Space Oddity (Lesson) - David Bowie

[@danielgulotta2252]

Hey James! I just spent the evening going through some old videos. I've been watching you since the Privettricker days. You have changed my life. I'm a terrible guitar player, but music fills my soul when I'm feeling empty, and you inspire me to pick up the guitar and change what may have been a crappy day into an "I feel better about the world today," day. Even if it's just a strum pattern or a short lick. I rarely learn the whole song cause I never have anyone to play with, but I have fun in my little man cave music room. I hope all is well. Love ya too lots!

[@rchancock]

Dan, you echoed my same state and feelings. Thanks to James and to you

[@jbpascal6892]

Même sentiment...

[@tonymoreno6902]

your post is so mirror image of my appreciation towards Privettricker and James James 🙏 good luck Daniel, with your guitar playing on the same path as me. He certainly simplifies playing guitar, although once you understand the rhythm and chords, its basically practice slowly and build up speed and muscle memory. Yes I also agree when the day has been tough pick up the guitar and loose yourself in the sound you are trying to emulate. A great honest and post congrats.

[@ji3946]

this dude kills it every time

[@tripledistilled2822]

I enjoy the lessons and I like his attitude, very entertaining!

[@Larry-hh3kl]

Like thousands of others I hope all is well and you are simply taking a well desired break. I can't thank you enough for all of your postings as I have truly grown as a guitar player as a result of your videos. You are a natural teacher. All the best to you and your family.

[@cidlopez]

I hope he’s ok. Been following him for 10 years. Not known him to just stop like this.

[@tonybulmer6365]

@@cidlopez He had surgery on his shoulder recently.

[@greg7656]

Wishing James James, his wife, their families and all who love this channel a happy holiday season, and to James, my deep gratitude for giving music back to me after so many lost years

[@wartimemodels]

James- we need your reaction to the “Get back” film! I just finished it and am overwhelmed. Plenty of guitar material of course, but the history and human drama of it are so moving. Hope you’re well!

[@TypicalGirls]

Been longer than usual since a posting. I hope all is well, especially that shoulder. Hope to see you soon.

[@tomwilder1495]

Hope he’s on a beach in Barbados recuperating.

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

@@tomwilder1495 I was getting worried too...shit....what would we do with out Double J?

[@SebastianHalfpenny]

Thinking of James also. Hope all is good. Does anyone know if he still has the 2003 Les Paul standard? What burst is that guitar?

[@lucidlifestyle8799]

Yeah, three weeks is a long time for someone who posts almost every other day. I love watching him play.

[@backtoshallabal6662]

I hope he is still alive :( I miss his posts

[@PollyoFKH]

I was never a big Bowie fan unfortunately and once again you’ve amazed me and I learned one of the best strumming songs ever thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart

[@tomwilder1495]

JJ…I think I have narrowed down the reason for your absence: 1. After producing multiple guitar videos per week for others for 12 years, you started playing for just yourself again and like it. 2. In a mad fit, you sold all of your guitars and have begun flute lessons. Can I have your amps? 3. Jimmy Page found your channel, gave you a call and the two of you are doing an album. You just have no time, thus the short replies. 4. You are enjoying this game of Wheres Waldo(JJ) and have no intention of stopping now. 5. You have started a new channel (you’ve done it before) and your in the midst of building it out but it’s still a secret. 6. You got a side gig as Santa Claus at the local mall and have been out straight since Thanksgiving. 7. Your wife said you were addicted to guitars and making KZbin guitar videos. She bet you a Les Paul Heritage that you couldn’t stop for two months. 8. You just decided to spend more time with your family. Whatever the reason, know that you are missed here. Thank you for everything and have a great Holiday with your family.

[@jamesjames9275]

At least two of those are true. :)

[@ranman1959]

@@jamesjames9275 I'll go with 1 and 8. But I could also believe 3.

