Guitar Teacher REACTS: CHET ATKINS "The Stars and Stripes Forever" (John Philip Sousa)

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[@mattbarnes9320]

As a high school band member playing the Tuba, i can attest to how complicated this piece of music was when we had multiple instruments playing all the different parts. I cannot fathom the talent and skill he has to incorporate all the parts with just two hands and six strings. He nailed every part of the song perfectly! I haven't heard this song since my senior year 1999. It made me smile and i will be humming it all afternoon. thank you sir for brightening a usual and boring Wednesday. I love these videos!

[@spddiesel]

Former Sousaphone player here as well and this song always makes me cry. I got to see The President's Own perform once and goddamn if I wasn't so jacked when they played this song that I wanted to go take on the Soviets by myself.

[@klavier1us]

Guy Van Deuser is currently a Professor @Berklee college. He often performs this piece he arranged for Chet @ CAAS. When I originally heard this as part of PBSs Soundstage ( Chet, Earl Klugh & George Benson) . I looked for years b4 I finally had the chance to hear Guy play. Guy meticulously arranged stride piano to the guitar & encourages new young players. 😎

[@supasoulproductions]

That section where he is playing the piccolo countermelody and the main melody at the same time! What a virtuoso Chet was. Maybe you should call your new series 'Wow, they can play?'

[@Gabriel49718]

Chet Atkins was just… beyond words. Truly inspiring.

[@robertlee8042]

God sent.

[@cacophonic7]

Having Chet Freaking Atkins say you taught him ANYTHING on guitar is praise of the highest order. The man was legendary.

[@ivansantarossa1256]

The series could be 'undercover rockstar'

[@jasoncarman9656]

Chet was close to giving up playing, as their was nothing he hadn’t accomplished. He heard Jerry on some sessions and had him come to his office. Jerry, said he was shaking and finally relaxed. The fact Jerry would write 100’s of great instrumentals, and give them to Chet.then Come back later and say that a real hot one, where’s that from? Chet said from you silly! Haha…. Take “Georgia” or “City of Nee Orleans” tuned to G and the intro and licks while singing made Chet Get back in the game. Jerry carried the swagger for both…. Together Genius to say the least. Real masters that created this world of fingerpicking progressively! 🤘🏻🇺🇸

[@almostfm]

That's why he was sometimes referred to as Chet Atkins, C.G.P. (Certified Guitar Player)

[@picassoperformedmycircumci2977]

A couple years back ROLLING STONE magazine released their "100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time" without including Chet, really invalidates the entire list.

[@mateobartlett]

He wasn't on there?! That was like 20 years ago almost, no? Unless they did it again

[@picassoperformedmycircumci2977]

@@mateobartlett Damn, your probably right that was awhile ago. I do remember Chet, Django and Charlie Christian were the biggest omissions..... but Jack White was like top 30.

[@mateobartlett]

@@picassoperformedmycircumci2977 I checked after my comment, the one I was thinking was in 2003. They have done it in 2011 and 2015 and maybe it was 2020 as well. Hahaha the best part was seeing that Picasso Performed my Circumcision replied to my comment. Jajajaja

[@joejones9520]

he probably had conservative views....

[@richardsmithmusic]

Rolling Stone magazines top 100 guitarists was never valid from the get go

[@paulr2400]

Your giddiness, admiration and honesty are refreshing and brings a smile to my face every time. You are a joy to watch.

[@WildwoodSon]

Somewhere I have a Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick LP. Good stuff; I saw them in concert in the late 1980's and Guy told a story of learning a Chet tune by ear, playing the record over and over until he got it exactly like the recording. Later, when he showed it to Chet he found out that Chet had overdubbed it with two guitar tracks. Needless to say, Chet was impressed with young feller from Maine.

[@kidpoker007]

Just memorizing this is a monumental task let alone playing it perfectly

[@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT]

6:19 Michael, THAT LOOK.. is priceless 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣just sit back and enjoy. It's fun to watch someone discover this amazing piece. I was floored when he inverts to play the piccolo part and lays the melody in the bass with the thumb...I saw Chet play this on a PBS special around 1979. I never forget Chet playing this song... how could you Eearl Klugh and George Benson were on the show. .. But it took almost 40yrs and youtube to hear it again. I'd heard he played it in a live recording in 1980 but I could never find it... Now you can watch it in slow motion... how cool is that.....the arranger, Guy Van Duser, taught/teaches at Berklee college of music in Boston, he's 74.(not so young anymore🏆🏆) Take a look at Richard Smith at CAAS playing 'The Entertainer' for Tommy Emmanuel.... It's that good.

