Tommy Emmanuel interview and fingerstyle lesson

[@Fsuholley]

Poor Tommy gets asked the same questions day after day year after year and still has a great attitude about it. Awesome gentleman.

[@greg4673]

Ha! Poor Tommy....that,s a good one. He purposefully turns all such interviews into solid advertising...

[@robertdusemund1045]

@@greg4673 And he's right! Everyone thinks it's all talent. But far from it. More than 90% is training, some of which are very painful training. I coach guitarists who believe they can do anything. And they are horrified when I tell them that they haven't practiced enough. Horrified and offended. And if I practice like crazy at home - like I do 4-5 hours a day for 4 years, 365 days a year before my first concert - then 150 € / $$ (then 300 DM) is an hourly wage for my first concert of 5 cents (two hours of performance). My guitar at the time cost five times as much and is not included in the bill. If I make a living for my family with music, then I have to think economically as if I were running a completely normal business. I can just live with my music and have to give a lot of lessons.

[@thefishinmusician801]

I believe he loves answering these questions over and over because he loves it so much! He is truly inspiring!

[@rudolfbrajdic240]

I think that this gentleman plays better chords then Chet,although Chet was a great guitar player,he was too robotic

[@geoffreybreasley9845]

Yeah his scratching his 👃 he might be doing the nose candy

[@leekirkland.musician]

I haven't seen an interview where Tommy isn't happy to be there and enthusiastically engaging with the interview....love it.....no ego in sight and the guy oozes pure class!!!

[@Skinny_Karlos]

We Aussies are like that.

[@TheZacdes]

Obviously you havent met him,lol

[@2beJT]

Agreed 100%. He's the type of professional we all should aim to be.

[@DC180]

@@Skinny_Karlos bullllllshit

[@Skinny_Karlos]

@@DC180 Fuck off, Yank !!

[@catkeys6911]

He is the Master Communicator. He tells beautiful stories with his incredible playing, and then, when asked, explains everything so beautifully, with such openness and humility. He is a rare gem.

[@TheSoultrain515]

This interviewer does a great job of letting Tommy speak without jumping in too much. Phenomenal video!

[@oldgit4260]

He's like a dummy

[@MauriatOttolink]

TheSoultrain515 That's because the interviewer wanted to know and wanted to listen, not get miffed because his own voice wasn't being heard often enough..the modern technique!

[@LeastTango]

@@oldgit4260 WTF?

[@mysticalstalker7524]

Spot on, interviewer was great.

[@stephenmcqually2983]

Finally an interviewer who asks a question and let's the subject answer

[@benabbottguitar]

For him, business is good not only because he is talented, but also because he interacts how an entertainer should.

[@paulmay7777]

The best guitarist in the world by a mile. Anyone who understands the guitar and what this style entails will agree.

[@BRAIDERMAN]

***** I think when you get up to this high standard of playing, there is no difference between the great players. They are all 'gifts to the world' and their varied musical styles enriches all our lives. These great players are born with a musicality that OCD just builds upon with practise.

[@olivierrobert4424]

+BRAIDERMAN one of the best understandin of music and rhythm and i dont know what to say about passion i think for me its the numbers one thing its to be passionate ... tommy have so much passion its indescribable i see him 3 time live and i go next month in quebec canada to see him but each player have their own style and aptitude so we can says this guy or that guy is best of all.

[@Quazi-Moto]

abztractbeats I would wholly agree he's one of the best. But how can we say there is any ONE "best" guitarist? Personally, I couldn't make a list with just one guy at the top. I'd have to make it a 4-or-5-way tie for first. It's all subjective, for the most part, when it comes to music. The average listener thinks a guy is the best in the world just because they like his music while snubbing their nose at another guitarist who is far superior technically. Think Angus Young vs say, Yngwie. Some folks of questionable understanding of what music is and requires may think Angus is THE best while condemning Malmsteen to the bottom of the pile just because they don't like his musical style. Kinda got off on a tangent there, but you surely catch my drift.

