Chordplay - The Chords Of Steve Miller Band

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords Of Steve Miller Band.
As I mentioned in the video, I was trying to find something appropriate for the July 4th holiday coming tomorrow, and while I had a few ideas bouncing around, I kept coming back to Steve Miller, who's literally an American institution of classic rock music - so here we go!
This episode focuses on several beyond-classic songs featuring some interesting chord voicings, altered tunings, funky riffs, and much more. So if you're a Steve Miller Band fan, there's plenty to sink your teeth into in this lesson, and those that are new to Steve Miller's music will find plenty of suggestions and directions to explore.
The songs and chord-based ideas shared in this lesson include classics such as 'Fly Like An Eagle,' 'Jungle Love,' 'Rock'n Me,' and several others, along with some lesser-known deep cuts such as 'Sacrifice,' and 'Kow Kow Calculator' (to name a few).
If you're searching for some insight as far as writing catchy guitar parts and some classic rock-style songwriting tips - this lesson is for you!
Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

[@Michlandir]

I could play “Eruption” note for note when I was a freshman in high school… yet “Jungle Love” always eluded me. Til today!! Thanks for unlocking the mystery, Dave!

[@robertgalindo1786]

Same here… thanks Dave!

[@crowhaven200]

I got so see the Steve Miller Band in Hawaii, the summer of 1970 at the Crater Celebration inside Diamond head. He was very much a psychedelic rock band that day..lol.. He was bouncing the notes off the walls of the Volcano with his echoplex. Playing songs from his #5 album, like Jackson Kent Blues, totally trippy. He is "Stevie Guitar Miller", one of the all time greats. We also got so see Linda Ronstadt, that day, and Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and The Holding Co. (Without Janis). People that missed seeing him live in those crazy times, have no idea how great a guitar player he is. And he beat the system, even got paid by Capital Records.Thanks for the Video!

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Steve Miller is the last of great song writers, Finding sounds that brian wilson is still looking for. I always find my self singing his songs when I feel great.

[@bertgetner9397]

Steve Miller is absolutely an American icon. The King of catchy tunes. Great lesson Dave!

[@tomdutra977]

Greg Douglass wrote Jungle love. 👍

[@redram5150]

My mother becomes livid whenever ‘The Joker’ comes on the radio. It’s entirely due to the sound effect after “Some people call me Maurice”. Oh, the memories I have of us randomly making that sound in the house, immediately followed by her screaming. That did it, and so does the hook from “Roxanne” by the police

[@MrRiproaring]

Hey Red, I don’t think you mean livid do you? Unless she DOES get pissed off. Maybe mawkish?

[@redram5150]

@@MrRiproaring it’s visceral disgust. It’s hilarious to press that button too

[@Scottocaster6668]

Because She can't speak the Pompitus of love? 😆

[@redram5150]

@@Scottocaster6668 just prior to that

[@stratman9449]

i can literally hear the sound of "some people call me maurice"...right here and now.....!!!....:-)

[@richacello339]

Saw him with Frampton at Costa Mesa Fairgrounds (CA) a few years ago, and they played the blues together, I got a guitar high that lasted for days, which reminds me, have you done Frampton yet?

[@stratman9449]

late morning lesson for me in germany...and hey...it's Steve Miller...everything you said about him and his music is so spot on.....:-) and yes i did wonder how he played some of his stuff...i'll get onto it right away.....enjoy your holiday.....:-)

[@davidflint12]

Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸🎸

[@strat0871]

David, not "something like that", it IS that ! You fly like an eagle.. ;)

[@Scottocaster6668]

I noticed he says that a lot on purpose. ( Copyright whining Nazis- I'll bet) Pretty smart move.

[@chillidogkev]

Whenever David gets on the Strat neck pickup and digs in deep (Kow Kow Calculator) he always sounds very 'Philip Sayce' to me...so I don't think I need to say any more 😉😊 I'll look forward to that episode.

[@allthingsclassicrock]

How does Steve sing and play Jungle Love!? No way am I coordinated enough to pull that off!

[@ericklein5927]

Steve's other guitar player always played the riff ..while he sang it.

[@allthingsclassicrock]

@@ericklein5927 so he is human after all.

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

Another great lesson! Thank you

[@hrosemd]

Always wondered why I couldn't play Jungle Love right. Kudos to you sir.

[@derekclacton]

Stevie ‘Guitar’ Miller! 🎸

[@paulcroce7303]

Thanx 4 open A!!! Luv ur channel

[@michaelsingley5641]

Love the barky crunch of Jungle Love.