[@peterboddie3904]

Amazing. I found myself humming the trombone parts, which I hadn't played since high school, 50 years ago. It was the most fun march to play because so many instruments had a little run, even the piccolo. And this guy plays it all on the guitar. Cudos as well to the guy in Maine.

[@joeycarter8846]

Holy Cow. Chet even surpassed himself on that one. I can hardly believe it could be played like that. Crazy amazing. Thanks for covering this Michael.

[@joerichardson2278]

it's almost comical how good that man was

[@brucedocsmith2837]

Very cool!! I like the “I didn’t know they played music” idea, or simply “THEY play music!?!” Will ponder. Thanks as this had me back growing up watching my Dad play with Chet on His albums on a beautiful Gretch from the 50’s. Starting my day smiling with loving memories. California Love y’all

[@bradhuskers]

the one and only "Chet Atkins" absolute icon.

[@waynechan2804]

CHET ATKINS THE GODFATHER OF THE GUITAR... MILTON FRIEDMAN THE GODFATHER OF MODERN ECONOMICS... STEPHEN CURRY THE GODFATHER OF THE 3 POINTS SHOOT. THEIR COMBINED INFLUENCE ENCHANTING.

[@stephenrich8808]

My father loved Chet's playing, and I bought him the "Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles" (which has a George Harrison liner note) ... and it was one of the things that brought us together ... so complex and so clean ..

[@onlywatching6504]

I just imagine sharing this with my father who passed away 20’more years ago. He was a great fan of Chet, but it was before internet came along. I guess he would be VERY IMPRESSED AND INTERTAINED about BOTH of you guys. Chet will always be the leading star, and you Michael put some extra spirit to it all by your honest comments, and tutorial guidance…. Bless u..

[@mikmop]

Guy Van Duser recorded this arrangement on his 1977 album "Finger Style Guitar Solos". It's a great album and this is one of the best arrangements ever.

[@kdavis63]

After watching that video, just makes me know that I have so much to learn and practice, and to watch a virtuoso make it look so easy is amazing. Thanks for your open mindedness to show these videos!

[@blaazebooth9946]

Oh the power of the internet. Who knew these two guys would ever meet up and know each other. I’m here for it

[@Guitargate]

Right?!

[@jimgriswold8699]

My kind of music. Thanks for showing it. You do a wonderful job.

[@high-defRJ]

I am a college graduate with a major in music, with focus on jazz piano. I know some things about guitar, though I'm more proficient on violin (and mandolin). I've had classmates and also played with classical guitarists and jazz guitarists alike and they are all great players, but to this day, I don't know if I ever got to play or jam with someone that can emulate Chet Atkins. But it's certain, he was a one man orchestra, and truly one of the kind. He is the best guitarist I've ever listened to and watched on videos across all genres (jazz, rock, country, classical, etc).

[@allanterry7667]

What a great vid. Chet was always amazing. No matter what genre he decided to play. I agree with Matt Barnes about playing in the high school band, Souza was always tough.

[@JustAGuitarPlayer]

I played this same version of the Stars and Stripes arranged by Guy Van Duser in the early 80’s when I was studying guitar at USC. It was and still is a very challenging piece which fortunately was written out in a book called Stride Guitar which was a book of transcriptions of songs off an album by Guy Van Duser called Stride Guitar. So the “boy” from Maine was more of just a younger guy than Chet who had some albums out back in the late 70’s early 80’s. Guy Van Duser is still around and deserves recognition for this arrangement that Chet is playing (look for Guy Van Duser’s recording of this same piece (Stars and Stripes Forever) off the Stride Guitar album or on KZbin). I think there may be some videos of him performing it at the CAAS convention (Chet Atkins Appreciation Society which is happening soon in Nashville where great players in that style gather and celebrate Chet’s style which inspired guys like Guy Van Duser, Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, Richard Smith and many more of us through the years (spanning many decades). Got to mention Jerry Reed and Merle Travis too when speaking of this style as their contributions are great as well.

[@rockinredneck57]

Chet got the finger picking style from Merle Travis in the 40s. Chet thought he was using his thumb and 2 fingers and it wasn't until he started playing professionally and saw Travis that he learned Merle used his thumb and only one finger. Merle's son, Thom Bresh who just recently passed away was a master finger style player.

[@billday6744]

The part at the 6.35 is insane . Chet was and will always be my hero .

