Open D picking,acoustic guitar lesson by Max Milligan

Here's a free lesson to give you some ideas in open D tuning. it's based around a great old tune called Vestapol. The guitar is a Guild D55 artist. Please forgive me tuning as I go,I did two vids one after another and they were new strings.Get there in the end. :o)
Tabs are available at www.maxmilligan.co.uk

[@messiahsez]

Thanks. Great lesson. Very clear. Thanks.

[@maxmilligan8734]

+messiahsez Hey thanks check out some of the other open D lessons I have done :)

[@josephgrady2129]

+messiahsez Greetings Messiah :)

[@maxmilligan8734]

:) enjoy the lessons :)

[@stevedouglas7375]

First and foremost, I'd like to know if you're still around Max. About 11, 12 years ago I see that you mentioned being in recovery from bowel cancer. I just subscribed and again, I hope you're still with us and are okay.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Yes I have been all clear for over 10 years now,many thanks. max

[@stevedouglas7375]

@@maxmilligan8734 Excellent. I'm glad to hear that Max and I appreciate your reply.

[@jambutty2218]

Learnt this off you a few years ago. When busking it with my resonator guitar, I’ve paid for a few pairs of strings. It’s bought me many dinners. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Awesome :) Made my day. Keep playing the blues.

[@Anna82Purna]

Sounds sweet enough to make the gods weep and set dogs to dancing! You have rejuvenated one old phart's motivation to take up where he left off 20+ years ago and keep banging away at it until his fingertips scream. Thank you ever so much.

[@wendyvic4046]

Great lesson. Very succint. These come in handy when one is just starting to mess around in "open D". Thanks.

[@martintimothy1915]

Great lesson Max .. maybe we'll get somewhere with this stuff after all :)

[@o7levi]

My favorite tuning.. aside from standard. You can do so much with this tuning..

[@ToniMillan]

Hi again Max... Thanks for this tutorial... Also very simple and fantastic Regards Toni

[@aisforapple2494]

"Close enough for jazz" 🤣🤣🤣 I always say that!

[@22archalien]

Max, I used this today at one of my closest friends funeral. I can’t thank you enough for your lessons. It helped today.

[@maxmilligan8734]

That's so kind and I am so sorry for your loss. Hopefully music can help heal the pain a little at this difficult time.

[@djblackjackshellac]

Thank you Max for this lesson. I'm a real beginner with open D, and I've spent a couple hours with your lesson here on Christmas night, feeling like I've been given a great gift.

[@maxmilligan8734]

+lasersandtheirbeams Merry Christmas and enjoy the other open D lesson. :)

[@yorlih123]

A privilege to hear you play. We owe you.

[@CarrshowProductions]

Hats off to the 150,000+ people that stopped by to learn this. That what life is all about. Learning cool shit like this! Jamming in open D is fun

[@TheflyingL]

Terrific! Thank you so very much for this. It really helps.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@BellumSacrumBellum28 Thanks for your response, playing in standard tuning is not a problem for me. Check out Sheila's Smile/Alphonso's Rag on my page. I can send you the music and you can post your version or something easier like my version of Heard it Through the Grapevine but that has a drop D so that's probably cheating too. These are free lessons I posted before having surgery for Bowel cancer, thankfully I'm clear now so i'll post some more lessons soon. It's a free lesson, get over it.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@perfuzz Hi yep it was a Blackface 65 re issue. I use a Black Star 5 watt head for recording now and a Fender Tremolux for electric gigs. Most of the time it's acoustic gigs so I use an AER 60watt amp L.R.Baggs PARA d.i. or Fishman Aura depending on the venue. My main giging acoustic is a Maton 808TE. Hope you enjoyed the lessons.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@noshortsus I don't think I have tabs for this particular lesson. I'm a strong believer it trying work stuff out by ear, transcribing as much music as possible if you can and lot's of practice. If you send e mail address I'll send some similar lesson tabs. Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

Yep judging by my views, 405.474 a lot of people have checked out my free lessons and album tracks. Some people enjoy them, some not. As I said it's a free lesson get over it. I'll check your page out for lessons and views in the meantime. :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@forkman22222 If you find this too difficult, try perfecting Finger picking exercises 1. 2 and 3. Practice everything slowly until it it correct. Then increase the tempo. There are no short cuts I'm afraid just lots of practice. Good luck. :o) Max

[@jenamu6]

Great lesson, love how you broke it down to easier blocks. I'm just getting the thumb working and this is a great way to practice.

