Criminally Under-Rated Guitar Hero | Terry Kath | How to Play 25 or 6 to 4 | Chicago | Lesson | TABS

What a song, what a solo, what a band, what a PLAYER!!
Terry Kath is so hugely under-rated and I've never understood why.
Even though I've loved that solo as well as other early Chicago, and even though I've fetished guitar and guitar players and guitar magazines since the early 80s, I didn't even know his name until the last few years. It's like we love to look back at Mick Ronson, Robert Fripp, Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Tony Iommi, Randy, Frehley, George Harrison, SRV, Muddy, Chuck, Keef... The list goes on and on. But when did you last see an article (or hear a podcast) on Terry Kath??
He was just way beyond. WAY beyond.
Anyways, thought I'd try to kill two birds with one stone and teach you not just how to play the immense guitar solo from 25 or 6 to 4, but also teach you how to love Terry Kath and marvel at his wizardry!
I also covered all the scales Terry used in this outing:
Pentatonic, Dorian, Minor, Harmonic Minor, as well as Terry's favoured shapes and techniques.
Played this on TJ's new ‪@OfficialEpiphone‬ Dot. Plays like a dream, man!
Yes, I know, it sounds nothing like Terry's tone, but I just plugged the 'Dot' into a Logic Pro preset (Double Driven) and loved what I heard. So, that's what you're getting this week.
Tabs are over at ‪@soundslice‬.com
Apologies for the rude interruption during the performance of the solo at around 30 secs. KZbin's bot claimed that I had used the 2016 remix of the original - which I most definitely had not. It's just me strumming my ‪@matonguitars‬ EM325C for the backing, and I didn't even try to emulate Terry's great tone - for the precise reason that I keep getting blocked because my covers are too close to the originals.
#TerryKath #Chicago #25or6to4 #Tutorial

[@thomaspaciello1068]

My favorite solo of all time (and I'm old). Plus he has 3 or 4 mini solos throughout the rest of the song.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Yes! I need to break those down too...

[@laurenval2370]

YOU ROCK! Terry deserves to be admired for the rest of time!!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Absolutely!

[@rickfromberlin1722]

First song I learned bar chords with in High School in the 70s. Must’ve played it forever. Great memories. Time to finally learn the solo 😅.Thanks for paying tribute to Terri Kath and your time putting this together. Love early Chicago.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks Rick. Glad to spark those early memories!

[@nickf2170]

And the really interesting part is Terry didn't read music, and tabs didn't exist back then. And, the song was recorded late 1969, he was 23 years old at the time. This solo is a musical composition he played from his gut. He could play this type of lead improv for upwards of 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Just incredible! Some guys just HAVE it, don't they!

[@nickf2170]

@@dannyeddyguitar You likely have watched his performance of 25/6/4 at Tanglewood, if not that is a must see. The dude is on fire!

[@harrykadaras9459]

That solo hit me like a freight train when I heard it back then. I started on guitar and I was listening to Hendrix, Clapton, Page Beck, etc. And knew all their solos, which when I got further along in skill realized were all pretty simply constructed. Then I was walking down the beach carrying my transistor radio and 25 or 6 to 4 came along. I was flattened. This playing was at another level. I could hear the minor scales, and the speed at which he was playing. Its a bad azz solo and it even holds up to today as a top solo. I kept asking who Chicago's guitarist was, and nobody knew - I had to spend big money on their albums. Man, I wore that record out! He was my favotlrite, and the other "guitar-gods" paled in comparison to this new player...this is a great break down btw!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Harry. Your comment about people not knowing him is exactly my point. I've purchased and digested various guitar magazines for well over 40 years now, and I didn't know his name until a band member said it a few years back. Many people on here are saying "He's not criminally under-rated" but I think - at least in the music press - he is totally ripped off!

