How to play 'Into The Mystic' by Van Morrison

Here's an absolute gem! Learn this essential classic with me as we slow down the strumming and super-cool embellishments that really bring this song to life. We'll do a full length playalong at the end and also a basic playalong near the beginning to get us ready. So fun!
Songsheets are always available at / guitaratwork
And.....we'll be playing along with the fabulous BEATBUDDY drum machine pedal and we'll be using the amazing AEROS Loop Studio GOLD EDITION pedal from Singular Sound. Play along with me!
Grab yours today at the links below and be sure to use promo code GAW10 to get 10% off at checkout and support this channel!
Grab your own BEATBUDDY drum machine pedal here:
bit.ly/3PjU2Yr
Use the promo code GAW10 at checkout to get 10% off and help support this channel!
Grab your own Aeros Looper here:
bit.ly/3PjU2Yr
Use the promo code GAW10 at checkout to get 10% off and help support this channel!
Check out the Singular Sound 'Song Matching Tool' to know what patterns to use with your own BEATBUDDY for the songs you love:
songmatcher.si...?aff=37
And...here is a link to the Premium Content - sounds and songs you can add to your BeatBuddy:
www.singularso...
Use the promo code GAW10 at checkout to get 10% off and help support this channel!
Songsheets are always available at / guitaratwork

[@ralee56]

When you were doing the chops, I could hear the old Johnny Rivers song 'Down In the Boondocks'. Love your lesson on 'Into the Mystic'. A great song!!! Always wanted to learn this song correctly. Thank you for breaking it down. You are an excellent teacher and motivator and you make it all fun and enjoyable, too.

[@robertmcdonald9979]

very well presented on how to play music; to be in it

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Robert - glad you enjoyed and happy to have you here with us! Shane

[@Jonny-Saurus-Wrecks]

Great lesson. Just a suggestion, start your videos off by playing the whole song so those of us intermediate - advanced guitarists who already know how to walk the chicken can play along. Then go back and do the breakdown for the beginners. I think more of us can get what we need out of the the video's instruction if you do it this way. More of us also can mean more subscribers, which is always nice. Again, just a suggestion.

[@markrodgers2976]

Totally concur with Jonnys above recommendation. This method has long been used by Marty Schwartz, and is one of the most useful aspect of his excellent tutorials.

[@jkmcdonnell1]

I have been trying to figure this one out for a LOOOONG time thanks this helps a lot

[@Slippery-Stan-Miracle-Man]

Canadian guys are awesome at stuff

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Stan - we Canadians greatly appreciate the shout out. My best to you! Shane

[@rawr6306]

Yeah I caught that too right away! Was aboot to say it eh…

[@t9620]

Thanks so much! Great lesson for a true classic!🙏🎸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you - very glad you enjoyed - I always enjoy doing these videos and it's really great to hear from people who are watching. Best to you, Shane

[@AspenBuilt]

Man that was a fun song to learn Thank you!

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

I am making good progress with this ❤😊

[@GuitarAtWork]

Excellent. Cheers Carleen! Shane

[@gregoryjudd5325]

most excellent...

[@christhacker9450]

Great lesson! Thanks so much for posting. Only problem is I can't get "walk the chicken" out of my head!

[@JerryAndJulieMusic]

Great lesson. I love that walk a chicken 🐔 😂 Just subbed Julie

[@LJC68]

Great sounding Taylor. What is the model number?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that. It’s an 814CE (2019). Cheers, Shane

[@md51236]

"You're doomed, doomed." LOL

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Hope you’re having fun with it. Cheers, Shane

[@jakyru1981]

Walk that Chicken!!!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Oh yeah! Shane

[@KevinCumpson]

??

[@barackmycat9448]

I love the `70s but we didn`t have good instruction like this.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - some great stuff indeed. Shane

[@joconnor59]

Best Guitar Teacher out there !! Nobody can Touch this Guy he explains and makes it so you can understand it and teaches you at a nice gentle easy pace Well Done from Rep of Ireland☘️ Well Done 👏

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Joe - greatly appreciated. My best to you! Shane

[@stevenkeatley7486]

His teaching is amazing, I’ve subscribed!

