Simple Twist of Fate guitar lesson (breakdown of my 2020 YouTube video)

[@scottjones6624]

So Carson, this was a magnificent tutorial. I started playing this song because of hearing your rendition. This tutorial helped clear up some minor things you were doing in your version, especially about the strumming. I think your style in teaching this was wonderful and I would love to see more tutorials of your playing. I notice on some other songs you often use some interesting chord voicings that I can't quite get because they are going fast. So videos like this are a real help and inspiration for us guitar players. Also your camera angle and lighting was perfect. You might have thought this was just a quick scattered tutorial but I think you actually produced a really fine one. It felt like I was in the room with you and the pacing was great. I am really hoping to see more like this in the future.

[@islanderdraws]

Thank you, BOSS MAN! Your transparency in not knowing tabs or the exact chords, phrasing ...etc. is refreshing! Dylan already performed the song. You took it and made it work for you. Sign of real musicianship, in my honest opinion. 🙏🏼

[@ChaseEaglesonOfficial]

Love the lesson videos! You are an incredibly skilled guitarist, so it is cool to get a look into your approach to arrangements!

[@jelliott2k]

Carson, this is one of my favorite songs you have covered. Excellent from start to finish.

[@elxakiltse8773]

face reveal at 150k subs! C’mon people!! lol, thank you for making this. I LOVE your cover in that park. It got me through covid and keeps me going today.

[@mrgimpie]

You are a excellent teacher Carson. Teaching music theory w/o all the 'theory'. Then you sing and show how it all works together. Well done.

[@PaperAudio]

Nice sounding guitar you have there. Maybe a more detailed breakdown of strumming patterns would be a useful topic. Strumming seems like just one of those things that should come naturally, but can be a struggle for some. Overall, great lesson. Thanks!

[@dantallman5345]

This is an awesome breakdown. It is so practical. You get the desired result without spending a lot of time retuning the guitar and without awkward chord shapes.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Just stumbled upon this Carson. I remember when I first came across your "in the park" video performance of this song, and how much I enjoyed it. You did a REALLY GOOD job on this lesson.

[@hymnplayer]

Great Lesson. Your teaching method is pretty much how I’ve learned guitar. I’m a 70yr old guy who has been playing since I was 12 years old. Thanks!

[@edphillips8071]

Please do more of this. I have always wanted to know more of how you play your arrangements. This is great stuff.

[@ralphh.2200]

Thank you Carson.I've been back to that STOF of yours many times.Played it (your video) for my wife & it moved her & that's not easy. Your fans feel privileged...for you to teach us...

[@CeGoe]

Thanks so much for this, Carson. I love your rendition of the song and hope to be able to play it as well as you one day 🙏

[@ralphshepperson9482]

Thanks Carson. Love your rendition of this song so it was great to see and hear you talk through it. Particularly like your strumming in this song so now you've explained how you go about it, I want to use that as a template for my own development. Thanks again! 👍

[@Andrew-cu9lf]

Hallelujah! I love it when people explain things so well like this. Thank you Carson! We'll just add this video to the long list of videos that illustrate why you're so awesome.🙂

[@frodobrown]

Great demonstration Carson, thank you so much for taking the time to put this together - Ian UK 😀🙋🏼‍♂️

[@sammfshields]

Carson it is my dream to have some sort of vocal lesson or tip from you ❤ just putting it out there Love your work

[@dori4567]

Thank you for this lesson. I absolutely love your cover of this song and have tried to teach myself with another instructional video but it’s not as good. Can’t wait to try this

[@mbshark33024]

Hey there Carson, this was an unexpected gift. I always enjoy the videos from you and Josh and appreciate the fact that I can usually see the fretboard to learn the song, especially the E flat ones like this, Blue Eyes Cryin' In the Rain and Atlantic City. If you get in the mood to do another one I think "New York is Not My Home" would be a good tutorial and tell Josh a breakdown of Comeback (Light Therapy) would be much appreciated. Another song that could use the Carson treatment is St. James Infirmary; would love to see your spin on that one. It is fun to see you breathe new life into songs like 16 Tons and Ghost Riders on the Storm. Thanks for all you do

[@mefistofer]

One word to describe this tutorial: Perfection! I love the arrangement. Thank you so much sir!

