My favorite Lennon quote: "I'm an artist. Give me a tuba and I'll find a way to get something out of it."
@michaelszczys83164 жыл бұрын
Mine too, I heard that from radio station interview. “ I’m an artist, give me a tuba and I’ll make something of it.
@entityofmusic68424 жыл бұрын
Michael Szczys As an ex tuba player, that makes me happy to hear
@chuchoceja4 жыл бұрын
And I think, withour a guitar or with a tuba, he will composed the more beautiful songs.
@TobyHonest4204 жыл бұрын
He stole that quote from John Coltrane
@kindnessfirst96703 жыл бұрын
He probably got that from Yoko. People who make art usually refer to themselves by what they actually do (painter, guitar player, photographer, etc.) rather than as "artists".
@NxDoyle3 жыл бұрын
The shortest answer I can give to any question about a Beatle's ability is, "He was in The Beatles."
@petertorrey40803 жыл бұрын
Lol..true!
@TrekBeatTK3 жыл бұрын
So was Pete Best...
@rafizichedet3 жыл бұрын
@@TrekBeatTK for the guy.... He's fired. If he's good, he'd stay
@jamesdunn22142 жыл бұрын
@@TrekBeatTK But he was a " lousy drummer" according to John. Pete didn't fit in, musically or otherwise. So, he got the sack.
@NxDoyle2 жыл бұрын
@@TrekBeatTK Maybe I should have said _The_ Beatles.
@mirrlamp Жыл бұрын
John is one of the best rhythm guitar players ever. The fact he was a wonderful songwriter in the greatest band that will ever exist means his playing is often taken for granted or overlooked. He wasn't a gear head and rarely mentioned his playing in interviews but just listen and you will hear how great he was.
@lynettescott1627 Жыл бұрын
John was a fantastic rhythm guitarist, he drove the Beatles along, not mention the drive in his voice.❤
@sharkmanyt44317 ай бұрын
He really wasn’t. Playing chords alone doesn’t make you a great rhythm guitarist. Look at people like James Hetfield and Stevie Ray Vaughan. THEY are great rhythm guitarists.
@cmg18195 ай бұрын
Where either of them rhythm guitarist in the greatest band of all time though? Lennon was so he mustn't of been half bad.
@damonmoon4364 ай бұрын
Because John didn't just play the chords he provided the fucking rhythm because he was A FUCKING RHYTHM GUITARIST!! Or didn't you see the examples in the video? It literally drove the song, asshole@@sharkmanyt4431
@stephenosullivan90162 ай бұрын
@@sharkmanyt4431The fact that there are some players better then John doesn’t mean he was great! There’s plenty of great rhythm guitarist and John one of the best. Ringo, in an interview, TWICE declared John the greatest rhythm player. He said “Paul is a fine bass player, George is a fine lead guitarist, John…John is the greatest rhythm guitarist ever!” Ringo has played with everybody. So I’ll take his opinion over anyone’s.
@TheGumbyRules Жыл бұрын
John Lennon: Great rhythm player, great singer, one of the greatest songwriters who ever lived.
@brushstroke37333 жыл бұрын
John Lennon wasn't a "guitar player" - he was a musician. He didn't set out to master guitar - he used the guitar as one of several tools to make music. Hint: if your goal is to enjoy playing a sport, don't spend all your time lifting weights in the gym. Remember to spend some time actually playing the sport itself!
@bumpyroad32513 жыл бұрын
Being part of one of the most important bands in history and great songwriter still doesn't make you a guitar player and even less a good one.
@Win7ermu7e3 жыл бұрын
what if your sport is weight-lifting?
@brushstroke37333 жыл бұрын
@@Win7ermu7e Then you have a semantics problem. Sport is a form of competition, but not all competition is sport.
@Win7ermu7e3 жыл бұрын
@@brushstroke3733 Olympic weight-lifting is a sport. Just admit I destroyed your analogy and move on.
@brushstroke37333 жыл бұрын
@@Win7ermu7e Semantics, friend, semantics. I admit that words mean different things to different people. Weight lifting doesn't look like sport to me, it looks like a competition of strength. There is no game, no strategy, no agility. OK, that's not really fair to weight lifting - there is a bit of agility involved in power moves, and some strategy in training, but I still don't define it as sport. You destroyed nothing, but if pinning me to some imaginary verbal dispute mat makes you feel better about yourself, please continue in your delusion.
@tecnica-de-voz2 жыл бұрын
The man spent his music career writing amazing songs, not practicing scales.
@duffgordon90052 жыл бұрын
By saying that, you diss the greatest rock guitarists that Did practice their scales until it was is hardwired in their brains. They were so successful at a young age, that the guys that sacrifice years to approach a, say, Nils Lofgren either start at 7 (glen Campbell) who knew the guitar so well that he did not need to read music. Also, about hard wiring the brain, Glen Campell in late dementia could still play, "from a deep memory" now THAT's WHAT I ASM TALKING ABOUT.
@tecnica-de-voz2 жыл бұрын
@@duffgordon9005 as a musician you can practice all the scales you want, and if that is your choice I think is great, but I'm not saying anything that isn't true here. Lennon was not that musician. He's super power was writing songs.
@sombra11112 жыл бұрын
@@duffgordon9005 "...who knew the guitar so well that he did not need to read music." Yes, like almost all of the great guitar players in the world, ever. Nobody necessarily needs to read music to be a great rock guitar player or musician and most of the best didn't.
@mobsiesixsixsix97852 жыл бұрын
@@sombra1111 "Most of the best didn't" Well that's Hendrix, Gilmour, Fripp, Zappa, Eddie Van Halen, Blackmoor and Page out. Love to hear what you rate if they're not the best. The only person who can't read music that I can think of that's considered one of the best is Clapton.
@sombra11112 жыл бұрын
@@mobsiesixsixsix9785 You just proved my point, because the only people who could read out of all that you mentioned is Zappa and Fripp. Blackmore, when asked about it by The Guardian said this: Did you read music? “Yeah, but not well. It was more like chord sheets. Pagey [Jimmy Page] was in all those sessions. Sometimes you’d get complete rock’n’rollers who could play but wouldn’t be able to read, and others who could read but wouldn’t be able to improvise. Sometimes they’d want rock’n’roll sessions and that’s what we’d do.”
@chipper24622 жыл бұрын
Never have I seen a musician do such a great job of replicating the tone and feel of this old music...Great work.
@lynnb86002 жыл бұрын
He played in one of the greatest bands in the history of humanity. I'd say he played good enough
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
Yes indeed .
@niggato23 Жыл бұрын
And he basically created it which is the cherry on top
@gboard17 Жыл бұрын
He was good. I don't think I'm good but I never quit learning.
@garymorris1856 Жыл бұрын
No, not "one of the greatest," they were the greatest.
@chuckyoneill9029 Жыл бұрын
Lynn the greatest not 2 but numero uno
@chrisgilliver14 жыл бұрын
Regardless of his guitar playing, he was an absolute master of chord progression.
@georgescarlett23203 жыл бұрын
"Walrus" is proof of that. I can't stand the song, but ya gotta love the imagination of the intro's chord progression!!
@danielkokal88193 жыл бұрын
agreed..... a very difficult thing to master as well. Him and Paul, by the time they were kids they were writing like grownups and by the time they were grownups they were writing like the Masters. always at least 2 years ahead of everyone else.
@chrisgilliver13 жыл бұрын
Why don't you like Walrus? I absolutely love it, but I know plenty don't like the nonsense lyrics. Its outro is absolutely outstanding, although I think credit goes to George Martin for that one.
@chrisgilliver13 жыл бұрын
@@danielkokal8819 Right, they wrote songs in a way that no one else did. Even now their song writing is incredibly distinctive.
