Homeskoolin’ Volume 179, Tom Bukovac, “Big Wheel”

Uncle Larry waxes rhapsodic about interlocking all the musical puzzle pieces…in an effort to make something have “the boogie”

[@danbaird7414]

Thank you for pointing out how important the right hand is in rhythm playing. After you find the “what notes” belong together, the how, why, and when are all controlled by the right hand. And the fact is, unless you are playing in an instrumental combo, you’ll spend a minimum of 80% of your time playing rhythm. Why not put as much effort into that as we all do soloing? Ya spend more time there.

[@501chorusecho]

Preach it daniel!!!

[@stringlocker]

There's a KZbinr on here he's been on for maybe 15 years pretty popular. He mostly demos gear. When he demos the gear 90% of the time he does boring lead stuff absolutely drives me nuts. He hasn't figured out that you cannot get a true sense of what something sounds like without playing rhythm. Any amp will do lead. Rhythm is King.

[@GizzyDillespee]

@@stringlocker Hey Maestro, I once had a Rhythm King! Crappy assed drum machine, but people love it!

[@stringlocker]

What people? You have people.

[@roknfnrol]

Dan, you rock!

[@rongcup]

"Age Gracefully" - Uncle Larry love it!

[@jtaylorstudios]

Been watching this channel for a few months now. Completely addicted now. I knew eventually I’d learn what VCB stood for.

[@joshellyson]

This is a mini-master class Uncle Larry, thank you so much. In a way, you are speaking like a classical composer. In an orchestra each part perfectly fits, wheels within wheels. Well, you are a great composer. Just like those lush chords in your opening song are an example. Love the stories, taking us where most of us will never be. And lastly, as the father of two sons, i applaud you for protecting those dear ones. Good on you!

[@hurshel7]

Happy holidays to you too!!! It’s amazing to watch somebody who has an amazing depth of music in their brain !!!

[@brownsfan7753]

Thanks Tom!! Love your Burst pages!!

[@peterballotta2215]

Happy Holidays to you and the boys as well! I’ve listened almost daily since the beginning. I’m not much improved 😂, but have benefited from your videos in many ways. Much appreciated.

[@kimhebert9905]

I’ve been Funk Ty Fyd today🎶🎶At da age of 65,I’m working daily at “Aging Gracefully” Thx Larry!!

[@philroselle1514]

You always create the most beautiful vocal like melodies! Thank you Tom!!

[@rigelloar7474]

Damn! You are so deep in the pocket, I found myself dancing in my chair! What a groove!

[@stevemyers2092]

Your a good man Uncle Larry - watching you for a few months now, you have a good soul and are an extraordinary talent. Be well and I hope a wish comes true for you in the new year.

[@moody_chords]

Happy holidays dear Tom, and dear homeskoolers!!! Thank you Tom for these lessons, so many concepts and harmonies. So much fun and excitement. Thank you for this class, and thank you homeskoolers!!! Wishing you all a healthy new year, a year of healing and joy!!!

[@michaelnc4450]

Yes, great post Tom! Thanks for everything and have a great rest of the week! 👍

[@davemassie3726]

Human metronome for sure! Happy Holidays to you and the boy's. Thanks for sharing uncle Larry.

[@kodykindhart5644]

Tom You are so refreshing Keep rocking

[@CelisseMusic]

I am unbelievably inspired by your playing. Your feel and fullness of tone in every single note is really moving. Thank you.

[@scottpickett9779]

I had just finished an episode of VGG and caught this fine dissertation on the dynamics of rhythm playing. Thanks Uncle Larry !

[@yellowtruckproductions7502]

Thanks Tom!

[@RussShirley1]

Great ramblings Tom, and happy holidays to you too!

[@sametsean]

Love being along for the journey! You are constantly experimenting with purpose. Lots of people are constantly experimenting, but I don’t get the sense that everyone experiments with as much intention and consideration as you do. Another great lesson to learn!

[@georgejungle2255]

Glad things are going so good for you uncle Larry. So many concerts and sessions this year and out of country shows. Your a very hard worker and great person and entertainer. Can’t wait for next year.