[@dannymartinez1043]

oli robert

[@realcygnus]

quazzie1 true dat ...its def subjective 4 the most part.......but i bet if u took the 10 best in the world(self-proclaimed or otherwise)... they would unanimously agree ....TE is the better "solo acoustic guitar entertainer"....never really seen him get outplayed....maybe out flamenco'd once or twice or out jazzed once in a while (but only in very specific aspects).....its the way he uses/mixes all different styles/generas to "entertain".....& when he jams with other ppl...he sits back exactly to the right extent to let them shine as well.....the dude is totally on to some "next-level" shiz

[@BrianZhangMusic]

"People ask me, why don't you play twelve string? Cause I'm busy with six!" Best moment of the interview Tommy's still a true blue, laid back country Aussie bloke

[@birkettbentley6679]

Huh?

[@ashleyburroughs4996]

I've never seen a star who's full of enthusiasm when on stage or in an interview. The most humble great guitar player. I can listen n watch him play the whole day.

[@MrReedmonkey]

I never get tired of Tommy.

[@davidparnell1893]

Tommy Emmanuel, you are a remarkable role model for youth...so earnest, so honest, so engaged with your youth audience. Always sharing your art...you are an amazing individual. You have an ebullient smiling confidence with zero arrogance although you are an obvious prodigy. An example for humanity!!

[@atespeach5672]

He's old who cares.

[@coryCuc]

@@atespeach5672 You're an idiot. Congrats.

[@kent.merritt]

I love how he explains his playing like he's teaching a lesson, then he just blows you away with his playing.

[@milesotoole8664]

Tommy is such a class act. He never tires of answering (largely the same) questions, always gives his best effort for his fans, and is super generous with his time......love the guy. He's my hero.

[@josephjimenez3533]

Those that put a thumbs down most likely they can’t play at all or never took the time to understand the guitar. This is a most awesome display of talent and unique playing ever...

[@gc3098]

Ever notice how Tommy treats all his guests as his “equal”... A true professional....

[@60sMark909]

I more notice how he treat his guitars, brutal.

[@DC180]

He's all Class, like Roger Fed in tennis.

[@gregorychilcote4636]

I’ve seen videos where he jams with young amateur guitarists at music stores. He is such a gracious and encouraging person toward these young musicians.

[@JT-bd6rj]

The acoustic magazine1 interviewer really did an excellent job. It takes a musician to ask a top #1 musician aspects of his arsenal in his performance. And, the guy never interrupted because he knew everyone wanted to hear what Tommy was going to say. Two very extraordinary individuals that made this interview over the top!

[@stephen25uk]

Great interview. The interviewer let Tommy speak & just prompted him with good questions when needed.

[@topqualitycustomguitarsgui9089]

Great man! I love him sososososos much~facebook.com/yoyo.zhangjie facebook.com/guitarsofchina/custom-made a guitar of your own!

[@glenguldbeckmusic3410]

What an awesome guy!!! Saw him years ago in L.A. at the House of Blues. We were eating dinner up in the Foundation Room and he graciously sat down with us for a few minutes of conversation. That impressed me more than his playing. Yes, he's a brilliant musician, but an even better human being. What an inspiration even beyond the music.

[@daddyhotrock]

I spoke with Tommy when I joined one of his workshops in NZ. He's the sort of down to Earth and sincere guy that you want to be friends with. Like Drummer Boy says, no ego in sight. By the way, it's a delight to see an interviewer asking great questions and not interrupting. Great video!

[@RMFpets]

The best interviewer I’ve ever seen . Let’s the musician talk and doesn’t butt in .

[@tapastrat]

I got to see Tommy play in someone's living room after one of his concerts. I was young and ignorant my dad took me in my early guitar playing years. Now I understand how amazing he is.

[@skan8]

This guy is not playing the instrument , HE IS THE INSTRUMENT !

[@NicholasNorway]

+skan8 reminds me of the classical acoustic eddie van halen

[@nexusreplicant143]

Totally agree!

[@donnaricks1267]

So true. Well said

[@fishingtrev9504]

yer mate the guy is a tool

[@atespeach5672]

11:34 literally him being the instrument, he's so good that he's the variable that determine tone and quality

[@davidchamberlain8910]

'Like being let out of jail.' That's such a great analogy for discovering the thumb pick.

[@thelonious-dx9vi]

Tommy is surely a wonder. It's amazing how his beautiful playing comes across as the direct extension of him as a person. Totally the king of his thing. I'd be curious to hear from some Australian folks. Like, is Tommy super famous over there, household name, national treasure and all that...? He should be.