@fiftypeehead3 жыл бұрын
Every Beatles song I've ever tried to learn has at least one chord I cant get near
@tonybrooks4764 жыл бұрын
People don’t appreciate rhythm guitar enough.
@MiguelGonzalez-ck9xy4 жыл бұрын
I prefer playing rhythm doesn't require you to do so much but it is still a pivotal role in my opinion
@garymccoy65644 жыл бұрын
@@MiguelGonzalez-ck9xy Actually, Miguel, if you do it correctly, it does require you to do a great deal. Grooving is most definitely a skill; it is just not a particularly obvious one.
@Rolotrealanis4 жыл бұрын
Ill take cory wong's playing over any shredder any day of the week. Rhythm is for sure more than just strumming simple open chords.
@flammaferus29984 жыл бұрын
@@MiguelGonzalez-ck9xy Song can exist without a guitar solo or bass, but definitely cannot exists without a rhythm line. Music is all about rhythm, so playing rhythm guitar is essential.
@queenhenryviii4 жыл бұрын
@@flammaferus2998 Exactly!
@threethymes3 жыл бұрын
This is a fantastic video showing your love and skill. Considering John was also singing often complex harmonies at the same time as playing the guitar he really was an amazing musician. They were all so brilliant.
@deepeddyrecords59332 жыл бұрын
Re: Get Back, you are indeed correct. It's more important to play for the song than to show off how many notes you can play. Those lines elevated the song to a new level, so they were perfect. Not too much and not too little.
@hankrogacki83562 жыл бұрын
The Van Halen revamp of hammer on pull off was in itself a great accomplishment. The problem arises after tom dick and harry decided to do the same over and over until they beat the soul out of the music.
@Kman19604 жыл бұрын
First and foremost Lennon was an artist. He was even quoted as saying: “I'm an artist. You give me a f***ing tuba, I'll get you something out of it."
@ketzal.tierra4 жыл бұрын
Spot on. Lennon was not only an artist, he was a genius.
@TheAxxeman4 жыл бұрын
Awesome response...
@OakLawnSpeedShop4 жыл бұрын
Frank Costello said that. ;-)
@philm.61134 жыл бұрын
I'll bring you something out of it.
@kennethlauer47354 жыл бұрын
"DONT LAUGH' THIS AINT REALITY TV!"
@Matt-1d4 жыл бұрын
So refreshing to hear a guitar you tuber celebrate quality rhythm playing.
@TTM96912 жыл бұрын
I love his guitar solos in Honey Pie, Get Back, Going Down On Love and his very funky sound in "The End." He was a rhythm guitarist, not a lead guitarist - and his rhythm playing is fantastic. Most of all, what he may not have in chops, he has in one major element that most guitar players lack: feel. I wouldn't change a note on any Beatle record, ESPECIALLY the guitars.
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
Amen well put !
@TTM96912 жыл бұрын
@@johnmeeks6113 Thanks! An old comment that I forgot about. Looking at it now....I'm quite happy with it!!!! Thanks John! (and thank YOU, John.....where ever you are.....:( Always in our ears. )
@TTM96912 жыл бұрын
The only thing I missed in this comment: all the IMMORTAL RIFFS the guy came up with. Day Tripper? I Feel Fine? You Can't Do That? He plays fantastic driving rhythm on "You Can't Do That", "I Call Your Name", driving triplets all through "All My Loving"....I believe he plays the guitar break on "You Can't Do That" as well, which is fantastic.....gaaaaaaa f**k this video.....lol
@deepsix18272 жыл бұрын
John Lennon was a GREAT guitarist! He wrote some of the greatest acoustic riffs of all time.
@sharkmanyt44317 ай бұрын
Doesn’t make him a good player…
@tonycsmith56557 ай бұрын
@@sharkmanyt4431 Agree he wasn't good, he was Great.
@sharkmanyt44317 ай бұрын
@@tonycsmith5655 he really wasn’t, being a good writer doesn’t make you a good player
@edt.51183 жыл бұрын
It took me awhile to realize John Lennon’s rhythm guitar was one of the many identifiable sounds of the Beatles. Each member was an integral part of the Beatles’ sound.
@crayzeyezyoshi3 жыл бұрын
So true. I dont think many people realise that. Each part they brought were amazing when woven into one. Lennon just had that knack of putting the perfect rhythm at the right time and way more than most understand.
@kuyajeff65522 жыл бұрын
John’s rhythm playing fit in perfectly with George’s lead, since George switched from lead to rhythm in a lot of songs. John wasn’t a guitar hero, but he is certainly under rated and I love his playing. The Beatles just meshed like well oiled gears and changed the world.
@senseichess86882 жыл бұрын
Well said
@senseichess86882 жыл бұрын
@@kuyajeff6552 yes sir
@blablablanananna70792 жыл бұрын
@@crayzeyezyoshi is
@notmyrealhandle4 жыл бұрын
I've always found beatles' songs to be more difficult to play than they sound.
@jameschristiansson31374 жыл бұрын
Here Comes the Sun is deceptively "simple".
@pauljohnson92604 жыл бұрын
notmyrealname yes Exactly so.
@bonitoludi4 жыл бұрын
The same happens with Supertramp
@obbor44 жыл бұрын
Truly. I remember first learning to play songs by both The Beatles and The Stones only to find that most Stones songs (and those of any number of other bands) contained about three chords, in pretty basic shapes, while Lennon's chords had a wide variety, and the the shapes and rhythms were infinitely more complex. Not to mention trying to sing while of that stuff was going on!
@rickbangkok4 жыл бұрын
Two of Us... subtle difficulties
@vinb12212 жыл бұрын
Lennon is one of the greatest rhythm guitarists in rock. Listen to All My Loving, I'm So Happy When You Dance With Me, etc. The other Beatles called him Johnny Rhythm early in their career.
@mixville28 ай бұрын
John's rhythm playing was absolutely rock solid, and, much like Ringo's drumming, was always unusual, innovative, and became an integral part of the songs. His rhythm parts, even when not drawing attention to itself, often literally drove the songs - Hard Day's Night, We Can Work it Out, of course All My Loving- etc. He did not grow up in the period where the goal of a rock guitarist was to be a virtuoso. That era really came into the mainstream 1967 and after. Like Ringo and George, his guitar playing had a unique musical personality that was absolutely vital to the sound. (Paul not mentioned because Paul really is a virtuoso, though not of the "guitar hero" type). It was the blend of those unique musical personalities was the magic. Replace any one of them with someone else, maybe especially a "virtuoso" guitarist type, and I don't think the magic survives.
@callum24633 жыл бұрын
Having technical skill doesn’t make you a good guitarist, it makes you a good performer. What makes you a good guitarist is your ability to make music that people can connect with
@q49913 жыл бұрын
Good 'Technical skills' ...Equals a *Good Performer*? Nah, No, Nay! Apples and Grapefruits, yeah? Good 'Tech' Might equal a *Good Studio player*, yeah?
@jacko91793 жыл бұрын
Spot on, took the words out of my mouth/keyboard 😉
@callum24633 жыл бұрын
@@q4991 well technical skills make for an interesting performance, so that makes them a good performer
@SalvatoriusMyspace3 жыл бұрын
in fact Ennio Morricone cannot play all instruments he composed for, there are pluri instrumentalists that never have composed anything
@seekingjustice20793 жыл бұрын
A good guitarist is one who plays the well. You're confusing the terms "guitarist" and "composer".
@LorriSanga4 жыл бұрын
I believe anyone who says he's terrible guitar player has a strange grasp on music.
@LeeHutchingsdrumsUK4 жыл бұрын
Agreed. Also, 'Dear Prudence' is another wonderful example of John's complex writing/playing. He was a master of playing difficult parts with ease, and just goes to show how much of a great guitar player he was. Very underrated in my book.
