His SNEAKY Tricks will Transform Your Play - And Quickly!

[@brianreilly5103]

I have been a Leslie West fan for 52 years. His playing still inspires me.

[@mikes9759]

Same here! I've seen him like 6 times I think and he always rocked the house!! A couple times I was about 4 to 5 feet from the stage and it was a wild time to remember. Some of my best memories!

[@vyger6336]

One of the best guitarists ever. I've seen him in concert 4 times .. Great songs ..Nantuket Sleigh Ride..."Outrageous " Fairies wear Boots

[@MartinoBeano]

IMHO, Theme For An Imaginary Western?? The Greatest American Rock Guitar Solo Of All Time! Bring ya to tears, Man!

[@MarkZabel]

It's a great one for sure!

[@SurfsideRick]

As a 13 year old (some 50 years ago), I heard the garage band next door practicing and playing this cool blues tune with sweet guitar licks. I walked over to watch them and found out it was "The Animal Trainer and the Toad" by Mountain. 🙂

[@MarkZabel]

Cool!

[@joe800096]

I love that tune! Leslie west was one of my most major influences. No one else plays with more expression.

[@greyguy9767]

Seen West Bruce and Lang at caIns ballroom early seventies. As a guitarist loved his tone. Rip Mr. WEST.

[@rd9219]

Bowing down in respect to you!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Cool!

[@greyguy9767]

@@MarkZabel Leslie was so big he sat down for the show. Ofcourse, last song was miss. Queen.he got out of his chair for that one. So many memories from the 70's. If we could only go back in time and re live some of the concerts I have seen.

[@greyguy9767]

@@rd9219 thanks

[@MarkZabel]

@@greyguy9767 that's the tragedy of life ... time passes. Sounds like you were able to see a bunch of good shows!

[@traildoggy]

Huge Mountain fan here. I wore out multiple copies of their records on my cheap stereo. I would come home from school, put on their live album and wait for Nantucket Sleighride. Leslie's great, but so was Felix Pappalardi. Outstanding bass player.

[@MarkZabel]

Great band. And yes, Nantucket Sleigh Ride - awesome song.

[@jimmccarthy5642]

Check out Leslie's characteristic alternating major and minor pentatonic scales in his soloing on Silver Paper, also from Mountain Climbing. Those solos are definitely worth studying and his final solo of the song in particular really stands out as he starts it by bending up to a soaring F#, which is the sixth of the A major chord, and then repeats the same pitch over the next chord, G major, only now the F# becomes the 7th of that chord. That soaring F# creates a marvelous tension that pins you to the wall until it's beautifully resolved over the D and A chords. It's a small detail in a really fine album but little things like that can loom very large and I find that passage to be the highlight of the album. Check that solo out and see how it makes you feel. The song itself is a gem and the contrasting vocal exchange between Leslie and Felix is fantastic.

[@MarkZabel]

Agree. Great stuff. It was a common trademark of his.

[@Frodojack]

I fell in love with Leslie West's guitar playing when I was a kid hearing "Mississippi Queen" for the first time back in 1970. It wasn't just his phrasing that caught my ear, but that mean guitar tone. It still sounds hard today 53 years later. (BTW Mark, when you said "click here" there was nothing to click, just a blue section of screen.)

[@blayneb7290]

Very cool Mark. No one did more with less notes than Leslie West. I marvel at his phrasing. And just as you pointed out, Theme From An Imaginary Western is some of the greatest rock guitar soloing ever recorded. Never tire of listening to that tune (and Felix's vocals were fabulous as well).

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Leslie should be well-remembered IMHO. This video won't do as well as others, but if more people would emulate Leslie rather than people who play 100 notes per second, the world would be a better place! :)

[@garyk4417]

Often overlooked, Leslie is truly one of the greats. I read in the liner notes to one of his CDs, that he was told (by Felix Pappalardi I believe) that the best guitar solos are those that can be sung. Certainly, Leslie's solos are memorable as they are mini-tunes within themselves. Climbing and Nantucket Sleighride are still two of my favorite albums and I've learned to play almost all the songs. Indeed, his first solo album (pre-mountain) had some great acoustic playing on it (Because You Are My Friend). So glad you paid homage to a mountain of a man.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, he's often overlooked today, but he's a great player to learn. Nothing flashy, just great melody and tone and service to the song.

