Mick Taylor Rolling Stones Guitar Riffs and Techniques | Reverb Learn to Play

From the Bluesbreakers to the Rolling Stones, guitarist Mick Taylor has proved a great influence for many musicians, including our friend Jeff Massey (of Steepwater Band.) Today, Jeff is paying homage with a lesson on the style and technique that makes Taylor's sound so memorable.
Read More on Reverb: goo.gl/UZpmfT
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[@radiomindchatter7994]

The best lead player the Stones ever had..

[@williamdon3442]

Fuckin rights. The stuff Wayne Perkins put down is awesome as well

[@SpeedNAngels431]

Amen 🙏🏻

[@krisscanlon4051]

True lead player...like Clapton or Green or other Bluesbreakers

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

@@williamdon3442 the two Perkins songs were mistaken for Taylor in two decades... when BB came out they thought the Stones had a Taylor song leftover... Hand of Fate is extremely Tayloresque with the pull-offs and etc... then Worried About You... people knew the Stones took from the previous decade and it was a "FACT" Taylor did the Worried About you Solo until... it wasn't a fact... Wayne Perkins was incredible... Just two solos and I like him better than Ron Wood...

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

@@williamdon3442 he sounds a lot like Taylor; I wish he'd have replaced Taylor; The Stones have sounded like a blues garage band ever since; Harvey Mandel was also great

[@Peter-iq6rc]

One of the most under appreciated guitarists in my humble opinion. His guitar playing in that 1972 Texas concert legitimately changed the way I listen to and appreciate music.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

i do hope you got the Philly Special 72 import and the BRUSSELS AFFAIR, both the Vault one from THe Stones but especially the bootleg, which actually sounds better... also PERTH... and so many others...

[@michaelheller8841]

Out of the 3 greats in the Bluesbreakers, Peter Green, Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor only Taylor put some Jazz into the Blues.

[@joshmagee1]

MT is an absolute virtuoso. I hope one day he sits down and plays some of his chops for a lesson, he's one of the greatest.

[@classicartfoundation639]

There's a Hot Licks video featuring him for a whole hour

[@MikeLike8]

Mick Taylor was my number 1 guitar influence growing up.... Rory Gallagher was another (loved Jimmy Page). Today, nobody has been able to displace Jeff Beck for decades. As Jimmy Page once said, every time I see Jeff Beck he is better than the last time I saw him, when he was better than the time before. Revisiting Mick Taylor riffs and melodies on guitar is almost a spiritual experience for me, like playing riffs from Time Waits For No One.

[@jonathanroberts6110]

Great lesson. I think one of his greatest licks is on the outro of "Sway" at 3.28. 70s lead perfection.

[@jamestrapmore9952]

Yes! And his live version of Sway with Carla Olsen is just phenomenal

[@paulkennedy477]

I had the pleasure of recording him in the studio and then live, for a John Mayall 70th birthday documentary a few years ago. What a wonderful guitar player and a very humble man to boot.

[@heroinjones7478]

That is insanely cool. I hope you kept some of the outtakes. Would love to hear that stuff

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

WOW!!!! you know Paul when or if you go to a Stones site called IORR most of the people DETEST MIck Taylor, says he "overplays" and... it's insane... although they do know he was incredible... with a chagrin...

[@josephliptak]

Mick Taylor gave the Stones their best years as a band. They just had more of a raw sound to their music especially live. Give me the 1969-74 Stones all day long over the others.

[@Rhs7715]

Mick did not contribute to the sound. Yes he gave them a renewed and modern air with their virtuosity.

[@hedgefundshyster..3241]

Don't think so.,..I think Brian Jones would have something too say about that...

[@aaronsmith4833]

@@Rhs7715 Mick was the most talented guitarist who ever worked with the stones.

