The Weight - The Band / Robbie Robertson | Guitar Lesson

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Learn how to play The Weight, as performed by The Band and specifically Robbie Robertson on guitar released in 1969 from their landmark debut album "Music from Big Pink".
The lesson covers the acoustic guitar work by Robbie Robertson with special attention to the intro riff that opens the song. We recently lost Robbie Robertson which brings a lot of his music back top of mind. This is one that most everyone loves, for sure is one of the best known songs from The Band and the little opening riff to this song is among many a guitar player's favorite, so I sit down with it here.
Thank you for all you gave us and may you rest in peace, Robbie.
00:00 Introduction / What to expect
02:00 Lesson - intro section
06:38 Lesson - chords
09:19 Final thoughts
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[@kennethmccann630]

Great job, bro. Thankx for the kindly tribute to Robbie. Love this band, all the guys in it, and their music. They'll always have a special place in my heart. Maybe I'll come back and spin a story about Rick, later. For now, I just wanted to say -- keep on keepin like you are. The channels that "just play" are fine, but what makes your channel stand out and shine is your amiable personality. It's probably 60% of the reason I tune in. You're more than just a great resource for learning music.... it's like sitting down with a good friend. That's a pretty great gift you have, considering we've never met. Keep up the great work! Can't wait to see what the next lesson is 🙂

[@12footchain]

thank you for letting me know that, thanks for watching

[@markroylance1584]

Yes just like sitting down with a good friend! I know you've done Street Fighting Man.....loved it since hearing first on its release in 1968 and it still gives me chills.....its not just the guitars -what was Charlie playing? I just can't work out what happens with the beat until the chorus comes in !!

[@dougsmith8430]

Agree! And this guy has the ear to hear what is essential to play songs solo!

[@loontil]

Oh do tell, pleeeeeeeaase, oh go on pretty please stop teasing the interwebs

[@LeslieJayBoschPhoto]

"maybe I'll come back and spin a story"...oh gee, the excitement. I can't handle it. Will or will he not? Riveting material.

[@gergemall]

One of Americas greatest bands and super song writer particularly for the times .

[@ObservantHistorian]

I've been playing for about 50 years. I was rarely at a jam where "The Weight" was not abused. It's no small part of why I stopped going to jams...I was exhausted with people calling out songs they can't play. For the sake of all that's holy, people, either learn the song or stop pulling it out.

[@filteredjc4653]

You always pick the best songs for these, keep up the good work!

[@johnpandolfino8663]

He scored 14 films for Martin Scorsese.....R.I.P. Robbie......saw you and the Band at the Academy of Music in NYC back in 1971.... New Year's Eve with Bob Dylan.....some show....they had a full horn section scored by Allen Tousaint..... Nice job....

[@weps2097]

Great video, definitely learned something new. Thanks for your time putting this out there, I appreciate it!

[@shakeyblues5128]

Wow 12 Ft. I've always loved The Band and have almost every album. Top Shelf Brother ♪♫♪♫♪ Only Garth left now 😪

[@generalbystander1631]

Great lesson! Thank you.

[@costasarantidis4499]

Thanks for doing this! RIP Robbie.

[@Nobody_Important_Yea]

Always learn something new. Thanks again.

[@TUSK1157]

Long story but I was 38 in 1996, when I picked up the guitar. This was a song that I wanted to learn. I was paying a local teacher good money for it. He never came close to what you just me. 👍

[@12footchain]

Awesome!

[@lmundy86]

i was 38 in 1996 too, and I have finally learned how to play it right .. thanks to 12 foot Chaun !!

[@williefrietsch6351]

Thanks for this one! Love this song and the Band 🕊☮️

[@dougsmith8430]

How about a lesson on The Bands ‘The Night they drove old Dixie Down’ ? Bet you would do a fantastic lesson on that old Classic as well! Thanks for all you do… awesome Guitar insights!

[@user-gl1pv2vg4r]

I have had the same 12 guitar strung with only 6 strings since ‘86. Haha. Thought I was the only one. Love the extra neck space it gives.

[@garyeggleton1142]

my favorite song to solo over when my band plays it

[@micahmaresca9763]

Your awesome, thank you for posting

[@brucehelppie6119]

Another great breakdown. Thanks, as always.

[@motioninmind6015]

Great choice 👍🏼 nicely done

[@gdiddy789]

Hey! I just discovered your channel and I'm really impressed. Your love of guitar music is apparent and appreciate what you do. I'm looking forward to following your channel.

