how to play "Fire and Rain" on guitar by James Taylor | acoustic guitar lesson tutorial

[@donniefleming9914]

Nice tutorial......I've dealt with depression in my later years.Anyone else dealing with loneliness/depression,take up the guitar and learn different songs.You will have a sense of self worth,accomplishment,even if no one else is around.This is one of my better one's I've learned because it sounds beautiful and easily recognizable....Thank you sir

[@GoodGollyGonzo]

God bless you, and play on! 🎸

[@Lance514]

So true, I’m going through the same currently and something about playing music helps me get through when I’m feeling down even at my worst. I will add however that guitar isn’t the only instrument, the piano is just as powerful. I would know since it’s what i started with before the guitar. Hope things have/will turn around for you Donnie. You’re not alone my friend.

[@donniefleming9914]

@@Lance514 Thank you my friend....yes everything is going even better.I'm trying the piano too,well the smaller Casio type.Even that is fun to learn...and I'm learning to be more alone than ever.I don't know what has happened to this world but so many people are against each other....Like Jimi always said..."Just let me play my guitar"

[@pageluvva]

How ya doing Donnie? Positive vibes from Montreal my friend.

[@donniefleming9914]

@@pageluvva Still going strong,except the arthritis in fingers....makes it tough to play...other than that,been good...thanks for asking

[@MrAlexnervo]

Best teacher on the internet.

[@greensombrero3641]

by far the best. in a league of his own.

[@danalito3693]

Totally agree!

[@danalito3693]

Totally agree

[@richat1691]

he is one of the best players on here that's for sure. I have learnt a bunch from justin aswell but this guy is obviously a pro

[@pereraddison932]

FREE-QUE-U, ALEX-!!! you... YOU, stole MY complement, &, beet ME to the gun with that one. I'm absolutely fallin' in LOVE with his E-V-E-R-Y move and manner of teaching. What a miestro, literally, a mastero, monster of an instructor

[@BBQ1953]

Andy - I’ve been listening to this song for the last 50 (+/-) Years. You’re the FIRST to make it clear enough to attempt. Thank you, Sir!

[@stevengorum5476]

Yep💓🤗

[@timsharkey1993]

Agreed

[@MSStateBulldawg83]

Me too! Totally Agree!

[@StevenGorum]

This song is a MASTERPIECE MASTERPIECE !!!! AND I AIN'T WHISTLING DIXIE !!!

[@jimibutters5933]

I have been playing guitar for roughly 30 years and I have been watching you for the last 6 or so. I must say you are top of the pile man. Great video. I learned Tears in Heaven from you years back as well and people go crazy when I play it. Just wanted to say thanks for making amazing tutorials.

[@jameshughes7337]

Yeah this guy's the only one that teaches you the songs the right way no one else even comes close you're truly an amazing teacher and musician

[@tonybrook7768]

For music, before the days of these tuition vids, I used to have to park up on Wardour street in London, dash into Chapells Music store before the wardens slapped a ticket on my screen, and buy tab books from the basement. When I got them home, they didn't bear much resemblance to the particular song that you were trying to learn. Thank you so much for a totally better way of learning songs that we all love to hear and play.

[@2011littlejohn1]

I first heard James Taylor play this song live on British tv about 1970. He played it alone just him and a guitar. It was instantly memorable, classy and melodic - it was an important moment like the rock generation had reached maturity. The descending line in the chorus gets you every time. At the time I was incapable of learning it correctly but after watching you I know I can now do it justice.

[@chadadora123]

I agree. You are by far the best teacher on the internet. I have learned both Fleetwood Mac”the chain” and James Taylor “Fire and Rain” from you. With both songs I searched the internet for the most authentic and basically hardest versions to play and you were the best. Your sound is like no other

[@Rob_Haarlem]

For me personally after so many years still one of the most beautiful songs ever written...thanks for the excellent lesson!

[@mrjamrol]

Truly well done- best guitar lesson I've ever seen- really! I like the way you work through the song slowly and progressively. Thank you for posting!

[@helloimatapir]

Got this down after obsessively practicing it for a week. I can't remember the last time I put this much effort in. Having so much fun learning these fingerpicking tunes thanks to you Andy!

[@CSchaef02]

I'm in the same place. I need to relearn the A chord, haha. I've been doing to two slides in the beginning and it's a beautiful circle of sound

[@DrB81]

You’re such a solid guitar player. 👍

[@schoolhse]

I love JT and he has his own lesson on youtube.....I hate to say it, but your lesson is easier to follow, at least for me!! Fantastic! Thanks from Sweden!

