How to play George Formby solos properly

So you've learn the split stroke? What next?
Dive into even deeper depths and sound just like George Formby with my brand new online course, Formby Fundamentals, available now!
matthewquilliam.co.uk/formby-...
In this video we take a look at how to construct George Formby solos, analysing examples and listening to recordings to understand how to incorporate everything into Formby solos and other jazz styles too. Including are lots of PRACTICE tips and guidelines to help you on your way.
This video took a long time to make. Please consider leaving a tip at paypal.me/mquilliam to support me during these unprecedented, gigless times.
"This is wonderful, Matthew. EVERY Formby-style player who has trouble bridging learning the basic strokes and playing polished solos should study this. It's what we've all been after. Heading to your Paypal tip jar to say "thank you". Still only a third of the way through but it's already invaluable." Simon Rose, May 2020
Whilst there are many videos out there explaining the Formby-style techniques such as the split stroke, there's minimal guidance on how to build a solo. This video aims to fill that gap.
It is quite a long video; I have put some timecodes here so that you can break the video down into junks:
00:00 Introduction to Rhythmic Soloing
03:15 Incorporating the split stroke
04:25 Simpler rhythms and balancing the left and right hands
07:39 Incorporating triplets
08:52 Incorporating fans and rearranging patterns
11:50 Building narrative in solos
12:48 Starting solos
13:55 Melodic embellishments/left hand tapping
16:03 Choruses and longer chord lengths
18:12 Transitions
24:03 Ending solos: climax
25:20 Set lists and creating variety between each song
27:25 Listening to Formby solos*
29:16 Instinct
30:35 A practice method for improvisation
32:18 Extra and final tips
Listen to the full recordings here:
When I'm Cleaning Windows: • When I'm Cleaning Wind...
Mr Wu's a Window Cleaner Now: • George Formby - Mr Wu'...
Videos courtesy of their respective uploaders. Music courtesy of it's respective composers. No copyright infringement intended. Use of music is for educational purposes only.
Please note this is not a technique lesson. Watch this once you have a good understanding of how to play Formby techniques like the split stroke, triplets, fans etc.
To catch the next episode, please subscribe to this channel for more theory, how-to and performance videos. Furthermore, please pledge towards the Patreon where you can receive bonus content and see these videos early. Your support helps to keep these videos going.
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[@allanp951]

Quite simply brilliant and of extreme value to anyone who may embark on the exciting journey of learning to play in the Formby style. Well done Matthew and thank you very much for this invaluable resource. Allan.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@julieannwilliams9134]

Great lesson thank you. 👍👏🎵

[@_runtothehills]

*watches first 50 seconds *upvotes & adds to playlist Pls explain how come you talk & play like you’ve been at this for 50 years but look like you’d need ID to get served in a pub. Bloody amazing - bravo.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@ldevon2318]

This is outstanding. Best tutorial!

[@paulmcmillan6010]

Best tutorial iv found exactly what I was looking for and expertly explained thank you..

[@rodarthur5026]

Matthew, you have a real gift. My uke playing has improved already. Thank you.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thank you Rod, you are very kind.

[@CAVERN1234]

Absolute brilliant tutorial very well explained and played. Best wishes from Liverpool

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@graciefields898]

This is terrific. Thank you!

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks so much!

[@user-gs6wu9dd1r]

Sueper tlumaczenie. Pozdrawiam Ela

[@anthonysullivan8847]

Great Matthew, thanks for going to the lengths you did on this one. I'd definitely take some of your lessons if I lived a little closer!

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Hi Anthony, I do offer lessons online via skype, zoom etc. For more information visit matthewquilliam.co.uk

[@davidhamer8333]

What a fantastic video, with so much information. Thank you for sharing.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

That’s very kind of you, more on the way!

[@richcassone]

Amazing. I'm exraordinarily rhythimically challenged and I have been looking for someone to explain the rhythms in these solos for years. Seems anyone can show how to DO the strokes, but nobody seems to really understand or explain now they fit together and why. Thanks. You've got a gift for instruction.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Hi there, thank you for commenting, I am glad you found the video useful. I am doing a live Q+A on Formby techniques on this KZbin channel very soon. I am yet to decide the date, but please subscribe the channel so you don't miss out on the chance to ask me questions personally!

[@rayland4053]

Really helpful tutorial Matthew. Many thanks!

[@davidbird8312]

Fantastic video Matthew, really informative, I hope I can put it into practice :)

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks David, glad you found some use for it

[@neillevings3518]

Great Mathew reallt enjoyed that - I took notes and am off to proactice:))

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Thanks Neil, glad you enjoyed.

[@firecrackerberry7833]

Fab tutorial. Could you do a tutorial on leaning on the lamp post if possible?

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

I’ll put it on the list!

[@raymondgawthorne6570]

Hi Matthew, I'm going to watch your video later today with it being a lengthy one. Could you please break down your strumming pattern for the second part of Leaning on the Lamppost (not the solo) just the faster part after the first section). I'm struggling with it please advise.👍

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Hello Raymond, thanks for your comment, for Lamppost when it speeds up during the vocal section, the song goes into what's called 'double time'. This is where the lyrics/melody stay the same speed but the accompaniment (ie the strumming) is twice as fast, creating a move lively feel. So the chords change at the same rate in conjunction with the melody, but there are now twice as many strums to fit into the same space of time. Formby will typically just use a series of very quick down strums with the thumb. I hope that helps!

[@peterlovstrom4286]

Where are your tutorials for the fan stroke and triple please?

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

If you visit my new website How to Ukulele Banjo, there you will find every thing I currently have published including some worksheets and other exercises. I intend to produce more content in the near future so keep an eye on it. www.howtoukebanjo.com

[@peterlovstrom4286]

@@MatthewQuilliamMusic Thank you my friend-as I’m a novice ukelele (not banjolele) player I really appreciate your tutorials. 👍

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Want to learn more? Check out my online course Formby Fundamentals here: matthewquilliam.co.uk/formby-fundamentals/

[@gaynes82]

great vid, and ideal for me , somone who has no rythem

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Hi there, thank you for commenting, I am glad you found the video useful. I am doing a live Q+A on Formby techniques on this KZbin channel very soon. I am yet to decide the date, but please subscribe the channel so you don't miss out on the chance to ask me questions personally!

[@gaynes82]

@@MatthewQuilliamMusic Hello, do you think you could go through the window cleaner solo a little slower i.e bar by bar

[@johnmorgan2551]

Thanks so much Matthew! I’m glad you took it as far as you did. Question - how do you get the chords themselves for the songs? I find different chords for the same song on the web. How do you get the “real” chords?

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Hi John, thanks. In terms of chords I believe the generally accepted best place for chords are GFS songbooks available on their website or from transcribing Formbys playing.

[@MatthewQuilliamMusic]

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

[@cjwaywell]

For me personally this technical stuff takes all the fun out of it. But I suppose it is great for anyone wanting to emulate Formby - despite all of that technical knowledge it all sounded well out of tune to me.