Molly Tuttle: My Life In Five Riffs

Acoustic flatpicking virtuoso Molly Tuttle reveals the tunes that helped her grow into a bluegrass star. Visit guitarplayer.com for more music, interviews, lessons and video content.

[@user-xh1kz7rm4j]

I did not expect to cry tonight until she started playing morning Morgantown by Joni Mitchell. It was just too beautiful for words. I am glad that I have stumbled upon her music. The world is a better place with Molly Tuttle in it.

[@bobharlan9870]

Been listening to Molly for a number of years, and I've said it before here on You Tube, "Nashville ., give this young lady a chance" !!!!!

[@murphygraham4724]

This girl is a treasure.

[@williamsearle543]

Molly Tuttle is lovely in every sense of the word. Humble and so talented; a gift to an undeserving world.

[@chuckbe1]

Agreed!!

[@pappyfiddle]

I kind of see it like, Molly is NORMAL, most everybody else is ugly

[@emiltrees]

I agree she is a great gift to music and humanity, but who are you to say that we are an undeserving World? That's kind of creepy to me because the world is full of good people. There will always be bad but we don't have to agree with it. Molly is Fantastic in every way.

[@williamsearle543]

@@emiltrees didn' mean it in a bad way.. peace

[@django02]

My respect for Molly Tuttle just keeps getting greater and greater. Everything she plays here is great, but she really knocked it out of the park with her version of Annabelle.

[@andybowen1249]

Strange how we’ve literally seen her grow up on KZbin? The dedication to her craft and art is inspirational imo.

[@edeledeledel5490]

Quite right - she has talent in abundance, but it is coupled with an enquiring mind "How do you do that - I must find out!" and dedication, and sheer hard work. And a completely lovely person as well. Whoever she plays with, she wants them to enjoy the experience as much as she does.

[@andybowen1249]

Absolutely right. Brian Sutton remarked on her rhythm as well. All the great players have rhythm imo.

[@rylieriley]

Molly's strumming is absolutely fantastic.

[@bgolden99]

I came across this video by accident. Once I started watching, I couldn't stop. How can something be so informative, educational and entertaining all at once?! Molly Tuttle - Thank You! Hope to see you perform someday!

[@billderinbaja3883]

I've been listening to Molly for 12 years, since she was 15. When young it was clear her star was rising as a technician... but as an entertainer, she was awkwardly shy, lacked presence and confidence. For the last 5 or 6 years, she has "grown into her skin", become comfortable in knowing how different and inspiring she is. I've seen her play live maybe a dozen times... every time she grows... long career ahead... she cares about music, but more importantly she cares about people. This little video is my favorite I've ever seen... thanks Guitar Player for presenting her in a way that allows her quiet brilliance to shine.

[@sadie376]

Lucky you! I saw her for the first time last month. Something I had been waiting to do for several years. She was great!

[@billderinbaja3883]

Sadie: Molly is an inspiration to all guitar players... best right hand in the business! But best overall guitar composer & player is, in my (very humble) opinion, Dave Rawlings... for all the reasons Molly states in this video. They are both brilliant.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Molly is so beautiful in every way. What a great voice and guitarist.

[@simonharris1776]

No wonder I love her.... Been a Gillian Welch and David Rawlings fan since I was 20. Oh man what a treat this is....

[@sundownsigns]

What a remarkable performer and person!

[@danimarco]

Molly transmits with joy the magic of playing.Very inspiring! Much appreciation. Thank you!

[@christiancurby]

First time I have heard her play, but Annabelle is my favorite song and she crushed it! Amazing!

[@raynaldcloutier3054]

She have a awesome smile :) this woman hav a fantastic positive energy

[@itsrob2321]

Molly is adorable, but her spirit is beautiful! Her talent is admirable as well. Blessings on that young lady!

[@edcurtis246]

I really enjoyed these stories, and I can appreciate the tile "My life in 5 riffs." One always wornders how a musician progresses on his/her own jouney and who has had big influences on his/her life, and how. Thank you Molly for a look behind the scenes and for teaching me a lot about tunings and guitar techniques.