[@hereswhatmyseeingeyedogsez7745]

He was always welcomed at the McGirr house in Country NSW.

[@joncondon2016]

Anybody in Australia with any interest in music is a big Tommy fan. Saw him last at Byron Bay Bluesfest last Easter. Technique - flawless; audience engagement - incredible; entertainment value - extraordinary. We feel blessed to claim the world's best living guitarist as one of ours.

[@anncarothers4481]

Tommy Emmanuel, CGP, is legend in Australia. Master musician. Extraordinary entertainer. Kind. Great sense of humor. Generously shares his musical.gifts. Total class act. Me, biased? Hardly. I would place a rose at his feet for every note he has ever played.⚘

[@anncarothers4481]

I have heard he is a legend in Australia. He's a legend to me. ❤

[@garysimons1608]

This interviewer actually listens! Doesn't dominate the interview. Tommy is really interesting and giving in this lesson. Probably the best guitar lesson/informational video I've ever seen.

[@Mark-nu5vg]

Anyone who plays guitar should feel blessed that a man of Tommy's talent is taking the time to show people the style he use's and utilizes to make him who he is One of the best

[@swainmusiclessons]

He is absolutely incredible.

[@donaldshidal851]

Saw him just burn at the Ryman in Nashville for over 2 hours. He only had 3 Maton guitars and he rarely had to retune. His technique is flawless, his ability incredible. He has to be the best acoustic player I have ever witnessed. And of course, endlessly entertaining and a super guy.

[@jimmyjohnson9615]

I met Tommy back stage before one of his shows here in Las Vegas. Really seemed like a great and decent guy. And definitely one of the best acoustic guitar players of our time.

[@CliffLewis28]

He is the best guitarist in the world, absolutely oozing with talent, but also the most grounded and decent of human beings. Lovely interview, thanks so much!

[@jackcarter1897]

21:15 lmao the girl in the back is like "can you keep down back there. I can barely hear myself think".

[@timbowilderbeeste8709]

I know, she looks like she's annoyed at them. Bad angle from the guy who set up the camera - she keeps popping up in the background constantly.

[@smoorej]

Without a doubt the greatest guitarist ever. Absolutely mind boggling. I had the pleasure of seeing him live recently and I left the venue speechless. Complete and total mastery of the instrument. There are not sufficient superlatives in the English language to describe his playing.

[@phyfts]

His comments on modern percussive players was on point.

[@whatspadethinks]

Humility & heart is at the heart of everything Tommy does. He truly wants to share the information & techniques that took him decades to learn. He could protect his "trade secrets" but he is an open book, trying to spread his joy for guitars to everyone. Brilliant guy.

[@Flohpange]

He's playing flawlessly with the same ease most normal people make mistakes.

[@rpalmese]

Even while being tempted to burn all my guitars, I’m still grinning from ear to ear. On camera or on stage, and I suspect playing alone in his living room, Tommy exudes sheer joy that makes you almost forget his superhuman virtuosity. Awesome guy! 👏👏👏

[@kimberlysmith6010]

.k , plonk mmk bikini cu greg bvhbn 15mm nnnnnnnnnnnnnlmmknnknkm

[@spiral-m]

what a nice human as well as his great musicianship

[@Northernspotter101]

I was glued to this from the first second what a great guy tommy is.

[@FABRIZIOZPH]

I think a video like this Transcends music and gives us a bitter sweet lesson about life in general.. The sweet part is that we have the opportunity to see a true master and listen to phenomenal music.. the bitter part is that 99% of guitar players around the world after watching this will immediately realize that no matter how long or how hard they will try they will never come close to this level.. And that's the sad part that can be apply to any area of life... There are people like Tommy out there that are simply on another level of talent And make most of us, No matter what field we try to pursue, Feel like shit

[@craniofacialsurgeon]

Very generous lesson - and phenomenal musician

[@kamealex]

Those closeups were reaaaaaaally useful. Thanks.

[@judwatkins9478]

I agree with the appreciative comments here and will add this: Tommy Emmanuel has answered this same question about finger picking thousands of times. Still he always replies in the way we see here. He's sincerely respectful, informative and helpful. What a rare, one-of-a-kind talent he is.

