The Court Of The Crimson King ~ An "Uncle Tony's Quick Tutorial" Guitar Lesson by Tony Cultreri

This one was truly a labor of love. I worked on it for over three months, and I give it to you freely & with an open heart. It my intention to show utmost respect to this music, to introduce it to new ears, and to hopefully give a deeper understanding to familiar ears. This tutorial is indexed for those that wish to skip around or ahead. I hope that you enjoy it, and that in some small way it helps to further the King Crimson experience. I have included instruction on the way Ian McDonald wrote it so that one could see how Robert Fripp refined it, and also because I think that it is a good arrangement if you are going to play & sing this song unaccompanied. Subscribe if you’d like, and please remember to “like” this video, as that helps it show up in search results. Thank you, and enjoy!
Video Info:
Chorus McDonald 1:36 Verse McDonald 3:23 Ian McDonald Play-Through 5:18
Arrangement 6:28 Chorus 7:35 Verses Overview 8:51 Verse I 11:50 Verse II 13:04
Verse III 14:17 Verse IV 15:50 Instrumental Section I 19:20 Section I Play-Through 22:47
Lead Guitar 23:35 Lead Guitar Play-Through 29:42 Tag 31:04 Three Golden Rules 32:02
Here's An Uncle Tony's Tutorial of how to play “The Court Of The Crimson King” written by Ian McDonald & Peter Sinfield, as recorded by Robert Fripp & King Crimson on their 1969 masterpiece “In The Court Of The Crimson King”. ~ Special Note: I was made to remove the full-song play-through, as my original lesson was “Blocked" for “Copyright Claim”. ~ This one was truly a labor of love, and I worked on it for over three months. It my intension to show utmost respect to this music, to introduce it to new ears, and to hopefully give a deeper understanding to familiar ears. This tutorial is indexed for those that wish to skip around or ahead. I hope that you enjoy it, and that in some small way it helps to further the King Crimson experience. ~ Remember: you should strive to have almost no tension in your wrists and hands when you are playing, keeping the rhythm is more important than playing the "right" notes, and down / up picking is the key to the universe! Have fun! 😎🤘🍔🍟🎸
Chorus McDonald 1:36 Verse McDonald 3:23 Ian McDonald Play-Through 5:18
Arrangement 6:28 Chorus 7:35 Verses Overview 8:51 Verse I 11:50 Verse II 13:04
Verse III 14:17 Verse IV 15:50 Instrumental Section I 19:20 Section I Play-Through 22:47
Lead Guitar 23:35 Lead Guitar Play-Through 29:42 Tag 31:04 Three Golden Rules 32:02
Chords:
Chorus McDonald: D Am7add6 Am7 C Bsus4 B2 B (2X) Passing Notes: B C# Eb E F
Verse McDonald: Em2 Em2add#5 Em2add6 Em2add#5 (2X) Am2 Am2add#5 Am2add6 Am2add#5 Em2 Em2add#5 Em2add6
Chorus Fripp: D C Bsus4 B (2X)
Verse I & II Fripp: Em2 (deconstructed) (2X) Am2 Am2add#5 Am2add6 Am2add#5 Em2 (deconstructed)
Verse III Fripp: Em2 (deconstructed) (2X) Am2 Am2add#5 Am2add6 Am2add#5 Em2 Em2add#5 Em2add6
Verse IV Fripp: Em2 Em2add#5 Em2add6 Em2add#5 (3X) Am2 Am2add#5 Am2add6 Am2add#5 Em2 Em2add#5 Em2add6
First Instrumental Section Fripp: D Cadd(b5) Cadd5 (4X) Dadd6 D (on 2nd X only) B
Second Instrumental Section Fripp: D C (9X) B
Tag Fripp: E2
Outro Fripp: E D Dbsus4 Db (repeat to end)
King Crimson: "The Court of the Crimson King": • King Crimson - The Cou...
Interview with Ian McDonald & Peter Sinfield: • Song to Soul: The Maki...
0:00 Opening Remarks
1:36 Chorus McDonald
3:23 Verse McDonald
5:18 Ian McDonald Play-Through
6:28 Arrangement
7:35 Chorus
8:51 Verses Overview
11:50 Verse I
13:04 Verse II
14:17 Verse III
15:50 Verse IV
19:20 Instrumental Section I
22:47 Section I Play-Through
23:35 Lead Guitar
29:42 Lead Guitar Play-Through
31:04 Tag
32:02 Three Golden Rules

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Dude, you have out-freaked all the King Crimson freaks in the world with this guitar analysis! (Fripp excepted.) Congrats. (I think.) If I were Fripp I would want to shake your hand!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you liked it! Keep on playin’!