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

I hope you and your family get to have a great Christmas together this year Tom. And thanks for another year filled with musings and music. I'll have to check out the burst book. It reminds me of the old car books I collected as a kid... Everything is just one step away from my grasp!!! Cheers.

[@thejames9681]

Thanks again for the useful insight about coming up with complementary parts. I reminds me of when I began to realize the difference between being a bedroom guitar player and a guitar player in a band. Also, The White Album was the first record I decided to put on the record player as a 10 year old, and I still love it....

[@clodehamelin]

This opening is simply magnificent, pretty cool! And your time! I like the silences as much as the notes. And that is the mark of great art. I love you man! Best friendly regards from a musician from Montreal

[@chrisbrowning6102]

The many musical moods of Uncle Larry. You've got a deep well of melodic ideas and sounds, Tom.

[@superreality3823]

It is icy here this morning in Scotland and Uncle Larry descends with some warming soulful rhythm wisdom...Uncle Larry has taught us so well that when he started describing the Big Wheel my mind turned to the White Album seconds before he mentioned it. No words of thanks can cover it.

[@rylieriley]

I've never heard a RIc sound better. And those Ric toasters are always fantastic. You're so right about keeping your kids safe. Always... ALWAYS keep your kids safe. Nothing is more important. There's so much great advice in this video, I'll have to watch it more than once to make sure I got it all. Congrats on getting into the book, that's so awesome.

[@paulivey4563]

That stuff about what it's supposed to feel like finding your sonic space and being a cog in the wheel as the song rolls through is pure gold. Only the guys that have been in the trenches get it. Listening to the band and helping that wheel turn is the essence of just being a decent human being. Thanks for putting that out there. That, along with the other content graciously provided in this video makes it one my favorites, thus far. The Earth Wind and Fire funk was absolutely... funky. Amazing vid.

[@cletussea-ray944]

Master class.. thank you Uncle Larry

[@jdejames]

Uncle Larry Finally got around to listening to Trip lp. GodDon't know what to say other than Wow! Love it. Thank You

[@craigs19721972]

Love you Tom!!!

[@alienfretboy]

Recently picked up both Plexi Soul and Trip the Witch on Bandcamp. Highly recommended. Both excellent. Melodic and catchy instrumental music with tasty, memorable riffs and licks. Incredibly warm sumptuous guitar tones. Sounds like a rich stew of analog goodness. Tom just killing it!! Oh yeah, also on Trip the Witch there’s a tune featuring none other than the great Jon Anderson of Yes on vocals. Bravo !!!

[@randyrothschild7340]

What da’ funk! That was a very cool R&B buffet you knocked out. Loved it!

[@michaeldarrin2026]

I was pleased to hear you mention the song by the Beatles "Martha my dear", one of my all time favorites, and talk about "sic" guitar rhythm playing, wow...Again showing us how it is really done...Bravo Uncle Larry.

[@hollylewis5302]

Congrats on being in that beautiful book! That's awesome!

[@deadtothewxrld]

I’ve watched this 3x now. Such a great lesson on what really matters in music.

[@MR-ug5cu]

Damn, that was great. Absolute nastiness is all that comes to my mind after hanging out with Uncle Larry for the past 20 minutes!

[@kodykindhart5644]

Fantastic

[@andreadedo1363]

So great! Thank you so much

[@potatomcfetus1205]

I learned that I need to learn more David Bowie and put together an arrangement for Martha My Dear. Thank you, señor!

[@eddiefay988]

Love your talent, your willingness to share and break it down. Most of all, I love that you seem so relaxed and unpretentious, plus you’ve got a library of knowledge in your noggin’, and you exude talent through your fingers, you obviously love music, and you come across as extremely friendly. I feel like I’m a better person after watching/hearing you, Uncle Larry. Thank you!