[@lawrencemartin1113]

You sir, are such a lovely teacher!! Thanks so much for making it so clear! I have just retired from teaching after 33 years (drama and acting) and am a hobby guitarist. I have seen a lot of teachers in that time; good bad and just downright ugly! This was such a lovely clear pocket size tutorial that has genuinely helped me! I recently suffered a nasty ring finger injury and am trying hard with physio and playing to get full function back. This has already helped me focus on some small details I would have been lazy about and 'worked around'! Excellent. Thank you!

[@marvinfisher6388]

Great job of playing in the great job of not rushing through the teaching part of it. So many guys rush through it and you miss half of everything.

[@robheaney8217]

What a wonderful lesson. I love the pace, the lovely playing, the calm manner. The complete lack of visual distractions is nice too. I'm a new fan. Thank you.

[@chicopm]

Wow, memories; I purchased the sheet music to this when the song came out, yes in 1970, when I was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. You do play beautifully; thanks for the memory.

[@StevenGorum]

I was born and raised in El Paso Texas and I'm a world-class professional guitarist playing 6 to 7 nights a week for 40 years, In❤❤😂😂 prestigious clubs all throughout Los Angeles Phoenix Nashville Chicago the Lucian Islands In All points in between

[@StevenGorum]

Anyway how did you like El Paso Mexico I thought that's what I call it instead of El Paso Texas in my school pictures I was the only one with white blonde hair and blue eyes everybody else had jet black hair and brown eyes so they call me Wedo

[@susangraham813]

Best instructor out there. I would encourage everyone to donate to Andy's site, even if you don't buy the tabs...which, by the way, are stellar and immensely helpful. You won't find better. Thx, Andy, for all you do!!!

[@JimO-zb4tm]

Andy, I been playing guitar for around seven years now, having picked it up around sixty years old. You are an incredible guitar player of all genres, and never cease to amaze me with your talent, calm demeanor, and expertise! Thank you so much for doing what you do, your teaching style makes it easier to see what is going on when you break things down. Thank you for the fabulous lesson here, it’s really helping me get to the next level! Any chance you could teach JT’s You can close your eyes? Many thanks!! Jimmy O

[@Led-Sled]

I agree!! Andy your the best teacher on the internet hands down!!! Thank you so much my brother!! Your the reason I bought a Taylor, I have 2 now. Hope your doing well! Take care, Brent

[@johnmettler995]

To pick slow is truly a talent. You are so precise. So accurate. You are my guitar hero. Love how you teach. My Clayton Delany is my step dad , may he RIP. You my friend are a God send. Thanks for the post.

[@rubinstu]

This is a GREAT lesson. This guy is a fantastic teacher tackling a challenging but worthwhile song.

[@tomsmyth4836]

Once again Andy ....top shelf! You are the most natural musician and teacher on the web...period!

[@carlomaletti4284]

Agree with you, Fire & Rain probably James’ best song. Great tutorial - thank you

[@dopamining7621]

After this vid, about a million online tab versions of this song can be deleted.

[@foolsgold8486]

Very therapeutic. I had to keep listening to the intro. Over and over,because you captured it so very well

[@tomsmyth4836]

You are not an average musician.....u are a cat that has done the circuit for sure !!!!! Too goooood

[@chrisdowdle1]

Sir, you're a gift from the guitar Gods. Thank you. And nice Taylor.

[@Gunkaleh]

You're an amazing player. All of your lessons, and I mean every single one, is killer. Thank you for sharing.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you very much Rob. I would humbly ask that folks check this out: www.shutupandplay.ca/donate.html cheers

[@danfrattinger1673]

Oh lord. A tutorial I can actually follow without rewinding 100 times. Awesome.

[@michaelreese9763]

Regarding the way James Taylor plays his A and D chords: I believe I have seen a video where he explains that he learned to play them that way because it gets his index finger in a position to do the hammer-ons with those chords. He felt it created a stronger hammer-on.

[@robertjustice5853]

Micheal Reese,I taught myself,and I learned those chords the same way JT plays them,I never realized it was odd.They also work better,in metal,and rock,too

[@susangraham813]

Totally agree with James! This is where I learned to adjust my fingering to get better pull-offs and hammer-ons. Index finger is much stronger, less awkward, than the ring or little finger. (With other pieces, I use a more "conventional" fingering.)

