Flatpicking Guitar with Molly Tuttle

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IBMA Guitarist of the Year, Molly Tuttle, stops by and talks about Flatpicking guitar. Flatpicking technique, bluegrass runs and tips for crosspicking patterns along with lots of great playing and singing.
MOLLY'S GEAR MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
Dunlop 207 Jazz Model Pick - amzn.to/3eep94N
Huss and Dalton Guitars - hussanddalton.com/acoustics/
D’Addario Phosphor Bronze Medium Gauge Strings - amzn.to/30UWUUY
Hiscox Guitar Cases - amzn.to/3hBG4k2
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#GuitarGathering #MollyTuttle #flatpicking
00:00 Introduction
00:34 "Good Enough"
03:36 Early Training
06:10 Bluegrass Influences
07:19 Picking Exercises & Choice of Pick
10:00 Huss and Dalton Guitar
10:44 Cross Picking Technique
14:05 Building Up Speed
14:50 Hand Bracing
15:30 Choice of Picks, Strings and Case
17:30 Clawhammer Technique
19:17 Accomplishments
21:45 Places to Learn Bluegrass/Flatpicking
22:38 Rest Strokes on Guitar & Practice Techniques
24:55 "You Didn't Call Me"
29:01 Pick Angle
30:04 Tips on Improvisation
32:38 Women Guitarists
34:22 Open String Scales and Runs
36:05 Alternate Tunings
37:38 Runs with Open Strings Ringing
39:22 "Gentle on My Mind"

[@michaelcontreras148]

She’s a gift to all guitar players. I love her playing and singing

[@tylerbeard3587]

She needs more thumbs ups.

[@StoicTrader-]

She's an absolute gem, a true national treasure. Protect Molly at all costs!

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes!

[@AdamWestUS]

So true!

[@shades_of_twine]

I can't listen to Molly play, sing, or speak without just thinking, "Amazing" every time. Such talent and personality. Go girl!

[@timmckeown1313]

Molly is just so sweet, humble and massively talented.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, I agree 100%! - Steve

[@dennisharrell2236]

I had never heard of Molly Tuttle till about a week ago, and I am blown away by her playing. Wow!

[@michaelworse6034]

Same here , beautiful

[@thirdactwarrior317]

It's so easy to get caught up in her technical prowess, but her feeling and musicality just blows me away. There are a lot of "bluegrass shredders" who can flat pick that well, but they just don't have that SOUND! And then there is her voice! She is the whole package.

[@talktodayonline3943]

Yep, shredders don't understand that music is made up of notes and spaces and a great musician is one that can work those together

[@stephengilbert5612]

When Molly plays and sings i cry . It,s beautiful.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, she's a treasure. - Steve

[@John-wr6yo]

Right hand and left hand perfection. Her flst picking is so rhythmically perfect it sounds like finger picking with a flat pick. One of a kind

[@hegartyj1]

Who on earth gives a thumbs down to art like this?

[@mrlozano]

Such a sweet soul, a wonderful, talented, amazing person. A real pleasure to listen to her play and sing.

[@anodyneforever3996]

Her own material is fantastic. I hope a major label signs her. More people need to hear her talent.

[@leftymadrid]

Molly is simply INCREDIBLE!!!!!! She transports me, dear lord...

[@bigthewig9624]

Great show steve, and a pleasure to listen to Molly play.

[@clayfuller9740]

Great show Steve! I had the privilege of seeing Molly at a festival in Farmers Branch Tx in October and she was great! Phenomenal player!

[@douglapp5211]

She is so incredible and so informative and a joy to listen to. She follows up the interview with "Gentle On My Mind" which was great! Incredible player.

[@ijohnny.]

I am a fawning fan of this inspiring musician. Her songs have brought tears, and her guitar playing is stunning. Great interview.

[@carlosaroliveira5]

From Brasil, I love her and his work!! Thanks and blessings, Molly!!

[@cugir321]

Her playing has taken off to a new level but lets not forget her vocals.....she has become a giant!

[@m.t.r.168]

Beautiful singing and picking. This song is awesome. Thanks for sharing this!

[@scottfishkind5335]

Wonderful presentation, I love seeing these young artists who are so talented, well spoken, and educated! I'm a 1981 Berklee grad and it always makes me happy to see the diverse talents and styles of those folks who went through my alma mater and represent it so well! Molly is a very special talent, an equally great player, singer, and songwriter!!

[@poppacooter]

don't be fooled by her smile she is a beast on guitar. she's just toying with us on this video. she's awesome !!!!

[@streven1331]

What an amazing talent Molly is. This is so great.

