Angel From Montgomery: easy guitar tutorial

John Prine's classic, made famous by Bonnie Raitt and also recorded by Susan Tedeschi, among others. An easy song to play with a couple of twists: an intro bass note figure, some syncopated rhythms, and an irregular measure or two.

[@kevindrago2701]

I like how CALM you are… Very good tutorial. Thank you bro

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Superb lesson. I really appreciate the focus on rhythm and feel. It gets to the heart of things and it's what I need to work on to take my playing to the preverbal 'next level'.

[@dpdevendra]

I’d love your counting and keeping everything in sequence in the timing. It’s essentials that I understand how the timing is and you do a great job is describing that. I’ll be back for more less thank you so much

[@jb0579]

I've gigged this song for 25 years, taught it to literally dozens of ppl, and I must say this is a solid interpretation. No - its not exact but 60% or more will drop it and move on if he showed you the alternate tuning that Bonnie uses. (BTW - her interpretation was vastly different than Prine who wrote it.) I'd only say here that you needn't worry about him saying "D is E, or A is B" etc. Simply put, he's using a Capo. The capo for all intents and purposes is the same as if he were to move the "nut" to whichever fret he places it - but his way here you can play easier shapes and still be in tune with her. Concentrate on the SHAPES he plays here - add the capo later if you want. Groove and move peeps!

[@NashvilleGuitarGuru]

Every recording I've heard is different , including Bonnie's studio and live versions, It's always a challenge with a song that has multiple definitives!

[@elanabethfariss117]

@@NashvilleGuitarGuru Indeed! I thought I had it down, until I tried to sing. My new challenge is transposing the tuning to my voice. If Prine plays it in G, that seems to work for me, but it's still Greek to me.

[@rrebein]

Subscribed. That was a fun lesson for a great song. I think of this as a finger style song, but it sounds so cool the way you play it here.

[@jadeedmundson5715]

You’re a very good teacher!🙏🏻

[@ibew1951]

Always enjoy ur lessons Thank you

[@jeantovern3918]

Soooo helpful. I have a really hard time with rhythm, still 🤦‍♀️. Great lesson, thank you!!

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Same for me. Getting the feel of a tune like this is everything (once you get the chords down).

[@donschlieger1772]

Just a fantastic easy to comprehend tutorial! Well done!

[@frankthetank9761]

Your composite approach to this song is just great!

[@timriley044]

This guy is a great teacher.

[@dougpelkey1199]

Great song and your breakdown was fantastic. Love the counting you do....helps tremendously. BTW, Larrivee's Rock!! Thank you for posting this lesson...Doug

[@PaloAltoPiE]

I find Dave’s teaching just superb. Thanks Dave! I’m a huge fan from California.

[@christinehamiltonchristine3241]

Very best explanation. Thanks

[@joekane1856]

Hi Dave , gretings from Ireland. As a retiree who only knew a few guitar chords , I find your videos wonderful. Your lovely relaxed teaching style encourages me to try and play more. I find your ideas really interesting and love to try out new ways to play the songs. Thanks for the inspiration, Joe

[@jimadams5574]

Hi David, Love your sound on the acoustic guitar! Lots of feeling and emotion in your playing. When I play the same song sounds like I am playing with a screwdriver .. LOL You give me something to work towards. Thanks for all your lessons.

[@kevindinsdale9827]

A really lovely tutorial. Enjoyed the subtle changes in rhythm, the bass line and the variation in dynamics. And a wonderful Bonny Raite song I’ve discovered. Thank you.

[@brieziethirteen13]

Great stuff. Thank you. I never count, but feel it in my body. Mostly due to the length of the spaces..I dont have time issues,but I have tried many times to understand what I am playing .Not to go all theory, but simply aquire good working grasp. This helped so much I subscribed. Lol and I wont touch a guitar myself.

[@northcountryhermit5057]

Thanks Dave! Worked on this half the day...trying to figure it out...this helps A LOT!

[@joe19912]

"Tricky to count... but it feels good." Right on. I think us beginners have more issues with strumming and rhythm more than anything. At some point you have to feel the beat like dancing instead of marching.

[@johndewane5648]

Great composition of the different versions Best teacher on internet Finally I could learn and play at the same Thanks! Can't wait to learn more👍

[@chrisworden403]

Really like your version. You can hear Susan Tedeschi singing this one.

[@danielbrink9475]

Very nice explanation on the rhythmic figures, I got a bit stiff and confused on the Bonnie version when listening to it at first.

[@codylyon9517]

Great Lesson ❤

[@emilyangel0915]

This is great! Learned to play it in one night and I’m pretty new at guitar. Thanks!

[@steveobrien2533]

cool arrangement - was looking for something like this. thanks!

