The Best Playing Advice I Was Given - ASK ZAC EP 31

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Here is the best playing advice I have ever received. Also, I had to share James Burton's outro on "Ooh Las Vegas" that Heitor Crespo at Ultimate Elvis Guitar was kind enough to show me how to play.
Please support the channel by going to my store at www.AskZac.com
Gear Used:
2014 Crook Custom Vintage Paisley with Duncan La Brea pickups
www.crookcustomguitars.com/
Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,11,15, 24, 32, 42. Nickel-Plated Steel.
Amp:
1965 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker
Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss TR-2 Tremolo
9v power via Truetone CS6 amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

[@StefanGBucher]

For subsequent viewings: James Burton lick starts at 4:39 Best Playing advice at 7:16

[@AskZac]

Pinned to help others.

[@rockrollresale2668]

My advice is if you hit a bad note a good one is only a half step away. If you hit a bad note live, bring it back in musically multiple times and it'll be the most interesting note of the night.

[@tedsmusic5556]

“Guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play poorly, and one of the most difficult instruments to play well.” Clean and clear. Amen!

[@TRGP331]

And I am one of the best at playing it poorly.

[@broadleafrag]

@@TRGP331 well then I'm a close second!

[@davidrice3337]

It's all about the feel - and the soul - not to mention putting the correct fingers on the correct fret !

[@tomburkhardt811]

I loved hearing the stories about you and your dad. God bless him in Heaven.

[@AskZac]

Thank you, Tom

[@dannytriplett8625]

I read in a book once "for the dead are conscious of nothing, and the memory of them is forgotten". Thanks for sharing your memories of your dad. We will not forget this valuable lesson. The memories live on my friend.

[@earlyraybonneville1762]

Ecclesiastes 9:5

[@b-regsproductions]

This is the Mr.Rogers of guitar

[@sjperry54]

B-Regs Productions HaHa! I’ve been saying the same thing!

[@troyoswald5683]

B-RegsYES !!! That is perfect!!

[@tomcoryell]

Bob Ross.... Zac is the greatest! Great stories, great playing

[@paulantoni1046]

Great minds think alike // I saw a video lesson from Johnny Hiland 🎸 and he said “Folks, if there is 1 thing to remember it’s this, MAKE EVERY NOTE COUNT!”

[@danross146]

The story about your father was so incredibly touching and heartwarming. It was well worth listening to and it verifies to me the kind of person you are. I'm sure your father was very proud of you! On another note, the video in which you described the attributes of telecaster guitars and what makes them unique was so moving to me that I actually purchased one! At least it's my only expensive vice! Thanks, Zac!

[@AskZac]

I really appreciate your kind post, Dan.

[@InGratitudeIam]

Great story, even better advice. I think you've done your father proud. Thanks for taking the time.

[@AskZac]

Thanks for listening

[@Theweeze100]

Ouch! I’m 60, and have slurred and slimed my way through way too many passages. I think I’m gonna give myself a time out and go back and try to play clean and clear! We’re so fortunate to have fathers who will tell us the truth, we appreciate it when we get older!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

E-F-F#-G-Ab-A-Bb-B-C-C#-D-Eb-E is the magic key to knowing the neck. Chromatic simplicity! Agreed 'clean & clear' is great advice!

[@DRAGDIESEL]

Zac, Thanks for sharing a memory of your father. Very special.

[@CraigRMerriman]

Fantastic! Thank you Zac! I got some playing advice one night in a club. I decided to keep playing any way 🙂

[@simonvanderheijden432]

😂

[@BufordT-ji6zg]

I thank you and your dad for the advice. I grew up with my dad playing a Les Paul into a Fender Twin in a single wide trailer. Lol. I have Tinitus now but I play a Deluxe Reverb with my Tele to remember those tones of my childhood.

[@glenkepic3208]

man, I'll be 63 this week. jammed with drummers and co guit players since '73. A few bar gigs along the way. Now, best advice, Mick Ronson, Play Don't Worry.