[@billderinbaja3883]

God, that right hand... ultimate efficiency, absolute consistency, unconscious perfection in attack, dynamics, change of tempo... music comes from the right hand, and so few of us ever develop it well.

[@procarpenter1788]

Billder Inbaja, couldn't agree more. I know I focused on my left hand (fiddle player for 30 years, guitar for two weeks, ha!) way too much in the past. Started to focus on the right hand about 3 years ago and that's where it's at.

[@bluto212]

The Right hand's the engine, the left hand can't get anywhere on time unless the right hand is running properly.

[@Simulera]

I just accidentally hit thumb down.. ugh. Don’t know how to take it back, but I did not mean thumbs down. Didn’t mean anything, just accidentally hit the doodad.

[@MikeBikerKickstand]

Her right hand precision is sublime. I use thumb and index (ala Merle Travis style) and can't even come close to replicating her lines.

[@jysmtl]

Funny how so many of us never realize that for...forever. When I was young I thought my left hand was “good”, better than my right. After about 40 years I realized I didn’t have a clue. As for Molly, her right hand is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. At a glance, it looks like you couldn’t possibly be accurate playing like that. But, she’s flawless! Absolutely flawless and nuanced. And, oh, did I mention fast? But, she so much more than fast, which is all so many bluegrass pickers focus on.

[@subradoyle]

Thank you for all the efforts, wonderful, thanks to you both.

[@timcallahan9894]

I heard and saw Molly and Friends last Friday in Asheville- moving. I would give anything to play like her, but I wasn't born with her gifts. On a technical level, her speed and precision is "inconceivable", but what catches me is when she takes a bit more time to move into the mood. Thank you, Molly- my life is better because you are here.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Now I know why Molly is such a brilliant musician - besides having a HUGE amount of talent, she also has a long musical history. I lived in the Bay Area during the early 1970's, and was into (listening) the local bluegrass scene back then. My friend Brian Baxter had a sister named Dorothy, who played with the "Good Old Persons" - I loved her playing so much! She inspired me to keep at it, because I needed inspiration, not being very talented myself. Brian took me to see her play at a pizza joint in Berkley on his birthday, and she stole my heart. During a break, when he introduced me to her, I asked if she had heard of "Clarence White", who I had seen, or "Tony Rice", and she said "oh sure, I played with Tony before" (and everybody knew about Clarence already). That shut me up about name dropping, then I learned she worked at a guitar repair shop in Fairfax, doing repair work - I was in love. Later I went to a guitar making school, but my health problems precluded me ever becoming a luthier or repair person - now a mere farmer.. I later saw Doc Watson with Merle Watson in Georgetown a few years later, which was one of my lifetimes most memorable experiences - I'll never forget that night. There is something about the honesty of old time country and bluegrass music that captures my heart... Now Molly has stolen my heart too - I love your music Molly! You may be a young woman, but you have a deep soul, and you plow the depths of your beautiful heart to conjure magical healing music for us all. THANKS to you for being such a wonderful person, who generously shares your amazing talent with us all..!

[@GuitarGathering]

David, What a wonderful story. Yes, Molly was a joy to get to know. I look forward to working with her many more times in the future. Thanks for being part of our guitar family. - Steve

[@johncapurso3942]

Whappened to Dorothy? I took lessons from her in 1979.

[@bullhunter45]

Very Very Nice! Thanks Molly and Steve. Wish I could of seen this live but I was unable to get it here in Costa Rica. This makes op for that. Thanks Steve for always having someone special for us to learn from Christopher

[@wagonmaster1974]

Molly's picking and voice are wonderful! Her taste in jackets is too...I still wear the Levi jacket with the lining - identical to hers, though more beat up - that I bought near 40 years ago!

[@greatexpectations58]

One of the most gifted and engaging female guitarists on the planet offering some insight into her playing, and at time of writing 14 numpties have given this a ' thumbs down'. You have to despair.

[@jimsy5530]

She's not wearing a tight, low cut top. Completely negates her talent, apparently.

[@jimsy5530]

@Lord Raiden Intelligent retort. Yawn.

[@smittywerbenmanjensen1350]

make that 39 numpties #proudnumptie

[@chasingcomets2141]

Currently 47 twats that can't handle the fact that they'll never be as dedicated or as talented as she

[@markweiss1934]

@@chasingcomets2141 The ratio is 38 "yes" for every 1 "no"

[@t-bone_b]

Molly, thanks for sharing some of your techniques!!

[@rxcapasso]

Witnessing genius! Thank you so much Molly!

[@rlindbloom10]

One of the best tips, "keep the melody in your head while crosspicking". Thanks Molly! Really helped me play with a syncopated rhythm while playing "to the melody".