[@tomdeford9218]

Great lesson Dave. I'll give it a try. I can't think of anyone else that breaks down the rhythm of a song quite the way you do. Thanks!

[@amos1678]

Big fan thanks Dave

[@PhilcoRt66]

This just came up in a playlist randomly and it is perfect! I got it.

[@Tom_Swiss]

Thank you very much Dave.

[@lukethedrifter4622]

I have watched sooo many tutorials of this song, and by far this is the best! Learning the rhythm has been my goal. I like the explanations! Thank you! I would like to know the BPM of this

[@DennisAnthonis]

Nice lesson but I’m not sure the song is in “half-time” as you say. It’s actually in 4/4 time. That “bit of syncopation” you refer to is actually when the song switches to 3/4 (waltz time) for just one bar at the end of each verse and chorus. It’s just one bar and then it immediately returns to 4/4 time. Thank you for this lesson. I particularly like the use of the inversion (G/B) as you suggest. Cheers.

[@NashvilleGuitarGuru]

I suggest half-time because I feel the pulse as slow quarter notes - the drums in all the full band versions bear that out. And I mean "half-time" as a feel, not strictly 2/2. Of course all that really matters, however you count it, is that you can keep your place!

[@DennisAnthonis]

Nashville Guitar Guru ... I understand; it was worth a shot explaining it the way you did. It’s one of the first songs I’ve seen that employed that technique of switching time signatures for one bar. It’s like he was messing with us.i know this, we’re gonna miss him. Cheers buddy.

[@sylviaprior4467]

@@NashvilleGuitarGuru Nashville guitar guru lessons

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Very helpful comment tyvm

[@swamification]

Great song and lesson thanks Dave

[@rickitseven]

Great lesson and song. Thank you!

[@markfeinberg684]

Very excellent, as always, Dave!

[@josephdelagarza835]

great arrangement Dave .....

[@peterpitre1503]

Thanks so much very helpful.

[@billderinbaja3883]

Great lesson, very clear and succinct approach. In my head I hear some fills, but I have a hard time finding them... trying to use triad-shapes, hard to figure out... do you have any tricks for learning to use triads? (I know... that's a whole other lesson(s))

[@rayh72]

That is good. If you hear them in your head then you are half-way there.

[@tommydurham8386]

nicely done, thanks!

[@northcountryhermit5057]

Same guitar as I have too! :) I have a sunburst model thinbodied hybrid.

[@albertmendoza6390]

Nice lesson Dave

[@krystalfleck8887]

Great lesson, what note are you playing for lyric "child" and "long"?

[@algruber6319]

Great Teacher THANK YOU!!!

[@chrisvictor6032]

Many thanks for this! I’m really enjoying the way you’ve done it and am learning a lot here. I am confused with one part that I could use help with. In the chorus I’m singing along but cant get the timing to work when you’re playing it. Am I missing something? Are there more measures in it that you’re skipping for efficiency? Thanks in advance! Grateful your teaching!

[@NashvilleGuitarGuru]

There's different versions, unfortunately, so it depends on which you know best. Bonnie's cover is different from Prine's original, and the duet version is different still....

[@chrisvictor6032]

@@NashvilleGuitarGuru I see, thank you

[@shambolicentity]

Thumbs up for a nice tutorial, but I have one minor quibble with the arrangement. I think you have to count it in 4/4 at twice the speed that you do (although as you say, the percussion makes it feel half-time), because in the original, John Prine throws in one bar of 3/4 as the 7th bar in each 8-bar section. It really drives his version, and gives it an edge that so many cover versions are lacking (although shout out to John Denver for sticking to the original rhythm). Bonnie Raitt's band, for example, mix it up with some syncopation, but they stick to pure 4/4, and it feels much less energetic.

[@NashvilleGuitarGuru]

Counting at twice the speed is easier to follow, but it's the wrong feel in my opinion. I count to the body. Ås for the disparity between versions, that's exactly why this song is problematic to call at a jam even though the rest is simple. So this is my attempt at a straightforward compromise, which I thought I made clear.

[@stevet4564]

You can't teach this time without giving a major shout-out to JOHN PRINE ...It was written and first recorded by him.

[@NashvilleGuitarGuru]

The original and sorely missed. One of the great COVID losses of 2020.

[@stevet4564]

@@NashvilleGuitarGuru He's one of those guys that I made an effort to see but not enough of one. I live in Central Maine so seeing some of the "Must See's" was kinda tough but I really wish now that I would have made an effort to fly somewhere to have seen PRINE, he had it all, talent and character,..he came across very well grounded.. great writer... He new how take you there. Take Care

[@mattpukach6553]

Either the most chill dude ever, or he’s really stoned

[@rolfnilsson1118]

Thanks!

[@scooter807]

John Denver’s version is my favorite