How to play May You Never by John Martyn - guitar tutorial with TAB

So I finally did the May You Never tutorial. Its as close as I can get to the way John played it, but I'm sure the next time I play the song I'll discover something I missed (which is probably why it's taken me so long to commit to a tutorial...)
More tutorials to come this year, Pete.
Tabs are here: www.banthamlege...
Link to John Martyn playing May You Never: • John Martyn - May You ...
Link to my cover: • May You Never | John M...

[@NoelJHarvey]

Pete, you truly are a legend, and wonderful musician and an exemplary member of the human race. My undying gratitude, forever and ever. :-)

[@BanthamLegend]

Ah, you're making me blush 😁

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

Great job, Pete. Danny Thompson once said that telling John Martyn to play a particular chord progression was like telling him to "play the dinner plate." In other words, John was an instinctive and natural player whose music was totally organic, straight from the heart, not schooled in the conventional sense. You've done a wonderful job of explaining John's almost inimitable technique.

[@BanthamLegend]

For me it's similar. Most of what I work out is a combination of ear playing, sequence memorization and path of least resistance - working on the principle that something sounding effortless to play must have a simple way of playing it. Some stuff I've worked out in very strange tunings and I have no clue what the chords are 🤔

[@Fitzy-fiedWine]

Good point! That way he can get wasted like everyone else in the concert and just wing-it. I like that!

[@ggghhhbbnjjjbb2330]

@@BanthamLegend I like the cut of your gib. Sometimes we all need to learn to get out of our own way. I started trying to learn this as a teenager in the early '80s, and the older I get and the less it matters, the easier it seems to be to figure these things out.

[@BanthamLegend]

Haha, yes, everything seems simpler as you get older 👍🏻

[@johnkiernan287]

U have this to a tee lad, actually better, ♥️🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@daf827]

It’s amazing how effortless JM makes this accompaniment sound, like second nature, yet how incredibly tricky it is to execute in a manner that’s faithful to the original. You have done a marvelous job deconstructing the fingerings in this song. Many thanks 🙏

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, it was a challenge but an enjoyable one 🎸

[@daf827]

@@BanthamLegend I don’t know which is trickier, the right hand or left. Probably the former, with that percussive striking the top.

[@nooneeverasks]

May you never stop providing fantastic guitar lessons!

[@BanthamLegend]

Haha, I see what you did there 😉

[@lilysudak4347]

Amen!!!!

[@windyworm]

This lesson is hard work, but really worthwhile. It is THE ONLY lesson of how to play "May you never" that teaches how to play the tune like John Martyn. Thanks.

[@BanthamLegend]

And that's why I made the lesson 👍🏻

[@robmerry9029]

Pete, sincere thanks. This is my fav song of all time and I've only dreamed about being able to play it like JM but no decent versions online until I found yours. Have the chorus down and looking forward to perfecting the rest... couldn't have got this far without you. I've a new enthusiasm for the guitar... Peace and love brother.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate. Sometimes I put my guitar down for a while but songs like this keep me coming back to it 🤙🏻

[@matloz100]

The legend has returned! Glad to have you back!

[@BanthamLegend]

Like a faithful dog, I always come back 🤙🏻

[@bobwaits4683]

This is the best guide to this wonderful song that I could find on the "interweb"...well done my friend...I had it down, but you filled in a lot of the gaps that I could not figure out. Thank you.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks. I've been refining my thoughts on how this song is played for years and I still find myself thinking about sections of it...🤔🤙🏻🎸

[@tyroy57]

Bar 8 is a corker, i've been playing this song for a while but there are some fantastic extra pull offs etc i didn't know about , thanks ever so much Pete, its transformed the song for me :)

[@BanthamLegend]

I find missing notes every time I listen 😆

[@JanHaHe]

After I saw that you uploaded a new video I stared at it for a minute in disbelief. One of my favorite songs has now the best possible tutorial. You already taught me my favorite songs by Colter Wall. Thank you so much for your amazing contents, much love and happy new year from Germany!

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate, I just hope it's correct. I've been playing the song some more and I'm second guessing myself about the timing on some of the riffs already 😆

[@mannatuu]

Excellent Bantham .. I had nearly given up on this , but now you've done it . made my day buddy !

