Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham Guitar Lesson (Part 2)

Fleetwood Mac's legendary guitarist Lindsey Buckingham gives an exclusive lesson for Guitar World.
In Part 2, Lindsey talks about how to play his solo song "Time Precious Time."

[@yogi2yogini]

'Then when you speed it up ' - you realize what a genius he is !

[@denniscassley2569]

37:00 on... ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Wow... Virtuoso at work/play!!

[@axslinger99]

'Then when you speed it up' - I burn my guitars.

[@redjones5836]

had a chance to play drums with lindsay for a day in rehearsal of his side project. he nearly blew me off of my drum throne with his talent & musical power . a turning point in my life. a super nice ,humble , intelligent dude. and a musical treasure.

[@luisangelEXALTA]

That’s an amazing experience, thx for sharing it , true musicians tend to be humble and teach us many lessons in short time😊

[@matthalo89]

I never could master finger picking until I got into Fleetwood Mac and watched Lindsey play. One day it just clicked and I don't use a pick much anymore.

[@YesuAiNimen]

This guy is soooooo terribly overlooked and underrated!

[@roadrunnerblink]

yeah maybe but so are thousands of other musicians. If he wasn't "underrated" would his life really be any better/different? :)

[@Vibration1129]

Overlooked and underrated? How many albums could he possibly sell? He's plenty recognized.

[@bobzdar9442]

I wouldn't say that Lindsey Buckingham is an overlooked artist...

[@hudsonja]

Abigail Jones I think what he means is we all know the Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Jerry Cantrell, Kirk Hammet, etc. and so many other guitarists of the other bands that sold tons of records, but so many people know Fleetwood Mac songs but couldn't tell you the names of anyone but Stevie Nicks or "the Fleetwood guy" or sometimes that it's even Fleetwood Mac (partly because their style changed so many times over the years). The name isn't as synonymous with the band as many other guitarists' names are.

[@Bbendfender]

His style is so different from so many other great players.

[@PlanetAnton]

You think how TOUGH the midspeed version is. Then Lindsey goes, "And then you speed it up", and, WHAM ! Lightspeed ! Gliding through hyperspace, you go, "I always knew Lindsey Buckingham was a genius". A hero since the first notes off the, "Rumours", album in the '70's. PLUS he CAN sing lead & harmonies. And the solo stuff like, "Holiday Road", & "Trouble" ? Man, Lindsey is ONE of those guys like Mc Cartney, who is just a gift to mankind from above. Godspeed, Lindsey ! May you ROCK forever !

[@zackmccrea4731]

Hail lindsay

[@Sherwoody]

My flabber is gasted.

[@2vintage68]

Anyone who has seen his solo show knows how impressive he is technically, but for me his melodic constructions over the years are his most impressive achievement; yet he is so humble!

[@PedrooFerroo]

That's exactly what I think, he builds such great melodies, it's incredible!

[@KatheeDemontforte]

Lindsey Buckingham seems like a very genuine human being and should b celebrated.

[@zackmccrea4731]

Im celebrating ljndsay and the old fleetwood mac

[@zackmccrea4731]

Lindsay. Just correcting myself

[@bartlettbigx]

I've never played guitar in my life but I could watch this all day, just because it's so refreshing to listen to a master of his craft talk about what he does. I guess these days 99% of what you see on TV is so mindless and superficial, so stuff like this shines like a beacon.

[@kathleenhaupt174]

One of my all time absolute favorite guitarists in the world! A true genius!

[@Top5DeadOrAlive]

I really started admiring his playing after I began my delve into different picking styles and patterns. Landslide is still my go to song when I play while my daughter sings. Thank you, Mr. Buckingham, for the inspiration.

[@jameswillis1742]

Tony DeGregorio try listening to "go insane"

[@mcgurkryans]

For a guy who admits he's self taught and can't read charts, his explanations about roots, 4th, and inversions are pretty masterful.

[@wandajames143]

Yeah you can learn all these things on your own, especially with the internet. No big deal.

[@eflows]

@@wandajames143 There was no internet when Lindsey was learning guitar.

