Far Leys (aka Sketch 1, untitled original) by Nick Drake

[@Tomrogersmusic-]

The fact Nick could knock this out as an untitled home recorded composition is unbelievable. And seeing it played live emphasises the complexity. He was not just am awesome songwriter but one of the greatest guitarists of our times.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Completely agree

[@therealyuban2474]

13 years later and still no one has covered this song better than you

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@SoulSurvivors86]

Yes just came across this video and it is indeed the best cover of the song.

[@not-the-main-character]

all of these comments are so old... i’m glad to see this video has gotten so much praise. in 2020 this song is still so intensely beautiful. nick drake was a master, and you played this perfectly. i think he would be grateful. i hope the love for this never dies

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

I so agree with all you said, Nick's music is timeless, and thank you for the kudos.

[@sonyabladesbooty3890]

The comments are old because the video is old

[@josefinagarza241]

Never ❤

[@carlose0318]

I commented on this 7 years ago, it the fact remains - listening to this recording still moves me. It truly brings me joy on what is an otherwise dark and lonely period. Thank you again for sharing your gift. All 400+ likes are well-deserved

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks for the comment, and so glad to hear my video brought you some joy during such a crazy time in the world. Nick's music has similarly comforted me on countless occasions.

[@edwinarbito2796]

Still love this version you played man. Listen to it every once in a while. Hope all is well.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks!

[@nadjanoise8447]

The accuracy of your interpretation is just outstanding. Those great pieces of Nick Drake sometimes meet great players like you and live on ! Merci ! Clap clap clap !

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@ellakenyon3568]

I’ll never get over this song and how beautifully you’ve played it. The section from 2:31 hits me in a way I can’t describe. Thank you for keeping this song alive and the full version too ❤

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks so much for the comment!

[@JuliusKrebsMusic]

You´re a genius, the tabs are incredibly precise... I can´t imagine how much effort it must have been to transcribe this by ear! I can´t thank you enough for this!!!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you for the kind words, so glad you enjoyed!

[@JuliusKrebsMusic]

@@AmbientGuitarSounds do you have any originals?

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

@@JuliusKrebsMusic I do have some originals, and hope to post some here soon!

[@HarveyAcoustics]

Just came back to this video after a year and it really is the best cover of Far Leys on YT. Great music speaks for itself through you sir.

[@thomasgaida7174]

Thank you for the tabs! I have just discovered Nick Drake.

[@davewalcott2764]

You're welcome, enjoy!

[@HMEternity]

This is easily one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have heard. Thank you for sharing it.

[@g.anneflowers359]

Thank you. I have always loved this beautiful song. You have played it perfectly, you really put the soul into it.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@garry_wshld]

I appreciate not only that you play it nicely but also that the feeling is there. Some people play Nick Drake like it's not music full of soul and marvel

[@josephguerra703]

Just astounding...and haunting at the same time...Drake lives!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@jaehill13]

Your guitar playing is as perfect as it gets.

[@colin477]

This is amazing man, you have some serious talent and you pull off an impressive take on Nick’s genius acoustic playing. I just bought my first guitar at the start of Covid quarantine and I can’t wait to learn some of Drake’s music.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Colin thanks!

[@Sethsm1]

What a stunning song...I’m only discovering this now although I’ve been a fan of nick drake for some time. Beautifully played. Thank you!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Seth Strimas-Mackey Thank you! Glad you stumbled on it. Far Leys is one of my favorite Nick Drake pieces.

[@Sethsm1]

Dave Walcott Thanks for the tabs also, I think I’m going to take a shot. I’ve been learning the finger picked version of Place to Be, another favorite.

[@cyberfidelis1587]

Excellent job! Very clean as well. I've got goosepox.😄 Such a beautiful song from Such a young Mr. Drake. We lost a special talent way too soon. Thanks for honoring him. He would have been proud of you.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@Max-ld6gq]

One of my favorite Nick Drake pieces and you played it beautifully. I always come back to this video whenever I want to hear this piece in high quality. Nick would've be proud to hear this.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@MrGwyddbwyll]

Thank you very much for providing the tab with this. I very much appreciate all the effort that has gone in to transcribing this beautiful song.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Siôn Jones you're welcome!

