Sunflower River Blues by John Fahey | Fingerstyle Guitar Lesson

Learn a classic John Fahey piece. Easier to play than it sounds!
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[@durrenbt]

John Fahey for life, not just for Christmas - words to live by

[@spoders92]

Thanks my brother. Fahey has been speaking to me lately.

[@StuttsyDC]

Have to thank you for this. I actually live in Takoma Park, home of John Fahey. I've been playing a couple of his tunes, particularly Sligo River Blues (it's an actual creek that goes through town) for many years but I've no idea why I never stopped to learn this one until now. Much easier than I thought. Anyway, there was a John Fahey festival (well, American Primitivism festival but focused on Fahey) last year and I somehow missed the entire weekend. Still kicking myself for that. Learning this makes up for it.

[@furnthehoff]

Hi there mate Just want to say thanks for this lesson. It’s kept me going through lockdown. I’ve now learnt all the song and I’m just sharpening up the ruff edges but I’m nearly there. Would love to see more of this and blues acoustic in near future. Hope you and your family are safe in these crazy times Thanks again

[@tendersituation]

wow, one of my favorite songs of all time, that i never thought i'd learn to play, and you've given me the confidence. thanks

[@tramboithao]

First heard John in a small record shop in Liverpool England circa 1969. I fell in love with his style. Fast forward to 2921 I’m a John fahey. I felt so sorry for his sad life and sorry I never met him as I feel an infinity/ connection to him as any guitar player would with his master.

[@Nativgod]

Jospeh traveled back in time from 2921 just to tell us his love of Fahey, Sweet!

[@dereklong801]

John Fahey is a gem.

[@troyvanriper7140]

I heard this song recently and it so greatly inspired me that I am now learning guitar. It's silly to think this is the first song I will learn but here we are. Finger picking is difficult but it's coming along nicely. Thank you for this walkthrough. Immensely effective teaching style.

[@billallen1594]

Not silly at all. Like you I learned to play just for one song. Mine was Bert Jansch playing Blues run the game. He did a live version on KZbin for a bloke called Dusty Wright. Take a look maybe. Good luck with the song - if you want it, you can get there 👍🏻

[@FlakoGordo]

Thanks. Been playing for about a year. This is the first song i’ve learned start to finish ~ and you made it very approachable.

[@embededusername]

Man i don’t know but fuck I’m so happy for you I can’t wait to learn to play this myself I’ve only been playing for 3 months

[@livhardy9677]

Thanks a million! I'm a beginning fingerstyle player and I decided to challenge myself with one o my favorite songs by John Fahey. Sure enough, I'm hooked on this video. Packed with content at a mellow pace. Plus I like your style. I look forward to the day I can play this tune all the way through :)

[@thefakieproductionz]

Can you now ?

[@blaseuropa]

John Fahey was one of my latest discoveries at a point you think you almost know all the great material... and this is probably my favorite tune of his. Thank you very much!

[@CherryPhosphate70]

This piece of music has blown my mind. Its utterly stunning. Recently getting into Davy Graham so discovering this has been a lovely treat. Cant wait to get going. Thanks , Adrian.

[@TheKedmun]

Great video, thanks! As a long time guitar player of very average ability, this really helped me learn this song. Totally agree, while not a beginner tune, it was very accessible to myself who picks up a guitar now and again.

[@campparsonssundayschool7844]

Back in 1971, I would check out John Fahey albums at the local library. First I would figure out the tuning (C in this case) by listening to the song over several times. Took me hours to nail it. No tab, just listening over and over. Best way ro learn finger picking songs in my opinion.

[@MonsieurCFS]

Just came across your tutorial. Great job breaking this piece down for us! I like that you played the piece through at the beginning (which some people neglect to do), then you offer just enough detail and instruction, without dwelling too long on any particular aspects. Also, the all-mahogany Martin lends itself well to this style of play (I had a couple of them a few years ago). Thanks for an awesome instructional video!

[@markmarz]

What an excellent tutorial! Very appreciative of attention paid to the great John Fahey. Thank you!

[@TheOmniforce]

Great instructional on one of my favorite Fahey tunes. I appreciate your laid back approach. 👍

[@joeshea1010]

Thank you. Really enjoyed your instruction. Wish you would do more John Fahey. Thanks again.