[@12footchain]

Welcome! Glad you found me

[@barbarasandoval2231]

Thanks for I teaching😊 I love this song

[@dougsmith8430]

Great Lesson! Such a Classic Song! Love The Band… Garth Hudson is now the only surviving original member… RIP Robbie ❤️‍🩹

[@MuddyBootsOutdoors]

I just noticed you converted your 12 to a 6 and it still sound great. Thank you for putting this tutorial together

[@paulrobertson9242]

Thank you for this great lesson, you have a special way of teaching muisc. You are a born natural becase the way you speak and explain everything in detail so graceful. Your not stuck up like some of these people on KZbin. You have like a peace & tranquility personality and appears your very humble too. God Bless and keep rocking

[@12footchain]

thank you very much for the kind words! thanks for watching

[@dtowndano]

Really enjoy this lesson on this classic song from the band. The "walk-down" ditty is sweet and adds a lot to this song. Now if I can just get the intro down, I'd be ok.

[@12footchain]

You will, keep on it

[@andysmith6156]

MAN you Hve that guitar sounding nice Great lesson

[@usualsuspect5173]

Very good,thank you

[@autistonaut]

Fantastic, thanks. Just subscribed. RR was such a great guitarist

[@12footchain]

Welcome!

[@jhut5150]

Very cool Bell PA amp conversion over your left shoulder! I have one as well!

[@AskZac]

Great job on showing Robbie's part!

[@12footchain]

Thanks Zac! Let's grab some lunch soon.

[@donaldmcdonald156]

The teacher ❤it

[@tunafish2521]

I like that you aren’t set on being “process pure” to the way the song was played, but offer alternatives.

[@robertsuszek2327]

Thank you!

[@garryallanjoyce]

Cool 👍

[@ak1969]

You have the fastest growing guitar channel on youtube and for a good reason. I really like the stuff you do.

[@australien6611]

Nice work, subscribed 👍

[@12footchain]

Welcome!

[@rayross997]

Great choice, thanks. How about Whipping Post someday?

[@jobonekanobe]

Thanks!

[@12footchain]

Thank you!

[@fju1107]

Great choice this week! Love playing this song but always just used the standard "cowboy chords" without messing with the intro. Now I know! And ironic that a mostly Canadian band (except for brother Levon) was a driving force behind "Americana" music.

[@12footchain]

Ooh good point about the Canada Americana thing, I wish that occurred to me. Nice job!

[@michaeld.mahoney9106]

Canadians are Americans.

[@mrlafayette1964]

They're North Americans as are Mexicans, from the North American Continent...the U.S. of America is the only country with America in it's title. So, as far as nationality goes Americans are the only Americans.

[@castleanthrax1833]

​@@mrlafayette1964 I disagree. If you live in Asia or Europe, regardless of the country, what are you? The same goes for Americans. Sorry mate, but you're wrong on that one. If you live in ANY COUNTRY on either American continent, you can lay claim to being American.

[@dhy2kb393]

Ignore the trolls.. Talking about Relevant technique and tips about actually playing the guitar shows you use brainpower and think to communicate.. The trolls have no brains and can neither think or communicate.. Thanks for the awesome lesson brother. 👍🏻

[@geew-fr9th]

Nothing wrong with Yamaha. I have a FG 110 from 1969. Fabulously rich sound. I heard a rumour that when They started building guitars in the mid 60's, they bought a consignment of wood from Martin!

[@markanderson5077]

I too have a Yamaha 12, great sounding guitar, but I keep 12 strings on it. I have a Taylor 6 string for 6 six string stuff. I just suscribed. Thanks

[@12footchain]

Welcome!

[@sidewaysrain7609]

The Weight, is "Puff the Magic Dragon" in the key of A. It has a 1-5-4 turn around in the chorus. Respectfully, Chord change on the wait is pretty simple, yes. Performing it properly is another story. When Levon Helm sings the song he sings ahead of the beat. It is far more complex than it seems the vocals are not on the beat. That's one characteristic that makes the song so great!

[@tedjordan9038]

That guitar sounds really sweet!

[@markroylance1584]

Try The Unfaithful Servant ...please!! One of the most beautiful songs ever written...Robbie Robertson was on a level with Mr Zimmerman..maybe just for a few years.

[@castleanthrax1833]

Like a rolling stone, baby.

[@MrAMO73]

So that’s what happened to Saul Goodman (great lesson btw)

[@buddybeetle]

Just play it !!!

[@user-sr7gv6zv2g]

I just tried something with that descending lick at the end of the chorus. I played triads on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th strings starting with an A chord on frets 5, 6 & 7 to Cm7, Fm7, A and finished with the D chord. What do you think?

[@12footchain]

yeah pretty good - that is actually doing the same bass note walk down, just an octave up from where mine were. works nicely - nice job!

