Homeskoolin’ Volume 16, Tom Bukovac, “Bon Temps Rouler”

A brief discussion on having children.... from the perspective of a lifelong guitar player.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

That intro!!!!!

[@BelowAverageGuitarist]

Levels. He’s on up there 👆🏻

[@mikegreen2417]

Just watched his 100th episode had to come back and watch this one again. Blows me away I think I've watched this episode 100 times

[@Danielrunion]

Oh jeez. A "Home Skoolin'" sign at the intro? Production value is skyrocketing!

[@johnfrenette]

Dan Runion soon there’s going to be an even fancier ladder in the background

[@darrellrobinson9354]

Mick and Dan from That Pedal Show sent me here. Not disappointed.

[@501chorusecho]

awwww....did the lads mention me on the show?

[@BV_Beve]

@@501chorusecho yes Tom we mentioned you on the show, I put your channel link in the chat (I am the moderator on That Pedal Show) drop in the chat if you are able to on a Monday usually between 17.00 - 17.30 UK time start! ... and post pandemic if you are ever back in the UK drop in the That Pedal Show studio Dan & Mick the whole crew would be stoked to make a video with you. You and family stay safe ! BV

[@michaelbast8250]

@@BV_Beve Yes ------PLEASE!

[@dubshockmedia1110]

That would be wicked

[@billsherrington5996]

Me too!

[@jerrymcp]

Tom ain't lying about the fact he's sold all his session friends their fav guitars and basses! I've bought about a half a dozen myself. The best shopping accident I had was when I went to his house to buy a $200 Japanese solid body with gold foils and ended up buying a $20K 1960 335 dot neck. But it's the BEST guitar I've EVER owned in my life. Man, I miss doing sessions with this guy! Let's get this virus over with!

[@lieut89]

You got a nice shout out from "That Pedal Show" this morning!

[@garylarocca6901]

So sick... I still listen to this jam after a year. Thanks Uncle Larry

[@gfunkk]

There's a lot of amazing homeskoolin jams out there but I think this one is still my favorite.

[@CerealDust-nStuff]

Same here.

[@charlietaylor8813]

All these videos are absolute gold. The lessons, stories and outlook in these are exactly what the world needs more of.

[@3GCMusic]

“Little Tommy Bukovac” that shit always makes me laugh. I now ask my wife “wanna watch today’s Little Tommy Bukovac show”. Haha

[@beneldridge7678]

Runner up prize - Skype lesson with Lil’ Tommy Bukovac? Loved the opening jam on this one. Sweet second line groove.

[@Tonyscalo]

Tom, I've always struggled with that speed exercise and you just dropped the secret that has now unleashed the beast. Start on an up-stroke! Holy crap-I can do it now!!

[@coryspence6839]

Hey Tom -- if you're needing a little filler sometime, will you tell the story about your Rig Rundown experience? 1. How'd they contact you? 2. I just assume everyone in Nashville knows each other -- did you know John Bohlinger previously? 3. Did they book your time in the studio or were you already doing a session there? 4. Do you watch Rig Rundown? Ever pick up any tricks from other guitarists? 5. Did you geek out and bring anything that you normally wouldn't just because it's Rig Rundown? 6. Do you have any gear that never leaves the house -- too scared something might happen to it? 7. How long did it take to shoot and how many people are behind the scenes? 8. Anything cool or unusual happen? Also, everyone on the Internet collectively agrees that you should throw some of that big Homeskoolin' money at a new case/shelf for your heads -- that thing swayed like a secondhand Ikea bookshelf...

[@creightonrealty8706]

I come back and listen to this jam every once in awhile. Such soulful playing and phrasing plus a kick ass strat tone, looks to be plugged into an old tweed amp.

[@DreaNEO]

Whatching again for the ×# time...THANKS BUK!!!

[@monster5608]

The beginning soundtrack to this lesson MADE me open a beer faster than I ever had. THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS WITH THE GUITAR AND FUNK! Thank you for all you do Uncle Tommy

[@bertgetner9397]

LOL. You mean Uncle Larry!

[@monster5608]

@@bertgetner9397 Yes! Larry!

[@hecrivera2670]

There it is. I was starting to worry we wouldn’t get one today 😂

[@Bassnut59]

Your tempo is spot on. I’m a tempo freak, and even when you slowed down your run on this video, your tempo was still spot on. That’s a gift right there. I was raised a classically trained band geek, and tempo was everything. It’s the one thing I’ve noticed throughout all of your videos. It’s that built in metronome thing, and you definitely have it. It’s only one of the many reasons for your success as a session man. Thanks a thousand times over for the great videos...it’s so good for the soul.

