has got to go through this. Congrats again!! This is so marvelous!! bob

[@kanjo9963]

HI Bog, Another great lesson. I notice in Ole Shoe you use a thumb pick but in previous lessons I have seen you just use your thumb. Can you say why and are there any tricks we should know about how and when to use a thumb pick?

[@kanjo9963]

Sorry about misspelling your name Bob.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Kanjo, thank you for taking this lesson here and yes, thumbpick for this song- simply because the melody notes that are picked by the thumb want to be louder than the rhythm notes. I originally played this song in this video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZbMhXWbdp2hqrM (last song) along with others and show an example of a song with thumbpick, and without.. I think this will explain it all... Thanks again and have a great day!! bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

I think I like Bog better!!!

[@herbgraybill8963]

Hey Bob, how are you doing? When using a metronome with a song like this to be played I think you said at 120. I am maybe at 70 to 75 bpm and the hammer ons and the pull offs seem to be unchanging at the same rate regardless. One pluck equals two notes. I guess my question is does then the second note of the hammer on or pull off count in the rhythm I am trying to keep? Confused? Me too? LOL

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, great to hear from you and hope all is well. So let me clarify the purpose of all three techniques: With the left hand, you can sound off a note without picking the note on the right hand. This is especially useful as (you are correct) one pluck note with the hammer on, slide or pull/push off creates 2 notes.. Yes, it definitely does count in the rhythm!! If you look at the sheet music, it shows that there's a note there and just imagine you are plucking it.. Now don't pluck it... note is still there if you did the technique correctly. Again, the sheet music will show you when and where that happens if you are not able to get it by watching. I hope this makes sense!!! Let me know okay.... Once you get it, you'll go....... what was all the fuss about- LOL!! bob

[@gopipalm1861]

Hi Bob, thank's for the great video on pull offs and push offs. What is the tempo of this song when you played at the very beginning of this video? In the play-along you did it in 30 bpm. In the beginning, along with your guitar, there are 3 other instruments in the background. However, in the play-along it's only guitar which sounds little different. I'm a beginner, following your lessons regularly. Thank you Master. :)

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Gopi, great to hear from you and thank you for taking the lesson with me! So the tempo I play the song at the beginning is about 110 which is quick for sure. Yes, I added bass and mandolin on the song too which fills it out and very typical for this style of music to have for a recording. The tradition of this music is people playing together- so obviously, one guitar will sound different. The way to develop speed is to use the metronome and start each practice session at a tempo that you are comfortable with. Then at the end of each session, turn up the tempo on the metronome a couple clicks higher- just small adjustments. So if you are at 30, put it up to 32. You won't notice that much of a difference. Then next session do the same, and slowly add a little more speed... Repeat this process for a couple weeks and your speed will definitely increase quite a lot. Happy pickin' and I hope this helps!! bob

[@juliuschuwe7300]

Wow Bob that's nice

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thank you Julius! Hope you are having fun with this song!!! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

FYI Watched it until the end. I am looking forward to trying my new thumb pic s for the first time. Thanks Bob My goats would keep the poison ivy at bay. Great animal. They were my buds. :) Herb

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Herb, it's been a while and great to hear from you. Thank you for watching the whole video and glad you are going to try the thumbpick. It does take a while to get used to but once you do, it's difficult to switch back to fingers. The tone is better I think. I did know that goats eat the poison ivy and if it weren't for the deer we have (who also eat poison ivy) I might consider a goat or two. You are right, great animals!! Happy pickin' and as always, great to hear from you!! bob

[@julie22141]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Seems like you could think about starting a sub-group of guitar playing goat keepers!! And yes, they're great, real characters, a bit bad mannered, but I love mine even when they're eating my sunflowers!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@julie22141 Well isn't this interesting! The hillbilly music is bringing out all the goat keepers- ... Boy, just a little sooner and your goat could have been famous!!! ha ha ha!! Still amazed you sent me that photo!!!

[@wazhushkmuskrat9907]

I love your teaching, been following you for awhile now! Your the best. I’m confused a bit with this one. The symbols for hammer ons , and slides is a confusing me reading the tab. You used the same symbol for hammer ons and slides. Measures 1 through 7. That’s where I stopped. Do you have any other written sheet music on this very neat song?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Wazhushk muskrat, thank you for the kind words and you are right, this the symbols are confusing. The program I use called Tux guitar doesn't indicate a difference in Hammer on's and pull off's.. I would have liked to put a "P" into the tab or an "H"... I must have spent 10 hours trying a work around and no luck. But this song is easy so we can go over each measure. Measure's 1 and 3 is intended as a slide. Measures 4 and 5 are hammer on's Measure 6 is a hammer on and then slide Measures 7 8 9 10 is all hammer on's.. In fact the A section and intro - no pull off's or push off's.. A section repeats B Section 19, 20, 21 22 are either pull off's of push off's (you choice). If you watch the whole video I will talk in detail about all if this (maybe too much talking). I hope this helps!!! You can always write me at [e-mail] for more help but I think you will get this. happy pickin' !! bob

[@wazhushkmuskrat9907]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons thanks so much for responding. I have redone the markings on the sheet music. I meant no offence by pointing this out. You're a fantastic teacher. thanks

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi @@wazhushkmuskrat9907 , I'm glad this helped!! Happy pickin' and glad you are learning this song!!!