[@seanpetersen5553]

Every video you make blows me away. Sometimes I revisit these lessons just to listen to the first few minutes of your demo. Excellent work!

[@foolsgold8486]

This is absolutely unbelievable. Awesome tutorial! Been working on this for just the first half for about an hour, and the rewards are phenomenal. All because of the amazing way you clearly teach us! Thank you Thank you Thank you. Your your is very much appreciated. Most of us would never dream of getting t ou play these songs if it wasn't for generous gifted people such as yourself.

[@ghlutteinphalkc1364]

some of your videos are so clear and paced perfectly so that I can just sit down, watch a 20 minute video and have the song completely learned just like that its so helpful

[@Lance514]

This is the most accurate tutorial from all the other videos I’ve seen of the way it’s actually performed. Great job and thanks for the lesson.

[@J-P65]

I just saw James Taylor two nights ago in Kingston Ontario. A very intimate concert. He was brilliant. I sat close to the stage with a great view of the big screen. You did a great job not only with his sound, but his right hand style. Well done.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+JP Thanks.

[@JoelDiaz04]

There are so many tutorials of this song online, but none of them have been very good. This is the best one I've found so far! Finally nailed the intro. Thanks!

[@tedpeterson6999]

James Taylor himself has a KZbin channel with a Fire & Rain tutorial, but he doesn't play it right ;)

[@gabrieldelconti6388]

This was by far the best tutorial of this song in the whole internet

[@Avalanche1368]

I've always played D maj with that fingering...For the life of me I don't remember if someone showed that grip to me or I worked it out myself?....Maybe James Taylor showed me how to play a D maj?.. After all the 70's are a tad fuzzy! And you can see why he uses it, when you had to play to D maj by barring the 1st and 3rd strings and then using your 2nd finger on the 2nd string.. You can play those bass notes directly from his D maj grip.. The other plus to being able to play D maj using that fingering is that to get to Dm all ya have to do is slide your first finger from the 2nd to the 1st fret.. I can play the chord both ways if needed, but 40 years of playing it the funky, folks look at ya funny James Taylor way is pretty ingrained to say the least.. Thanks for the song tutorials.. Best lessons on KZbin.......

[@jimroberts5848]

The very best instructional video on the internet. Many Thanks

[@johnmettler995]

Your style of teaching is truly rivoting. Concise and clear. Will definitely be watching your vids. Thanks for the post.

[@stevengorum5476]

When I first heard this video I'm thinking wow that's nice should have known Wow it's one of my favorite guitar teacher on the internet 💓🤗

[@milesmcgeoghegan2727]

I can’t wait to learn this great old song! Thanks my friend for the lessons, and may God bless. 😊

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Best guitar lessons on you tube BY far -accurate, easy to follow, and top notch quality. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@luapsel77]

Jesus man, you are so effing awesome, I don't know whether to try and practice 6 hours a day, or give my guitar away!... I think I'll go with the first option!.. Always LOVED this song, and like everything else, You make it look about as hard as Breathing.... Thanks again for the lesson, Master...

[@jameshenkel6878]

Ok, I ran into two very good teachers this week but this guy is the best. He is by far the best I’ve seen and he’s got other songs that he teaches. I love his solemn common sense approach. I will sign up and pay for his lessons. Not sure if I can though.

[@jimmccrae8694]

Fantastic lesson I had learned this song from another KZbin lesson years ago, but your lesson is so much better. Love what you have done with the chorus which sounds so much better. Thanks from Jim in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@peterburkard6586]

Please consider doing a lesson on James Taylor's song Copperline. Gracias!

[@denniseking7161]

This song Fire and Rain, plus the artist James Taylor.. I love this tune, who could not love Taylor's style of play, his voicings, tone, interpretation, presentation, Just any area you can ld think of, Taylor's *Fire and Rain* is Solid, and Beautiful.. I never thought I could ever play this with any degree of competence.. I have struggled with this tune, this style of finger picking.. ^Yestersmday I walked away from this thing twice, finally on third attempt, and hours, and hours into this thing, it finally started coming together... . Thanks Shut Up and Play for this Great Lesson...

[@timwells5776]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you and bless you! You've totally captured the original feel of this song.

[@jazzlejazzle]

You are a great teacher. I totally learned the whole song from your instruction. This was a great gift. Thank you so much!