[@jimbeaugez1767]

"Annabelle" - Gillian Welch with David Rawlings 00:25 - Discussion 01:48 - Performance "Bill Cheatum" - David Grier 04:41 - Discussion 05:32 - Performance "Little Sadie" - Traditional 08:16 - Discussion 11:23 - Performance "Morning Morgantown" - Joni Mitchell 12:09 - Discussion 14:05 - Performance "I Am a Pilgrim" - Clarence White 15:29 - Discussion 16:49 - Performance

[@Zsolto66]

Thanks for doing this, Jim :) Zs

[@robertbeckmann9296]

Never heard the 1st song but I was thinking hmm, sounds like David Rawlings

[@dontaylor7315]

THANK YOU for the song directory and especially for including discussion timestamps. That's super helpful.

[@andyszpekman5205]

This is why guitar players love her. She needs to make more records that show off her amazing guitar skills.

[@JKentF]

I adore her playing, but to make an album “showing off her skills” would be a big mistake.

[@schesser]

@@JKentF How so?

[@JKentF]

@@schesser Because music isn’t about showing off how skilled you are.

[@schesser]

So if Molly decided that she wanted to do a full-on bluegrass album that in fact showed her guitar skills, you would find that to be a big mistake. That's interesting. I would think that if Molly wanted to show off her guitar skills, she would have every right to do that. But to each his or her own, I guess. My opinion is that Molly shows off her guitar skills every time she picks it up, regardless of what she's playing, who she's playing with, or whatever.

[@Kan-o-tex]

Best guitar video I've seen this month. It was worth watching just to see Molly break down a little of David Grier's version of Bill Cheatham. Good to see a great young picker getting the attention she merits and sharing her insights with the rest of us slobs.

[@dreamwell2020]

I mostly have no idea what Molly's talking about here, but I love what she's doing - using her extrordinary intelligence to understand what others have created with their extrordinary inteligence, so that she can create her own contributions. Our species has way more than its fair share of fun.

[@ata5855]

All due respect to this young lady's amazing talent and intelligence, but every time I see her play, I'm just astounded by how beautiful she is. My heart just balloons! Phew... There, I said it.

[@charlesing9520]

yes very beautiful woman!!!

[@rainupwards201]

a walking guitar encyclopedia - you are amazingly talented.

[@sandystrait3878]

Hey Guitar Player Magazine, you should make friends with Microphone Set-up Guy. I think you two would hit it off. Molly you are perfection.

[@garyquartley5393]

Sandy Strait Great comment! Exactly my feeling...

[@strathound]

LOL. Yeah. I was thinking maybe they wanted the guitar out front perhaps?

[@Fdldd]

@@strathound Maybe so, but frustrating for me. Did it get better latter in the video? Guitar Player, not Singer magazine, perhaps?

[@Fdldd]

The room sucks for a presentation like this? So much echo, delay, reverb, whatever you call it on the under represented vocal. The guitar is dry by comparison. Why is that?

[@ScottHz]

yeah, and all the mic noise when she’s explaining “Bill Cheatum”, and the cable noise(?) when explaining clawhammer guitar ?!?!

[@morristonian]

Finally someone worthy of playing a Joni Mitchell song. Molly is just that good!

[@charlesmcgowen7238]

Can you just imagine sharing a home with this lovely woman?

[@alansturgess1324]

It's music and musicians like this that give you hope for the world.

[@jmccormick1490]

Such a beautiful, wholesome young gal.

[@dahlbaker]

In the venn diagram of pickers we can now connect Molly with David, Tony, Doc, and Clarence. You go girl!

[@writereducator]

Molly's got the greatest right hand picking technique. And what a beautiful voice. Big bonus is a Joni Mitchell cover.

[@coreywright6192]

Molly gives off such a lovely/ peaceful vibration , it really matches her guitar playing /singing ! If that makes since ... Also a quality teaching presance

[@ts3871]

The whole Tuttle family is incredibly talented. I took music lessons from Molly's father, Jack, back in the late 90's-early 2000's. It doesn't surprise me at all that she's as good as she is.

[@811cablemaster]

I hope she never stops making music!

