How I play Take it Easy

The first of a series of instructional videos about how I play the lead styles of some of my biggest influences.

[@davyhendrix]

good job ! I play my own solo with some of the same licks but played at different positions on the neck

[@barryhaun7024]

Loved the ending riff

[@hughpate7083]

thanks for the ideas on the intro....GREAT JOB!!!!!

[@pauladouglass9456]

Ps. I love how at the end you weren't quite sure so you played with several options. To me, That's way better than a canned perfected tutorial because it drives home to me the possibilities and that it's ok to use them to suit my own skill level. Thanks again.

[@mitchsmith6365]

Awesome Paula. Thank you so much for the feedback.

[@sarasal99]

Totally agree ! and and you stated it much better than I did on another comment ,

[@RackNRoLLFarms]

Thank you! Could not find a single tutorial that addresses those first few notes on the electric... I've got the acoustic down but want to overlay with a Tele...great job. You made it "Easy" ;)

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thank you for the feedback! I'm glad this was helpful for you

[@timaddison707]

Good tutorial, as others have pointed out this is a Bernie Leadon masterpiece in soloing over the changes

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thank you Tim. A masterpiece indeed!

[@jeromekovacik1198]

Great job young man. I have played it since 77' but for the first time since then I'm (60), playing it on totally acoustic. You can only get so much bend without going to super light strings. But I am working on it. Keep up the good work.

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thank you for the encouragement!!

[@robertYTB78g]

thanks that helped a lot, especially showing the bends in the intro

[@mitchsmith6365]

Robert M thanks for the feedback! Glad it helped

[@chuckroney8860]

Brilliant!

[@Lordtom1000]

Hey Matt I really enjoyed your tutorial on Take it easy which enabled me to get the solo down without difficulty. I just wanted to clarify one thing with you. Whilst the excellent Don Felder did play this solo in the later Eagle's line ups the original solo which you will find on the Eagles first Album was by Bernie Leadon also the solo on Peaceful Easy Feeling. Many thanks

[@mitchsmith6365]

Awesome, thank you!

[@chucky1time337]

Great stuff thanks so much

[@jmm1817]

Thanks for putting that first Lick in there I noticed every guitar lesson I see on KZbin leaves that out appreciate it buddy

[@sarasal99]

ditto and its iconic.!

[@terrypurvis3720]

thanks bro your lesson helped a lot,stay cool man

[@badkatrising3918]

Terry Purvis that was pleasant.

[@user-yq4pc8of9t]

I’m trying to learn take it easy I’m almost there however there are many versions of solo of take it easy but you omg proved great why ! Yes some sections difficult particularly last bars iv learnt many a way but yours is easy and genius how do i subscribe to you pay etc and get lessons how to I get the tabs chords and solo how you play it because it’s the best

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thank you for your words and support. Unfortunately, I am not set up to receive money and I no longer teach private lessons. The best thing you can to to support me is subscribe to my channel, watch my entire videos , like and comment. I appreciate your willingness to be supportive. Good luck on learning the song!!

[@bradwright2787]

Great job. I believe Bernie Leadon played the solo on the recording

[@mitchsmith6365]

Brad Wright thank you. Maybe I should research my facts. Regardless, Don Felder is and was one of my top five favorites. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@douglasegerton5832]

Yes, Felder didn't join the band until midway through their third album. You can see a 1973 video of this on YT, and Glenn is playing acoustic while Bernie does the licks on electric. That said, Mitch, I've watched half a dozen videos on how to play this song on electric, and your is by far the clearest and easiest to follow. Many thanks!

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Banjo as well on the. Outdo

[@donalddunn1052]

Great tip on intro riff, very hard to do an accurate bend the original way

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thanks Donald. Glad it was helpful!

[@pauladouglass9456]

Hi Mitch. I really learned a lot from peaceful and easy tutorials. You explain in a way that I can understand. I looked for hotel but couldn't find it. Could you post a link please? Thanks again for taking the time to help others like me.

[@mitchsmith6365]

Thank you Paula. Honestly, I haven't posted "Hotel" yet because the size is too large for youtube and I haven't quite figured out how to reduce it without sacrificing valuable info. Maybe I'll do a part I and II. So glad you enjoyed the videos. I'll post more soon!!

[@brucemartindale973]

Can you put peaceful easy feeling back up somehow? Great discussion.

[@michaelg2024]

Thanks for posting.

[@mitchsmith6365]

Glad it was helpful

[@davstrickertv3802]

Nice one

[@user-mf9iy1ij4j]

Thank you

[@usbankusa]

Thanks for sharing.

[@mitchsmith6365]

You are welcome. I hope it was helpful

[@danmaltby3271]

Nice playing, but you keep mentioning Don Felder, when the guitar licks you speak of were written by Bearneie Leadon, a fine guitar slinger in his own right, he was in the Burritos Brios before the Eagles r

[@mitchsmith6365]

Yeah. Brad Wright commented that earlier too. I was under the wrong impression. Thanks for commenting. I've still got a lot to learn. I hope the video was helpful to you.

[@OneBaker11]

Do REO Speedwagons take it on the run plz

[@roundtableschoolofmusic736]

I love that solo. I think I will!! Keep an eye out for a link in this reply section

[@jeromekovacik1198]

How's about already gone

[@grahamkelly8299]

I thought joe Walsh did the solo!! Man don is a genius

[@mitchsmith6365]

I've since learned that it was neither Walsh or Felder. Still genius!

[@grahamkelly8299]

@@mitchsmith6365 so who was it?

[@mitchsmith6365]

@@grahamkelly8299 according to some other comments on here it was Bennie Leadon