Chordplay - 'The Chordal Tunings of Michael Hedges'

Here's the next episode of Chordplay - 'The Chordal Tunings of Michael Hedges.' This lesson focuses on the unique and interesting chord-based altered tunings of the late-great acoustic wunderkind Michael Hedges.
Michael's brilliant approach to music and the guitar are inspiring for anyone interested in thinking/playing "outside of the box" - especially compared to regular guitar tunings, techniques, and playing approaches.
Michael's ideas and music truly set him apart from the majority of guitarists and musicians on the planet. His phenomenal musical direction (with nearly limitless new melodic frontiers and ideas) is sure to motivate and inspire your music and alter your view of the instrument in an instant.
Give this "chordal tuning" lesson a view, leave me some feedback and comments, and be sure to subscribe to the Late Night Lessons channel - THANK YOU!

[@PNWdude777]

I was fortunate to see Michael live three times before he passed away. First time was in '95 at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. I was blown away by his different tunings, then I saw him again twice in '96 where he played two nights in a row in Mancos, Colorado, a very small town near Mesa Verde Nat'l Park... great memories!❤🙏

[@paulshene6931]

What I liked about Michael Hedges is that he was always studying different music and basically using things from different genre’s to create new stuff. Utilizing all the different opportunities for different sounds is what makes his compositions special. There are many other percussive acoustic players that do this but I think he was the most traveled at it.

[@allenlocke1935]

After hearing some music from his early releases, I could totally appreciate his uniqueness in his approach to his art. There was no KZbin back then. This week I've been rediscovering him all over again which has led me here to this lesson and you're comment. Can't wait to get my acoustics retuned and let the fingers fall where they may and have some fun rediscovering the instrument with all the recent inspiration.

[@joematthews1770]

David, thanks for giving Michael some love. He was mesmerizing to watch on stage. His tone was always superb. I was fortunate enough to have a couple brief conversations with him and he was approachable and truly genuine. Thanks again.

[@davidsollenberger2998]

I first heard Hedges in 1987 and was blown away. A true artist. I remember when he passed that it really affected me.

[@stephenfinch2120]

I had the privilege of seeing him at Mud Island Amphitheater in Memphis TN. It was incredible.

[@torgo4ever]

To make a long story long ... I was a complete metal/shred-head all through the 80's and early 90's. I was reading an interview with Steve Vai in one of the guitar magazines and they asked him about HIS influences. He said that he WISHED he could play like someone named Michael Hedges. I had no idea who he was. Never heard the name before. So fast forward just a few weeks later and a commercial for a show at a local club in Buffalo NY comes on as I'm driving. Michael Hedges playing at the Tralf . I instantly flash back to that article and figure " ...if Steve Vai thinks so much of this cat , he MUST be a monster ! " So here's metalhead me walking into this show thinking this guy is gonna be some jazz head or shredder or something and just imagine as he starts playing .. ( I believe he opened with " Rickover's Dream " ) . I'm just sitting there watching this weird dude with a collander on his head playing the most strange and beautiful guitar music I have EVER heard. Sadly , this was the tour right before he returned to California and passed away. But luckily I was blessed enough to get to see him . Thank you Steve Vai for changing what I though about guitar and of music so profoundly ! P.S. I believe Antoine Dufour is a bit closer of an example of a modern player who takes the approach the Michael did than Andy McKee.

[@MartyHendersonDVM]

I appreciate you making this video. Michael’s genius in composition and technique should not be forgotten.

[@martinfuller5499]

Amen!

[@5150aviation]

I met him during Oracle tour. He was so gracious and signed a CD cover to me. "My name and a personal message" . He is still magical. Thanks for the lesson.

[@Eccentrics]

One of the most incredible guitar players for sure. Thank you for doing this. :)

[@LateNightLessons]

I totally agree, thank you so much, and thanks for watching too! : )

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Having seen him.many times he never seemed to disappoint. The first time I saw him he was promoting Ariel Boundaries...the sound system was clear as a bell..and after he would play a song..there was a hush from the audience...they / I couldn't believe what we just heard.Yes a forgotten guitarist for sure.Thank you for this insightful post greatly appreciated.

[@martinfuller5499]

Thank you so much for sharing this info about a truly underrated musician. His legacy is to be enjoyed and cherished for eternity! Keep the flame burning for " True" no B.S./SOULLESS music. Just you, your instrument,and your voice..... That's it!!!! God Bless Michael Hedges!