[@Bourbon-Canted-Ky-Windage]

Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Mountain Live, is one of my all time favorites. Around 1974, while in high school, me and some buddy formed a rock band. Since we had 3 guitars players, I switched to bass. I ended up with a ragged Ampeg and a POS bass. I was clues less how to play. I fired up Nantucket Sleigh ride Live and preceded to learn note for note from Felix. I was learning from a 33 RPM record. Repeated dropping the needle eventually wrecked the record, ,but I learned it! I could jam a bit!!

[@garyk4417]

@@MarkZabel And that killer tone from his LP Junior and a single P90. Had to get me one of those. Just lovely.

[@garyk4417]

@@Bourbon-Canted-Ky-Windage I bought Nantucket Sleighride the week it came out... I also wore it out!!!! These days I play an acoustic version of Nantucket Sleighride at open mics. I even play "Taunta" before I launch into it... such a beautiful melody. Nobody does that stuff and I can't understand why. Leslie's phrasing was just first rate. As it turns out, many years later when I moved up here near Woodstock, I met Steve Knight. I had a chance to chat him up quite a few times... very knowledgeable musician. I even got a chance to play a fretless Ampeg (yes Ampeg) bass that Felix Pappalardi gifted to him. Sadly, he passed away several years ago.

[@awittypilot8961]

Well done Mark! As you know...I've been taking lessons from one of the very best guitarists I have ever seen or played with (LA session player for many years) and he's greatly improved my playing. Some things you just can't learn from a video....he has taught me a lot about which finger and stuff. But he's an awesome jazz thinker (and most everything else). I'm a rocker. He has recently picked up on my needs and wants and it's making a big difference for me. But his lessons on theory has got me hearing and playing differently. Sadly (hehe) I now have a grip on modes, 6ths, 9ths and 13'ths and secondary 5ths and more. This is another great lesson from you but honestly I don't think I would have understood if it weren't for my buddy. I get this clearly now. You have ALWAYS taught chord tones. The more often I play I go to that as well. HUGE difference in my phrasing. Glad Eddie stepped out of my way! hehe Rock on bro!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks man! Yes, chord tones. And learn as many melodies as you can. They're all worth it. Rock on!

[@dougsmith8430]

Great points! Not enough teachers emphasize the importance of chord tones. Mark is fantastic at not only teaching chord tones, but making it evident how chord tones give more feel!

[@user-ks3ol3lw3b]

I got to see Leslie in a bar in Boston in the early 2000s. It was amazing. He was totally on his game - as good as anything he ever did. The man was a master - everything he played was perfect. Guitar God.

[@MarkZabel]

Totally agree. Nothing fancy or showy either. Just played what was right.

[@durkar3791]

Leslie's solo on Theme for an imaginary Western on this video blew me away, two of my absolute favourite solos ever.

[@richardfrost7575]

The thing that always amazed me is him suddenly start playing a Disney theme or chopsticks or opera theme and then back to the hard rock stuff with that toothy grin just like it was supposed to be there. Always loved his playing.

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, fun stuff!

[@GuyGGormanandtheGMen]

Mark, you're so flippin' awesome I can hardly stand it! So simple, yet so powerful. You really teach guitar intelligence!

[@MarkZabel]

Thank you so much!

[@waynegram8907]

MARK, Leslie West and Robin Trower pretty much created what is called Tasty & Juicy phrasing. The Guitarist in Lynyrd Skynyrd made melodic themes. Ed King is really good at chord tone targeting switching from relative major to relative minor which you should make a YT lesson about Ed King switching from relative major to relative minor licks. Wishbone Ash created melodic themes also which were Etude phrases and interlude phrases which iron maiden was influenced by. Making a YT lesson about the differences between Etude phrasing and Interlude phrasing.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks for the suggestion Wayne.

[@thebluesrockers]

I love how you explain all the different players approaches. Have you ever covered "Robin Trower?" He's another one that I think a lot people have forgot about. His playing style is right down your alley too. Thanks again for all your cool lessons and video's. Peace.. Joe

[@MarkZabel]

Hey Joe! (couldn't resist ... :) Thanks! Yeah, I should do Robin Trower soon. That's a great suggestion!

