How to play 'Melissa' by The Allman Brothers

[@markclinebell7671]

The most beautiful acoustic sounding song ever written.

[@GuitarAtWork]

A great one for sure Mark. Cheers Shane

[@mral13131313]

Have a listen to Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention “Who knows where the time goes”.

[@georgev8479]

Best Lesson I've seen for this song. The play along is SOOOOO helpful with the sequence and timing. This is one of many lessons by Shane that I have viewed to learn songs and techniques. Thank You and keep them coming.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you George! Greatly appreciated - cheers, Shane

[@davischip]

Most accurate lesson I've found yet for the way Greg plays the song. Good job! You're the only one that correctly included the correct sus chords!! Thank you so much! Please remember that any chord showing /E is called "over E" such as F#m/E is F sharp minor over E. It's absolutely correct that that /E means with the E as the bass note!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Chip - glad to have you here lad! Shane

[@rongibsonmarshall2465]

if everyone had the passion you teach us about playing...there would be peace in the world...thank you

[@gatoryak7332]

If everyone had a passion for intellectual curiosity and learning, there would be peace in the world.

[@jadeedmundson5715]

I love this style of lesson with the drum machine/play along while you call out the chords and have the song segment posted on the video screen. It really helps to learn it faster and more accurately. Thanks a bunch, Shane!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Jade - I really appreciate the feedback - it really helps me. My very best to you and hope you are having fun with it. Cheers! Shane

[@janacandia1449]

Shane you really are such a great teacher. You bring such passion and fun to your instruction.

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you Jana - such a great comment to receive. My best to you! Shane

[@gencofilmco]

Cheers! You're a marvelous teacher.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Genco - I really appreciate that. Glad to have you here with us! Shane

[@kbanderson7102]

One of the best tutorials I've ever seen. Great playing tips and clear instruction on strum patern and positioning. Thanks

[@rayvoorhies7180]

Awesome. I love the Allman Brothers. Getting my guitar out now. This will be a fun one to play. Thanks

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Ray - my best to you and glad to have you here with us, Shane

[@eugenejanoski868]

Great job of explaining. Love the song. My girl is Melissa now I can play to her like a rock star. Lol. Thanks again great job.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Eugene - that's fabulous! Shane

[@dmarsh5019]

LOVE this song! Never played it until today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Play-along is great and much appreciated!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - really great to hear from you - keep rockin and hope you are having fun. Shane

[@joebloggs8636]

Thanks Shane, great job on this ,best on youtube...playalong is fantastic,thanks for your time in showing this Shane.

[@dansheets9316]

I have been away on vaca, but I missed your teaching. Ty 4 playing my same Taylor814ce. It's my caddilac of 9 guitars. Listen to this guy, he is great.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Dan - my best to you! Shane

[@samian3553]

I like the way you explained the a minor slide up . Makes it easier to understand for many beginners .

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Sam - I appreciate the feedback. Cheers, Shane

[@pedenmk]

Many thanks Shane. Great song. You found your calling. Your a great instructor. Thank you.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Mark - much appreciated. Best to you, Shane

[@josejuarez8731]

Just started checking this man out. Incredible ! I am all in for learning by him. Thx Shane.

[@joseribamar9173]

,

[@dukeofearl4117]

Thanks Shane. This song gave me the inspiration to name my daughter Melissa. She’s a clinical pharmacist at a large hospital now.

[@SixstringLately]

I always enjoy your videos and lessons. Your song selection is very good and I’ve learned numerous songs from you as a result. Thank you.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Geremy - such a great message to receive - greatly appreciated and I am very glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@Frank-pe9pk]

Been playing this song for 30+ years and see I’ve been playing a couple chords a little wrong. Never too old to learn.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Frank - best to you, Shane

[@WallyGatorMusic420]

I have been working on this all week, then I learn that Dickie passed. The big jam in the sky got another one. R.I.P. brother!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Wally - absolutely. Shane

[@pablow5259]

same here...trying to learn this beautiful song....I live in the Sarasota area, Dickie's hometown....RIP to that talented man....Blue Sky is my favorite Dickey/Allmans song, but this one is right up there......great tutorial...thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

@@pablow5259 thank You Pablo - best to you. Shane

[@bluzzpower]

Best Lesson by Far, and I've seen a boatload of them.., Great Explanation of Strum Rudiments etc..Thank You Sir!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - very glad you enjoyed. Happy to have you with us. Cheers, Shane