[@jeremyperl]

Only just found this. Such clarity in your playing. Fantastic. Also really appreciate the tab link, alot of work to put that together.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks much!

[@alistairwood9853]

Beautiful rendition - one of my favourite Nick Drake pieces

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you -- one of my favorites too.

[@DrR0cks0]

I could replay this forever. Gorgeous composition.

[@willhector8651]

Thank you, Dave. Simply beautiful!!

[@drooney1123]

all of nick's music moves me in a way that is practically indescribable! i found this song on limewire years ago as fluke and was so amazed to have you and others inspired enough to play and post. thank you so much! this is identical to the one i have. the one on family tree is different and not as fluid as this one brilliant job!

[@jaydeebee69]

Okay. I admit, I've been skipping the cover versions. But before I could hit the "next" arrow, you'd already captured my attention. Well. Done. Simply beautiful.

[@amccann7]

It's absolutely brilliant; your playing and the fact that you took the time to figure it all out! Sent it out; hope it gets you more views! Peace, Amy

[@JuanFelipeMedina]

this is enchanting. amazing guitar playing dude

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@Astralpains]

Tab link still works..thanks!

[@frankmormon2503]

Thanks so much for the tab and your great rendition

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you for the comment!

[@Hastur.in.yellow]

Finally something worth covering. Awesome job!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks!

[@smartti1970]

Thank you so much for uploading the tab... that is so cool of you.... your playing is fab, tight tempo, right on !

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@elpanchito421]

Fantastic cover! Not only do you do a lot of justice to Nick's original, you also make it your own. Bravo.

[@backwoodsbillycreeks2174]

Almost feels as it would fit on bryter layter album. I cherish those instrumental pieces like the three buns of a Big Mac

[@backwoodsbillycreeks2174]

Except I can listen to bryter layter more than once a year vs big Mac

[@nomadben]

@@backwoodsbillycreeks2174 hahahahaha

[@Mikethh]

my lord this cover is so beautiful.

[@ddante666]

seriously, i love nick drake and thank you for upload your work, keep it up plz!!!!

[@sargamsharma9870]

this song makes this sort of heavy feeling form in my gut and makes me cry but doesn't quite stop long enough to really let me cry, does it make sense?? Its beautiful.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Beautifully said, Nick's music has a very heart opening effect on me.

[@Geto456]

Played perfectly brother and thank you for the video because i was able to play this on my guitar by seeing your handmovement

[@uketarist]

Thank you so much Dave! I'll start learning this one right now. Have a nice day and keep on with this amazing work

[@AS-ou6cx]

so so so great. your tab was extremely helpful for learning to play this too. thank you 😊

[@Kev3542]

That's a really nice bit of playing. Beautiful phrasing.

[@sidmicheals9739]

i have always wondered what has happened to this user....been years since hes been on youtube

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Hey guys: thanks for the comments. Yes, haven't been active on here or done a video in a long time!

[@ben3438]

Hey you're alive man! I'm so glad you commented! Alot of us thought you might never return or that something tragic happened. If possible could you send me the tab for this? Email is [e-mail]!

[@ben3438]

Disregard my tab request I see you posted it in the video description! Thank you so much!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

@@ben3438 You bet, enjoy!

[@GavenJr]

This song is just so beautiful and fragile. I feel great since I discovered the nick drake bootlegs

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

I love the bootlegs too, so many wonderful alternate takes. The arpeggiated "Hanging on a Star" is one of my faves.

[@HarveyAcoustics]

This is so stunning

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@nkkeyproductions]

simple beautiful. I can't find a good word to describe your playing...awesome.

[@thewordofgord]

Thanks Dave, lovely version here.

[@tomr4035]

Nick would be proud.

[@buniluvr]

Thank you for keeping his spirit alive - well done my friend! cheers

[@ddgitz]

Top notch! Love hearing this!

[@andreaongaro7843]

very very good. great work dude.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks!