[@rhiwderinraytube]

Oh thank you so much for this Shane! Early Van the Man is one of my favourites, despite his later strange attitudes and later live appearances. Into the Mystic is one of the greats. Keep them coming!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - very glad to hear - he's fabulous for sure. Hope you have fun with it, Shane

[@murphygraham4724]

You are a born teacher. Excellent lesson.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you! Shane

[@NFZ138]

We were born before the wind Also, younger than the sun 'Ere the bonnie boat was won As we sailed into the mystic Hark now, hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly Into the mystic Yeah, when that fog horn blows I will be coming home Yeah, when that fog horn blows I wanna hear it I don't have to fear it And I wanna rock your gypsy soul Just like way back in the days of old Then magnificently we will float Into the mystic When that fog horn blows You know I will be coming home Yeah, when that fog horn whistle blows I gotta hear it I don't have to fear it And I wanna rock your gypsy soul Just like way back in the days of old And together we will float Into the mystic Come on, girl Too late to stop now

[@TheOlandex]

Good stuff. I've been playing this song for years and years, and it's still one of my favs to play. I play it in D, rather than D#, so can play open with D, A, F#m, G or can capo in 2nd fret and play the version you're teaching here (the original I believe). I can't hit the high vocal notes in D#, so that's why I play it in D. But I've always loved this true to the original, so thanks for that and for those great fill bits - awesome!

[@jbflores01]

Damn you! LOL! Now i can't get "wack a chicken" out of my head! Great tutorial! your character makes it easy to follow! Thanks! look forward to the next one...

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! A big thank you for that - always fun to walk the chicken and it's a great way to count while strumming until you get the hang of it. My best to you! Shane

[@rick423]

Shane … so glad you finally did this. Great breakdown as always and an approach that simplifies complexities that bring the song to life .

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Rick - I'm glad it's working for you - it can be tricky to communicate some of the complexities without bogging it all down. Very encouraging to read your comment. Cheers! Shane

[@rick423]

@@GuitarAtWork❤

[@JPs_Music_Channel]

I just got the beat buddy. Amazing! And I created a playlist where I am putting your songs that I want to learn

[@GuitarAtWork]

Fantastic - SO great!!!! Shane

[@LMacNeill]

16:33 -- In the play-along, when you go from a C to a G, it sounds like you're doing a little "walk down" there? I slowed it way down and it looks like you're leaving your 1st finger in its position for the C chord (I think the 2nd finger is lifted off its string at that point), while you move your 3rd finger to the G on the 6th string (so you wind up playing the open 5th string), then after the 3rd finger arrives on the 6th string, you take your 1st finger off completely, and move the 2nd finger to the 5th string 2nd fret. Or something like that... Anyway -- it sounds cool. I'm definitely going to try to add that to the embellishments when I get that far... (And it wasn't just a fluke, either -- that same "walk down" sound appears multiple times as you play through the song.)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey - good catch there - great ears! When going from C to G in this song (and many others...) I find it irresistible to not walk a bit. On beat 4 of the C chord I move the bass note to the second fret of the A string - then when the G chord comes in on the next beat it feels complete to me. Cheers! Shane

[@ruthhancock7665]

This man is clearly insane, and I absolutely love him. Best version since Warren Haynes played it at the BrandyHouse, with Matt Abts literally playing pots and pans from their kitchen.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks Ruth - cheers! Shane

[@hansjohnson9459]

I tried to walk the chicken like twice and my pick flew out of my hand :-) looking forward to learning this song. Thank you for the great lesson.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks Hans - have fun with it, Shane

[@kengilbert2620]

I'm glad I found this thank you. Very well presented. As a bass player this tune is a gas to play as well.

[@stephenswan3500]

well done, I'm 70 and learning, thanks. I love the Warren Zevon version.