@charlescauldron4 жыл бұрын
FWIW, I assumed the debate was over his virtuosity, not songwriting. Kurt Cobain is a relatively poor guitar player (listen to his solo on Man Who Sold the World), but is an inarguably talented songwriter. Yngwie Malmsteen, meanwhile, could rip you off a mixolydian scale solo, but couldn't write a catchy chorus hook to save his life. Even Eric Clapton, a guitar player I adore, wasn't a great song-for-song writer. Being a "good guitarist" and a "good songwriter" are just different skills. So I'd argue while the debate over John Lennon as a good songwriter is non-existent, the debate over his guitar virtuosity is pretty interesting. I'd always assumed he was a mediocre guitar player -- this video made a pretty convincing case to the contrary.
@LorriSanga4 жыл бұрын
Music is a subjective artform, isn't it. You have Malmseen's virtuosity with an argument of no songs to back it up. Then there's the state of popular music that is largely void of originality. To my ears anyway. I'll hold early VH albums up as an example of covering the bases.
@nigel3inch9694 жыл бұрын
Jay Pinkerton that guitar solo on man who sold the world was written by David Bowie
@pappyodanial4 жыл бұрын
Yeah I mean they were hit writers... No like technical noodlers. Different approach the guitar than most, sadly.
@bobbyshiflett85962 жыл бұрын
Before The Beatles were ever known to the world, John had spent untold hours playing gigs in Hamburg and Liverpool. From August 1960 through December 1962, the Beatles played over 250 nights for up to four or five hours a night. These gigs included such unglamorous jobs as backing strippers and playing to drunk sailors. So yeah, John was a practiced and very good guitarist. I recall reading an interview in Guitar Player magazine, with Nancy Wilson of Heart, who called John one of the best rhythm guitarists in the history of rock and roll. She considered him to be a major influence on her and taught her the importance of solid rhythm playing, which too few "great" guitarists have seemed to master. It's impossible to calculate the influence John's guitar playing and songwriting have had on music.
@gerrodmendham4612 жыл бұрын
Who are these 'The Beatles' you refer to? I've just watched the comedy film 'Yesterday'..............??
@fortunatejeremy2 жыл бұрын
I agree that a huge reason why the Beatles were so good was because of their time in Germany. Playing up to 8 hours a day for 2 years would help anyone get really good.
@howie97512 жыл бұрын
Who were the other great rhythm guitarists? Nobody ever mentions any other ones. Discussion on rhythm guitarist appears to begin and end with John. Seems to me every Beatle has to be "great" in people's eyes, even if they have to make up a category.
@Morrow451052 жыл бұрын
@@howie9751 this is the first time you’ve heard of rhythm Guitar? Lmao
@garyhoffman5032 жыл бұрын
Great synopsis!
@123yeahyeahno3 жыл бұрын
Lennon was one of 4 people on a stage, producing the most electrifying music in the history of the planet. The other 3 were playing bass, drums, and lead guitar. Oh, and he also wrote at least half the music. Yeah, I'd say he was pretty good on the guitar.
@Wingman524 жыл бұрын
I Feel Fine, Strawberry Fields, Julia, You Can't Do That, The End... just off the top of my head. One of the best rhythm players in rock. His rhythm tracks in the early Beatles defined the band, they were the driving force behind the energy those early songs had. He was extremely good and quite uniquely artistic. They all were! There was nothing like him, nothing like them, and never will be.
@nervo63214 жыл бұрын
Absolutely..couldnt agree more...
@cacti49264 жыл бұрын
How bout all my loving? Lennon said that he really liked his part in that song because he knew it made the song a little more memorable
@thanks584 жыл бұрын
All my loving, cry baby cry,
@gidosteinert89314 жыл бұрын
All my loving and The End are Paul Songs
@aaronjohnson34634 жыл бұрын
@@gidosteinert8931 talking about guitar and not who wrote or sang it
@PhiI934 жыл бұрын
Any musician or guitarists who understands the art knows his talent. It's so much more than being technically proficient. People who knock Lennons playing are just ignorant.
@Irv1234 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@waynej26084 жыл бұрын
Absolutely!
@Progarges4 жыл бұрын
Finally... the correct anwser. A good technique its the way yo canalize your talent... but talent its part of the esence of a Human being... everyone could learn to play Imagine but anyone could teach you how to became John Lennon
@sounder93934 жыл бұрын
He was also quite technically proficient, just in an understated way.
@jcavazos75594 жыл бұрын
You are right sir. What would the Beatles be without John Lennon.
@jamesl93712 жыл бұрын
John Lennon = brilliant guitar 🎸 player. Brilliant composer . Fantastic singer. Great performer. Creator and leader of the Beatles. The greatest group ever
@user-pd1oc2zs9q3 жыл бұрын
Love Chris Buck as a guitar player. But here he forgoes an opportunity to demonstrate his own skill. He chooses rather to respond thoughtfully, meeting the entry level music student where they are. He makes great choices about how much to share, and how to share it in a way that encourages further study. I already knew he could make advanced guitar playing look easy. He also makes being helpful look easy. If you try being an educator you will find that it is surprisingly difficult. Love Chris Buck.
@thanehtike4 жыл бұрын
Now that I'm old with lots of gray in my beard, I've come to a realization. A good guitar player is one who can get reactions out of people and impact their lives in some way. Guitar proficiency has little to do with whether or not a player can evoke emotions from the masses. There are plenty of amateurish players who have influenced people and some even changed the world of guitar and beyond. John Lennon was and still is great at being John Lennon!
@pauljohnson92604 жыл бұрын
TIM HTIKE so true even an amateur playing a song with all their heart and soul can stir something inside . They say every person has a beautiful song to sing in them
@tdoggo76144 жыл бұрын
I agree. 1980’s were loaded with guitar players that could play good solos but felt like just showing off. The 1990’s with grunge was more about chords and some solid rock music just like the bands they most admired (like the Beatles)
@alastairmackay48614 жыл бұрын
Very well said
@AllbeeHivezChristianAllbee4 жыл бұрын
Which is why people like John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Joe Strummer, Johnny Ramone and others are highly admired.
@josephfernandez17384 жыл бұрын
Spot on!
@Coventry_Kiers_19844 жыл бұрын
One of the best rhythm guitarist ever, really percussive, early Beatles stuff is great.
@joesheppards14 жыл бұрын
His rhythm guitar is very difficult to play. Like All My Loving and I’m Happy To Just Dance With You. Honestly very difficult to get down.
@rman524 жыл бұрын
Agree %100. Oh darling, revolution, she's so heavy, get back, and so many other rhythm classics.
@johnnymoondogs18164 жыл бұрын
He's the greatest rhythm guitar player to ever lived hands down
@richardalexander43004 жыл бұрын
All the Beatles stuff is Great !!! Always will be !!!
@osamabinladen8244 жыл бұрын
@@johnnymoondogs1816 Hey you
@michelottaviani8541 Жыл бұрын
To me, John is the greatest pop singer and songwriter of all time and a very good guitarist.
@warptek3 жыл бұрын
John was a very capable guitar player who understood the relation between key, scales and chords. Maybe not so much intuitively but definitely instinctively.
@vyger63364 жыл бұрын
I saw the Beatles at Shea when I was 15 and then went out and bought a crappy guitar and have been playing ever since...I have learned many , many Beatle songs and anyone who says that Lennon wasn't a good guitar player is totally ignorant concerning arrangement of music. It's great to see someone as young as yourself appreciate the complexity of the Beatles musical abilities...
@nolanr76794 жыл бұрын
Goodness gracious what I would give to have been at that concert, or to even be alive for their reign for that matter
@frederickfarias95704 жыл бұрын
Nolan R you wouldn’t believe the excitement they created for people. We all had Transistor radios in the playground. You couldn’t understand why girls would scream or swoon. At a very young age...race to the radio tv if a new Beatle song came out.