[@artheriford]

First tune is "Jungle Love" Love me some Steve G. Miller.

[@brittonnewmedia2424]

Really enjoy your videos...You're a great player and I always learn a lot even though I've played for over 50 years. I did want to mention that the Steve Miller band was originally known as the Steve Miller Blues Band and played predominantly straight ahead blues and weren't really a psychedelic/experimental band until the first side of their first album "Children of the Future". The second side of the album was more consistent with the normal musical direction of the band. Although they were always changing and confounding their fans. Saw them once in San Francisco when they were a 3 piece and thought they were the second coming of Cream. We used to go see the band for free in Provo Park in Berkeley, California...the personal was Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs, Lonnie Turner, Tim Davis and Jim Peterman. Great memories of great musical times. Thanks for your videos David!

[@MT-or7lv]

Awesome!

[@StealthParrot]

Steve Miller unmistakable music. Thanks for this!

[@jodymills3138]

Love Steve miller songs, sounds right in open a. Jungle is such a great riff.

[@voronOsphere]

Steve Miller Band rules!!! Thanks, David!

[@davidtee2812]

Great Vid…. LOVE Steve Miller Band. I grew up on Book of Dreams and Fly Like an Eagle albums. He’s an American Treasure!

[@electroKrunch]

Steve Miller is always in my heart

[@timwestcott361]

Fly Like An Eagle was playing in every juice and munchies bar on the Asian hippie trail in the late 1970's. Together with Santana - Europa ( Moonflower ). The band was huge ..

[@williamcoppedge3274]

One of my favorite 70s band

[@ww3lstep]

If you were listening to any AOR radio station in the '70s Steve Miller was unavoidable, for better (Jungle Love) or worse (Take The Money And Run). Great lesson!

[@LJA46]

Awesome lesson David! Some great history also!

[@sergebasque8460]

Great band thank for bringing these excellent licks.

[@jmata4237]

Jungle love! Nice! Thanks for this great lesson on Steve Miller! Grew up with him on the radio (AM) back in the day.

[@hrstrat57]

Lotta riffage in one bit. Great backstory too! Thanks!

[@mikestarr7377]

Love it!!! Thanks for this one!

[@fearlessfrankie6479]

Boy I didn't know about Steve Miller's music to tell you the truth! Thanks Dave!

[@stratman9449]

well you missed BIG time.....catch up....quick...!!!!....:-)

[@fearlessfrankie6479]

@@stratman9449 Looks like I have to!

[@billwarkentin3630]

Congrats on 60K subscribers, David! I subscribed when you had 14K subscribers, and have thoroughly enjoyed all your videos since!!! You, and your inspiration and teachings, rock!

[@johnhoward2687]

Great choice for the holiday. A true legend. Happy 4th Dave.

[@jwilder2251]

First time I’ve seen your channel - this is subscribe-worthy! There’s so much great music out there buried in albums that aren’t considered “hits”

[@georgegarden3510]

Love it!!!!! Read somewhere he said they used to tune up. Thinking was if de-tuning = heavier sound, tuning to F or A would make it brighter. Big Steve fan. Great video. Might actually be able to knock out jungle Love!

[@johnthursfield3056]

Ha, appropriate. The song Independence Day by the Comsat Angels features similar use of harmonics, a song that changed my appreciation of music. Make sure you listen to the original 1980 version not the rerecord from 1983

[@stephenlandry9343]

Wow! Till now I thought I was the only one who still appreciates Steve Miller so underrated as a guitarist and songwriter. I'm a little more than a decade older than you are so thank you young man this really takes me back skateboarding and learn how to play guitar. No tab back in them days it was your ear and very unreliable turn tables on cheap record players thats right young folks it sucked . But its what you had to do to pick out songs.So thanks again I 💘 it! So cool!

[@listairgin]

Thanks so very much for the great demo/ lesson. Best wishes to you from Northern Ireland. 👌👍

[@ollid.5590]

Really good lesson. Rhythm and melody of „Fly like an eagle“ … top notch! [Btw, I always love to see the small Ace in the back of your room 🤣]

[@Busyfingers24]

Well done Sir...love me some SMB and thumbs up for the CME T 👍 Best damn channel out there 🤘

[@juanvaldez5422]

I love your videos. Even if I’m not playing along and listening at work, your content gives me ideas

[@buddylobos5277]

The first 5 albums were great. Loved them. Paul McCartney played bass on "My Dark Hour'. On 'Sacrifice'' Marty Stuart said Johnny Cash like to tune up to F. Always thought he'd tune down.