[@noahcount7132]

Molly attributes the influences that various legendary pickers have on the development of her style as she continues her exciting journey to legendary status. What a talent!

[@CommViewer]

She learned to play from her father - a master player and teacher.

[@davidhoxit4274]

My favorite video so far! You are a great guitarist and I appreciate your help. I truly love your style, as well as Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Clarence and many others. Long live bluegrass! Oh, thanks for carrying on the tradition!

[@therustyspoke]

I can’t smash the like button enough for everything Molly does and she just gets better!!

[@leelossi1257]

great interview and performance! thanks for taking the time.

[@PeterVanDyke-10155]

So right: David Rawlings's guitar work is magic--accented by his use of an arch-top Epiphone which lends a haunting timbre to his attack. Thank you for your insights.

[@denismguitar1552]

Awesome player, great writer and singer, and beautiful too. What’s not to love!

[@mjmadigan1]

Love Molly's perspective on her guitar influences. It is now up to her to inspire others with her very own unique style and musical voice.

[@dgear5222]

Wonderful Molly, Joni would be proud. Love to hear you do your own interpretation of a Neil Young classic as well. Great video. You can play any genre!!

[@clbazar]

Seems like maybe she read your comment, but she covers “Helpless” beautifully.

[@larrybstreetfish5852]

Just when you try to wrap your head around her flawless right hand picking....she starts doing her claw hammer...Dang, she is sooo good!!!

[@kmacksb]

She's not only a brilliant musician, but she explains the music very well. Kudos.

[@JGlassy]

Timeless and evocative expression. Such an inspiration all around. Thanks Molly.

[@daningram3143]

Molly, you’re just a wonderful picker! I’ve enjoyed watching you come into full skill set!! Fantastic teaching! Thanks, and be Blessed!

[@nepheshr290]

Its so cool to hear how musically literate these guitarists are

[@markparent3323]

Thanks Molly, You are awesome.

[@nikkinunya676]

That was beautifully done. Thank you!

[@joepalooka2145]

Awesome video. I'm a lifelong Clarence White fan and it's great to hear Molly talk about him. I'd love to see her play his B-Bender that Marty Stuart owns today.

[@beckymura1479]

how can I see her live? man, she is a breath of fresh air!

[@innerhebridean]

She's touring now. Saw her in Levon Helm's Barn on April 7, 2022, and she was clean out of this world

[@gesx6598]

@@innerhebridean She just played the Moab Music Festival...Fantastic!

[@julianschulz1620]

I loved her version of "Annabelle." I liked the cool, dissonant partial chord, she repeats towards the end.

[@brentwalker3300]

Yep. That one really stood out.

[@clbazar]

Hey GP! 3 things: 1) Thanks for bringing us this great performer! 2) As a video producer I get sometimes things happen. Like discovering in post that the vocal mic, which dominates the frame, wasn’t actually connected to a recording device. Totally get it. BUT, you should be honest up front and drop a title card at the beginning explaining that the levels are going to be frustrating but that it’s still listenable and totally worthwhile - or at least in the description. Not acknowledging it makes it seem like maybe y’all are thinking you could get away with it without folks noticing. But, yeah, we noticed. 3) Thanks for bringing us this great performer!

[@monroetruss4737]

Amazing as always.

[@patricelongchamps9880]

Now we have so much to learn from Molly.

[@garypaquin9571]

Molly's Berkeley education is in full bloom in this video. She is a very good teacher. I finally got an appreciation of why David Rawling's playing is both so wonderful and difficult to follow. Perhaps she consider joining the faculty at her alma mater even if It's to teach one course either online or on campus.

[@WDeeGee1]

Berkeley? She'll end up a bitter humanity hating commie if she's doesn't watch her back.

[@chankjazz]

@@WDeeGee1 Berklee

[@techobsessed1]

@@WDeeGee1 And why is it that you spit such bitterness?

[@jwukulele]

@@techobsessed1 two very very very very different institutions.

[@kc8923]

Awesome guitar playing! Amazing how much new there is to learn, never heard of clawhammer guitar or Mountain minor tuning!!

