George Benson Wes Montgomery thumb technique

[@jayumble8390]

I've played guitar all my life and I don't have any idea how GB does his thumb technique. GB is not only a master but a natural master.

[@turjis8838]

GB will never reveal his secrets of his harmony or technique. Some way he always dodge his thing😂

[@jayumble8390]

@@turjis8838 I think it's because GB does everything intuitively. George reacts to music, he really doesn't think about it. GB did an interview many years ago and this is exactly what he said-- "I never had to think about the blues but jazz...man I had to think about that"! In my opinion GB never had to think about jazz either!

[@aburningfirestudios1249]

How can you not appreciate this guy...even if jazz isn't your thing...his playing is just so damn cool.

[@charlie-obrien]

I'm not a true jazz player, I just dabble on my favorites. But when George Benson is discussing Wes Montgomery and their individual techniques, there isn't a guitar player (rock, country, classical, etc...), that can't learn something useful and valuable. My sincere thanks to Mr. Benson for freely sharing his knowledge and the beauty of his music.

[@mrpinch1]

To me he is the most talented person still alive.

[@tomdecuca3627]

I think because of George Bensons hits, people sometimes forget just how good he is!! Incredible!!!

[@sermorel]

Benson is unbelievable…. A true master player…!!!

[@thomaskline]

That is what Benson says about Montgomery!

[@brianolderfellow4072]

A humble, down-to-earth master player!

[@rayward7833]

Good King Bad,Summertime,White Rabbit,back to Inflight, Breezing, the biggest selling jazz album of all time. George Benson. I Thank you Oh my

[@Emanual0607]

I’ve been speechless by Mr. Benson every since 1970. Fifty Two Years and counting, as of 2022. Absolutely, Positively, Fantastic!!!!!

[@boreed5734]

I had no idea he would play on the upstroke on his thumb as well that's why he can do a lot of the same stuff as he was using a pick.

[@Emanual0607]

@@boreed5734 I agree. Phenomenal with the thumb upstrokes. Mr. Benson and Mr. Wes Montgomery could do more with the thumb than some could do with a pick! Fabulous!

[@boreed5734]

@@Emanual0607 yes.

[@bluarcher5941]

blows me away that he can blast out those riffs with just his thumb. wow.

[@skimanization]

George Benson is the most versatile guitar guru I've ever known. Sometimes he's forgotten in Jazz scenes and jazz schools colleges, and universities. The man has got it all!!!

[@julien1766]

Georges Benson, a rare example of a guitarist who has succeeded in developing a wild and powerful approach that is at the same time clean and rigorous. And let's not talk about these incomparable rhythmic qualities. A fine example of a hard worker. that's why i love George benson, who also has a direct musical relationship with the only guitar boss: Wes . Raw emotion.

[@dixonnacey7099]

2:07 to 2:31 - 50 years plus practice and skill development distilled in 24 seconds. Insane!

[@amoh5]

Wow!!! Benson is a master and a legend, I love his style, he's old and new school jazz guitar, I love fingerstyled folk guitar, country, rock and George Benson soul jazz guitar ❤ 😍

[@Lanternsinthesky-studios]

Thank you, George Benson! You 're a straight-up master of guitar and a 1st class act!

[@westonknight7474]

I actually forgot how very-very good Mr. George Benson was and is. Much respect to you sir, clearly you are a master. Be well sir.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Don't forget Kevin Eubanks in talking about wonderful jazz players who play thumb-style. Kevin is famous for being the "Tonight Show" guitarist and bandleader, but he is a smoking jazz cat when he feels like it. He plays with his thumb (downstrokes) and forefinger (upstrokes), if memory serves.... G.B. deserves a ton of credit for figuring out how to make thumb-style work for him. Wes Montgomery was unique not only musically, but perhaps in terms of the anatomy of his hands. He had rather large hands and his thumb was atypical in that its tip projected well-beyond the nail bed, allowing him to dig in and play alternate-picking with his thumb. From the video, one can see that Benson plays with his thumb angled to the strings differently than Wes did, but it still sounds great. It is difficult to maintain a consistent sound switching back and forth between pick and the thumb, but Benson, all-time great and master that he is, makes it sound easy. George, if you are reading this: Please cut some more straight-ahead jazz before you hang it up! Do it for Brother Lou Donaldson, and of course your fans...

[@DavidleeBergeron]

This guy is one of the best guitarists in any genre!

[@williamsporing1500]

What a down to earth, master player….

