"Poor Boy A Long Way From Home" taught by John Fahey

[@diment0857]

John Fahey died at 61. During his lifetime he recorded 40 albums, participated in the rediscovery of Bukka White and Skip James academically (he was a scholar), started two labels, one of which - Takoma - was the first artist-owned label ever and one of the most successful independent labels of its day. He started the careers of Leo Kottke, Peter Lang, Al Wilson, George Winston, and influenced hordes of others from Bob Dylan to Pete Townshend to Jerry Garcia to Thurston Moore. He wrote four books and contributed liner notes to many, many records. He canvassed for records throughout the South, did field recordings, looked for people who recorded those 78s, lived on the two coasts and Hawaii, was married and divorced three times. Most importantly, he was the first person to create an audience for steel-guitar music without vocals. In that way he’s hugely influential, even for people who might not know he influenced them by creating a market for it in the exact same way that Segovia created a market for classical guitar music in the 1920s. John Fahey had "genius" written all over him. RIP

[@AnalogOpher]

Yeeeeeeeeesssssss!

[@LexTreefrog]

5 years ago this video changed my life. I encourage everyone learning guitar to look into how to fingerpick in the style of john fahey. It's such a meditative/blissful thing to sit down and be able to do. It brings me so much peace in times when I need it, but it also can be an intense and creatively demanding framework if you want it to be.

[@TheDennzio]

you nailed it

[@bobgreen8142]

Absolutely Lex, picking like this is balm to the soul. It may sound like noodling to some, but it's taking the player on an inner journey.

[@snow-ei3jt]

how would you say to learn this style of finger picking? what did you do to learn

[@bobgreen8142]

@@snow-ei3jt myself, I just had a desire to go beyond using a pick and strumming. I'd already opened up the guitar a lot by using alternate tunings, and basically taught myself to finger pick by watching other players, listening to records and trying to imitate what I was hearing, then using that to build my own ideas. I don't know if I'm particularly good at it, but it's something I love to do, sometimes for hours at a stretch. Just a word about alternate tunings - if you're going to fingerpick then using different tunings, particularly open G or D or DADGAD (just for starters) is going to open up worlds of possibilities and you might find yourself being unable to put the guitar down!

[@q1q2q123]

@@bobgreen8142 @snow I’ll add Open C tuning to that list, especially since we’re talking about Fahey.

[@williamdavid1453]

RIP John Fahey....this man made my life infinitely richer with his glittering jewels of sound.....absolutely wonderful..no flash, no crap, no padding....Deep as the ocean and wide as the sky. To call this Art would not do it justice. If you don't know what I mean then check out his entire back catalogue. It's just a crying shame that he didn't get due credit when he was alive.

[@vrartist]

He did have a pretty good u8nderground following. ;-) I first stumbled on one of his albums in about 1970 maybe if I remember correctly.

[@TheDennzio]

For me it is meditation to listen and try to play like John...the repetition of picking patterns is mesmerizing

[@stephencindrich6787]

Wonderful new dimensions in acoustic guitar! He experimented with every possible tuning and created voluminously. RIP, John; and thank you.

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

I don’t know what it is about him. At first, his playing sounds so simple, but his music just grows on you. I can’t get enough, so many of his songs are masterpieces.

[@bobgreen623]

Technically, it's not that difficult I suppose, but he plays from the heart and soul and it makes it magical.

[@mkfilmgrain6095]

@@bobgreen623 Trust me to create such sound is extremly difficult. Just because his left hand never did extremly uncomfortable positions doesn't mean it's techincally easy. It's all about your right hand on Fahey.

[@Timo-89]

Its more complex than you might expect at first, f.e getting. dynamics right

[@RickyBlackwell_X]

@@mkfilmgrain6095 it's a very easy song, actually. Pieces in standard tune from Fahey's music is harder, then this. Just use boom chick technic!

[@mo2heaven704]

Sounds simple but hard to play

[@elliottswanson9307]

When music fills a musician, it sounds like this.

[@robhead22]

This is truly the golden age of guitar instruction. Finding John Fahey homself teaching this song on KZbin is proof enough of this!!