[@jackjones2381]

Really like your relax personality, I played a lot with a older union musician for years , he was really good had that laid back personality, learn a lot from him

[@OssianEMills]

I adhere to a Room Clearing principle I learned in the Army: Slow is smooth and Smooth is fast. Works as well in individual musical practice as it does for the Special Forces.

[@geradpetherbridge8872]

Clean and clear. Simple as that is boy oh boy it's something I needed to hear. I've started recording myself practice to listen back to later objectively and I am a sloppy lil' fella. Clean and Clear Amen.

[@AskZac]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rogerbacorn2848]

Sage advice! There are folks who make music and those who listen. Both equally important from my perspective.

[@kevdean9967]

...and in order that you make great music you have to be a great listener. It's like a great actor listens closely to the actor playing opposite them, music isn't a monologue. Unless You're the great Yngwie J Spankthyplankenstein!!

[@davehenriksen2073]

You made my morning. Am still smiling. Thank you!

[@ronhipwell5543]

I loved this Zac! ‘Clean and clear...’ that’s a keeper! Stay well!

[@scottreynolds6317]

This brought back some wonderful memories of my dad!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@hearpalhere]

Really touching to hear those stories about your dad Zac. Glad that you got to enjoy music together like that!

[@thorstenfriedrich]

clean and clear... I will take that to heart . Thanks for sharing Zac!

[@BrettButts]

Great advice from your father. It puts everything else about playing guitar into perspective. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thanks Zac!

[@MrSh8ky]

What brilliant advice “clean and clear” and what a perfect example at the end of your video Zac, clean, clear and concise playing. Wonderful. Thank you Zac for your contributions. Cheers Marty from Melbourne.🇦🇺

[@bddmhopp5]

Thanks for adding more guitar while keeping the stories going. Perfect blend.

[@smokinop]

Zac, love that smile @ 5:55 at the end of the lick! Thanks for helping us all through these strange times with these great videos!

[@captainzeb1969]

Great video. Appreciated hearing the excellent advice your dad gave you. I find that it’s easier to play lazily than “clean and clear”! And with meaning. So important. I enjoyed the little piece at the end.

[@davidmurphy4844]

Good advice from your dad and nice to hear you telling it.

[@robbyblack2699]

Sorry about your dad man. I’m glad he was a good father and gave you great advice.

[@AskZac]

I appreciate that

[@ryanfulldark2775]

Great advice! I’m gonna tell my son the same thing as soon as I see him today👍

[@etherboy3540]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos. Thanks man

[@AskZac]

I appreciate that!

[@guitareveryone]

Great episode and well said. Clean and clear is so true. And playing with feeling is what it’s all about, expressing yourself through your music. To me it’s more important to learn to play clean and clear and from your soul first than it is with more flash. I’m always trying for that myself. I love great players that can play fast and articulate but that only came through hours and hours of practice and patience and playing “clean and clear”. You can then express your music in a way that connects you with your audience.

[@cletussea-ray944]

Thank you for sharing and passing on your Father’s great advice! Bless you and your Father Zac. Also, Brad’s Nervous Breakdown lick sounds a little reminiscent of The James Burton outro lick. Awesome!

[@newgunguy4176]

I absolutely love your videos. Thank you for sharing such an invaluable lesson from your father. Blessings!

[@AskZac]

Thank you so much!

[@AmpStak]

A great and moving video, Zac. Your father gave you sage advice. Thanks for sharing it.

[@sjperry54]

I got to see Delbert about 3 years ago in my hometown theater. Definitely one of those concerts of a lifetime for me. Sitting in the front row right in front of Bob Britt and James Pennebaker was just icing on the cake!

[@vernicevernisdavis47]

Jack, thanks for sharing your dad with us. Sage advice from a very wise man. Heavenly playing there at the end, my man! It's easy to feel close to heaven, here in Texas!

[@SeanAllocca]

I am so glad I watched this in between my practices today. This is great advice for a new player like me. Thanks again Zac, can't wait for new videos as I am almost done watching all your older videos like this one.