[@nigelmadeley7798]

The English equivalent is probably Steve Howe. Self-taught long before the internet and could play many styles. A former guitar teacher told me about him coming to their music college and spending well over his allotted time with the students and then refusing payment, saying that music had been good to him.

[@jnparesa]

I have always admired your work Mr. Lindsey. You are a great inspiration to me.

[@chrisjelley6899]

Holy shit he is sooo fast at finger picking. But the beauty of his playing is he is ALWAYS melodic, the song comes first, no unecessary show boating. What a player One of my favorite guitarists, just magic. Thank you Mr. Bukingham.

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

So underrated. I started playing the year Rumours was released. His chord voicings are like a crash course in Ted Greene's CHORD CHEMISTRY. Gorgeous. Not to mention his brilliant finger picking style(s)... from subdued Travis to all out frenetic picking. Always tasteful and fitting for the tune.

[@la196]

So generous of him to break this all down. I've always been a big Lindsey fan. Saw Fleetwood Mac maybe 8-10 yrs ago 7 rows back in Auburn Hills, MI. So good to see him/them right up near the stage seeing all their talent close up and personal.

[@thomasldeanjr3337]

Unbelievable! A true artist.

[@sbingham1979]

What a class act he is. Thanks for this very illuminating lesson.

[@takfam07]

Love his humility and "ordinary"-ness. His playing is like George Harrison's and Robby Krieger's. Compositional and melodic, in complete service to the song and to the music.

[@neelparekh3448]

His technique surpasses both of them though. Dude's a proper innovator.

[@jmichaelE68]

Practicing Travis picking is one of the best decisions I've ever made.

[@krame99]

I agree 100% it's really not that hard to pick up if you really put you're mind to it... My uncle was a big fan of Merle Travis and he started finger picking by just watching Merle Travis but Lindsey just took it to another level IMO.

[@georgescarlett2320]

Selling my guitars was mine!

[@lamecasuelas2]

i feel inspired everythime i listen to Lindsey,he's one of my heroes!!

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

I could spend days listening to this man talk, and forever listening to him play....

[@mrbrianparker]

Always liked this guy's playing. One of the most economical yet effective lead guitarists and then there's all of that picking as well.

[@hudsonja]

When one of the best and most underappreciated guitarists of all time is self taught and so super humble and relatable

[@Zach-ls1if]

I love how Lindsey has the beginner’s mindset, allows him to create very unique music

[@Smooth0vibrations]

Thanks for the intelligent reply! I am the same way man, though I started with a pick I quickly moved to finger picking after hearing chet. I practice on a nylon string and have developed a pretty unique playing style. I really love the touch that you can put in your playing through finger picking. It's amazing how much feeling you can put in your playing through finger picking. Its truly a beautiful art form.

[@andreavocaturo3448]

Low E down to C A down to G D up to E G B down to A E down to B

[@MrTaurus48228]

I do love watch him playing guitar, his solo never sound bad,truly great guitar player

[@ninotoledo6824]

WHEN I WAS A KID ,AND I SAW THE VIDEO COUNTDOWN , ITS THE SONG THAT GOT ME TO PLAY GUITAR , HIS TO GOOD AND DEF UNDERSTAND THE GUITAR IN A LEVEL FEW UNDERSTAND . HE CAN JUST FEEL THE VIBE OF THE SOUND , YOU KNOW

[@eliolopez3107]

I saw Lindsay do a solo gig two years ago in a small intimate setting. There was no more than two hundred people there. Awesome show. No fancy lights, explosions, or a 70 foot stage. Just Lindsay, his guitars and a mike! Good is good. The other stuff is for the people who don't really listen.

[@TheMNB]

lol "when you speed it up" He was already playing nearly at my max speed

[@johnlewis8527]

Really cool and so unique

[@MelTransgender]

Beautiful!

[@jonathancohen2029]

Good Lord, what a musician! He has an incredible sense of time.

[@lewispaulsims]

Love this guy.

[@promerops]

Very beautiful

[@zackmccrea4731]

Amazing. Doesnt need a pick. Mindblowing

[@CarmenToth]

He is my guitar hero.