[@robertusoff928]

Leslie has been my #1 guitar hero since I was 4, now I'm 56! Can't beat that tone!

[@MarkZabel]

Best tone ever!

[@johnsee7269]

Mountain Climbing - one of the greatest blues rock solos of all time - Mississippi Queen. 🤘

[@MarkZabel]

No doubt!

[@johnsee7269]

@@MarkZabel Odd that a lot of the greatest blues rock solos kinda follow a pattern... Mississippi Queen, LaGrange, Honky Tonk Women, etc. lol (inspiration?)

[@jimc6687]

Cut my teeth on Mr. West, MZ...........we had an entire set of Mountain tunes in our high school rock band and "Mississippi Queen" was always great for an encore or two!! Nantucket Sleigh ride was their best tune in my humble opinion! If you want to be flipped out...listen to Leslie's "To my Friend"!! Even I had to be convinced this was Mountain!! "Silver Paper" was another big request! We saw Mountain perform live a few times in the NJ area and recall one concert where Leslie had but one move (this was back during the time he truly was the heavy in heavy rock) during the entire show and that was one single leg lift and move.............Jim C.

[@MarkZabel]

Great stuff. Nantucket Sleigh Ride is a great song, as you say. The context is interesting too.

[@richardpierce7819]

One of my favorites . I heard Leslie say one time he couldnt play fast so he played heavy . Mississippi Queen , Nantucket Sleighride,

[@DrBsGuitars]

I really appreciate your concise, to-the-point guitar lessons. Very helpful. Please keep it up.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! I'll try to keep them that way.

[@jeffdubuque3755]

hendrix once said Leslie was a great player, i agree.

[@MarkZabel]

Me too!

[@perrydror]

I had the good fortune to see Mountain live in the early 70s. Leslie West, and his bandmates were so good!

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome!

[@robrush54]

I think the best version of Theme for an Imaginary Western is on the Woodstock II album. I still get the chills over 50 years later.

[@elmolewis9123]

I was in a Mountain cover band back in the day and saw Leslie live in Toronto in 1969 at a weekend outdoor festival. Needless to say, they/he stole the show. My first guitar hero.

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome!

[@bobk9572]

The live version of "Theme For An Imaginary Western" form when they performed at Woodstock has one of my favorite solos!

[@MarkZabel]

Totally agree. They weren't in the original Woodstock movie, so I didn't hear it for a long time.

[@CareySullivan-cu3fw]

That's one of the greatest solos I have ever heard. It is so melodic.

[@chasbodaniels1744]

Another disciple of Leslie West was Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company. He often played a LP Jr. like his influencer, and relied on tone and tasty phrasing rather than flash.

[@MarkZabel]

Great player. Very tasty.

[@robcarney-ck9sp]

Don’t know if they toured that Night of the Guitar gig, but I saw it at Hammersmith Odeon back in the day. Went for Alvin Lee but the whole thing was an eye opener.

[@MarkZabel]

Cool!

[@peterburi2727]

In one of my bands Theme was one of our favorite songs. I learned the solos in that tune note for note.

[@MarkZabel]

Good one to do it with. Leslie improvised live, which is also great, but certainly a good one to know.

[@RobHollanderMusic]

I used to see Mountain as a teen at the Fillmore East back in the day! They were a fantastic live group and crushed it every time.

[@MarkZabel]

So awesome!

[@markroylance1584]

Saw them in about 1972 in Manchester....Free Trade Hall...whole gig was incredible but especially the extended version of Nantucket Sleighride.Big man and big tone ! Thankfully someone has posted them doing two songs on a tv show -Misissippi Queen and Theme for an Imaginary Western..Still wonderful to watch

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome!

[@richardpierce7819]

One of the best prashings in rock every guitar player should learn this song.

[@embreesmith7613]

I learned a lot from the big guy in the 1970s That and Schenker

[@MarkZabel]

Sweet!

[@robertparker-m9d]

I really enjoy your videos,that night of the guitar concert that you talk about,I was there very enjoyable. Rory Gallagher is one of my favourites only saw him once. Brilliant

[@buddhamus]

Cool lesson. I love Leslie West. I've been listening to a lot of Mountain's live material and am always impressed by what and how he plays. Thanks for this lesson.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@michaelmerrullo2043]

I think Leslie West was my first guitar love. Those Mountain albums were regularly spun on my turntable. Flowers of Evil, Live: The Road Goes On we're lesser known to the masses but were really awesome too

[@MarkZabel]

In your neck of the woods too! Gotta love Mountain!