[@AskZac]

Thank you, Sean

[@StahlsBlues]

I just discovered you like days ago. I've been watching and watching! Excellent stories and playing and tones! I love everything about your content. I'm so sorry you lost your dad. He is so alive inside you. Thanks so much for sharing him with us and yourself with us. Love to you and yours. Excellent stuff sir. You are definitely clean and clear!

[@AskZac]

Very kind. Thanks! Zac

[@tomo.3678]

Your Dad gave great advice...for you and ALL guitar players! Thanks for mentioning Mr. Bloomfield, his influence is still felt far and wide. A beautiful Tele, also! 😎🎸🎶🎶☮

[@mgcnashville6615]

I take clean and clear to mean: play with clarity and definition, in tune, and make sure every note can be heard clearly and precisely and be distinguishable. This is great advice. Play with feeling as well. That's not so easy to do sometimes. Also knowing what note to hit and when to hit it to achieve a specific feeling. Such as hitting a minor third from the tonic when moving to the 4 chord in a major blues progression, for example. It adds that zest. My buddy was playing in Mclintons band recently, and turned me on to him. Such a great band! Nice to hear them mentioned. Great video Zak!

[@James_RC]

Thanks Zac, remembering seeing Buddy Guy with my Dad - a clean and clear memory ✌️

[@BGreat2]

Great family history for you. Memories to last a life time. Thanks for sharing this story about your dad. I agree there are some top professional guitarists that can play like lightning and have great technical knowledge but lack in "soulfulness".

[@magnushedqvist2245]

That is a great advise but for beginners I'd say "just enjoy". Perfection and feel will come the more you play. As an adult violinbeginner I hate when my wire keep telling me how bad it sounds sometimes. As a result I never play when she is home. Is it perfect? No. Do I have fun? Ohh yes! Will I improve over time? Well I think so. Your show is great btw😀👍

[@jedstonemusic5082]

Interesting you say that, it makes sense, your style is very distinct n opens up the ears to the notes

[@dwainmcbain5263]

I get it! Trying to play chords with open strings in the chord while reaching over stings to fret I try and hold the chord pick each note until I get all strings ringing clean and clear together! It's not easy to grab the chord quickly lol Great advice Zak!

[@Declangads]

Fantastic vid! That Paisley Tele is a bucket list guitar for me. Enjoyed the story about your father a great deal. My late father was also very supportive. Didn't understand how much until after he was gone. Thanks for sharing it!

[@AskZac]

You don't fully appreciate them until they are gone.

[@markonmac]

I tend to be timid in my playing so this advice - ‘Clean & Clear’ - is perfect. Thank you, Zac.

[@georgeking30]

Feelings with Attitude is the only escape from timid and of course the hurdle to be cleared......

[@gilsanderson3275]

That's great advice from your dad, Zac......"clean and clear"......that's what I attempt to achieve in much of my own playing, but I think the term I would use is "articulate". We've all experienced other people talking so fast and "speedy" that we can't understand half of what they're saying, and guitar solos can be the same way. Many guitarists would benefit from choosing their notes carefully and playing them precisely. Thanks for another great video, Zac.

[@muckytrails323]

Best playing advice I ever got don Stacey you’ve got to know wot you’re doing 🤷‍♂️😃

[@sonicacoustics9176]

Great content! So many good advices and tips! :)

[@AskZac]

Thanks so much!

[@bloozedaddy]

The best single line of advice for ALL musicians I ever heard was from Lowell George to the bassist Freebo who was getting a tad over-exuberant musically in a recording session. Lowell took him aside and said "space is a place"... 😎

[@kristonterbutt7373]

Well Bloomfield could wipe the floor with most guitarists, your Dads ear was spot on. Thanks for the vid. Love your work.

[@WillyKidd]

Thanks Zac, this was excellent. The advice of playing clean and clear, and playing like you mean it; those are things that really can push someone from being good, to being truly great. I'd also encourage focusing on your individuality as a musician. Emulation of players one admires is fantastic, but the acceptance of one's true unique voice on the instrument, and the subsequent cultivation of that is the mark (to me anyway) of a player who has something special.

