The Robben Ford Lick that Changed My Playing FOREVER

This blazing Robben Ford lick that he plays on "Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues" was a game-changer for me. Filled with jazzy inflections, great tone and gorgeous vocabulary, I knew that this was the style of guitar playing that I needed to play from that point on.
Tabs of the opening solo that I played can be downloaded here: andydacoulis.c...
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TABS are here: www.dropbox.co...
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[@AndyDacoulis]

Check out my 20 Smooth Jazz Licks Package: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5qxhZuIbbpjn8k

[@Taylort3b]

You are the reason I wished I’d taken Music at university instead of Geography. I know where I am in the world but not on the fretboard.😞

[@saxmaster45]

Better than many guitar players who can't seem to find the gig on time.

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Keep at it bro

[@Taylort3b]

@@saxmaster45 Hey Saxmaster45 I still have my Selmer C*80 alto mouthpiece from 57 years ago when I played in a stage band. We did all the big band music from the 40s. If you are still playing sax and want to here who I think was the best sax player of his generation, check out Jimmy Dorsey on the album, “The Fabulous Dorsey’s”.

[@Taylort3b]

@@riceflatpicking4954 life gets in the way sometimes. Widowed, retired, and just old. But still have not lost my passion for music. Unfortunately the learning curve is in a downward trend.

[@jimbob6th]

You can do it. I graduated a few years back with a drama degree and huge regret that I hadn’t done music. It wasn’t an easy journey but I work as a freelance guitarist and tutor these days. Keep pushing !! Believe in yourself

[@youngandrew66]

Matt Schofield does something using the same scale and chord in 'sitting on top of the world ' fewer notes but how he throws it in just gives you the shivers

[@UpliftingRiffs]

Dude the tone is killer! Love Robben Ford as well. Great lesson.

[@joeurbanowski321]

Robben plays outside and sounds inside..( that’s the trick,ay..?)… I play inside… but sound outside…WAYYYY outside..!😩🤣 Thanks for this..!👍🏼

[@TheLochs]

I totally agree, Scott Henderson plays outside and sounds outside, lol. Still love both.

[@bobceffo]

I hear your discovery of Robben Ford, and.. there could be my face in your video :) that record came out and blues guitar changed for all of us.

[@AndyDacoulis]

Indeed, many people have told me the same thing!

[@emrysbaird1013]

Thanks for letting us know your musical background and your delivery is most insightful and fantastic in a relaxed confident fashion .Love it!

[@johnbrown4568]

That is indeed Robben Ford...Nice job. Robben is my favorite Blues/Jazz player.

[@portsideguitar1981]

Cool lick and great breakdown of these complicated concepts.

[@briane.paulson]

The golden touch right there.

[@ronswary]

Never understood the whole I’m playing in this position watch and listen but I’m gonna keep putting my hand in another position right before I do… play with confidence not indecision

[@ronfrey5327]

Excellent lesson well explained my head is exploding love it.. Dave Workman sent me here to see this ! I owe him more coffees...

[@gregvial9520]

This lick blew my mind too, thank you very much for the explanation!

[@joehernandez5600]

Great video! This lick also stunned me when I first heard it. Robben has always been a huge influence.

[@wayneranson8763]

That guitar tone!!!!!!!!! ... WOW

[@aldofonseca6909]

Awesome class! Thanks

[@CAJMusic]

Yes!!! Great video Andy! 👍

[@AndyDacoulis]

Thank you Carlos!

[@johnsworldofvideopoker]

Superb analysis of the theory behind the lines!🙌🏻🙌🏻🍎

[@mrstrat222]

This was so good and so insane! Thanks!!

[@scottybee33]

After 30yrs as a Rock hack, never attempted a jazzy thing. So, thank you for initiating a noob... beautiful tone, and lesson.

[@anthem3560]

give it a rip its great

[@thejamnasium6447]

such a cool chord progression

[@MichaelLewisMusic]

Wonderful lesson!

[@timknobloch3866]

Sounds really good, Robben is a great combo of blues and jazz guitar, but he can rock out if he wants to.

[@skimanization]

Wow, that's a cool lick to emulate. Thanks

[@babagadoush1]

Thank you for including tabs, sharing and the work that went into producing this.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Sometimes you feel you are stuck in a particular rut and every time you pick up the guitar you play the stuff in different places on the neck! I find playing more complex chord sequences that change keys and then trying to solo over the loop until you know it inside out helps you discover new things. Great easy to understand video.