[@stevenhoman2253]

I saw Mr John Fahey in performance many years ago in Melbourne Australia. It was one fine concert not easily forgotten. He came on with a six pack of Aussie beer and rested his foot on it, he slowly drank the beer till all the cans were gone. End of the act. He did give an excellent encore though.

[@MikeWh]

Steven Homan I saw the equivalent show at The Basement in Sydney. An ice bucket full of Fosters cans next to him and I thought 'oh no, this will be a mess' but it was amazing. At interval I saw the door open to backstage, went in. Fahey was changing strings between sets! I asked if I could help out he said sure! Put a string on John Fahey's guitar! I asked him what he thought of Leo Kottke's playing 'Leo's a good technician'. Great night

[@drewbabydrew7742]

V B

[@petefrench4198]

I am intrigued by that Steven. A friend saw the same show: he came on wearing an old blue singlet during the garbo's strike. Played, drank the beers, didn't say a word and then left! An alcoholic; a sad family upbringing; astute intelligence; a curiosity; etc....etc...etc........

[@TheDennzio]

@@MikeWh Wow

[@robertnewell5057]

A friend saw him down a bottle of whisky during a show. When I saw him in the 80s, I don't recall him drinking any alcohol. He was, however, amazing.

[@StopFear]

I am so glad he found the strength to make some lessons like this. I can tell by his appearance (from having relatives with this issue) that he is experiencing alcoholism. It is amazing he was able to be coherent to record this.

[@duececaboose]

i don't know that i'd recommend this lesson for a beginner, but if you have some knowledge of finger style guitar under your belt, then this is one hell of a lesson. in addition to being a phenomenal guitar player, he was a great teacher too.

[@flightplan1000]

I saw Fahey at the Matrix in San Francisco in about 1970 or so. Even though he drank something wrapped in a brown paper bag the entire set, his music was wonderful. The Matrix was a small club so nobody was very far from whomever was playing there and neither was I far from Fahey. I still try to play bits and pieces of his stuff to try and remember that night...

[@AndyRhodes1]

Really beautiful song! Very authentic sounding and organic style.

[@mfgosullivan]

First heard this around 1973 having bought the vinyl LP in Manchester University Students' Union and Gareth, my mate, taught me it having learnt it by ear! How easy it is for you all now to see the Maestro playing it on video! Good old John F! May he rest in peace.

[@vrartist]

Loved his magic for many many years. My grandfather was a master guitarist and I once played recorded Fahey for him and he loved it. I myself play some keyboard but no guitar and mainly compose. I can recognize greatness though. My dad, uncle and grandfather were a trio for many years before both my dad and uncle went to WW2. They used to play theaters in the breaks between movies pre ww2, were on Major Bowes etc National champions, two mandolins and a guitar. They were the best mandolin players I ever heard. (objectively) Sorry for the long story but I recognize greatness when I hear it and Fahey was great. When you are that good you make a lot of people jealous I think. Like my grandfather always said, practice, practice, practice ... and Fahey intros himself very humbly here. ;-)

[@richardrotholz8799]

Great guitar player. Sad life. Miss him.

[@holysmokes4493]

This makes me kinda sad. RIP John Fahey

[@PSYCHOLOGYZOOM]

His mannerisms might appear muddled or subdued but, he was no fool. He had multiple college degrees and a symphony flew out of any guitar that was under his vision.

[@misfitmaniac3084]

Love Fahey as much as the next guy but plenty of fools out there with degrees, don’t be fooled!

[@rykwon4535]

He was a genius but also a lifelong alcoholic. Really sad, he should still be with us 😪.

[@mariorocha3417]

@@rykwon4535 Cada um trava as suas batalhas pessoais.

[@karenstauffer1524]

Drinking problem. I saw him drunk on stage once.

[@Axe-Handle-Hound-1100]

@@karenstauffer1524It contributed to his poor health and somewhat early death.

[@clucaspik]

Socrates w/ a 6-string.

[@andrewpearson1903]

Socrates was way more likeable than John Fahey

[@Bejaardenbus]

@@andrewpearson1903 He really was, that's why the city of Athens put him to death.

[@johnhausmann2391]

I've been making $0.00 per week playing this at home.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

You privileged capitalist...

[@kevinguzman8155]

And I'll tell you for free, that i earned $0.00 laughing my gut off at this golden gawd of a comment. But it was worth every penny. Thank you.