[@varunagrawal7036]

Hi bob, Hope everything's okay and you haven't had any weather problems... It's been a while since you've put out a lesson.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Varun, everything is fine here and I am doing some much needed "home improvement" or as I call it, just making the house livable again. Unfortunately it is taking me away from the lessons but I am still playing guitar a lot- just had two gigs (shows) this last weekend with a bluegrass group. Hope all is well with you and I will be back (hopefully real soon!!)... !!

[@pauleverettguitar1568]

Great lesson Bob ! I find my students often need to work on hammer ons the most, at first. I've a few arrangement lessons on my new channel also.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Paul, great to hear from you and just checked out your Beatles 8 days a week and it sounded very cool. Are you teaching that too? Wishing you good luck with your channel but it's difficult at first to get it going with the visitors. Thanks for reaching out Paul- we should keep in contact! bob

[@pauleverettguitar1568]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Hi Bob, yes I teach it on my webpage. Thanks for the reply and advice. I'd love to keep in touch, absolutely. Best, Paul

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Paul@@pauleverettguitar1568, my e mail is [e-mail] as well. Wishing you the best with your youtube channel- I don't know if you would consider this but, I think you have a great niche with the left handed guitar playing. You could get more views with targeted left handed guitar keywords in your titles and descriptions. I narrowed my channel down to acoustic guitar, beginner and fingerstyle, but the channel now has more juice for me to expand if I want to. Okay, this is all just a thought- if you are filtering your viewers to your web page to private or paid lessons, you are probably doing pretty well with it. That's something I have yet to do! - bob

[@pauleverettguitar1568]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Hey Bob! Thanks for the tips. It seems my videos were recorded inverted so I'm flipping them back the right way. Appreciate that feedback!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@pauleverettguitar1568 never even considered that! In any event, thank you and I will check back to see how you are doing and wishing you the best..

[@dhodges103]

Hey, Bob. - I have a question. The first measure are hammer-ones. The third measure is a slide, but the tablature looks the same. How do we know which is a hammer-on and which is a slide by looking at the tablature?

[@dhodges103]

AH -never mind !! I found the answer in another comment - it is a Tux guitar thing !

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Donna, I was going to say that so I'm glad you got it. Wow, you are doing great... very exciting!

[@rae7968]

Can you please do a lesson for de ushuaia a la quiaca by Gustavo Santaolalla. Your the best teacher!!!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi R A E E S A, this is an advanced song! Not easy. Do you know how to play barr chords? And there are many finger stretches too. Here's a video I found- great and beautiful song kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ6xiYKsYqipg9k

[@herbgraybill8963]

Thanks Bob Been meaning to ask you if that is you on the overdub of the mandolin?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Yes, and interestingly, I don't think I've ever seen anyone fingerpick a mandolin.

[@herbgraybill8963]

Sounds as though that may find a place on your bucket list Bob. :) Ha ha. If it can be done you be the one.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@herbgraybill8963 hummm, and interesting idea for sure. !!

[@paulwillemsen2957]

Hi Bob I’m just working the old shoe song with the hammer ons and pull- and push offs. I saw on the Tab that there is no difference in notification so how can we know when what to use?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Paul, great to hear from you and happy that you are learning this song (however confusing the little insignias are!). I too have trouble with this but here's what I do know- The slanted line tilting upward to the right means it's supposed to be a slide. That's always the case when you see that insignia. But for hammer on's or pull off's/push off's, the insignia is a frowny face, kind of like this...^ only curved. .So measure 3 is a slide (but dummy me, I played a hammer on in the video unconsciously). Measure 4 and 5 are hammer on's.. Hammer on then slide in measure 6. The A section without the intro repeats again till measure 19, 20, 21 22 (B section), which are all either pull off's or push off's.. (whatever is easier for you). I sure hope you can make heads or tails on this, and perhaps watching the slowed down play along will help too. Thanks again and if you still need help, I will keep trying! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