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, can't believe no one else really broke it down properly beforehand, the song is as old as me!

[@alfredogarcia2273]

Wow I’ve been waiting for this forever I can’t believe you made a lesson. I already learned this from Gareth Evans but your version is way better not gonna lie. Gonna give this a shot soon as I can. Cheers 🍻

[@BanthamLegend]

I had to get it right before uploading, it just took a few years 😆

[@iantaylor827]

And there's me playing it wrong for 35 years. This is great. Thank you so much.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, not sure it's completely correct but it's pretty close 🤙🏻

[@iantaylor827]

@@BanthamLegend No it's a great effort. If I can get to the stage I can play your cover I'll be very chuffed.

[@ranzfritte]

Thanks Pete.Very well explained and demonstrated.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanking you 🎸

[@theworkshed1253]

John Martin fan for 50 years and play all his stuff this is a great review

[@burstrhino]

Oh Mal. You’d think that after 50 years, you’d have learned how his surname’s spelled 😊

[@davos_guitaros]

I love a guitar challenge but this tapping thing had me scratching my head for a while. So happy to find this video.. amazing. And free tabs too that's the true spirit of music

[@BanthamLegend]

I didn't write the song, so charging for tab that is just my best guess seems a bit off really.

[@davos_guitaros]

@@BanthamLegend true but it happens

[@petegalloway2466]

Thank you for this. I’ve looked for a good tutorial on and off for ages. Just starting out but this is one of my favourite John Martyn tunes! 🙏🏻🍺

[@BanthamLegend]

It's obviously one of my favourites too 🤙🏻

[@petegalloway2466]

I’ve subscribed and like 👍🏻 thanks again 🙏🏻🙂

[@BanthamLegend]

I have more JM stuff on my channel and planned for the future 👍🏻

[@petegalloway2466]

@@BanthamLegend I’ll get looking through your previous tutorials. Really well presented and accessible, even for a novice like me. And your skill on the guitar, ... superb mate!

[@PenultimatePenPen]

These videos are so great. Got into Martyn because of Ben Howard name dropping him a few times. Haven't regretted it and love seeing your lessons from him

[@BanthamLegend]

Ben's guitar style makes a lot of sense once you've learned some JM songs 🤙🏻

[@cminty6805]

Absolutely terrific! Thank you. less than 3 mins long but that'll need practicing for the rest of me life.

[@BanthamLegend]

Yup, I'm still practising...

[@zacccy89]

Absolute legend, thank you sir!

[@grillerg]

These John Martyn tutorials are amazing! Thank you for taking the time do to them, really appreciated!

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate, they were a lot of fun to make.

[@PeteHowlett]

Well done. Not how I played it when I was young but then I didn't have the coruage or confidence to copy the uncopiable John - he played this differently every pereformance so if if you only get 75% there it's always a good facsimile...

[@BanthamLegend]

If someone else recognises what you're playing then it's a win 🎸🤙🏻

[@ItsHarrySpeakman]

Recently got onto this song and I find my favourite KZbin guitar teacher has a lesson!

[@eberwh]

You are a hero Pete. Your ethos, your style and your altruism is inspiring. And of course your recognition of a great song. I sent you a contribution.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks man, that's the best comment I've had in a while. Very much appreciated and looking forward to getting back to making tutorials.

[@TheSeventhSelf]

Top marks on the tutorial, btw nice catch on the capo at the start, real smooth!

[@BanthamLegend]

Haha, well spotted 🤙🏻

[@jamiewest4701]

That’s very cool I love this song and the Solid air album. I’m a guitar teacher and I think it would have taken me years of listening, playing and going mad trying to break that down. Respect to you for such a comprehensive explanation. I would love it if you could play a slower rendition of the complete song so we can all see the parts and movements. I’ve just watched your “jelly roll” lesson too. That’s a masterpiece of guitar playing Thank you so much.

[@10gallenhat]

I agree . Thank you so much for showing the way here. By far the best explanation I've found so far. Easy to follow and gets me to where I want to be.