[@texasredneckhippy]

one of the very best teaching videos i have ever watched,as impressive as his guitar playing..

[@PaulO-gx2bn]

Pure down-to-earth brilliance. Tommy is a modest, humble guitarist's inspiration. What I would give to sit in and jam with him.

[@howardlovecraft750]

Tommy's one of those rare musicians you could hear play all day long.

[@translateslowly]

I've been playing for about 10 years and I just learned more in the first 7 minutes then all the ten years I've been faking it. Tommy you're a Badass!

[@daleleavitt]

I watched the Aussie edition of "This is Your Life" on youtube targeting Tommy. I was convinced after I saw it that he is a genuinely a wonderful gentleman as well as one of the world's finest guitarists. Watch it. Oh, and thanks for the lesson, Tommy.

[@richardprutz6458]

Thank You for you lessons-- For us OLD bucks. I started playing guitar at 71, just sorry I did not started at an earlier age, But I am not where I should be at, But still love it. And Thank-you so much for Your Humble Attitude.... And Not Letting pride get in the way !

[@FilipWizard]

His finger changed all kinds of blue color.That proves to you that he works with whatever he has and still sound out of this world.True legend.

[@sawdust6968]

there has never been or ever will be a "BETTER" guitar player than tommy imo.

[@MultiChaga]

What a pleasant guitarist!

[@cpr2450]

This is an unbelievable lesson highlighting incredibly important concepts..

[@stevenjervis6225]

You know what? Picked up my guitar yesterday, put it down after 10 mins couldn't be bothered. Saw this today, the guy just makes me want to play all day, such an inspiration and I've been playing guitar for 43 years.

[@trumpsahead]

I could listen to Tommy Emmanuel talk for hours. Totally inspirational, so articulate, everything from the heart. I know when I'm listening to a god of music, and this interview was it. God bless; I'm an old man but a new fan for life. I'm pickin' up my guitar again. Your playing style just knocks me out. Best most important guitar information ever. ciao.

[@ValiRossi]

What a neat player. Glad he is preserving a wonderful style.

[@guymacher4116]

Tommy is so giving. He could keep this all a professional secret. God bless this man. I always leave blessed and edified.

[@jgrossma]

+Guy Macher. I agree with you 100% Emmanuel is a class act. But I dont think anything he's doing here is really "secret". As he says, the alternating bass thumb and fingers thing is fingerpicking 101. More important, he can TELL you everything he does. . he can SHOW you everything he does. . .but until/unless you put in hundreds of hours of practice, you're not going to be able to do it, and even if you do, you're STILL not going to be another Emmanuel.

[@johnnybq2]

Very generous and down to earth ... loves it and is giving back maybe ... yeah was thinking the same thing.

[@toneman335]

I met Tommy in person, a few years back, and he was exactly the way he is, very friendly, as in this video.

[@sweetveggies]

This is just incredible. I can barely change my guitar strings and play a couple of songs and this man has got the whole instrument figured out. Always a pleasure to watch him

[@warrenwickremesooriya6597]

Every few notes are a masterclass in guitar playing. What a genius. Thank you so much for the upload.

[@johnmuyoyu7986]

Bitter people go round flagging down great videos on KZbin and that's a shame. GREAT GUITAR TEACHING!!!!

[@StringsUp58]

He's such a genuinely nice guy. An incredible guitarist, and now I see, a great teacher as well., not surprised at all.

[@metrobytmobile6844]

Tommy never ceases to amaze me and especially when he breaks it down like this. So many fans of Rock and Roll which I am as well think certain musicians are the best guitarist they've ever heard but they just don't realize how little some of those guitarists know when they are stacked up to someone as great as Tommy Emmanuel.

[@frankyates1054]

What a fantastic talent and awesome person.Thank you Tommy!

[@nodealbrexitnow7376]

Two cool guys , interviewer has no ego and doesn't interrupt enjoyed this !