[@talktodayonline3943]

Thanks Molly, a true lady and artist

[@nomatesman]

45.30 open scale runs👍Put this in as a reminder for me to look again but must say how much I enjoyed this interview! She is obviously a great player but I also think she has a lovely tone to her singing.

[@Pinrod93]

Great insightful interview! David

[@kevinanderson967]

Awesome interview Steve- I really appreciate what you are doing my friend and it’s all about the passion we have for guitar and you communicate that very well with Molly 😀

[@GuitarGathering]

Thanks Kevin, Learn all you can! - Steve

[@_left_eye]

when you're good at mixing great skills and wonderful music.. Big big big and I mean BIG ups!

[@endocry]

Her right hand technique and accuracy is amazing.

[@randalldickson4603]

Terrific lyrics. Thanks for posting!

[@musket-hc1fc]

I thank the interviewer for showing us the pick clearly. Very important!

[@rcasagranda]

Oh my!! Youre awesome!!! Sweet voice, and insane guitar skills!! Congrats!!!

[@georgepollastri601]

Beautiful music - Happy Christmas and a good new year to you and your family Molly...

[@crlguitar1]

Molly still blows me away with her amazing flat picking style.

[@75vuong]

Wow! That is wonderful.

[@johnnybx3254]

Always wonderful 👍 Thanks 🙏

[@m.t.r.168]

So great to hear Molly appreciate Vern Williams, Kathy Kallick, Laurie Lewis, David Grisman and her dad -- music inspirations from California -- and also Clarence White, Tony Rice, David Grier, Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings from outside of California!

[@mbsnyderc]

Tony Rice was raised in California as was Gillian Welch.

[@richardsrensen4219]

her touch to the strings are so smooth

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, she was a great guest - phenomenal playing and wonderful person to talk to.

[@musket-hc1fc]

Molly is wonderful. It's unusual to find a super-great singer who also is a super-great guitarist, one who does more than just strum. But Molly's strumming is also great, as well as her picking, along with her singing. I should mention that the song she's singing around 37.00 is especially good at bringing out the beauty in her voice.

[@thetheoristtranscriptions]

Maybe in bluegrass music ,it's not unusual in blues and Rnb for guitarists to be a double threat .

[@loisparsons2048]

Love it 😊thanks for sharing

[@cinnaco]

Talent beyond words

[@axeaddiction796]

Awesome! very enjoyable performer

[@lorenvguitar614]

She is just incredible, amazing playing and vocals.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, definitely!

[@TheChristafershawn]

Molly is an inspiration.

[@beebobalula]

No matter what and how fast she's playing, Molly Tuttle has this rare ability to make it sound and look so smooth, easy and rhythmic, which is a great gift. It's just wonderful and inspiring listening to her.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, she is a joy to watch and listen to. - Steve

[@gobigrey9352]

Great questions. Great musician.

[@denniskaaihue7519]

VERY GOOD ADVICE LEARNING EVERYWHERE AND ANYONE LIKE MOLLY. GREAT!!.,!!!

[@bobboitt3126]

As a blues player Im always amazed at how many notes Bluegrass players fit into 3 chords.

[@kipponi]

Yeah, we can see that's good enough. Learned so much such watching this picking style. I like Jim Dunlop purple pics which has round cavity on it for acoustic guitar and it is thick. I checked it is nylon big stubby 3mm. It is not stuck on strings don't know why ? But I have about Jim's almost any plectrums you have to find your own to play great.

[@michaeladams2644]

Magic!!❤

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

cool video! Lot of people don't know this but Mr. Jerry Garcia was initially a San Francisco Bay area Bluegrass folky who played banjo. Also, regarding the idea that any given geographical area would or would not have Bluegrass, I'd offer this story: I grew up in a Midwestern city bordered the mason Dixon line. Tons and tons of Bluegrass players lived in my hometown. We were about an hour away from the Ohio river that separates Ohio from Kentucky. When I was about 19 years old I traveled to Nantucket Massachusetts to visit family . I went into a local restaurant/bar/Music Venue and was totally floored to hear some dyed-in-wool, very authentic bluegrass music. I don't recall the name of the trio, but they really were great. And I was surprised as I stayed in the region and eventually learned that New England has a very robust country music scene as well as Bluegrass and pretty much anything else. and that's a good thing!

[@patrickweyenberg5667]

Damn, I love ❤️ you! Awesome inspiration!! I play banjo, but not nearly as talented as you. I learned from the Gilmores in Appleton Wisconsin

[@davidhoxit4274]

Thanks Molly!

[@guymartin8167]

Beautiful song

[@purplecowideal]

That's def good enough for me!! She's terrific!

[@tcrossfranco]

How can you not love this lady?

[@user-cs4bp5me5h]

Top level!

