Richard Thompson: Soloing Using Open Drone Strings

Richard Thompson talks about using open strings as drones while soloing (assisted by Henry Kaiser).

[@samlelowitch]

Richard Thompson is so cool. A true master of the guitar. I love the fact that he seems so humble, accessible, and good humored despite his elite status. Great job!

[@VoluntaristJAM]

I have always loved RT's 'bagpipe sound' - what drew me to him at first and keeps me smiling all these years later. This is as good as is gets.

[@DaveJacoby]

First time I ever saw a Richard Thompson instructional video. Been a fave since Rumour and Sigh.

[@GretaGargoyle]

+Dave Jacoby There's a really interesting one somewhere on KZbin with RT and the lead guitarist from The Scorpions from the 80s. He also answers tons of questions from fans about technical aspects on his website richardthompson-music.com

[@1sosalini]

just pleased to see Richard so close and see his hands , seen him in concert but never close like this , genius is an overused word , but he is . when I saw him at fairfield halls in the 70s I was looking for the 2nd guitarist , there was none , he did it all himself . stunning musician .

[@sagecreekwitt3301]

This is sweet playing (on both sides) thanks for uploading . The more I play guitar the more I believe he is the greatest guitarist of our age, maybe ever. A few reasons 1. Sheer Quantity. 50 years of high quality playing, writing and touring 2. Quality 3. The equal versatility between acoustic & electric. Not to mention between genre's etc....... 4. the sheer amount of touring he's done solo rivaled only by Tommy Emanuel . 5. He's usually singing and playing, much harder than playing alone. 6. A feel for the strings as good as any. He's guitarist's guitarist. An example of a virtuoso with hundreds of thousands of hours on an instrument . He can flat pick, finger pick or strum , he played this song with the ease you or i would walk to the car. Yes i think I've made the case, well done Henry!

[@paulreece4766]

+Dirk DIGGLER I've been blessed to see him many times ! A guitar GOD !!

[@dennisneo1608]

I think Danny Gatton would play circles around RT. But he's dead, so maybe RT is the best????

[@paulreece4766]

I'm outta here ! I will not listen to wannabe know it all critics !! Mr. DIGGLER, well stated, we are good !! The rest of some of you critics ! LMFAO !! ....... Have a nice life ! happy you made an ass of yourself on the internet ! Hope you feel like anyone cares about your pompous ass negative comments on R.T. ! I'm personally ashamed I took the time to respond to you whiners !!!!!! The Man is AMAZING !!!!!I was just about to post my diatribe and I swear to God American Routes just started on NPR about Richard Thompson !!!

[@sagecreekwitt3301]

+Paul Reece well said Pau! I love Rt and Keyser. especially Richard Thompson!

[@arniewince7133]

Kaiser is not fit to lick the boot heels of Tommy Emmanuel. Are you fucking kidding. Henry playing the guitar is like Stevie Wonder showing you his antique car collection.

[@billparry3591]

Thank you richard, not only for giving up your time, but also for years of sublime music, top man.

[@ericl777]

I saw RT and Henry in SF about 20 years ago. Kaiser took a solo during Calvary Cross that was amazing- way out there. Richard just let him go, it was fun to watch the genius at work. Great show as always.

[@TheDoug8819]

that vibrato is fucking amazing

[@digitig]

When he played the drop-D solo I was half expecting Sandy Denny to start singing; it was *so* Fairport Convention!

[@flirtwithdanger_les]

Reminded me so much of Liege & Lief, Thompson was only 20 at that time, so he had worked out so much of this playing technique when he was still only a teenager

[@superreverbking]

Nobody makes a Strat sound as good as RT. Whether it's his old fifties sunburst or this modern "off the rack" white one, he always makes them sound freaking cool as hell!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Agreed.

[@ottolindeberg7152]

Like very much these simples riffs . Tks for post it with Richard and Kaiser

[@PutItAway101]

A player so good that even Henry Kaiser can't ruin it.