[@Stringbean421]

oh wow, I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this one in your vast catalogue. I love the chords used in this one. The play-alongs are such fun, I think you're the only person on KZbin that does this. Thank you for a great lesson. Best wishes from the UK.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you - very glad you’re enjoying. My best to you! Shane

[@robertbaker3174]

Dude! I so appreciate your expidious delivery. I have always loved the chord sounds in this song. Still have a fond memory of Betts leads.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Robert - so glad you enjoyed. Hope you are having fun with it and glad to have you here with us. Cheers, Shane

[@tonydiaz6084]

Been wanting to learn this for awhile now. I really like your teaching style. Teaching it in segments really makes a difference. Much appreciated!

[@tonydiaz6084]

Where do es make a song request?

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Tony - Cheers! Shane

[@GuitarAtWork]

You can make a request here. Cheers! Shane

[@davidcrane3626]

Your amazing! Love the energy level. Lesson hit the bullseye! Play along is fun. You nailed it!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks David - So great to hear that - always fun to make these videos and it's so nice to hear from people enjoying them. Cheers! Shane

[@EmptyMirrorMindful]

Awesome cover, thank you! It's great how you include strumming guidance plus chord theory details on bass note guidance for chord definitions. The playing insights for variations and where you can make it yours is very nice too. Hats off!

[@carlbradley4872]

After years of trying to sort through youtube help, I have settled on a system of using 3 or 4 different coaches for each song. You are now a certainty to make the cut. THANKS!

[@michaelkirkpatrick7483]

Many thanks for this... A favorite song of mine, always wanted to play it, now I'm on my way.... Like your teaching style...

[@DavidMains-pf6zo]

Beautiful song really love the instructions great job.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you, David - very glad you enjoyed. I appreciate you being here and have fun with it. Shane.

[@michaelmedlock3913]

Just ran across you for the first time. Love playing acoustic. I found you very informative and easy to follow along. Thanks. Will be watching more of you're videos in the near future. Right now, I'm going to learn Melissa. I've always loved this song.

[@mattjepkes2253]

Another great lesson Shane! Keep 'em coming!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Matt - hope you two are safe and well there. Cheers! Shane

[@leh3625]

Never had a thing for men (still don't) BUT, I think I love you. After first stumbling onto your If You Could Read My Mind lesson (after watching the Rick Beato "What Makes This Song Great video), then this, I can see that you really do have a knack for being concise, and you really get the student moving right along. Now that I've subscribed to your channel I am looking to so much more from you. Thanks for sharing the love!

[@stevetrivago]

Wow.. Another down to earth teacher ..

[@Tbone1952]

This has to be one of the happiest guys in the world !!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thank you Tbone - glad to have you here. Shane

[@myleskennedy6889]

Thanks for this lesson Shane. Love the chord voicings. Inspired me to get out my acoustic and even change the strings!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Jazzman! Much appreciated. Hope you’re having a great summer. Cheers! Shane

[@edgomez3322]

I would like to thank you for your element lessons I've learned many songs through your lessons once again your through in every way thank you and I'm looking for more guitar lessons.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Ed - I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. My very best to you and I hope you're having fun with it. Glad to have you here with us! Shane

[@chinto50]

Great little tutorial…. I have been working on this for a month now and came across this. That little 3 not #M you use in F and g I discovered last year and it has made a difference.. I have arthritis in my left hand thumb and find it hard to repeat "barr" chords through a song.. the original version of this that I found did not have the /E. added in and also your BM I like also.. Because of the arthritis I tend to " shorten " all chords that "should be" played as a full barr chord. This position you are using does not work for each and every fret as you work your way up the neck but does work for most…. Im 70, so this is not only a love of music but an attempt to keep my hands moving. I started focusing on Fingerpicking in the last two years and find this same pattern for this song.. works very well in a fingerpicking format. I have loved this song since it first came out. It really is a great piece of music.. thanks for this.. your the only other person I have seen besides Bob dylan who uses this 3 note movable chord pattern.. Im working on a two guitar version of this song and thats how I started looking again…………. one strumming and one fingerpicking.. Im hoping it will sound great. LOL.. ONce again.. thanks very much. love this video.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Mike - very glad to hear it has helped you. Glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@gjmarc]

Ok this is one of my favourites, glad you did it. Loved it so much I signed up! Thanks Shane.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Gilles, cheers! Shane

[@sf222]

I'm a new subscriber and I'm loving the lessons! You're an excellent teacher! Thank you!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Welcome!