[@nickyfray]

hey man. you kick ass. love your channel, helping me a ton with every video. you're a service to this site. keep it up.

[@MattPoacher]

This is such a great lesson. Thanks for breaking things down so clearly. I just played something close to what you've shown and have practically floated out of the room.

[@A1pineclimber303]

Great stuff and by far my favorite of Fahey's catalog. Jack Rose's arrangement is amazing as well. Cheers!

[@aaronh.9831]

Good tutorial. Instruction was a little confusing, but the excellent tabs on your website more than made up for it. Thanks so much!

[@Sendobren]

This song is so beautiful.

[@chucksturf1348]

Simply put....fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to reach out to your subscribers with such first class instruction and devotion! Well done Adrian :)

[@jessmurray5463]

This is honestly so helpful.

[@fiski_]

More John Fahey please! You're really good at explaining how it should be played. Trying to learn "Horses" by fahey at the moment along with some more songs, but even though I've got the tabs infront of me it's difficult.

[@erwinvandijke6169]

Jawdropping, Adrian! Well done.

[@rootsmini]

gracias por el tutorial de esta bella canción de John Fahey .. de mis preferidas!

[@garymcpherson899]

What a fantastic lesson. Great stuff

[@ax9275]

I know it's been a while since that video came out but i'm a new guitar player, this was litteraly my first song i've played and i got it to go in a week and a half thanks to u ! Amazing work !!

[@henrydauseb2844]

Is it difficult to learn?

[@Mightyfineart]

This is the best tutorial I've found for a John Fahey piece. Even better than John himself in my opinion. I'm pleased to see this one described as intermediate level as this is only the 3rd tune I've set about learning. The others being Vestapol in open D and Bob Dylan's Buckets of Rain. I haven't got any of them perfect yet but it's coming along fine, seeing as I don't have a usable pinkie on my left hand. I have almost the same guitar too, a Martin 000-10ce. It has a very similar sound even though made from Sapele rather than mahogany. Keep them coming please 😎

[@Townes.VanZandt]

Beautiful. Excited to learn this. Thank you.

[@pishbot]

Hi Adrian! This is my favourite video of yours, you played it beautifully! I love the folky stuff e.g. John Fahey, Nick Drake, Davey Graham etc... You have a beautiful guitar, I used to own a Martin OMC-15E (sounded similar to the guitar you're using here)

[@acpg]

Thanks! Yes, will try and do more folky stuff. Huge Drake fan, so might attempt that at some point.

[@lm9098]

Amazing job! Encouraging me to learn fingerstyle

[@Dennzio1]

So good!

[@patrickendall9199]

Thank you very much for posting this video - I found your style very enjoyable and easy to follow. Would love to see some more Fahey or similar fingerpicked tunes if you have the time or inclination.

[@vanzamee]

John Fahey was the man.

[@LarryBees]

must tune one of my guitars to C never tried it.. love john fahey and thanks for your other ones ..in D ,guitars were made for open Tuning i think .. like your wee Martin !!🎄🎄🎄🎄👍

[@weewee2169]

its so good if you havent fingerpicked much before its very easy and basically got me started into that world (mississippi john hurt etc) so satisfying to play chords sound resonant and mystical its great

[@trushack]

Love that you're covering Fahey...you always have a knack for covering a lot of the guitarists/songs that really inspire and intrigue me. Thank you!

[@andrewlavogue3950]

Perfectly done!

[@jasperpearson4624]

Thank you! great lesson, I really appreciate it

[@jasperpearson4624]

also - is that a martin d-15?

[@randysrhythm]

@@jasperpearson4624 It is a Martin 000-15M

[@Malarkyable]

Adrian, this is such a great lesson and along with the Patreon tabhas taught me how to play this. My favourite Fahey tune is the great On The Sunny Side Of The Ocean, if there is any chance of a lesson on that one day, that would be completely awesome.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Nice! You got Fahey,s vibe going. Not as easy as he makes it seem.

[@meadish]

Thanks for sharing great music again! Mesmerizing piece. As weird as it sounds, that low C drone seems to make the whole body resonate even through the headphones.

