THICK AS A BRICK - Jethro Tull. Great acoustic guitar tutorial with chords and lryics

Almost beginners tutorial of Jethro Tull's "Thick as a brick"
This is NOT an entirely accurate rendition of this song, I've simplified it somewhat so that beginners can have something to sink their teeth into and sound like they've been playing for more than six weeks. Great to play at parties with lots of old dudes hanging around trying to remember what they did yesterday, they will never notice it's not quite right!
Copyright belongs to Ian Anderson 1972, hope he's ok with letting me show you guys how to play this badly!

[@salmanuel4053]

This is what I like, someone who knows how to play, who will teach you how to play, and sounds damn good doing it.

[@tombroyles]

Thank you from a 57 year old beginner in Texas. Love the song and your approach to teaching for newbies.

[@Billsounds]

Thanks Tom, I'm happy it helped you out, keep on playing !

[@lizmoore9299]

Bill, I finally learned this old favorite of mine. Thanks so much for putting this video together in this manner as it was extremely helpful to me. The way you play it captures how I want to sound and think I am capable of sounding. It's all about letting the good music give rise to the good memories, and when it comes from my own guitar, there is even more pleasure. I loved seeing JT in concert in LA back in the 90's. Never dreamed I would play their tunes one day. Keep up the great work. "Cheers," Liz

[@Billsounds]

Hey Liz, Thanks again for the comments, glad you liked the video and it helped you learn the song. All you have to do now is make your own video and stick it up here on youtube, wouldn't mind seeing how you actually play it. Of course, my version isn't right, but as you say, its all about memories, and of course the fun of actually being able to play something on the guitar. maybe one day I'll get around to putting up some more JT songs in the style of moi, One Brown Mouse might be a good one to do, don't know yet though. Anyway, good luck with your playing, and if you have any ideas how to make my videos even better, I'm all ears. Cheers, Bill.

[@gerardcousineau3478]

​@@Billsoundsabsolutely with you on that Bill, hopefully Liz please do it❤👍🙂

[@natasico]

nicely done tutorial, precise and direct, no blablabla.

[@Billsounds]

Thank you.

[@michaelmendillo7513]

Just revisiting today after a few years mate,,,having been in the mood for a little Tull. And of course, forgotten a few chords!!!! Lol!!!! Hope you are well and still playing mate and wish to say thanks again for making this lesson for us all. !!! It is a Sunday today,,, God Bless you and all who take pleasure in the arts!!! For our creator is the best artist of all!!!! And he loves others who love to create beautiful things. !!!! Take care mate. ,,,, 😎✌✝💕💕💕

[@aladickes]

Well done, mister. I'm so glad to have this song in my extremely limited repertoire now. Being a Tull devotee.

[@brsrcrotors9112]

Mate, you are good at cutting through the bs and relating the essence of this song. Any one getting all technical about accuracy might be missing the whole point. Thanks for inspiring...

[@blakesdragon]

Yep! Became a fan of Tull after seeing the concert on TV live 💜 US bought the album Bursting out this has made it easy for me cheers Bill just need to get the wife out the way do I can practise 👿🎸👿

[@Billsounds]

Funny, Bursting out was the first JT album I had too, around 1980 I think I got it! Thanks for the comment and good luck with it! Cheers, Bill.

[@crucialthoughts]

Bursting out turned me onto Tull in (about 1978). Amazing!

[@Billsounds]

Hi, well ok, maybe it is a little farther advanced than beginner, but one has to inspire confidence some way or another! Thanks for the comment and good luck with the song. Cheers, Bill.

[@danielswierczynski2001]

Finding this useful in 2021. Thank you for putting this out.

[@Billsounds]

Dave, If you had read the footnotes of my video then perhaps your comment would have been slightly different. I make my videos for beginners to somewhat intermediate players so that they can learn tunes to play without smashing up their guitars with frustration. No, its not the correct way to play, but it is a tutorial to play it the way I play it, most people who know the song like what I play and are happy to hear it and join in. You don't have to be perfect, it's all just for FUN.

[@ONITOROL]

Era da una vita che cercavo quegli accordi! Grazie!

[@brianthewhalecheckoutmyaco3486]

Great video!! This is a great song I've wanted to cover for a long time but it always sounded too complicated... really appreciate the lesson! 🐳

[@MrJorgemol]

Great ... Thanks for the demonstration ... impeccably displayed below

[@Billsounds]

+Jorge Molina Thanks!