[@JunkBondTrader]

totally! I hate being in ruts. Sometimes just trying things completely opposed to your typical style is another good way to get outside of those ruts. I was disappointed when I went to your channel that you aren't the woman in your pfp lol... Is that a Bond girl or something? BUT, you have a Fender Lead 2! I was considering getting one over a strat player. Should I, or would you say just go for the strat? I already have a Casino and SG if that matters. Also the PRS silversky is supposed to be pretty nice... choices, choices.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

@@JunkBondTrader Ha! Hi! That’s Britt Eckland! She was indeed a Bond girl. Regarding Lead 2, it’s a beautiful guitar if you already have a Strat but it’s pretty bright sounding and has only 4 voicings with the two pickups. The Lead 3 has 2 humbuckers and 7 voicings. The Player Strats are excellent, same neck is on the Lead series, but what kills them for me personally is the 2 point bridge and Pau Ferro instead of Rosewood on some models. I’d say try them all out if you can. Let your ears decide! Regards…

[@anthem3560]

love that record stil blast it out at work when i get a chance

[@chuckduzzie8529]

Robin Ford played more than one instrument, he uses the timing he would play his solos on his first instrument to influence his playing on guitar

[@jameskeith7608]

Might as well be speaking in a foreign language for me.

[@TheTwangKings]

Don't let it confuse you. Learn the scale over any dominant, and all will be clear. I can't keep myself from playing it now.

[@kdelvalle4696]

Bonus Girl from Ipanema lesson and everything, this video is priceless

[@Pladderkasse]

Oh yes, this tune was my gateway into jazz blues. Turned me on to John Scofield.

[@rickjensen2717]

Very well described and a great sound 👏. I think that Larry Carlton did something similar with his solo on Kid Charlemagne - sounds like it anyway.

[@eaglewarrior8707]

I never bothered with music theory. And after 20 years of playing I am wondering if I am hindered.

[@mrstrat222]

Thanks!

[@AndyDacoulis]

Thank you very much!

[@druchumley4571]

Robben continues to fly under the radar, which is crazy. He should get WAY more recognition.

[@slicksalmon6948]

Robben never played anything memorable. Nobody whistles a Robben Ford tune.

[@druchumley4571]

@@slicksalmon6948 That's because whistling doesn't sound like an old tele through a cranked Dumble. If it did, we wouldn't NEED guitars.

[@mbmillermo]

I love your music and what you are doing here. I happened to see an interview with Robben Ford where he said that he learned jazz chords from the Mickey Baker jazz guitar books, which I think shows in some of his choices (e.g., the Am11 to A♭7♭5, which is one of the first things we learn in that book). Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman was a student of Lenny Breau and Breau used the Mickey Baker books in teaching Bachman. You can hear the jazzy influence in "Undun" (a.k.a., "She's Come Undone").

[@teleplucker6802]

That book was a staple in my early days of learning jazz.

[@richardthomas9198]

Hey Andy, I really like your guitar, the tone is killer and it's really good looking. Nice playing too. Just wanted to throw that out there

[@AndyDacoulis]

Thank you!

[@guyinpei]

Nice lesson with good production too. Seems to me that Robben used to play hipper, jazzier lines back in the 80's and 90's. 😊

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Sad part is the rhythms behind these cool licks seems to be less and less appreciated in today's world. Nice lesson sir!

[@AndyDacoulis]

Hi all - you can check out my Modern R&B Chord Study here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjHnGajqNl4etk

[@josephvotta6698]

Hi Andy, Great video lesson! Thank you! Where can I get the backing track to that song? (Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues) ?

[@guitarman6742]

Check out Pat Martino "Creative Force."

[@bandit3837]

One of my favorite guitarists. Came across his music in the late 80's. An early album that Robben is featured on is Tom Scott's- 'Tom cat' album from the mid 70's.

[@jonwood672]

Great information thank you for sharing. I didn’t quite understand where the cord progression goes after the altered C ?

[@babagadoush1]

Just stumbled on the channel. Love everything about Robben. Subscribed!

[@karun8236]

I would pay for an entire first 32 secs lines at the beginning of the video. Can you please post the entire improvisation on that?

[@sed2142]

This is great! And wow.. I have a lot to learn 😳

[@gregmullins6927]

Excellent lesson Andy thank you and that guitar is quite beautiful to look at and listen to as well

[@Jgbaileymusic]

Can you play “all day and all of the night “? It’s the kinks.

[@johnhhh3591]

Very cool!

[@RonWinter335]

I agree! I played the poop out of that CD when it first came out! When I occasionally play it now I still get pumped! Rippin' Rockin' Robben! (Sorry for all the exclamation point usage. NOT!!)