[@Svtjdc04]

Real nice recovery at 15:10! Love your videos, they have really been helpful in my journey of learning the guitar….

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - my best to you, Shane

[@dorothyguinn]

Nice to see a real teacher on line . Great job 👍

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Dorothy - much appreciated! Glad to have you here. Shane

[@steveshalaby9131]

Fantastic lesson. Thanks for making this video.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you, STEVE. Very glad you enjoyed Shane.

[@rareform6747]

No stopping , love it 💫

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - my best to you! Shane

[@marcelflo2765]

Thank you Shane, absolutely a great classic tune 👍😁

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Marcel - always good to hear from you. Cheers! Shane

[@denniskucan9796]

Just love these play along... awesome simply awesome

[@Rocky_the_cat_sitter]

you are a fantastic teacher, thank you! :)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Rocky - so great to get a comment like that. My best to you! Shane

[@martymello3526]

Another great lesson!! Thank you sir!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Marty - my best to you - I really appreciate the encouragement - means a lot. Cheers, Shane

[@stonz82]

this was has been on my list for awhile, thx for getting me there

[@bmsmeets]

Great lesson again - always enjoying your lessons. Your play-alongs are really great., So much better to bring a song ‘alive’ during a play-along and improves confidence that you can keep up while playing a song. Your teaching style is great. Always try to teach to stay relax while playing and even when you miss a chord - don’t panic. Perfect is the enemy of good. I like your beat box - what type of device it it. It helps keeping the rhythm if you play on your own.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Ben - much appreciated - I hope you have fun with it and I really appreciate all of your kind words. The drum machine is a pedal called 'BeatBuddy' - I love it. Best to you, Shane

[@NickNicometi]

@@GuitarAtWork Gotta get me a Buddy!

[@GuitarAtWork]

They're really great for sure Nicky. Cheers, Shane

[@keithskelton5596]

🙏🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Brilliant song from the Allman brothers 👍🏽✌🏼

[@johnmac9002]

What a great player & teacher!!@

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you John - so great to get a comment like yours. My very best to you and hope you have fun with it. Cheers! Shane

[@bennibanson7723]

Another great guitar lesson. Thank you so much!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Benni - all the best with it and very happy to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@kylasimpson5558]

Thank you Shane i Would have never made it through quarantine with out your videos🌺

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Kyla - so great to hear from you. I hope you are well as can be and that things get back to normal soon! Cheers, Shane

[@kylasimpson5558]

@@GuitarAtWork yes me to hope you are well as well🎆🏙

[@johnvancedar5354]

Nice smooth playing Shane

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you John - good to hear from you man! Hope all is well there - great summer here so far. Cheers! Shane

[@tanstaafl2]

Another way to play this chord progression, which I find easier, is to finger the E with middle/ring/pinky, and that way the ring and pinky never move between strings, just up/down frets. Just switch the finger on the B string between index and middle as you move the pattern up/down. Great lesson regardless; this is just a suggestion.

[@GuitarAtWork]

I totally agree - it certainly can be done that way. Cheers! Shane

[@ffksummers]

I don’t use my middle finger at all. I’ve found it easier to just my index, ring and pinky and slide the down the strings as I move down the chords.

[@jamesbassett1484]

I personally find it easier to chord the E shape with index/ring/pinkie fingers. My fingers are fairly short and the stretch is easier this way, at least form me.

[@ulfjohansson5328]

Ive been looking at 3diff videos,I found Marty music version suited me best

[@euchrewacko]

I like using my same three fingers for the 1st three chords. Much easier transition!

[@GuitarAtWork]

You can do that for sure. Thanks! Shane

[@kurtwederquist5880]

Soooo easy to listen to and follow!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Kurt. Cheers! Shane

[@tommymiller1670]

Hi Shane! Your old student Melissa's brother. We recorded a song with you once and I am looking forward to learning how to play this song for Melly! Love keeping up with your videos.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Tom! Great to hear from you and hope you’re doing well. Cheers! Shane

[@truthof7382]

Always played Cmaj7 and then B as the final chords in line 5. This version sounds great and reading the comments, may be more accurate to the way Greg played it. Thank you very much as always.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - cheers! Shane

[@walther9161]

Very nice and your method is great!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Walther - cheers! Shane

[@dansheets9316]