[@HomeSweetBeagle]

Love your voice. ❤

[@onelen]

Thanks for sharing this with us Carson.

[@jtoddbrown]

I never play with a pick and I can't sing, but I love your rendition of this song, and it's so interesting to hear you break it down. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@Joe.Doucette]

Very helpful, Carson! You have such a great voice...

[@oddshot60]

Thank you kindly for this very useful lesson. I'm going to be using the movement from E to A a LOT going forward. I hope you would consider doing more of this kind of lesson ... very practical stuff for guitar players.

[@dorisporis8]

Thanks so much! I have just been a folks drummer and definitely want to begin getting better at Qatar. I heard it's the easiest to begin and most difficult to master. I play the piano And that knowledge of music helps. Your approach to instruction is just my speed!! Not to mention the coaching!

[@justus9680]

Thank you for this lesson!!! Your version in the park is one I revisit quite often!! Thank you again!!!🙏

[@NikkoAus]

You have a great voice mate, so chill and mellow. Good on you for making these videos, it’s very much appreciated.

[@AdHaug1]

Amazing teaching. I really appreciate this! Please do more of these, would love you to walk us through your rendition of Good Time Charlie's got the Blues!

[@TheRon0mac]

Thank you @carsonmckeemusic @Carson McKee! This is a great tutorial! You provided good detail! From the tuning, to the chord shapes and included strumming. I have strummed some songs as you described. It is good to have someone talk about that, to make us more "mindful" of what we are doing - and more aware, so that we can repeat it. Thanks!! Bravo!!! Keep up the good work. TheRon0mac - a.k.a. Ron McKee - :)

[@jajs283]

Carson you amaze me again. I love this rendition and enjoy the lesson as much. Thanks for the time you put into sharing your gift with us. I will be going over this to learn it the best I can. Thanks again

[@boulderdesigner]

Hey Carson, I loved this lesson! Hearing how you arranged and play the song was so helpful! I loved that you shared your wonderful playing style! More please, this was great! Thank you!

[@barryodom7611]

Great lesson. Do more!

[@9ramthebuffs9]

My mother is one of those people that can't get past Dylans vocals. I remember I played your version of this song in the park for her and she was floored.

[@tomrobinson7393]

Thank you! Super lesson and refreshing, I don’t read tabs either and am challenged by Premier but your detailed down to earth teaching style, I Like. Wish you toured New England more.

[@SmogandBlack]

Super nice idea, making a tutorial 😊😊😊, you must be a really kind guy (and you play and sing with great musicianship 😊). A great day to everybody.

[@ShaunPanzer]

I love you voice and playing . Thanks for your great vids .

[@KristinaSorc]

Thank you for the lesson ! It can take a long time to learn a guitar song.

[@nealegordon]

Thanks Carson kind regards from UK

[@adaltroczguitar]

I remember watching the cover video!! Time flies!! Tks for the lesson!! And it turns out you're a great instructor!! That could mean stg!! 👏👏👏

[@JacobWard101]

You have no idea how much i appreciate this video!, Thank you so much Carson!

[@MikeS29]

Love this song, love your version and explanations. You are a star, Carson!

[@markwilliams8477]

Hello Carson. Many thanks for putting this excellent tutorial out there. I have often watched your rendition in the park during the hight of the Pandemic, I can assure you that in Britain (where I'm from), it was a real boost of joy and that times would get better. So thank you for that. I will most certainly adopt your version of this song as I absolutely love it just the way it is. However, your voice is really beautiful, so my efforts are going to fall well short. Either way, I'm very inspired to give it my best. Sincere regards. Mark.

[@ianskeldon1091]

Great stuff Carson. Lots more please!

[@reddogdude]

This vid was a skilled and yet casual instructional session where the result was something that was brilliantly approachable. Instruction may just be another one of your gifts - you should definitely do more lesson vids. Anyway, thanks for sharing. I have long liked your in-park rendition of this song. Now I'll give it a try. Keep up the good work!

[@jamesedwards2687]

Thanks to my favorite male singer.

[@howardblinn4372]

Thanks for the lesson, your cover of this song was super!! I was trying to figure out the model of the Eastman guitar you were using in that video. Again thanks for all the great videos.

