Nashville Session Guitarist Tom Bukovac Teaches One Of The Best Rhythm Guitar Lessons I've Ever Seen

Tom Bukovac is considered to be one of the best session guitarists of all time. In todays lesson Uncle Larry (Tom) gives one of the best rhythm guitar lessons I have ever seen or been involved with. It covers everything from layering guitar parts, chord variations, picking hand techniques, finger picking, using your thumb for bass notes, chord melodies, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, CAGED system, double stops and more. Let one of todays living guitar masters show you tons of invaluable techniques to make you a better rhythm guitarist today. You are going to want to watch this one from start to finish! Grab your guitar and drink of choice and prepare to have your mind blown and to watch a true master at work!
Tom will be doing more videos on the channel so make sure to leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
👉 Check out Tom's KZbin channel here: ‪@501chorusecho‬
Chapters
0:00-1:22 Opening Performance
1:23-2:05 Video Intro
2:06-3:53 Laying Parts Main Part Review
3:54-4:22 How To Play Song With Normal Chords
4:23-5:21 Using Movable Chord Shapes
5:22-6:34 Claw Picking Technique And Part 1 Breakdown
6:35-11:39 Movable Chord Shapes In Different Keys
11:40-20:18 Open And Extended Chord Voicings
20:19-21:25 Wurley Trick
21:26-22:32 Part 2 Song Review
22:33-24:06 Selective Picking And Claw Technique
24:07-26:30 Using Your Thumb For Bass Notes
26:31-40:45 Using 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, and CAGED
40:46-41:27 Closing
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#tombukovac #guitar #brettpapa

[@icanbreathenow]

Without hesitation, I will buy any lesson or course you put together with Tom. Can’t wait

[@BrettPapa]

Haha thanks! Well we will see you might just be in luck at some point in the near future. Only time will tell.

[@dmc549]

@@BrettPapa Don't tease us!

[@mykaub]

i second this! By far the best lesson Uncle Larry has on YT! 🤘

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Same. Smart to be the first to have UL share a bit of his wisdom in your format.

[@ckjjclan]

Second this

[@rocketdoggo]

Uncle Larry is a fire hose of guitar knowledge. We're here trying to take sips and getting our faces blown off.

[@BrettPapa]

Lol

[@Whickedlee]

He’s a regular Spidowski. Welcome to Uncle Larry’s Clubhouse. Now……who’s thirsty?

[@theknappster2067]

as a half assed guitarist, this is possibly the best time ive spent on youtube all year.

[@8466849]

Many guitar method books can be written based off this video... Every 2 mins is another decade of knowledge. Love you Uncle Larry

[@BrettPapa]

More coming soon!

[@TheRodge2112]

The ability to evoke emotion with simple chords and Tom’s perfect touch tells you everything you need to know about Uncle Larry. He’s a master.

[@BrettPapa]

Agreed!

[@Bob-ij3lq]

"Take that, and start messin' with that." That's good advice.

[@MaTTheWish]

One could study the intricacies of this lesson for an entire lifetime. Absolute Magic. Also credit to Brett for always bringing out the best in players and helping them explain their thought process. Brilliant.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks! Glad you liked the lesson!

[@vaughnmaurt5013]

This stuff wil,keep me busy all week

[@vaughnmaurt5013]

Check that….longer lol

[@godofrainbows]

Just what I was thinking. I’m going to download this video and study it for probably weeks and months and longer. Thanks for such a great lesson. This guy is a real teacher.

[@roughcutguitars]

​@@vaughnmaurt5013SAYin'

[@dazscotland]

I did not know Tom before this video. Love his style. Away to go down a rabbit hole with his music. Thanks

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

down for a lifetime, yes?

[@RockAndRootsGuitar]

Bukovac is so, so good. What a treat to be able to sit at home and watch a master at work!!!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@JarickL]

I can’t get over how much knowledge he has and how musical he is in the application.

[@BrettPapa]

It never ends either!

[@DarthWutang]

This man has completed every side quest on guitar.

[@BrettPapa]

Pretty much lol

[@ciccaj]

Tom is not only a great guitar player but a great teacher as well.