[@timelesspoprocksoul]

Amazing work, Danny. I appreciate not only your breakdown of the solo, but your testimony for Terry's abilities as well. You're right - in an era of so many great and historically significant players, Terry Kath was WAY beyond. How many players of his time (or any other time, for that matter) could so masterfully combine so many diverse styles and influences, including jazz? You can count them on a couple fingers, at most. I feel so incredibly blessed to have seen Terry in concert with Chicago 5 times back in the day, the last time just 2 months before he passed. There are so many great TK guitar performances on those first 11 Chicago albums (let me know if you want the full list, lol) and let's not forget what a badass, soulful vocalist he was, too. The only thing I'd add to your analysis is that, while you're correct that Terry was a big guy with big hands, he did in fact use his 4th/pinky finger a lot, especially when he started cooking on the faster parts of his solos. Thanks again, Danny. for helping keep the Terry Kath legacy alive!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Wow! Just getting to this comment today and I'm blown away at both your knowledgable insights and the fact that you experienced seeing Terry live 5 times!!! Sensational. Hit me with the list. Please!

[@timelesspoprocksoul]

@@dannyeddyguitar I didn’t mean to sound like such a TK snob, but your video got me all worked up! Terry was such a great player, and it’s so cool to see people still discovering him today. Check out these songs: 1. Chicago Transit Authority (1969) - South California Purples (ridiculous bluesy solo) 2. Chicago V (1972) - A Hit By Varese (great rhythm and lead parts) 3. Chicago VI (1973) - What’s This World Comin’ To (crazy funky rhythm/lead guitar) 4. Chicago VII (1974) - Aire (what a jazz solo!) 5. Chicago XI (1977) - Takin’ It On Uptown (Terry’s farewell w/ multiple fire guitar parts) Thanks again for your great video, Danny!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

@@timelesspoprocksoul Awesome!! And I have VII and XI on vinyl too (amongst others). Will be spinning those tonight for sure. Thanks again!

[@jeanettezacks7036]

Wow…. 5 times…. I was fortunate to have seen them 3 times with him. He was so incredibly gifted/talented in so many ways. I listen to that 1970 Tanglewood performance mostly for his other-worldly guitar solo, but what he does on rhythm while PC is singing is also incredible. The other thing I absolutely love about him is his voice. Not just the sound of his voice, but what he does with it. I can’t remember which live performance of Color my World it is, but it’s beautiful. Kind of like how he describes his guitar playing in this video. All these years later it hurts just as much that he’s gone. Thanks for this video. It’s great to see how appreciated he is.

[@timelesspoprocksoul]

@@jeanettezacks7036 You mentioned Terry’s vocal performances on various live versions of Colour My World…a couple that stand out in my mind are the Live In Japan album from 1972, and Live In Louisville (aka, King Biscuit Flower Hour) from 1974. Both feature great versions of the Ballet, and especially great vocals from Terry.

[@jacktoddy9783]

Not only do I enjoy the content of your channel - I like your personality which makes me happy - always keep on truckin'.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much, Jack. I appreciate that!

[@llocr8808]

Thank you very much for the hard work I am very happy that more and more people recognize one of the great musicians whose greatness has not been properly recognized

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank you so much!

[@stevehamby9842]

I appreciate you bringing Terrys solo to light. Was a self taught drummer was in a cover band around my town. Always loved good guitarists. Loved all the greats including Toy Caldwell, Jeff Healy etc. Heard other versions of this after this night you broke down. BUT TERRY KATH IN 1970 NIGHT AT TANGLWOOD…WOW

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank, Steve. Yeah, that Tanglewood clip!! Wow!

[@stevehamby9842]

Oh and that little one of yours is a little doll!❤️Way to go Dad.👍😎

[@dannyeddyguitar]

@@stevehamby9842 Thanks! She absolutely is! And she rarely leaves my studio. I think she's been in more of my clips than I have.

[@laurenval2370]

I remember as à clarinet player in school we played Chicago songs. It was so awesome 👌!!!!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Fantastic arrangements and clever phrasing in those horn parts!

[@philm.6113]

I will only post this comment on this video, but my thoughts can be applied to all of your videos. Wow! What an incredible musician. To play anything by Terry Kath is beyond impressive. To think Elliot Easton may have wanted to play a C, but played a B, is a testament to Danny's incredible ear. A few guitarists are this gifted. The praise will end here, but the enjoyment of these lessons will last forever. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Wow, thanks, Phil! That's very generous praise.