[@marcanthonyeagleton1876]

This man is the reason I know to play guitar!

[@benkile6310]

Jeez this is so good. I usually just take the chords and make up my own picking but there’s definitely something to be said for accuracy to the original

[@jerseyjess6151]

Thank you for teaching this beautiful song, I appreciate how well you understand the intelligence of this and many other songs you've done here. Your sincerity is inspiring.

[@hattiebarber2555]

This is a great tutorial to watch, I started playing guitar just over a year ago and learning this song was huge goal of mine. With this video I accomplished that! Thank you so much.

[@timsharkey1993]

Best tutorial I’ve seen for this song.

[@jmorra]

at last! Someone who can actually play this song right! Thank you again -- shekels headed your way as I will be learning this one. All other fans, please take note!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+John Bosquet-Morra Thanks for the shekels John. I really appreciate it. cheers

[@martymooney8099]

You are one of the best teachers on KZbin Sir and that is saying something these days for real 🤘🤘✌️🖖

[@davidcollins9335]

James Taylor and the Acoustic, made for each other ✌️

[@RICREYNOLDSMUSIC]

Love Taylor playing but as a fast lead picker and a half paralyzed picking hand, it has always been a struggle to pick my favorite Taylor songs. I was playing Iron Maiden with a cast on my strumming arm and had to put a thumb pick on to play. I used to play until my fingers bled but my love for the guitar exceeded any. pain. Thanks for posting this.

[@jimhenkel6681]

Thank you for all you did to get me closer. You are a great instructor. I keep coming back! One small difference I hear on the Sweet Baby James album to yours is during the intro when he goes into the reverse G. There is a note on the 2nd fret G string. It’s distinctive sound is so unique as part of that tricky part. My wife thinks I’m nuts! All said, you have brought me so much closer. He said in concert with Carole King, you may try to copy our sound but you’ll never be able to duplicate it. He is right. He has proprietary sounds that’s only by James Taylor.

[@Theman-im3fl]

You are the best! I love how you get right to the chase and play the song right away

[@danalito3693]

Wow he really gets those of us who want to learn new material. You have a new fan in me!

[@samhawkins8784]

That was by far the best lesson for this song ....For me anyway.....Thanks.

[@gurnstein]

This one of my favourites of the genre and you play it beautifully.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Joe Sʌɪzmɪk Thanks Joe!

[@JimCharles-w3o]

thank you thank you for sharing sooooo much ! these lessons are always superior and are so deeply appreciated my friend!

[@PeterMcClard]

Thank you for teaching the secret details of this beautiful song. Just watched a video of 21 yr old JT playing it and this is very accurate!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thank you. Cheers, Andy.

[@rickkinne7433]

Your tutorials are the best...

[@cpr2450]

GREAT teaching technique! Excellent-method in teaching short parts over and over in an easy understandable and visual way! Awesome!!

[@Geddy2006]

Thank you so much for this lesson!! I was following another's tutorial and the timing difference on the G chord between the intro and verses was never touched upon but makes a noticeable difference. I really appreciate you taking the time to be thorough with this song!!! 💝🙏

[@transmissionman8124]

Dude I really appreciate you showing us how it's done. This is one song I'm going to get down thanks to your help. You are a killer guitarist 🇺🇲

[@LostCaper]

Man you are an incredible guitar player and teacher. Thanks for sharing.

[@santiagolopezfernandez]

One of JT´s best songs. Great tutorial. Thanks.

[@andyzar1177]

His best song by far! so beautiful.

[@pinkythegreat1564]

Thanks dude... You've learned me some great songs in styles i never thought i could achieve, you make it very easy!

[@danieldunn3141]

Tremendous breakdown. Even so, still incredibly frustratingly difficult finger picking. James Taylor really is a mast of the guitar

[@cohoblue6512]

Great tutorial Sir 10 out of 10,,iv`e watched a few of your tutorials and you certainly know how to explain it step by step and play without getting bogged down on to much technical stuff... Thank You

[@richardmayers1767]

Really nice lesson, Andy, thank you very much. Best guitar teaching on You Tube, in my opinion.

[@armandovico5140]

insightful,cleanest acoustic sound ever.

[@badkatrising3918]

That was so much fun! One of my favorite lessons yet. The ELP lesson with Greg nearly broke me though.

[@occyman]

Best lesson on this I have ever seen...awesome work

[@zaphodelektra960]

I am amazed at the constant quality of your lessons. The best I've seen so far and I've seen a lot..... Keep it up!