[@NoCoverCharge]

That Chet shirt … omg I need that

[@GiviFaaip]

You’re getting closer to doing “guitar man” by Jerry reed. I feel it. You’re only one step away now.

[@rockinredneck57]

Elvis' studio players couldn't get that right so Elvis had Col Parker find Jerry to play on his album. It took them a while to find Jerry. He was fishing on the Cumberland River. Jerry also refused to give Parker half the publishing rights to the song. He just said no and walked out. Elvis wanted it so bad he released it with Jerry owning 100% of publishing. It was a #1 for Elvis so Reed got paid for Elvis recording it plus he got paid for playing on the record.

[@dizzydad4708]

Wicked Cool! Guy Van Duser is definitely worth looking up

[@OldBillOverHill]

He played this for me in person when I was a paperboy and he was hiding out from the studio. Inspired me to play the trumpet.

[@JoelBass68]

Simply "Musicians are everyone"

[@x3a3x3]

Chet’s discography is amazing. He’s one of the classiest guitar players ever

[@zakaryheinemeyer4881]

Absolutely mind boggling, great song

[@dennisferrell3662]

Yeah, you definitely should explore Guy van Duser. You will be amazed.

[@drdave971]

All I can say is incredible speechless this is talent at highest level guitar playing arpeggiated chords Melodie’s and lots of things going on wow

[@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT]

1year later.... I'm still amused by your expression again at 6:30 when he begins playing the melody in the bass/thumb(man you gotta get a thumb pick)... and playing the piccolo part on top... literally mind blowing no matter how many times I hear it. Chet was the 'man' everyone else only stands on his shoulders. Richard Smith does it well too. You can even find Guy Van Duser/arranger & Smith playing together at CAAS in Nashville /2015 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXzXZaF4fcp_bM0 truly amazing.

[@AprojectUK]

I'm also a huge fan of Eric. You guys collaborating is like two of my favourite worlds colliding! I love this.

[@bernietoothakerguitar5525]

Great video Michael!

[@civgeek]

Micheal, already here in Anaheim. 10:20 on a Wednesday night having a drink at the Hilton. Hopefully, I’ll run into you this weekend.

[@matthewharris5586]

Congratulations on the interview. Big time!

[@rockinredneck57]

Long time ago Chet jokingly called himself Mr Guitar. It hasn't been disputed yet. Listening to and reading how players like John Knowles, Steve Wariner and Tommy Emmanuel talk about Chet and his playing speaks volumes. A recommendation for you, even though it's audio and not video is Avalon by Chet and Les Paul. I think it's off of their album Chester and Lester. The whole track is live in studio including them talking to each other.

[@brushstroke3733]

The whole Chester and Lester album is amazing. Their version of the Duke Ellington classic "Caravan" is also a highlight, like "Avalon". Thanks for commenting about it to remind me and maybe inspire others to give it a listen. Les Paul was an amazing player himself.

[@Rider-hh9it]

This is from an excerpt from a TV concert Chet played in Chicago with George Benson and Earl Klugh. So, not only is Chet playing an extraordinarily challenging piece but he’s doing so with George Benson and Earl Klugh backstage listening to every note.

[@mcgrath16511]

Saw him live three times was absolutely amazing,, the ease he seamed to be playing.. a true guitar legend !

[@soofitnsexy]

Chet Atkins is the greatest guitarist of all time regardless genre...he can do anything!!!!

[@soultylive]

Fascinating! I guess you've summarized it pretty well, "independent though so connected". Beauty of that is the rendition is so smooth, very few people will actually notice what it really takes to get there because it sounds so melodic. This what Art is all about.

[@russellives6069]

Love the facial expressions. Chet is one of those that all you can do is watch in amazement and enjoy.

[@grahamjohnbarr]

It was entertaining to watch you try. Good on ya. mate.

[@noah148]

Love it love Chet thanks

[@TheCadman069]

that was amazing!!

[@stjepkoboban358]

Chet, genius, genius. my hero. maybe we can call him a fifth element, supreme being, RIP Chet

[@charlenetrawick1647]

LOVE!

[@lukeaway]

I got Chet's autograph at Wolf Trap. He played the Beatles' "Lady Madonna" in 3 separate parts simultaneously. Brilliant!

[@markmiwurdz202]

@Michael Palmisano. You may already know this. Somewhere out there is a recording of Chet Atkins playing two tunes at once on the guitar. The piece is called "Yankee Doodle Dixie". The nay sayers called it a recording trick. However, Mark Knopfler said in an interview that he has seen Chet perform the blend of "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "Dixie" live. Don't know if there is a video of Chet, but maybe worth you having a listen in private. Keep up your good work. You and yours stay safe and well.