[@Ukedc259]

genius, this man is.

[@wendileona]

Lindsey has such a unique personality in his playing. What I mean by that is that he has such a unique sound that if you were to play me something blindfolded and ask who that was just playing guitar, I'd know it was the Lindsman.

[@tonymontana-uw1bq]

Lindsey's finger picking style is incredible. Guitar master...

[@CrowEternal1]

nothing like a nice dose of lindsey to make me pick up my guitar again in the vain hope that one day after years and years of playing i might get close to half as good as he would be with a broken hand.

[@YORCHENLINEA]

Gracias Lindsay por tus conocimientos, enseñanzas y buena música creada para el mundo. JC

[@crazysingingchick]

I love that he finger picks on a tele. What a cool guy - ever notice that the enduring legends like him and James Taylor are the humblest?

[@andeegreen]

'Bernard Butler - How to play Animal Nitrate' is a similar video to this A very humble man that doesn't even consider himself a real guitarist, yet was responsible for some of the best melodic riffs of the 90s

[@skyvorpal]

that's great to hear lindsey

[@crabtrap]

Lindsey sounds EXACTLY like'Tandy' from 'last man on Easth' tv show!

[@yogi2yogini]

He starts off picking quite quickly then after says' then when you speed it up " ! Absolute genius

[@dougsthang]

This tuning makes me hear John Lennon's "Beautiful Boy", wonder if he used that tuning as well

[@rubbersole79]

What a great guy.

[@srrings]

good one

[@DjmikeyRebel]

One of the best guitar players around

[@zebra64]

beautiful ...he's got me hypnotized @_@

[@DavieMcGuire1990]

So I take it the theory is if I keep playing the the finger picking style slowly and just keep repeating I will eventually be able to play this fast. I can use plectrum and know all my chords ect but never tried this finger picking its incredible.

[@awstenknightsgoldenfork4322]

LEGEND!

[@04Mscentrum]

mscentrum04: He's such a blessing..a humble Teacher/Star.Who knew? Yes, I hope the people who fell-woke up!!!! Jeez...... Bless him!

[@veerchasm1]

Legendary

[@jasondutchman6736]

I've always liked Fleetwood Mac including Buckingham, but I never really gave much thought about him personally. I like this guy! He's a good guitarist and far too underrated(but it sounds like that isn't a priority of his anyway), he's very humble and down to earth! He's someone I would love to sit around and talk and play guitar with. He's not a theory snob, doesn't read music and plays finger-style or hybrid style and doesn't like a pic... like me. It makes me feel like i'm not so unconventional. :)

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Reminds me of Richard Thompson's approach, very interesting!

[@gnelms24]

Amazing Travis finger picking. Lindsey has beautiful hands.

[@Johnny_Doe]

Very nice Tele….Simple but amazing playing….

[@davejohnson-yi2rk]

Pretty damn impressive for someone who was self taught!

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

Self taught before the internet. I can’t even imagine how frustrating that would have been.

[@jimmyfingers95]

I cant pick like him, but I certainly love his phrasing. Especially "im so afraid"

[@gardengirl7446]

So genius

[@1111MJR]

Thank you. I'll give it a try. :-)

[@CONDOMSENSE]

Wow, first time I've ever seen him on video playing anything other than a Les Paul(70s-78) or his custom Rick Turner Model 1(78-on)

[@charlesdjones1]

When people say Lindsey is underrated and has one of the biggest selling albums ever with Fleetwood Mac? He was a "pop" music guitar player, it's the only reason he is not featured among many top guitarist polls, as he said it's all part of the bigger picture and he did that better than anyone.

[@Brede8260]

That's the Telecaster he used on Japan Rumours-dvd from 1977, and before he started playing only Turner-guitars?

[@maxmustardman298]

I believe he used the Tele even before he used the Gibson, during the Buckingham Nicks era and early FM recording sessions. You can see it on some pics of that time.

[@samhenry472]

Virtuoso!!!!!!!!!!

