Steve Howe Mood For a Day

Steve performing Mood For a Day

[@Southernguitar74]

May it always be said, Steve Howe is one of the greatest.

[@patrickscalia5088]

So many fools out there think the guy who plays the fastest and the loudest is the best guitarist in the world. If all you listen to is metal, it's easy to come to that conclusion. But my "best of" list has always been populated with people who can play blistering, shredding leads, but can also play acoustic and even classical guitar with equal dexterity. Alex Lifeson could play this. David Gilmour could play this. Jeff Beck could too. Not James Hetfield, Buckethead, Eddie Van Halen, nor the guitarists in Judas Priest nor Motorhead nor Iron Maiden nor Anthrax nor any other of a long list of popular metal acts could even dream of playing something like this as cleanly, tastefully, and with such tremendous dexterity as Steve Howe plays it. Yet he could play _anything_ those popular guitarists could play with ease. That's the true mark of a great guitarist. Steve Howe could play anything, and play it properly. I started listening to Yes at the age of fifteen. And what absolutely set the hook in my mouth was the album Fragile, specifically this cut. Roundabout and all the other stuff on the album only really grew on me after this piece convinced me to pick up the album. And that was a long, long time before their reincarnation in the mid 80s. And what was Steve Howe doing in the 80s? He was playing for the band Asia and showing just how great popular music can be.

[@Pyrethryn]

Absolutely. A master of his instrument.

[@saitodosan9377]

Tbh I'd say THE greatest. Not just trying to be controversial or one-up you either. I really can't think of anyone who's more of a genius with the guitar than Steve Howe, and I'm including people like Steve Hackett.

[@blkgryphon]

This song is so beautiful -- medieval, classical, Spanish...one for the ages and all ages!

[@jayholewinski]

In all those areas of guitar you mentioned he takes us on quite a beautiful visual journey of those areas and cultures. And its just awesome. I love this song so much.

[@muxux4]

In my modest opinion, one of the best guitar pieces in music history.

[@peternicholson233]

modest opinion?

[@danfedorchuk8219]

@@peternicholson233he wanted to say humble but he was too modest

[@rikardschumacher178]

Try PFM's Peninsula first up on their 1977 album Jet Lag. Gives this a run for the money.

[@BlackWhirlies]

You don't listen to much guitar music then.

[@BlueCastle752]

In my humble modest opinion, I do agree with you

[@loissnow3020]

My youngest son played this at my youngest daughters wedding. It was amazing!

[@NoName-fo7mz]

I bet he sucks

[@dimebagjosh2007]

You have a very talented son!

[@loissnow3020]

@@dimebagjosh2007 thank you!

[@brendanborg8692]

@@loissnow3020honestly! That’s insane. Playing mood for a day is no light task. I wonder how he has developed in the last years. Can he play la villa strangiato?

[@RAIDERS77FYT]

Damn your son got some skill..that's not an easy song to play..must have been beautiful to hear.. congratulations..🙏

[@ciliaris2]

Steve and this song introduced more young guitarists to classical guitar, than all the classic master combined. Including me.

[@mikeziemba2269]

I figured out this song when I was in 9th or 10th grade which would have been 1973 or 1974. Then I started playing it for my friends and pretty soon, every guitarist in my school was playing it. I really had no formal training, but I had a good ear and would learn the melody part and slowly add the bass notes. Soon after, I did the same thing with the Steve Hackett tune "Horizons" and it became an instant hit as well. I'm really sorry now that I'm 61 that I didn't spend more time on classical tunes - I wanted to play rock and roll. Both Steve Howe and Steve Hackett are great guitarists - give a listen to Hackett's "Tribute" album - Hackett is a great classical player with few peers IMHO...

[@SempreGumby]

It dances, pauses dances again, you fall in love, and in in the end its a Lullaby. Grace and peace to you all. Thank you Steve Howe.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Nice exposition, cheers

[@marcstreiff6067]

It's called a gigue ..

[@davidmasullo5919]

I can see this played in the court of Henry the 8th

[@Frankincensedjb123]

He's always been a top 5 guitarist on my list. Why he's rarely mentioned along with the likes of Page, Clapton, and Hendrix is beyond me.

[@maxzapom]

Really I can't understand why he doesn't come up

[@faithwyn7025]

Howe was voted "Best Overall Guitarist" in Guitar Player magazine five years in a row (1977-1981) and in 1981 was the first rock guitar player inducted into the Guitar Player Hall of Fame.The only other two guitarists to win the "Best Overall Guitarist" category for the "Gallery of Greats" are Steve Morse and Eric Johnson.