[@Viajealduende]

@@hedgefundshyster..3241 Brian wasn't into th band for years, apart from drug busts and perosnal problems he stopped playing music and said he didn't like the Stones new direction, he preferred CCR which was bullshit as the Stones direction was going up way up.Nothing against CCR but they weren't doing the creative rock music the Stones were with JJ Flash, Sympathy for the devil, Street fighting Man, Monkey Man and country rock were as CCR was just good Callfornia country style rock.

[@joegarrison5911]

Yeah but Richard's, Jagger, Charlie and Wyman were all at their musical peak during that time as well especially Keith and Jagger.

[@EvgenijGr]

Special thanks for licks from "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'"! I absolutely adore the section with Mick Taylor's solo, it's just so "other world"ish and almost jazzy.

[@AssinnippiJack]

Don't forget his beautiful solo performed in the song "Winter".

[@kulakents1]

"Winter" = quite exquisite indeed! to be sure ... his middle and outro leads on "Time Waits For No One" will also transport you!

[@SirBitingBen]

I've always particularly loved his lead on Jivin Sister Fanny

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

And Time waits for no one...one of my all time favorite leads...

[@belaghoulashi]

Winter is absolutely one of my favorite Stones songs, and Taylor's solo has always been unforgettable, one of the best I ever heard...just pure tastefulness.

[@55vermeer]

The string bending in the 'Winter' solo are unbelievably difficult. It's his only solo I can't play. It hurts your fingers. But it is my favorite. Runners up: Can't You Hear Me Knocking and Shine A Light on Exiles. And Dead Flowers. And Sympathy live...

[@marlowename3713]

The solo at the end of Can’t You Hear Me Knocking is one of the best guitar solo of all time. Mick taps into story telling of the guitar the continuous bending feels like it’s leading into some big crescendo and then he shocks you by just letting the string come back down and he blends each section flawlessly together he truly is one of the most underrated guitar players of all time

[@Methilde]

I think that happily he is no more underated, time is on his side.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

he basically WROTE that second part of the song... with no credit

[@jamesball5743]

The best of all time? Sounds like he’s just cribbing Santana.

[@marlowename3713]

@@jamesball5743 Yeah that's what everyone says after that one article. I reckon it's bullshit since I'm not a fan of Santana

[@eddie11426]

MT's playing on 100 years ago is breathtaking

[@flaviodelladioband127]

Most classy and elegant bluesplayer of all times

[@coastalgrasslander4511]

indeed, thank you for taking the time to explain a little of Mick Taylor's licks. believe it or not, i've been mesmerized by his work with the stones, especially the knockin one, since i first heard them as a child in the mid seventies! And yet I do not know how to play any instrument. Those licks have just captivate me. All Down The Line is another one. Sincerely, thank you.

[@sunlightpictures8367]

Thanks Jeff, you're a good teacher. Mick Taylor is definitely underrated!

[@spaceghost8995]

Said no one ever.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Great video. I've always loved Mick Taylor's work with the Stones. Melodic and soulful.

[@Viajealduende]

With all respect even though you may be right but the Gibson SG is what I think of when I think of Mick Taylor. I bought a copy of one when I was 12 in 1979.

[@scottythetrex5197]

Mick Taylor to me is definitely underrated. I've never heard a guitar player combine fluidity and melody like he did. Not Hendrix, Clapton, Page. None of them. His stuff on the 69 and 72 Stones tours is just unbelievable. Him on lead and Keith on rhythm were an incredible combination.

[@ANGRYEEL]

This is great. Been a fan of Mick's playing since I was a kid. Such a smooth style and fun to play too. Thanks for this video!

[@smartacus88]

I enjoy a lot of Ronnie's lead work, but Taylor's contributions are what will be remembered as the sound of The Stones at their peak.

[@hectorfuenmayor1]

Effortlessly flows through it...this mysterious naturallity...riffles even thorough licks.