[@frankmerriman9937]

After playing in garage bands in the 70s (High school) I put the guitar down as I honestly felt like a poser bcuz adulthood beckoned (Got a job) and dropped guitar for 40 years. You certainly changed my life James James/Privettricker. Your easy going, lighthearted, doing it for fun 'tude reignited my passion two years ago. I bought a few guitars (Yep, have a job) and been going through the masters catalogue (JimmyP) with your guidance. Thank you so much for your excellent coaching, zep trivia and sense of humor.

[@timmyers8257]

It's been a while. Hope you're doing alright. Looking forward to seeing you soon.♾️☮️

[@christopherstone1083]

Who would have thought this was James James' second to last lesson? He seems so cheerful. I had the realization this morning that I hadn't seen a lesson for a while (been busy learning other songs from other teachers), checked things out and once I saw that "The End" was the last lesson posted, I knew what was up. Good Luck James James! and Thank You!

[@christopheranderson1968]

Seen a few comments wondering what's going on with the length of time between new videos. Hopefully back soon. I enjoy the videos.

[@kenstephenslivingroomlegends]

Sorry to see you're not posting new videos. I hope that changes! We've used your videos to find "new" songs for our cover band to play. Very helpful. Thank you so much!

[@1060michaelg]

Been playing this song since I picked up a guitar, well, some months later, and that Fmaj7(no 5th) is absolutely the way to go! It captures the overall effect of how the music sounds. Great ear, James.

[@randolphjones2658]

Me too hope you're ok. I've been feeling the pinch as well. Love your lessons!

[@Teeder]

Hi James, It’s great to see you back playing and teaching! Shoulders take time to heal, and there’s nothing that can be done to speed up that process (unfortunately). Trying to do too much can actually delay or set back the healing process. I’m the poster boy for this. Patience, as a virtue, was obviously not a guitar player! Thank you for this timely lesson on “Space Oddity”. My very good friend, Tom, is having a major milestone birthday next week, and I can’t attend (due to a recent health issue that I experienced), but I’ll work my version of this song into my video birthday message to him. Your lesson was the catalyst for my birthday video idea. I’m always so impressed with your “ear”. You hear the key and the chords so well. For example, the F major7 to start “Space Oddity” or how an E7 fits in perfectly in another song, or the riffs in “Mrs Robinson”, etc. I know a lot of chords, and I can play them well, but I struggle with the aforementioned. A song is like a musical jigsaw puzzle, and the chords are the pieces. I know the pieces, but I’m weak in their application. I would imagine I’m not alone in this regard. Anyways, I want you to know that your lessons do a world of good in myriad ways. Viewers don’t always express this, but for me, your lessons really shed a lot of light onto understanding the guitar. There’s a lot that I don’t know/understand, but hopefully, with time, I will. Thank you for sharing your gift of music with us! It’s great to see the Sabres having more success this year. Making the playoffs, in this division, is no easy task. Good luck with your shoulder.

[@turnsufficient4971]

Western New York themes again - a Buffalo Sabres sweater and a Genesee beer light in the background ! Sounds so good indeed

[@fernandoc.m.1206]

James James come back, you are missed...

[@tfcolligan]

We miss you! And hey, thanks for doing a few numbers on that Guild of yours. Love that sound.

[@Danman911]

You can make a lesson enjoyable..your guitar sounds so good even with the break between the chords.. great song too…will be practicing that song for sure..will be looking for the 72 concert you mentioned..

[@kfans]

Your the man ,man ! Picks and Pucks ,great combo !!

[@tinnwhistler7629]

Excellent lesson, Muchos gracias!

[@danielhoffheins2068]

One of the best that's ever done it. An ineffable force. Happy Trails.

[@chrissnape9537]

I just recently saw Bowie with Conan. Conan made note that Bowie was the 25th richest man in Britain. It just shows how successful he was. A real gentleman, which in 1972 would have been hard to imagine. I miss your channel; maybe you will be back. Besides your great playing we like a lot of the same music. The Who was the best live act I ever saw, once with Moony.