[@Marctull66]

@@faithwyn7025 : 5 times like Steve Morse ? Really, I didn't know this... but it was a very long time ago. So Steve has not always been forgotten in the polls as Steve Hackett tends to be, while he's an excellent player on both the electric and the classical guitar.

[@kevinmcconnell9426]

I rank Howe as my 2a best guitarist. Hendrix will always rank -#1 more because of what he didn’t live long enough to bless the world with, as much as what he did bless the world with. #2b is prince. He did a solo in the movie purple that blew me away!! But Howe has been the best living guitarist since “the Yes Album”. I think sound chaser may be his best work!

[@charlesjohnson8983]

I never understood why Clapton was considered a great guitar player but I guess I am the only one. I have heard all of the music all the people I have jammed with love him but I cant stand to listen to most of it and I havent heard anything he did that wasnt already being done at the time.

[@tsant825]

I hear a bizarre combination of baroque and flamenco blended into this beautiful peice.

[@uneedtherapy42]

a little renaissance too

[@nickbjelopetrovich9797]

I like the medival part sorry im only 10

[@kukuk5723]

Nick bjelopetrovich then u should check out licknriff 's tutorial

[@estebanposadaduque6415]

¿ bizarre ? .... smart I will say ...

[@stevemorse108]

You forgot the e string riff from the Rubettes and the melody lifted from Barry Manilow.

[@550lespaulstandard]

Steve Howe has been my guitar playing inspiration for just under a year. I have been listening to Yes for many years now (though I'm still only 15!) and i always thought this was such an amazing song (and it still is) I literally practiced every day for four hours a day every day until i was able to play this. (Is that over the top?) I was never able to afford proper lessons, so i am entirely self taught. Howe has given me the inspiration to teach myself and stick with my guitar, so thanks, Sir.

[@vanillagorilla8236]

Now that your 24 how good are you now ?

[@nancymjohnson]

Keep it up! You started with the best.

[@str1x_aluc0]

Though the comment is quite old, you are exactly the one who gave me inspiration to continue learning guitar, so yeah, thank you. And yes, this song really IS a masterpiece. Still and forever!

[@jamesgoddard2321]

It’s funny, I was inspired to pick up guitar by this song when I was 15 too. Now I’m 56 and I’m learning the song again. I still consider Steve Howe to be one of the best rock guitarists.

[@TheTechCircuit]

@@jamesgoddard2321 same here! I used to play it but lost that ability. Hope to play it again this year.

[@Bmanczak]

I noticed he uses his thumb and index mostly to pick out the parts, unlike most classical players who play with more. To each their own, this is one of the best tunes from Fragile

[@joemarlow5209]

I saw Steve Howe with Yes as a teen here in Syracuse. Had to learn this song. Took a while learning from vinyl! Thank God for the tone arm lift lever. I still have that same album, turntable and my Heresy’s. 65 now and still playing . It never gets old.

[@rokkishores4517]

Who are these people who don't like this amazing and awesome performance?

[@guitaroable]

Rokki Shores Shallow and simple minded people who need singing to hold their interest .

[@MaxCruise73]

Rokki Shores I too was wondering how 40 people could thumb's down this amazing performance. Can't think of any kind of witty or insightful answer to your question. Rappers perhaps? Rappers wouldn't know talent if it hit them in the head.

[@kenrubis5028]

It is silly, but I can think of one explanation. To some music fans, it is a competition. So if you think, say Alex Lifeson is your favorite guitarists, you come to videos like this looking for perceived flaws. I pick on Lifeson and Rush because we all know that to many of their fans, drumming starts and stops @ Neil Peart.

[@hillmillenia]

I guess it ain’t Snoop... thank God

[@mallard4998]

Tone-deaf plebs!

[@tvs3497]

I am the King of my Musical Castle, and Steve Howe is my guitarist and Yes is my band.

[@tomgoodson345]

Way back in the day I learned to play this on my '71 Les Paul Deluxe because I didn't have an acoustic. I may have to relearn it now that I've watched this.

[@MrAlcides1611]

Great musician and great piece of art!

[@crosshairstare]

This was one of the songs that compelled me to learn to play-it was also one of the first songs I learned to play-in the dark!!!That's right-no tab,no vinyl,no tape,no light bulb!!Just me,my ears and a guitar-the same year this song came out on Yesssongs,I played it at a high school talent show-at a reunion recently 8 or 10 people actually remembered that night and what I had played-I knew I made an impression,but I didn't think anyone would remember something like that from 30 years ago!!