[@BrettPapa]

Agreed

[@giovito77]

The world needs more Tom Bukovacs, such a humble and endlessly outstanding musician. ❤️ and admire your approach, playing and could watch this 24/7

[@BrettPapa]

Agreed!

[@markosliodakis9436]

I am laughing alone in my house with how good all this sounds to me i am blown away

[@BrettPapa]

Glad you liked it!

[@johndrew8]

First off… great episode. Will be at Blackbird next week recording. Did my demo chords and solo this evening and modelled it after some of these ideas. I do use them as well and love the space but wasn’t going in this direction till the video today. Thanks for the inspiration fellas!!!! As always JD

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

Buk is the best guitarist I’ve ever listened to. The more you dig into his vast knowledge the more you realize how little that you really know. I will buy any course that has Uncle Larry .

[@Veritas84Aequitas]

Uncle Larry is a special player teaching pure vibe.

[@BrettPapa]

For sure!

[@faccsmachine]

I will watch and listen to this intro at least 45-50 more times. It's perfect.

[@BrettPapa]

Glad you liked it!

[@thg705]

Uncle Larry is other-worldly...I'm all in on any course or lesson from him! Thanks for hosting and posting this, Brett!

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@rocketguy2]

Open strings as notes...More Bucovacian wisdom driving home the notion of learning the fingerboard...Priceless!

[@BrettPapa]

For sure!

[@zoharkiks]

Man, that tone is heaven

[@markpegues915]

Tom is by far my favorite guitarist of all time. He plays with so much feeling and soul... He's in a league all his own.

[@BrettPapa]

Yep he is one in a million for sure!

[@tgmgullion]

Tom is the A living guitar god. How many artists have benefitted from this mans brilliance. Countless!

[@BrettPapa]

A lot!

[@apriltoronto5254]

Who did? I'm new to him... would like to find out about artists he brought up... Thanks in advance.

[@jethro_bardot]

​@@apriltoronto5254 Bukovac has played on over 1200 albums,[1] including projects by Dan Auerbach and The Black Keys, Kid Rock, Morgan Wallen, Ann Wilson, The Struts, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Bob Seger, John Oates, Joan Osborne, Vince Gill, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Hank Williams Jr., Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Carrie Underwood, Richard Marx, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Kenny Loggins, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, LeAnn Rimes, Florida Georgia Line, Lionel Richie, among many others.

[@timothy5974]

I am so glad that you have Tom on. I am amazed at his guitar playing. His chords are so lush. You put out a lesson with Uncle Larry and I will own it.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha thanks! I will see what we can do.

[@allanjohnsen1034]

Every time I see Tom, He makes his way to become my favorite guitarist ...

[@Sellarmusic]

Tom is just an incredible guitar player. His ear for melody and what he chooses to play is just so inspiring. Never miss his KZbin videos. I'll be referring back to this one a few times for sure.

[@BrettPapa]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@Mister_Samsonite]

It's impressive enough that Tom has this mountain of musical knowledge, but his ability to recall and know when/how to use it is astounding! It's also very gracious of him to share that knowledge with the world. Top notch!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@waynespradley6972]

This is one of the most inspiring forty some-odd minutes I’ve spent on KZbin. It’s the most assessable Uncle Larry I’ve seen. I hope a future course becomes a reality. My wallet is open…

[@BrettPapa]

That's awesome! Thanks for checking it out!

[@booworkscouk]

Best guitar tutorial video I have ever seen. Bar none.

[@StefanGBucher]

Tom is a g*ddamn marvel. Such an unbelievable ear for melody and vibe, such facility on the instrument AND the ability to know and clearly articulate exactly what he's doing! Thank you for this!

[@BrettPapa]

Yep! One of a kind! Thanks for checking it out.

[@michaeldarrin2026]

Thanks to Brett for making this happen with uncle Larry... There is such much musical knowledge that Tom evokes that it is mind blowing, his total control of the fretboard... You guys are great together, best comment Brett is when you asked Tom, did you ever get outside and play much as a kid, Classic.....Peace brothers!!!!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for checking us out! Glad you liked it.

[@Andy_Fallon]

It's so heartwarming to watch Brett enjoying playing with Uncle Larry.