[@jeffwickermusic134]

He is a master at his instrument and now I know he can really sing too! Phenomenal talent! 😎👍

[@artrogers3985]

Great to see Tommy in his younger years 🎸

[@charlotteroberts7914]

those that think hendrix, page ...clapton,...etc. are the best are already limiting what is best about the guitar. The raw expression that a guitar without distortion or anything else is something potentially magnificent, and should never, ever be overlooked. When you play acousticly , it becomes more demanding than ever to bring a song to life. Any real guitar player should know this. It involves a unique technique that every REAL guitar has to explore

[@wighatsuperreggie]

Hendrix was great on acoustic. Just sayin'...

[@allan2098]

There are several genres of guitar. Tommy could not play some of the difficult classical pieces and would not trouble Clapton with the blues, but my point is, it is not a competition. The best guitarist is only the best for that person they touch in some way musically. Playing with distortion is as much an art as without it. It is just as hard to play well with distortion as it is to play without it. A crap player will sound crap with or without distortion. Don't you know that?

[@charles3200]

This is the TRUTH! An acoustic is such a raw beautifully sounding instrument.

[@musket-hc1fc]

@@allan2098 "Distortion" is a good way to cover up inferior guitar playing.

[@musket-hc1fc]

@@wighatsuperreggie He was also a nut case. Otherwise he wouldn't have died so young.

[@themannydanny]

Is this guy from another dimension? I'm in total awe!!

[@EmreBozkurtGuitar]

Also the interviewer is a really cool and a humble looking guy. This whole interview really encoured me to get into fingerpicking. Now working on freight train :)

[@project34A]

How's the progress?

[@fretkillrlives]

"That's not a pick! This is a pick!" - Guitardile Dundee

[@mojotronix3994]

I've seen this same lesson at different interviews/venues dozens of times. And every damn time he has some new voicings/harmony/inflections to make it sound totally fresh. I'm in awe.

[@DwainDwight]

by far my favourite guitar player. ever. almost unlimited talent.

[@michaelrobertbritton]

Saw Tommy playing live earlier this year. He is astonishing to watch and such a humble guy; can't get enough of him

[@jensvally7278]

WHAT AN ABSOLUT GIFT ,TO SEE AN INTERWIEWER WHO ASKS A QUESTION AND LET THE "WICTIM" ANSWER AND ADD A LOT OF VERY INTERESTING DETAILS TO IT,THE DETAILS THAT MAKES AN INTERWIEW INTERESTING

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

Yeah, worst interviewer ever..

[@murrmac]

TheWolf22 What are you on about ? The interviewer was perfect ... he let Tommy speak, he asked the pertinent questions and didn't feel the need to inflate his ego by interrupting and inserting his own opinions, as so many do. This is the best Tommy Emmanuel interview I have seen.

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

murrmac Sure, bud.

[@kaldesjarlais375]

murrmac jens essentially said wat yu said

[@JuanRamos-xh9kb]

Did you break you caps lock key?

[@Jejdjejbfjf]

he's inspirational... the way he plays the guitar like it's an extension of himself.

[@pacmacca]

What a good interview! The interviewer poses the right technical questions that we all would like to know and Tommy elaborates in detail making the interview just flow. Great to watch and learn from the master. More please!!

[@jmbb.4028]

He’s the best to ever play an acoustic. In my opinion.

[@BirsenOzbilgeArtistPainter]

What a nice interview! I enjoyed every minute of it. I've seen many of his interviews but this one is the best for me so far. The Interviewer made him so comfortable with his calm attitude and accurate questions. If anyone out there trying to learn fingerstyle guitar should watch it... Very valuable content for beginners.

[@robertdusemund1045]

Fine musician and fine teacher! A very rare combination.

[@drjohncc]

Everytime I see him play, I wander through those feelings of wanting to practice versus putting the guitar away. I end up practicing. I feel very lucky to be around in the age of KZbin and Tommy Emmanuel. Damn.....

[@davecourtney5712]

He's been one of my faves for decades

[@davecourtney5712]

John, you have too much talent ... what can I do to encourage to never give up the guitar?

[@Vigilante311]

Now I'm inspired to practice my ass off when I get home this evening

[@siusanorourkezigzeitler6870]

yeah... from beginning to end.. amazing.. just had to say it again

[@davidwilliams7552]

Tommy you are an inspiration my guitar playing has improved so much due to you and I pass it on to others.