[@theguitarstudio]

hey Tom, that funky New Orleans groove reminded me a lot of Ry Cooder's playing, I really love that funky rhythm playing with some cool licks in the mix. Great stuff man

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

Your playing is multigrain bread. In every clip and passage (and I've KZbind a lot of them) there is so much nutrition and fiber for me to process. It's very healthy and makes my playing stronger. I butter go jam on my guitar now before I get too romantic. By the way the face you made after "father to be" made me spit out my coffee.

[@Skipster18]

monkeybanana - I'm stuck picturing you processing your fiber.

[@tadhgleahy2264]

Love this jam, should be the homeskoolin' theme tune. I entered the contest and followed the first of rules if thats cool Tom! Question: Wondering what albums you played on that you're happy with and you'd recommend listening too?

[@miller8084]

I have been playing a long time (got away from it when kids were younger) and just have to say you have a fantastic blend of information and entertainment. The little things you do and HOW you do them have a precision of a surgeon while employing the mastery of a magician. Really enjoying this channel and letting my guitar friends know about you in Atlanta!

[@travistalbertguitar]

Love and share your sentiments about having kids being the best part of life. I don't look at my time as limited, but you're absolutely right that you have to just get to the guitar whenever you can. I love the moments when your kids have wandered in on these episodes and you just invite them to say hey. I do the same thing with my girls when they take interest in what I'm working on. Keep up the good work on all fronts sir.

[@jonathanmackie4884]

Came here after mention on That Pedal Show. Stayed for the chat and the tips. Liked it all (especially the parenting bit, father at 42 here, you are spot on with the comments). Subbed, notifications on. Stay safe, stay healthy - from the UK.

[@ronshalita]

Tom, You are wise beyond your years... loved what you said about kids and you are so right!!! i had my daughter at 65, and she is now 7.. .. lucky me, i play music at 3 AM everyday then I take care of her the rest of the day till the afternoon when i get to play again .. been a great life ! played pro for years till i settled down now i only play for myself.. hey love your videos thank you Ron

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Similar to you Tom. I had my daughter at 46. I'm now 56 years old with a 10 year old. Late starter dad I call it. Love it though. Best gig in the world. I got a lot of LIttle Feat from that jam. Felt good in the veins..

[@slk3rd205]

Hey Tom, started watching AFTER LIFE on your suggestion. What a wonderful, deep, insightful series! Well worth the time to watch. You're such a font of awesomeness!

[@aaronlalli3730]

This a fave on my Playlist that intro is bad ass & beautiful.

[@g_and_kikos_studio]

Tom I'm totally addicted to Homeskoolin. I'm 40 years old I started playing guitar when I was 13, also I just had my first child 5 months ago. Your so right. Kids make u selfless. And they do repay everything u put in. I love the guitar because I feel like it's Limitless, you can always find a new path to go down with it. And Homeskoolin has breathed new life into my playing and I just love the show. Keep it up. Thanks for the advice and wisdom...✌🎸

[@woodenheaddad]

Love this. I called the journey of our three kids as, ‘the slow dissolution of self.’ And I also do not regret it. Losing them to adulthood now. Wow.

[@georgemerkofficial]

Tom, your channel is pure gold. Sorry I only discovered it a few days ago. All the best from Switzerland.

[@ericbrewerguitar1499]

Feeling some Nawlins combined with Sun Studios vibe on that intro jam. Yessir!

[@SevenDeeone]

I saw that also. I was just about to say I think it's amazing how many people are mentioning little Tommy bukovac from cleveland and all his tips and advice. Timing and your pocket are always everything... My man Buk...Respect...

[@KleyDeJong]

Imagine its 1986. Your name is Angela McChesney. Young Tommy Bukovac from Cleveland asks you to to go to Homecoming with him. What a beautiful thing...

[@3GCMusic]

Kley De Jong 😂😂😂

[@kevinafflack]

Hey Unkle Larry! Enjoy the show so much. I've been playing all my life but I love it when you play things different than how I've always been thinking. Those little nuggets are "aha" moments and good brain food. Just wanted to say thanks!

[@OmppuOinonen]

I had my first child when I was 41, now my son (Ilmari) is 7 years old. Before that, I played guitar for 2 to 6 hours a day, start at age 10. When Ilmari was born, my playing time dropped to 2 to 6 hours a month. At first I was shocked but little by little I get used to it. And like you said, having your own kids is the best thing in life. Nowadays, I get to play a lot more already. Thanks for these great videos.