[@Billsounds]

+Jorge Molina Thanks!

[@Mr.CJohnson]

Nice job My Friend!! I think i may be able to get it after watching this, Thank You

[@briantrend1812]

its a great tutorial loved it thankyou. its amazing the amount of young people today who love the tull

[@KathleenFrench]

This is the best tutorial on any song I’ve ever seen.

[@terry1965]

I've watched a lot of guitar teachers. I think you're possibly one of the best ones I saw. Keep up the good work bill

[@elmiten]

Well done Tutorial! Got it right in several minutes. Thanks for sharing.

[@Billsounds]

+elmiten No problem, thanks for watching the video!

[@Billsounds]

Hi, Thanks for the comment and happy it was of help to you. No problem with the "English" either, you're getting the message across! :0) Cheers, Bill.

[@CSBourne]

Thanks. Got it straight away. And as you have said, this is the basic part of the tune without embellishment. All to often we do not see what is to be taught at the beginning and have to endure an instructional video only to find out that is not entirely correct and not worth watching. This however, is spot on. And also the vocal is very good indeed. I have subscribed.

[@Billsounds]

+godthereisnot1 Hi, thanks for the sub, and of course the comment! I made a little boo boo on this though, the last part of the riff bit should actually be 3 strums rather than the 3 or 4 notes I play, you'll know what I'm talking about if you have a quick listen to the original. Cheers, Bill.

[@chimesoffreedom9026]

Nicely done mate. Thank you.

[@davidgronback8699]

Brilliant accessible tutorial that nails the feel of the song and will get you singling and playing it in no time. Perfect for beginner to intermediate. Never fails to surprise me how churlish some reviewers are - maybe they cant read or fail to listen to the context for this lesson - it does exactly what it says on the tin and he explains its not as the original. Maybe the "critics" should put the time in an post their own perfect version rather than moan about it here! Thanks dude - brilliant work!

[@1Keef]

Great playing and superb singing mate! Just became a subscriber after seeing this video. Cheers!

[@victorwong9622]

Thanks for this great arrangement with no capo!! Tough one to sing snd play, nice job!

[@DJ_Merkury66]

Thanks for posting this. I have decided to finally learn this song and I started off using an old tab book that I have. It sucks because as I started getting better at playing the tab from the book, I realized that it didn't sound like it should. I watched a video of Ian and saw that he was using different fingering. When I first found your video, I thought that you were playing it wrong, but after several minutes I realize that you have it very close. Now I have to forget what I taught myself and learn to play it this way. Thanks!!

[@Billsounds]

+Shawn Rakestraw Hey Shawn, the way I'm playing it isn't quite right either. I just got it to where it sounded reasonable for someone listening to it and to where it wouldn't be too difficult for a beginner-ish player to learn. The main thing is getting it to where YOU think it sounds good, as a performer, you can make as many adjustments to it as you like, make it your own, unless you are trying to be Ian Anderson that is! Also, on the studio album version of the song, Ian uses a capo on the 3rd fret, so its all a step and a half higher in key. Anyway, good luck with it and thanks for the comment. Cheers, Bill.

[@DougFM]

A friend of mine passed away who was a big Jethro Tull fan and I' d like to play a song for him at an open mic. Problem is, the guys in Jethro Tull are really good musicians and I am not. But I think I could swing this. Cheers, great job!

[@Billsounds]

I'm sure that you'll get it to somewhere you like it, dosen't have to be an exact copy, it's a performers interpretation of the song :0)

[@virgiljacas6388]

Very well performed and great way to teach !!!

[@gerrycummins7176]

Thank You! As it occurred to me to find a lesson of this tune I was reflecting back to when this tune came out. I was just trying to learn guitar. Would’ve been nice to have this then! Nice job!

[@brenoaps]

Thanks for the great tutorial!

[@BarryAckermanshadowman]

Well done! Your fingering on the riff made it much easier. Thanks so much for your posts.

[@Billsounds]

Cheers Barry, Good to see you are still coming back for more! Thanks for the comment again :0) Bill.

[@rhoitv]

That was extremely helpful and well made, thank you!

[@Billsounds]

John Noum Thank you, You get a lot better result when you put a little effort into it I say :0)Thanks for the comment.Cheers, Bill

[@chroniclesofbap6170]

I know you said you did it more simple to help beginners, but you pretty much have the riff down :) Nicely done, sir.