[@t.bfisher5855]

So have I and it's been the best ten years of my life so far

[@PAGEY232]

Hahaha You have made much more for your soul

[@pupusaslordking5617]

This is the best comment on KZbin, ever.

[@nlows420]

'Now some people play this song real fast, you know, and show off fast they c'n do it... But I like to play it kind of wistfully you know like, kinda quietly, kinda like old train whistles."

[@7884golfguru]

Glad I stumbled on to John he’s awesome

[@lijosmiles]

Lots of complaints, he was Alcoholic... Well, Some people drink and mess up everything including others life too.. John Fahey drunk and still managed to make others life beautiful wt gems like this...!

[@joelestrin5703]

say what you want John Fahey brought more beauty onto this world with one song than most people wish they could in a lifetime.

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

I don’t think he ever had any problems with drugs. I think he just had a poor diet with a sedentary lifestyle.

[@Super241946]

Alcoholics are wonderful talented people.....I know.....my name is John and I am a grateful recovering alcoholic.

[@TheDennzio]

Yes let's disparage the dead

[@evansgate]

@@JohnDoe-gk7ok he was on a cocktail of prescription drugs that caused him to sweat profusely and live in a haze along with alcoholism. You should read the biography about his life, highly recommended. It's on Amazon and I don't remember the title.

[@93Quizno]

Structurally this song is fairly simple, it is just the technique and execution especially in all his flourishes and embellishments that makes it difficult to master.

[@bucksellers5364]

Edward Sanders certainly!!.....lol

[@PaulCaruso53]

The original song had lyrics, and was recorded by Rev Robert Wilkins a Memphis based blues singer and minister which he wrote originally in 1929 as “ that’s no way to get along”. Later for religious reasons he stopped singing the lyrics thought of as sinful since the content was secular, so he played it as a solo guitar piece. It evolved into the song " Prodigal Son", which the Rolling Stones covered on the album " Beggars Banquet". Wilkins was credited as the writer originally but on subsequent pressings it was credited to Jagger and Keith Richards. The copyright issue was eventually corrected and Rev Wilkins got his deserved royalties.

[@Zappaholic]

This song was inspired by Gus Cannon's rendition in 1927 (with Blind Blake on guitar and Gus on slide banjo), it does sound strikingly like the Robert Wilkins tune you mention and he definitely grabs from his immense knowledge of the blues

[@pepperplant6426]

love that this shot on film..

[@thallassocracy]

Fahey had the clarity and richness of tone to be able to play such a piece slowly. Guitarists who play country blues fast usually do so because they are trying to conceal their lack of technique.

[@johnhausmann2391]

Or else they are really good and can play fast because they like it better that way.

[@musicisbrilliant]

Playing guitar is hard. Youre not a musician, youre a magician. Youre trying to make magic out a simple piece of wood with steel strings. And its the most honorable of endeavors.

[@CesarSandoval024]

Anyome can play guitar. Playing it right is a different story

[@eislakkon3110]

Great music, it's something true that our soul... just knows!

[@eislakkon3110]

@@CesarSandoval024 Anyone can play the guitar in a right way. Leaving in a... not for sale way... its not easy for an artist

[@paigezuccarini3967]

I'll have what he's having

[@musicisbrilliant]

@@paigezuccarini3967 The music is all I be havin', love!

[@johnfahey6752]

Thanks, John! 🎶

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

He claims that he likes to play the song slow, but if you watch clips of him during the 80s, the poor boy is sprinting away from his home.

[@samwaylen6410]

It is practically a contradiction in terms....the idea of a " fast " blues . Who skips and runs out of unhappiness ? 'Nuff Said ' .

[@theorb21]

I have heard an interview where he said that he wanted to learn to play fast like Leo Kottke during this time but later realised that he, in fact, preferred to play at a slower tempo.

[@LexTreefrog]

Yeah when he says "some guys like to play it fast" he means "me on certain liquors".

[@zanichbug]

This guy and Ry Cooder are American Masters.

[@vrartist]

One more thing, I still think his masterpiece is "The Portland cement Factory at Monolith California." Wow! Talk about mystical! I designated it as my funeral song (really) as it is so much about nature and the turtles, things and animals/plants of the earth. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who has not heard it. It's here on KZbin.