[@DG-mv6zw]

Great tutorials, James. Clear and methodical but without sacrificing these wonderful nuances that make such a difference to a solo acoustic guitar. Please keep these tutorials coming mate. Many thanks 👍

[@donrice2609]

I been playing it in public for many years slightly differently..its always nice to see how someone else does it and use thier ideas where applicable..thanks

[@Ralph-ny1ey]

Same here, such as the outro. It's my favorite part because the chord arrangement sounds beautiful. Basically same though.

[@walkerhjones]

Hoping you are well James James, thankful for your videos Peace

[@jamesjames9275]

Doing great, thanks!

[@mortysroom]

Thank you. You have such a gift. Skills and communication like nobody!

[@rapbrown8849]

Hope you're OK dude, love your channel, don't need a thing from you, just hope you're alright.

[@drewcunningham2]

Great lessons James - no face - so mysterious lol - anyway, great t-shirt collection and great lessons - definitely one of my fave channels for learning a few new tunes properly....peace bro!

[@DeadDiverDan]

Another one that I've not been playing correctly. Your lessons have helped me fix a lot of mistakes in songs I love and been playingfor years . Thanks

[@bretttownsend6495]

I’ve played guitar almost 60 years and still I learn something new fro you. I hope your alright I respect you alot

[@chrissnape9537]

I would like to second the previous comment, and I am crossing my fingers all is well. I hope this isn't the same as your previous channel where you got fed up with the negative comments. I have been a sportsman all my life and played rugby for 23 years and got to travel the world with the great game. I was an avid golfer but old injuries have caught up and I need a couple of operations My wife and I had been living in Thailand for five months a year until Covid. I started just to listen to your PT channel because I liked the music so much. I would be up at 3.30 or 4 am because of pain and would lie on the bench with our French Bull dog and pain killers. Well it was so good that I bought a guitar and started to play I am now an intermediate player thanks to you and two others. I like the way you don't over complicate things. If all is well maybe after a break you can comeback. Lord knows you have left us with a treasure trove of classic music. I especially like your Who videos as I thought they would be beyond me but you pointed out some of Pete's go to moves. Anyway cheers big ears and thanks. Sure would still like you to play the live version ofAcid Queen but I don't think your taking requests LOL. I trust this finds you in good spirits and drop us a line just to say hello or show us your new guitars

[@michaelchappell6570]

Great to see you back James hope you are on the mend with your shoulder, this is a great song as well.

[@theseeker6097]

5 Stars James! Awesome tutorial as usual!

[@jopiet821]

Your teaching and clarity so good on this, you learned a lot over the years, Thanks by the way!

[@bobdennis7136]

Hey, a Buffalonian! Love the Sabres sweater and the Genny Cream Ale sign. I’m a Depew native transplanted to Tampa. Love your vids, man. You get to the point and concentrate on the fingering. Your Suite Judy video was epic. Hope to see more from you.

[@greggilman905]

Like everybody else; hope you're just enjoying the holidays. We love ya dude!

[@boffam00]

In the intro (and thereafter when these chords are played) I play the low E along with the Fmaj7…I like the dissonance and my hands are too small to hook my thumb over to fret the F anyway. I also play Em7 after that instead of Em, playing it with only the B fretted on the A string. I also hammer on this note in the intro and also when playing Em after C/G in the verse.

[@WinstonOBoogie007]

Hope you’re doing well James, miss your content. Whenever I search for a lesson on a particular song, I always watch yours first

[@castanzes]

JJ, I hope you're Ok. All the best to you and your family.

[@perryd6761]

I play it on my 12 string. And I play it off the sheet music and 10 it definitely needs the Fm because his voice changes there and all barre chords for the break from the C, F, G & A!

