Learning the HARDEST parts from Going to California

🔶 Tab on my Patreon: / 50918464
In this video I take you through two challenging guitar parts from my own arrangement of Going to California.
♦️Full Cover: • Going to California - ...
I had to slow them both right down and gradually bring them up to speed over the course of a few days; I encourage this kind of practice to my students frequently and we always see positive results.
Get the technique first - speed and delivery will fall into place.
Let me know if you found them tricky too?
🔶Gear I use: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/spedspe...
♦️ Socials: linktr.ee/spedspedding
Intro - 00:00
Example 1 - 00:25
Tuning - 01:47
Concept - 02:05
Lesson 1 - 03:18
Example 2 - 06:48
Lesson 2 - 07:03
Final Thoughts - 13:24

[@alanmcclelland5245]

You had me at "get more beers, have more fun ". Still can't play this, however.

[@urex1717]

Back in the day, Page was always lionized as a guitar player but for my money, he was amongst the most brilliant composers of all time.

[@SpedSpedding]

I hear you and agree!

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Great one again. I've watch many lessons on this one and yours is truly the best. Thank you!

[@bigboss3051]

thank you so much, i love this style of video and this song gives me goosebumps

[@donmcdonald4874]

Wow! Wonderful presentation on an amazingly difficult intro. Loving all of your videos!

[@footinstirrup4948]

duuude. that was amazing....I have always loved the tune, but didn't realize the complexity...thanks for the video....about have the rain song down....another amazing song...

[@pieruce]

Thank you so much. I was literally waiting for this. Awsome lesson.

[@SpedSpedding]

You’re welcome, hope you got some good stuff out of it. 🙏🏻

[@leegibson8186]

Thank you sir.I will kick ass on this once the muscle memory kicks in.Great piece for guitar and Mandolin.

[@malcolmbennett3555]

Well done Sped....glad we found you and your music

[@SpedSpedding]

Pleasure Malcolm!

[@superchicken5000]

Having coffee with my wife this morning (the same wife who doesn’t know about the Flying V OHSC purchase), I turn on this video. She quietly watched the whole thing, and I told her who you were, that you lived in the north of England, and your videos are really cool. After watching the video and hearing everything I said she replied, “He needs to comb his hair” So Sped, I thought you would like to know :)

[@donmcdonald4874]

And some call us men clueless!

[@rickdiaz7239]

Sped gives you everything, all the fills for the definitive way to play this song. Page himself couldn't have showed you this any better..Bravo!

[@montisigg3885]

Great teaching style, so helpful. Thanks!

[@SpedSpedding]

My pleasure! 🙌🏻✨

[@joaquinbalabanian4107]

Amazing Sped. Just in case you're looking for a new song, The Rain Song would be awesome.

[@SpedSpedding]

Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind. 🙌🏻

[@GabriellaTavini]

Amazing 🎸 love how you break such complex finger styles down.

[@SpedSpedding]

Is that you I can hear upstairs on my acoustic? 🧐🤣❤️

[@garywyatt-classicalandfing2637]

Awesome video Sped. Love this song. Wonderfully explained throughout!

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks Gary! So do we, so much fun arranging and covering it. Bit of a sweat without the mandolin player but I got by! Haha.

[@garywyatt-classicalandfing2637]

@@SpedSpedding youre welcome, awesome video!

[@ronwood7029]

Best teacher around especially on led zep

[@johnnyrocker7495]

Class explanation, love the dry humour. Subbed!

[@SpedSpedding]

Welcome aboard! Glad you liked the jokes and the lesson! 😂

[@JonnyReturns]

I can’t thank you enough for this Sped. You rock so much 🤘

[@SpedSpedding]

Thank you Johnny, so glad you liked the video. Fiddly little thing isn’t it! 🤣

[@JonnyReturns]

@@SpedSpedding yeah it looks absolutely impossible for me to do but I’m going to try it anyway haha

[@user-me8rz5pq5q]

GREAT JOB on this!! Thanks!!!

[@SpedSpedding]

Glad you liked it!

[@juan.an_carrera]

Awesome lesson of an awesom song!

[@SpedSpedding]

Thank you, stoked you like the vid. 🙏🏻

[@giovannifarinacci4533]

Amazing song. Thank you.

[@gerardosaucedo1309]

Thank you very much, it´s an incredible song.