[@graublut4902]

Probably not the best song to learn as a relative beginner, but I just like the song so much I can’t help but try to brute force it. Thanks bunches for this tutorial!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You’re most welcome! Pick one section, and work on it a little at a time. You’ll get it! I’d say start with the way Ian McDonald wrote it. There’s a great feeling of achievement when you learn a piece of music that’s just slightly beyond your grasp at first. 😊

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Hey, kids! I am very proud to announce the release of two new albums: “Tony Cultreri ~ On Betrayal”. Pure instrumental music, straight from my heart. A guitar-driven, intense, and emotional journey. And “Tony Cultreri & Brian Lynch ~ These Different Machines (Deluxe Edition)”. Essential songs, powerful lyrics, and passionate playing. The Great Ride's starting now! Visit tonycultreri.bandcamp.com for high-def digital downloads. They're also available to download on iTunes, and all other usual locations. Now streaming everywhere finer records and tapes are streamed. Your support is needed and very much appreciated! ❤🎸🤘😎 ~ Tutorial Notes: I was made to remove the full-song play-through, as my original lesson was “Blocked" for “Copyright Claim”. ~ I wanted to mention that Maestro Fripp plays the F# in the verses on the 7th fret of the B string, not on the 11th fret of the G string as I show. This is to let the B harmonic ring out. However, my hands are a bit too small to make that stretch comfortably & reliably, so I simply used an alternate fingering. ~ This one was truly a labor of love. I worked on it for over three months, and I give it to you freely & with an open heart. It my intention to show utmost respect to this music, to introduce it to new ears, and to hopefully give a deeper understanding to familiar ears. This tutorial is indexed for those that wish to skip around or ahead. I hope that you enjoy it, and that in some small way it helps to further the King Crimson experience. ~ Trivia time: the mellotron used on this album was later sold to Tony Banks, and is the very same instrument that appears on classic Genesis albums from Nursery Cryme on. ~ Subscribe if you’d like, and please remember to “like” this video, as that helps it show up in search results. Thank you, and enjoy! 🎸

[@TalalRane]

Thank you toni your methodical breakdown is even more important than your prestine immaculate practicals. If i had you in my country you d have been my tutor all along

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You are quite welcome! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it. And thanks to KZbin, I can tutor you wherever you are! 😊

[@TalalRane]

You know what would be fab. If u can do one on three of a perfect pair

[@JC-nc9ys]

Hi Tony Your videos are the most accurate and detailed I’ve seen on KZbin. You need to do a lot more. Anyway thanks for all the ones you have done. JC

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I appreciate that! I work two jobs, and doing these tutorials at this level takes time... but there’s more to come!

[@stefanopaggin3507]

Best tutorial ever seen. Great job.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Keep on playing!

[@profesorhubersman7416]

32:46 Nice. VERY Nice..... saludos desde Santiago de Chile

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

¡De nada! ¡El tío Tony es amigo de todos!

[@demurets]

Excellent lesson, Tony. Full of fun, wisdom and kind heartedness.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

[@blyonsvideo]

Tony, you are a master at unlocking that masterful piece. I think Mr Fripp would fully endorse this as the best lesson yet on one great piece of music! hats off to all those members of King Crimson! I’ll used the word Epic to describe this song!!🙏🏼

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much! I’m truly happy you enjoyed it

[@raulmanzoratte8065]

Man you are very good, glad that I found you!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad that you liked it! Most importantly, keep on playing!

[@Karaka12]

KING CRIMSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@victorwong9622]

Fripptown HA!! Great lesson, thanks!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You’re welcome! So glad you liked it!

[@ferdinandozz]

You are an excellent music teacher, I congratulate you

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much! I am truly happy that you enjoyed the lesson. Keep playing!

[@brucelyons2423]

Nide lesson! Guild sounds great!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much!

[@detswbeach]

Very cool

[@huskyharris3767]

Can you do a tutorial on Epitaph? I find your tutorial very useful, it actually explains a lot throughout the composition of the music, and I begin to learn to play this song, I know it’s not easy for beginner, but I am still trying.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Keep trying and you’ll get there! So glad you liked the tutorial. Perhaps one day I will consider “Epitaph”. It takes a long, long time to prepare these tutorials accurately, and I am also working two jobs besides music. :)

[@jameskent2759]

Tony great job! I am now a fan.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fireonhigh100]

Hell Yeah bro!!!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I’m happy you liked it! Have fun!

[@stevefadrosh6506]

Thanks for taking the time to teach such an epic song. I'm glad that we're both cut from the same fabric within space and time.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You are most welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kw9172]

This is a really impressive tutorial. Thanks a lot!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much, I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! Most importantly, keep playing…

[@atifwajih3471]

Thank you, kind italian grandpa

[@stanleykostrzewski7222]

Brilliant, as a KC fan , I just love this . Thanks Tony.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You are very welcome. I’m glad to do even a small part in keeping this incredible music alive.

[@outtathyme5679]

Wonderful

[@ricogarciaarxel9851]

AMAZING!!! TONY

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

[@the.mr.beacher]

Impressive teaching chops, sir!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much... glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@DanielAggers]

Wow! Thank you!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You are most welcome!