[@krisstieghorst7415]

Incredible performer, Brilliant musician. Thanks for the COOL lesson. You nailed it Mark👋🖤🦋🖤

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks Kris! Hope you enjoyed the concert on the weekend!

[@krisstieghorst7415]

@MarkZabel Had a flat tire but still made the show!! Cheers to that!!

[@JBM_71]

Great stuff!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@kevingill648]

Theme from an imaginary western has one of the greatest guitar solos ever! Leslie West was a fabulous guitarist, check out Night Of The Guitars!

[@cliveburgess4128]

That 8 track lived in my car for a long time

[@juliochingaling5824]

Excellent. Thanx brother God bless.

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@douglaschristine8387]

Hi Mark, I loved Leslie West. The Mountain climbing album you showed , was one of my first albums.. What a character too. The two Jews, Leslie and Howard Stern were so funny together. Good video.

[@davebowden4010]

I have 2 West Bruce & Lang LPs. They're like gold to me.

[@grandpasnake]

Good stuff. Bless you for remembering Leslie West.

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. He deserves to be well-remembered!

[@andrewksadventures]

Great video! Leslie was a legend. Great phrasing, true. 👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@andrewksadventures]

@@MarkZabel You're welcome! 👍

[@dagacola8246]

I couldn't get enough of Theme ... great stuff ... thanks

[@dagacola8246]

Forgot to add I had the Woodstock version ... not lots of notes but so good ... yes that how old I am ... my dog chewed up the album ... uhhhh

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks! Oh man, that dog ... I love dogs, but might draw the line there. LOL!

[@misterstratocaster]

I saw Mountain with Black Sabath opening. LOUD!!!

[@kekotorres3700]

Great straightforward lesson on one of my favorite players of all time. Much appreciated, Mark!

[@MarkZabel]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@barnaclerusty]

great info Mark.. thanks again 👍

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@calumm8639]

The first Mountain song I heard was Nantucket Sleighride for the odd (I've always thought) reason that it was used as the theme tune to a 1970s/80s current affairs programme in Britain called Weekend World. Just the fast instrumental bit.

[@MarkZabel]

Very cool. Didn't know that!

[@breakrite9785]

Thanks Mark. Another winner.

[@MarkZabel]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@0bm31770]

I love Theme for an Imaginary Western and Nantucket Sleighride.

[@jamesnelson1443]

Alvin Lee is the man!!!!!!!

[@MarkZabel]

Yes sir!

[@DMSProduktions]

Les West was a GIANT of guitar! NO pun intended!

[@markcummings1319]

This guy is the bomb!

[@randyc5650]

The first time I saw Leslie West live was at A Warehouse in New Orleans the early 70s. It was West, Bruce and Lang and they tore the place up. Leslie and Jack were cutting each others' heads all night and I think at one point near the end, Leslie just gave up and watched Jack who was on fire.

[@ozman5151]

Well done Mark as you recall I once told you I was fortunate enough to jam with him when he was with the Vagrants. RIP my friend

[@MarkZabel]

So cool. Goes way back. RIP indeed. I forgot he was in a couple of movies too. I was reminded when doing research for this video.

[@derekclacton]

Big influence on Michael Schenker as well 👍

[@MarkZabel]

Cool. Didn't know that, but it makes sense. Michael has a great melodic sense for a shredder.

[@derekclacton]

@@MarkZabel Michael’s ability to be melodic whilst tearing it up is something special!

[@mjsmcd]

U are terrific Wish i had u in my younger days

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks so much!

[@anthonydavella8350]

I saw Leslie open for Skynyrd way back when, maybe 76ish? I was a young lad and I thought he was better than Skynyrd. Still has effected me, have 30 guitars LOL

[@MarkZabel]

Awesome!

[@MVos-md3rp]

We played the Mountain 8 track to death. But, as great a player as Weinstein was, Pappalardi is the foundation as John Paul Jones was to LZ. Throw in Corky’s intensity and you have a band for the ages! Excellent subject matter sir!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@miked3317]

Excellent

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@jamiemorgan4146]

West was amazing! Have you been able develop a unique playing style that stands out?