[@TheDennzio]

That entire album....mushroom worthy

[@lambertroberts]

I met John in Belfast, just before he passed away, thanks

[@alanscott6836]

This is incredible stuff

[@pupusaslordking5617]

This is so pure, this is the proof that the guitar itself doesnt matter, its all about the guitarist. Shitty guitar + great mind = great music.

[@richardburt9812]

OMG, a lesson from JOHN FAHEY!!!!

[@TheDennzio]

God I love this man's music...even during this lesson he lets the music take him away

[@robertnewell5057]

John Fahey changed the way he played this (sorry if someone else mentioned this - there are a lot of comments to wade through). It was orginally basically a 16 bar blues (on Blind Joe Death). Here it is 24; he's basically adding repeats of the GtoD and AtoD sections. Both versions are good and the original is easy to pick up off the record, if you prefer. That version is also available in Happy Traum's 2nd fingerpicking book, which is a gem.

[@thereagauze]

the master makes it look so easy

[@Electric.Spaghetti.Neon.Studio]

His laconic teaching style is either a supreme achievement of sarcasm or he's doped to the gills. I believe it's the former. The way he gazes at the camera as he plucks the A string at 3:05 is incredibly funny.

[@andrewpearson1903]

Now that you point it out, it's hilarious

[@written12]

Doped to the gills. Love that expression, zzugyzh. I tend to think he’s far from straight here(straight in the old sense of non-intoxicated). I get see why he’d be sarcastic here. He’s teaching music which meant so much to him. But who knows. Fahey was an odd fellow, and time made him more eccentric.

[@DiscGolfAlej]

well, he is a man of god. All of his music was meant to be presented to god as praise.

[@robhead22]

Thank you!

[@alexanderbogander2671]

Great video

[@fatesaccomplice]

Thank you very much for posting this. Going to buy it as well.

[@tishpish4939]

This is lovely. Thank you!

[@mysterioussobriquet8822]

its impossible to listen to fahey play anything and not zone out in a state of transcendental confusion and bliss

[@buzzbill2029]

Beautiful!

[@Joseph-dj9pf]

This is gold, anyone know of other vids of john teaching songs??

[@davesiler4064]

Incredible sound---genius!!!!

[@fredhands6685]

The legendary Blind Joe Death himself!

[@Machinima5000]

Mississippi John Hurt traveled into the future to take guitar lessons from him. I was there.

[@briandunstan3503]

Machinima 5000 I know I saw you .

[@andrewpearson1903]

He took tips from Hurt, get out of here

[@daviddoyle4516]

John was a road warrior and went thru many battles.Look at the mans face,the poor guy looks like a merchant seaman from the British Navy,,,like a deckhand on "The worlds deadilest catch" think about what he's went thru... But can you deny the brilliance of the mans many works ? Books ,Songs and Recordings? He gave joy to millions.You stand up and criticize.Ok my dear! You dont like that fact he's had his pints here. Well dear dear me!! What a crime!. Stand up and show us your video picking and tutoring on this amazing tune.

[@lijosmiles]

You have a great heart 🙏 and an eye to see what's good

[@soulvaccination8679]

Wish I could do that.

[@harryrushton5270]

I new to this , I’d really like to learn. I have to idea how to time my guitar like that, any advice (all I have is a guitar tuner app on my phone)

[@123must]

Very fine ! Thanks

[@joywilder9092]

I always told my guitar playin boyfriends that if one could play guitar like John Fahey I'd gladly marry that one. I never married.

[@alcoholya]

+Joy Wilder no one plays like John Fahey.. sort of why true musical genius is unique.

[@jamieparry6744]

marry us then lol

[@JustSomeGuyOk]

+Morten Andersen dude... Lol

[@franknolan221]

Tell me more.

[@ryanthelove]

she must be deaf

[@krejdloc]

It sure looks like an alternating bass with the thumb.the pick the melody with just about any finger you wat to my eyes.

[@wmialil]

It's all there.

[@SteveMccart]

In the early 70s i would see the likes of John Fahey , Leo Kottke or Ry Cooder at places like McCabes , the Golden Bear and all of the other smaller lesser known venues in the L.A. area.