[@acpg]

Thank-you - yes the low C gives amazing bottom end!

[@harigeorgeson5885]

Love John Fahey and this is a gorgeous piece wonderfully played. I better get more adept at Travis picking before I attempt this one. A splendid pairing of microphone and guitar as well. Bought a Taylor GS mini in mahogany this year and love it. Thanks for doing more Fahey.

[@acpg]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@Louvet56]

Thank you so much, this was really helpful, and you are a really nice teacher !

[@garrettjohnson97]

You’re making the Fahey face to start, I know this video is gonna be good

[@commoneuropeanstarling]

Thanks for a nice, challenging piece. Although I haven't got it down to perfection, I have my own adaptation which I can get away with

[@danamorse9942]

This is a great tutorial, thank you so much Adrian. I'm a rank novice, but this presentation is just right: I've taken it note by note and bar by bar; still don't have the whole song down, but I'm making good progress. This is such a lovely song, and I'm such a beginner, that I never thought I'd make it this far. Thank you!!!

[@wkuiper1]

You are a great teacher!

[@bac5902]

Wow fella u really love your music and it shows so much. Killed it my friend

[@petersenior9393]

thanks for posting really enjoyed your'e relaxed and easy to understand method of teaching

[@gambooyt]

Lovely musical piece, great choice. Thanks for this new exciting lesson. Also, nice Martin guitar (last week I bought exactly the same model).

[@budandbean1]

Is it all Mahogany or could it be Paduk? Sounds amazing.

[@gambooyt]

It's all solid mahogany, apart from the fretboard which is made of rosewood.

[@budandbean1]

Thank you, it’s a lovely guitar. I appreciate the info.

[@acpg]

Thanks Ash. Congratulations on the new guitar - it's got such a great sound which seems to get better the more you play it.

[@margouyalex]

Ash Dee what ‘s model of Martin is it ? Great sounds

[@danbgt]

Good instruction. Thanks! The fun thing about playing this song is the fact that there are no real rules. John Fahey never played it the same was twice.

[@swingfire19]

Great lesson! This piece is perfect to break out on a camping trip.

[@leetintary2074]

Great lesson once again. Thank you.

[@tonypopp7584]

Mastered it - thanks mate

[@lillyslone5474]

Thank you so much for this tutorial

[@gustavorivera4713]

Could you do sligo river blues?

[@mariorocha3417]

poor boy a long way from home?!

[@elconejito99]

​@@mariorocha3417 John Fahey does the tutorial on YT

[@christianhahn1299]

Love it. Great choice!

[@acpg]

Thanks Christian!

[@ashleymenegon6319]

Thanks Adrian you the best.

[@KenneyCmusic]

Great lesson. Had it down pat within a couple hours. Thanks mate. Also, you kind of look like John!

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Sounds great. New to me. Thanks for the introduction!

[@acpg]

Thank-you Ry! Yes, he's a little obscure but has a pretty big cult fanbase. Think you'd enjoy some of his stuff.

[@evansgate]

great lesson, thanks man!!!!

[@fabianoandel6107]

Thanks a lot! Amazing video!!

[@enniomoriconne8068]

Fahey was a absolute madman. Mata o morir

[@acpg]

Yes, I've read a bit of his writing - pretty bonkers stuff!

[@zHumanfactor]

Thanks for the lesson, it was very helpful. Btw, I used to have the 000-15sm, I should have never sold it! :)

[@MrAcidBrain]

Thanks for that, now I got good data!!! 🙏

[@Dreyno]

Brilliant. Love John Fahey. Something to work on for the weekend. I love Sligo River Blues by Fahey as well but I can never work out picking patterns by ear so just fiddle around playing something vaguely similar. His name is Irish so would’ve been Fahy, pronounced Fa-hee. Somewhere along the line an “e” got added and the pronunciation was butchered to Fay-hee. Many Irish names get mispronounced. Mahoney, Moran, Gallagher (second G is silent) etc.

[@acpg]

Thanks David. And top pronunciation wisdom too!