@sandycohen98623 жыл бұрын
I saw the Beatles at Atlantic City Convention Hall the same year, couldn't hear them much over the screaming
@danielkokal88193 жыл бұрын
I saw them in person arrive at the Pittsburgh airport in 64. I was 6. such a mob scene. I saw them carry a girl away on a stretcher. fainted cold. girls were climbing fences and phone poles. unbridled mayhem, and they werent even singing ! Beatles put electricity in the air. every album was an event. talked about for weeks. That year all top 5 positions of the Top Ten chart were 'all Beatle songs. They reigned as boy giants. and no one of their kind has come along since.
@andrewbell27123 жыл бұрын
So who won the game, the Mets or the Beatles? Did the Beatles get any "hits" against Tom Seaver, who had filthy stuff, or was it a hard day's night for them? All Ringo has left from that concert is a photograph. Any rain delays during the game? Those New Yorkers might as well be dead when the rain comes. Tomorrow never knows, I guess.
@durwoodball40623 жыл бұрын
The Beatles, including John Lennon, were experts on their instruments. They logged thousands and thousands of hours playing in the clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg and later in the recording studios. But to understand how they played their instruments, you have to understand that the Beatles were an instrumental vocal-harmony group. They were not unlike Smokey Robinson and Miracles, except that the Beatles played their own instruments to support their singing. John, Paul, George, and Ringo were brilliant ensemble players, not grandiose soloists such as Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix. Clapton was a prodigious guitar player; the Beatles were a prodigious band. Today, our conception of great musicianship is distorted by virtuosos on all sorts of instruments; they are a dime a dozen anymore. and frankly, their extended solos are generally boring. We tend to overlook or underestimate great ensemble musicians, such as John Lennon. Lennon is simply the greatest rhythm guitarist in rock history and he achieved this status in the greatest rock band of all time. Now, that's musicianship!
@ToddCiehomski3 жыл бұрын
Excellent points. I agree with everything except the "Lennon is simply the best rhythm, guitarist bit." I think Keith Richards gets that nod.
@Scottygthreethousand3 жыл бұрын
Very well put. Music is after all about harmonic relationships.
@theotherbeatle7073 жыл бұрын
Yeah Keith Richards I would definitely put above him Of course John is the better songwriter and vocalist
@stealthbastard88373 жыл бұрын
@@ToddCiehomski Close, but i choose Lennon.
@arewestilldoingphrasing64903 жыл бұрын
idk best rhythm guitarist in my book is Malcolm Young
@Gatallica Жыл бұрын
You are a great player yourself and very well demonstrated in these difficult chords and techniques.
@davidrowe79672 жыл бұрын
Always felt John was an underrated guitarist. His often abrasive rhythm guitar playing was very effective. I certainly liked the few solos he performed within the Beatles. Afterall John did mention that he could make the guitar talk!
@liamr1942 жыл бұрын
Good point. I think that abrasive playing came from the "skiffle" playing style he grew up with!
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
The Beatles complimented each other perfectly. The Beatles will never be topped !
@Dunlooser4 жыл бұрын
Add the fact that John was not only playing these incredible chord progressions keeping the rhythm section bounding along. He did so whilst singing and always looking at the audience. Not the fret board. Brilliant entertainer.
@nic19224 жыл бұрын
john smith lol fair enough
@osamabinladen8244 жыл бұрын
Ummm.. It's not that hard.
@paulburns13334 жыл бұрын
@@osamabinladen824 Where's your stuff then?
@leehale58283 жыл бұрын
Just listen to "You can't do that," its all John including the solo, its simply brilliant and was so ahead of its time.
@denisbrouillard54433 жыл бұрын
John's lead part on the end ,off of abbey road is pretty darn good.
@leehale58283 жыл бұрын
@@denisbrouillard5443 I thought that generally Abbey Road showed the excellent musicianship of all four Beatles. Just really great performances including the one mentioned.
@chrisst89223 жыл бұрын
You Can't Do That is possibly my favourite Beatles song and it's got Lennon written all over it.
@paulca92373 жыл бұрын
I totally agree but PM has good things to say about George's 12 string rhythm as do I. Something odd about John: on this performance and a few others, he would tell the cameraman/director/whomever to avoid him with the camera. I have no idea why he did that but I really wish he hadn't done that. He was a great performer.
@chrisst89223 жыл бұрын
@@paulca9237 I've read about John not wanting his solos filmed so many times. Unquestionably the solos are missed by the camera nearly every time irrespective of the song, country etc. But I'm not sure I believe the story. First of all it appears to have been standard practice in the sixties. The director hadn't a clue about the duties of guitarists nor that the audience respected their abilities or that we'd want to watch the musicianship. If you'd told them that The Beatles were art people would have laughed. The girls hadn't that on their minds. Secondly I can't see Lennon having the necessary relationship with the cameraman or director or the time. Would Neil Aspinall or Brian Epstein have had time, or Mal Evans? It might be true but maybe it's just one of those old wives tales.
@milestrotter68442 жыл бұрын
John was an an exceptional guitarist. And I just find it funny how some of his greatest rhythm parts are on songs were he isn't singing.
@bertanelson80623 жыл бұрын
Much appreciated! Listening to this while a teenager, I was aware, even then, that I was listening to magnificent guitar playing. Hearing it again 50 some years later with your masterful re-enactment, I have the same feeling. Thank you for your obvious love that drives you to learn to play like this! The music of the 60's and 70's was amazing, as thousands have noted. For you to spend countless hours to show us just a small snippet of how great it was, is a blessing.
@patrickmchale34554 жыл бұрын
I've been playing for nearly forty years and I've never been able to do what John did in "All My Loving". Just perfect rhythm guitar playing, perfect.
@justinguitarcia4 жыл бұрын
John played with so much attitude and urgency, love his playing
@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv4 жыл бұрын
Very well said!
@williepard4 жыл бұрын
Same story with Keith Richards when he played rhythm. Rhythm guitar is always under appreciated, but Lennon seems to get dissed more than others.
@tristantaravella8544 жыл бұрын
This is the real point. I'm actually amazed by his wild touch in plastic ono band álbum & cold turkey
@mackvismusic86222 жыл бұрын
Watching you strum that beauty makes pick up mine and keep it going on. Thanks for another excellent show!
@tedtimmis81352 жыл бұрын
Really interesting analysis of John’s guitar skills. Obviously, he was brilliant and, as others have said, he was a song writer, poet and artist.
@stealthbastard88373 жыл бұрын
That's one of the things i love about John, he wasn't technical when playing guitar but it was pure , raw, imaginative and authentic.
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
Played with love
@z-man47654 жыл бұрын
It’s like asking... was Hemingway a good speller.
@lunarods54663 жыл бұрын
Brilliant analogy! No more questions, Y.H.
@ManCrew3 жыл бұрын
Exactly this.......well said.....to dissenters....go look up who has the most #1 songs all time.(Lennon & McCartney). Putting the right chords to the right words is daunting. Most artists might have a handful of #1's. 32 - #1s is beyond genius level.
@bloozedaddy3 жыл бұрын
He could play acoustic but was pretty horrific on electric. Paul was probably the best guitarist. Compare Blackbird to Julia or Norwegian Wood which are probably John's high points.
@welsh_Witch3 жыл бұрын
Hemingway did a lot of bat shit crazy stuff not limited to hinting U-boats with hand grenades being chased by the CIA for being involved with the KGB and being in charge of a militia outside Paris
@Knowbody423 жыл бұрын
Was Einstein good at maths?
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
John Lennon was a kick A axer ... NEver heard this before .Thank You for playing this .beautiful rythem .
@davidhallam88582 жыл бұрын
How have I missed your KZbin stuff? Finally, a young guitarist who understands SONGS!!!
@alexhudson35744 жыл бұрын
lennon was a genius without question , I have never heard the guitar isolated from these tracks before and you played awesome
@jessicacosiguitar4 жыл бұрын
I agree, John is a genius!