[@EvaFallen64]

Oh wow this is so good - thank you. Just amazing. I absolutely love your voice and your musicality. And now I find you are fabulous at teaching guitar too! I’ve been listening to your version of Pretty Paper obsessively and would love a lesson on that or Funny How Time Slips Away. If you ever cover Harry Nilsson’s The Moonbeam Song a lesson on that would be great too. But hey just grateful for this and you.

[@James-np8pu]

You are so incredibly talented!!!

[@jfloww]

You are an awesome teacher Carson, thanks so much for putting this out! Love the original, but your version of Simple Twist of Fate has always been my go-to. Also hope your hand is okay!

[@limeplasterer2766]

Thanks for sharing Carson - it's made my week, really...

[@mikeellis4345]

Hi Carson! I couldn’t figure out the chords you were using in your 2020 video in the park, so I cheated a bit by tuning to drop d and capo’d up on 1st fret to match your tune. I’ll go relearn it with your chords version now!. Great tune and a most excellent cover of it too! Cheers from Sydney Australia!

[@benjamingoldenstein1682]

Thank you so much Carson. That's a beauty!

[@kayanowtoo7593]

Love your version of this, thanks. Would be nice to have the chords onscreen for the slow playthrough.

[@bw12765]

Thank you Carson 😊!!!

[@raystargazer]

Thanks for doing this! Still the best cover of this tune (and what a tune!) I have heard. Captivating I guess is the right word. Hmm. I gotta find me a nice bandaid.

[@juanitastephenson327]

This was an excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@channelbill2933]

Follow the example of John Prine. John published a songbook of his 15 most popular tunes, transcribed in TAB and standard notation. This provided his fans with access to the lyrics and music in written form to follow when they watched the video or were learning the tunes. Carson and Josh have a decent catalogue now, you must be able to pick out the most popular tunes to document. You do not have to do the work yourselves, I think you would be able to manage the publication and get competent transcribers to document the tunes and present them in a format suitable for a hard copy reference, so you manage the process and make sure it is of good quality and you like it, not do the process. Keeping it simple with just the music and no photos or story etc. is a key to keeping the management work under control so it wont stop your other work. A book to go with your popular videos is also a great tool for you to access if you ever decide to take in students or make more teaching content like this video.( Noting that Tommy Emanuel has students even though he says he can't read or write music, he has a teaching style that relies on audio material not printed material.)

[@ElDocumentalista-Albella]

Excellent lesson! Many thanks!

[@colinstevens5714]

Wonderful , thank you.❤

[@calwooten]

nice I sorta picked up this song just by watching you but it wasn't quite right. Thanks for the lesson!

[@pjgarret7653]

TY! Pls do more😉

[@bathroomjon1]

Great lesson - I’m on it!

[@itssafeinthecity]

Thanks Carson. I love your version of this song but wish you hadn’t tuned down a half step for this demo. Made it hard to play along with my regular tuning😅. Sending hugs nonetheless.

[@stephanbockholt5976]

Nice gentle playing... Soft and steady... What picks so you use?✌🏻😉

[@carsonmckeemusic]

Thank you!! Dunlop 207s. They’re 2mm with a rounded tip…meaty and imprecise-feeling *at first* if you’re used to a more standard, like, .7-1mm pick. But you get used to them and with an easy touch, they bring a nice, rich tone. They wear down faster than something more upscale like a Blue Chip, but I just love ‘em.

[@JavierCerecer]

Thank you mate! Love your version.

[@albertocanevali2338]

Thanks and congrats..a wonderful cover and very useful lesson..

[@bulbhorn]

Great tutorial. Thank you very much.

[@Iam1DK]

Thank you!!!!! Love your music and video posts!!

[@j.g.soriano7853]

Excellent, excellent rendition!!

[@brothergoose]

Love this, thanks Carson! If you one day did the same for your original version of Cherry Wine I would be ecstatic.

[@donaldneumeyer4423]

Excellent Carson!

[@Scottie1152]

Carson thank you! ❤

[@poppyseed6487]

Thank you for this! I'd love to hear you play and sing Robert Johnson's "From Four Until Late". Not as an instruction video, just your interpretation of it.