[@painted8]

Dude, get it together on that opening riff ha j/k I like the addition of the A note on the last bit of the intro. Are you also hammering on the G string at the 8th fret? Thanks for posting another great tutorial!

[@12footchain]

thanks. on that last hammer on, no just hammering on the A string

[@loontil]

Very good bro..............I agree, if you play those full descending chords, it's a bit cheesy - just playing those bass notes is more classy

[@donaldmcdonald156]

A coolest

[@megagatvol]

👍👍👏🏻

[@56WagonWheel]

An Australian band called the badloves did a good version in the 90’s

[@wouterschijf47]

Hi there what type of yamaha you play with, I have the FG820-12

[@12footchain]

1985 or 6 FG460S-12

[@anamericaninrussia01]

What year is that Bassman back there? Those blondes are the absolute best. Thanks for the video.

[@12footchain]

63. Yeah it's greatness

[@anamericaninrussia01]

@@12footchain Awesome, thanks. 50 watts, durable, warmest sound.

[@petersheely7246]

👍😎

[@megagatvol]

Hi there… Follow you from the U.K… Are you using your 12string..strung to 6 strings??

[@12footchain]

Yes

[@paraflightjoe1053]

ParaFlight Joe approves. Paraflight joe from KZbin

[@topangus123]

It might be the weight…but dang, there were some great songs…

[@mcampbell5158]

I think it would be great if you played the song first, before anything else. Thanks for posting.

[@12footchain]

I do when i can, but I tested this one and it dinged me on copyright so I removed it

[@davidedwards7835]

is that a 12 string guitar with only 6 strings.

[@12footchain]

Yeah, just had 6 on it

[@konradhof7318]

I figured out pretty quickly that your Yamaha there is a twelve strung with six strings. 🤓

[@12footchain]

Yep!

[@reppepper]

C#

[@jameswagner5348]

I'm wondering if it would be sacrilegious to play it on a six string instead of the twelve.

[@12footchain]

NAH - no rules

[@chuckcmusic]

The timing at the end of the chorus always throws me off when I try to count it from the (and...and. you put the load right on me.) Unless they're not counting and just go back to A when the lead singer says "me."

[@12footchain]

Yeah it's kinda tricky. It's actually two straight counts of 4 and you can practice that if you don't pay attention to the voices. But there is a call and response vocal, like row row row your boat. But think of it this way if you are counting along in 4s. The First vocal comes in on beat #2, the response harmonies are beats 3 and 4, then first vocalist starts the line "put the load right on me" on the next beat 1, ending on beat 3, The echo vocal starts on beat two and ends on the following 1. The "put the load right on me line is 3 beats. There's probably an easier way to explain it, but that's how I think about it.

[@sidewaysrain7609]

"pulled into Nazareth!"

[@12footchain]

You are correct 😀 I always eff up lyrics

[@CadillacCherryBlack]

Yap too much

[@RustyMadd]

Sounds to me like it is simply played in a "G" grip capo'd at the second fret. Which is the way folk, country and even bluegrass guitarists commonly played. Why make it harder than it is?

[@michaelrobinson1727]

Why? Because the capo is lost.

[@whatsupchicken]

Way too much talk. But cool!

[@clemlabelle8740]

rolled into Nazareth? c'mon man. :)

[@robertlodde8862]

2 minutes you talk before you begin the lesson.

[@russellgreer2370]

Too much motor-mouthing at the beginning. Just get on with the song, man!

[@efrainrimascca3222]

Why bla bla bla bla

[@mikelow3982]

lame

[@pmbatim]

You talk too much please talk by the guitar

[@rodneycoop8342]

Dam u do to much talking!

[@bronzesnake7004]

Hey what model is your guitar? I just bought an Epiphone Excellente and I'm now looking for a 12 string. One of the best acoustics I've owned was a Yamaha FG 365S which was an unapologetic copy of Martin D35, just a wicked axe. Right now I'm leaning towards an Epiphone Inspired By Gibson 12 string Hummingbird, but I'd love to check out a Yamaha 12. If I shop around I'll get hummingbird for $900 used in mint condition. I prefer used in excellent or mint condition simply because their much cheaper and the right used one set beside a new one would be indistinguishable. Do you remember what you paid for that? Thanks Jack ~'()'~

[@12footchain]

I think the model number is a yamaha 460S-12 that I have strung as a 6. Was my high school graduation gift in 1986, no idea what it was then. I want to say $300 or $600 but no idea.

[@mikevaluska7313]

NICE JOB PLAYING THIS CLASSIC ON A BOAT OAR, 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🫤🫤🫤🫤🫤🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴🤔🤔🤔🤔👎👎👎👎👎