[@delv2473]

that intro just made me smile and change my hole grumpy mood I have been in all day , Thanks

[@ryangunwitch-black]

On the subject of having kids... I thought that possibility had long passed me by and I was just getting comfortable with the idea of being lonely and alone. I had my weekends free to do whatever I wanted and sometimes didn't speak to another human being for 48 hours straight. Then I met my fiancee. A girl with a 4 yr old kid. I found myself giving up those weekends without a single thought or regret, just to hang out with that kid. Up at 6am on a Saturday to go to soccer games. Sticking around to get her to bed at night. And loving it. I still find time to play guitar but that kid and her mom are my world.

[@AndyDacoulis]

Man ! That opening solo was soooo good. I almost choked on my popsicle.

[@frankclarke3689]

I've been jumping around watching various episodes of Homeskoolin' with the utmost of enjoyment and respect! Thank you, Uncle Larry! But I have to say, your praise of Jacob Collier has added a whole new level to my appreciation of YOU!

[@defcrew7435]

Really entertaining fellow and quite a player. New to your channel. Thx for doing it.

[@genephillips4809]

Tom... you are now one of my new favourite guitarists!

[@Bdimb]

Good gotdam!!! So glad I found this one. It's like Ry Cooder playing Western Swing-a-billy with balls. Or something.

[@markbraun5385]

Tom, your Home Skoolin' videos are rife with humor, humanity, and insight......oh yeah, and then there's your unrelenting musicality and glimpses into the life of a Session Man.....all served with a healthy dose of humility......could you speak to the importance of facial expressions when making music? Thank you for the gift of Home Skoolin'.

[@ShadeHope1969]

I go back on all these videoa and learn something new everytime. I freakin love it !!!

[@stevehughes1510]

Very Ry Tom................lurv that man..........lowdown and groovin'...........I'll be playing along all day to this...........thanks sooo murch!!

[@staylor537]

The Peavey Special 130 was my main "Work Horse" amp ! I had the one year they had 130 Watts RMS ... Talk about cutting through the drums and bass ! It had the saturation on it but, played mostly country and I barely could get it above 3 ever ! I couldn't afford a tube amp and the other guitarist sold me it for $150.00 . I was using a 67 Fender Princeton with just 12 Watts but what a tone ! I also was using my Ibanez I got in 84.. I traded a Schecter Strat I paid $250.00 for from a music store and we had a store called Pied Piper where he got the Roadstar lll ($1195.00) it still had price tag on it ! With taping pups .. The pups were closer together than a LP and through the Princeton I was borrowing it sounded great out front ! I got a "Book" on Hotels,Motels,& Road Shows ! You have some killer seasoned licks bro ! I SAY ROCK ON TOM !

[@josephcorcoran8714]

idontwanttohearaboutitlater Same here about the 130. I kept mine until last year.

[@jonasgrundsted1977]

Loving todays loop man! Sounds very Ry Cooder-ish. Thanks for the cool licks and the fatherhood perspective. I have always practised guitar and played music where my kids could see and hear it. Today my teenage son is a pretty cool drummer and he plays a few guitar chords. Lets influence those kids with some real Rock’n’roll 🤪🎸🥁👍 - Best regards -Jonas

[@justinguitarcia]

Love the Little Feet / Dr John vibe on that opening jam

[@srisidvicious]

The sign adds a new level of sophistication to this great series. Kudos to your kids

[@mowensong1]

Those two note/double stop bends are money. So tasty. Jay Graydon started the Peg solo with the same technique (I always thought he was sliding until I saw Tim Pierce's video/interview). I real ear bender to work on. Thanks as always, Tom!

[@KeenanCastello]

Tom, I love your show, you've answered question throughout the episodes that I have wondered about for years. Thank you for keeping your show down to earth.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Tom, thanks for the speed lesson. I don’t think about my picking and realized that I’m not strictly alternate picking, more economy picking, which is a bad habit and slows down the momentum of this roll. The devil is in the details, thanks for the showing us that it starts with an upstroke 👍

[@stratnut]

Tom, I'm learning so much from your videos. Your rythmn playing is killer and blends perfectly with your lead playing. Great stuff, many thanks

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

Chapters 00:00 - Loop intro 01:56 - Welcome / Contest Videos 02:48 - Viewer Comment Bin / Alternate picking 03:27 - Speed 05:26 - Alternate picking lick lesson 07:26 - Balance fatherhood and guitar playing 10:24 - John Oates and Fender amp 11:58 - Strong ear 13:56 - Lousiana groove lesson

[@tonybrooks476]

Welcome to a truck load of subscribers courtesy of That Pedal Show.