[@rawr6306]

61 and ditto! Was a pandemic Xmas present of a guitar to myself and I’m getting there. Rock on! 🤟🏻

[@MaggieandLorenzoCanlas]

Thank you so much for breaking down the 16th strumming and the lift and hammer. I was struggling to get it after watching other videos!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very glad it helped you. Cheers! Shane

[@keithwatling7362]

walk a chicken, walk a chicken, hahah. its perfect but funny as hell. cheers from mississauga.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - I always love doing the chicken! Shane

[@randallhaney7909]

Thanks a bunch Shane! Cool lesson as always. But you know? That now when ever I sing this song, And the words "Into the Mystic"; should come round, Now they are forever Changed to .. "I Walk the chicken" .. LOL

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Love it Randall - thanks for that, Shane

[@barbararustici574]

Maestro Shane spiegazioni sempre semplici dirette chiare e la musica sempre divertente come ritmo. Particolarmente gradita perché mi piace molto Van M.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻✨

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Barbara - happy to hear from you here. Cheers! Shane

[@tonymullins8437]

Great video lesson here. Just as an aside, what you're calling a "whack" is what those of us in the South, or from the bluegrass culture, call a chop. Basic stuff for mandolin players and fiddlers, but underappreciated by a lot of beginning guitarists. Great job here in pointing out how cool/critical it is here.

[@leemontree1]

Shane have you ever played "the Wichita Lineman" by Glenn Campbell?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Absolutely love that song Lee - I’ve added it to the list. Cheers! Shane

[@rawr6306]

Thank you for this! First time here. Sub’d for more to come and go digging. So much to unpack (comments here too), jump into and practice practice practice. Totally getting ahead of myself but the #4 lead fill/lick… Is there a way to add that in (just once each time on the - first G chord? - change over I think?) if you’re playing by yourself, at the beginning of the chorus? I’m sure you now exactly where I’m talking aboot and I’m butchering describing it. Numbers 1, 2 & 3 are great fills but #4 is just iconic and makes that section really pop. I’ve got LOTS of fun work ahead whacking chickens but will get it all together at some point. But now sleep as it’s 3:30am and likely to have weird dreams. 🐔

[@sparkyatlarge]

Thanks so much! I've been trying to figure out those fills for years! Can't believe they are so simple. These are what really MAKES the song!

[@GuitarAtWork]

That’s great - thanks Morgan! Shane

[@misisipimike]

Thank you for that "walking chicken" tip. I've been a professional studio and touring guitar player for 20 years but I admittedly have never been great at rhythm. And it's embarrassing. I get away with it but when it's a "one and a" I just freeze. I think (I hope) you've giving me a great tool to work on this handicap of mine.

[@mehrdadmak4537]

Please teach us Will Harrison Baptized and Buried on acoustic guitar

[@GuitarAtWork]

Great suggestion. Thanks! Shane

[@mrjayd]

Hey Shane just want to say I am learning so much from you and have a request but not a song request. Was hoping since you promote the beat buddy and Aeros quite heavily in your videos, that you could do an in depth tutorial on how to set these up and use these for all of us newbies that went out and bought these things. Just hoping you could do this.

[@mrjayd]

So can you do this maybe?

[@thepepperjames1812]

Cool lesson, but the constant starting and stopping through at least the first 15+ minutes.. excruciating. Add some time stamps for people who don’t need all the extra instruction in future videos, please? Thanks

[@LMacNeill]

Woot!! One of my favorites!! Can't wait to learn it!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Excellent - hope you have fun with it - keep us posted! Shane

[@bigl6322]

Walk da chicken? Holy crap, I didn’t have an issue with 16ths to begin with but I ain’t never gettin that ear worm outta my head now!

[@smokeymon888]

I've been through boo koo videos to develop a comfortable rendition of this song...most of the challenge is with deciding on the meter and keeping count while playing by feel ♥. The singing comes so naturally . The urge to just cut loose with the vocals is irresistible, but keeping track of the beats tends to follow the singing - sympathetically. The way this teacher demonstrates the rhythm while mumbling the lines seems most helpful. Bless your heart for posting this tutorial....