[@eggman1978]

Bloody good guitarist that fella

[@adrianbenalak274]

Admiro ese afán didáctico de Steve Howe para , enseñar y apoyar a jóvenes guitarristas para que logren esa calidad ! Es un legado admirable !!!Muchas gracias por compartir y ya me suscribí ahora mismo ! 👍😃🇲🇽saludos desde Mexico con aprecio y admiración !

[@jacomans9078]

I remember hearing this and putting an LP on an old console and staying up until 4 am trying to get this down...I had it pretty close, but never could play it all the way through without screwing up somewhere, that’s what amazes me is how he plays it perfectly every time...amazing..thanks for posting this!

[@GRiNDZoMBi]

Just, like, HOW?! does anyone compose and perform such amazing music?!

[@schizoidman5957]

you mean..... HOWe ?

[@lovenow]

I put this on for my 3-year old with headphones, and he says, voice raised to overcome the sound in his ears 'dad, this is the best music ever!' LOL!

[@TylerLL2112]

lovenow Thanks to fathers like you, great music like this will never die.

[@gripho3589]

seems legit

[@JPGberg]

Love how he transforms the resolution with that F# bass note.

[@lonetreug8]

Absolutely one of the best and under respected players ever. He could show Jimmy a few things

[@lancerains4185]

Back in the day you would have to learn a piece of music by ear it's quite nice to be able to see the piece played in its entirety.. This one would have been very difficult to learn otherwise... Stuck with it every day for a month but finally got it under my fingers... Now it's just a matter of enhancing and embellishing... Again it is nice to be able to see and hear a piece played.. Don't necessarily need someone breaking it down and talking and explaining the theory.. Frankly learning some of the finer points along the way is a very important part of the learning process.. Moral of the story if you're going to teach a piece keep your mouth shut play it straight ahead where you can plainly see it if a person cannot pick it up at that point there's skill level is not ready for the peace.. Lastly Thanks Mr. Howe for such great music through the years.. P.S. The tempo of this piece of music I would say is vigorous but not meant to be raced through it is to be played with conviction and the tempo should move in a heart felt way.

[@inmate361.2]

You said it all !

[@davidbulger4483]

Being a musician is a lot like being a golfer. You buy expensive equipment and drive around looking for places to play. Thank you Maestro Howe. I bet he does not spend much time watching television. I got tired of watching Brady Bunch reruns so I took my guitar went to my bedroom and learned to play.

[@skoneloke]

Hai Nguyen well putt* lol

[@mboard31]

The way this piece shifts through styles and then lays out so flat and mellow, so comforting during the chorus (or whatever you call it). It makes you feel so good, so relaxed, so grateful…

[@inmate361.2]

That's exactly how I feel about that song ! I tried it on my channel if you want to see...

[@keiferreefer1]

This was the first guitar piece I learned, had a classical guitar at first, it's a great piece and good exposure to playing a moving bass line w melody over top.

[@makidiaz3894]

Yeah right!

[@Calvin-Coohey]

@@makidiaz3894 🤣

[@amateurmakingmistakes]

Thank you, Steve! I've been listening to your music for nearly half a century and I'd just like to thank you for posting this. You are a true gentleman for helping us amateur guitarists who love your works!

[@dftmmwgitd]

This is such a pretty song

[@juana1483]

Always loved this song. I remember Heart of the Sunrise came after this song!!!

[@waddlehead]

'Tis very cool to read comments from dads who have played this for their kids as "comfort" music. I learned this piece in the mid '70's (when I was about 15), and when my son was born in 1989, I played it regularly for him. He now knows the song, too (and he passed me up in guitar playing ability a while ago!), and is playing it for his first child now. I imagine Steve Howe enjoys knowing his music is getting passed down from generation to generation.

[@morgansoon3099]

I've been working on trying to play this song for years. It will NEVER sound like Steve, of course, but it's fun trying! Going back and listening to how it's supposed to sound thrills me every time. Beautiful song!!!! Thank you for sharing your talent. ❤

[@joserentahouse1]

Extraordinaria interpretación, un lujo de guitarra en un excelente interprete, tuve la oportunidad de ver a Steve aqui en Venezuela con Yes, no me extenderé en los comentarios, mejor quedo sin palabras.

[@MrPSzebra]

Thanks so much, Mr. Howe. My top five guitarists include you, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Carlos Santana and Edward Van Halen. I've always loved this piece. I think I'll show it to my wife. She has a better chance of getting it since her finger style is much better than mine.

[@zhorachetverukhin9470]

This song blends strange baroque, classical and flamenco elements, combined with a complex and beautiful music structure.

[@donaldgregg9250]

Steve Howe, so talented...listened to the vinyl of Fragile so many times back in the day. Wish I could have seen Yes live, but have enjoyed many of their recordings over the past few decades. Thanks to all that were part of the band Yes!