[@lenbraunling2037]

I love this lesson. I keep playing it over and over and each time I pick up some cool little lick or technique.

[@BFromUpNorth]

How does a 15 min video last almost 1/2 hr? At the 2 min mark I keep puttin it back to 0:00 to listen to that great opening over and over again. Loved it.

[@mattcampbellmusicco.8532]

I really enjoyed this episode, Tom. I'm only 24 and my lady and I just had our son, Owen about 9 months ago. He's our first. It's been a stressful ride trying to start out as a dad, and start out as a musician. But so far, it has been the most rewarding thing in my life, just like you said. It's cool to hear from other parents in the industry and hear their perspectives. It's a cool club to be in.

[@garygordon8660]

Hi Tom , Thanks today's homeskoolin was right on . Love today's guitar jam in D. Absolutely melodic magic. So Bitchen.

[@TNNLZ]

Dammit - Now you got me jonesin’ for Rolling Rock... usually utilize Rainer as my light beer. Love the show - Thanks!

[@stuart_rose]

Making kids is the best bit. I sang and played guitar to my daughters in the womb and never stopped playing around them. I love browsing and jamming in guitar shops with my 21yo now, well, pre-pandemic... She has expensive taste so she can start buying her own gear!

[@jimspencer4413]

Lowell George, & Dr. John are high fivin’ that saucy intro from upstairs, and Ry Cooder and about 50K of your fans are, too, but from closer to the ground! It’s great!

[@janders3205]

Instantly brought me back to learning off of Wolf records...sent me back man. Keep rollin’

[@deangoritz9625]

Gotta tell ya Tom, I'm a casualty of Fatherhood, 14 yrs ago when I was 38 (same age) I had my boy. Pretty much laid the axe down. Got 2 chillens now (boy n girl) and ya know its al good.But never too late to pick it up again. Love ya brother, class of 86 rule

[@clubput-in-bay3555]

Tommy I watch every episode and it means so much. Thank you!

[@501chorusecho]

bob gatewood awwwwwwwww bobby

[@brbadge]

Once again Tom proving every space on the guitar can be used to full effect!

[@MrHitthespot]

I think through practice and time you can learn to have a good ear, but some people are just born with an unbelievable ear. I was doing a session at Suma recording once and like three chords into the song the engineer Paul stopped us and said your G string is out of tune. I said dude I just tuned. I checked it and sure enough it was slightly out. How he could hear that with everything going on was un-real. Paul passed away I think last year, His dad recorded many of the Grand Funk albums. I just missed Joe Walsh by seconds one day. I will miss that place a lot. I'm a few years behind you, when you mentioned picking the needle, OMG. Pick it up and move it back over and over and over, just to learn one lead. Kids will never know. Then you come home and find out your little brother Steve just tore up your brand new Turn table cartridge for the 5th time. The Jam was excellent Tom, please keep them coming!

[@brownsfan7753]

I really look forward to watching your vids everyday! Thanks for sharing your love of music with us all!!

[@AaronLS.]

I have a 5 and a 2 year old. My advice for practicing is to wake up early and get it in before they're up. Like Tom said, at the end of the night you're too tired to be productive. Also be aware that the first year is usually rough will sleep. So organized practice probably won't happen. I'd follow Tom's advice and get it in when ever you can. And get a shitty acoustic you can leave out so you can get quick hits.

[@Guitargate]

What a hot track.

[@MrThunders66]

Tom I remember selling a magna tone amp to Marc Ford from the black crowes and the next night he said watch Letterman I will play it. Very cool guy. And down to earth.

[@ilanr2307]

Hey Tom, I have to say, you are inspiring and motivating as hell. Raw human, empathetic, honest, self-aware lessons, that is hard to find. It’s been years since I can’t let go of my guitar, learning things by ear again, exploring music and most importantly, focusing on the right way to play. Evidently, I did need to hear some hard truths about everything I though about me as a “guitar player”: priceless lesson. I have thought about what you mentioned about meaningful, expressive playing for a couple of days. For long, I’ve been stuck at a point where I can decently play over a tune and learn something new in a day or two, but creating my own riffs just seems far away from where I am and it becomes very hard and frustrating process. You've mentioned knowing the fretboard to achieve complete freedom but my question is: do you sing in your head and then play? Or you just start playing and complement as you go? How do you balance that? What theory about chords you believe is crucial for that? Anyway, I am just profoundly thankful that I found this channel a few weeks ago and can’t wait to keep practicing, understanding the length of the process and most importantly, enjoying it. Keep up the music/life lessons.