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - my best to you! Shane

[@johnmclaughlin4473]

Hi Shane! Awesome job. Could you please share what BeatBuddy settings you are using when you do lessons? It would help me when I try to do songs on my own. I'm spending a lot of time trying to find what you used. Just put it in the description perhaps before the link to buy? Thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you John - glad you enjoyed and excellent suggestion. I usually say in the video itself which pattern/speed I’m using on the BeatBuddy - good idea to put in the description. Cheers? Shane

[@daltonhobson6982]

Good one Shane thank you, V M has some good tunes out there would love to here you do more of them. Thank you ,you are the man.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Dalton - much appreciated! Shane

[@tgmurph8511]

Ok here I am in the spare bedroom, lovely wife watching Ted Lasso in the main and I am playing and singing “walk the chicken “. I don’t know..

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! That’s super. Cheers, Shane

[@edcrutchfield3447]

Can’t thank you enough. PLEASE teach more songs Exactly this way as beginners like myself are inspired to continue because of YOU !!!!🎸🕺🏾🎸🕺🏾🎸🕺🏾

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Ed - my best to you! Shsne

[@PatrickJudge-u5p]

I’ll keep trying

[@Mike-fn4ls]

Love this guy! Why have i never seen him before?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Mike - glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@mikealbright8783]

I would agree on best teacher, found this channel after 1yr+ of playing again. Ease, presentation, lesson, making you feel comfortable to get these songs you wanna play reachable. Thank you!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Mike - happy to have you here. Cheers! Shane

[@cougarblue]

Love it! Walk the chicken, walk the chicken. Just discovered your channel and it looks a great find. Fantastic lesson for an awesome song. Thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed! Shane

[@MichaelKrisa]

Would love to see a breakdown for the Dylan classic Simple Twist of Fate.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Great suggestion - cheers! Shane

[@g.mantua1195]

This has become my all time favorite Van Morrison tune.

[@ViableBurrito]

Tough one to beat!

[@chibee0203]

Yes, I'm not a musician, just kinda landed here one of my favorite tunes; I really enjoyed listening to the instructor! Almost made me want to take up lessons! 😅

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

Great stuff...thanks my man...

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Chris - I appreciate the encouragement. Hope you have fun with it! Shane

[@tiffanyhanson3701]

Excellent tutorial I can’t wait to try it

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Tiffany - my best, Shane

[@frankgobell5025]

Great follow-up to the two recent videos on the "Whack" and the strumming lesson. And something everyone needs to hear is after the embellishments, when you talk about trying to avoid concentrating on the "up-down" pattern. It reinforces going back to the beginning of the video and mastering the rhythm of the strumming pattern; do that and you have the song. Thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

I’m in full agreement. Thanks Frank - glad to have you here. Cheers, Shane

[@NipItInTheBud100]

Man, I don’t play guitar but if I wanted to start I’d want you to be my teacher! What amazing teaching skills! Your explanations were beautifully said and easy to follow and understand!

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you for that. Cheers, Shane

[@rotenstonew3845]

I thought it was astral weeks in 1967 but I could be wrong.

[@larryjustice1964]

Another great lesson, thank you so much 😊

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Melvin - very glad you enjoyed and happy to have you here with us, Cheers, Shane

[@josephlenac5015]

thank you for teaching this song and the embellishments - a favorite song I could never really figure out. Thank you for the great lessons and tips

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Joseph - I really appreciate your comment. Glad it is working for you and very happy to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@johnbill6994]

Thank you, your lessons are amazing. I admire your talent to say the least. Thank you for sharing

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you John - much appreciated. Cheers! Shane

[@kevinwelter2951]

Clear instruction. Thank you. Understood perfectly. 👍🏼

[@GuitarAtWork]

Fabulous - thank you Kevin! Shane

[@larrybegnaud7811]

I've been practicing with the original recorded song for a while, and this video help me bring it together with more ease. Thank you! 🌞

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Larry - glad it helped! Shane

[@SingleMalt77005]

Who played the guitar on the record? Van? A band member? A session musician?

[@GuitarAtWork]

I don't actually know - well worth looking into.

[@stephenmcconnell7868]

Love this song.... When I sing it at a gig I have to drop it down a couple of frets so I can sing the bridge. Instead of a pick, I use my fingers to strum it. I can get the slap easier that way. Thanks for the song.