[@501chorusecho]

Thank you bro bro

[@vancenorsworthy4773]

My favorite HomeSkoolin’ episode!! Thanks Uncle Lawrence 😊. From Beatle IQ and Martha My Dear to James Brown to John Fogerty, advice to grow old gracefully, all while jamming a Rickenbacker like it’s a toy, to admission of guitar hoarding, and Burst Believers, “The Club,” Bowie rhythm genius snippets, and a humble sign-off thinking he didn’t really say much in 20 minutes. Well Tom, you did. You really did.

[@hangtite87]

What a cool lesson in life and music. Thank you!

[@jsantos1104]

My Trip the Witch vinyl and t-shirt arrived in the mail today. It came at the perfect time because it’s been a shit week. When the turn table started spinning all was right in the world again. Thanks Uncle Larry.

[@piktormusic2538]

Good perspectives on parts serving the song. Loved “age gracefully” advice.

[@ratcliffek]

Not afraid to admit it, when I was a kid (in the 80’s) I loved listening to all the shredders, and I furiously tried to emulate what they were doing. I cringe soo hard when I listen back to that stuff now. Ultimately, I count those years as wasted and missed opportunities to really learn and practice what matters most. Reclaiming those lost years now. Here on this channel, especially

[@IamtheActionman]

Brilliant!

[@guitarz]

The joy I see in you coming home from a long day at work playing your guitar to then pickup your guitar after dinner and continue to play your guitar is pure inspiration Uncle Larry. Name another profession for example that someone would do this... i,e...the shoe maker who has no shoes Cheers buddy

[@theelectricvoyage]

The description notes are absolutely fabulous.

[@gregmock6808]

This was awesome!

[@BizarrePudding]

It's funny - even though I find you to be an intimidating musician and guitar player (I'd never play guitar in your presence unless I was paying you to overlook my lack of skills) every time I tune in to your channel I ALWAYS wind up picking up my guitar I guess that's the essence of inspiration - knowing I''ll never be as good as you are yet still feeling compelled to keep going after hearing you play So thanks Tom and Happy Holidays to you and yours

[@jlore6344]

Oooooh the Bowie riffs were great!!! Big congrats on gettin into the book too. Great guitar face photo in there with the guitars. Nice!

[@jaycoyoyo]

Great episode, Uncle Larry!

[@nortin1o]

dude it is 11;25 on the west coast here . just got home from a good jam we are all over 65 and coming home to hear you is iceing o n the cake sleep well Tom we love you

[@LowTone73]

Love this video and all the things covered in it and really dig the jam you start playing around the 13:24 mark. 🤘🏼 Also looking forward to finally seeing you in Nashville next week at the show!!

[@jtcolecomedy]

Hey Tom! Just got tix for Church of the Cosmic Skull next year. Also acquired Unsung Heroes by the Dregs and Welcome to the Club by Ian Hunter on vinyl all thanks to your videos. Thanks for another year of skool!

[@BorostateBlues]

Tommy, Tommy, great show, stuffed with knowledge

[@jitsroller]

Had fun Tom. Great jamming, just killer.

[@ShaneCarpenter]

Love that funky playin’ Uncle Larry… had me dancin’ & groovin’ all over my kitchen while cooking. More of that funky goodness please!

[@mimisounds2843]

what were you cooking?

[@ShaneCarpenter]

@@mimisounds2843 Piri-piri chicken, sweet potatoes and cauliflower... twas delish! I watch your videos all the time, you've been killin' it! Congrats on reaching over 100 million views... not many KZbinrs have reached that milestone, let alone many in the guitar niche. On your current trajectory, you should hit 1 million subscribers by August to September of next year, not bad from 3K subscribers in February 2021. Keep up the good work!

[@rb-zm9fu]

Tom... this was the best and most valuable lesson yet ( followed closely by the triad lesson) . I remember playing in bands and writing as a younger guy and looking back now and thinking "why so many notes? why so busy and so loud? maybe its testosterone i dont know, but it takes a long time to learn. I equate myself now as the onions and garlic ( im a bass player) simmering with the drummer being the oil and heat. Time to write a song using only one note. Bukovac from Mississauga

[@donaldryder5534]

Another master class!

[@jackfake9608]

Equally impressed by the guitar playing and by the parenting wisdom!