[@maxmilligan8734]

jenamu6 Try lesson 2 in Drop D too. :) Thanks

[@maxmilligan8734]

Hi Mollykins, if you have just started playing guitar you will find this tricky as it's about a grade 4 piece over here in the UK. You might want to master the beginner picking lessons first.

[@KalogeropoulosIraklis]

For those who want to tune their guitar in Open D: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apOUdKWZmtJjhqc

[@maxmilligan8734]

@Neelcool87 Try to practice in 15 minute sessions and take regular breaks. If you can get in an hour a day, great! If not, do what you can.You can't really practice too much!! :o)

[@Fintan33]

Very good Lesson, ignore the stupidity of some of the kids comments. You reached alot of grateful people too :)

[@maxmilligan5672]

Thanks Finn check out lesson 2.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@lonewolfgabo Yep this is open D. That means when you strum open strings you get a D major chord. e.g. Open E is tuned EBEG#BE. DADGAD is an open tuning. Cheers Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

@NickBishop66 It's a Guild D55 Artist. lovely guitar. I sold it a while back :o( to get my Maton 808TE which is just a brilliant guitar for playing live. :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

Thanks, hugh pugh barney.... check out lesson 2, tabs available at my website. Then have a crack at my version of Heard it Through the Grapevine. :o)

[@mdhonze]

Hey Max, nice video. Not too fast for me, I got it all and learned a few things as well. I really like your teaching style although I am in open E and I don't like to keep tuning up and down so I just adapt as if you were capo on the second. Keep it up and thank you again...MD

[@maxmilligan8734]

Sorry the tune was too difficult for you, I have some easy blues lick lessons out there to and a series of style videos by Artsmagic.

[@maxmilligan8734]

yep tuning as I go to knock out a few free lessons, less chance of being pinched for incidental music! ha :o) as some have been.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Hey thanks, some people didn't like it but i recorded it quickly in down time between lessons.Check out lesson 2 all the best. Max

[@joaquingutierrez563]

This video sounds like Guitar Rag By Sylvester Weaver, Saludos de Chile

[@maxmilligan8734]

Yes this tuning is good for slide guitar. Enjoy the second lesson in the tuning.on my channel.

[@maxmilligan8734]

No the first slide in the melody is to the major 3rd (F#) and D dorian has a minor 3rd (F), it's mostly D major pentatonic. :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@guitarist100 yep mostly finger 2 but use what feels comfortable for you. Enjoy! I hope to post some more lessons soon.

[@LUCKas1212]

"Buckets of rain, buckets of tears...." it reminded me of Dylan, nice job man

[@maxmilligan8734]

Keep with it, I am sure you will, I have a version on i tunes now from the Cherry Lee Mewis EP "Cherry Pickin'"

[@forkman22222]

its hard keeping the rhythm of the bass but also playing the melody its tough to learn

[@aisforapple2494]

I wanted to be a bassist, but was made to learn guitar first. The alternating bassline is easy, but I cannot play a melody simultaneously to save my soul.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@donkylemore I hope to post some more stuff soon, I've just been so busy. have fun with it. Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

Thanks Uncle Raggy, check out the second lesson too in open D and have fun pickin'. Max :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@sbilts Thanks for your kind comment, check out some of my other lessons too. Have fun. Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

@sbilts Thanks for your kind comment, check out some of my other lessons too. Have fun. Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

It's great for slide but check out Joni Mitchells music too. Enjoy your music.Good luck, Max

[@chrisgraham887]

Great lesson! Thanks so much Max! Well done

[@maxmilligan8734]

+Chris Graham Thanks Chris check out my tracks on CDbaby ;)

[@TheZimmie1]

Thanks for posting,dropped to open D cause of arthritis issues with fingers, its been a godsend really being able to pluck strings again.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Steve smith Glad it's of help Steve and you can put the guitar on you lap and try some slide.Start with open D, fret 5 gives you G, fret 7 gives you A and 12th fret a high D chord :)

[@miboraminima764]

Hello max, leo here. Just wanted to tell you that I've watched a hell load of videos about open D tuning lessons, and this one might be the greatest. cheers ! keep up the good work

[@maxmilligan8734]

+Leo Giardi Thanks Leo check out my music at cdbaby :)

[@alistairarthur7555]

Cute! love it! Love ur laid back and helpful approach too. Reminds me a little of "Four and Twenty"... but with less D's lol!