[@myecho3559]

I found Michael Hedges since I have always loved his version of Sofa No 1! Such a beautiful song. After finding out it was Michael Hedges and not Frank Zappa I looked and found several videos of him playing. Just amazing! I love that you are helping people learn his tuning. I am a former garage band player from the 60's :P And then another rock band, but have really not played much in the last years. I now have a beautiful Martin Dreadnaught that I would love to take farther than just some blues licks I know. I am hoping after searching your site that i can pick a few things up from you. Thanks for doing these! Hope you are well and safe during these challenging times ....

[@mikesteiff3360]

Love this tuning walkthrough. Really shows what's possible when you step out of standard.

[@kennethbransford820]

Wow! You are now my official hero doing Michael Hedges. Not to many guitar teachers teach this. Thank you very much. My new hero. Sorry I don't spend more time with you because of time, being the enemy.

[@timjordanLA]

Great lesson

[@musicman6245]

Thank you!

[@gibby6630]

I just learned of Michael Hedges. From watching Andy McKee videos tonight he mentions his influence is Micheal Hedges I am now a Huge fan of Micheal Hedges may he RIP sad I just now found out about him.

[@peteracosta744]

I have been following you... You are an outstanding guitarist!! I was impressed with the Michael Romeo lesson... But you took the cake with this one. Thanks!

[@Mole-Skin]

Back in about 1984 I happen to buy the Windham Hill sampler LP and was absolutely floored by Aerial Boundaries.. I was always a passionate Acoustic fan/player from Jansch/renbourne early days but Michael brought in Effects and a high sensitivity that made his style so remarkable.. Teetering on the brink of feedback.. but in absolute control.. He opened a new genre door for other talents to flow through. A true genius.. I still play all his albums.. What a legacy..

[@EzyoMusic]

What I love about Andy McKee is that you can clearly tell he studied Hedges in extreme detail. His appreciation for him shows in his writing and playing.

[@devonplumley7600]

At first I thought you were rambling on a bit but then you really attempt to analyze some of the idiosyncrasies of the Tunings and chords! I really appreciate the explnation of the pull-off opposite hand lightly placed harmonic configuration. I assumed of course that was what he was doing I really wish someone would analyze in this fashion slowly and concisely all of the subtle nuances! Thank YOu!

[@richb6291]

Great lesson - i dipped my toe in acoustic alternative tunings some years ago - and discovered Michael ,what a tremendous player he was - thanks for re- inspiring me to pick up DADGAD and the in sight into "Rick overs Dream" too.

[@LateNightLessons]

Thanks again bro! I had a friend in college that turned me onto Michael and I was blown away. By the time I saw the old Windham Hill sampler video where it actually captured him playing Arial Boundaries live, I was already a fan, but that video blew my mind. I couldn't believe all of the sound coming out of one guitar and human being. Unreal and such an outstanding talent. :-) Thanks again!

[@GMHG777]

Coming late to the party on this one but Michael was seriously an otherworldly player. One of the true innovators in guitar playing !

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

Ohmygaaa, I love Michael so mooch!!!! Thank you! :) Randy, Rory, Chris Poland, Michael Hedges, Steve Morse are my favorite guitar players of all time🫠

[@guitar9310]

I do this same thing while finger tapping. Pulling off to a harmonic. It adds a nice twinkle to your tapping! Great lesson ❤❤❤

[@jeffmunn-giddings3211]

Fantastic and fascinating - I've got all Michael's albums and have watched virtually everything possible on youtube but this really brought the whole thing alive for me, thank you so much. A great insight into how the tunings work and what an inspirational and stunning musician he was.

[@LateNightLessons]

That's amazing and thank you so much! I'm glad this opened some doors or at least shared the "idea" of what Michael did with the guitar, along with his approach to tunings/music. His music is VERY hard to learn/perform, but I feel it's beneficial to the curious to try to tap into what he did/played and absorb what you can from it. We may never be as great as Michael Hedges, but we can pick up little pieces/parts of his magic and add it to our own music "stash." Take care and thanks again! : )

[@consultayoguica]

Buenisimo!!! gracias

[@danielrumsey5795]

Thanks man ! Appreciate your insights !

[@paulprince5672]

one. tiny detail I remember from seeing Michael in the early days at the Varsity that made this tune really cool is right at 7.29 the chord of open strings, is actually an articulate brush down from low strings to high by the first finger of the left hand, that was was holding the bar, done with some drama

[@DanDeVitaMusic]

This was a fantastic video -- much appreciated! Hedges used such creative tunings, half the time it feels like a triumph just to figure out what tuning his songs are in when you're trying to learn them, haha. Really enjoyed how you explained his style here.