[@randycrooks6240]

Hey Danny, thanks for responding back. I would love to see you break down South California Purples from CTA and Sing a Mean Tune Kid from Chicago III. They showcase Terry's playing also. By the way I am up to the 3rd section of the 25 or 6 to 4 thanks to you.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Great suggestions, Randy! I'm definitely planning another Terry Kath piece...

[@randycrooks6240]

Thanks Danny. Terry Kath has been my #1 influence since the CTA album. Love the way you break down the solo. Just subscribed. I will be checking out your content. I have been looking for someone who has broken down Terry's stuff...

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks for the sub, Randy! Just home from a gig at a Food & Wine festival where I played 25 or 6 to 4 - not like Terry could, but got through it. A guy who had moved from Melbourne to the country came up afterwards and we spoke at length about early Chicago and Terry Kath. It's wonderful to connect with people over this stuff!

[@randycrooks6240]

@@dannyeddyguitar Couldn't connect with Chicago after Terry passed.

[@rylieriley]

I'm happy to hear more and more people talking about Terry Kath. He was a monster player and should always be considered up there with the greatest guitarists.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Absolute truth!

[@elevensbest]

Mate! This Yank watched Terry and band burn this down as their final number on September 8, 1975 in Portland, OR and has never been the same. This video is staggeringly accurate, clear, understandable ans sorely needed to keep Terry’s legacy alive. Thanks for all the hours you (obviously) put into it. This Kath fanatic will be forever grateful. Cheers! Tim

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much, Tim. What a passionate comment! And what an amazing memory to carry with you - seeing the great man play this song with that band at their peak!

[@markknoop777]

Only discovered I liked Chicago recently... Really great to get some insight on who Terry was and how he played. Thanks!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers Mark. So many people only know Chicago from their super-lightweight pop stuff. Many don't know they were so awesome back at the beginning.

[@larrygoodman453]

Fabulous job! Thanks for teaching us this phenomenal Terry Kath solo as well as breaking it down musically.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Larry!

[@JaysonAnderson-w8n]

Thanks Love your take and presentation. Terry has always been admired by me.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks heaps for letting me know, Jayson. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

Great work! Terry was a genius, the Tanglewood concert is a must if you haven't seen it (although I'm sure you have). Thanks for posting this Master Class! Beautiful little one you got there too!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much! Great to see how appreciated Terry is.

[@alkaguitar2859]

This was an absolute joy to watch. Thank for taking the time to put this together. One of my all time favorite songs and solos

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much!

[@bluecollar60423]

Thanks for the video. Glad to hear other people appreciate Terry Kath. His playing gives me goose bumps!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

You're so very welcome! Thanks.

[@karimdeane9434]

Absolutely love your videos! But this one is special because i grew up idolizing cTerry Keith! & your kid is so adorable!!!! Thanks Man!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Haha! She is! Thanks again, Karim. Terry was astounding.

[@uptownphotography]

Excellent job and super detailed explaining Terry's great solo... I believe I have this album somewhere. I need to dig it up if my turntable still works! All the best... Phil NYC / Jersey Shore Area

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank you so much, Phil!

[@gustavodiazhernandez5696]

Very good análisis. Great ear and musical tecnics. That talk of your Experience.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank you, Gustavo. I appreciate your support!

[@FlyWithFitz81]

Great understanding of an incredibly difficult piece of rock by one of the (if not the) best jazz guitarists ever. Absolutely, my favorite song to play and nearly get right.... Almost.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much!!

[@CarrickRoberts-n9m]

Thank you so much for this video man. Kath was a monster of a player.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

You are totally welcome. Yeah, he was just crazy-good!

[@jorgemoreno1225]

Wow! Danny... I'm so appreciative that you experinece Terry the way I do. Amasing tribute to this Titanic Guitar Virtuoso. I could not stop watching...

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Jorge! I'm so happy that you found this enjoyable!

[@stevejantz3652]

Wow Danny never saw it broken down like that before .. fwd this vid on to my son (boston) and grandson (la) they are also both incredible guitar players i did subscribe and thank you for you hard work

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank you so much for your support and kind words, Steve. Glad you liked it!