[@lorvin5673]

Great video...thanks!

[@imannonymous7707]

Ya jungle love sounds legit...ok I'm in I'll revisit this when I'm looking for something to work on......thanks liked ✔

[@bradprince8731]

Great tutorial! Thanks.

[@brianphelps1183]

Love Steve Miller. Great way to practice keeping rhythm on a lot of the songs

[@dnickell5343]

Jungle Love and Big Ol Jet Airliner - were both written by Greg Douglass and the bass player.

[@stevechevell7153]

Check out original version of jet airliner by Paul Pena

[@VictorRochaGaming]

I met Steve backstage at a grip & grin. When he got to me, I told him I collected old Gretsch guitars. He stopped and talked for 10 minutes about guitars. He told me he gave Brian Setzer an old '50s Gretsch. He also said he owned about 500 guitars.

[@michaelsingley5641]

The outro solo on "The Stake" is bad ass. Power lead guitar playing. 🎸

[@Scottocaster6668]

One other fact: Me and Steve share the same birthday, October 5th! Have a Great 4th of July also B🐓!

[@daviclar867]

Always loved SMB, lot of mid to late 70's hits, staples of rock radio! It's a sham it took R&R HOF so long to induct him!!! Cool story about his God father. I have that issue of him on the cover of that guitar mag.

[@dtmcgrew]

As always good stuff. And great tone-what is your rig?

[@davidmcauliffe8692]

Another Steve (Steve Howe) substituted harmonics for chords in the verse section of Roundabout by Yes. They're a little more subtle as they're lower in the mix below the vocals and Chris Squire's loud bass line, but they are there.

[@c.e.anderson558]

Senior song(unofficial) 1977 "Fly Like an Eagle"

[@MikeCindyWhite]

Another great lesson bro! I was hoping maybe a Grateful Dead lesson (for the 4th) but I learn something new from you no matter what band your featuring... Best teacher online! As always thank you much bud 🎸🎸👍

[@sandrabecht4489]

Vielen Dank👍🇩🇪

[@kennethharn2893]

Have you done any lessons on Candlebox or Peter Klett? Such an amazing band. Underrated for sure.

[@laytonturpin6957]

Found it!!

[@robtoc]

This lesson kicks ass! "Something like that"..... you nailed it all. Thank you! PS the one thumbs down above can 'suck it'. PS Beginning of 'Sacrifice' reminiscent of 'Tribute' by Tenacious D.

[@kendrix76]

👍

[@greg77hot]

Steve has the catchiest riffs , and yet has the weirdest lyrics..."I really love your your peaches wanna shake your tree"....LOL

[@davidsummerville351]

He has always been a very respected guitarist. I'd love to find where you live so I could steal that guitar your playing!

[@mikeking453]

That is a gorgeous guitar

[@stratman9449]

buy one yourself.....!!...not that much...prs....

[@electroKrunch]

Write a song to hum to... That's a start

[@laytonturpin6957]

I assume you have something on Jungle Love? I’m hunting for it now.

[@arvidnilsen9252]

Great..i forgot i was supposed to learn all of this years ago I guess there's no escaping this time 🙄

[@mikestx3813]

Wish you could show the keyboard/sinth.. Parts just came across you and the Hatchet & Skynard Steve Miller been playing few things wrong but thank you but any help on Steve Miller keyboards from any one simple as you teach would be very appreciated

[@lifelongfan07]

I saw Steve Miller at an Indian Casino on my way up to Yosemite a few years back….He was great! Still sounded the same to me. I really like your “appreciation” for all the artists man. Can you do some stuff on the Grateful Dead? In particular, some of the stuff Bob Weir did…..he apparently was really into jazz, and he had to do interesting stuff around Jerry. If you do this, thank you. If not, thanks for being such a cool dude!

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

His licks are also quite similar to Page .

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

There gos that ax again.

[@stringbender11672]

🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@paulcasilio1119]

Subscribe to this man. You will not be disappointed. Unless you are looking for keto recipes. Then yeah, you will be disappointed. If it’s guitar, though, you are in the perfect spot.

[@scottcachopo5632]

Is “nobody loves you like the way I do” on here?

[@muskymike1885]

somebody get me a cheese burger

[@pulidomi]

Sound like plexi

[@dennisapplegate7553]

Few people know that Steve's god father was Les Paul

[@MaxKing222]

why there's a thumbdown?! useless....