[@rockinredneck57]

It's a song he did in the late 50s or early 60s. There are videos of him playing it. It was quite amazing especially for its time.

[@Rider-hh9it]

He also did the same thing with Suwannee River and Humoresque. I went to 4 Chet shows his tone was unbelievable. The tone of his notes was pure, clean and with perfect timing. In a Rick Beato interview Tommy Emmanuel said he thinks Chet was the most practiced guitarist in history.

[@martydibergi5228]

Check out Chet speaking with a master that he respected…Lenny Breau. Had the good fortune of seeing Lenny dozens of times back in the day. Danny Gatton told me that he had hundreds of hours of taped music that he and Lenny had made together. Sadly we will never get to hear it. I inquired with some friends of Danny and they came up blank. Tragic for all.

[@ChetOConnell]

here's Guy Van Duser ( who arranged it for Chet) and Richard Smith playing the same track! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXzXZaF4fcp_bM0

[@glennjames7107]

Chet Atkins, the undisputable king of clean !

[@fatratz2012]

flight of the bumble bee would be cool on guitar loved chet atkins if you mess with guitar he can almost make ya cry

[@staylor3539]

If I have a vote, I really like "For the Love of the Music" for the title! That can cover any and all instruments. Love your podcast!

[@dgalinko]

Richard Smith has a couple insane videos of this arrangement as well.

[@samuelbeelen2877]

You should check out Khruangbin - live at best kept secret 2018

[@TheAgentAssassin]

My first guitar teacher suggested a Chet Atkins song after I demoed my playing so he could see where I was at talent wise at our first meet. When you hear this as a finger style player it kind of makes sense the way your hands sort of naturally fall into a way on the strings. I'm kind of humbled that a pick player is getting a little stumped. Chet Atkins is the goat of finger style for sure.

[@AnthonySipes]

Awesome bro. Cool fact for you. The incredible player and singer, Steve Wariner played for Chet. Chet finally fired Steve and told him he was too good to play for somebody else and that he needed to go form his own band.

[@corystansbury]

Steve is incredible!!

[@AnthonySipes]

@@corystansbury yes he is

[@AnthonySipes]

@@corystansbury he sure is. Chet was so cool that he did him a favor by firing him

[@edwilliams3321]

I think "Sweet Jesus" summed it up perfectly.

[@adamhanninen8295]

Where are you going in CA? Did you say ‘Nam? Set up a meet up for us on the west coast Michael!

[@kyleschneider1718]

Eric is awesome, and so is his brother Bret

[@jameschristiansson3137]

I really enjoy Sousa's piece Myrrha. For solo piano especially.

[@jdbnomad]

YEA BOY!

[@brushstroke3733]

How about this for the series name: "Who Knew You Blew?" It's got the dirty innuendo factor to appeal to minds in the gutter like mine, but really references the old jazz expression for horn players, like, "man, that cat can blow" (meaning he or she or they can play their instrument well.)

[@bsmith8943]

Blown away.

[@stitch1299]

When I heard you say Eric Weinstein I ran out of the kitchen to rewind it back. I love the idea of you guys doing something together. I feel like it will have an immensely positive ripple effect. The video is great too but I’m super excited for that!!

[@michaelfox9312]

Thats a Great idea

[@bjrnmgranvang1107]

Been playing Chet since I saw him in concert back in 1964. Now I'm 70 and still picking on Chet's old tunes. I started with Wildwood Flower, and after a few years I advanced to Jerry Reed and learned most- if not all the techniques required to play these melodies. You'll need a thumb pick, a Gretsch, and some piece and quite, not to mention a whole lotta patience in order to learn this style. www.youtube.com/@bjrnmgranvang1107/videos

[@scootersays]

The man is soo freaking amazing.

[@BungleJoogie68]

I love his custom gibson nylon. It's basically an inch and a half thick acoustic. Used by Buckethead on almost all his acoustic stuff.

[@Eidolon2003]

There's a reason for why he was laying into the IV at that one part as you put it. In marches like this one it's common to add a flat to the key at the trio section, which essentially tonicizes the IV of the old key.

[@michaelfox1432]

It's a lot of fun trying to follow Chet isn't it? If you watch videos of his performances you can see him doing stuff like two-hand-tapping, harmonics, pinch-harmonics, sweep-picking, blended picking, frailing. Thing is, he does it so smooth that if you weren't watching a video you would never notice him do it.