[@s.e.3765]

It's Steve himself playing, it's in the description

[@donaldgregg9250]

@@s.e.3765 aahhh, indeed, my bad. Had to edit that comment, thanks for catching my mistake!

[@justingreer4202]

Steve Howe takes you right where he wants you to be, no guessing what's up you're feeling his Mood for a day! :-) Overall beautiful! :-)

[@univibe23]

The best that's ever been!

[@Turn2222]

I never get tired of listen to this.

[@inmate361.2]

So do I 😌

[@user-hi6jq8mq8k]

It is Such a magical sound!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

If you can think of anyone in rock and roll who compares to Howe's technique, ability, and skill I would like to certainly know, for I can NOT think of anyone. After watching this, how could you? Man! Amazing.

[@lamecasuelas2]

by watching this video like a milions times, now i am able to play like, 40 seconds of the solo,Howe is freaking awesome, he is really what you call a guitar player

[@elcastausomg]

Beautiful!!!

[@VipConnector]

Wonderfully played! Wow...I closed my eyes and it took me back to all the live shows... Thank You!

[@diatonicdelirium1743]

Thank you Steve Howe for making the world more beautiful.

[@renaechatfield4526]

The BEST guitar player EVER

[@isrowfr25]

In 1978, I listened to these musics with real pleasure, and at the same time a kind of despair we tell ourselves, at that time, that we will never know, or we will see how to play these magnificent musics, The clap, your moove ... Etc ... And one day, we discover the internet, youtub ... Etc ... And our despair of 1978 turns into joy, to have, in a few "clicks", everything you thought about playing, to see, at will, the way and the way to be able play yourself, and all of a sudden, with exercise, discover that you can become Steve Howe, Hendrix, Gary Moore, Gilmoor… etc… Magnificent… THANK YOU Mr. Howe,

[@cmacinnis]

SOOOO Peaceful. You could put a ragging rhino to sleep with that music. Only one other man on the planet could play that song with respect, and he did a great peiece inspired by this song.

[@Kenny02120]

i remember when i was ~15 i was visiting Ottawa in Canada there was a man sitting on the pavement by a market attempting to play this song. it wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely distinguishable. was quick to give the guy a $20 bill.

[@jollyj273]

Stellar!!! 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sanddab]

So beautiful. Thank you Steve for sharing your gift.

[@davidconner7969]

I heard this song playing at a party in 1973. Decided the to learn to play the guitar I have been playing since 1975. Steve Howe seems like such a wonderful human being

[@Squammish]

To everyone saying this isn't Steve, it is Steve Howe. It's from one of his interactive CD-ROMS released a few years ago. Nobody has those lanky spider fingers, this guitar, the gibson ES-175, the pinky ring, and can play all of this so professionally. Not to mention the fact that the person playing is only using the index and the thumb to play this should be another dead give-away that it's the self-taught master, Steve Howe.

[@calmestcrusader1168]

Steve Howe. What a beautiful piece of music. I alway wanted to learn to play it. Now I can and I will spread the accolades to this excellent artist from the band Yes

[@nancymjohnson]

He was voted best by his peers 5 years in a row, the limit for winning.

[@Yanto-Bardic]

Fragile was released in November 1971 (UK) So as of November 2024 this song will be 53 Years Old and (at the time) played by a 24yr old Steve Howe. 😎

[@hillmillenia]

I learned this song note for note 45 years ago... and every time I hear him play it, he changes little details along the way... this is not the Fragile version. Awesome guitarist... thank you Steve

[@tomw2013]

The first rock music I started listening to was Yes. One of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar was Mood For a Day. The songs of Yes are timeless and so inspirational. Steve is a master. Thank you!!

[@MrBamcito]

Steve is the number 1 in my list.

[@andreap.7375]

Beautiful! I'm playing the marimba version of this as a solo..🎵

[@imannonymous7707]

This song is played every a.m in my house. And now I'm gonna try to learn it.....been an ambition of mine for 30 years. This performance was flawless....bravo

[@egobuilders]

My brother started playing classical piano when he was 17, and he never took a lesson. When he was older, at open mic' one night he heard a young lady play the Charlie Brown theme song on the guitar, so he got up after that and played Mood for a Day on the piano. LOL! True story.

[@ThePr8head]

Steve thank you for such an AWESOME SONG! It truly touches my soul it is like angels singing!

[@iamgr80k]

I have been listening to you since I was10 years old and I'm 47. I saw you at the Ryman Theatre last December 13th with the Yes tribute band singer. I cannot tell you how much you have given to me in my life. I love you. Lately I have been going crazy on your solo from Yessongs album "Yours is no disgrace". Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you. I can't thank you enough. I guess I'll just have to keep listening and looking for your appearances. May God bless you forever.