[@BanthamLegend]

You're welcome. I do this for the players 🎸🤙🏻

[@gushutchinson8758]

well studied mate...revealing his great level of attack.. can't find my bloody capo. I'm watching intently but I will have a proper go later. A lot of detail you're doing justice to. Of course his style is flowing, rhythmic, intense and calming all at once... Jj Cale gets close to Martyns deceptive simplicity. You've done a great bit of teaching here ..many thanks.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, what's even more impressive is that JM managed to pull it off whilst clearly under the influence 😳

[@gushutchinson8758]

A lot of the best nights jamming down the canal pub are when most of us are in various stages of tanked . The pissed up shouty bloke singers who think they shout like joe cocker or Bruce Springsteen you might well say ruin things sometimes. Most acoustic guitarists tend to sound better when they give it some whelly! I really miss those impromptu sessions!

[@MrJamie701]

Thanks for this. Been after a decent and accurate lesson. Much appreciated .

[@BanthamLegend]

Most welcome. I think there are some other good tabs out there but none had the focus on the particular performance that first hooked me on the song, hence this tutorial 🤙🏻

[@cantachetipassa123]

Thanks for posting this! Its an amazing work. I´m happy now being able to learn this song.

[@baldymacintosh458]

Couldn’t be better timing...was looking for a tutorial for this literally yesterday!!!Smashed it again Pete! Happy new year 🤙🏻

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate 🤙🏻

[@Fitzy-fiedWine]

Great work, I enjoyed your delivery, no pretence at all. Appreciated the tune being included at the start, well, most of it.

[@BanthamLegend]

I have a full cover on my channel too 🤙🏻

[@ecojot]

Brilliant - I learned Jelly Roll baker from you a few years ago and am going to start this. I'm a huge JM fan and was lucky enough to see him play in 1990

[@BanthamLegend]

Sadly I never really discovered JM's music until after his passing, but my mum and dad saw him whilst they were at university in Dundee in the early '70s. Good music is timeless.

[@paulpulati9613]

Thanks, Pete, for putting this out there for us. A lot of effort in that, and we appreciate it. Continued good luck......

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, you too!

[@morriswarbroek5774]

Yes! John Martyn!! This is great stuff Pete, love it. Cant wait to learn this

[@BanthamLegend]

Good to hear, I was wondering if my subscribers were still watching as it's been so long since I did a tutorial.

[@toomuchvimto]

Another great lesson! Thanks, Pete! Love this song! ❤️

[@alanblackburn3976]

Fantastic. Beautiful song, incredible arrangement and fingering. Such a tragic end to a musical genius, RIP John Martin. Wonderful to see this brilliant cover and excellent teaching. Love it, the song and your posting. Thanks so much, I’ll give it a try! Wish me luck.

[@BanthamLegend]

I see this song not just as a single study but as a gateway to a wonderful way of playing the guitar. Time spent learning this is time well spent and should be on the to do list of all aspiring acoustic players. I'd wish you luck but really it's just about persistent practice so I'll say "Don't quit!" 🎸🤙🏻

[@lilysudak4347]

I cant wait to learn this today 😊 thank you !!!!

[@celtic2285]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I watched your video (was greatly impressed) and was having difficulty seeing what was actually being done. This tutorial may be one of the best I have ever reviewed. Very well explained and in great detail. I don't think I will ever get to the point of playing this as well as you do but with this tutorial I will definitely improve my playing of this song.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate, I still play this song, looking for that elusive perfect performance where I don't miss a note... 🤙🏻

[@pageluvva]

Killer lesson and tabs my friend. Thank you so very much for doing this for us. Truly amazing job.

[@BanthamLegend]

When I've played a song so many times it feels rude not to do a tutorial 😁

[@eddcarlile8973]

beautiful playing.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks mate 😊

[@dudemanismadcool]

Wow this is a tricky one. I can see how it would take one years to perfect this. I have learnt a lot of your tabs but this is certainly the trickiest one so far. I will be chewing on this for months to get it right.

[@BanthamLegend]

Once you learn this, other JM songs are much more accessible :)

[@commoneuropeanstarling]

Nice tutorial and fantasy book collection in the background. Look forward to other tutorials.

[@BanthamLegend]

Well spotted! Terry Pratchett was a legend 🧙🏻‍♂️

[@CoalvilleQuad]

This is a great song, and a really well worked out and presented tutorial. If I may comment, I find it a bit alien changing the fret numbers as I'm so rooted in knowing what the original fret numbers are. ie fret number 13 becomes fret number 10.