[@Billsounds]

Thanks, although if you listen to the original recording Ian Anderson strums the last bit of the riff whereas I fingerpicked it, just thought it sounded a little better playing solo!

[@ChrisPatrickCariasStas]

YES! Thank you man, I've been trying this song for a while and I love this arrange for beginners and not so beginners.

[@Billsounds]

Hi Chris, Yip, its a little tricky for beginning beginners, but practice, practice, practice... it'll come! Cheers, Bill

[@mbjuneau8]

man...I have to say a bigthanks...and also kudos to having one of the best videos to learn from...love the format, the speed, the actual playin of the song...thanks keep it up

[@Billsounds]

+matthew barnes Thank you sir, glad it helped you!

[@Billsounds]

+matthew barnes Thank you sir, glad it helped you!

[@bernardardis8796]

great presentation. very easy to follow

[@Billsounds]

Thanks, just a beginners version though, wait till you try the real one! :0)

[@davidtbentley]

Great teaching I like your format. And accent.

[@michaelbrandt2789]

Probably the best tutorial I have ever watched. Well made.

[@Billsounds]

+Michael Brandt Thanks Michael, happy it helped you :0)

[@Billsounds]

+Michael Brandt Thanks Michael, happy it helped you :0)

[@sejusmai7312]

i love this tutorial. Thanks bill av now learned my first tull song. ive never seen them live but they played about ten minutes from my house at a little outdoor stadium , i couldnt get tickets so i climbed over the fence and watched with some random from on top of a hill , they where in a giant dome thing so couldnt see them but i could hear them great lol sorry Tull but i had to. there where incredible.o

[@markj6506]

Thanks Bill that was great! Always wanted to play Jethro Tull tunes the acoustic stuff from them is great!

[@Billsounds]

+markj6506 A lot of it is, pity I don't know that many more of them! Thanks :0)

[@Billsounds]

+markj6506 A lot of it is, pity I don't know that many more of them! Thanks :0)

[@notademocracy7735]

Great explanation! Adding those chord titles must have been a nightmare! :-)

[@Billsounds]

Was to start with, but just keep making them up now if I need them and save them as jpg's if I need them again. Just a matter of dropping them in the timeline in the video editor.

[@yourmomsdildodrawer]

Right on! Sounds close enough to get the point across and easy enough for beginners...Subscribed

[@Rainman270]

Loved it. Thanks.

[@english26261]

From an old dudette thanks for the lesson. Subscribed

[@Elpuma1374]

Good job Bill. I totally enjoyed it, Thank you.

[@Billsounds]

+Hic Nuntio thank you :0)

[@Billsounds]

+Hic Nuntio thank you :0)

[@presidentoxford]

Really good ! Take a bow.

[@pricedownproductions9851]

so glad i found this, a nice clean simple version that still sounds very much like the original, great job mate!

[@Billsounds]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

[@asheim1202]

I hope it deserves a little higher classification than "almost beginner", but it is really an excellent tutorial, one of the best

[@Billsounds]

Hey Liz, Yes, still hitting the open D string and more or less the same picking pattern, the only difference is that the 4th picked bass note of the riff is ascending, not descending like the first riff. Bear in mind though that I'm not playing what Ian Anderson plays, I play what sounds good to me and as simple as I can possibly be without killing the song. You don't have to play it exactly as I do either, that way just suits my style of playing, yours will be different as is everyone's.

[@jaypooler9765]

thanks from across the pond..your voice nice almost Ian Anderson...I tried to figure this out years ago but only got the 1st position..their is a lot more to this piece but this is a good chunk of it and would sound great around a camp fire ..so I say thanks again

[@Billsounds]

I'm not near the same league as Ian Anderson, but thanks anyway! Where exactly is across the pond though?

[@jaypooler9765]

@@Billsounds upstate NY ..near Lake Goerge/Saratoga..I just got a 414ce Taylor willcuttguitars.com/products/taylor-willcutt-50th-anniversary-414ce-limited-willcutt-burst-094?_pos=2&_sid=95f38c90f&_ss=r I did yor lesson with it...ive had it for a week or so..

[@Billsounds]

I'm actually in LA, so across the land... lol. Been here about 16 years. Taylor make some nice guitars, just depends on the particular sound you like. Goid luck with it and hope it lasts you a few years!

[@jaypooler9765]

@@Billsounds thanks take care..be looking for more lessons

[@johnrobert3439]

Great lesson😊

[@meinkochen001]

Boah, was so detailed viseo, great, absolute great!!!!