[@AskZac]

Great addition, Will

[@dominicschmider3590]

Mike Bloomfields playing on Paul Butterfield Blues Bands first album was superb. I wore that record out at age 14 or so along with English Rose by Fleetwood Mac and Johnny Winters first album on Columbia Records.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Don’t know how I missed this “back issue”. THANK you for sharing the tales of your Dad. (big fan of his werk!) Them’s some great values to have passed down! Re: Bob: The groovin-est Pat gig I ere witnessed was when Kenny had hit the road with Chesney and Bob subbed for him. He brought his (drug thru gravel for years) strat, his tiny pedalboard and his HARVARD. It was obvious he was feeling his way thru the material but, they stretched out most of the tunes to let him REALLY blow on em’! I became a TRUE believer that night. Again, as always, thanks for your time and wisdom. (From you AND your Paw!)

[@AskZac]

Thank you!

[@1993wethebest]

BLOOMFIELD... I first got hooked on him at 16.. the Nick the Greek and friends FW record. Changed me as a young guitar player.. the recent biography put out by university of Texas.. killer read - for context I’m a few years shy of 30

[@finleywatkins138]

That James Burton lick was great! Heitor taught me that lick too.

[@russellm9257]

You rock Zac. Thanks to you and your dad!

[@chipcrooks557]

Hey Zac. I bought a set of la brea pups and had then installed in my lefty LsL Tele . The results are in ! Very ballenced .... no volume drop switching from one setting to the next , the bridge has a wonderful tone and the neck pup is suddenly useable ! Very pleased ! So many brands out there , but you made it clear as day that I couldn’t go wrong with this set , and of course you were right! Thank you. ! Your approach of recommending a product that is reasonably priced and available just about anywhere was a great way to present it . There are other videos of pick ups we can’t afford or don’t wanna wait a year and a half or so this was just perfect. Chip

[@AskZac]

So glad!!

[@mjuszczynski]

You should send Tom a t-shirt and mug. I believe I heard about him through you many years ago. I'm sure he'd be happy to promote you and your channel. Thanks for the great content, love your stories, advice, and playing! Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@MrKaufmana1]

Zack, I was one of the guys that asked about the Ooh, Las Vegas intro lick - and having the END lick is awesome. Thank you so much. PS- I found a set of the NEW Fender Hendrix Bullets and have those on my Nocaster RI - it's amazing!! Thanks for talking about string gauges

[@AskZac]

Thanks, Allan!

[@michaeljohnson7892]

Dad was right, clean, clear, awesome advice ! I try for smoooth also and though it can clash with keeping time, counting I like to think that A player should keep the chords or notes flowing , like waves coming into a beach ebbing & flowing. Or tape dragging to humanize a recording, if timing spot I believe it makes the end product sound to mechanical.

[@rossrowley4331]

My Dad used to comment on the drummer in my brother's band as playing "too many curlicues..." But, he was right. More Al Jackson-style...rather than the end of the assembly line tom-tom tester at the Ludwig factory.

[@telecasterbear]

Thanks for sharing Dad with us.

[@reddsflies]

love the use of tremolo, I am trying to find more ways to incorporate it into my playing!

[@davidrice3337]

Redd I took mine off and had my pickup blocked off -

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Your dad sounds like a great guy. Glad I got to meet him for a minute at the Ry and Ricky show

[@AskZac]

I am glad he got to meet you!

[@smalllicks]

Great tasty playing and awesome content as usual ...thnx for posting it...

[@johnbeverly4362]

Great story about your Dad and Mike Bloomfield. Good stuff✨

[@AskZac]

Thanks so much!

[@pcau]

Great info!! Thank you for this :)

[@TonyBee63]

Thanks for the taking the time to research the lick Zac..How on earth did James come up with that one it's a fiddly little lick...Lol...I met Heitor in 2009 at the James Burton festival he was about 16...Great player and has the Elvis stuff note for note...By the way i know what you mean about trying to copy your heroes gear as I spent nearly all the 80s doing that and I also have a JB signature model in Black & Gold which isn't me but I do gig it now and again but my main guitar is my Pink Paisley Tele 1985 Japanese reissue...Regards Tony B...😁😁👍👍🎸🎸

[@kevdean9967]

I think Ronnie Tutt was so good playing with James. Tutt, to me sounds like the American Keith Moon. A couple of great songs where you can hear their interplay would be the opening of all of Elvis' shows (CC Rider) and Promised Land!!!