[@randalclarke5487]

😂 I know... Kaiser is such a tool

[@nakedfordinner]

Randal Clarke he seems to have really gotten under yer people’s skin ... it’s hilarious

[@PutItAway101]

@@nakedfordinner Kaiser manifestly gargles balls. The only thing worse than the man himself is the pretentious "emperors new clothes" twats who pretend to like him because they're afraid to be judged by their fellow pretentious twats. Personally I don't give a shit what those assclowns say, I'm calling it - Kaiser's a fraud who has family money that buys friends, but no talent.

[@jokermaan1]

@@PutItAway101 Totally agree. Without his inherited wealth he'd have to get a real job!

[@randalclarke5487]

@@PutItAway101 thank you! I ran into a video of his on here several years ago, and I'm looking at a music room FULL of Dumbles and Two-Rocks and I'm thinking "Kaiser...Henry Kaiser..." I knew HIM as a "guitarist" but something was off and familiar at the same time- Google...! Lol and voila, he's a rich multi- BILLIONAIRE trust fund dork, who claims they didn't inherit shit, but in that bundle of money, I'm positive a few mil trickled down his way. He's an assclown from what I can tell.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

Richard is the real deal ; such an inspirational guitarist/writer/performer.

[@Fatgeologist]

Kaiser and Thompson! A match made in heaven. Two of the most innovative guitar players of all time!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

You are joking right...Thompson certainly, the other guy is about as mediocre as it is possible to be.

[@Fatgeologist]

None at all at the moment, sadly.

[@Fatgeologist]

Kaiser is not the one the clip is focusing on. He's not doing anything much apart from accompanying Thompson. Listen to any of his solo stuff, his work with Fred Frith, or either of the French, Frith, Kaiser & Thompson albums to hear what he can really do.

[@metallica3604]

+Fatgeologist kaiser is only the one who is screwing this up he can't strum in time

[@heishephaestion4178]

+Avisek Ganguly is a tone deaf R-Tard.

[@jublaim]

Henry is clearly a BIG admirerer of Richards, as I am. Richard thinks bends and tones a bit different than most guitar players, and Henry takes this in a almost no-controlled spin that Richard seems to like. I like it too! Henry is like an Adrian Belew with no brain.

[@RossD8]

Richard Thompson is the reason I took up the bagpipe (well, one of the reasons). I realized I'd never be able to replicate his style or technique for droning, bagpipe-like sounds. So...I learned the pipes. I actually 'opened' for Richard , on my pipes, many years ago.

[@MrChopsticktech]

Wow! Great story!

[@Sharps.50]

A Real truly underrated Guitarist , makes the hard & complicated look so easy .

[@MrChopsticktech]

Great video and work! I think this is the first time I have seen Richard without his beret!!

[@MrTimdriver]

Fabulous lesson and insights from a master. Just excellent! Thanks!

[@kevinjohnbetts]

There's a moment here when RT drops the low E down to D, a simple piece of re-tuning, and even that sounds incredibly distinct. Few guitarists can re-tune their instruments whilst maintaining their unique tone.

[@jublaim]

I just LOVE his guitar sound! And I'm normally a humbucker guy, I got to reassamble my Strat copy NOW!

[@RUPickman]

The "Tir-Nan-Darag" tease...! Wish these two would put out more stuff together.

[@heishephaestion4178]

Im always blown away by the excellent intro.

[@heishephaestion4178]

+Arnie Wince you're shit at guitar..your opinion is irrelevant.

[@arniewince7133]

If I played guitar for Henry, he would throw his axe out the window and quit. how dare you judge my incredible talent.

[@davidchelazzi1544]

legendary and mystic, totally inspiring and strat icon

[@caryheuchert]

RT, a true master!

[@shanekerr3337]

this is so awesome thank you!

[@fabrikk60]

Perhaps my most cherished concert memory was in 1990s Vancouver, the Commodore. Richard Thompson band playing, and Henry Kaiser did an unannounced walk-on mid-song to play a solo. Richard just stood there beaming while Henry thoroughly messed up everyone's brain. Afterwards I had to explain to my companions who that was.

[@rafael55]

Richard can solo in a incredible way, when he wants to.

[@MCobbjr]

He's the best, totally unique.