[@bumhollow]

Nicely done.

[@deschutesmaple4520]

Thank you Bill, a fine job indeed and you're a great teacher!

[@Billsounds]

Hey Dave, I'm in LA, been here for 8 1/2 years now. Not sure where you are but if it's not here then theres not much chance of having a jam, I only get 10 days off a year and that's usually used up going home to Scotland, or for time off if the family comes here. Cant say I'm much of a singer myself, just do it because I know the lyrics! Used to play the pub scene back home too, but more of a traditional folk thing than what I do now, however, it's all good.. still playing! Cheers, Bill.

[@billsgarage1964]

I'm a huge Jethro Tull fan and also of Thick as a Brick, trying to learn guitar at 50 thanks so much m8 peace my friend

[@Billsounds]

It's never too late to start, just takes practice and patience! I'd maybe start with something a little easier though, but good luck with it. Cheers, Bill.

[@Kurwynd]

Very nice, thanks!!

[@gerardcousineau3478]

Excellent 👍😊❤

[@woodsjl]

Very nice...well done !!! Thanks for sharing !!

[@Billsounds]

Lothar / Dave, Well, you guys are both right! Lothar, if you check out Dave's version on here you will get to hear it played properly, my version is the way that I play it, somewhat simplified so that it's easier for beginners to pick up and be able to play something that sounds ok, though not correct. You are right about the capo, once again, I didn't use one to make it easy for beginners. I think it is a good tutorial for what it is though, and I'm happy with it at least! Cheers, Bill.

[@JamesThomas-zl9er]

Beautifully done

[@Ahrod56]

Nicely done,Bill! Thanks for the lesson (..and don't worry about subtitles;not necessary!) ;)

[@Lampkeeper]

Thank you for clarifying the groove. It had eluded me.

[@jspruch]

AWESOME! Thanks Man. My Weekend Project.

[@Billsounds]

+jspruch Thanks! Did you manage to learn it? Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Bill.

[@jspruch]

+Billsounds Only time on weekends. Will take me some time.

[@HectorRamirez-lq8sc]

That is great Bro, thank you !!

[@Despaler1969]

Well done, mate.

[@antoniorivera2394]

👍🏽muchas gracias !!

[@ridingblues]

Very nice!

[@kevo2115]

Well put together tutorial.

[@Billsounds]

Thank you, glad you liked it :0) Cheers, Bill.

[@Vesigoth]

Thanks bill. Good lesson!

[@Billsounds]

Thanks Jim, Sorry about the late reply, been a tad busy! Cheers, Bill.

[@diegocalvorodriguez]

This way of play the song, can be played with a Capo on the 3rd freet?, to get a sound more close to the original version?

[@Billsounds]

Yes, original is played with a capo on 3rd fret, but I cant sing in that key!!! Cheers, Bill.

[@PaleRider638]

@@Billsounds Perhaps not but I'll bet you can sing the hell out of When Irish Eyes Are Smilin' in that key!! 😉 My Mom was a Culligan!!

[@jstarang1]

@@Billsounds I would like to see a vid of you singing it with the original guitar riff in the key of f with d chord capo third fret. The pristine Scottish accent singing the Scottish prog rock band's song would more than make up for the vocals not being same key!

[@joh331]

Excellent tute Bill, thanks mate. By the way, your accent is proper champion. No need for subtitles, anytime.

[@michaelkorsten1066]

Great tutorial,thank you! And don't worry about the downvotes, they surely don't come from musicians!

[@carlopez45]

Está bueno, muy bueno!! Gracias por compartir tu trabajo.

[@lonecolamarine]

hey, I learned it the “right” way, and ya know what? I think it’s good that you found a way to make it sound nice without a capo on 3rd. I really think it sounds best using Ian’s original method, but I see no harm in a bit of alteration for those of us that want to try something different. But naturally, you can’t stop people from complaining.

[@Billsounds]

No worries man, I try and keep the stuff I put on here as simple as possible for the folks just learning how to play, if you hit them with a myriad of barre chords, alternate tunings, capo stuff and the likes then they will be more likely to give up more readily and put their guitar away. I'm sure you remember as much as myself when you are just starting out that it can be a tad frustrating getting the fingers to be where you want them! Most of the songs I put on here are not the right versions with the exact chords, but its not about that, I just want more people to learn, and if they can do that from my amateurish attempts at making videos on you tube then I've done what I set out to do. They can always learn them the right way when they get better! I also don't mind constructive criticism, it's the straight out complain about anything at all peeps that get on my tits.... if only they read what I had written first.... but hey, .... bah humbug! Cheers for the comment though, all the best :0)

[@mopedmaniac]

Really nice!