[@robertlowe5444]

Thank you

[@UlrichVanHeesen]

Hey Carson, I would love to See a tutorial about flower in the City! I just cant figure Out every Last Bit and it's such a great piece of work

[@robertguilbault7248]

Thanks Carson. Still criminally undersubscribed I see, but congrats on passing 100K. Love your version of this in the park.

[@ingridroche2655]

This is amazing. Have you considered “Speed of the sound of loneliness “ by John Prine?

[@brendankeough4783]

Needed this video today, thx !

[@JayCharles-v5g]

Fantastic

[@topher6410]

What a great tutorial! Can I put in a plug for “Comeback Season”? I adore that song…

[@guitarguyjoefry]

Amazzzzzzzzzzing job!

[@Ohwhat2777]

Carson im a sixty three year old man that didn’t start playing until my forties I’ve discovered you recently what a Gem of a find you are for me to sum up ill say the Mark Knophler way “ I dug up a Diamond” please l cover this song would love to hear you cover a Knopfler song♥️ this song

[@clifeddens1658]

Such a great voice. Great lesson. Unfortunately, I’ve been asked NOT to sing several times. Kinda puts a damper on my guitar progress.

[@tehoracle]

Fantastic instruction!❤

[@nicholas854]

finally my dude

[@Braggzzz]

Cheers ears, how do we get our vocals to sound fractionally like yours??? Thanks again Carson.

[@jessicacosiguitar]

Carson, please lets make a duet for my KZbin channel 😭😭😭 it would be a dream 😭

[@timsmith190]

Carson, which guitar do you think best lends itself to this song, the E20D (14 fret) or the 000-17SM (12 fret)?

[@carsonmckeemusic]

Both have their strengths. I actually sold the Eastman FOR the Martin because my playing style has changed over the years to favor smaller-bodied guitars. A dreadnought might sound more like Bob's original recording - full, almost like a piano. But I like the more intimate sound of a mahogany 000 nowadays.

[@timsmith190]

I'm not a "strummer" and don't use a pick, but like your arrangement so much I'm trying to work it up on a D15 mahogany dreadnought. I love the sound of a 12 fret 000 with a pick but w/o a pick I'm not able to dig into the notes hard enough to get that classic 000 sound. My D15 seems to sound best tuned down, even as far as a minor 3rd. With your arrangement, bringing out the major 7 and other chord tones buried in the middle of the voicing w/o a pick is a challenge for me but also a joy. Thanks for posting this. @@carsonmckeemusic

[@canadice1999]

What was that song you were picking at the end of the video?

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

I get asked for tabs too! (But, IDK how to explain specifics on HOW I play because I play "by ear" for the most part!) ...well, yes! I had the Mel Bay chord-books when I was a kid 40+ years ago! But, beyond that and the boring yawn from band in middle/high-school, I largely IGNORED "theory/conventional" notations and stuff! I'd be a HORRIBLE "teacher"!

[@okyougotme123]

There’s always JGB’s version in D

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Wow! You are good at discovering what you did (then showing us!) I've yet to figure out how to tell people what I do! (Because, I really haven't had reason to try "anal-eye-zing" lol. I play by instinct and ear!) IN SHORT... I think ALL musicians should seek and find their OWN way!

[@GDGardner]

000-17sm?

[@carsonmckeemusic]

Yes indeed!

[@GDGardner]

I too have one, sweetest & friendliest Martin I have every played. Cheers Bro

[@AHormonalHippo]

Would absolutely LOVE a similar video for your cover of Dylan's 'The Man in Me' - that's one of my other alltime favourite covers of yours, alongside this one. Thank you very much for this video as well.

[@MrJesse3030]

So what’s the tuning again? 😂 Open E? E flat? A? You threw a few notes around there lol

[@loic09]

Bravo super leçon ... Please give another guitar lesson liké If you see here to Say hello Thanks a lot Cordialement Loic09

[@calbackk]

I think Joan Baez`s version of this song is really good.

[@jerrymolina2623]

🤦‍♂️ oh brother 😢 if you want to learn how Bob Dylan does it. Just check out his live performance. This video was lame!!!