Hi Bob Hope all is well. Any tips on how to transition from measure 10 to measure 11 would be much appreciated! Happy turkey day! Herb What did the guitar say to the guitarist? Pick on someone your own size! What do you call a successful guitarist? A guy whose wife has 2 jobs.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

So for 10 to 11, it's pretty strait forward and I'm guessing that the clog up is the left hand having to move into position up the neck. Your last couple notes you pick on 10 are open and in that little space, that gives you enough time to position your hand at the 4th fret for that opening slide at 11. I would loop at a slow speed measures 10 and 11 and play that transition till you can do it in your sleep. This is what I will do for difficult transitions. So basically again after you play that G note on the 6th string, you got to start moving your left hand into position and the plucked open notes will give you the time to do so pretty much at any tempo. I hope this helps!! I love those guitar jokes!!!! and banjo jokes What do you call a banjo player without a girlfriend? Homeless.. ha ha.. have a good one!!! bob

[@herbgraybill8963]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons Thanks for the help Bob! Will do! What did the banjo say to the worried guitar? ...........violins are no fret to them.

[@CaffeineJogger]

interestingly you use forefinger and middle finger (measure two) on the second and fourth fret?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

with this style, I never know what fingers I'm going to use. I just know when that beat comes around I got to use one of them!

[@mairachoudhry8438]

Hey I'm a complete beginner and really want to learn how to play the guitar and don't know where to start. Do I start by learning the theory or simple songs? What do you recommend?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Maira, great to hear from you and let me see if I can help! So the very first thing you want to do is decide on what style you want to play. If you want to learn rock electric guitar or strumming, obviously this beginner fingerstyle channel is not for you. But just assuming you want to learn fingerstyle, I've found that learning how to play first and then getting some theory is better than the reverse- simply because you can learn and study theory endlessly and still not be able to play guitar. The easiest course I have is this one, kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGLHkKmmp6eeiqc and there is a study guide that goes with it as well. I will also go into some theory along the way. But the main focus is playing guitar. It's funny but this reminds me of high school- I was thinking about joining the track team and I asked a guy that was already on the team "What do you do?" and he said, "You run".. Hope something here helps!! All the best and thanks again for watching (hopefully playing soon!!). bob

[@mairachoudhry8438]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons This information really helped, thank you so much. I will start learning how to play soon!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@mairachoudhry8438 Excellent! If you need any help, just let me know! Happy New Year! bob

[@sergeauguste2074]

hi mister harris how you doing to day good .so i would like to helping have like the tableture of the number 5 lessons like the sheet music pls

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Serge, check your e mail, just sent this to you!! bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Serge, just sent you an e mail!!!

[@sergeauguste2074]

i got it mister bob thank you so much

[@ralphketter8331]

Thanks

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thank you for watching Ralph!! Happy pickin' and great weekend!! bob

[@williamnarron1588]

Hi Bob, I am a long long time beginner (Can't seem to get past the beginner stage) but I'm still pecking away trying. Anyway, I really like your hillbilly style lessons. Seems like something I can actually learn with a LITTLE bit of effort. For this song I find the "Pull Offs" easier. Thanks for the great lesson and keep them coming. ----- Also, saw a comment about a VIP club, what is that all about and how do I join? I don't see a link on you tube for it. I'll send you an E-Mail and give you my E-Mail address, maybe you can sign me up that way!

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Bill, hope you got my e mail. Hopefully we can get you out of the beginner mode... it's just steps, and the slower the better. Score here is now 4-1 for push off's... I would have thought your vote would be in the lead!!! Happy pickin' and chat soon!! bob

[@hari6om]

💖💖💖

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Love to you !!!

[@ralphketter8331]

So in Measure 1 "/" means a hammer on and in measure 3 it means a slide so I guess it is by choice. The "arch" symbol can mean a "hammer-on", "pull-off" or "push-off" so again I guess this is by choice or preference.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

HEy Ralph, you are correct. the / sign is supposed to be a slide but I think I am doing a hammer on ( measure 1). Your choice- and you are correct with the other choices as well. But those places that I'm doing pull off's it's got to be that cause a hammer on or slide just wouldn't work at all. I hope this helps and thanks for paying attention!! Happy pickin' !! bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Should hire you to clean up my messes with the charts- hate doing them and I always find some sort of mistake after I release it!!!

[@parminderkaur4438]

Can someone please tell me a strumming pattern for the song Cold by Indiana Massara and Alex Sampson

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Parminder Kaur- that's a nice song. Simple way would be 1 2 3 & 4 & (counting) down, down, down, up, down, up ( strumming direction) Hope this helps! bob

[@parminderkaur4438]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons THANKS A LOT!!!! You don't know what a great help it is I am really blessed to have found your channel. 🤩 By the way can you please also tell me a nice strumming pattern for the chorus of the same song....?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@parminderkaur4438 are you talking about the breakdown part? If so, I would just play "diamonds" which is some Nashville music terminology for strumming 1 downbeat per measure. The strum is a slow strum and meant to ring out across a measure. 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 D D D there's a million ways to play this song. Fingerpicking works too..