[@brientnallbarnhart6841]

Big fan of the show.... I always wondered why you had that poster in the background, so I am glad that you addressed it. I’ve actually got a BB King poster that has been in my closet from a concert that I went to with my parents over a decade ago. I’ve been meaning to frame it forever for the exact reason that you had yours framed. I thought that was kind of funny. Us guitar players must think alike... Can’t wait to put my order in to your shop! I’ll have a new favorite mug. Please never stop this show! Love it...

[@AskZac]

Thank you for watching and supporting the show. What year did y'all see BB?

[@brientnallbarnhart6841]

Ask Zac We saw BB in 2010 in Sahuarita, AZ. I’m thankful that we got to see the King before he passed!

[@AskZac]

@@brientnallbarnhart6841 Very nice. I was in AZ last week for a wedding, but not that far south. Phoenix was HOT

[@cass2771]

Thanks for sharing.

[@bubba4001]

Thank you for sharing Zac. Regards, David D.

[@kyleharris2032]

Love you Zac!

[@RBZ3]

Thanks Zac... great advice. Robben Ford cites Michael Bloomfield as one of his major influences and cannot say enough good things about him.

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

Great info !!

[@AskZac]

Glad it was helpful!

[@schrammguitars]

Thanks for sharing about your dad.

[@AskZac]

Thank you for listening, David.

[@charleswallace5818]

I have heard that same advice more times than I can count. It is also true that you have to play with confidence. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Did you ever interview Scotty Anderson? I really enjoy your intro. Be blessed.

[@AskZac]

Would love to chat with Scotty

[@charleswallace5818]

@@AskZac He is a super humble person. I have been blessed to know him most of my life. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Be blessed and stay safe

[@guitarguru4492]

Great video!

[@thedesertroseband]

Thanks Zac!

[@seannolan2259]

I always value the opinions of non musicians more than musicians because they listen with their heart..your dad was cool.

[@markmcara963]

Thank you Zac for sharing such a personal story. A wonderful episode and really enjoyed your ending piece.

[@nickf9392]

Play want inspires you.....you can't go wrong.

[@Guitarplayer724]

Let’s spread the word. Zac deserves far more subscribers! Another great video.

[@michaeljohnson7892]

VERY COOL BURTN LICK, THANX ZAK !!!

[@michaelpayne8337]

Good words.

[@ronaldlemons2836]

So very true.

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

Awesome

[@Tonetwisters]

Back early on ... back in the early '60s, my mother told me ... "Get out of here with that thing!!" ... and she meant it. So I ran out the front door of the house. But I didn't quit playing. Sometimes, though, I think I should have. That was pretty good advice, and it would have saved my hearing and my lower back, and kept me walking pain free! But such is life ... we all have our addictions.

[@AskZac]

Hilarious!

[@sgriffett541]

"sand-bag the sound-guy; sound check your volume at 7"... how tall are you Zak? - love all your shows!!

[@iannicholls7476]

Dads eh? Can’t live with them, can’t live without ‘em.

[@banjosforbreakfast6086]

I love your dad already

[@stantissue2065]

My dad always suggested I should play like Roy Clark and Chet Atkins. I suppose that was great advice...

[@windowsoflife]

Thanks for all you do! What’s your take on Fender noiseless pickups for tele?

[@AskZac]

They are fine, but I prefer single coils. But there are times where they are unuseable due to noisy rooms.

[@newgunguy4176]

"Clean and clear" is where it's at, fellows!!!!!!

[@carlrudd1858]

I heard Mike Finnegan say to some players once with a distainful twist... "Make a statement or just don't play ..."

[@oscarordiano2112]

An amplifier coaster? Best idea.

[@AskZac]

And it keeps it warm.