[@maxmilligan8734]

Hey thanks Alistair check out lesson 2, too !! :)

[@maxmilligan8734]

hey many thanks, check out the second open D lesson on my channel. Good luck Max :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@FrankLucci Thankyou, hope you get a chance to check out some others too. :o) Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

@mcguire451 cheers glad you like it. Check out some other lessons I've done. Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

@brznzzy hi, many thanks, sorry about the late reply I've been so busy. :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@yenbadcito Got some basic tabs now for it. after soooo many requests :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@mtraas3 Hey thanks I'll try and post another one soon. All the best Max

[@maxmilligan8734]

Many thanks I hope to post some more soon now i am in better health. Max

[@skidown]

Thank You For a very comprehensive lesson. Excelent. I do have problem with right hand,it is very difficult to coordinate ,it is like Only the tumb or Only index finger picking but never in a coordinated fashion. How do I practice for that?

[@natezipf7143]

thankyou for playing slow and taking your time to share with others on how to practice

[@maxmilligan8734]

Nate Zipf Thanks Nate enjoy the other lessons. :)

[@maxmilligan8734]

Thanks for that and good luck with the picking....and the job! Max

[@EricThomasHunterSweetland]

Nicely shown :-) the long time tuning is exactly what watchers need. When I put walking blues on acoustic dobro up I had loads of tuning questions so had to upload another to show tuning. Lovely job, you are a clear and talented teacher, not to mention a clean picker too!

[@19conrod42]

Thanks Max for this lesson. I'm a 5string banjo picker moved to guitar and I've just got myself a Resonator Guitar which you know sounds best in open tuning. Your video has taught me a lot in open D. Cheers Denis.

[@blissmanu]

This is soooo cool, i texted "picking lesson" on youtube, and you were the first video. This is a really good exercice, very melodic ! Lets's work now ! thanks again.

[@SkeeterMcGraw]

Thanks for the vid. I just bought an inexpensive resonator and discovered Vestapol tuning within the last year, even though I had broken a lot of strings tuning to open E. The possibilities are infinite. I am learning some slide and am considering raising the bridge just a little to accommodate that. Thanks again. :-)

[@robbrasher4304]

Not certain what some of the feedback refers to disclaiming the instructional aspect of your bit, I have played for 20 years and still appreciate the traditional side of guitar, all instruments for that matter. Keep getting up my friend. I've already ripped you off for a hymn I'm writing for the Church where I lead the music. Not sure if my guitar will see standard tuning for a while. Thanks again.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@johngo6283 Hey many thanks, enjoy the other lessons. Max :o)

[@perfuzz]

@AcousticMax - I did enjoy it! I'm only just started out with open chord tuning. At the moment I'm sniffing the net for Elmore stuff. I've got an BF Twin Reverb with a AB763 circuit. A bit heavy, but the sound makes it worth while. Oh yes and a home brewed 5F6-a amp. This "Bassman" is perfect for slide guitar!

[@TOtherSimon]

Hi - I hope you don't mind, but I've used a bit of this video to make a KZbin tutorial mashup - which you can see here: KZbin Tutorial Mashup 3 Hope you like it!

[@dunnydoors01]

i was looking for the "add comment button"...I am very sad, .."comma".. It was not there. this fellow is a good D player. However he wandered off in the lesson. He should check out JustinGuitar..sandercoe. for lessons in the art of passing on: the art. of learning.

[@saab900t16]

You are very good, but it's not really a lesson is it, you just go off on your own showing what you can do(very good too), but it ain't no lesson Brother, no different to the Yank videos, starts with a lesson then they just show off as per normal. Disappointed. I'm afraid.

[@davidmackinnon82]

hi i'll be trying out your licks just learned first song in open d and i love the tun ing already i responded with first 1 i learned

[@Enursia]

Thank you so much for posting this for us. I'm just beginning to experiment with open tuning and am always looking for little tunes I can play around with. Your teaching style is fantastic and is helping me get over my fear of jamming with other people. Thank you! :)

[@19conrod42]

The vestapol tune was a great one to learn, the melody line seemed to fall easy to the fingers, and I'm used to playing alternate base lines. so I'm moving on to your video 2 lesson in open D. Cheers Max. Denis.