[@jr13227]

I’m glad another person recognized how good Mick’s playing on Jiving sister Fanny was

[@dphipps3631]

Absolutely agree with last comment. This guys guitar work on ya yas still makes my the hair on my neck stand up. I was really young and trying to self teach. No you tube, no lessonno money and cheap gear. But I have never given up trying to get that tone and excellent playing. A mistake letting him leave the Stones. 🎸🎸👍

[@roncarter2188]

Mick is one of my favorites for sure, great job with doing his style of licks.

[@martinmartin8871]

really nice. He came by in the early 90's to Head of The Wolf club in SB. only 100 people he left after 50 great minutes.

[@jacko717]

Taylor's solo on "Dancin' With Mr D" from the Brussels 73 bootleg, my absolute fave.

[@jacksimpsonguitar253]

@・Chxaki Nanami・ have you ever spoken with him?

[@Methilde]

Was at Brussell, Taylor was amazing during all the show and all the band too.

[@chrisfertnig5259]

Jeff thank-you. Loved the Paul Kossoff lesson as well. Please keep them coming.

[@joegarrison5911]

His live work with the stones is crazy good.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

and jealous Stones fans say he "overplayed" no joke. they just don't know how to handle The World's Greatest Band with someone fitting that statement.

[@cd349er]

Recommend the live version of Sway with Carla Olsen. MT solos for several mins doing all the things he does best. Outstanding example of Taylor's taste, phrasing, and straight up wailing.

[@treblekicker]

Another great lesson and analysis, Jeff. Keep them coming!

[@robertcooney1938]

Keith Richards and Mick Taylor are the real dynamic duo. No one or two are better.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Mick is the man. Thanks for the video.

[@al6347]

He killed it in Dead Flowers.

[@xNimrod97x]

Thanks Mitch Hedberg. You’re a great teacher

[@KT-sh7wp]

xNimrod97x not to many people may get that joke.

[@xNimrod97x]

K T If not, I encourage them to look up Mitch Hedburg.

[@philomath67]

Lol. Hedberg fan.

[@brianscottforsyth8754]

If he had the glasses

[@smackfoot21]

I still do@민기

[@markybgoode]

Awesome tutorial! Pointed out some things about Taylor’s phrasing I hadn’t noticed at first. ie, the backward slides with the ring finger. Thanks!

[@Platewarp]

Mick Taylor era was my favorite Stones lineup. Although, Brian Jones era was amazing. How great would it have been to have Taylor and Jones in the Stones at the same time

[@brsndon9371]

Johnny marr next please!

[@N_B_123]

Such a great, underrated player

[@N_B_123]

Jivin’ Sisyer Fanny is one of my favorite Stones songs too btw...

[@jacko717]

One of the top guitar tutors on YT, thank you 👍

[@attentiondeficitsquirrel7660]

Mick Taylor was with The Stones during the whole Jimmy Miller era who produced, as you mentioned, their best work BY FAR! At least all of my favorites. Miller really captured their grit and added a level of Motownesque soul atop their raunchy blues. It’s too bad Taylor didn’t contribute much in the way of writing or else he might have been around longer.

[@vc23]

I’m so embarrassed and ashamed that I didn’t appreciate Mick Taylor at the time, I was a huge Brian Jones fan. Now that I’m a lot older, the Mick Taylor years were definitely their best years

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

everyone starts out a Jones fan, while the Taylor stuff grows more on you; then you later realized he was like basically having Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck joining The Stones; so few people realize just how incredible he was

[@thomasjensen3214]

You cannot compare them. Brian was a mediocre guitar player!!

[@jimh-music]

I really dont understand why Mick Taylor is so underrated, could it be that most people dont know its him on certain tracks? Hes so tasteful that I think he melts in with the sound, the perfect complement to KR's guitar. Great video thanks

[@Methilde]

I really don't understand how it could be thousands of peoples talking about an "underated" guitarist !!!

[@joaopaulopimenta5372]

Thanks for this great lesson!

[@sharmitoboylos7585]

nice video, playing, and instruction. thanks.

[@matchrocket1702]

Thanks Jeff, and yes, I do consider Mick Taylor an underrated guitar player.