[@DaveByers]

Great stuff. Molly’s great. I wish they’d turn off the reverb while speaking though.

[@martypaxton7668]

Wonderful insight

[@randelltuttle143]

Hello Molly! Good to see someone in the family made it.😁😁

[@anthonyblancett3881]

Very nice an inspiring. Thank you.

[@twistedthrifterb6220]

Love me some Molly.She's a star

[@chriswoolridge3886]

She is amazing love her

[@z-e-r-o-]

I want to listen to her covers of Joni’s songs more.

[@garybridgham5432]

An Excellent And Educational Video: Thank you!

[@707king]

I could listen to her pick on that Pre War all damn day. All damn month even.

[@Maydoggie]

Molly is so good on every level. Sound guy needed to add more punch to her vocal mic.

[@jeff0566jsm]

The way you think about that guitar player who very much inspires you Molly...is the way I think of You...and how wonderfully Beautiful, Gifted, & Talented You “ARE” good Lord I love this Girl... Your’s in Music and all good things! Jeff in Mentor Oh.

[@raysmusic49]

Very awesome.. thank you!

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

Molly is amazing!

[@johndowney3294]

thanks Molly! love the interview with Mary Spender- what the hell is wrong with us in Boston, giving your skill set "1" across the board?? We apparently didn't like Jackie Venson's piano playing either 🙄 congratulations and thanks for being a delight!

[@ekalbkr]

Thanks Molly!

[@DwainDwight]

she's incredible. what a talent.

[@t1axeman]

shes so awesome

[@GrumpyOldGuy777]

Beautiful playing

[@AINoodles]

I wish Billy Strings would bring her over to the UK on his tour.

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@countingcoup]

So graceful and intelligently talented...

[@iloverumi]

thanks!

[@jodesloo2280]

Brilliant guitar angel!

[@kevincrockett7655]

Gorgeous. Talented. Amazing.

[@stevefaure415]

A great talent and seems to be a gentle soul.

[@user-wv4xc1us6u]

...gorgeous person... Next level musician.

[@chuckrrose]

Wonderful taste...!

[@ThreeChordGuitar]

Does the camera work leave a lot to be desired? Yes. Is the vocal mic borderline even on? Also yes. But who cares, it's Molly Tuttle playing! :)

[@ScottHz]

The camera work is SOOOO pretentious! Especially when they can’t even record her voice without a lot of cable noise? Lav mic being ruffled under fabric?

[@shashimenon1000]

Goddess Saraswati of the accoustic guitar! Just love your playing. 🥰🙏

[@ericAlohaMoanaWaves]

Amazing that was awesome

[@richardw.jenkins3023]

From the echo on the vocal mic my guess is that it wasn’t actually recording a signal and that only the guitar mic is being heard

[@chuckstranahan5600]

Sound check before recording? Nah... we don't need it. Just so we can hear Molly tuttle play the guitar.

[@goliath257]

She’s lovely.

[@bellabailey9438]

lovely!!

[@philipclifton3058]

Little Sadie!!! Feckme! Was not expecting that!

[@markelovett]

Great Job on Morgantown. Your voice sounds nice on it.

[@samvermeulen9740]

Annabelle is such a gorgeous song.

[@promoted738]

She's awesome. Nickel strings too.

[@markwathen975]

A Joy for sure,!

[@ScottHz]

I hope Molly (and everyone!) has heard Gillian and David’s cover of Tom T. Hall’s “It Sure Can Get Cold In Des Moines”, from the album Real - The Tom T. Hall Project (lots of great covers on it)!

[@0713mas]

Killer performer!!!

[@Pomiferous]

Gillian Welch * David Rawlings * Joni Mitchell * Molly Tuttle ***

[@wendymartineau]

Molly is inspiring in every way. Her guitar playing is amazing of course but I just love her voice and quiet presence as well. I was wondering if there is a guitar lesson for Annabelle the way Molly plays it anywhere?

[@brianj4090]

Her take on ‘I am a pilgrim’ is a masterclass on bass runs.

[@lilycat1694]

Musical genius. Sure wish she could teach me how to play guitar.

[@billhosono7468]

So beautiful.