@gregorynjr114 жыл бұрын
Fabulous job! True enough.rhythm guitar is highly underappreciated...as good as mick taylor was, it was keith's playing that drove the Stones into greatness. Nice playing
@RetroEternal3 жыл бұрын
Melodic genius both vocally and rhythm guitar
@macie70894 жыл бұрын
The fact that this is even a question disturbs me.
@Voxac100b4 жыл бұрын
I agree John was a great guitarist his rhythm style playing drove the band live on stage.
@lindadote4 жыл бұрын
The Queatles .......yes, I thought it was an odd thing to ask. There’s good reason The Beatles were/are known as “the best” and John’s abilities as a guitarist were evident on every track he played on.
@bettertoolatethannever4 жыл бұрын
Precisely, attention seeking, clearly
@macie70894 жыл бұрын
@@bettertoolatethannever Could be. I'd like to hope not, though.
@Voxac100b4 жыл бұрын
The kids a great guitarist too..but has he watched the Melbourne 64 concert?? Esp the part John gets his hand shook by a fan..you then hear Long Tall Sally played without John who was driving the music....
@RMT1922 жыл бұрын
I have to say that his solo in "I want you" is the best example of his ability to play. A stunning exquisite solo.
@David-iv6je2 жыл бұрын
Adam Gopnik said that John had limited talent but infinite soul. I'd rather have the soul than the talent.
@johnnyrocker74952 жыл бұрын
.Nothing special about it at all.
@Monkforilla2 жыл бұрын
@@johnnyrocker7495 you have a long ways to go my friend
@johnnyrocker74952 жыл бұрын
@@Monkforilla Not at all. John was an OK player, but describing the solo in I Want You as a "stunning exquisite solo" is ridiculous. It's typical of the overstatement that is regularly applied to anything involving The Beatles.
@valentino03432 жыл бұрын
@@johnnyrocker7495 and thats why ur a nobody guitarist , gtfo
@sjazzp3 жыл бұрын
John was such a genius, wonderful homage ...and you used a pick on all the songs!
@terenceteebken88604 жыл бұрын
John himself said: “I’m not a technically good guitar player but, I can make it sing.”
@tomrider1976able4 жыл бұрын
actually i think he says he can make it fucking howl.
@wildbill21224 жыл бұрын
@@tomrider1976able You are correct Sir ! "HOWL" is what he said.
@patrick-sprachenmusikstudi53514 жыл бұрын
@Badass Frank Henry I don't think he is overrated as there are videos explaining why he is a great guitarist and not why he isn't.
@BenZeebar4 жыл бұрын
John said the following in a Rolling Stone interview, 21 Jan, 1971: “Q: How do you rate yourself as a guitarist? A: Well, it depends on what kind? I’m OK, I’m not technically good, but I can make it fucking howl and move. I was rhythm guitarist. It’s an important job. I can make a band drive.”
@slothfromthegoonies82014 жыл бұрын
@Badass Frank Henry, overrated how? Few consider him a guitar god, he was a great singer and songwriter.
@mlhesler684 жыл бұрын
Only those who never played guitar would say Lennon was a terrible guitarist.
@alanholcomb38224 жыл бұрын
Michael Hesler and I run into them all the time !
@montydaniels10544 жыл бұрын
@EJ D Yes, George brought Eric Clapton into EMI with him & after Lennon heard Clapton playing the Lead Guitar tracks, both John & Paul agreed that the song needed to be on the white album. On ''While My Guitar Gently Weeps'' George played his 6 string acoustic guitar. Clapton was never credited for his playing on the white album but that's just how he was. George played with Clapton on his album without being credited for the work he did.He & Eric were just great friends....
@marksc19294 жыл бұрын
..well said..
@gabrielrolon76094 жыл бұрын
@EJ D also that song wouldn't exist if george hadnt wrote it in the first place so I feel that is a bad example for why you feel lennon wasnt a great guitar player
@patl94044 жыл бұрын
This is just a punk kid, who has no bussiness judging any one, i watched for 3 minutes and said what s fucking idiot,enough said
@laj0433 жыл бұрын
I think another good example of John's lead work and "playing for the song" was his lead riff on "Yer Blues" and the "solo" part in which John rapidly alternates between the open B and E strings and the B and E string fretted at the third. Simple, but very emotional. Shown in detail on the Stones Rock and Roll Circus live version where John plays with EC, Keith Richards, and Mitch Mitchell.
@OGUpdogg3 ай бұрын
Watching this gave me a newfound appreciation for “Get Back”. That’s some soulful work by John!
@davidbanta73034 жыл бұрын
John was an incredible rhythm player,,,the part on 'all my lovin' is a killer
@randallkennedy20664 жыл бұрын
He sucked on guitar
@waynej26084 жыл бұрын
@@randallkennedy2066 You suck!
@frankhornby68734 жыл бұрын
Randall Kennedy ......you're an absolute NOBHEAD!.....
@UliJonHendrix4 жыл бұрын
John Lennon wrote ‘I Want you, She’s so heavy’ Easily one of the greatest riffs ever created. It’s a drop D tuning which gives it the grunge/stoner rock feel. Lightyears ahead of their time.
@scottmatheson23904 жыл бұрын
that's a great point. I can even imagine John McLaughlin coming up with something similar.
@johanndaart73264 жыл бұрын
I love "I Want You", but it was actually a parody of bands that played monotone riffs. Because of that, the song itself is monotone to death.
@andyisdead4 жыл бұрын
@@johanndaart7326 could you cite those bands?
@MiguelGonzalez-ck9xy4 жыл бұрын
That song always sucks me into another place the heavy riff is just amazing John was way ahead of his time
@tdoggo76144 жыл бұрын
Kurt Cobain worshipped him.
@guitarstevehobbs2 жыл бұрын
Lennon really was nailing the quarter tone bend in the late 60s. Loved seeing you play this
@securitydvision876217 күн бұрын
Very underrated! I mean his playing on I'm Happy Just To Dance With You and All My Loving is exceptional and very crucial to the sound of them.
@bobhewitt50474 жыл бұрын
The Beatles were groundbreaking - and importantly, their music is as fresh today as it was back in the 60’s. Musically and lyrically, The Beatles laid the foundation for all who followed. John Lennon was a great guitarist and vocalist - really wish he was still here making wonderful music. Thank you Chris - for paying respect to him with your own fabulous playing.
@williamarendell53283 жыл бұрын
What makes John Lennon a great guitar player is, the amount of amazing guitars players who play guitar because they were inspired by John Lennon! There are lots of ways to be great!
@johnmeeks61132 жыл бұрын
Im.one .... The Beatles got me started on music as a guitar player.... I'm 71 and still axing away !!
@liptonjohn93872 жыл бұрын
Thank you Chris for these carefully chosen illustrations of John's remarkable guitar skills. To be fair, we shouldn't let oblivion grow its deadly shadow over John's masterful first solo on Long Tall Sally. Also McCartney credit's John with the brilliant intro downstrokes to She's a woman.
@jimmy56342 жыл бұрын
John wrote many riffs and fills. The opening riff to “I Feel Fine” is a prime example of one. most people don’t realize a lot of other riffs he played that were attributed to Harrison.
@tomobedlam2972 жыл бұрын
Except he didn't. He stole the "I Feel Fine" riff off Bobby Parker's "Watch Your Step" and freely admitted it.
@jimmy56342 жыл бұрын
@@tomobedlam297 didn’t know that…thanks for sharing! In any case he played it well.😃
@Jesse6154 жыл бұрын
I've been playing for more than 40 years. What I've found is that who most non-players or more novice players consider "great" are guitarists who, honestly, really over-play; too many notes, too flashy. Playing just the right note or chord, in just the right voice, at just the right time is much harder. And Lennon was a fantastic rhythm player. And I never knew Lennon played the solo in Get Back… I've always love it! A prime example of tasty playing.