[@scottjustin5271]

Tom, it’s 3:18 am here in wonderful Eastlake, Oh. This video is a keeper for life on some of the most tasteful guitar playing ever! I know you here this all the time but amazing playing. Love your channel, your music, when we jammed in my parents garage with Andy on keys it was great then and fantastic to see how you developed into a true world class person and musician.

[@mikedr1549]

Haha - Wickliffe Oh here.

[@limpindug]

Tom away from music, we all know your class, now speaking of Marshall you are so on point it makes you an exceptional adult. 10/10. Thanks. 👍👍👍👍👍🥃 Respect to you mate

[@stratcat9432]

Unlocking the late night classroom door for a beautiful lesson in taste and touch. Thank you Uncle Larry!

[@timitbiscuit3620]

I was listening to Harry Nillson "Without You" which in my opinion may be one of the greatest vocal performances of all time. Then I realized that the guy probably (especially Harry) only ever, sang the song once. Cause I heard it was first take. Imagine that for a minute. Thank god for recording. One damn time and that was it for life. Crazy.

[@jeffalexander2305]

I was watching a video where someone was interviewing Prince and they asked him about “music” and he answered”I am music!” . Bro, you are music..through and through. Professional race car drivers all do the same thing. They have mastered the art of the left hand turn. Watching you play would be like watching a driver doing donuts around the track at 180mph 200 times and winning the race! Fantastic! Like the card says, Rock on!

[@joeldowdy404]

Merry Christmas Uncle Larry!!

[@mikemackenziemusic]

One of the best episodes yet and would love to see you jam that kind of stuff with Greg Koch!

[@dennydabbs9272]

Killing it Tom. I always enjoy your melodic melodies but it's also nice to hear you jam with some rockabilly funk. That's what I'm calling it. Just amazing. Bringing it all together. I heard a short interview with Gene Simmons on the Detroit Rock City bass line and I never really paid attention to it before then. Love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for all you do Uncle Larry!

[@devindoherty184]

you're the man tom!

[@averagefreeloader178]

Lil EWF Shining Star vibes there Larry, love it!

[@BRAG450]

Hey uncle Larry just wanted to mention Spotify has a list of the most listened to songs you play every year with a 2022 wrapped playlist and Trip the witch was on mine twice for Blacklight and planet td1. Just a cool feature and wanted to say thanks for all you do man.

[@robmillsap]

Love that Sarah Jarosz! Saw Jedd on tour with her years back. I can't wait to hear your contributions.

[@skidrowe68]

Great musician , even better parent!

[@alecschingel1621]

Love Sarah Jarosz! Discovered her thru the punch brothers. Im excited to see what her record becomes, especially now that she has some of Nashville's finest pickers working with her.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

The art of rhythm playing, complimentary parts that enhances the whole, definitely not 'strumming'! John Fogerty is such a legend, his playing is so on the money

[@guitareveryone]

“I have to get rid of 10 guitars” You’ll only buy back 10 more Uncle Larry! It’s an addiction brother, but you know that. All of us guitar addicts love ya brother!! Love this episode too! Keep ‘em coming!!

[@markdouglas1994]

Okay, that second guitar breakdown is why I watch (in addition to the great stories and Uncle Larry's charming personality!) - but there was a lot there I will be borrowing for sure. His foot tapping there... great stuff and the discussion on the rhythm you all have already nailed and way underappreciated, but Uncle Larry sets the record straight. FAME!!! (and yes, agree White Album is all you need... and love, of course).

[@jonnybeck6723]

Love it when you get funky

[@581937]

Tom, I thought the exact same thing right before you said it, he comes home from a hard day at work playing guitar, and cracks a beer and plays guitar. That's cool!

[@rowemo]

That tone!!!!!

[@markreddoch6047]

Uncle Larry is 🔥 on this one!

[@TheYearThree]

I enjoyed watching Funkle Larry on this one ;-)

[@raymckenzie7189]

"Nice Burst there, ya?". YA!!

[@mpw621]

Uncle Larry is getting into some nice jazz music. I like it a lot!