[@PhillyTom]

Absolutely 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

George Benson is a master musician. Incredible technique, diction, feel and time. These videos with Jody Fisher are a joy. Thanks for sharing.

[@tpledger100]

the incomparable King George Benson!!

[@jasonb4988]

GB frankly just one of the best in JAZZ PERIOD ! THANK YOU GEORGE !

[@ralex3697]

Yes

[@lamontricks1074]

This was amazing George Benson is so good on the Guitar.

[@Bobhig100]

Just love George! My favourite artist of all time. He has such a unique style, great singer, great personality and most of all his music is uplifting !!!! Seen him maybe 20 times and hope he carries on for many years yet!!!

[@boreed5734]

I discovered Benson in the early to mid '70s and he has always been my favorite no matter what these young dynamic guys can do today. He's always been a class act, the guy is just full of knowledge and talent. I would love for one day for someone to make a movie or for him to write a book about all of his experiences coming up in Pittsburgh and playing with the early jazz greats. I still follow his career very closely.

[@rapidrhinoplumbing-monrovi3269]

Bo he has a great biography and talks about Pittsburg days.

[@boreed5734]

@@rapidrhinoplumbing-monrovi3269 ok, I haven't seen that thanks.

[@crustycobs2669]

Dang, George, that guitar is a beauty. Love your style. You are right, although Wes's thumb style sounds so cool and looks so effortless, it hasn't got the same attack.

[@tun3tym3]

Thanks for sharing your gifts & talents Mr B. Amazing stuffs.

[@paulburchell1762]

What a fantastic, beautiful guy. George xx

[@Trenchant463]

Love George’s playing and his pushing to continue learning.

[@marshmanmusic]

George, you are always so wonderful in every way. Thank you.

[@Adrenachrome_Gumdrops]

Phenomenal. Is Mr. Benson still performing these days?. I would love to see him

[@lovannie]

What a nice gentleman and a hard worker and his prosody sounds like Mohamed Ali

[@topcat1048]

What a wonderful artist.

[@NinjaKirk]

George seems so cool!

[@JamesMorgan_LifeandText]

Great interview, thanks!!!

[@mangarosaexperience8643]

The Master !!!! My guitar hero !!!

[@bustabass9025]

Arguably the greatest jazz guitarist ever recorded. His technical mastery of his instrument is what sets him apart from others in my opinion.

[@tomcoryell]

And an amazing singer and scat/picker.

[@williamwgardner9375]

Just started playing at 62 and now a year into it. My brain works way better with my thumb . Seem to work with most styles. Bluegrass seems good with a thumb. Boy with a telecaster you can really dig in .

[@Deus7447]

What a phenomenon! GB is such a cool cat!

[@kettlejitsu71]

George is the man! So amazing 👏

[@jsore]

This video was excellent! I always wanted to understand Benson's thumb technique and this video nailed it. Very, very cool!

[@ralex3697]

He’s just amazing, adore this man

[@amusicment4829]

Wow, just amazing and wonderfully colorful playing

[@andrejjjze]

This is absolute gold. I’ve seen this video multiple times throughout the years and each time it went completely over my head. Only in the last couple of years I started understanding and appreciating all the nuances. We’re so lucky to have access to this. Thank you to George and to the uploader

[@gaca2737]

fantastic interview

[@hamiltonburger4574]

Great post! Keep em coming!!

[@albertplaysguitar]

Love his technique! Sounds beyond expectation!

[@jon0830]

amazing, beautiful tone and feel with the thumb

[@clydebermingham121]

From that album “BLUE BENSON” , especially with his rendition of “WHATS NEW?” one can really hear thet really nice tone he gets from playing with his thumb (vs playing with a pick , which I also like as well in his other settings ) but using the thumb gives such a wonderful deep fat soft feel

[@norcoauctions]

jeff beck too

[@infoscholar5221]

I got Jazz thumb after playing Bass at a summer fest. I was a punk/folk/whatever guitarist, before that, but our lead singer got pregnant, so we shuffled our talent. I got bass. Still have that hump on my thumb. Played the bass for three months. On the road, learned as I went. Life, brothers and sisters, is good. Now I have a bass in the corner, part of my old school collection.

[@byronwashington3759]

Howard Carroll of The Dixie Hummingbirds played for year's, with a pick and his thumb very well !

[@joksal9108]

Brilliant playing as you’d expect from Benson. I hadn’t known you could play fast with the thumb!

[@kbkesq]

The greatest. Irreplaceable.

[@JAYDUBYAH29]

Down to earth musicians musician, who also just happens to be a next level genius.