[@classic59100]

great, I been wanting to learn this...

[@Billsounds]

Hi, thanks for the comment. Nice song to learn, even though my version is more a "party" version of the song! There are other tutorials out there that teach you all the proper fingerpicking at the start, but this one will get you by! Cheers, Bill.

[@danbutler7840]

Great one!

[@intalik4397]

Great tutorial!

[@Billsounds]

Thanks!

[@petrosbonannos]

gr8 lesson thanQ

[@davidAll5]

looooove it !! thanx !

[@_Chuvisco_]

Very good!

[@douglasblankenship8327]

Love it .

[@tbasshandyman7610]

perfection

[@Billsounds]

Hey Dave, Yeah, the title can be a tad misleading, but through trial and error, I found that this is the way to name my videos to get hits. Also by tagging them properly helps. Saying that though, it does say in the description what the video is, so as long as people can find the video to start with then its up to them whether they read what I've written or not. I've watched your videos before, you are a pretty good player, you should try making some tutorials yourself! Cheers, Bill.

[@liledz1]

nice lesson thx.

[@MRWSSHORTY]

great! Tull is always something special, as your vid is too! Thanx for uploading and translate! ;-) It is a lot easier for a non mother tongue english speaker! WKR Lothar as ELPI from Germany / Bonn-Cologne

[@jorgemancuso1315]

Brilliant! As a newbie,thank you !

[@Billsounds]

You are welcome... get tore into it, get those callouses going and you'll be playing tons of stuff in no time!

[@lucadl15]

great lesson , bill. thanks a lot. luca

[@Billsounds]

Thanks, glad you liked it :0)

[@davesomogyi1]

I will tell you Billsounds, that I do enjoy your personality. I've never been off the mainland of the US (even though I am 100% Hungarian), not sure where you live, but if you're ever in the area, please look me up...we could play some tunes. I spent 15 years playing solo acoustic gigs, then it wasn't fun anymore...and please know ahead of time that I never sang at those shows...just pickin' and grinin'.

[@AndyLibra]

Your awesome. I been playing for years but, never learned theory or chodial structueres. I know my 1-4-5. Minor Petatonic leads. I sound good for what I can play but, I would love to unlock the talent that may be hidden by the fear of the unknown.Wish I had learned more whan i was a kid

[@billfischer1552]

It's great even for the advanced guitarist that needs to learn a decent version of it by tonight, thanks

[@southsideronnie]

Great job, thank you so much!!

[@Billsounds]

Hey Bill, thanks for the comment. There are a few differences that I play on this compared to the original. After the first 9 notes played, Ian Anderson plays a little triplet strum on the "D" chord, whereas I just fingerpick that bit, I'm sure if you listen to the original you will know what I mean. Anyhow, it's just my take on it and to help others learn, so if they want to play it properly eventually it's easy enough to find the bits I missed out. Cheers, Bill.

[@cristianoromualdo]

Amazing! thank you very much!

[@Billsounds]

Thanks :0)

[@Billsounds]

Lol.. well that's the reason I put in the subtitles :0). I didn't know that SOA did a season in Ireland, but then, I don't watch the show. Is your wife Irish, or just better at picking up the accent? Anyway, good luck with the guitar stuff. Cheers, Bill.

[@blotzphoto]

Thanks a lot! I'm just a wee beginner, but you make this look so attainable!

[@Billsounds]

Hi Lou, Congratulations on learning to play the guitar! Just remember that you are not going to get it all in one go, like all good things, it takes time to get right, but once you get past the basics then you'll probably never put it down! Thanks for the comment and glad it helped you out. Cheers, Bill.

[@mtrunk2472]

Well done! Thank You!

[@RYDR6517]

Well done Bill.

[@Billsounds]

+Raymond Daker Thanks Raymond!

[@Billsounds]

+Raymond Daker Thanks Raymond!

[@trevorrudge8556]

Nice job... I'm off to give that a go now

[@Billsounds]

Trevor Rudge Cheers Trevor, hope you got somewhere with it!

[@trevorrudge8556]

Billsounds Sure did Bill... many thanks :-)....