[@andrewblack7852]

You are my favorite source of new tunes

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks Andrew. I put a huge amount of time and effort into making these videos. I like to keep them free for those that can't afford it, but if you can, please support what I do. Cheers, Andy www.shutupandplay.ca/donate.html

[@voyagersa22]

You’re a great teacher 👨‍🏫 Jeez. Thank you so much

[@JOESOLDROCK]

I just watched a video from 1970 and he left out the second note on the walkdown during the chorus. Made it easier for me too. I have a hard time with some walkdowns as I tend to mute some of the notes in the process. Great lesson by the way! Whenever I look for a lesson, I always check to see if you've done the song I need before looking elsewhere. Thanks!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks Joe!

[@andreaslundhall]

Thanks Andy for your ever so valuable work! I believe you're most on point of all the guys out there and your playing is just down to business! Keep it up forever!

[@Hueho1]

Agree with most others: best teacher by far on the internet; small suggestion though: please point out that a multitude of licks from this song also appear in some slightly modified way also in other songs of James …, such as his signature song „ in my mind I am going to Carolina..“ see second verse the “A-chord” section and D as well… and many others, meaning that even greats like Taylor repeat their licks in different song, which of course is perfectly ok, just pointing this out because you are stuck with one part and you after some years as in my case kind of nail it😂 you will also be able to apply it to other songs fromJT😊

[@rich-moporter]

Once again, another top-notch lesson, thank you! Your playing and teaching is truly inspiring. I started learning this song about 30 years ago and this makes me want to go back and really get it down this time. Cheers!

[@Daytripper51]

I always enjoy your videos.....good selections....precise.....shot in black limbo! Easy dialog...Thanks!

[@TheGreenerItGets]

This. I HAVE to learn.

[@reginaldhalstead6186]

Great lesson. Your instruction is perfect. I've got a smile on my face as I'm learning it, thanks.

[@troypimenta3883]

Thank you for impoving our playing skills. Great channel.

[@chadadora123]

You my friend have taught me so much. I have just about mastered your teaching of “the chain

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks. I put a huge amount of time and effort into making these videos. I like to keep them free for those that can't afford it, but if you can, please support what I do. Cheers, Andy www.shutupandplay.ca/donate.html

[@TheOlandex]

Like others have said - great lesson. Very clear, concise and easy to follow. I've sometimes stayed away from some J.T. tunes like this because of his really unique style - you know, old dog new tricks kinda thing. But you've laid it out quite nicely here and made it much more approachable. Thanks!

[@StompRunner]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. Been trying to learn this one for years. It was always too hard for me to look at a tab and play it. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@fcms1]

Thanks man. I have to say that out of all the many many guitar instructors on KZbin, you are my very most favorite. I have learned so many songs from you. I play "Fire and Rain" too and it's a little ironic that I posted my first ever KZbin video just last week of myself playing and singing this song. It's a rather crude video since I have no audio equipment whatsoever and used my laptop's built in webcam and a cheap mic plugged into the audio jack. I'm in the process of learning better recording techniques and getting the tools I need to make better videos. Thanks again!

[@fcms1]

Oh and one more thing. Even though I already play this song, you can bet your boots that I'll be using your lesson to polish my performance of it. The mark of a good guitar player is to always and forever remain teachable!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Russ “AxeSlinger” Smith Thanks for the kind words Russ. Yeah, I learn stuff almost everyday about guitar and music. It's one of the things about being a musician that I love, it's infinite. You can never know it all...cheers

[@foolsgold8486]

I dont know why.. .... but 9:55 -10:10 That E to the open D (respectively from capo) just gets to me. This is as good as it gets for acoustic expression.

[@taxisteve929]

Thanks a lot! I actually prefer this to the free James Taylor lesson. He has an odd way of playing his D’s that he says makes it easier to do some of the ham around but I don’t find it that way at all. I have no problem with the hammer on is playing at standard. I heard this quote so many things, and out picking, generic picking, but like most good pieces it’s a mix. Any of us who do pick our songs out knows how difficult it is to have someone who can play bass with us which made Lee Sklar so valuable to the James Taylor band. Excellent sound and thank you for a great lesson. Now to commit it to muscle memory so I can try to sing along.

[@alangriff1]

Beautiful,,,,what more can I say...played with such accuracy as always. Great work "D".