[@spaceghost8995]

Underrated by WHO? You just made that up.

[@Methilde]

It becomes a kind of fashion to say that Taylor is underated.

[@Guitar_Smasher]

I got to see the Bluesbreakers with Mick. He did a fantastic Clapton imitation at the time!

[@raunaqsahu6488]

Great lesson! Thanks!

[@jroc2201]

It's like you can see and hear how he knew exactly what he was doing, very cool, one of a kind

[@joeypinter7264]

i saw you play at the Harlem Lounge outside Chicago. you were by yourself with maybe five people in the joint and i have to say you were great. i actually have a video of that night somewhere. if i can find it i'll post it.

[@tommym321]

Hey Jeff! Good to see you man

[@goojedooje660]

THANKS JEFF

[@jackbart1960]

Too cool! Thank you

[@gordrock]

Great lesson.

[@omeletpants]

THE GREAT MICK TAYLOR

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice work Jeff!

[@ricardoantonioramirezjuare9342]

Gracias Maestro ✓

[@davidallen346]

That's a great sounding Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar

[@Viajealduende]

At 5:23 is pure Paul Butterfield’s blues band guitars Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop from the title track of East West. In fact the entire jam part of the song was inspired by the record.

[@danielsalinas6683]

I always felt sorry for mick taylor. He was just a kid trying to fit in. Keith treated him real bad. I think he was lonely. Great guitarist.

[@Switcha44]

My feelings too. Well put.

[@Rhs7715]

What? You are wrong.

[@TonkaGoldman-xd5iw]

No. He was an employee. Like Ronnie. Was miles better than Ronnie, though.

[@braden2112]

Keith loved Mick. He provided the other part with Keith.

[@spaceghost8995]

Bullshit. Taylor just wanted to get away from the drugs.

[@maximvolodkin6809]

the best guitar man ever

[@micktaylorguitarsolos-roll862]

I have some renditions of Mick Taylor solos as well. Would like to post here if no objections, some people may find helpful bits and pieces.....If no objections from Jeff I will post a few. I enjoy watching Jeff's playing, hope he is ok if I post something.

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice!

[@Guedingen]

Many thanks. Any homage to the master's alright by me.

[@georgebressler8893]

you are awesome

[@maxdongu5012]

Far Beyond of Mick Taylor's riffs and solos

[@Rhs7715]

Mick Taylor is a Blues Player. Can you imagine him playing Start me up?

[@apollos_revival]

There's an outtake of him playing it with some dudes in Germany. He plays slide on it!

[@roseblake5803]

Negro Black - It would be very easy for him.

[@Rhs7715]

@@roseblake5803 That it is easy for him does not mean that it is good. I talk about groove. Ronnie is more versatile.

[@Rhs7715]

@@apollos_revival I talk about groove. Ronnie is more versatile.

[@apollos_revival]

@@Rhs7715 yeah I can imagine Taylor grooving on it. In fact there are plenty of songs where Taylor grooves, he was just forced to play lead with the Stones most of the time.

[@paulcooper5748]

I love mick taylor wasn't jivin sister fanny in Dminor have you heard he's song giddy up from he's 1979 debut album it's awesome good vid btw.

[@GuitarisGreat1]

nice one :)

[@EricB256]

Is there any chance you might be doing a feature on the late great James Calvin Wilsey?

[@alexbowman7582]

A 59 Les Paul presumably the one he bought off Keith now worth in excess of $250,000.

[@cs-7]

Mick Taylor was also a great slide player.

[@user-jz6to8md3c]

For sure.

[@PhilipK100]

Mick Taylor's style of play makes me think of Jeff Beck or Eric Clapton!!