[@muckinfunday]

I've played for 50 plus years, and alternate picking was one of the best things I learned to do. It's really important!

[@cesarpicco6398]

I have to say I absolutely love these! Thanks a ton and keep the Rolling Rocks coming.

[@Haku_records]

Top 3 uncle tommy episodes

[@nikuman8058]

Just stumbled upon these vids :) my oh my what a joy to hear you play and share your stories

[@angryshoebox]

3:47 Cool! I remember those fashions and hairstyles(class of '86 here).

[@thomaszonkowski2115]

One more thing a Tom, Sarah Genesis cover is due!

[@Ottotune]

Cool - improving production values 😁. Tom - don't get too out of control. It's one of the things that makes your show special. Thanks for the insights. Are you self taught? Instrument matchmaker? Just like your buddy - Joe Walsh selling Jimmy Page his no. 2 and giving Pete Townshend his Who's Next rig?

[@rottalmusik6563]

What a tune, thanks Tom you saved my Morning 🤘🏻❤️

[@garybird4062]

YOU NAILED THE PARENT LIFE!!!!! Good one Tom!

[@michaeljames6216]

Nice Sign and Loving that sweet Intro Jam. Funny how Family can always tell you some of the painful truth haha...

[@novabluerocks]

Hey Tom! You’re such an inspiring musician. Thank you for the videos. I had a learning curve with this riff because I’m not a great finger picker. But I stuck with it and Bam!...I started to get it. What a great feeling that is! When all a sudden you have a breakthrough like that. Wouldn’t you agree? It doesn’t matter what level of playing you’re at. When you start to get something that was hard, it feels so good. I’m also such a fan of New Orleans style grooves anyway. Keep rockin!

[@frogdogify]

I’ve been wanting to learn this ever since I heard Joe B hammering on it thank you so much.

[@dmz140]

This intro just made me smile. Thanks.

[@hamiltonmackenzie3340]

Holy fook bro - you continue to amaze and inspire ❤️ Best guitar site on the internet 💋

[@cliveclive54]

More than anything Tom,you are an awesome human being \m/

[@9757261]

I went back to lesson 1, there is so much here to learn, thank you. I saw the Gordon Mote vid you posted. You have any more of those you you could post as well. What a monster. I see why you talk so highly of these guys you play with.

[@eugenestein278]

Hi Tom. Another inspiring video. Thanks for sharing the great licks and awesome playing. Just had a question. Have you ever cross paths with Julian Lage? I would love to see the two of you jam together sometime on stage. Love the prom pic! Ever play a gig where you had to wear a sky blue tuxedo with frills?

[@WillyKidd]

Dang son, that NOLA groove is tasty! I'm getting some Chuck Berry vibes from the licks you played over top of it, like a swingin' horn section. Thanks for the myriad wisdom. Wish I'd had the chance to buy a guitar from your store before it closed.

[@francoisrousseau7893]

My favorite improv of the series

[@shilesw5324]

Loved that New Orleans jam and your videos in general. How about a video where you show how you dial in your amps and how you use the knobs on the guitar? Keep on keepin' on.

[@g8trdone]

The action guys always have the best stank face! ThanQ Buk!

[@chrisvantassel8867]

Ha, when I first met you Sarah was pregnant and you were sweating it, I remember telling you something similar to what you have said in this vid. Nothing better than the little rug rats!! I am still blown away at how well spoken and smart Marshall is, I think he was 4 when I met him and he spoke better than my 11 year old at the time. I am sure Leo is the same.

[@christophersambuco9414]

I'm real late to the Homeskoolin party, and I've been trying to catch up binge watching. Every time it's a whole different kind of cool stuff...but this thing may have out-cooled everything. I could listen to this all day. How much deeper can that well of cool playing possibly be?

[@justinbassey1127]

Your statement of being a dad couldn’t be more true!

[@nothingmuchado]

Another great, and more abstract, store teller is Leo Kottke. He says he started telling them to fill in while he was tuning between songs. Love your stories too!

[@dbltap3332]

Tommy you’re just a cool cat brother! Nice change of pace man, thank you

[@gvbjr.6693]

I hear talk about these fierce guitarists and I say “ you mean like Tom Bukovac”!

[@BelowAverageGuitarist]

Great job! One of the best episodes