[@DizzyKrissi]

Wow, great playing and tone. There is a little mistake with the chord-diagram at 2:30

[@theariesexperiment4642]

Is your action fairly low or high?? Reason I'm asking,... is because I heard a guitar teacher at my local guitar store tell a guy,..."if you really really want that Jazz tone? First get a good jazz box, then set your action as high as you can stand it." So that the reason I'm asking. You seem very knowledgeable from my observation. Oh,....and thanks for the lesson. Great lick.

[@AndyDacoulis]

My action is quite low. I don't like to work too hard! Glad that you enjoyed the lesson.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

@@AndyDacoulis Ok. Thank you for responding and answering. I'm subbing now.

[@velvetsound]

That opening passage is just fantastic playing. I’ve been trying to match this up with the version in the book and the version on Talk To Your Daughter, and I’m having a hard time knowing which section it’s from. Is this from a live version perhaps? Or did you improvize the opening section yourself and then switch into the Robben lick mid-way through?

[@AndyDacoulis]

Hi Jason - sorry, just getting to this now. I improvised the opening solo, and then played the Robben Ford line from the record. I transcribed the opening solo and the Tabs are on my website in case you are interested. andydacoulis.com/product/866683

[@davidmiller4078]

Good thorough analyses mate well done Yeah RF was way ahead back in 89b to 92 ish i guess youve seen an heard a live concert with him and Larry Charlton which proves not only are they both great gtr nerds with a lot of knowledge but they both actually have great ears feeding off of each other Ive not really heard such genuine interplay since ! But im sure your working on it with yr musical chums ? Its great to have hobbies cheers again

[@AndyDacoulis]

Hi David - yes, I have definitely seen the concert with Robben and Larry. It's amazing to see them interact with each other. Two masters. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@davidgerber9317]

I just now stumbled across this channel for the first time. I like your teaching style. I like your choice of content. I like your playing style. I like your D'Angelico. I am your newest subscriber! How the hell do you get almost 55K views and only 9.2K subscribers? This stuff is GOLD!

[@khalilhabib9607]

Just subscribed. Great lesson and tone. Love the guitar. What is it?

[@AndyDacoulis]

Thank you! It is a D'Angelico Excel SS.

[@Boldstrummer]

5:16 Lick out of G melodic minor

[@marktabscott5803]

OMG! Your guitar sounds like "Beautiful Smooth Pop Rocks! What amazing tone you have SOOO MUCH kNOWLEDGE!

[@SonorousMusic]

Great lick, great player, great lesson.. thanks for sharing!

[@boobeez8693]

That guitar instructor that can teach you anything - Andy

[@bettyodell1420]

You changed my guitar playing life with this video. Is there a complete transcription of all content in this video? I got the opening lick. Tasty is an understatement...

[@AndyDacoulis]

Hello - glad that you enjoyed the video! All the notes of the opening solo are available for download on my website if you are interested. Thanks

[@alward5678]

Smokin Andy. I first heard him on a sound system in a record store in Texas in 1982 with the Yellow Jackets. I was like a hooked, been a fan since. You play very well and love the guitar. I have two of them myself, great instruments. Thanks for the great videos.

[@wadesharp11]

Thank you from New Zealand!well presented, great teaching. Cheers I’ve subscribed and following

[@AdrianWhyte]

That D’Angelico sounds great, I know it’s more you than the guitar, but I’m impressed!

[@jerrysolonsmith8471]

Excellent lesson and teaching style. Question - what delay (specifically, some settings) you were running as well as what reverb.

[@AndyDacoulis]

Hi Jerry - thank you. I usually use a stereo delay - one side is a dotted 1/8, and the other is an 1/8 note. I use the Line 6 Helix for my tones and I use the Spring Reverb setting in there.

[@Geotubest]

Love Robben Ford.

[@PatrickTengmusic]

Wow how do I purchase the TABS for this lick 🙏

[@slickyjorj]

Beautiful playing, very good lesson. Been a working musician all my life but never stop learning. It never ends. Played this great tune many times, but not with some of those voicings. Thanks

[@revotrupin7477]

Awesome video! To me Robben Ford was the first person to take the Mike Bloomfield style into a jazzier direction. That album changed my life too although I wish I had broken down some of that stuff the way you did back in the day. Regarding the lick, I can't really hear those first 3 or 4 notes you do in his solo before he does the bebob scale thing at 2:50. Anyway it sounds great. Great colors for the dominant 2 sound which I need to work on. Thanks!

[@LydianLunch]

Hi. This is great and I’ll check out more of your videos. The thing that remains mysterious to me is how you would know to use that scale over that chord. I know the scale and I know the changes but I would never think to use that scale in that situation. Is that one of those rules you just have to memorize: “whenever you see a II altered dominant play melodic minor off the 5th?” Or is there more to the thinking? Beautiful guitar btw. Thank you.

