Jared James Nichols: How to play like Free's Paul Kossoff

For tabs and text of this video lesson, see the January 2025 issue of Guitar World -
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One of Jared James Nichols' biggest influences is the great Paul Kossoff from the band Free. Paul had a guitar riff that changed rock radio in the early Seventies, “All Right Now.” Like Leslie West, Kossoff wrote incredible songs that were larger than life, transcending the world of three-piece guitar rock.
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[@frantisca]

Yeah man: he was one of my faves and big influence !

[@adiohead]

Watching Paul Kossoff at the Isle of White Festival on TV blew me away as a kid.

[@turdoirishman]

Me too

[@vicpnut1]

Saw that here on youtube years back , and yes it still blew me away

[@johnmac8084]

Nailed it Jared. He was a vocal player, conveying human emotion

[@johnny.musician]

Being chronologically gifted (old) I vividly recall seeing Koss with Free live in ‘71. Awesome, no other word for it. Just after Highway came out, while he was still straight. Excellent lesson JJN…just got Truefire All Access so guess where I’m heading next…thanks!

[@stewartmcardle8149]

His training in classical guitar and his ability to adhere to the "less is more" principle in his two, three and four note trills is unique. Even Clapton asked him how he did his vibrato !

[@phili.b975]

Kossoff is one of the reasons I picked up the axe underated & unreal guitar player ...tons of Sobs their first album was mint 🤘

[@rogernevin7461]

Walk in my Shadow ! Fantastic track. Saw them 19/3/1970 Newcastle Mayfair (17year old).The two best string benders i ever saw were Kossoff and Peter Green , both exceptional guitarists.

[@phili.b975]

@rogernevin7461 kossoff was summit but Peter green aswell 2 epic legend players of the era there peter green is another criminally underated player the stuff he played is second to none ....🤘😎🤘

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Great lesson. Fire (and water).

[@MacHeath699]

Great lesson. To my ear, Kossoff developed the perfect approach for playing in a three-piece setting.

[@oicsaywhat]

Wow thanks for this, hardly see any Paul Kossoff tips and lessons . And dude great tone and you’re getting that with your fingers not a pick!!! Sweet!! Love it , thanks again for this

[@AllanGildea]

Excellent teaching - and playing! Thank you.

[@kevinhines3487]

Great lesson, Jared. Next, I would love to hear your take on Gary Rossington from Skynyrd. I have always felt that he had a strong Paul Kossoff sound in his playing.

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

Just watched a doc on Paul Rodgers with Free and bad company classic rock thanks for the tips just picked up a Les Paul special today with p90s I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if I'd bought it first

[@darlenemcmillan5802]

Great lesson. You deserve Three thumbs up❗👍👍👍 I wish my guitar matched my couch

[@jimmyd12001]

My absolute hero 🎸🎸🎸

[@haledakabani1843]

Great lesson.

[@brettrhea9179]

You're awesome dude!

[@rijancaffe]

That A5 is a tower of a chord!

[@johnmac8084]

A tower of power chord 😅

[@ant1738]

Nailed it! Alex Lifeson same thing!

[@DomingoCaro-h5v]

Hi how are you rock on dude l am learning to play guitar basic power chords you are a perfect guitarist

[@vayabroder729]

I am positive that Kossoff’s vibrato and playing definitely influenced Angus Young’s.

[@DavidLear-mz7ln]

Definatly!! Plus the way Koss moved his legs to the rhythm just like Angus does.. always said that 👍

[@ashleighellison9509]

Walk in my shadow ❤👍🤟

[@ricardosallet2733]

nice🎸....

[@chrismorgan7494]

The hardest notes to play aren't the fast ones, but the bent vibrato ones. You can't help but make "the face".

[@jimnewearthblues1672]

🔊👊🏻

[@dommccaffry3802]

Apparently the alright now riff was written by andy fraser

[@65Lynchy]

Mr Big,basic? So much space, menacing

[@Dierkenzee]

What gear are you using?

[@oblivianation9759]

Awesome lesson. The only thing I could critique here is facial expressions. I wish you could talk more about their importance

[@wartimemodels]

Didn't Pete Townsend play his A like that too?

[@robbebruers2841]

Love you jared but please buy bigger shirts

[@michaelgaurnier3108]

Jared is better than almost anyone else has been. He blows away Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff even though Kossoff is one of my favorite players.

[@jonschwindt3064]

Dude that’s not how he played the A cord for alright now. Pinky finger on the 5 fret top string A note. You can hear him slide that note down .

[@NeilRoberts-qv4qq]

You can also see him fretting the A on the bottom E string on various videos.

[@DavidLear-mz7ln]

Yeah Koss def used his pinky.. that's how he got the tight strumming and the slide down as you mentioned 👍