[@mark1squid]

I love this cover and have watched it repeatedly. You capture the feel and atmosphere perfectly. I'd love to see a tab of this. Could you possibly direct me to it? I'd be so grateful.

[@jakefosterjacobs1007]

Incredible. Come bring your guitar to Tucson, friend !

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Jake mon! Sounds great, give me a few mins to pack my stuff and I"m on my way.

[@robindavies24]

Great stuff you really add value to these Nick Drake songs...nice guitar 00018 ? Sad to say I've not listened to him too much but this really gives me an appetite

[@chrpet44]

Right on man, your playing is absolutely right on.

[@robertdavis9986]

phenomenal....wow.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@sydtech]

Beautiful.

[@joeburton77]

proficient guitarist would be an understatement!

[@greenmunky89]

simply lovely

[@EggBagg26]

I love this.

[@TenacioussLee]

Absolutely Beautiful,I love this piece of music and u have transcribed it perfect,great work. Please could i have a copy of the tab i would be forever grateful,i have always wanted to learn this piece. Good work :)

[@PeterOzanne]

Nicely played! I figured out the "orphan beat" in your tabs. There are actually 2 extra half beats: the first you have actually notated - it's the open 2nd string in the middle of line 1, page 2. that gives a 17th half beat. Then, when you are playing, you add an extra open g-string pluck in that melodic descent, just before the 2nd fret note on the 4th string, also giving you 8 and a half beats in that line. The "5" on the 4th string is a typo - you meant perhaps 5th - that note might as well be the open 4th string, D. Nick definitely also plays the first "orphan beat" (I like your use of that description - never heard it before, though it's a common problem, there's possibly a few in "3 Hours too", though I never felt much tempted to try to sort it - too much of a mindbender!). I'm going to have a deep listen and see if he evens it out with another extra half, like you. There's another typo at the bottom of page 5 I think: the last two notes have wandered down by one string, to 4 and 5 (instead of 3 and 4). Hope you are still playing and doing well! Kind regards.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you for catching those typos Peter! Just updated the file and dropbox link, with proper credit to you for the catches. Thanks again!

[@PeterOzanne]

@@AmbientGuitarSounds Glad to be of service! I had a listen to Nick - he plays the first orphan beat I highlighted, the one mid-line. Obviously he never put the final polish on that piece, and the abrupt ending sounds weird - almost as if he couldn't find a good ending, and got tired of it. Glad to know you're still around: have you ever been to the annual "Gathering" at Tanworth in Arden?

[@PeterOzanne]

@@AmbientGuitarSounds Sorry about this - I was just rechecking, and he does play another g instead of running it down to d at the end of line one, page 2. So your notation of a g on the 5th fret is accurate. Though playing a "d" sounds good too, and Nick's playing is not perfect - some parts are a bit unclear, and people tab it differently, which is fine. So I'm using your version, and Chris Healey's, and Nick's recording to work out how I'm going to do it. I hope to play it at this year's Gathering. Bye ;-)

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

@@PeterOzanne I detect a fellow Nick scholar in you. :)

[@PeterOzanne]

@@AmbientGuitarSounds Hi Dave: yes, you might say that. I worked on Far Leys for a few weeks this year, on and recreated the beginning part, and put on a new ending. Unfortunately, I have chronic wrist inflammation - which I hope will pass, as it did last year before the Nick Gathering ;-)

[@AlexNavarro99]

Would love the tabs myself! I want to do justice to the song as you did, no lack of soul. Alex.

[@BelovedLigeia]

Oh my goodness....if you have or ever will have this in mp3 form, please oh please would you send it my way? I'm desperately in love with this.

[@vegetableswife]

Thanks for the tab!

[@JzeroSG]

Nicely done old chap..

[@hatofthecat]

Very nicely played ! ...have just been beating "joey" into submission and this is my next Nick Drake piece to "master"ish... Would be great to have any notes/tab you've made for it (I can transcribe into GuitarPro or other formats).

[@manfred4]

haha your insane man! how long did it take you to learn that ? i ve be growing gray hairs over the last few days tryin to learn the song. i got most of it down but i still need a lot of practice. your video has been a huge help. thank you so much. your the man. i watch this video everyday at least twice. there is something more to this song . just absolutely amazing.