Luv u man. You really have helped me go to the next level with your videos. U da man, best guitar player on U tube. Ty

[@KevinORourke25]

Shane, what a great teaching style you have. I look forward to your posts. kevin O'Rourke

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Kevin - such a great message to receive. Very encouraging - glad you are here! Shane

[@sapelesteve]

Great lesson Shane! One of the few songs that I can half ass play. I believe that Greg was 16 when he wrote that song. The story goes that he was out late shopping at a local grocery store and some lady was chasing her child around yelling "Melissa" the whole time. As soon as he got home, he proceeded to write the song and melodies on the guitar. Amazing musical genius for sure. Thanks for the lesson and hope that you are doing well! 👍👍😉😉🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@GuitarAtWork]

That's a great story Steve - thank you! It's always fun to know the circumstances behind the song. Best to you and I hope you're doing well. Cheers! Shane

[@Bwiser63]

Not True,Greg wrote the song and it took him a long time to find the right name to use in the song then one day at a grocery store he heard a lady calling her kid who’s name was Melissa and he said he knew that was the name for the song. I heard This straight from Greg’s mouth in a interview he did.

[@tomgarrett9701]

Actually Greg had been working on this song and couldn't figure out the right name until a grocery store visit . there was a woman yelling for her daughter sweet Melissa ....Bingo !

[@wahiawamang6622]

Thank you so much for the awesome lesson! Great teacher.. so relaxed. Aloha 🤙

[@GuitarAtWork]

Aloha! Thank you so much. My best to you. Shane

[@aureliobrighton1871]

Absolutely wonderful Lesson and Song, Cheers from Munich :)

[@skyhawaii5446]

I suck at guitar. The more I practice, the more I think and wonder how guys like you get or got so good. Practice, Practice, Practice.......................so our parents used to say. In grade school there was only right handed scissors. I did not realize it at the time that there was a difference between rt handed and lft hand scissors. Just tried to make the best of what I had. I think the term back then was a slow leaner. Some things in life just don't work like Rt. handed scissors for left handed people. Life goes on. One day, my dream comes true. I am gifted a guitar by my parents. Yeh!!!!!! I was so happy that I told my parents I would never ask for anything again. I never caught on to it. It seemed to come like ease to my classmates in 9th grade. I was so frustrated in trying to memorize the cords. I was left handed and given right handed stringed guitar. I gave up. Things did not make sense to me between my hands and brain in addition to reading music. Nevertheless, my love for music never died. I am an old man now and my love for music and guitar has never died. The way you teach and call out the cords is original. There are many people in the world like me who do not know if we are left handed or right handed when it comes to reading, writing and playing music. Your touched my heart, my sole, my hands, my ears, and many years of frustrations when you called out the cords and explained things in simplified terms. Thank you so very much for making my left brain/right brain and fingers work together in this video. Thank you You Tube for introducing me to this man to the world. He is a great teacher without a doubt.

[@dav8d777]

Excellent lesson. I've seen this song demonstrated WRONG by some of the better known instructors on KZbin. Thanks for clarifying the chords and for the play along.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Russell - much appreciated. Glad to have you here with us, Shane

[@gordonmcgregor3482]

Thanks for the lesson, love this song. Wokachinken for the win!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Ha! Thanks Gord - all the best with it. Cheers, Shane

[@RC-Flight]

Nice, that’s a great sounding song! 🇨🇦

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Glen - Best to you! Shane

[@johnnelson8210]

I just stumbled in on your video, liked it a lot so I subscribed. Nicely taught,thank you.

[@buckbryant8599]

Hey thanks for your videos always enjoy 😊

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Bucky - my best to you, Shane

[@Brent233]

Great lesson, thanks Shane!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Brent - all the best to you and glad to have you here with us. Shane

[@looking4crossroads135]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - it's always fun to do these videos and I love to hear from people who are enjoying them. Cheers, Shane

[@neiltyra3360]

Really enjoyed this. Have been playing it for awhile albeit with more ambitious chord voicing. Like your selection a whole lot better. Now to relearn. 😎

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Neil - hope you have fun with it! Shane

[@brendanconway7317]

Top man, top teacher. Hope you're well dude

[@GuitarAtWork]

A big thank you Brendan - always good to hear from you. All is well as can be here. Having a great summer and hope you too! Shane

[@thecwo1352]