[@montbob100]

i have listened to this hundreds of times on yessongs.Perfect.

[@hlyautey]

One of my favorite songs of all time.

[@NEVER--MIND]

Learned this one back in the late '70's, and it took me a couple of weeks to get it. This video shows that I am off by a few notes, but I don't think I'll change anything. It still gives me great pleasure in playing this tune. ...Just wish that I had the talent to write something like this!

[@edsonmoraesruas7446]

Amazing! Congratulations! Desde Bahia-Brasil

[@johnwilhelm7828]

Such a beautiful display of guitar mastery.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

There are thousands of players, but very few composers, and this is a rare masterpiece.

[@emlyngriffith5846]

I spent many, many hours learning this great piece from just playing the original record over, and over, and over again....great fun 👍

[@MegaTubetiger]

Superb! One my very favorite Steve Howe compositions.

[@abrahamparish]

Watching this composition one is struck with the genius that is Mr. Howe.

[@knightbearman]

I have studied this song front to back for many years and still have not come the the exceptional quality and sound that Steve does.Have seen Yes 4 times and every time I have left with my mouth to my knees. These guys (Yes) were well ahead of their time musically and will never be touched by any of these "New" bands of today. All of them ,Including Steve were trained the proper way in a school devoted to nothing but the highest quality of music in mind.One last word on Yes "Exceptional"

[@JwL456]

I began watching this video thinking it was just a fan playing it. As I watched I thought, Man! This guy is amazing!! Then I looked up at the video information and saw who it was... :)

[@MultiMUSICMAN56]

WHAT A GREAT TUNE WHICH ALWAYS PUTS ME IN A GOOD MOOD.WHO ARE THE NUTS WHO DIDN'T LIKE THIS TUNE,YOU FOLKS ARE CLUELESS.

[@asraharrison]

My favorite guitar piece of all time... Great jog! I love this video

[@laurentdubois2268]

Look at his fingers! I love this piece of music and I wish I could play that, maybe in 10 years of time.

[@jcomm120]

My goodness this is so beautiful♡

[@melloki76]

One of my favorite solo guitar songs ever.

[@keniac14]

Awesome. Played it back in the day. Cool live Howe riffs. - cool !

[@krill3333]

Just beautiful!

[@thewoodsytype7243]

My dad learned this song for music theory in college and he freaking killed. A+

[@madcyril4135]

From u.k. I’m 67 now, and seen em all. Apart from you know who, who got the ball rolling. STEVE HOWE BEST OF ALL TIME?

[@jimdartouzos2127]

Absolutely Awesomely Amazing

[@darklord8603]

Yeh this is the Master playing... This will never get old.

[@staygo1d]

Truly gorgeous.

[@D.Hozzie]

A favorite…..almost to tears. Thanks

[@AudiophileTubes]

Beyond beautiful! You can almost pause time listening to this gorgeous masterpiece!

[@jamoncure]

Steve Howe…..the BEST. Who’s still loving this in 2021? I am. 50 years later. Glad I got to hear this as a kid!!!! When did you people hear it????

[@aman2112]

Beautiful

[@JimboKM]

Just found this. I'd recognize those pinky fingers anywhere. I taught myself this song one note at a time but knew that it wasn't the way you fingered it. I don't have your finger span but will return to this at least several times to learn your positions and technique. Thank you for being a maverick in the rock world.

[@henryandrews3516]

Hello your playing of this magnificent great job you are the man

[@Ampedusa]

So Awesome!! Glad I found these videos, youtube can be amazing. Can't wait to see Steve in Austin.

[@Dashty1]

I LOVE the last part👍

[@JaimeLuis97]

I have final exams and this masterpiece of a work always helps when I get oversaturated from work. Thank you Steve for all the works you've made.

[@luizdesantannasalles277]

Ouvindo por diversas vezes, somente agora, pude perceber, que há uma parte ínfima diferente da original. No meu caso, só ouvindo por várias vezes é que se percebe a pequena diferença do original do disco. como eu disse. De qualquer forma, magistral!

[@luizdesantannasalles277]

Congratulations! Very very good!

[@tboi3000]

being able to play a song like this is much easier than it is to write. What takes time is developing technique, developing you ear when listening to music, understanding what 'real' music is, and just to sit back and relax to some incredible acoustic guitar by steve howe.

[@tarka1023]

As a non-guitarist, I watch and listen to this in awe. The only way I will ever be able to play this is on my CD player !

[@stephengeyer2519]

Steve Howe=Greatness