[@rod9050]

Such beautiful playing well done

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you so much! I’m truly glad you enjoyed it.

[@lafett1455]

Thank you for this great nifty tutorial of one of my most beloved song! Relly appriciate effort and result! =) Would like to hear full playthrough of song. For sure, it would be a gorgeous performance!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You/re welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Unfortunately, I was made to remove the full-song play-through, as my original lesson was “Blocked" for “Copyright Claim”.

[@user-ft4jo8ev1v]

Great lesson! Finally managed to understand how this masterpiece is played, thank you!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You're most welcome. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@derweasel]

Well done Uncle Tony! Love this -- you just became my favorite uncle. Thank you so much!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@mmerlinxyz]

Fantastic!!! Congratulations from Brazil!!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@ninjesus4079]

thank you so much Tony! superb lesson

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! Keep playing! Have some soup! (?)

[@reydavid7550]

Thanks Tony such a beautiful song & great instruction! hard to pass up learning proper way, Best :)

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

My pleasure!

[@rort3921]

Thanks uncle, very informative. Great band. Bravo!!!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thanks for listening!

[@MeatSteeple]

Fantastic lesson! Thank you!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I’m truly happy that you enjoyed it!

[@FleetfootMike]

Amazing job. Thank you.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! So much work...

[@amircleverman8756]

Most comprehensive lesson on this song. Well done! Maybe "epitaph" next?😅

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So gad you liked it! I’ll keep “Epitaph” in mind. Meanwhile, most importantly, keep playing...

[@nickgardner1507]

Nice Job Tony!

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@NickyCairo]

I just got the Electro Harmonic Mel 9 pedal so I can play this and have the mellotron going too. thank you :)

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You’re very welcome! Keep on playin’!

[@ConcernedCitizen-pc4ql]

😳 you are a great instructor! After tuning up from your low E, I started in. Give me a few months! Picardy 3rd 👏

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you liked it! Keep on playin’!

[@philipcrossley1279]

Wow Tony, we are each others Doppelgangers. If only I could play guitar like you too! Greetings from the UK.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

You mean you possess smoldering good looks like mine? It is a burden... Keep on playing!

[@philipcrossley1279]

@@UncleTonyGuitar Exactly right! Strange no-one else can see it!😂

[@guzzialfa]

Fun.

[@pozitivesublime6215]

very nice lesson thank you.

[@pozitivesublime6215]

also great tip at the end.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

So glad you liked it!

[@eddydefanti7690]

how! bravissimo

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Prego! Prego!

[@Shoult55]

Excellent work. I may even be able to learn parts of this song (I'm a 50+ year serial guitar abuser). KC is one of my favorite bands so this was a great tutorial. Have you ever thought of doing something similar for King Crimson's Starless. I've seen others but they all seem to be "interpretations" to either simplify or for the artist to make it their own by adding all kinds of extra stuff. I'd love to see your take on this tune that runs through my brain so often.....

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Thank you, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! “Starless“ would be quite challenging to break down, and Fripp plays mellotron for some of it, but I’ll keep it on my list of possibilities.😎

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Do you do "The Night Watch"???? "Book of Saturday"???

[@danielfoisy2688]

Very thorough, what is that electric guitar you are playing please?

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Glad you like my tutorial(s). My guitar is a hand made D’Agostino. It was made by Pat D’Agostino in 1978/9. He had just left the Gibson Custom Shop and went out on his own. Legend has it that he made 5 of them: one for me, one for Ace Frehley, one for Peter Frampton, and two are unknown. (The ones he made by hand have no serial numbers.) It’s basically a double cutaway Les Paul made from one solid piece of wood. It’s heavy as hell, like wearing a Prius around your neck, and not a very good choice for the spinal cord of a dude my age, though it sounds & plays amazing and will sustain until I ask it to stop. He quickly sold the company to an Italian maker who made a few that were meh at best, and then they in turn sold it to a Korean maker who made absolute garbage, before they folded. Those are the ones you can sometimes find around. : )

[@John-D.]

Great guitar work. ¶ Please note the keybord played is a Mellotron that is tape reels that have REAL strings recorded on them. 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹

[@John-D.]

Court of the Crimson King 🎼🎵🎶

[@camerontaylor1255]

Nice guitar - looks like an F50RNT?

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

It is a 1993 USA Guild D-55. I recently traded it in for a Martin HD28.

[@BobHutton]

It's an amazing song and your lesson is very good, but, since you are wearing a cross, I'm surprised you are covering a song from a band who's name is usually interpreted as meaning Satan (hence the song is about Satan's kingdom).

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed the lesson. I don't think being a Christian limits my appreciation of any art form.

[@theo9952]

Great ! I am going to start learning the Ian Mc Donald version, which is easier for singing. Btw this Guild D-55 sounds fabulous ! I think i can get a very similar tone out of my JF-55 Guild !

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

I’m so glad that you enjoyed it! Happy practicin’!