[@rawr6306]

How are you doing that (dropping down) while capo’d? Like you I cannot sing that high. I’ll just squeak! 😅

[@stephenmcconnell7868]

@@rawr6306 It works well. I don’t squeak. LOL. I just use the capo lower. I don’t change during the song, I just start out singing it lower.

[@chiefkikyerass7188]

In my opinion..SWEEL SEASON..does an awsome version of this song..and thank you for teaching it correctly

[@ockhamrzr7059]

Absolutely the best lesson on this great tune. Truly is all about the 16th note rhythm. Terrific lesson!

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big big thank you for that. Happy to have you here and let’s all have fun with it. 🇨🇦❤️🍺

[@beister21]

Lol good lesson , whaka chicken, that’s how musicians talk to each other

[@GuitarAtWork]

Great way to count. 👍😊

[@ralphking-smith5455]

What gauge of strings do you use?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hi Ralph - I’m using Elixir HD light strings. It’s a hybrid pack of med/light. Cheers, Shane

[@ruarimcdade6625]

i know nothing about guitars, but man u got me early doors

[@jaykay1053]

Your demo of these techniques is amazing! I’m using your hammer-on demo here to help me get the right feel for the slip-note piano style. (Floyd Kramer) Thanks!

[@davidcole1463]

Thank you very much! That was very helpful to me in the way it was presented. I will be watching your videos.

[@michael-weiss-cct]

Good tutorial from a Van Morrison fan living over here in Ireland. What are the settings that you have for the Beat Buddy?

[@mikealbright8783]

He tells you that, when talking about beat buddy. 85bpm I'm thought. Hardest for me is 1/16 notes

[@bigboper111]

Awesome lesson thanks!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed - thanks! Shane

[@wendyhall1395]

My Beatbuddy will be here Tuesday, can't wait!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Fabulous - enjoy Wendy! Merry Christmas! Shane

[@rtb1829]

Wonderful song great instruction.

[@selfemployeed101]

Sub'd. Great break down. Thank you so much.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Marty - glad to have you here! Shane

[@kazilziya830]

Excellent song I've been wanting to learn for a while. And thank you for adding the fills which really completes the greatness of this classic. Great job , you make learning a lot easier.

[@James-zl9jb]

Love it!

[@kevinstang4181]

Thank you for sharing. You have a wonderful way of calmly instructing.

[@joewestern6387]

Great lesson. Medium to heavy picks for almost everything.

[@amoore278]

Wow excellent job explaining this song really great job thank you!!!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Loved the walk a chick en. Thanks teach.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed Craig - best to you! Shane

[@carloscrespo9680]

Love your method and talent to back it up….

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Carlos - greatly appreciated. My best to you! Shane

[@michaelworse6034]

Could you please do 'Highway in the wind ' by Arlo Guthrie ? Maybe one day …

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

Ooo I am definitely going to learn this 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Very glad Carleen! Shane

[@gzackerman]

Great lesson, Shane!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Gene - happy to have you here and very glad you enjoyed. Cheers! Shane

[@MichaelAdamsFilm]

I found you. You got it!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Michael - glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@1hairball1]

Thank for that, very helpful

[@GripGuitar]

walk the chicken!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Agreed Brandon - we should all get in touch with our inner chicken. Cheers. Shane

[@drobichaud1000]

wait... what about the sixteenth notes?

[@alabamatubers]

Great lesson! New subscriber!

[@moogoomoogoo5990]

Great lesson. I suddenly have an urge for a chicken sandwich.

[@billstraka4946]

Thank you

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed Bill - Cheers! Shane

[@roycelow6910]

This is awesome

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Royce! Shane

[@SouthFloridasRestaurantGuy]

Subscribed you are a born teacher

[@GuitarAtWork]

Big thank you - glad to have you with us. Cheers! Shane

[@SouthFloridasRestaurantGuy]

I’m going to buy the beat and looper too.

[@GuitarAtWork]

@@SouthFloridasRestaurantGuy fabulous. You’ll be glad you did.

[@garethmartyndavies2250]

Brilliant 🙌

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Gareth - my best to you! Shane

[@rocpile2517]

I have that same yellow smiley face mug

[@GuitarAtWork]

Fabulous - I love it! Shane