[@PeperJaron]

Thnx for the tab!

[@themadmarty]

I would definitely be interested in a tab for this. I've never seen one either. If you get a scanner, please share it with the world...

[@bruce_sings]

brilliant, love this piece. could you sort me out with the tab please please please :)

[@gvlarchnili]

this is breathtaking..mesmerising piece..could you please please send me the tab?

[@kaptenmax]

first i thought they were silk & steel ones. ever tried martin silk and steel 11.5's on that m20?

[@atho1374]

Thank you so much

[@amccann7]

a million thank yous for this!

[@wackojacko104]

absolutely brilliant

[@bradh6185]

Fantastic.

[@yummyjackalmeat]

im not one to comment on the amount of likes and dislikes....but 9 years no dislikes! fuck yes.

[@passitondrivingskool]

Beautiful - Thanks

[@drcrippen1396]

Very nicely played. Although it's many years since I've listened to Nick Drake's stuff - is this on "The Fruit Tree" box set? I can't remember. I was offered a really good price for it some years ago so reluctantly sold it.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thanks for the note. The full version of this piece was never legally released on any of Nick's albums (only on his bootlegs). There is a ~ 1 minute long excerpt included in the "Family Tree" compilation, called "Sketch 1."

[@Simhjort]

Unbelieveable, man..

[@SweetandFitting]

Thank you

[@manfred4]

Wow great job man. Nick's guitar is just my favorite and I love playing his songs. Just finished learning Joey today. I really like your From the Morning cover, probably my favorite Nick Drake song to listen to and play. Can you PLEASE send me a copy of that tab. Thanks man.

[@tonybarnard8564]

Nice one, thank you.

[@dancecwg]

can i please have a copy of the tab? would never be able to work this out by myself. very well done......why don't you put the tab on the internet so everyone can play this awesome song?

[@snails9505]

Yes! Guessed the year correctly from footage quality. Nice playing though.

[@0lucas00]

would you please send me the tab! please please beautiful piece of work man

[@pedroby]

Amazing, thanks for this

[@Chris_McWilliams]

Hi Dave....I'm curious what guitar you're playing? The tone is amazing, aside from being the best far leys version on KZbin!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Hi Chris, thanks for the comment! It was an old Martin 00-18

[@maxmarasa1283]

Yes.

[@CINZIAAMBROSINI]

Ciao, can you please send me the tabs. I would love to have them. Thanks

[@DeckardWill]

Beautiful cover. Would love to see the tabs, providing it isn't too much hassle...

[@JCridford]

Wonderful tribute to the sadly missed Nick. I've been listening to him for about 5 years, but have only been playing guitar for 3, are there any tips you could offer for 'practicing' his tunes? Thanks mate.

[@intheyear19XX]

Is there somewhere where one could find a download link for the bootleg? I'm interested in hearing the original recording, if possible.

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Good question, I've had mine for so long I don't recall where I got them originally.

[@mego2545]

Wow...that was awesome.

[@ce9194]

So good!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Thank you!

[@Sethsm1]

Hi Dave, I have a question about the picking technique. Do you use your ring finger or just the thumb, index, and middle fingers to pick?

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

For me it felt more natural to use a pick, and I held that with my thumb and index, and then also used middle and ring fingers to pick too. Others may disagree, but I think Nick did *not* use a pick, and so used thumb, index, middle and ring all separately for picking.

[@Sethsm1]

@@AmbientGuitarSounds Ah I see. That's really helpful, thank you.

[@smartti1970]

wonderfull cover....

[@manfred4]

wow fantastic job... can you please send me that tab with the tuning? i would appreciate it so much... keep up the good work.

[@1PurpleElephant]

+dw94702 Yes I would LOVE the tabs for this/sketch 1 (the shortened version) which is the last minute. From you or any kind youtubians. Thanks!

[@AmbientGuitarSounds]

Just added the tab link to the video notes if you're still interested.

[@rob060]

spot on. beautiful. and definitely better recording quality than the original.