[@LeyJohnSha]

Thanks again JJ. Nice to see you have an honest ding on that almost prisine acoustic..

[@rodmcdonough6111]

Vert nice authentic feel as you play this Bowie classic

[@mgwwilf]

You are Back!! Good to see that you are healing up! Another great lesson sir

[@mikeclifton2824]

Beautiful guitar

[@GaryBook]

Bowie tunes are always appreciated.

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Great stuff! Loved the lesson! As usual, super cool!

[@speezer22]

Hey James, you got a great shoutout in the January 2022 issue of Premier Guitar magazine, in the "Feedback Loop" (letters to editor) section. Congrats!

[@jamesjames9275]

Some would say I’m closer to a “KZbin Jar Jar Binks.”

[@denislarcombe680]

thanks james for all your work hope you and family are well

[@darrylbirney8712]

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. You got a great following of guitar players from beginners and old dudes that have been playing for 60 years. Love your style and dry humor. Hopefully, Santa will put another vintage Porsche in your stocking. Let talk sports cars in one of your none guitar videos.

[@SALUTE-USA]

So cool..great job !!

[@jadeedmundson5715]

This is the best lesson l’ve had from you! Thank you🙏🏻🐶❤️

[@claytonsanders5435]

Hey Jim, glad to see ya back in action.

[@MikefromAlabama]

Where have you been? Miss your play overs and lessons on you tube. Happy Holidays.

[@alphasxsignal]

Merry Christmas coming up soon. Just picked up some new guitars so Im back playing and watching you.

[@jackellsworthsavage5384]

i'm hooked!

[@geo.cgeier3435]

Love that song, that Guild D-55 and your channel! Glad you’re doing better after getting cut on! Much appreciated, Thanx!

[@pattamlyn2322]

much better & cleaner video.. & some nice little tricks for this tune .. thx

[@branevans3705]

Hey thx! Love your style ❤

[@tonyvoxu2]

Came here to say thanks for the 'Something' video on your old channel. Great singing on that one too.

[@estebucks]

Hey James James! I’m a new fan here, you should do more bowie songs! Appreciate the content ❤️

[@ambroseharper8316]

As ever, another very enjoyable video, you have a great ear.

[@philemaux]

Merci pour toutes ces vidéos !🎸🎸🎸

[@CCB6939]

James I love that Guild !!! some day I too shall own one... maybe great lesson ! thanks James

[@nandokrafft8926]

Hi there James I really love both channels you had . I ve been following you since privettricker and learned so many great songs on which I even didn’t know they existed. But anyhow I stopped playing guitar for a couple of years ago because i got a injury with my fingers . Couldn’t play well my fingers didn’t hit the right notes anymore so I got frustrated. Since a couple of months I grabbed my guitar again and astonishingly I can play some chords again. I directly go to your channels again and play along with some songs. But did you stop with your channel? Cause I see the last one is over 2 years ago. But anyway I would like to thank you for all the great stuff you shared with us . ❤❤❤

[@garylcampbell9964]

Hope all is well. I hope you are coming back. All the best. Gary

[@almartinez13]

BEAUTIFUL.

[@ckallaher]

Thanks for reminding me what a great song this is, yes, for the campfire. Many years ago I saw a sheet music version of this song and it had the Bb as a Bbmaj7 down in the first position, which I kind of like as an embellishment, like that open B on the Fmaj7, which I really love. Good luck with the shoulder rehab. That is one difficult joint to get right.

[@ivegotheblues]

Great as always! Man how is your shoulder? Hope you're getting better!

[@jamesjames9275]

It’s taking a long time, but getting better. I’m not a patient person.

[@BillMcGirr]

@@jamesjames9275 Patience is a virtue… I recognize that I’m not virtuous.🙄👍🥃

[@olivier3847]

when you play an Em7 with just one finger on the A string and an open D string instead of an Em in the intro it can create certain overtones which are audible on the studio recording.