[@Guitar5986]

That is so cool your burst is in the Burst Believers book! I was pleasantly surprised to see my '53 Goldtop in the Goldtop Believers book. Vic DaPra is awesome

[@tomcoryell]

I totally respected the move of putting Marshall just outside of the frame. Gotta protect Larry Junior. Sweet skanky rhythm Mr. B! Some day I’ll learn how to play guitar!

[@gene42]

Waddy Wachtel! What a great guitarist!

[@davidt9841]

Hi Tom! Hope you’re doing well! You’re right about the kids.. gotta protect ‘em! Carry On!

[@Nordic_Sky]

Just stumbled across a video of you killing it doing Zep with Ann Wilson. Great stuff.

[@matthewnadolski6692]

Tracking with my Empress Eq, thanks Larry.

[@texpig13]

Ready to stream the big show!!!

[@michaeljames6216]

Man TB you timing is perfect. Just everything I'm thinking to myself do I want to ask Uncle Larry what he has for sale and he is playing me a tune to think to. Man I miss good songs like that.

[@gtr1952]

Tommy, you have no idea what an honor it is being able to spend this precious time with you!! The places you've taken us and things we got to experience first hand!! I can't thank you enough my friend!! There are so many things I don't know, rhythm guitar is not one of those. LOL When I was 18, I got hired into a family country rock band when the singer and rhythm guitar player broke his hand, arm and collar bone all at the same accident, same time! Ouch!! I got hired on Monday morning, practice was Wednesday evening, then the gig's started! Thursday night, Friday happy hour, then night, Saturday wedding, then gig that night. Sunday open air Festival at a state park, then back to a gig Sunday night. Mon, Tues off. There were no set list's, I hardly knew what key everything was in (drummer click click on the rim and go), and BTW, everyone gets a mic to sing harmony, and everyone is expected to sing a minimum 5 songs/night. 18 years old, first band gig! I was terrified!! I was on the verge of a panic attack! And I've got my Guild S100 oxblood and a new-to-me Fender 80w Silver Face Twin w/JBL's that I never turned on yet!! That amp was 100+ lbs and I pulled a nut dragging it up stairs into the joint!! They all laughed their asses off. I spent the next 15 years learning rhythm guitar, harmony and how not to suck too bad singing. LOL They kept me at full share when the singer healed up (10 months!!) and we all became good friends, and a tight 5 piece C&R band! I also filled in on Bass once in a while, and even a dozen nights on drums. I also found, bought and played badly a 1950 Fender lap steel, that led to some unofficial lessons on pedal steel. Even some mandolin and tenor guitar that was fun. 3 of the guys have since passed away, I've learned losing dear friends is part of being 70. There might just be a song in that line someplace. 8( It felt kind of good to tell this story, that hasn't happened in a long time. But if it gets rude/hurtful comments I'm going to take it down. Thanks for listening my Uncle Larry brothers and sisters. I hope ya'll have a great day, and big thanks to Uncle Larry!! 8) --gary

[@michaelgranka7904]

Great story man. No rude or hate comments on the home skoolin page.

[@gbarge4]

It's all good, 1952. Great story. I'm 1958, myself. There's always a song in our life lines. It's a feeling game.

[@alexbostelle287]

....another reason we would vote for you for president, your integrity is beyond reproach....concerning keeping your son's presence understated👍great parenting in these times of massive upheaval.

[@vbros7]

I could watch this shit all night...

[@vaughnhollund5316]

Yes, cool lesson in arrangement and finding parts And that Rickenbacker sounds awesome Big fan of Sarah Jaroz here Played a few covers of her for a folk gig once Great folk bluegrass song writer and artist

[@lescaster2179]

The idea of big band, all fitting into their spaces, immediately brings Tedeschi Trucks to mind. Derek is a phenomenal player, but also a great on-stage producer (if that's the right word)... So much going on, at times, but it all seems made to lift up the song in very well orchestrated way. I appreciate how he frequently walks the stage during the night to listen in more closely on everything that's being laid down in those spaces.

[@stevenbeecheymusic]

Such a killer sounding guitar