@newspapertaxis14 жыл бұрын
Yes he did..Check out the "Let it be" Movie...It's all there!!!
@artiefount4 жыл бұрын
"Too many notes!" Ha ha like the line in Amadeus
@kato643 жыл бұрын
I’ve been playing for 40 years. I wish I was as “terrible” of a guitarist as John Lennon was. I’d have written some of the greatest songs of the last 55 years or so.
@ralex36973 жыл бұрын
Agree
@brushstroke37333 жыл бұрын
You'd also have to be a "terrible" lyricist like John to write songs of such caliber.
@kato643 жыл бұрын
@@brushstroke3733 - Agreed. Total crap as a lyricst. I mean what the hell is “a hard day’s night”? Obviously should been called “a relaxing evening at home with the wife, after a tough day at work”. Duh! “Musical genius” my foot! 😏
@brushstroke37333 жыл бұрын
@@kato64 And what's with him being so coy with that "please please me" lyric? He could have just sung "baby please give me head" instead. Why beat around the bush about it? 😉
@kato643 жыл бұрын
@A Antonson - Not two completely different things when you’re writing and playing the music. We’re not talking a Tin Pan Alley songwriter, handing his tune over to Englebert Humperdinck. We’re talking John F***ing Lennon.
@raph2k012 жыл бұрын
John was a pro with decades of experience including tons of gigs, definitely knew everything about his instrument, and was extremely musical. Such an inspiration that shows how diving into music, and expressing yourself in it can accomplish.
@alanhowell36462 жыл бұрын
Fascinating stuff and great playing. I always thought George had written those Get Back parts. They are genius.
@pedromarques74574 жыл бұрын
There are and always have been thousands of good guitarists in the world. None of them can hold a candle to John Lennon in songwriting skills.
@sanjaysharma-yy7tv4 жыл бұрын
May be millions
@sebfreshnckf35044 жыл бұрын
Richie Blackmore 😁
@garymccoy65644 жыл бұрын
Many thousands; and NONE of them accomplished on guitar what John Lennon did.
@johnnymoondogs18164 жыл бұрын
Facts John Lennon songwriting skills is untouchable he is arguably the greatest songwriter ever.
@Allan-et5ig4 жыл бұрын
Not really the point of the video. There are HUNDREDS of thousands or more, excellent guitarists in the world. Few have ANYTHING to say. John did. (George too.)
@andrewklafter59834 жыл бұрын
The Beatles' music was much more sophisticated and complex than people are aware. Their chords, chord changes, chord voicings, layers of instrument, textures of different sounds, modal changes, and vocal harmonies were much more intricate and at a higher level of difficulty than the vast majority of other pop music. This is true not only for 1960-1970 but since then as well. Combined with their voluminous output of songwriting and recording, and their evolution of different music styles with constant hit songs and hit albums, makes them (in my opinion at least) the greatest band in the history of pop music. John's guitar chops definitely hold up and are underrated, probably because he was largely a rhythm player. I think musicians have a greater appreciation of the level if difficulty if their music than music fans who don't play instruments. This was a really excellent video. Great playing and spot on analysis with great examples.
@jstnxprsn4 жыл бұрын
Very well said.
@iconoclastKM4 жыл бұрын
@Speakeasy Oh... I would bet it did..!
@grahamfolkerd20714 жыл бұрын
an excellent, very thoughtful overview of an amazing group and of john's guitaring.
@lindadote4 жыл бұрын
Speakeasy ......George Martin’s musical knowledge was invaluable to them but it’s said GM only ever acted on advice from the lads. From the inclusion of a Piccolo in “Penny Lane” to the cacophonous orchestration of “A Day In The Life”, John and Paul had the “ideas”, Martin the “knowledge”. It’s interesting to note that on the second Beatles album, all of the piano was played by GM.
@anneteller31284 жыл бұрын
@@lindadote Has anyone seen the video by Mike Williams, the Sage of Quay researching if the Beatles wrote all their own music? (See link below) He plays, records and repairs guitars. He and some other long-time Beatles fans looked at every minute of time the Beatles spent touring, making movies, doing interviews, traveling, and in the studio recording and the time it took to get the records made, tracks laid down, overdubs, placed on vinyl, in record sleeves and cover, to market, every detail, and determined there was not enough time for them to have done it all by themselves, while writing hundreds of hit songs in different sounding styles that were unique and complex, while growing in technique by leaps and bounds every year. George Martin had been in the music field a long time and knew the best of the best session musicians. He was also known to be a perfectionist when it came to recorded sound. George and most of these song writers and session players were classically trained, which is why it is so weird that these mostly men (in their 30s and 40s at the time) were writing and playing pop rock music on the records. This means they were born in the 1920s and 1930s. So much for pop rock being a young people's invention. People who understand classical music can hear the influence in the composition of some of the songs. One man trained in classical music was interviewing George Martin (a clip on Mike's video) and ask him why so many Beatles tunes have musical chords from old Church hymns. George Martin's face turned to panic on the video and he couldn't answer the question. I would have said the whole culture has been influenced by hymn music whether they were taken to Church or not, Paul was noted by one of his childhood friends to sing in Church. But, George couldn't think fast enough to make up that excuse. He put his finger over his lips making the Shhh sign to the interviewer. Mike's research group thinks George Martin, their producer, got everything taken care of, writing, recording and all the rest and the Beatles came off tour and movies and recorded the vocals to the songs. The same thing was happening the the US at the same time. See the video called the Wrecking Crew. The main difference is they have all the session musicians figured out that were part of the Wrecking Crew. The Americans never kept it as hush, hush after the first few years -- that basically the same set of US session musicians were playing on the records of all the great US bands in the 1960s. In the 1960s, it looks like the US and the UK were having a bit of a competition of sorts of who could develop bands the quickest with the best recorded sounds, so just like people in sports and with race horses, they cheated a bit, only it wasn't with steroids and Epogen, it was by using the creme' dela creme' song writers and session musicians to write and record the songs on their albums, most who were never credited. I am happy the US Wrecking Crew is finally getting recognized. I hope the British version of the "Wrecking Crew" will also become recognized as well. They deserve it. A group of song writers wrote and the session players played the best pop rock music ever written and played in my opinion. However, the original Beatles were still a great band. They were part of the British success formula and in my opinion why the British beat the US for the 1960s best pop band sound and performance. They still had to learn to play those complicated songs. They sang all the vocals, had great harmonies, played the music themselves on tour and on stage most of the time, until they added full orchestras on St. Pepper's and afterwards and could not duplicate the sound on stage. They were also smart, funny, cute and approachable. After George Martin left, sometime after St. Peppers, Mike and his group of researchers think we do hear more of the Beatles own writing and playing, especially on the White Album. There's even way more to the story than this, but this is certainly enough for now. See Mike's video for more of the exacting details. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZSomaCHZbJnfLs
@AuthenticBeatlesSongs4 ай бұрын
Hey Chris, absolutely superb playing. Your Beatles tones are absolutely spot on. 👏
@robertbrunswickjr3222 жыл бұрын
I was born in June of 1963. With 4 older siblings, the youngest 4 years older than me, I was exposed to all 60s music since birth. By 4 years old I was a serious Beatles fan.. I'm completely serious. Subconsciously I must have incorporated John's style.. at least as far as my strumming hand. John was a phenomenon. ❤❤❤ 🎸❤❤❤
@johnulrich55724 жыл бұрын
The Get Back guitar work is one of the cleanest, concise, and nuanced of any guitar player around at the time. Lennon's work has a very workmanship quality to it, not too little and not too much. It fits the song perfectly. It's one of my favorite Beatle songs for that reason. Paul does a great vocal and bass work, Billy Preston's keyboard playing is right on the money, George and Ringo add their excellent talents. Thanks for the video.