[@Dreyno]

anyonecanplayguitar.co.uk I’ve learned a couple of dozen songs from you. We’ll call it evens 😐 😄

[@ckdesign]

Terrific video Adrian. For the questions below about your guitar there are a couple of comments below about it being a 000-15M (triple "0") that you responded/agreed with, but at the end of the video you call it a 00-15M. It does look like the smaller 00 (double "0") so just checking if that's right? Thanks again.

[@trkantiteza]

Sound from mic is really great

[@biebs_shreds]

This is great! Keep it up man

[@jojolapraline]

The cat behind is not in the tempo.

[@jamesderoc6717]

kinda is

[@The_Exploding_Moth_From_Hell]

It's playing a polyrhythm actually

[@gibby6904]

Very nice easy to follow....will rake all the Fahey , open C you have to offer! Could you do Reqium for John Hurt? To have another open C piece?

[@rockyranchris]

Thanks for the amazing lesson Adrian. Do you have any insight on the alternative opening that Fahey plays in the Fahey, Lang and Kottke version?

[@MrTonyradford]

That's great. Thanks.

[@itsCONTROVERSY]

amazing job.

[@edwardsteve1958]

Do you do any banjo? Thanks for the Robert Johnson lucky I finger picked earlier in life and that's how started you got great taste Mcgeough Levine etc. Thanks really enjoy music choice

[@imannonymous7707]

I love little mohaganny martins and guilds, nice

[@j_priimo]

Adrian... THANK YOU!!! You're amazing!

[@tozguitar]

Well done...tough tune

[@GiudittaDeiFermatori]

yes man!!!! Thank you!!!

[@duanerykhus9425]

Thank you :)

[@edwill62]

Excellent

[@user-bptcstl]

Can you record guitar lesson "what the sun said"? Please🙏

[@fuciledacaccia]

What strings do you have on the Martin? The sound is great!!

[@songyiworld]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Excellent - will compare to the tab in Fahey's BOOK, The Best of,,,,,

[@acpg]

Thanks! Yes, the book is excellent. I think I differ on a few small details from that tab. (Don't know whether Fahey himself actually wrote out the music himself, I'm guessing probably not?)

[@Darren-D.C-Cross]

wonderful

[@mauriciobmrocha]

I got Anji from you and now I´m headed for another joint

[@lurkkartman3xy338]

wow another great song form a great teacher. I am curious to your thought on the band the the, if you didnt know johnny marr played on quite few of the albums and i know your quite the johnny marr fan like myslef. anyway i was thinking there arent really any the the guitar tutorials so if you coud it would be great to see you teaching some. Love Kartman3xy

[@acpg]

Thank-you. Not super-familiar with The The, though I knew Marr played with them at one point. I'll have to investigate further and if something grabs me I might do a lesson.

[@NiekkieNick]

Really love this one! Your guitar, is that a Martin 000-15M? I believe there is also a 00-15M? Anyway, got the same guitar. Love that guitar! It has a real basic look but that's the way I like a guitar.

[@acpg]

Yes, it's the 000. Bit of info about it at the very end of the video. Great guitar.

[@chet2020]

hi adran.great lesson.can you do a lesson on fahey's..night train to valhalla"?

[@acpg]

Not sure I've heard that one - I'll check it out! Will probably do more Fahey at some point but not immediately as I want to keep mixing things up.

[@margouyalex]

Hi Adrian, love that open tuning sound, working it on my gs mini, could you tell me what kind of Martins model do you play ? Sounds great and if you have more advices on basics fingerpicking style let me know.Thanks for all you do , so great Channel.

[@joshhardy8924]

If you're still wondering he's using a Martin 000-15M here. Got one myself with sunburst finish on top and I love it! Bit of a bargain as well as around £1500 and it's all solid mahogany with rosewood fingerboard/bridge and headplate.

[@tonywilkinson59]

So, heard this yesterday in Starbucks, Shazam told me what it was. I instantly wanted to be able to play it so thanks a Million Adrian - I’ll have this down soon / cheers

[@kartikmann_]

12:00

[@kartikmann_]

16:56

[@kingrodriguez2998]

open c is insane

[@neilmalone798]

Can’t seem to find tab. Help.

[@donyoung7874]

It sounds really close to Nick Drake's, Which Will.

[@CalamityHillMusic]

Man even looks like fahey.