[@theelectricvoyage]

We are so privileged to see and hear this folks, lovely people, unique guitar player and thanks Brett for getting Tom to do the lesson and thanks Tom for taking it on man.

[@sjdanthem]

As someone that just noodles aimlessly most of the time, I'd kill to be able to do even a tiny fraction of what Uncle Larry does every time he touches the guitar. He cannot fail to play something "musical" every time he picks the thing up.

[@BrettPapa]

Yep all music in that one!

[@ByTheSpirit84]

Just gotta practice with a purpose

[@sjdanthem]

@@ByTheSpirit84 Yeah, getting there. I think getting a looper will help.

[@kevinfairless2197]

​@@sjdanthem,, yeah man, getting a looper will help you a lot... And if you haven't. Learn the CAGED system, and the associated pentatonic scales that go with each "Caged shape".. it will allow you to do what he's doing... And then once you do that, learn the 7th chords and then the suspended chords. And you'll be able to do what he's doing.

[@picturemaker1000]

This is without a doubt the greatest lesson I have ever had on chord theory and expression!!! Thank you so much Uncle Larry for showing us a little of your genius in a very digestible way! Thank you Brett for setting up the stage and keeping Tom on track with the tune he played into the looper. This lesson is an absolute masterclass! I would happily pay for this! Mind blown!!! ❤

[@StealthParrot]

It is just unreal the ease with which Tom puts together such amazingly beautiful sounding progressions. Phenomenal touch and feel.

[@SooBahkJoel]

The amount of musical knowledge and experience in Tom's noggin is just staggering.

[@glencruciani]

Can we just take a moment to talk about the tone Tom's getting out of that Les Paul!!! What is he playing through??? Literally every note he played sounds like a glorious studio take. 👏🏼

[@jackgreenwood1817]

Yeah it sounds incredible. He's going through one of the 2 Marshall heads behind them and then through a UA Ox box by the look of things

[@glencruciani]

@jackgreenwood1817 I was actually wondering which Marshall head he was playing through.

[@ClaudioMartella]

Top one seems jtm45

[@glencruciani]

@@jackgreenwood1817 yeah, I was hoping Brett would chime in and tell us. He’s very good about that.

[@isaacmondesir1814]

Yeah his tone is bonkers

[@RobertKeeleyTV]

34:30 what a cool musical treat...those chord changes make the notes pop so good.

[@jamessator5564]

Amazing simply Amazing!! Every time I watch Tom I always learn something new!!!

[@jl61046]

What a tremendously beautiful, masterful player Uncle Larry is. Such a treat.

[@abteenz]

Brett, you are the businessman and Larry is mad genius. Let his genius flow and after recording all of that get back with him and try to fill in the gaps with him for us mortals and put structure around it.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha

[@jdwild1698]

Buk is not your average awesome master player , but many levels above what most can fathom and create . It's just amazing his ability to play outside the box not just in note choices but in chord construction and harmony , just killer shit man ! Thanks guys much appreciated . :>)

[@BrettPapa]

Glad you liked it!

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Just beautiful ! Thank you Brett and Uncle Larry for sharing your wisdom and deep love of music with us. Gratefully - John

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@sgblues4238]

Uncle Larry is a LEGEND!

[@BrettPapa]

100% agreed!

[@guitarhoarder1972]

thanks for taking the time to shoot this and the lesson was fabulous! uncle larry is a super talent and a down to earth human being . thanks again guys!

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing! Thanks for tuning in!

[@jl61046]

I genuinely don’t think there’s a better, more powerful player out there right now besides this dude. Sheesh. So humble too.

[@anjy2l332]

Tom is amazing. Thank you for this.

[@paulpulati9613]

Thank you so much for that lesson, Tom [and Papa, too..... 😎]. That's opened a door I've been looking for a long time. I hope I can find my way through it..... 👍❣

[@BrettPapa]

Glad you liked it! Awesome to hear!

[@mpw621]

Tom is so creative. He is showing us very advanced stuff which great! It all makes sense . Thanks for great Vid !