[@StokesMusicStudiosOnline]

Fantastic

[@kevininman2013]

Molly is awesome!

[@jstanley011]

It takes a bold man to hold a guitar while sitting next to Molly Tuttle. Great interview, thanks!

[@GuitarGathering]

Ha! And that's about all I did through the interview. She was amazing. - Steve

[@vanessagreen3986]

Genius guitarist, songwriter, and songwriter!!! So rare!

[@dougdavis8986]

Good singer too!

[@NoWayOut55]

What a great surprise!!!

[@GuitarGathering]

Molly is a treasure. Learn all you can.

[@patcassidy1755]

Loved this. Love Molly. You're ok too Steve.😁

[@GuitarGathering]

Thanks Pat! You're the best!

[@thehartlinetriogreghartlin9807]

Wonderful!

[@garylehmann800]

An inspiration!

[@Gwaltney-im7nl]

Thanks Molly

[@lanelon9435]

DANG man ! magic fingers ! NICE!

[@baoro6912]

Molly is BEST OF BEST!! Sound sooooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes and a sweet person as well. -Steve

[@CaliforniaDaileys]

the accuracy of her picking is outrageous

[@someoneelse318]

Woah, this girl is music! She doesn't make music, she is!

[@musket-hc1fc]

Who can tell the dancer from the dance. (W.B. Yeats.)

[@bmorebob6624]

I just cannot understand how she is able to pick like that, it’s incredible!

[@bmorebob6624]

Also great interview!

[@mrjuly5]

OMG I learn guitar from this guy

[@danieljones8656]

Gems are gems bless thy hand ur guitar is grate also is it old gibson always wanted one l1 l2 series

[@denniskaaihue7519]

SHE PLAYS WITH HER HEART AND SOUNDS WITH GRACE.

[@fleadoggreen9062]

I love her guitar

[@forkboy3309]

haha "float-picking" i love it.

[@chrislute1211]

Good grief she is good. What a pleasure to hear.

[@richardcarew4708]

Strawberry bluegrass festival up in the Sierra Nevada has been a big thing since.. I met my wife.. I went to a small college up there.. I was in a jug band... and those guys were the founders of the Strawberry bluegrass festival..... back in the dark ages of Commodore computers .. I was not involved, but attended one of the festivals.. right before I met my wife in 84 I think it was.. no wonder I remember it.. 86.. right before we moved to New Mexico... and.. I was 4 years sober.. and actually remembered the fun I had... far out man

[@richardcarew4708]

thanks for sharing your music.. both of you.. Ms Tuttle... you are awesome darlin

[@denverbowen4430]

WOW!!!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Great show/interview, Steve. I first saw Molly perform with her dad, Jack live at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul during a showing of A Prarie Home Companion years ago. I’ve followed her career closely and seen her perform several times. It’s always great.

[@m.t.r.168]

Wow - that's really cool that you were there for that show!

[@robertbain2704]

Jeff Johansen up

[@alan4sure]

To see Molly's bluegrass path, look at " the Tuttles with AJ Lee" videos here. It's her family band, Molly very young, up until more recent times. Videos go back 10 years, like this one, Molly on guitar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKjXoJmVgpp-ipY Or here with her little bros, 9 yrs ago! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIWtaat-bMhrrrs

[@Alanamireles]

David Howley is a great Celtic flat picker IN NASHVILLE! DADGAD king!

[@frankierodriguez8661]

MOLLY, have no words to explain. I'm truly in love

[@nikosblaxabas5338]

Lovely molly is the chosen one

[@magicdaveable]

What was thst extended chunk with no sound?

[@guymartin8167]

My favorite picks are the wore out ones, to bad they don't last🤣🤣 Play another one Molly❤️

[@syadkir]

Voice like an Angel, picking like Thunder !

[@Hasselblad9999]

Every time I see Molly play & sing, I fall in love with her all over again.

[@mademepickaname]

This was excellent. Molly is not only an unbelievable musician, but so pleasant and generous with her time and knowledge. If there are 2 questions I could’ve asked, they would’ve been, how often does she change strings, and can she play fingerstyle at all?

[@csmith5420]

Don’t know about strings, but she can play fingerstyle.

[@patrickweyenberg5667]

Plus, I lived in Fremont Ca. Right cross the bay back in the 80s/90s.

[@guitawrizt]

. . . and your point being ?

[@buddyollie7400]

WOW

[@redlinemando]

@Guitar Gathering I know this is a year after the fact, but I would be really interested to know Molly's action setup. String clearance at the first fret, string height at the 12th fret, string spacing at the peghead nut & saddle, neck relief etc. She's such a natural talent that she probably doesn't even worry about that kind of thing. lol