[@BanthamLegend]

I keep the fret numbers relative as that's how the tab software I use works plus it means the tab still works if you move the capo.

[@gortagnan]

Huge Thanks will try . And def be back !

[@jtm-profond3182]

30sec and push the thumb up, didn't know this song but from now i do. Like always thanks for doing what you do and like you do !!!

[@BanthamLegend]

It's a classic that I can't help coming back to periodically, but that's no bad thing 🤙🏻

[@Yanto-Bardic]

Nice! Very Nice!👍

[@efox6126]

Hello Pete, had to comment, thanks heaps for taking the time to do this awesome song. Really appreciate the (much needed) help as it's got so many little quirks to it :) Cheers, Ed

[@BanthamLegend]

Still one of my favourite songs to play

[@talaatelobeidy2566]

Cheers Pete, you are a legend, i have been putting off for a while, its not an easy song to play or teach but you have done a great job m8, big thanks

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, I had to really focus deep for this one.

[@tomcook6609]

Thank you so much for this Pete :) will keep me busy through these strange times! :)

[@BanthamLegend]

That's the plan 💡

[@djsmartmonkey]

very sweet thanks Pete

[@BanthamLegend]

It's a sweet song 🤙🏻

[@TheClagga]

Brilliant lesson on this song Pete! I’ve been playing this one for a while and have noticed I’ve missed some of the hammer-on/pull offs whiles slapping the strings! It’ll take some time to get used to with those techniques but worth it! Cheers 👍🏻

[@alistairsproul8263]

Brilliant!!! Thank you!!!

[@andrewparfitt5899]

great lesson...improved by the copy of Total Recall in the background thank you

[@ourdailytimothytime]

Thank you, very informative. (Had some great surf at Bantham, South Devon in years gone by)

[@BanthamLegend]

Cheers, me too, hence the channel name 🌊

[@gibshendrix70]

Happy new year ! Keep going ! Cheers

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks. No stopping me now 🤙🏻

[@Suna1988be]

Welcome back!

[@BanthamLegend]

Good to see you're still here 👍🏻

[@tyroy57]

great job, lots of bits i didn't know, cheers :)

[@BanthamLegend]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MsHeckenpenner]

Oooooooh yeeeees! Thank you! So excited!

[@BanthamLegend]

Keeping the guitar players busy during lockdown 🎸🤙🏻

[@Clint326]

Thank you Pete , I'd love to see you do Solid Air

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, I'll put Solid Air on the list 🎸🤙🏻

[@cksmith]

Thank you so much for this Pete. Can I ask on your tab do the brackets indicate ghost notes at bar 4 into bar 5 or should I let ring a half beat?

[@willlenk862]

Thanks so much for this! Beautiful Eastman cutaway btw, which model is that? I have an E8 OM and an E10 OOSS which I absolutely love, but wouldn't mind adding a cutaway to the collection :)

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, the Eastman is a relatively modest model, being the AC122-2CE. It's all solid Sapele (stripey mahogany variant) and benefits from a pick-up factory fitted with controls in the sound hole, so no unsightly cutting of the sides. Fingerboard and bridge are ebony, the binding is a tortoise shell effect strip. It's a comfy size to play (45mm nut) and I think it compliments the dreadnought very nicely.

[@Deedeeam]

You're amazing!!!

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, you're very kind 🤙🏻🎸

[@nigelstudio6123]

Great presentation thank you

[@hondacivic3662]

Amazing tutorial thank you

[@BanthamLegend]

You're welcome 🤙

[@adamjnotthecongressmanschi7026]

great books on that bookshelf :)

[@BanthamLegend]

Team point for noticing ✅

[@David-xx2cd]

Hey Pete thanks a lot for this video this is always something I’ve wanted to learn to play! Can you tell me - when you’re thumb slapping, are you also muting the other strings with the rest of your slapping hand or are you trying to avoid doing that?

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, I'd say the thumb slap is intended as more of a muting action, rather than bouncing the strings off the fret like a bass player.

[@David-xx2cd]

Ok thanks!