[@AndyDacoulis]

Good question. The way that I approach it is "whenever you have dominant chord built off the 2nd degree of the scale (it would normally be a minor 7 chord), use the Lydian Dominant scale starting from the root of the dominant chord".

[@tinajackel]

i love that recording! and that lick too!!

[@dr.rockproductions191]

I was on my way to narrowing down the online KZbin guitar classes, but now I just added one more guitar player thanks for making the decision hard for me. I appreciate everything that I've seen and heard from you so far. 👍

[@AndyDacoulis]

What a great comment! Thank you so much. I'm happy that you enjoy the content.

[@BuckJoFiden]

Nice line! And great explanation. Cheers 🍻 Liked and subbed 👍

[@yammylicks1108]

Γεια σου από Ελλάδα Άντυ!!! Πολύ χάρηκα που πέτυχα το κανάλι σου!!!

[@MustafaBaabad]

The very strong point of Robben Ford is his "DYNAMIC" that enhance every notes that he plays. I was stunned to hear him playing. Cherrs from Indonesia.

[@migrantfamily]

Talk to your daughter was one of - if not the first - blues album I really listened to and for a a long time I was a bit disappointed that not all blues albums sounded like that.

[@MisterNiles]

lick at 4:49

[@curtahnlund3758]

Hello Andy, this is very good and very nice put forth by you! Have you ever discerned Bloomfields ” Holy Modal Majesty ” by any chance ? He was a great influence on Ford. Curt, Sweden.

👌🏻excellent Andy!!!

[@kepriworks]

Great presentation of guitar instruction! Thx

[@methatswho8304]

I have too many saved videos of guitar techniques and lessons of outstanding Guitarist on KZbin, but I've finally found the right channel for me and what I'm trying to achieve in my play. I'm definitely watching everyday.

[@markrogers3308]

One of the best lessons I've ever watched on KZbin. There's just enough playing and talking to deliver true understanding to the viewer. Thanks!

[@slickyjorj]

Agree

[@tshoob]

Seriously, will be checking out more of his videos as a result

[@misterknightowlandco]

Same here. I hate videos where it’s just playing or just talking. You need both. You need to explain it AND show it.

[@SalsaBailaProductions]

Great setup story❤

[@PhpGtr]

This is great. I love these analyses and how important a particular phrase was. I've got a few myself. I'm glad I found your channel.

[@moradghaemi7496]

Great Job, thank you so much!

[@kilterkaos1]

Identical to my experience when I first heard Robben Ford and the same album.

[@indyvin]

Great lesson. Perfect for music school graduates with 20 plus years of practice and experience.

[@Intao]

5:12

[@zapantalambda]

Your licks are so clear. Very nice.

[@1963Tele]

Great knowledge & playing. Good tone too. Thank you for sharing!

[@teleplucker6802]

I don't have a Line 6 Helix but maybe you can spell out your delay setting?

[@michaelstevens8]

Andy, hello from Kansas City, Missouri. I like to think of it in terms of Tension and Release. Their's different Scales and Arpeggios depending on the Family of Chord, but for Dominant Chords, if you want Mild Tension, Superimpose a Mixolydian Flat 6 Scale. For Medium Tension Superimpose a Mixolydian Sharp 4 or Flat 9 Scale or a Whole Tone Scale. For Maximum Tension Superimpose an Altered Scale or Half Whole Diminished or Side Slip a Mixolydian or Other Scale a Half Step Below or Above. This also applies to the Arpeggios within these Scales. Charlie Parker did Some of this to a Certain extent. John Coltrane much more so. Blues Fusion Guitarists like Carlton, Ford, Scofield and Henderson also Superimpose like this a lot. For anyone that's interested, check out the Robbin Ford REH Books and Videos, their's also a book titled How To Play Blues Fusion Guitar. Thanks.

[@AndyDacoulis]

Thanks for your observation, Michael. The Robben Ford REH videos are a must. I learned a lot from them. Thanks again

[@michaelstevens8]

In my previous comment I forgot to mention that if anyone is interested, Robbin Ford has also made a number of TrueFire videos. Thanks.

[@Len_J_]

Great lesson, great playing, and what a tone! I learned something from this. Thank you 🙏

[@TreyStegall]

Very cool. Love the chill, methodical way you broke that down. Thanks for the lesson.

[@MP-rj1ud]

Nice Guitar

[@zambezi-sv1ed]

Gorgeous tone, brilliant lick! 🙏

[@bills48321]

Very nice sound

[@raphlasne]

This is the real stuff.

[@grahamb.4447]

Sounds like Robben Ford was listening to George Benson

[@babagadoush1]

Beautiful tone.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

Golden guitars do that.