John Renbourn teaches "Buffalo"

[@plugh1]

John Renbourn - for me there is no better guitarist. Fantastic stuff.

[@exocet2000]

It's demoralizing and inspiring all at once. As you begin to dissect the 'simple' song and his skills in particular, you realize the elements involved; the clever use of sixths, the dexterity and lightness of his touch. Such a great talent.

[@rickdiaz7239]

Color me impressed. Amazing player, amazing musician. Someone had commented he always assumed John was playing in different tunings. I would have thought so myself. This guy elevates the game SO MUCH.

[@ronniecrilley4496]

now that is accustic guitar played at its best , RIP John

[@santana26491]

I never seen a player whose left hand is as fluent as this before. It's really bizarre how smoothly he switches position.

[@stevenkoehler6018]

Great tune by a great player

[@christianmoore440]

For any mode fans out there - the scale he's describing is A dorian which is equivalent to G ionian (major) or E aeolian (natural minor) - A B C D E F# G. Writing this as much for my own benefit as anyone else's! Also, I can tell you this information doesn't make it any easier to play :)

[@granthurlburt4062]

Thank you! I am 68 and enjoy learning such things as I improve. Things that didnt matter to me a few years now do and it maybe increases enjoyment. Among other things, it tells us that there are structures underlying we appreciate work such as Renbourn's more than something thrown together by the less accomplished. So we can listen to the same tune repeatedly without boredom or irritation

[@pachacamacs]

What puzzles me is that he sometimes plays a C# , while theoretically in Am, which is not part of the scale (at 0:39 for instance). Sounds good though...

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Emlyn, well said. John is a Complete Musical Artist. Something that is becoming more difficult to find these days.

[@johngallacher]

And always will be! RIP John

[@plugh1]

This is from an instructional video - details in the notes. I learned this piece from the DVD (tabs on the DVD) and you can see my version under my videos though it of course pales in comparison.

[@Tycho114]

@cgcgce: Standard. There's a mini-tab for the first few bars of this in the March 2007 issue of Acoustic Guitar (the article on John Renbourn).

[@oNiconter]

man, he really owns that neck...

[@CrimsonThorns]

RIP Master guitarist.

[@JohnMcPhersonStrutt]

I want JR's music played at my funeral (if i am allowed an input !)..

[@gibby6904]

I remember buying this on VHS....It was beyond my capabilities at the time......fun to watch though.....

[@elektrolyte]

"at the TIME" lol

[@gibby6904]

@@elektrolyte that was 23 years ago and even though I had to take a 15 year break....it would be doable now if I didn't have arthritis issues at 62.....

[@Rafterman123]

LEGEND

[@Chris.Biard42]

Great really Chris

[@niconilas]

@plugh1 Oh Yes ! He is my Guru Master

[@liptonius]

I miss you. More than my parents !

[@GlycoBoyCiv]

Thomas Beckmann

[@CJandthebreakfast]

Unreal how effortless this is. Is that an acrylic thumbnail?

[@xsguitar77]

What is the tuning on the guitar?

[@xsguitar77]

Never mind. I saw it posted down below.

[@captblood3000]

Definitely standard tuning. All the intervals he shows would be sixths in standard tuning, and that scale he plays at about 2:50 ends on an A, which matches A in standard tuning.

[@bazjax52]

Hi, I've a score in front of me here which says it's in 12/16. Hope that settles your argument!

[@dobsonone]

@plugh1 take a look a guthrie govan, English dude, from my neck of the woods, chelmsford he really is god, totally!!

[@emlynhinton44]

Plugh1 is just saying his favourite guitarist there is no one best guitarist or god just preference of style! I like Guthrie Govan but I'd rather listen to John Renbourn, for me there are few who can match Renbourns graceful style and choice of notes!

[@emlyngriffith5846]

Emlyn Hinton I have several guitarists who I admire and have copied from over the years but John Renbourn remains close to the top of my list ever since seeing him with Pentangle many, many years ago. I can play a few of his tunes but most are too difficult for me. Good to see my namesake has similar tastes in guitarists!

[@cgcgce]

What tuning is this in?

[@c9sus4]

standard

[@drinkyoho1]

What time signature is this in, to settle an argument....

[@subterranean47]

That's cool 'cause fake nails for guitar are exspensive as hell

[@subterranean47]

those player nails look really odd

[@elektrolyte]

they are small curved pieces cut from ping-pong balls