[@embreesmith7613]

Is that a real LP Jr ,,?? I have several of the Custom Shop reissues That's mostly what Ibpkay other than a Lzp DC Pro. 🙂

[@MarkZabel]

No, it's a Gibson Melody Maker.

[@embreesmith7613]

BTW I discovered Major, by accident .. Playing at a Party with waaay too much beer. 😀😂😀

[@MarkZabel]

LOL!

[@reverandscales]

Everything I've ever played has been informed by Leslie west.

[@MarkZabel]

Cool!

[@SEKreiver]

Randy Rhoads was also a West fan.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

TBH, I’m not crazy about his version of Imaginary Western - I like Jack Bruce’ version better. But his playing and tone on his Soundcheck album is amazing.

[@darioswatchclub8]

RAD!

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks!

[@ronaldzilli2005]

I thought Felix P wrote theme from imaginary western. Didn’t know it was Bruce

[@MarkZabel]

Yes, I didn't know it either until recently.

[@ozman5151]

It was actually written for Cream to use but Clapton didn’t like it go Figure

[@michaelschaefer7962]

@@MarkZabelLet’s not forget Bruce’s co-writer, Pete Brown.

[@harmono8766]

Wait a second. I know you need to keep the videos' short, but it's more than just playing major pentatonic. The song is clearly more of a Southern Rock style than the typical blues-based rock song. It's not just a trick it's a style change. You can't really do this very easily with just any blues based rock song, unless you are coming up with an original song. I wouldn't say it's a trick myself. Phrasing? Well he's singing "Missisippi Queen" and on his solo he's following the phrasing and somewhat the melody of the vocals. Again you are accurate but really different way of communicating it.

[@rd9219]

Mississippi Queen is a great song, but Leslie is SO MUCH more that that

[@MarkZabel]

You know it!

[@stevemaughlin228]

So Blue Me then

[@williswet]

🎸Great lessons. my friend. Isn't moving the whole scale 3 frets down the same thing as Relative Minor" ? What gauge strings are you playing with if you don't mind me asking? Ps, Speaking of phrasing and chord choice please take a look at my Robin Trower lessons website HERE www.youtube.com/@williswet/videos

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks. I'll have a look at the Trower lesson, thanks.

[@williswet]

@MarkZabel Mark... In your opinion, do you hear a distorted Hammond B3 on the opening riff or is it it just Leslie West adding an overdub guitar? To my ear It's way too much guitar for a single bridge P-90. I 've built pickups for Leslie. Dealt with his tech. I don't know if they ever made it to a guitar, recording, or live show though. I sent his tech one P-90 and one very mean humbucker 🎸

[@daze023]

I never heard that Leslie was dead!! How the FU%k do I not hear that Leslie West died??

[@daze023]

Looked it up That's the Wednesday that I got the result from Monday's covid test I had no news because it was essentially Christmas (Dec. 23) and I was in bed with China Flu

[@MarkZabel]

Yep, he died a while back. He was not well for quite a while. I think he lost a leg to diabetes around 2010.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

You cant match the feel and soul Mr.West had for the music..

[@MarkZabel]

Amen.

[@edwardarata6995]

video and audio are out of sync

[@MarkZabel]

Yeah, I just cut out 12 seconds and KZbin's editor seems to be taking out the video, but not audio. Sorry about that. It'll be fixed shortly.

[@RedroomStudios]

meh

[@robertparker-m9d]

I really enjoy your videos,that night of the guitar concert that you talk about,I was there very enjoyable. Rory Gallagher is one of my favourites only saw him once. Brilliant

[@MarkZabel]

Thanks ... and wow, that's totally cool you were there!

[@robertparker-m9d]

Yes I was there,and I went and bought the video.That concert was at the Hammersmith odeon in London.the following year a second concert took place at the town and country club which was also in London. I was at this one as well. This was a smaller venue,all standing, Hammersmith odeon was all seated. Leslie was at this venue ,much more intimate.There was a change in line up ,Jan Ackerman of focus appearing. If you have never heard of this group check out “hocus-pocus” byFocus”and practice your yodelling. He is unique.