How to play 'Always On My Mind' by Willie Nelson

[@jorgedoering6952]

Excellent! Always enjoyable... Thanks so much.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed! Shane

[@jamespatrickpope2567]

So much in music is about feeling, more than technique, and you really show the “feeling” in this song as well as teaching guitar

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you James - that's hugely encouraging - very glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@ruthcannatti4722]

Fantastic lesson! Thanks so much! Love your channel!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Ruth - my best to you! Shane

[@LMacNeill]

So, I'm listening to you play this, and I thought to myself, "I swear Elvis sang this." And he did. I went and looked it up -- Brenda Lee wrote it in 1972, and it has been covered by Elvis, Eric Clapton, Chris Stapleton, The Pet Shop Boys, among several other artists. Of course Willie Nelson's cover seems to be the most popular and famous (for good reason -- it's the best!!) I had no idea of the history of this song! Amazing!

[@michaelschmidt6548]

Yes, but Willie's version is the best. He really conveys the singer's feeling of regret.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey thanks for that. I had read that there were three writers who penned this tune....not the one you mentioned. Cheers, Shane

[@LMacNeill]

@@GuitarAtWork My bad -- you're correct. Brenda Lee owns the original *recording.* She didn't write it.

[@garyrochussen3430]

Most excellent! I joined your Patreon recently, which I'm glad I did, because I'm going to learn this one. I've been a fan of Willie for decades. Thank you!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey thank you Gary - happy to have you here with us. Have fun with it and enjoy! Shane

[@davidradley8837]

What a fantastic song, lesson and artist to feature ! Willie and his guitar…American legends. This is one we’ve been waiting for. I doubt I wear a hole in the top of my guitar but it’s going to get a workout learning this song ! Thanks Shane !

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Love it - thank you David. That's hugely encouraging. I have fun doing this and it's SO great to hear from people who are enjoying. My best to you and thanks for being here and taking the time. Shane

[@stevenwakeley9790]

Loving the Taylor : ) cracking lesson thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Steven - very glad you’re enjoying my best to you! Shane

[@eddeleeuw155]

Never enough Willie. Thanks, Shane

[@GuitarAtWork]

I agree Ed - fabulous. My best to you! Shane

[@kurtlarssom6394]

Great song and great lesson.😊

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Kurt - glad you enjoyed. Cheers, Shane

[@Clint814]

I love your energy Shane…making it fun!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Clint - much appreciated. My best to you! Shane

[@dukeofearl4117]

Great pick this week. I saw Willie do this song and he was 80.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - glad you enjoyed. Wow - I've never seen Willie live sadly. I've always loved his version of this song. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Shane

[@mackmay5442]

Thanks good job Shane.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey thank you for taking the time. Glad you enjoyed and let's have fun with it. Shane

[@johngeorgemurr6256]

Cracking cover Shane just a bit quick for me on chorus from Tell me But keep em coming great stuff .john UK

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you, John. I appreciate you being here. Have fun with it! Shane.

[@riffcodger]

That must have been hard work. Well done. Da iawn. Thanks very much. Bravo.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you for that. I appreciate it. I always have fun making these videos. It’s great to hear from people who are enjoying them my best to you, Shane.

[@stratbluesman]

awesome tutorial!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - glad you enjoyed. Cheers! Shane

[@russhowe1092]

Bloody brilliant as usual mate... I hope you been going well. Shane. Cheers 🍻

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Russ - always happy to hear from you lad - all is well here and hope same for you. Have fun with it! Shane

[@johnvancedar5354]

Nice one Shane.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Johnny - I think you'll enjoy playing this one and singing it to your lady. Cheers! Shane

[@patrickpogue9091]

I just learned this song a couple of weeks ago but you play some of the chords a little differently. I think I like your version better. Such a great song!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Patrick - much appreciated. Cheers, Shane

[@rogerr1296]