@jgdforesthills14 жыл бұрын
Chris Buck you made a great documentary video. You demonstrated John Lennon's guitar playing abilities so well. John was a gifted guitar player as well as a great song writer.
@4thArmoredVet3 жыл бұрын
Great demo of John’s playing. Thank you 🙏
@TheCjbowman2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, he was a good guitarist, but he was really a phenomenal songwriter, brilliant lyricist, fantastic musician, and artist.
@dougrogers9563 жыл бұрын
When John met Paul in 1957, John only knew banjo chords. Paul basically taught John the Guitar chords and he was a quick learner. Giving consideration to the short amount of time between 1957 and 62 when The Beatles began their celebrity status in the UK, it was quite an accomplishment. For John to come along with his Guitar playing in the way he did in such a short time is amazing. Not only that but turn The Beatles into the biggest band in the world. An amazing task in the history of music.
@charlie-obrien3 жыл бұрын
You had to dig down and really want to learn it back then. They didn't have great guitar books, the internet or lots of people willing to share knowledge. John, Paul and George once had to get on a bus and go across town, because they heard that someone could show them a B7 chord. That's dedication (and BTW, they used the B7 extensively after that) Lol
@surroundedbyjaggoffs3 жыл бұрын
George Martin had slot to do with their success!
@sean69923 жыл бұрын
John and george are actually a worse guitarist than paul, paul had more accuracy and he was very precise but I think george had more iconic riffs
@dorkle90853 жыл бұрын
@@sean6992 What are you smoking?
@sean69923 жыл бұрын
@@dorkle9085 I'm a kid
@jamesmichael36074 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the well deserved appreciation and respect for John Lennon’s rhythm guitar talents. The haters are gonna hate and probably can’t really play. If anyone has a true ear for sound. For music. Separating the dynamic of the individual instruments in one’s head while the music is playing, then you can absolutely understand the unique Beatle sound, the background guitar is a driving force. These are the crunchy dirty seventh chords, the hybrid banjo chords, the years playing taverns and clubs and workhorse like strumming. Song composer not just guitarist, Dear Prudence, Happiness is Warm Gun, Julia, I Call her Name, Christ -Day Tripper and I Feel Fine riffs alone give him rock royalty status.
@manny45528 ай бұрын
Lennon was outstanding in his profession in everything he tried .. a musical genius
@marksgmail66 Жыл бұрын
Well done, mate. You've chosen the perfect songs to showcase John's unique ability. I absolutely loved "I'm Happy Just To Dance With You" the first time I heard it. For me, it was a band in perfect synch with John anchoring everything. And, by their own admission, a throwaway song they gave to George who made the most of it. Keep up the great work.
@hypersmudge14 жыл бұрын
Really great recreations of John’s playing! Not only was he a visionary, but he was a visionary guitar player. Seemed to be able to play what he heard in his head. Very cool! Thanks, from this life-long Beatles fan!
@mikek59584 жыл бұрын
One of the great solo's is in "The End" where Paul, George and John all take turns and trade licks. It was improvised on the spot in the studio and after a brief rehearsal they layed it down live in one take: "The idea for guitar solos was very spontaneous and everybody said, ‘Yes! Definitely’ - well, except for George, who was a little apprehensive at first. But he saw how excited John and Paul were so he went along with it. Truthfully, I think they rather liked the idea of playing together, not really trying to outdo one another per se, but engaging in some real musical bonding. Yoko was about to go into the studio with John - this was commonplace by now - and he actually told her, ‘No, not now. Let me just do this. It’ll just take a minute.’ That surprised me a bit. Maybe he felt like he was returning to his roots with the boys - who knows? The order was Paul first, then George, then John, and they went back and forth. They ran down their ideas a few times and before you knew it, they were ready to go. Their amps were lined up together and we recorded their parts on one track. You could really see the joy in their faces as they played; it was like they were teenagers again. More than anything, they reminded me of gunslingers, with their guitars strapped on, looks of steely-eyed resolve, determined to outdo one another. Yet there was no animosity, no tension at all - you could tell they were simply having fun. One take was all we needed. The musical telepathy between them was mind-boggling." - Geoff Emerick
@ericmansmith64234 жыл бұрын
That is my all time favorite piece with the small guitar war. Great comment.
@michaelszczys83164 жыл бұрын
I always liked the recordings from the Star Club in Hamburg where you could hear how John and George shared everything, I guess they had to playing all night. According to a magazine interview with Ringo, the tune Yer Blues was John Lennon as he said they were waiting for George who wasn’t going to show so John kicked back and started jamming blues. The result was Yer Blues. Ringo said it was his favorite session ever. My personal favorite is the New Music Express show of 1964 where they play You Can’t Do That and Twist and Shout with the broken microphone stand and having to switch sides with Paul.
@steveb23434 жыл бұрын
And, John's parts in that showdown are the most difficult to replicate. Just balls to the wall rock n roll...
@benh28074 жыл бұрын
@@steveb2343 Exactly. Technically the simplest, the best of all three of them by miles though 'cos of the feel.
@jj97494 жыл бұрын
Yoko ruined everything
@markgilmore20773 жыл бұрын
Great video, brilliantly presented. Very concise and interesting.
@garyhoffman5032 жыл бұрын
What a happy song. I really like two things...your playing and your watch! J.L. is a Smooth Criminal! ❤ Great Boss Video 👍
@BradSimpsonArt4 жыл бұрын
His acoustic playing on the song "Julia" alone proves he was amazing.
@TheMaineSurveyor3 жыл бұрын
Donovan taught John the picking pattern he eventually used on Julia while they were in India in early '68. John worked to improve his playing through The Beatles years.
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheMaineSurveyor Exactly! But apparently that's the kind of laughable comment we are doomed to read when it comes to The Beatles. We have a guitarist who - although he's been a professional for the last 10 years or so, at that time - didn't even know about travis picking (something every under average amateur guitarist should know) until Donovan taught it to him and, even after that, he's always been capable of playing only a very basic and simplified version of said picking. And people think he was "amazing"... and woe to you if don't say it yourself! How dare you not believing that beatles invented music!?
@leavewe3 жыл бұрын
@ They did a lot more than many players who were technically superior. What is it worth to be a professional guitarist?
@chuckbaker84133 жыл бұрын
Listen to John standing shoulder to shoulder with Eric and Keith (on tasty base) during Rolling Stones Circus and singing and playing his Casino for “Yer Blues”.... killer band..!!
@FAngus-ly8lk3 жыл бұрын
I was going to post the exact same thing. Julia is a brilliant song, based on a melodic riff that is just beautiful and overflowing with deep feeling. John's playing on this song, which he wrote (FFS), defeats any suggestion that he wasn't a good guitarist.
@Engineer_Who3 жыл бұрын
I don't recall who said it, but I remember someone who played with John once said that he was the most solid rhythm guitar players in rock. It was along the lines of "When John's playing, you lock into his tempo because it's always perfect." Kinda like how some drummers say that metronomes use Ringo to keep in time.
@gregdahlen43752 жыл бұрын
they were on the beat hence "beatles"
@johnnyrocker74952 жыл бұрын
BS.
@michaelvaladez65702 жыл бұрын
When asking Double Fantasy his last album , a studio musician a guitarist as well has said he was nervous about playing along side Lennon made a remark that not only was a great rhythm player he played loud and hard, paraphrasing here.
@michaelvaladez65702 жыл бұрын
The studio musician said he was...he was there...John was always modest.
@michaelvaladez65702 жыл бұрын
@@johnnyrocker7495 Have you read his last interview, the Playboy by David Sheff, he is modest a few times Yoko was in attendance. AND yes he was acerbic, he did not suffer fools gladly.This is the 2nd time reading it and it is most revealing interview ...before his life was taken.So upon reading this you can see how he really was toward the end of the Beatles, all of them happy and showing up for work. They knew the band was near its finale 🤧.