[@Denien82]

I play guitar, yet I discovered Kath just a couple of years ago, probably just cause I was watching a ton of vids during lockdown. He truly is criminally under-rated

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Yeah! He was unbelievably good, for someone who received very little press throughout my experience of reading the Guitar Mags of the 80s!

[@calravens8707]

Great explanation and execution of this killer solo. I love the mixing of harmonic minor, dorian and blues phrasing. Terry is really on a tour the force in this solo with all the bends, runs, pull offs……thanks for your hard work, it is really helpful coming closer for me playing this masterpiece (at least in parts😂) and stealing some ideas

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers, Cal! I will never tire of listening to or playing this piece.

[@richardmiller191]

Hey Danny great video thanks for posting it. I'm going to work on it until i get it down pat. It's my favorite guitar solo ever, but really hard to play it well at real speed, and u play it perfect. I always thought Terry was the best ever. Not only his talent but his solos are really good musically as well, not like a lot of what has been recorded since. Too many guitarists focus on speed but not necessarily good music.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks so much, Richard. I'm currently lucky enough to play in a band that features a 4 piece horn section and we do this song, so I get to play it live a lot. I still miss a heap of notes, especially when the rhythm section gets excited, but it's always great fun!

[@tomasabad2507]

Amazing Work, super easy to understand. Thank you so much for making this video and putting the effort on it. Much love from argentina!!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

So glad you got something out of it! Thanks for visiting.

[@shubhamgoel6548]

Criminally under-viewed tutorial. That blew my mind. Thank you!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

thanks so much!

[@mrpzak]

I’m almost done learning this, but that run around 18:07 is killing me. Finally got it slow after way too long lol. Even slowed down I could barely tell what was happening.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Great stuff, Michael - yeah, if I'm honest, when I play this song live I'm not playing that bit note for note either!

[@davesell1037]

Great job Danny!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers, Dave!

[@joez8516]

As awesome as this, I'd like to see a theoretical explanation of the guitar solo in Aire, from Chicago VII. I believe it is more complex and rich than 25 or 6 to 4, albeit less know.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Fantastic suggestion! Aire really shows off Terry's great ear for melody as the chord progression is far less diatonic than the more popular tunes.

[@rjmacready8830]

Another Dorian-based solo you might like is the intro to Steely Dan's "Don't Take Me Alive" by Larry Carlton.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Ohhhhh LOVE it!

[@gatormcklusky5850]

thank you for doing this..1st class!!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks Gator. Glad you liked it!

[@jonsynnestvedt8475]

Amazing job with the solo, but I gotta point out one thing on the intro. I apologize in advance- Terry was playing octaves, not 5ths for all the da da da da da's except for the open E where it sounds like he's adding in the open A as well.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Absolutely spot on! I just did that for something different on the acoustic backing, and to hopefully avoid the clip being blocked. Fail lol.

[@jonsynnestvedt8475]

@@dannyeddyguitar I was just testing you. Lol

[@fightfan6852]

Awesome thank so much ✌️✌️

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks for visiting and commenting.

[@rjmacready8830]

Regarding strings, Jimmy Page used to replace the high e with a banjo string.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

I originally heard this practice was undertaken by Clapton when in the Yardbirds. I have now read that Brian May and Tony Iommi did the same thing. I think it was also done to provide a plain G string - rather than the wound G's that were standard in the heavier sets back then.

[@mrj6642]

Thanks Danny, that was GREAT STUFF, but you're slighty "ahead of" (and not in) the pocket!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

And that is why Terry Kath is an all time great whilst I am a mere hack.

[@fabiocecchelli9662]

Man…sometimes you have the same expression of Bob Odenkirk…but WHAT AN AMAZING JOB ON YOUR VIDEOS❤❤❤❤❤Cheers from Italy🇮🇹

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Grazie Fabio!!

[@fabiocecchelli9662]

@@dannyeddyguitar ciao Eddy❤️❤️🇮🇹

[@fabiocecchelli9662]

KZbin always blocks the Chigaco’s songs…don’t no why😮😮😮😮❤ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYnXnodve6iFoc0

[@Bubdiddly]

killler playing man holy shit

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thank you so much! Terry was the man!