[@niguel4438]

Brilliant. I love playing in open D and will learn this. I would also recommend learning Police Dog Blues. Sounds great and very rewarding to play.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Many thanks I will check it out. :)

[@jas9friend]

Having trouble getting my fingers to work... Thumb and index don't want to do seperate things. Kinda like rubbing your stomach and patting your head.

[@lonewolfgabo]

I allways thought open D tunning was DADGAD but this is DADF#AD right? This tunning sounds more country than irish.

[@movement26]

Many thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with others..........What a beautiful guitar, but at 2,800 dollars I don't think I will be acquiring one in the near future ;-)

[@adamkincaid1234]

Practice till your fingers cramp and bleed, then play a bit more. I've been playing for 35 years and sometimes I feel like I don't know anything. It's blissful ignorance, though x

[@AdrianJames28]

@kickassboyxx D-F-A is D minor, D-G-A is infact a D with a suspended fourth. DADGAD tuning can be used to create a G5 chord by fretting the second frett on the third string (G string)

[@AndyMc1952]

thanks for your time man.....this is a nice pice to pick around with.........your right i havent heard it the samE yet.......this one is my style.....hope you dont mind me borrowing it

[@nickiemarshall]

Nice one mate... just started playing about in Open D cos i'm trying to learn Rolling Stones - You Got The Silver and come across this... shall be playing this for a while... cheers

[@fabiaso62]

Thanks Max, thanks so much! (from Genoa, Italy)

[@maxmilligan8734]

+Fabio Biasotti Grazie Fabio

[@maxmilligan8734]

Many thanks check out lesson 2 on my channel. Max :o)

[@maxmilligan8734]

@TotallyNOTMelGibson Thankyou for watching, enjoy. max

[@andronicus632]

do you do any slide? thanks for this nice sounding guitar there always great to find great sounds, been doing the open tuning alot just moving to slide resonator meself

[@melodel2]

@AcousticMax Oh! Well good to know, that's interesting, maybe it is just a common set of notes played in open D. Thanks! It's a good challenge for me, and I will!

[@Neelcool87]

could u tell me How long should i do finger picking practice everyday?please suggest me some important tips

[@neilroberts1512]

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@melodel2]

The higher part where you go up to the 7th and 9th fret sounds striking similar to John Denver's song, "Poems, Prayers, and Promises", does it not?

[@ngthanhtoan91]

Hello.This ís the first time i watch your lesson.I feel very excited and I love your sound very much.Happy to know you "I come from Viet Nam :D"

[@rrrrockin]

hi ,,,thankyou soo much ,,big help w trying to alt the thumb at the same time ,, it took 21/2hrs but got it ,,just berely ,,,thanx man ,,and peace

[@sheepishMusic]

nicely done, exactly the lesson i was looking for - not too easy, not too hard. any specific place you know i can learn more open d things?

[@MiniShowProductions]

boss that m8 im just gettin into open Dtunning had a little go at writin a tune or 2 in it n gonna steal some of that hope you dont mind ;)

[@guitarist100]

I take that you are using the 2nd and 3rd fingers for the now high a and d strings on the first lick ? really cool stuff many thanks

[@maxmilligan8734]

Many thanks I hope to put some more stuff up soon.

[@rendelharris5561]

I've just started learning open D picking and this is exactly what I needed, and the free TAB on your website is brilliant as well. Many thanks Max, much appreciated.

[@maxmilligan8734]

@soundmethod Thanks I'm glad you enjoyed it. Max

[@clementlagreze1572]

I just start tonigh to play in open tunnig d. Its really amazing :) Really nice song and teaching technique, thanks

[@trekkinaus]

Awesome lesson mate got me back into playing again cheers

[@TheSchaff570]

Awesome vid, Mr. Milligan! I've been experimenting with open D tuning and this tutorial was a big help and inspiration!

Max Milligan dear friend , good video , full watched promotion , subs

[@maxmilligan5672]

thanks there should be some tabs on my website. :)

[@maxmilligan8734]

I look forward to hearing your offering. Cheers

[@faunoram]

this is fantastic !! takes the open D tuning to another level !! thanks a lot !

[@rigburlyman]

Thanks a lot. Best lessons on the net.