@phtaylor2022 Жыл бұрын
John's riffing throughout "You Never Give Me Your Money" on his fuzzed out Epiphone Casino is crazy underrated.
@DejaVu2U2 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Chris. Your work helped my understanding and appreciation of John Lennon's guitar proficiency.
@leiscwf4 жыл бұрын
People need to realise technical ability and actually being good are 2 different things
@carlitobrigante3304 жыл бұрын
Well said.
@kenteel29443 жыл бұрын
Yes, having technical ability and being tasteful are two different things. Who hasn't heard a jazz saxophone player, or a guitar shredder, who has played a thousand notes, and was technically proficient, but bored the crap out of you. John was limited, but he danged sure worked well within the parameters of this limitation.
@zaidanp72583 жыл бұрын
@@kenteel2944 Okay toan
@kenteel29443 жыл бұрын
@@zaidanp7258 I don't speak acronym.
@peterdelgiudice55593 жыл бұрын
seems because of star search and such people today are always expecting technical perfection id rather here a good song than a guitar wizard
@reinaldoreyes56314 жыл бұрын
Anyone who questions John’s talent as a rhythm guitarist has not tried to replicate his playing, as you so clearly demonstrate. Great video.
@JimHabash4 жыл бұрын
Wasn't Strawberry Fields and I am the Walrus really difficult guitar compositions? Not using the regular chords/keys, etc? Anyone? Those were fantastic out of your established comfort zone compositions.
@alansmyth22044 жыл бұрын
All my loving
@garykeck70727 ай бұрын
I`m quite impressed with Chris Bucks` stellar playing of the Lennon riffs. John Lennon was a great rhythm guitar player, songwriter and vocalist, most definitely one of kind..
@bigred459210 ай бұрын
the Get Back solo is just awesome....prob my fave Beatles tune....well done...
@davidriggs81964 жыл бұрын
Like all the Beatles he played to and for the song. Which is what made the Beatles great.
@JoaoGabriel-lk9cv4 жыл бұрын
That’s it
@michaeljkelly14 жыл бұрын
Great insight
@stevenmotchan20484 жыл бұрын
He played it like the best hired studio musician would.
@goransinadinovic8654 жыл бұрын
Amen brother, Amen. The simple truth of r'n'r.
@sue084014 жыл бұрын
@@stevenmotchan2048 Bingo - I learned from a great studio player Jimmy Capps (part of the area 615 group) Hot shots come and go but great rhythm players that can create great rhythm parts stay forever -- BTW he's now 81 and still gets a lot of calls here in Nashville - he's the guy with the crew cut - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIWWi3ykgNqYpZY
@jacquescousteau2174 жыл бұрын
I have never heard anyone nails Lennon’s feel for the guitar while in the Beatles like this guy. Not only does it play the right inversions of the chords ,but his right hand has that balls out feel like Lennon. Then the two guitars he’s using ! I don’t know if they are both custom shops, and have no idea what he’s using for amps, or if he’s playing direct into Pro Tools or whatever. The point being his tonality is perfect SPOT ON. I’ve never heard anyone replicate Lennon’s sound like this. By the bye. I was in the original cast of Beatlemania on Broadway in 1977 for a very,and I mean very short time. Long story. It takes an incredible ear to hear all the nuances in Lennon’s rhythm playing, as well as his leads ,and fills . Don’t know how Chris Evans came up on my radar ,but glad I listened . The Aug 7 on I’m happy just to dance with you that he’s using is unique . Most play it on fifth fret (root ) . It sounds like he’s playing the same inversion, only using the root A on possibly the 12th fret. For any of you watching other videos on “ How to play like -fill in your Beatle - “ just stick with guy. He’s nailed the left hand, right hand, and his tonality was astounding. Rick,and Casino sound is hard to catch . Lennon used,or the engineers used a lot of compression when they recorded Lennon’s rhythm guitar. IMPRESSED !
@Ohm514 жыл бұрын
Super perceptive commentary. I'm NOT a guitarist, but a drummer, that has played with innumerable guitarists throughout the years ... many of whom I would categorize as being exceptional to extremely competent ... and of those, NONE were the shredder types (fact is those guys were mostly annoying) ... but more so dudes that had really BIG EARS and knew exactly what to play to move the song along. Dudes like that were always a joy to play with. Anyways, I know it when I hear it ... and this dude's got it ... in Spades! Really great playing!
@1957burb4 жыл бұрын
Came here to say this. The first time in my life I could have closed my eyes and imagined it was really Lennon himself performing, and that is damned impressive. I subscribed just to hear more.
@davehummel19904 жыл бұрын
@@Ohm51 That's the truth. What you don't play is just as important as what you do play. And the way you play the notes is just as important as the notes you play, phrasing & dynamics & such. I ain't a drummer but it's the same with the drums. I've played with drummers who had impeccable timing but just bashed away relentlessly through the whole song, never letting up, even during the vocals. It's really frustrating playing with people like that. Same with some guitarists, bashing away power chords relentlessly. It's amazing how they don't realize how bad they make the band sound.
@jtn1914 жыл бұрын
Yeah he's a great player and really seems to research these video topics
@waynej26084 жыл бұрын
Great insights. Hey, I saw Beatlemania on Broadway in 77, at the Winter Garden. Great show. Which Beatle were you? I believe Jeff Percaro was John, Mitch Weisman was Paul, Leslie Fradkin was George, and Justin McNeil was Ringo. I may be slightly off on those names. I'm going totally off the top of my head, from pure memory. Cool.
@AlexColberg3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant brilliant video. I've tried to convey to people how good John's playing was, but was nowhere near as eloquent and well-researched as you are. So, from now on, if I should ever have a conversation with someone again about John's guitar prowess, I will simply refer them to above video. Best 10 minutes I have spent today, watching your video.
@IwasInThe60s3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. This just proved to me once again how innovative John was.
@garystackhouse57874 жыл бұрын
The intro and main riff to "I Feel Fine" was also John, and maybe the toughest one to play and sing at the same time (in my experience, at least!)
@johnfranklin57004 жыл бұрын
Yes..what he did on that song was amazing and he made it look easy ..to play those parts and sing at the same time..
@thomaspappalardo75894 жыл бұрын
John didn’t play the riff while he was singing - if you watch live performances, he played chords during the verses.
@garymccoy65644 жыл бұрын
@@thomaspappalardo7589 ...and on the record. the chording is obvious on the recording.
@garystackhouse57874 жыл бұрын
@@thomaspappalardo7589 George played the chords. The riff doesn't stay exactly the same through the verse, but it's there and overlaps, and if you listen, the guitar that plays the intro riff (panned hard right on the stereo mixes) is the same one that continues playing a variation of it during the verse while George plays the chords. I've played and sung this song for years.
@TheAerovons4 жыл бұрын
Hey Gary! Yeah, John's J160e starts the song, and once the band kicks in is joined by George playing the riff on his Tennessean along with John. You can hear that George played a rhythm part as well but it's back. The doubling of John's lead was done when George overdubbed his solo.
@michaelmanus77652 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the break down. For me, it is a reminder of the sound I loved as a young kid when they arrive in the States.
@37Dionysos2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! John's rhythm-playing was always exactly where it should be between Ringo's high-hat, Paul's strong bass-lines and George's rich subtle embellishments. Watch John's concerts and he's usually hitting up-strokes on the beats adding levels of syncopation that work perfectly with Ringo's felt style. "Happy Just to Dance" is no easy rhythm-guitar part and neither is "I Feel Fine." In "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Slow Down" John is wide-awake-sharp on every single beat, and his share of the lead rips in "The End" are savage-amazing. He was always my favorite to learn from.