[@pupusaslordking5617]

I made 175$ the other night playing just that. Rest in peace John, I will make as much money as I can playing your songs.

[@BlackHoleBrew42]

Yeah... he was drunk as hell. But goddamn.

[@geffcassuto]

he had been sober for years in this video

[@gibby6904]

I cant believe all the negative comments! The guy lived hand to mouth due to diabetes and other health problems.....he invented this style of playing.....he used to look for his own albums and resell them to eat....for God's sake the man is dead.....you kids have no respect for anything....disgusting!

[@annubis1238]

Well said

[@lijosmiles]

I am a great fan of John Fahey... I am from India...John is simply Great..

[@blerkh]

Gibby I love Fahey, and he definitely brought some new harmonic ideas to the world of solo fingerpicking guitar, but saying "he invented this style of playing" is disrespectful towards Elizabeth Cotten, Etta Baker, Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, Dock Boggs, old Appalachian banjo music, Piedmont blues, etc., etc.

[@Za7a7aZ]

listening to this poor boy and vision the swamps of the deep south...like this movie...forgot the name.

[@BarrelShape]

At this point facial hair had completely consumed the lower half of John Fahey's head.

[@arvidsmith1038]

F flat third string...... God Keep John Fahey

[@pupusaslordking5617]

This is awkward but legendary.

[@Tio4o251cata]

John Fahey is unique and original. His perfect music and performance exceeds imagination most hardcore music lovers: it is simple through, ease of "fingerstyle" of guitarist, and wealthy, through approach, several subjects imresioniste, and also surreal,subjects accumulated from other previous lives and real of the artist. "Poor Boy A Long Way From Home" is rather premonition the author toward his true home...

[@LarryBees]

arent we all crazy about this tune had the LP's unique stuff..

[@WaltKurtz1109]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@heinrichvon]

@lambertroberts Lucky you! I've never met a genius. What was Fahey like?

[@brwi1]

Tuned a little sharp, I like it

[@alaggon]

would you like a headline slot at our blues club? its called the tobbogan, in invernesss possibly academy street? we pay in vibes

[@sinner48]

boy could he play a guitar

[@MrAnonymusic]

איזה חמודיייייייייייייייייי

[@TheListerino]

This guy rediscovered skip James the old bluesman

[@josephtravers777]

He and Alan Wilson were friends back in the day. I believe Alan rediscovered Son House as well.

[@TheListerino]

@@josephtravers777 there's a guy I'n my home town Newcastle, England who owns bukka whites guitar it's crazy, possibly found bukka aswell, furry Lewis possibly also

[@josephtravers777]

@@TheListerino Cool story! I like your Pale Ale:)

[@TheListerino]

@@josephtravers777 newcastle brown ale oh my God it strips paint ha ha

[@josephtravers777]

@@TheListerino 😂

[@jenniferrobertson3575]

I think barbecue Bob “Robert hicks” wrote this I have it on 78rpm

[@jungleninja8415]

This ain't the fus cannon version I'm looking for

[@maninmoon]

I can't figure out what his finger pattern is!!

[@invis19]

try slowing down the video and going full screen if it helps :)

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

He doesn't even tell you how to play it! He just names the chords and says to play it quietly.

[@RickyBlackwell_X]

Sounds romantic, but there's a 2 problems: 1. In interview with Laura Weber Fahey says, he's a bad teacher. And it's true. 2. I think he was doing these lessons only for money. Late Fahey, actually, hate his early music.

[@zxjacko]

Video of God teaching you how to play guitar

[@andrefernandespires9058]

whats the tuning

[@gizle-ll3ev]

Open d

[@elconejito99]

6 D 5 A 4 D 3 F# 2 A 1 D

[@outdoorcats]

Apparently Fahey was so shy he needed to get drunk to perform live.

[@jacksonreed9]

similar to Vestapol

[@daviddoyle4516]

John my have been a little tippy but at least he had the guts to carry on and give the lesson,,,

[@CesarSandoval024]

@2:45 yeahh he's drunk

[@BenjaminTheDragoon]

anyway way to play this without alternate tuning prolly not but?capo maybe?

[@Niven42]

Nope. You tune your guitar to open D and retune it when you're done. Or have 2 guitars.