[@SpedSpedding]

You’re welcome. It is isn’t it. 🙏🏻 ✨

[@TheMgJM]

Great lesson

[@linziwinter5439]

Love the video. Fab as always 😘

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks Big, you better be practicing. Next time I’m round you’re getting tested. 🤣

[@stanleyharrris7671]

Excellent! Don't get me wrong, this is not a critic in any way, shape, or form, but when I was learning this song I found that using my thumb helped me navigate through some of the faster, more complicated changes, and freed up my fingers so I could add some of the mandolin parts that I felt were intrinsic to the song. I will definitely be torturing myself with your mandolin opening part tonight. Thank You.

[@hailskins92]

thanks for another awesome lesson

[@SpedSpedding]

You're welcome Bob!

[@fengshui7384]

Brilliant, keep it up. Cheers.👍

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks, will do!

[@travisminton5095]

Beautiful

[@Troy1g]

great help with this one.

[@SpedSpedding]

Glad to hear it!

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

I like your teaching style Sped

[@SpedSpedding]

Nice one Terry!

[@jeremycruz2302]

You the man, Man.

[@SpedSpedding]

No you the man!

[@cmaddox1020]

Nice one Mr. Spedding. Since the song's primary chords are D and G , I play it with A string tuned down to G, so open G. I found it works well,

[@denisfil6453]

So cool thanks to share this very good lesson

[@SpedSpedding]

You’re welcome Denis, glad you liked it.

[@denisfil6453]

@@SpedSpedding oh yes i love all zep lesson you play so good and you teach so good to i know its a lot of work thanks again Sorry my english not perfect

[@MervynPatterson]

One 'Like' duly served up. So glad you took the time to follow up the vid with this breakdown of your interpretation / amalgamation of the acoustic and mandolin parts. In my mind it's ok to struggle to play it now 'cos Sped struggled at first too! 🤯

[@SpedSpedding]

Ha, yeah! I find we all struggle when we learn something new, we all go through the same processes, it’s just that as we get better the time we need to put in to master something gets shorter. 🙏🏻

[@MervynPatterson]

@@SpedSpedding Very true. All the best progressing your channel. 🤞

[@ZoneB731]

Thank you

[@stevepartain864]

what a great lesson, God Bless, just awesome...

[@SpedSpedding]

Thank you Steve! 🙏🏻❤️

[@jeffreymiddleton4063]

Damn all the secrets unveil3d my zepsoon.

[@natfuqua1287]

Beautiful 😊

[@SpedSpedding]

Many thanks!

[@antoniorivera2394]

Thank you for the breakdown….I am very intimidated during my feeble attempt at playing this masterpiece …🙏🏽

[@SpedSpedding]

Oh you will get it for sure, I found it really difficult. I had to sit and practice it for ages. 🙏🏻

[@MichauxB]

stellar vid

[@SpedSpedding]

Thank you! 🔥

[@jamesdain2379]

Nicely done Sped...absolutely brilliant....I've been playing Zep covers for many years, and I find your renditions refreshing and inspiring....that said..in the many bands I have done these Zep tunes I also have been tasked with having to do the vocals as well as the guitar parts...brutally exhausting...(enough about me)...no...yes...more on me...moron me...one of the tunes I've always stumbled over has been The Song Remains the Same....If you could indulge me...I would greatly appreciate your take on this one....(If you're feeling particularly Super Mansize)..throw in one that you sing as well....I digress....The Song Remains would be GREAT....Cheers...j dain, Panama City Bch, Fl

[@user-mr4dq6np4x]

Your guitar sounds awesome

[@wayneellis6202]

Fantastic 🤘

[@runninglunatic1208]

man, you should do over the hills and far away. that song is simple yet technical, and you're good with that kind of thing.

[@59Beatlefan]

After all the lessons, I owe you 1

[@jimmyk5223]

Awesome thanks 👍

[@SpedSpedding]

Any time!

[@VictorRaposo]

great job....

[@patriotgunsmoke5010]

Just discovered your instructionals a few weeks ago. Truly outstanding. Perhaps consider "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do"

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks so much for the comment and compliment. Stoked you like the lesson style. More to come for sure. 🔥

[@daviddotson5695]

Yes second on the Rain Song, great work

[@SpedSpedding]

👀

[@shannonhondo260]

Dude I’m hitting the like button on all your vids. We gotta get you 100k subs

[@SpedSpedding]

Haha thanks Shannon! Appreciate that, 100k here we come! 💪🏻

[@timetraveler8777]

Hi Sped! Awesome

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks TT, you’re awesome for dropping a comment as always. 🙏🏻

[@JulioMacarena]

I like you, man. Subbed.