[@jamesball5743]

Philip Kennedy nothing like jeff beck at all

[@55vermeer]

"I was very influenced by Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, both of whom I had the pleasure of playing with and becoming friends with." - Mick Taylor

[@Fabbisj]

Holy shit that’s a nice guitar

[@mikespainting291]

He used the sg for slide a and he used major pentatonic

[@brankoj62]

Taylor is brilliant player,one of the best and his contribution to Let It Bleed,Sticky and Exile was great.In that época Stones sound was powerfull,raw r&b.Ronnie época is very different sound,2 guitars pushing the thing,Stones found their style until today.Th e Stones fans are divided about this fact but both styles are brilliant.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

the live stuff

[@Boogieplex]

I had a 20th anniversary les paul Custom that looked EXACTLY like that one. I bought it for $700 from a guy desperate for cash,sometime in the 90’s. Like an idiot I swapped all the black hardware for cream to look like Page’s,but the guitar is long gone now anyway. Seeing this one sure makes me miss it.

[@Nick-kx2ks]

anybody know some amp settings to dial in a Mick Taylor type tone?

[@eliwebster509]

That ring finger slide lick is one of my favorites of his.

[@alexcastro7339]

Who gave this the one thumbs down? Ronnie Wood?

[@thinkingagain5966]

Ha. Ronnie has always given Taylor credit for being an amazing guitarist

[@Guedingen]

Brilliant!

[@SirBitingBen]

I donno, Ronnie said he has great respect for Mick Taylor

[@lynnturman8157]

that's funny

[@monzo9999]

Must've been keef or mick

[@CousinHoagy]

It may be 2019, but Mick Taylor is on the remix of a song that didn't make the cut in the 70's and Keith Richard is releasing some of the older tunes that were not on the original albums........this is how Mick plays. Check out the song, "Big Town Playboy," by Keith.

[@italovillagran5432]

MICK TAYLOR.....rolling stones

[@christophkropp8625]

Hello anybody! Perhaps anybody can answer to my question? What combination of guitar/pickup / amp / pedal (boost?) could it be Mick Taylor(?) used in Winter from Rolling Stones? I mean not the solo and not the rhythm-guitar but the wonderful singing sound from the guitar interjections (....??) in the background. Sorry, I don't know a better description. I hope you can unterstand what I mean. If the sound comes primarily from the amp-drive: Is it possible to get this sound also with a clean amp (Brunetti Singleman) in combination with a pedal? What do you think about? (And ..... yes I know "The most comes from the fingers"). Sorry for my English, greetings from Germany/Bavaria and thank you ahead to all will answer! Christoph

[@derpy9800]

Mick Taylor was literally "The One That Got Away"

[@user-jz6to8md3c]

He wanted to get away.

[@bludworm1]

Are there any tabs for these lessons anywhere???

[@es2056]

Try to think what "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out", "Let it Bleed", "Sticky Fingers", and "Exile on Main Street" would have been like without the monumental contributions from Mick Taylor. I think this puts things into perspective.

[@scottythetrex5197]

Taylor was barely on Let It Bleed. Almost all of the guitar work on that album is Keith.

[@jonesy2111]

He also wrote and contributed to many of their best songs with no credit and thats the main reason he quit....the Stones suck without him thats for sure

[@micktaylorguitarsolos-roll862]

Very nice playing! Can't You Hear Me Knocking is a great one! and reportedly all done in a single take. I hope this isn't counter to protocol but if any is interested, here is the entire Mick Taylor solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooPTqWWOiL-Ebrs

[@hywel4605]

taylor used the treble pickup

[@hywel4605]

the stones best period.

[@hywel4605]

i stop at emotional rescue. during the ron period they have used tons of ghost players and session aces such as harvey mandle and dean parks, as ron is not a great lead player. he is also not a jerk like the rest of the band.

[@hywel4605]

i am comparing him to MT who was the best lead player of his genre and generation.

[@lfader]

Uh Oh ... now I need a sunburst Custom .....

[@Harry-zc8rg]

Not Chuck Berry... T Bone Walker. How about a T Bone Walker vid?