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@Sheegog1972]

So refreshing to get a video about creating chord voices and melody. So many years of playing I have created my own roadblocks by playing everything the same way too much. It's all there if you want it to be and you open your imagination. Mind blown. Great video. Much appreciated.

[@michaelshearer3559]

The King of melody and touch.

[@Jeff.D024]

Buk is the shit!! The Yoda of guitardom

[@BrettPapa]

Haha pretty much!

[@flplay2379]

Bravo Tome, ponosan sam na tebe, uspjeti u Nashvillu za svaku je pohvalu...samo ih jos nauci da izgovore Bukovac i to je to😂 puno pozdrava iz Rijeke

[@rawshoe]

Hahahah mislim da je rekao jednom da on vise voli kako zvuci Bukovak

[@justincotten]

Learned Tom’s intro riffs last night and I don’t see myself stopping with these newfound voicings anytime soon. Eternal thanks to you and Buk for helping me open up my fretboard. Finally! ❤

[@fisherman10101]

thank you Tom for sharing some golden tips and tricks

[@TheBurdenOfHope]

You guys are creating the BEST RESOURCE for a player like me. I know the basics and have played in bands for years but just haven’t had the same inspiration to freshen up how I play. Can’t get over how much there is to learn from this video. I’ll be coming back to this for years. Well done gents x

[@BrettPapa]

Awesome to hear man! Glad you liked the vid!

[@davidpepper442]

Hey Brett, thanks for this amazing video! The first 15 minutes could keep players like me busy for weeks. I love your lessons, been a fan since the Papa Stache days, and I know you have been nudging Tom toward some more organized lessons. Can't wait for those! If there is anyone that is justifiable in playing a 300K guitar it is this man. Cheers!

[@BrettPapa]

Wow thanks for hanging in there for all these years! More Tom coming soon!

[@johnhardy1269]

Tom is always mind blowing. Thanks for doing this video.

[@MaxBrown233]

gosh im constantly amazed at his playing. i loved the playing at the start!

[@koho]

Brett Papa - you are the *best* at pulling the most out of our guitar heroes so we commoners can learn from them. This is a standout lesson (I'm a long time HomeSkooler) but it's only one of many examples of your amazing content. I also want to highlight the great "On My Sleeve" lessons that you produced with Mark Lettieri - recommended to anyone. It's so tasty, advanced in some ways but accessible. Mark's a great teacher, and you producing no doubt had a lot to do with that. Working through only a fraction of it made *everything else* in my playing easier and better - and who doesn't want to emulate Mark!? Thank you!!

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks so much! I am glad to hear they are helping you out!

[@Dlee966]

Well I’ll be watching this video for the next month or two lol

[@BrettPapa]

Awesome! Thanks for tuning in!

[@johngallaghermusic9777]

This is marvelous stuff. Thank you Uncle Larry and Brett.

[@MRxr400]

i liked video within 10 seconds. sweetest heart felt playing and tone i've ever heard. then i paused to go practice as it was so inspiring.

[@jonlewis63]

when this reaches 1 million views just know most of them will be mine 🤣! I'll be unboxing this one for the rest of my days .

[@BrettPapa]

Haha! Thanks for checking it out!

[@abteenz]

Holy mother of god!

[@BrettPapa]

Yeah that's what I think every time I see him play too! It never ends!

[@baptistemartin7695]

Hello, i'm french . Yyyaaaahouuuu, this man is pure feeling . The biggest lesson he give : live your music . For me , one of the best guitarist. So good to have secrets of his style . All lessons or just vidéos with you both are welcome . So , another beer ...😎🎸🍺

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for watching!

[@sonnydalheim]

This is pure gold!

[@bazilbrushrocks]

Larry still playing that old plank of wood huh? Boy does he make it sing.

[@BrettPapa]

It is such a fantastic guitar! Makes me nervous when he brings it over though lol!

[@rballz]

You talk him into a course yet? I'd pay many different dollars for one.

[@BrettPapa]

Haha! Well it might be in the cards haha

[@stratmagic6893]

There is Tom Bukovac and then there is everyone else. I learned so much from this video. Can't wait to buy the course. Thx guys 👦

[@kmarchi1]

Great lesson. Always learning from Uncle Larry. Thanks for sharing

[@lanceleslie5165]

Awesome lesson, awesome content. And the most chill master class imaginable. You have my enthusiastic vote for more of this, Brett and Uncle Larry!