[@xkguy]

Tommy forgets to say he was 10 when he had the Chet Atkins revelation. What I have learned listening toTommy and Chet and Mark Knoffler is that getting started with finger style is slow and hard. For some reason that gave me hope and motivation.

[@davemadman7093]

Tommy has just given us his life techniques for guitar playing. What a genius and real master of the music business 😀👍

[@douglasmcintyre3297]

Thanks so much Tommy, for this master class presentation on thumb and finger picking. So amazing tht we can just tap a fe keys and get great content like this on PCs, laptops and mobile devices. Fantastic!!!

[@arplast1]

The man's an absolute genius👏👏👏

[@MrJdsenior]

Great interview, and that takes an interesting interviewee and an interviewer that asks good questions, then shuts up for the expert to answer. You do it very well. And as for Tommy, one of if not THE best, IMHO. Neat to see him demonstrate some of the subtleties employed...since I'm not a guitarist, it makes me a more informed and better listener. Often, the more you know about something the more interesting and enjoyable it is to watch, though obviously ANY guitarist will know FAR FAR more than I ever will, unless maybe I learn to play, and watching these sorts of things, that might actually happen. ;-) I'm betting if the guy who built that guitar saw most people do what Tommy did with that screwdriver, it would drive him nuts. Also betting if he saw Tommy do it, if he'd ever heard him play, it wouldn't bother him in the least. :-)

[@denizb.6882]

Tommy Emanuel does a great job explaining fingerpicking! He doesn't teach specific licks or riffs, but gives more of general advices, guiding the way for your progression as a fingerpicker... after those videos you think "alright... do as he told, keep pickin' !" Thanks Mr. Emanuel, a joy to see someone teaching his skills just for being brotherly and not for any profit!

[@AesopsRetreat]

"Life is very short, and there's no time For fussing and fighting, my friend."

[@MikeBentonTV]

Tommy. I am so glad I found you here at youtube. I'm a three chord wonder and you are an inspiration to me! Thank you for the contribution you are making to music and the world!

[@roman14032]

this guy just gave you about 500 dollars worth of guitar lessons in 5 minutes for free

[@LukeJF89]

roman14032 The thing is though, the information is useless unless you put the work in so it's mostly falling on deaf ears.

[@Kencomp1]

***** Anything useful not utilized can be a waste, but this is far from falling on deaf ears.

[@LauraMooCow315sDad]

Kencomp1 why must peeps always turn a positive vibe to a neg?...like Kacey Musgraves song, 'pourin' salt in my sugar wont make yours any sweeter'...I support you all...

[@Kencomp1]

Tommy said in a meet and greet - I don't read music. I do it all by ear. Simply amazing. He's a true gentleman, too.

[@LauraMooCow315sDad]

Kencomp1 g.

[@SuperJoooe]

Tommy has given so much to me and I'm so thankful for his music!!! Can't wait to see and hopefully meet him for the first time this September in Ontario Canada!!

[@gcuevasjl]

This guy is just great, humble and very, very skilled; I wish I begun listening and seeing what he is capable of; surely lots of things to learn. Plus in all videos I’ve seen there is a always a great sense of good humor; I hope I will see him live some time soon!

[@lman7709]

Tommy is such a class act kinda guy. I will always strive to play as effortlessly as he does, although I hold no illusions of ever being as good as he is, just want to be as good as I can be and enjoy it as much as he does. Go Tommy, we can listen to you for hours!

[@DuelNature]

I learned so much from this in just a few minutes. Fantastic content! Thanks Acoustic Magazine.

[@johnsantilli7096]

What a great way to pass a half hour of ones life, listening to this interview.

[@printemil]

He’s so amazing. I also love how he seems to idolize Chet and Chet (RIP) referred to him as the Greatest. Two great gentlemen with such mutual respect and, to anyone anyone who knows guitar, the two greatest of all time. Who’s better? It’s a matter of taste. Both are technically perfect and perfect gentlemen. Great interview and wow, what a great lesson.

[@TechNed]

Respect for those that developed the style and passed on their skills. You're right. It was Chet who conferred the "C.G.P." upon Tommy.

[@heycolslaw]

Every minute with Tommy is a wonderful delight! Even his practice sessions are to be treasured. So many things to be taught and learned. What an Artist. :)

[@1101964]

The best ever ...he's crazy good...