[@skinnyneckhex]

Nope

[@codeh75]

That's why i've bought two guitars so far...still counting!

[@rohanag]

open d tuning, dadf#ad

[@kevincrouch3956]

So easy...lol!

[@HUMUNGUS111]

@trilobite3339 Well, then thanks god for the alcohol

[@peanj]

sometimes you can see when he bends up on the 8th fret he goes a bit too far and kills the D string, which is probably because he was thinking about cakes at the time

[@wpsconsult]

Hey Peanj, John had more soul in his pinkie finger than your pathetic existence could ever muster.

[@susangrossman410]

hahaha.. thats funny

[@winick456]

you're a huge moron Pean breath

[@MrJohnnydownunder]

peanj Hmm right on peanj cakes and guitar my favourits to.

[@bucksellers5364]

peanj 5 stars +++++

[@heinrichvon]

He can teach his technique, but he can't teach his soul.

[@FighterFlash]

heinrichvon will see about that

[@evansgate]

John was in bad shape here, you can tell. Still brilliant, but definitely tortured

[@bobbybongo5918]

Those strings sound as old as him!

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

Bobby Bongo Are you saying that those strings are dead?

[@bobbybongo5918]

They need to be changed!

[@lastrada52]

Fahey was never wealthy. He was actually homeless much of his life Bobby. Old strings, new strings, the trick is to try and play like him. Few have that touch that he had and that's what made him a special guitarist. I don't believe I ever saw him play an expensive guitar. He was a major influence and I believe he discovered Leo Kottke (among others) and signed him to the label he founded -- Takoma. He sold that label when he needed money. Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time ranked Fahey 35th. Makes him better than any of us here. He was eccentric and didn't socialize with many musicians who were mainstream. But he had a long career and was respected by many great guitarists before him and after.

[@thomaspick4123]

I learned to play this from an Artie Traum book. The arrangement sounds good. John needed a haircut and a shave. I liked his music. You don't have to worry about those old strings anymore. John Fahey is dead. He croaked.

[@666Tagada]

If you can play like John you have the right to be critical, if you are not up to the task, than shut the fuck up!

[@TehBluez666]

You've obviously never heard anybody do it right.

[@FirstUsedBooks]

Prett sheety. Tell me about tell me about ...

[@joesiu4972]

this guy looks like a professor

[@TheIkaraCult]

you cant teach the soul that fahey had.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

The version on "John Fahey on air" is just so good... So crisp and fluid, far superior to any other version like this one where it feels like he's too drunk to play it unfortunately... especially the bends.

[@marcobiaggi9297]

Its true the contrary, here the pauses are infinitevely better, slow is enchanting

[@garm0nb0z1a]

Kind of a sad video, his alcoholism was out of control, he's clearly drunk in this video.

[@dougdavis8986]

And still is exponentially better than you!

[@samwaylen6410]

He may have been drinking....but Hey ! I don't see too many fluffs...or hear ' em either ! What does your version sound like ?

[@Elbownian]

OP posts in sympathy, not judgement, let's don't be too harsh

[@FighterFlash]

garm0nb0z1a if I was a poor boy far from home I’d be playing and drinking too

[@hyperpoesia]

did he really say "F sharp?"

[@gonzalot74]

something wrong with that?? F sharp, it's a thing.

[@andrewpearson1903]

F sharp is a fake note

[@TheRamsberg]

@@andrewpearson1903 G flat disagrees

[@nunyabidness117]

I admire his playing but there is nothing honorable or admirable about self-destruction.

[@floobuscanoobus]

It wasn’t a choice

[@nunyabidness117]

@@floobuscanoobus I respectfully disagree. To me it comes down to is it better to have 100 addicts who are ostracized or 1000 addicts who are. As a society we have chosen that 2nd.

[@prabinshiwakoti2125]

Over hyped musician

[@jakemetcalfe3091]

+Ryan West good one.

[@glasgowdmon]

You'd be a right giggle at partys, you!

[@JFizoust]

This comment was a year ago, still haven't seen any of your personal work uploaded?

[@johncave6753]

Your opinion is meaningless.

[@gibby6904]

Yeah....he practically single handedly invented this style of playing....your comment (Prabin) was way off.......