[@SpedSpedding]

Welcome! 🤘🏻

[@Hhh19z]

"Buy more beers"😂 love the vids man🤟

[@SpedSpedding]

All the likes, all the beers. We’re on the way! 🍻 🤣

[@treetube1257]

Very nice content... Love all your videos.. Can you do any Steve Howe for us please?

[@brainwash_yourself]

Your patience is appreciated,,,

[@SpedSpedding]

I appreciate that!

[@JustinTaylor1098]

This is brilliant Sped, although infuriating!! Any chance of Friends lesson please? Cheers

[@freddysnightmare8391]

hey sped thank you could you give a lesson on dancing days please , i have watched a lot of videos but i don't think they are playing correct , Going to California awesome thank you

[@alandunn6602]

like that you concentrate on the - corresponding note to - chord change

[@Grumpyoldman60]

I've got a loooong way to go to get that intro down!

[@jasminebebe3455]

Jimmy was a sick man to want to hurt my pride, fingers and patience so much lol.

[@SpedSpedding]

Haha, I know right! How you getting on? 💪🏻

[@jasminebebe3455]

@@SpedSpedding The struggle is real :)

[@SpedSpedding]

Keep it up. 🙏🏻

[@kellystauffer8479]

Damn, I wish I'd seen this a long time ago. I struggled to figure this out for quite awhile. But, once you get it, you say, oh it's not that hard. In fact, ha it's easy

[@robertsreelfeelreviewsandd5543]

Hi, Sped. I'm trying to put my finger on what exactly it is about you in your earlier videos that is so different from the newer ones that seems to have transformed you from a sort of nerdy guitar guy (please take no offense) into a super cool guitar legend brimming with humor and personality, and exuding sheer confidence and mastery. The lighting is darker and more cozy, for sure, and you're more frequently wearing glasses - making you appear more wise and learned... I think, though, that your actual demeanor has altered (in a very positive way), allowing a more personal-feeling presentation - especially with the couch and the storytime intros... ...Damn it, now I guess I'll have to go back through and check out the look and feel of your videos from early to late in order to try to get a handle on it. Regardless, the transition is terrific. Your current videos are far more entertaining for the changes. Thanks for what you do!

[@fish-n-riffs7592]

I struggled with many parts of this some, but that one too. I figured out an easier way tho

[@briancooper1320]

Cool.

[@lbarj]

Travis pick . once you get that alternating bass down its easy to build up speed start slow !

[@MichaelLynMusic]

Have you tried just making the last note in the mandolin intro a quarter note {@5:31} with the 1st and 4th strings open?...That will allow for the transition back to 5th position...{I just had the same problem with that very section and figured this to help out a student}

[@SpedSpedding]

You could do but where’s the fun in that? 💪🏻😂

[@SophieBurrell]

That Faith sounds so tasty mate 🔥

[@SpedSpedding]

Yeah it’s great for recording! That Deity mic is outstanding too. The Faith has a lot of low end without being too boomy. Easy to record. 🔥

[@IK_REELS]

What strings do you use

[@dubreg6711]

great vid, can you link the playthrough thanks

[@SpedSpedding]

Cheers man. It’s linked twice? Automatically at the end of the video and in the description...

[@Guitar_Doctor]

Hey sped you kick ass brother can you teach us tangerine!

[@freddysnightmare8391]

were do i donate ?

[@pflaherty3747]

You have hair like an angel

[@kellystauffer8479]

The next part i still don't have yet though

[@travisminton5095]

What acoustic guitar brand is that it sounds and looks very good

[@SpedSpedding]

It's a Faith Bloodmoon.

[@highvibezz3100]

Can you do a video about Jimmy Pages tone? I know that he did most about his amp, but maybe you have an idea for people with clean transistor amps how to get near to the tone with pedals and without robbing a bank.

[@rafasmiech6691]

What about the pinky finger to handle high D? Anyway its awesome. I almost forgot that song, your performance tells me that song is very beautiful. Thanks.

[@SpedSpedding]

In my experience I have never used the pinky when playing finger styles, I usually keep the thumb for the bottom three strings and index, middle and third finger for the top three. Do you usually use the pinky??

[@rafasmiech6691]

@@SpedSpedding Thanks for reply. I'm amateur player, I know the fingerstyle rules, but from case to case I use right hand pinky. In my case, this finger works quite well. I will check it out in this particular song and comment later. By the way, thanks to your channel, I did stairways to heaven solo, not really adhering to your version, but you were the inspiration to train it. Please don't judge too harshly. The take comes from the stage where I barely glue all parts together. Time and flow still need work. It's not about bragging, but I want to let you know how your channel affects people like me. Thanks a lot. drive.google.com/file/d/1WBAQ4bD0cnY0wYKeif4QQ8prFB2oK9V4/view?usp=sharing

[@gnawbabygnaw]

Sped 🤙😊❤️😎💪☝️

[@jeffreymiddleton4063]

Need it on paper tablature

[@The314moses]

Who makes that acoustic you're playing? Its a beauty!