[@lamontricks1074]

I love their jam session 3:30 very groovy.

[@rayward7833]

A true Master.

[@jamesnash6101]

The Hollow Electric Guitar is just so nice and easy on the ears. However, it takes a lifetime of practice to grow your style.

[@cannonbolt14]

This man is a genuis!😭

[@VBVTV]

The master.

[@summerlakephotog8239]

A virtuoso- no matter how fast, his tone stays perfect.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ MPB - Just have to mention another very gifted player who is an absolute monster playing thumb-style or with a pick. I am talking about the amazing Morten Faerestrand. Morten, who is Danish, is not as well known here in the 'States as in Europe, but he has a sizeable online presence as a teacher. But he is an extremely gifted player, including playing jazz with his thumb. He has a video up on it, so be sure to check him out - you'll be glad you did.

[@mrquick6775]

bireli lagrene

[@bahadrbabi5309]

Huge talent forever...

[@peggystreetinfluencer]

I love him!

[@rvmusictv0122]

Great technique! I’m kinda trying to develop it using the thumb to pick alternately (up & down ) but i use my pointer finger for upstroke.

[@Grapho137]

Do you have a video showing the up stroke with pointer finger

[@rvmusictv0122]

@@Grapho137 check my vlog man. Feel free to like and subscribe too. Thanks bro 🙏

[@beandog100]

Fantastic

[@johnjacobs1625]

How Sweet it is!!!! JJ

[@iamacookie6]

This dude is a fucking guitar god

[@MikeL-7]

The man is a genius.

[@MrLgrichard]

Awesome video

[@toneseeker87]

That guitar is alive and talking through his hands ❤

[@KevinSaundersPaperAirplaneGuru]

Awesome.

[@PauseBreakMachine]

Brilliant

[@pobinr]

He sounds just like george benson, like no one else lol Wonderful. Exquisite tone phrasing & feel. I think he's genuinely a very nice guy too. Wonder what date this vid was made?l

[@nicolosmoffitt]

I know! He’s a gem of a human

[@twenty3electronics]

Callouses are more of a beginner problem. Just like your left hand doesn’t get callouses after you’ve played awhile, the skin of your right hand will eventually get stronger/thicker

[@clydebermingham121]

I always wondered if it was all down strokes only when Benson soloed single notes using his thumb , instead of a pick 🙏🏽

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

If you like thumb pickers my spirit animal is Toy Cauldwell of Marshall Tucker Band. Incredible thumb picker as well as his brother Tim the bassist was thumb player.Exact opposite Biggest A-hole thumb picker Steven Segal must of came from the Wes Montgomery school.He has video on KZbin of him playing.

[@Grapho137]

Wow. What a video

[@mademepickaname]

Jimmy Ponder is another one who was a great thumb player.

[@pablomarino4414]

That was great! Thanks

[@LloydMajor]

Awesome class!

[@DC-iy6hi]

Finally getting the nail/no nail verdict lmao thanks george

[@Dang...]

Thank you!

[@RonCarterBassist]

👍🏾👍🏾

[@bolerkins]

Two thumbs up....and down on this video !!!

[@leascaart]

SO COOL!!!

[@robinreidmusic]

Love this thanks!

[@alanblakeguitarist]

Hey at 6:30 what is he playing? I can't transcribe that part. Thanks!

[@kbkesq]

Which model is GB playing there? I love the puns of Course in his hands and that won’t feed back.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

So damn good!😀

[@jcee6886]

George to me: play some rhythm for me so I can demonstrate the technique. Me: 🏃‍♀️

[@juliusisrich]

Anyone found a higher resolution version?

[@oldmate86]

@7:08 Yeah no shit. So comfortable he could nap!

[@5t3r3054x]

Just like Stan Getz inherited Lester Young style, the great George Benson inherited Wes Montgomery style. Giants keeping alive the legacy of other giants

[@dmgsoultogetherness6667]

Jim Mullen...classic jazz guitarist outta Scotland morrissey mullen....big thumb player

[@sergeybogdanovich7019]

Super legend ❤️🙏🎵🎼🎶🎸✌️👌🍀🇮🇱

[@cardinia1]

Aotearoa always lol for uncle George baby

[@thiagoperovanomusic]

Wow!

[@edjazz39]

Would anybody tell me who is the person who is interviewing George Benson on this video?

[@timhalley6987]

"Play some of that B flat funk thing." Whoa.

[@jtokyo9271]

Jeff Beck would agree