[@danmillward7358]

I prefer him to Clapton and page and beck....he just has a sound that pricks my ears up a bit more.....all great tho off course

[@eightinches6094]

The Stones knew how good Mick Taylor was but after a few years Keith couldn't stand him lol! And by the same token Taylor got tired of the Stones, it wasn't his thing. Ronnie Wood, in Keith's eyes, was a better fit even though Taylor was the superior guitarist.

[@Viajealduende]

Talyor quit cause he was a junkie and wanted to quit using which he didn't do, he kept on using heroin for years and did one boring record. His best years were with The Stones and no matter what he had said the first years after leaving he regretted it as he never turned out to be anything without them. Taylor claimed he didn't feel he got the co-credit he deserved on a few tracks but even so it was mcuh that he claimed he deserved, not enough to leave the band. Keith never expected nor did he want Taylor to quit. He was pissed about it. Keith was said to have stated, "No one leaves the Stones, not alive!" Mick Taylor was a guitar player, not a songwriter and his type of playing went out of style by the mid 70's. Ron Wood was a funkier player. Only Rock n roll was really his imiatation of keith and Hey Negrita riff was his thing. Eric Clapton stopped his flashy (too many notes running everywhere style) playing on records years before and just focused on his song writing.

[@Horriblelilman]

Fuck me that’s a nice guitar

[@amberwoodstudio]

Under rated is a loose term. He did a long stint with the stones and played on some of their best albums. He likely had to leave to get his life straight. I would love to have his success ☺️

[@thisisme.4555]

Mick's work was awesome and this is a nice recognition of that. But the tone is anemic.. gotta work on that!

[@blackblue591]

６０点　ミックテイラーではない。アマチュアレベル。

[@Rhs7715]

Mick did not contribute to the sound. Yes he gave them a renewed and modern air with their virtuosity.

[@lptomtom]

70s Fenders have some charm to them, but '70s Gibson just look like crap... good playing, though!

[@kevinlebrun2307]

lptomtom ive always loved the look of 70s cherrybursts with black pickguards.

[@tatethompson1234]

The bursts from '74 through the end of the 70's are known as "clown bursts", no idea why but they looked awful. My '73 deluxe has a perfect burst, looks like a '59, perfect dark red seeing the grain through it etc.

[@ziggypop79]

Please could you do one on Brian Jones, the founder of The Rolling Stones. Particularly his slide work. I’m sick of hearing about Mick T and Ronnie. The stones have written Brian out of their history and it’s disgraceful.

[@ligarrinzani6710]

ziggy pop his guitar skill is laughable compared to mick taylor.

[@ziggypop79]

Ligar Rinzani Brian was one of the best slide players of his generation. I suggest you do some reading before making such a bold comment. Mick T often covers Brian’s interpretation of Little Red Rooster. Brian was the first white slide player in Britain and taught Keith his chops, most notably how to play in open G. Again I suggest you do some reading before judging the founder of The Stones.

[@SpaceGhost666]

ziggy pop Jagger says the last thing he remembers Brian contributing to the stones was his beautiful,haunting slide work on "No Expectations"

[@MetamorphosisYa]

His slide skills were primitive and minimal. He wasnt an amazing guitarist at all. The only leads he played were on slide and they really weren't all that impressive. I Wanna Be Your Man and No Expectations are good but not really impressive.

[@gp414]

@@MetamorphosisYa Jones wrote and played the main lead riff on The Last Time, one of their best.

[@curtisburns]

The Stones didn't write another good album after Sticky Fingers. Yet Jagger and Richards always play down how much of an influence Mick Taylor had on their songwriting.

[@chesterpesko]

Curtis Burns Good grief.

[@HashishUno]

Exile ...m

[@artturnerjr]

"The Stones didn't write another good album after Sticky Fingers." For real? EXILE ON MAIN ST. is a masterpiece. And SOME GIRLS isn't far behind.

[@TeleCaster66]

That foolish statement doesn't even deserve an argument.

[@dhritimansen3307]

looool