[@parsleycheesecake5194]

Hi James, Been a while since we`ve heard from you. I like others hope everything is okay and that we`ll see you soon.. I consider you as a friend so it`s a worry not hearing from you. All the best...

[@victory6422]

Thank You Double J Great Job and I appreciate and Value You Dearly, Also Thank You for the lick on "Let Me Roll It" 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@paulinebuckles2310]

This is amazing. Really good tutorial.

[@crisprtalk6963]

David loved jugband Blues so much he wrote this.

[@brunomarllon7]

We hope you're doing well!!

[@SyntagmaStation]

You really nailed this one. The Famj7 to Fm is critical.

[@jimfitzgerald6510]

Keep doing your shoulder rehab. Doing great🍀

[@KingHarvestHSC]

Just checking to see if all is well with you. I see below that you are doing fine. Looking forward to seeing you again. Thanks!

[@johnwhitehouse8069]

Many thanks for this lesson. 😎Great plectrum take off.

[@artneville5994]

to get the solo sound, use a tele in the middle position

[@michaelherman4129]

Belated Thanksgivng and Holiday Season wishes. Sincerely hoping you and the family are all well.

[@tomwilder1495]

Glad you are well JJ. Enjoy a nice Thanksgiving with your family.

[@popsongtom]

James James this is Tom Tom, your music-song knowledge is beyond beyond - good stuff! You also have an archived channel? That is you.

[@cidlopez]

JJ - you ok? I can’t remember the last time we went three weeks without a video from you. Hope all is well.

[@edaly5471]

Hope all is well, we miss you.

[@superamp2724]

A new goal for me....maybe next year. Thanks :)

[@diesel1586]

That’s great man, I needed this, especially after a long day in Brooklyn

[@Chief1987]

G'day JJ, just wishing you positive thoughts mate. Hope everything is well and we see you back doing what you love soon. Cheers from Oz :D

[@WeejeeJones]

Happy holidays, hope all is well.

[@BillMcGirr]

Very cool. Great chord progression. Good stuff.💪👍🎸🥃

[@kingoscari3999]

JJ: Hope all is well. Sending good vibes and wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you. 🦃

[@frankmerriman9937]

Adding a couple of thoughts here... I pretty sure that you'd be posting today unless something very disruptive to your life came knocking. Was thinking that if your done here for reals, like not coming back, I owe you a large debt of gratitude, a profound thank you. I gathered (Hopefully correctly) that you are ok and assume your health is not the show stopper. Best to you.

[@Andrew301]

Thanks for doing these videos James!

[@davedee6339]

Bowie was a real player. I read somewhere that he played at least one part on “It’s Only Rock & Roll” along with Ronnie Wood and Keith. A real talent in many styles.

[@donwhitman1118]

Hope you’re doing well JJ. Enjoy the time off!

[@jamesjames9275]

It’s been fantastic.

[@chrisayers7625]

Here’s something I learned recently and it might apply here. When working with a voice, I can agree with keeping the chords close. eg the root chords. For non voice chords, I can see using the wider separation using the bare chords.

[@chrisayers7625]

Oh yeah, Great Lesson!

[@garryciambella1886]

Great job as usual, especially covering the Em vs G6 issue, as I have also seen Bowie play this both ways. It stands out even more if you also play the G6 with the open E string also in the bass. I would also suggest swapping every Bb to Bbmaj7 in the “planet Earth is blue” descents, and also ending on the Fmaj7 as opposed to the F straight up. Hope ‘the wing’ gets back to 100% soon.

[@AndyBigDaddyWilkinson]

You are a humble man JJ...and you dont realize the appreciation we have for you.....There are hundreds of guys across the US detoxing cold turkey freakin out with night sweats and DTS...spiders and ghouls haunting us at night...shadow people taunting from the shadows....Please give us a fix?!?!?

[@tdtom1376]

Hope all is copacetic. looking forward to your next tutorial.