[@suedock584]

Gaaaaaah! It’s the (picking) right hand we wanna hear about, Lindsey! ❤😂 But due respect to your fretting hand as well.

[@rijosigns]

he is a genius

[@horaciohernandez598]

He’s a genius!

[@kingsecho3351]

Lindsey Buckingham is not underrated. Incredible guitarist. Been a big influence on my playing

[@theScytheofGod]

Nice....

[@williampercival7662]

In service of the bigger picture, well said Mac. William Percival Gardenia Band New Zealand Kia Orana.

[@marcusc4828]

this is the first time I seen this man with a guitar other than a Turner

[@nickcooper1000]

He has also played Lee Paul & Tele (electric)

[@williamdon3442]

It would have been videos like this that drew me to a telecaster. It’s just a good looking instrument. Got a squire classic vibe Great budget guitar

[@klausschneider1045]

Playing solo: "I am a fan of people who use the instrument in service of the bigger picture...". Wow, that is what I call true musicianship.

[@StephanSandiares]

@lbap94 Looks like a vintage guitar (judging by the single ply guard) with the metal cover removed from the neck pickup. I'm sure he has amassed quite a collection over the years. ;)

[@keiferreefer1]

Lindsey always had a nice right hand technique, like arpeggiated 32nd notes, could do that when I was 20 something, today, probably no, got those swollen hand blues

[@Xcorgi]

He never really said “what” tuning to use for this song. Does anyone out there know the correct tuning for this?

[@pricedownproductions9851]

CGEGAB

[@allgoodnamestaken]

does anyone what strings he is picking after he plays the open strings, the next 2 chord changes i know the chords just not the picking

[@louiesmom007]

I admire Lindsay's prowess- I tried playing with a pick when I first started, never felt natural, to me... 10 years after I started playing, I learned that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, 'cuz he didn't use one, either, lol... I could never even be half the musician he is...

[@scottlarsen1855]

Does anyone know what the tuning of the guitar is

[@daviddidonato9765]

The tuning is C G E G A B. I can write out the tablature if anyone wants. It's hard, but if you start slow and follow what he's doing, you can get it.

[@rerite2]

To guitar players: which note is the "root"? The "A" string? thanks.

[@hiterss]

can someone please tell more info about Lindsey's tele?

[@nickrosenstrauch8231]

google "monday morning japan" ... he rocks a tele on that. he did on seldom occasion bust one out. i had to fight with someone over it once. "monday morning japan". you'll be glad you did. :D

[@edwardtang1977]

that is a damn nice telecaster

[@hiterss]

Anybody got info about that Tele?

[@ultrakool]

right. inspired by richard wagner's: vorspiel from das rheingold

[@gkbhai8962]

is that tele acoustasonic? anyone knows?

[@ugmodude]

6:17 hahaha "You busted me!.....Now get the f*ck out!"

[@siscosstuff]

i can tell you the bottom string(6th bigone) is C cause i grabbed my E and dropped it down till i heard it and it rings the same with a C chord on the top five strings.... thinking drop c

[@arnaud360]

woah nice that's fucking awsome dude!!! O_O!!!!!! whatt!!! wow

[@kariahola463]

"And then you speed it up" ... OMG lol ! Is that Tele's fretboard lacquered?

[@demrayhalen]

Composer Richard Wagner - (sounds like Vogner) from 2005 movie The New World, is what Lindsey is referencing.

[@Maverikk68]

Lindsey doesn't play a Telecaster much. He's always using that Rick Turner model for electric stuff over the last 30+ years. I liked his sound best when he played that white Les Paul custom, but he apparently wasn't a fan of it. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie told him Fleetwood Mac was a Les Paul sound and made him get one, but he ditched it after Rumors, and I don't recall ever seeing him play it again. How can you not like playing a Les Paul, Lindsey?

[@Sjusovaren]

2:43 sounds a lot like the start of Tears in the Rain (Satch), guess it's the same chord arpeggiated. :)

[@MrH4loFighter]

i love his modesty

[@jayfredrick3185]

How is he not in the top ten of greatest guitarist not ranked 100