[@garrettadkins8265]

Very nice touch adding the James Brown interview gif, hasta luego

[@dannyeddyguitar]

I can't remember why I put JB in there - I'll have to rewatch!

[@BBQROCKSTAR178]

Mate…..your daughter is too cute! Thanks for this video!!!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks! She is! And getting harder and harder to keep her out of shot lol

[@johnshepherd3295]

Nice cover... I've been doing it wrong for decades... Much better details.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, John. Glad to be of service!

[@johnshepherd3295]

@@dannyeddyguitar Could you provide the tablature? Thanks!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

@@johnshepherd3295 Printable/PDF Tabs for all my lessons may be found via my Patreon. You can also see them on my Soundslice.com channel.

[@Estevao_dos_Santos774]

wow

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Estevao!

[@rjmacready8830]

The solo is 1:30 long, not quite one-third of the song's 4:50. Lots of notes and ideas-I thought Since I've Been Loving You was tough!

[@llocr8808]

There is another great solo on the theme Make me smile Can you with him?

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Wonderful song! Great request. I'll see what I can do.

[@rjmacready8830]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX6WfXSHiJamlaM

[@gerardvachez3116]

Thank you for this video. I never listened to Chicago and didn't know Terry Kath. Such a great solo and excellent video. And #@%& these stupid Ai!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers, Gerard. Yes, Terry was a monster!

[@Redrum046]

Great!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers!

[@J0nny61]

I'm not sure why you think Terry was overlooked. 25 or 6 to 4 was our pub DJ's opening track every night in 1976. Terrible shame he messed around with guns.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Jon. As a young guitarist growing up in regional Australia in the 80s, I can not recall ever seeing his name in print in the mountain of guitar magazines I consumed. Chicago wasn't really big in Oz until the syrupy stuff.

[@eyeball8482]

"Jimi Hendrix cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe"." Everybody has their favorite.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

I love that Jimi was such a passionate fan of his peers. Such a humble guy.

[@ornebatmagoo7128]

Great video! I love the edits and humorous cutaways. Your enthusiasm for the complexity and beauty of this solo is almost as enjoyable as the music itself. Great stuff.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@6969jezabel]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@Rod-hp4lk]

Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhh! Brilliant video thankyou Danny.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Cheers, Rod!

[@timespace.productions7513]

Pretty baby!

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Haha she is! Thanks

[@jeankutzer1556]

He and Stevie Ray Vaughn would have gotten along well.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Imagine that jam!!

[@mattdelany6799]

He is o.k. Hendrix blows him away, though, so that’s where the bar is.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Hendrix undoubtedly possessed more breadth of ideas and inspiration - than pretty much everyone - but I think Terry has a technical edge...

[@mattdelany6799]

@@dannyeddyguitar buckethead is technical, but technicality is pointless. Its all emotion. Its hendrix and van halen, then there is everybody else.

[@rudirhein7654]

An unsung top guitarist. Better than Hendrix. Even Hendrix thought so.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Thanks, Rudi

[@ultrakool]

If Jimi Hendrix sings your praises and the world hears about that, you're hardly criminally underrated 🙄

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Kool.

[@curtisscarmon3267]

It is amazing how guitar players practice riffs until they get them down to a science, break down the runs to include theory but the original authors can never play the riffs again

[@dannyeddyguitar]

Accurate & valid. If I could peel off improvised pieces like this, I would feel no need to retain it either.

[@robertfenkell2522]

No TK NO Chicago

[@dannyeddyguitar]

And yet, one the super cool solos during the TK era, wasn't him - If You Leave Me Now, played by Band manager James William Guercio.

[@CHill-uh1fg]

The reason why Terry Kath ,was under ratted, like other great players, like Eliot Easton, they were in pop rock band's instead of guitar based band's. These players have always been over looked. I could name dozens of other great guitar players that almost no one knew there names, except other guitar players. As far as I'm concerned with out Terry Chicago would have been just another sucky pop band.

[@dannyeddyguitar]

That's insightful! I agree, if he was in a 'Skynyrd' or 'Cream' or really any 70s guitar based rock act, he'd be far more well known.