The Taylor sounds enormously spectacularly warm, but the yellow smiley cup in the background might be an issue of the schema. Thanks for introducing a new language and the valuable insight to strumming a never-aging classic.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - hope you're having fun with it. Glad to have you here with us. Cheers! Shane

[@NickNicometi]

Nice breakdown, Shane. Agreed that when players slow too much during demo instruction, one can feel/get sidetracked. Can't wait to play this for my older siblings of about 60 yrs young. A classic all know and love. One note: you display the name of the chord, and I think it'd be helpful to display a small graphic of the tab beneath listed chords. Multiple camera angles are helpful, thank you. Keep up the greatly, and gratefully simplified instructions. God bless. 🙏

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Nicky - great suggestions for sure. Hope you're having fun with it. Cheers, Shane

[@hapafish]

I like your energy!!

[@jimalice1]

Love your lessons, Shane. Bsus4 tough with short pinky(:

[@GuitarAtWork]

You can do it James! Dig in man! Shane

[@rolandgervais9320]

Thank you…excellent tutorial

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Roland - I really appreciate that. Hope you're enjoying your guitar and always good to hear from you. Shane

[@toms6833]

I enjoyed the lesson from the start but you really got me at the “walk a chicken”!!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Tom! Shane

[@Dave123Rees]

Shaaaaaane! Love this song and these videos. Your vid's n song choices remind me over n over that I really should go buy a guitar ;)

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Dave - great to hear from you. Let’s catch up one of these days. Cheers! Shane

[@rrobillard932]

Love it! Great job!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Real - all the best to you! Shane

[@johnnymidnight4402]

Your an awesome instructor 😎👍

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you Johnny - I really appreciate that. Glad to have you here. Shane

[@bodijisattva9333]

I just ran across tutor I'm very impressed

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that - glad to have you here with us. Cheers, Shane

[@TomTom-kv5nf]

Great lesson....for sure! 🙂

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Tom - for sure! Ha! Hope you have fun with it - glad to have you here with us. Shane

[@carleenmejzastrumunderthes4130]

I have to try this

[@tullyaussie]

great lesson!!

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Ron, Shane

[@LA-zc9rg]

Stellar as usual 😎

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thank you L A - Happy to have you here and have fun with it. Shane

[@edcortes5764]

Thanks for putting this up. I'd been watching several other videos, and each had their own take, but the chords in the 2nd phrase never sounded quite right. Something was missing. Then I ran across your video, and it's the first one that really sounds like the way it was recorded. Thanks.

[@dweingast]

So good

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks David - best to you, Shane

[@tcllhm]

easy peasy brother thank you

[@MazRixx]

Great instructor

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Paul - much appreciated. Cheers, Shane

[@KenChawkin]

Another classic song that seems to have a similar chord structure is "Make It With You" by Bread. But you would know for sure. I think they both came out in 1970. I wonder if either band was influenced by the other's song?

[@lilycat1694]

Recent subscriber here. I love your teaching style and appreciate the play along at the end of lesson for one of my favorite songs. So much fun! Out of curiosity, what strings are you using on your Taylor? Nice sounding guitar. Look forward to your next lesson.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks for that Lily - so glad you are enjoying. I use Elixir HD Light strings. Apparently they were developed with Taylor specifically for the 814CE. They're a hybrid of Medium and Light strings. I love them. Cheers! Shane

[@keithreames8018]

I can't seem to locate this when I go to your Patreon page

[@GuitarAtWork]

Hi Keith - it’s there for sure. There are always two separate posts per song - one has the video and the other has the Songsheets. Look for a post dated the same day. It will have the sheets in pdf. Cheers! Shane

[@markfox13]

i like how you call out the chord changes as you go along. the guy who taught me how to play 25 years ago used to do that with me. Id lose the drum machine tho.

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Pedro - glad it's working for you - can't agree with you about the drum machine though - it's an amazing practice tool. Cheers! Shane

[@kneufeld1992]

Hey Shane, I continue to enjoy your posts. I have a request.... you use the beat buddy and have encouraged us to consider it as well. Could you do a video on how to hook it up, how to program it and how to use it? Never underestimate the technical incompetence of some of your fans! Cheers, Ken

[@GuitarAtWork]

Thanks Ken - great to hear from you and really good suggestion. My best to you there! Shane

[@clintonwilliams371]

Thank you so much

[@GuitarAtWork]

Glad you enjoyed Clinton. Cheers! Shane

[@timpyle2125]

Love it thank you so much!