[@eduardorajabally28]

Thank you for this great and unusual lesson!! He is one of my all time heroes.

[@robertkrepek2561]

Bro you're a great player.

[@richbarnfather2247]

Thank you David, this is really useful and inspiring me to have another go at these different chordal tunings!

[@lifelongfan07]

Thank you for sharing! The layover tuning is very similar to Jimmy Pages Bron ur Ar song. The only difference is the low D is tuned to C

[@justaguy2365]

I love his work. Have you ever heard of a guy named Steve Tibbetts?

[@maryc.grider2691]

Steve is another amazing composer who sounded like no other......besides Michael,that is.😊

[@reverberating]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for this!!!

[@EarthAltar]

There's nothing like watching Hedges with his harp guitar. Incredible sense of rhythm, melody, and harmony. A tragic loss.

[@LateNightLessons]

Absolutely! Hedges was truly one-of-a-kind. It's a shame more people don't know about him, which is part of the reason why I created this lesson/video. Every little bit out there helps to keep his memory and music alive! : )

[@EarthAltar]

@@LateNightLessons My old roommate turned me on to him around '03. I was blown away. I asked why I hadn't heard of him before, and does he tour? I was heartbroken when he told me what happened to him, but he had hours of video for us to watch which I see are now on KZbin. Thankfully there is at least a record of what was his genius.

[@mattildahubbardo]

Interesting video !

[@taoist7113]

Thanks good stuff

[@jaygamble9881]

I heard Michael Hedges once in OKC and was blown away. He was from Enid, Ok area I believe. Sorely tragic loss.

[@laura.sefchik]

🕊Michael Adam Hedges (December 31, 1953🎻December 2, 1997) American composer and acoustic guitarist born in Sacramento, CA. He studied classical guitar at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential solo acoustic guitarists of all time. His music features his own unique performing style which features harmonics, fingerpicking, knocking and slapping. 🕊

[@danielmason7282]

Thanks for this really insightful video. There's a real lack of content on Michael Hedges as you say. I actually discovered him via his live cover of 'Buffalo Stance' which is just jaw dropping. I quickly realised tuning was pretty insane. I think it may have been in drop B! I was wondering if you could give any insight into those performances in terms of tuning?

[@maryc.grider2691]

Thanks for the tunings! When I need music I always end up with Michael. If you like piano check out Phillip Auberg....another composition genius.

[@laura.sefchik]

Ragamuffin -1996 Artist's Profile, Lake Tahoe kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqbPiIOMl52napY Eleven Small Roaches 1995, Enid, OK kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYLLoZqgoN2ir6s Layover ("Slow"-so you can learn) New Varsity kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnnNoKd8rrymadU Rickover's Dream~1985 New Varsity, Palo Alto kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5ivZohtpbd_qMk

[@John-ic6zo]

Thanks for a well explained lesson about the genius of Michael Hedges. Are there any full song tutorials available?

[@laura.sefchik]

Michael Hedges Master Class kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWaUpnWKgs-deMU National Guitar Workshop 8/4/87 314 views*Jan 15, 2018 Q&A master class with Michael Hedges

[@laura.sefchik]

Michael Hedges-1991 college seminar, Pittsburg
 (6parts) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIeXlaOMZ9t_a5o kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ26gJysd9mNhKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4HQeHSgppqhmZo 
 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qamrg2CgZdOMZqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZjMh4lsirmAqqs 
 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3vCnnmgp9iAotE

[@ratso1963mikel]

He was the Hendrix , the Mozart, of the acoustic guitar.

[@RS_235]

He's d maradona of guitar. If you can relate. Nobody can touch it ❤. Forever in my, our hearts.

[@markrobinson8410]

Michael manring used to play bass for him.

[@gtrrobster]

With him :)

[@ScarecrowsDream1977]

I saw him about 5 to 7 times in concert.

[@MilesBellas]

TUNINGS 4:57 5:58 8:43 12:43

[@russdoggg4817]

He is in Enid

[@paulolsen6870]

He was hilarious during shows. I don’t usually like when performers talk between songs, but Michael was a funny dude. Gotta say there’s no one out there carrying the torch. McKee sounds nothing like him, just copped his percussive elements a little.

[@ExoDroneCanada]

I think Erik Mongrain is much closer to Hedges music then Andy McKee

[@warriordrum]

IMJ, while Andy is a great player, Jon Gom is the true spiritual successor of Michael.