Over the years most of my guitar playing buds have moved, just lost interest, etc... (it's hell getting old-er 😜😂) and it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated when you end up playing by yourself more times than not, and you have helped me get though more than one of the infamous "ruts" (lol) we all experience from time to time and it is greatly appreciated. Also, I have a Taylor 214ce Plus which is not near as nice as yours, but I wanted to let you know that I cringed every time you were playing and the back of your guitar got close to the edge of the desk behind you. Might want to keep an eye on that. 😜 Thanks for another one. 👍

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Roger - glad it’s been working for you. I’m always careful not to knock my guitar on the desk. So far so good. Cheers! Shane

[@rubentoro3305]

Awesome

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Ruben - glad you enjoyed. Cheers! Shane

[@urbanoramos5229]

Elvis version is also beautiful , but Willie was always a character,great tutorial my friend ,could you maybe do a tutorial on ocean spray by Maniac street preachers if possible. Not anything on KZbin at least accurate ,thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hey thanks for that - glad you enjoyed. Great song request - will have a listen. Cheers! Shane

[@wallymurray620]

As always great lesson. You know, there was a time all the new chords and multi chord changes would have scared me off but I’ve learned that if I do like you say and peck at it a bit at a time it will in short order fall in place. And I’m really enjoying the lead stuff also, fun to do and a nice change from the strumming too. Technique question, I know you recommend anchoring your strumming hand when picking individual strings for accuracy and I’m trying to learn it as I’ve developed the bad habit of it just picking without the anchor and yea the results show. So trying to learn better technique but on some songs where you’re just plucking the bass followed by a strum, well it’s not always working, any suggestions or do I just need to buckle down and practice, practice, practice. Anyway, hope you’re doing good, thanks again for this and all the work you put in, I do appreciate it. Wally.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Wally - and always great to hear from you lad. Great question for sure and I'm sure others will have same thoughts....If I'm just chasing a bass note on a chord I won't rest my right hand.....I might bring it back closer to the bridge for a crisper sounding note to pop through the strumming though. If I'm doing a few notes/strings individually while strumming I usually will bolt my right wrist to the bridge - if I don't.....I miss all the time. Practice is the key for sure....but also PLAY in real time with the video/song and see what develops in real time after practice. Make the distinction between practice and play. It's huge. My best to you and thanks! Shane

[@wallymurray620]

@@GuitarAtWork That makes sense, I find when I use my BeatBuddy I get a much better idea of how good I am actually doing, same thing when I play along with the video too. It’s like you always talk about, the importance of playing with other people. Also, I’ll record a verse or two on the looper, then listen to the play back, for me it’s a real eye opener as just how good I’m doing, both with how good my chords and such are sounding and how well I’m staying on beat.

[@GuitarAtWork]

@@wallymurray620 fabulous - sounds like you’re on a very good path. 👍

[@stuartramsay6550]

Hi Shane, what model of Taylor acoustic are you playing? It sounds great.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Stuart - it’s a Taylor 814CE (2019). I really love it. You’re hearing it plugged directly into a mixer/recorder with a bit of reverb and compression added at mixdown. Cheers! Shane

[@jorgedoering6952]

I get nervous each time I see your beautiful guitar so near the edge of that desk.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jorge - others have expressed the same concern - but….I’ve never once bumped it on the desk. 🤞

[@Magicrat999]

Great choice when Willie is joining Harris tonight. Blue to save 🇺🇸

[@GuitarAtWork]

Oh wow - I didn't actually know that.......🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@maconmemories3085]

Shane, can you please look at the song "In my Blood" by Cody Jinks and Charlie Starr? It got a great melody. Its played an acoustic, and it sounds beginnerish. There are 0 guitar lessons on it. Give it a listen and if you like it. Put it on your radar. Thanks Shane

[@mrmustard174]

You should sing , go on

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks - my best to you, Shane

[@jimnoakes9394]

Always on my mind was not written by Brenda Lee,however she rcorded it.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you, Jim. Cheers, Shane.

[@Tim.R.McDonald]

Only thing missing is Trigger.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Love it - thanks Tim. Hope all is well and happy to hear from you. Cheers, Shane

[@borowland5744]

Ive saw Willie live a few times but he just seemed to rush every show.

[@GuitarAtWork]

That’s no fun.