[@RustyRogers]

Great bit! Just wandered into this searching "Meet On The Ledge"

[@Burnwash]

The man, the legend, the lunatic who always manages to escape institutionalism - Henry Kaiser.

[@jmurphy5936]

Al Dentay The way he's looking at the camera is hilarious

[@metallica3604]

man who siys on the bankroll of his grandparents

[@paulreece4766]

+Avisek Ganguly Are you a Perez Hilton impersonator ? just an idiot wannabe? or whats your problem ??? What do you have to offer here ? Who the hell are you to make an informed opinion ????????? Please discuss further ! LOL !

[@metallica3604]

Paul Reece The only wannabe here are kaiser and his fans...

[@heishephaestion4178]

@@metallica3604 kaiser is such a fantastic rythym player

[@goodun2974]

Starts out riffing on what sounds like "Night Comes In", and at about 4:00 sounds like "Tir Nan Darang" ( spelling?) from one of the French/Frith/Kaiser/Thompson records. At 6:22 they're on the periphery of "Shoot Out the Lights".

[@sagecreekwitt3301]

...also the comfort and stage presence in front of the camera.

[@davidprice9689]

What a wonderful electric player (less keen on his acoustic playing, but I accept it is excellent). Really not sure about Henry Kaiser! I've been a fan of Thompson since seeing him with Fairport at Bradford Uni in the 1960s (when the 'What we did on our holidays' blackboard was done) but I always find his tone has too much treble, making it thinner than I would like. Amazing to what those fingers in close-up. Thanks for the video.

[@charlieward3809]

His guitar playing phenominal

[@scotticusnorvegicus]

Aye, you're good Richard but the king of the drone has got to go to Stuart Adamson of Skids/Big Country. A genius on the axe. Sadly no longer with us.

[@BarryPennock]

A sailor's life, it is a merry life He robs young girls of their heart's delight Leaving them behind to weep and mourn They never know when they will return

[@barnyardstory]

I'd love to see more of what he does with his right hand.

[@2wayplebney]

I didn't really learn anything here, but it was fun to watch Henry and Richard playing.

[@frankie28web]

I think Kaiser did a good job in backing up the greatest guitar player of the world, which is no easy task...

[@kendeeni]

Arnie Wince Are you another idiot?

[@heishephaestion4178]

+Arnie Wince is shit guitar player. Ive heard him play hes absolute garbage. Kaiser puts him to shame.

[@heishephaestion4178]

+Arnie Wince no, your shit. I've heard you. The fact that guitar is a "secondary accomplishment" is painfully obvious. Also your singing was decent at best.

[@arniewince7133]

You never heard me, dolt.

[@TelecastPropellor96]

What a player.

[@kennewton6626]

***DOES ANYONE KNOW…what tuning Richard is using here? Sorry for caps, to call attention

[@grahams1609]

Not sure why RT put down the surf green Ferrington guitar he used to play as it sounded stunning.

[@clivemilson2372]

Richard was always very underatrated. I don;'t supposed it bothered him.

[@bayoutech555]

Interesting pick ups on the tele, and they are?

[@linclink]

bayoutech555 They appear to be some kind of Gretsch Filtertron/ TV Jones Filtertron... TV Jones is Brian Setzer's guitar guy & he makes pickups for lots of Gretsch guitars now- his TV Jones Classic Filtertrons are my faves. Filtertrons are Gretsch humbucker pickups...Gretsch made some single coil pickups too...

[@obscurebandfan]

FWIW I think Kaiser did alright at the loose folky rhythm guitar. But I mean I've always had a weird jerky sense of rhythm like John Lennon and Syd Barrett so I'm biased.

[@olivergrime5]

"Womb trembler" 😂

[@guitarolm]

Why is camera focusing in on Kaiser's sloppy rhythm playing when we're supposed to be focusing on Thompson's lead?

[@heishephaestion4178]

his rhythm playing isnt sloppy..its staggered and it sounds wonderful backing thompson

[@metallica3604]

+John Pino haha

[@metallica3604]

+Arnie Wince he is not backing thompson, he is hiding behind him lolzz

[@heishephaestion4178]

Nah, he sounds really great backing Thompson.