[@robertlewis8024]

Really appreciate it every time you have our Uncle Larry on. Thanks for what you do.

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@tedboughter-dornfeld5281]

Amazing. Thank you both.

[@johnbruhnke7506]

What a great touch.

[@kerwoodspruce]

Going to where the magic lives! Awesome, awesome, awesome. Thank you both.

[@BrettPapa]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@kpuliatch]

Uncle. Larry is an american treasure from cleveland. Always giving from a selfishness's heart to serve the song , now sharing his chord chemistry and feel . Much gratitude Tom and Bret

[@joshuahaley4367]

Brett, please get Tom back on here as much as possible. He’s the best player in the world right now and his knowledge is invaluable. I have learned a tremendous amount from his videos and it is fantastic to have someone there asking him questions and getting him to expand on concepts that he might otherwise gloss over. Thank you!

[@BrettPapa]

More coming soon. He always has an open invitation. He will be back soon. Got some more great stuff planned!

[@ac8704]

Tom is just a master. I would listen to him play over just about anyone else. Incredible.

[@gitarmats]

Uncle Larry's bag of tricks is very deep! So much good stuff here.

[@gustavo-entrala]

I could be listening to Tom for days.

[@BrettPapa]

Me too! Always inspiring!

[@andertons]

SO good...

[@BrettPapa]

Glad you liked it!

[@sc90s]

Thanks Brett for producing this and sharing your love of music. The amount of talent in that room was staggering!Love your content and your ability to be yourself with whom ever you happen to share your jam space with. All the best to you sir. I am truly grateful for all I have learned from you over the years.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy the lessons!

[@54fighting5]

I only discovered Uncle Larry in the last year or so and he never fails to impress the hell out of me. His creativity is off the charts! He effortlessly throws out chordal melodies the way most people just speak a sentence. I can only imagine that he has had a guitar in his hands, 20 hours a day, for the last 40 years. Watching and listening to him deconstruct his ideas is like watching someone explain "this is how you build a rainbow". Thank you Tom, and thank you Brett for sharing this.❤

[@Paintedonshoes]

He’s the most inspirational, stylish guitarist I’ve heard in years. He seemingly never overplays, either.

[@BrettPapa]

Yep he is amazing! Great dude too!

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

Truly an eye opener in rhythm guitar playing techniques and I can watch it play again and again to learn something new. Thanks for sharing an interesting guitar topic.

[@joeldowdy404]

The master professor at work!! Uncle Larry!!!

[@tratko3150]

I just watched this amazing session. Thanks to Tom and Brett!

[@seven336]

Exactly what I needed on my guitar learning journey. Wonderful voicings, great player!

[@bruceolson4413]

Thanks guys. I picked up a few things and I'm grateful. Always love listening to Uncle Larry.

[@BrettPapa]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@marcos061059]

This was an AMAZING lesson. Thank you so much.

[@sergeyzhuravliov6090]

Thank you! Tome is awesome!

[@AllanGildea]

Gorgeous opener. Thank you both very much.

[@BrettPapa]

You are welcome!

[@michaelpeterson5061]

Those are the chords of angels not just piano. My goodness I’ll be rewatching this for a very long time. Thank you both from the bottom of my soul, I needed to hear these melodies and voicings.

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing! Glad you liked it!

[@bennytudor5313]

Absolutely brilliant. Do this again fellas!

[@joeblakeukeman]

Thanks heaps, Tom, for an amazing bunch of stuff! Watching with guitar in hand, stopping and tapping left, go back - see that again, play that! Love it all! So playable, open string cool voicing. And thanks, Brett Papa! 💓

[@dep1001]

Man! I can listen to Buk talk guitar forever!

[@chrischarles1468]

Thanks Brett for this glimpse into Tom’s wonderful style.

[@BrettPapa]

Sure thing!

[@freespeech-advocate]

lovin the mystical sound of them chords, zeps and floyd rolled into 1 ... class

[@tryggveforner]

Pure brilliance, next level musicality!