[@SpedSpedding]

It's a Faith Blood Moon.

[@The314moses]

@SpedSpedding Wow, I didn't expect you to respond, lol. That was kind of you. Beautiful guitar, sounds great. I love your videos too btw, great playing, and you break things down nicely.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Pretty good explanation of the beginning Travis picking. Yes it becomes automatic once you “record” it in your finger memory.

[@SpedSpedding]

Thanks Jonathan!

[@antoniorivera2394]

Mood For A Day tutorial???

[@celsopatiri2846]

Ya

[@JM-zq9em]

I've learned this well enough that it is recognizable and enjoyable to those listening. However, I always seem to have an inability to play it without some personal variation in some of the picking patterns in certain areas. This has been going on for quite some time and annoys me constantly. For some reason this song ( even though it's not that complicated ) is a brain twister for me to play 100% faithfully

[@SpedSpedding]

Honestly, it’s not a simple song! Haha. Especially when you try out it all on one instrument.

[@BeatPoet67]

@@SpedSpedding I fucking concur! But my fav Led Zep song. So beautifully melancholic. And mystical but not overblown.

[@user-zb4ss5ze5s]

Maybe I'd be able to play this song after a few beers as well...? But first I will get you a like and a comment!

[@SpedSpedding]

You’ll definitely be able to! 🍻 Thanks for the like and comment.

[@i.alinawaz]

Is that a Bloodmoon Venus?

[@SpedSpedding]

It is indeed, Faith Bloodmoon. Good spot. 🙌🏻

[@elektrolyte]

Heidi 😍

[@jeffreymiddleton4063]

1

[@TommySG1]

Syncopation may be one of my biggest problems. I always have issues wrapping my head around that, it’s like your brain knows what you need to do but your body gives you the finger 🖕 LOL!

[@SpedSpedding]

Haha, literally does. This will be a good workout for you. Do you do a lot of acoustic stuff?

[@TommySG1]

I do, I really enjoy both acoustic and electric although I just have my one Martin here. I’m learning some finger picking from another KZbinr Tony Polacastro ( acoustic life ) and then most of the other stuff from Steve Stine and of course yourself 👍 I do love the acoustical Zeppelin stuff ( who doesn’t! 🤣 ) Over the Hills and Far Away, Stairway etc..... Just wish I had more time to practice, work really puts a crutch on things haha!

[@SpedSpedding]

@@TommySG1 I hear you, I hope you have some big wins and get a bit of free time to learn some more stuff you love. Even though it’s primarily my job to play, I still struggle to find decent practice time too. 🤕

[@deanphillips1904]

Whazzup

[@kychemclass5850]

Great stuff! Thank you. (Did I hear a 'Ramble on'' creeping in? 1:58? ;p)

[@seanmitchell14]

Just dropped a comment for you.

[@SpedSpedding]

Appreciate it Sean, thanks! 🙏🏻

[@jakemarlow8998]

Great job Sped. But here's a pro-tip. Drop the 5th string from A to G which makes the tuning an "open G." That way, all the cool verse licks are totally easy because you don't have to plant your finger on the 6th string at 5th fret. Therefore, your whole world opens up. You're welcome!

[@pjamesvee2869]

ummmm YES, agreed! and that's how Jimmy plays it. It's OPEN G TUNING. Sheesh!

[@jakemarlow8998]

@@pjamesvee2869 I've never seen any footage of Jimmy playing the tune in open-G. In fact, the Live at Earls Court from 1975, he's only playing in double-drop-D. You can tell because he's fretting the 6th string at the 5th fret. If he was using open-G, he wouldn't have to do that. Sheesh!

[@mattdoliver1984]

Awesome name, know I’m subscribed can I be Spud Spudding ? 👀

[@SpedSpedding]

Welcome to the gang fellow Potato. 🥔

[@mattdoliver1984]

it was your 59parts knobs that got me here, Great content 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mattdoliver1984]

I didn’t realise that was actually your name. That’s awesome 😎

[@paulmurray8671]

Your an amazing guitar player yourself,yet u struggled just copying the song not creating it,page just gets taken for granted so much at times,his creativity and imagination otherworldly

[@PedroFinGuitar]

writing something is definitely easier than learning it

[@weasele1]

Thank you

[@SpedSpedding]

Welcome!