[@heishephaestion4178]

+Arnie Wince No you didnt. Your a shit player. You always have been, always will be a nobody. Kaiser is a great rythym player.

[@rebeccarail3637]

I adore R.T. fans. Remember Sandy Denny singing 'Crazy Man Michael?'. I think he was 17 when he wrote that. Whoever you are below me , be my friend on the ghastly facebook. it'll be a reason to go on it. Rebecca Rail

[@rebeccarail3637]

I love you R.T. Can you imagine Hendrix & R,T? Notice how he {R,T,} was absent from the gruesome Stevie Ray's "Little Wing" horror show but the grotesque Clap {half a man, half a name} couldn't stay away. No show without Punch....

[@jamesmcquarrie3329]

Sloppy? Nah ! Here is an impossible task - name three people cooler than RT!

[@scottlebrun6782]

Wow, a lot of negative comments here.

[@sirius_li]

Boy, do I use open strings a lot! Think I'm going for it: "Soloing Using Open Drone Strings". That' what I'll call it and the rest of you can go to Hell! Now seriously, this is beautiful.

[@jublaim]

Why can music lovers do not see the greatness of Henry Kaisers guitar playing? Because they cannot see beyond themselves and their preconception "how music should sound"! I would very much prefer Henry Kaiser playing a solo on a AC/DC tune than hearing Angus Young bore me with the very limited blues scales he's up to. Ok, now.

[@EddieG1888]

Because "music lovers" and musicians who've been playing for any length of time can clearly see that Henry Kaiser is an utter amateur. Anyone can smother their guitar tone with effects and sound half decent, but you can't hide the physical aspect. And a guitarist of even beginner level can see that Kaiser is a complete conman.

[@OrbvsTomarvm]

Some people! ...got to play with nick drake 😡

[@jublaim]

I don't like this bashing of Kaiser! Get off it! Henry Kaiser is exploring the guitar sounds and in an context! Wouldn't be more interesting to have Henry Kaiser or Richard Thompson as lead guitarists in AC/DC for one night? Not every song, but if Angus had any humour...

[@JohannesLabusch]

Abysmal audio like from a cell phone mic. Shame. Shame. Shame.

[@leavemealone4904]

Spoiling someone is good

[@jimslucidity]

dear god, please make kaiser a squid so he will swim far, far away

[@leavemealone4904]

Leave Mealone 1 second ago In Thai it is "Hoop barht" = Shut your mouth

[@davesmethurst1]

at 6:45 it sounds like the guy with the red tele just died on the guitar. He has some terrible rhythm in parts.

[@geemann3760]

The other guy just club strums the guitar like a caveman.

[@metallica3604]

Someone teach this Kaiser how to do basic rythm

[@Zepster77]

+Avisek Ganguly hahahaha yeah the dreaded syndrome

[@sagecreekwitt3301]

He isn't doing "basic" anything. That's what makes him interesting.

[@metallica3604]

+Dirk DIGGLER He cannot if he wanted to. I can differentiate between someone choosing to play odd stuff and someone who cant hold a chord together.

[@nickpolak6270]

+Avisek Ganguly God you're an idiot - do a little research: Henry Kaiser is one of the greatest living guitarists and he and Thompson have been playing together for many years. Your post simply reveals your ignorance.

[@paulreece4766]

+Avisek Ganguly Obviously you can't ! So lets see what you have aside from being a pompous ass !! ? I' fear you suffer from crainial rectal inversion !! You make me laugh !!

[@filipdemeyst8842]

I am trying hard not to be annoyed by this kaiser guy.

[@JohannesLabusch]

It can't be done.

[@kyatzz]

Must be really hard playing over such horrible rythm guitar.

[@nickfanzo]

kyatzz try being positive

[@kyatzz]

Nicholas Fanzo the guy has been playing since the 70s you'd think he could keep a beat by now.

[@leavemealone4904]

Leave Mealone 1 second ago In Thai it is "Hoop barht" = Shut your mouth

[@ThaiThom]

the guy with the red guitar should just be quiet

[@leavemealone4904]

Leave Mealone 1 second ago In Thai it is "Hoop barht" = Shut your mouth