[@parminderkaur4438]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons I would love to try fingerpicking on this song but I am not yet experienced with it.... But anyways thanks one again for being such a generous and helping person....

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@parminderkaur4438 I'm glad the my strumming explanation helped- the fingerpicking will come so no worries.. Happy guitar day!! bob

[@haadiyanoorienhuma11b68]

Hey bob Are you sick or something I realised that you haven't been making videos If you're alright please tell😊😊

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Haadiaya, I'm doing good and busy doing work around my house that has been neglected for a long time. I would hire someone but I can't afford it so I have to do it myself. I will be back probably in 2 weeks!! Hope you are enjoying the lessons and you are well! bob

[@haadiyanoorienhuma11b68]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons oh good then Actually I was a bit worried 😅 Hope your work gets finished soon 😊 Stay safe 😊

[@haadiyanoorienhuma11b68]

First comment again Yay

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

!!!! Yes, yes!!! Hope you have a great weekend!!!

[@haadiyanoorienhuma11b68]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons you too bob! Stay safe and sound

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thank you Hasdiya!!

[@haadiyanoorienhuma11b68]

@@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons welcome 😀😀

[@the_roblox_queen1349]

Thanks A LoT

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Thanks for taking the lesson!!!

[@voivodOfficial]

HOW do I sign up?

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hi Vio Vod, there's a link in the video that takes you to my website where you can get the sheet music but you can also e mail me at [e-mail] and I will send it to you..

[@voivodOfficial]

Thank you! It's the weirdest thing. I do not see a link in both my phone or TV. In other words, you point to a link in the video but I see nothing. BTW - your videos truly are the best.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

@@voivodOfficial it's at the end of the video- and I point to it 16:28 but you can just e mail me too! thank you and I'm glad you are enjoying the lessons! bob

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Oh, and if you don't see the link, then it's on KZbin's end as I used to put the link in the description area and people would ask "Where's the link" ... and I guess they didn't see a description area. Computers.... ugh...

[@vinnyoorsprong62]

pul off push off ' tug off war' on guitarstrings...😀😀

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

ha ha ha.... so creative!!!!

[@bluesgirl01]

Hi Bob --- love the song and lesson but the music notation is not jiving with what you are teaching. Measure one shows a slide from 4 to 5 in the music but you are teaching a hammer on and you state that is the notation for it.. Either one sounds good to me but that might be confusing for beginners who are learning the notation? Measure 3 - same slide notation from 4 to 5 which you are teaching as a slide. Measure 5 the music shows a hammer on from 2 to 5 but you are teaching a slide. A slide is much easier for me and here I think it sounds better. I personally think you can mix and match to make a song your own but if you are learning what the notation is on a tab, you won't understand when the notation doesn't match what you are teaching. The take away for this song for me is real good practice for hammer ons, pull offs (I like them better) and slides plus I will challenge myself to use a thumb pick! I like seeing songs too that gradually bring you out of frets 1-3 only.

[@AcousticGuitarVideosLessons]

Hey Blues Girl, so you're the one that noticed (ha ha)! One of my biggest downfalls with my guitar playing has always been the inability to read music and play what's written. You will find this downfall with all hillbilly pickers as we don't really play with sheet music at all. Might have filmed this song 10 times and it will always be different. I think the clip I used was about the closest I was able to get to the sheet music. Does it sound good- well I don't know. But I guess the takeaway for you is exactly what you wrote above, making your own personal choices to play the song in your style- you know, add your own embellishments to it. If I were to play this song live on stage or do it as a song on an album, it would be very different for certain. And minutes later if there was a take 2, that would be different too. So the framework here is a starting point really, and from what you are saying, you get it! So imagine now that you have all these variables at your fingertips and the ability to play any one of those techniques at any time anywhere in the song and without thinking about it. Just the fact that you are aware of this is a great thing and tells me that you are ready (or are ready now) to go outside the box. So I hope you will continue to experiment with it all by using the emotion of the song to direct you. This is not a beginner concept at all, and in truth, the main concept of a song like this. So have at it- you got the talent!!! Gonna close by saying that I would love at some point to hear what you come up with- maybe send me a video of you playing the song? Lots of students have sent in videos to me. Yes, I will hear some "creative" embellishments but I'm only concerned about good timing and musicality.