[@MisterRob1973]

Thanks for this. I’ve been playing this song for a while but you’ve taught me some different variations which I was struggling to work out. At the risk of being an annoying purist, one thing I question is the playing the 4th fret on the 6th string in the run down at the end. To my ear it sounds like he plays the 5th fret (relative to capo). And in the live video you link to you can see him reach over to the 5th fret with the dot on it (9th fret with capo on 4) with his little finger, having used his ring finger to play the 4th fret on the 4th and 5th strings.

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, I've just watched it and I think you might be right. I'm sure there's a performance I've watched where he lands his little finger practically on top of the fret wire, and I interpreted that as 4th fret. Fortunately both work.

[@RobertSaunders1973]

@@BanthamLegend Yes, the joy is being able to play all these songs in different ways, as JM did. I just watched it again and I realised that I was wrong to say he uses his ring finger, but he he does seem to reach up to the 5th fret on the 6th string. Thanks again.

[@jakelondon]

Totally right about that. I heard it as 4th fret too, but it's 5th fret. Richard Thompson plays a similar lick on a solo acoustic version of one of his songs. Can't remember which one right now. When I remember, I'll have to check and see if he goes 4th fret or 5th. In general this tutorial is great and it's helped me progress towards learning the song. Thanks! The only part I'm little skeptical about is bar 16. What's there works, but I don't think it's quite what he's doing. On the Solid Are version, there's some rhythmic stuff happening that I can't really get my mind around, but it seems more complex than what's happening here. And on the live recording linked about from Whistle Test, they always cut away from his hands on that part, which is frustrating. But there's a loping quality to it that seems different that what's in bar 16 of the tutorial. Then, on later live versions, he seems to be hammering/pulling off on the second string 5th fret (relative to the capo) during this part. Josh Turner captures some of that second string stuff in his version, and it works well, but he's not really slapping the strings like JM does. So it's less percussive, more standard finger style, and also not quite what JM is doing. Then, in the version from 2008, when he's in the wheelchair and playing with the band, he plays simplified version. I fear that may be the only version I'll be able to play. 🙁 Yes, I have gone deep down the rabbit hold looking for clues. I fear I may just have to let the mystery be. But I hate having to do that. Thanks for solving big chunks of the mystery.

[@The_staz]

This was fuckin impeccable man.😅

[@bpdarragh]

Brilliant. Good man. Though your rendition, whilst brilliant, was a bit faster than the original?

[@BanthamLegend]

I always go quicker when I'm nervous 😆

[@bpdarragh]

@@BanthamLegend Didnt mean to sound negative, great lesson, and covered all of of John's nuances

[@sarojpandey8903]

Wow very nice . Sir can you please make tutorial of who's grown up now by John Martyn.

[@BanthamLegend]

It's not over I'm familiar with but I might take a look

[@gushutchinson8758]

Some days after losing your temper in a bar room fight you go on to lose Your woman over might AND you end up laying your head down without a hand to hold... life is like that sometimes when you least expect it.

[@BanthamLegend]

These things come in threes 😆

[@caleb8075]

That’s showbiz baby

[@Fitzy-fiedWine]

Have you all heard the version he recorded with Lathy Mattea? It's phenomenal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXOzhah3oZeEr80

[@BanthamLegend]

Ill check it out 🎸

[@pessoadamusica]

the link for the tab in the description is not working anymore

[@andredr_eas7433]

Great Lesson, THANKS ! Only the link doesn't work (at least for me).

[@BanthamLegend]

Thanks, I'll sort it

[@andredr_eas7433]

@@BanthamLegend No rush, no problem. Just a 404 page ==> "The page could not be found." Great cover by the way !

[@camasian]

@@BanthamLegendplease sort out the tab.I’ve been playing a slightly simplified version for years so adding some nuances would be great

[@chriswestwood6490]

Great lesson, thanks. I'm certain JM would want you to put your own stamp on it and would tell the purists where to get off - he never played his own songs the same and improvised all the time.

[@Hickalum]

Why would you tune the guitar down and then put a capo on it ?

[@BanthamLegend]

The alternative is tuning 5 strings up and snapping most of them?

[@alistairsproul8263]

Looser strings

[@domenicoespositomalara9663]

tab errata

[@truthfactreality6814]

A very difficult song to play. Great though

[@johnmckie6563]

Sod any purists mate that’s pretty much exactly how he played it and some of the notes JM probably put in we’re not deliberate as he would’ve been out of his box at the time ….

[@Hickalum]

Organic