[@almostfm]

Apparently (according to the US Marine Band) the original key is A♭.

[@sacredsoulrecords]

Guy Van Duser playing it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2TIc6CZrNFsnpo This is who Chet learned it from (as mentioned in the video)

[@sacredsoulrecords]

Much better view of what's being played in Guy's video btw. Can't see half of what Chet's doing with the fancy camera work happening.

[@keegandrawe9287]

…that and cooking shows😂🤣😂🤣 guilty pleasures!!

[@jamesdylandean614]

You might want to check out others that he had an immense influence on: Richard Smith, Tommy Emmanuel and Guy Van Duson.

[@jimmylemley4998]

Has anybody else in the world attempted to play this on guitar, unbelievable!

[@rockinredneck57]

For people you didn't know played an instrument, SO many people have or had NO idea Jerry Reed actually sang and played guitar. They thought he was just an actor. For a little humor, listen to comedian Tim Wilson sing "I Married a Woman Who Talks Like Jerry Reed" Tim sings and Jerry lends his speaking voice. It's hilarious.

[@DUGGER1947]

Jerry's full name is Jerry Reed Hubbard. Jerry wrote over 40 songs that Chet Atkins played on albums, a couple of those albums were with Jerry Reed. "East Bound and Down" was written, played and sung by Jerry, and it was the biggest hit from the movie Smoky and the Bandit. Chet Atkins awarded Jerry the "CGP" award for finger-style guitar mastery (CGP stands for "Certified Guitar Player" and is an award Chet gave out to just a few select players who had a great gift for playing using a "finger-style" method). Tommy Emmanuel is another guitarist Chet gave that award to, and Tommy has CGP engraved into the neck of all his signature Maton guitars.

[@bkmeahan]

watching Chet Atkins and Stanley Jordan together is just unbelievable.

[@rjvanetten3123]

Eric hasn’t posted in forever. He supposedly did a podcast with Rick Beato too but I assume they won’t be published

[@dudustickytricks]

I'm going to try learning this. And, when I finally do, it'll be the last thing I'll ever play!

[@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT]

10:19 Actually, it was enlightening and educational... especially for those who may not be familiar with Chet Atkins... ( I guess they've been living under a rock)... but you got it out there... 👍👍🏆🏆👏👏 As a producer at RCA Chet was a genius, as an artist he was literally revolutionary. He made Jerry Reed nervous. 🤣what more can be said.

[@thumpick]

Thanks to Guy Van Duser for this guitar arrangement !

[@danielclossey9]

The science of music.

[@bradhuskers]

it's amazing how much Chet looks like George W Bush here. amazing

[@soofitnsexy]

he always did

[@johnmcelhaney8490]

omg! chet stacked so many wins! This is so next level

[@c-LAW]

Frere Jacques played in 4 part rounds is pretty hard too.

[@davidcochran6291]

You've already read about Guy Van Duser and his writing this for guitar from JPS's 'Stars And Stripes Forever' Here is a link to his playing that tune. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2TIc6CZrNFsnpo Guy Van Duser playing his composition.

[@chriscapablanca3491]

" This is tune written by John Philip Sousa " then there is laughter , I don't get why that would be funny

[@DUGGER1947]

Mark Knopfler was right when he said Chet was from a different planet. Many years back he wrote a song dedicated to a good friend, Bill Young. The song was aptly titled, "Young Thing." kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6fKmoN4lsx2h6c While it's a different genre to the John Philip Sousa piece in this video, it employs a somewhat similar style in the way it's played.

[@stevehawley5618]

I heard Chet Talking about going on a cruise with his wife and she convinced him to *not* take his guitar. After a few days, he got itchy and while taking a walk on deck he saw a guy playing a guitar and asked if he could try. He of course did some amazing stuff, but the guy said, "You're good, but you're no Chet Atkins." As for a name for the series, how about "Hidden Measures"?

[@donaldpolk.]

Title- The Who’s Who you didn’t know are musicians.

[@kidpoker007]

Did you ever react to Joe Pass… you put your guitar in the case and walk away

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Magnificent ... then you get your mind blown by the piccolo passage.

[@ericcsmith808]

Awesome. Love how the old standards secretly go hard

[@ThePerkins100]

As requested, a few title suggestions. Zero to hero "Geek to Guitar hero" Walmart.. To Wall St.. A-Z.. Fan to Fanatic. Couch player to concert player.

[@zkrenek]

The Bridge, Bridging the Gap, wish I had more suggestions