Thick as a Brick (Jethro Tull) - Mr. Knuckle's Music Lessons

This is a tough one, but well worth spending time on. It works your flat pick technique as well as your timing. I obviously don't show you the WHOLE song (because it's over 20 minutes long), but enough to get by at the campfire. Enjoy!

[@RaMa-kr9gm]

i'm gonna give it my best shot: starts playing flawlessly *humility INTENSIFIES*

[@arthurmee]

It's a good approach. Lower expectations then hit 'em with something pretty good. . . . great playing and very helpful. Thank you.

[@stoosam3244]

:D my heart sank....then shot right up when he started playing.

[@fordprefect4345]

Wow people are so easily impressed ( no offence meant) the playing is tense. There are mistakes and it needs slowing down and being more relaxed before speeding it up over and over practice is not till you get it right but until you don't get it wrong anymore🇵🇸

[@5150JAM]

Jethro Tull had many great albums but this one stands out as a masterpiece

[@DSpeir-pi6tm]

It sounds like you pretty much nailed it . Thank you for the lesson 🙂

[@Knuckleman7]

Glad it was helpful!

[@HHHAAA111222]

Dude, thank you for this. When I found your lesson, I quit looking for others. Where were you 46 years ago when I wanted to learn this so bad!?! LOL.

[@bobmills2114]

Outstanding lesson. I've always wanted to play this song and now I can. Thank you!

[@fpbinkhorst]

It is a tough one! Especially when you did'nt play the guitar for 10 years! It takes some time, but i'm very glad to master it ! Thanks to your video lesson!

[@jaxsonstamp-hillier1699]

i was just curious because i had a music teacher that sounded exactly like you and played like you, your music videos are wicked and very helpful, stopped playing my guitar for 2 years and watched one of your videos that made me jump right back into it and i’m doing really good with it

[@robertvandermark4010]

That sounds really good thank you. I am seeing Jethro Tull in a couple of months. I have seen them 4 times in the 70's and now after all these years will see them again. The tickets were a birthday gift from my wife

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

2 years later, how was the concert?

[@lateknightlaboratory5821]

I've been chipping away at this song. Thanks for filling in some of the gaps, like that minor riff just before the bridge.

[@babarishka]

Thank you sir, that helped a lot . I just listened to TAAB a few days ago and despite my having played guitar since the early 70's, it still humbles and amazes me. I remember reading an interview with Ian Anderson in the 70's where he said that Jethro Tull doesn't try to be complex for the sake of being complex, they just write what comes naturally to them. He said if they purposely try to be complex, they wind up sounding like the Mahavishnu Orchestra slowed down or Yes played backwards!!!!

[@TheBonniepatterson]

Love it !! Just I’ve been practicing this since last Saturday when I found your video , I have the first 2 main riffs down . Thanks for the rest of the song !

[@anthony22bob]

Let me just congratulate you on providing a proper tutorial. While other guys post 83-minute videos on how to do a hammer-on during a particular section (typically at a speed so slow that one forgets the proper time signature and rhythm), you quickly and efficiently demonstrated how to play the song (straight through), and then took your time explaining various points. Yes, you had a few flubs here or there, but who cares, you got the job done! Folks who are trying to learn this song are clearly past the Mel Bay Chord pictorial stage-- they just want to get at the heart of it. Rock on!

[@jguajardo1964]

Wowww. I am in love with your lesson. Clear and concise and really sounds like the original. In two days I am enjoying myself playing one of my favorite songs. Thanks dude.

[@laurencerusson62]

WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT THAT IS BRILLIANT

[@wedge71100]

Good work. I’ve been playing it for 30 years but have now decided to sing it and play it so need a proper refresher. Cheers

[@macatta2]

I saw a lot of tutorials of this wonderful song but you're definitively the best, very good job tks

[@Majnun74]

Took me about a half hour, but I can follow along pretty good now. Thanks!👍🏻

[@kingrobert1st]

That was exactly what I been looking for all these years. Muchos gracias amigo!

[@Gene_Cali]

So nice. Thanks Mr. Knuckles. 👊🎸

[@jay-man-64]

Great lesson. You make it easy to follow and learn this classic. Thank you !!

[@seansullivan5965]

Thank you for this! Learning it in sections and you have done a wonderful job teaching it!

[@enricolombardi4212]

The best one. No others like this. Thanks a lot.

[@Knuckleman7]

Wow, thanks!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

I realize I’m a bit late to the party here, but having seen Jethro Tull perform this live in Frankfurt, Germany around mid-76, I thought you might like to know that he played it pretty much exactly like you’re doing here. Before I say much more, the setting was like this: The band had finished the set and left the stage while everyone yelled as loud as we could and held disposable lighters up over our heads, hoping the person(s) next to you in every direction hadn’t smoked too much hash, dropped too much acid, or drank too many beers.😂 After a few minutes, out comes Ian Anderson with a chair in one hand, and a fairly well-kept Ramirez classic guitar capoed up on the 3rd fret in the other, and sat down to incredibly loud cheers from the audience before beginning to play the guitar intro to Thick as a Brick. Just him, the chair, and the guitar, center stage, about 20’ directly in front of us. I was FLOORED!! And while he may have, as you say, flatpicked it in the studio, he only used his fingers, perfectly poised as every classical player does, with his left foot on the footstool, and the lower bout between his knees in the “classic classical” position. Now, I’ve attended a LOT of concerts over the years, and while some were better in certain aspects, but that encore stands out to this day as one of the absolute best. Part of the reason was the musicianship, Part was because of Anderson’s riveting stage presence, but the real coup de gras was that the rest of the band came onstage and they played Thick As A Brick. I mean, they played the entire, nearly 45-minute piece! Both sides of the original vinyl record, but like we would later experience it on CD as it was intended - as one piece of music. Heh, and seeing Martin Barre play the 2nd flute part on the biggest flute I’ve ever seen, before or since, was worth the price of admission. Thanks for making and uploading this, man - I’m going to work on it!

[@Knuckleman7]

That's a helluva story. I saw Tull in Toronto, but I was way back. Nothing like that story. Thanks

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

@@Knuckleman7 you’re welcome.

[@GiI11]

Thanks for helping me clear up that last bit

[@GaryBook]

Great job! I can't believe, thanks to your wonderful video, I am starting to master one of my favorite albums from high school. Many Thanks you. Ah!

[@melwilliams2595]

Thanks Mr. Knuckle.I'm an old Tull fan who began to try and learn guitar at the age of 60 and your lessons have helped me play.Thanks a lot man! Playing Tull is cosmic!

[@michaelmendillo7513]

Boy he wasn't kidding,,,,it sounded a lot like the song. !!! Hahaha !!!! Oh Mr. Nuckles ,,,, you are such a card. !!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@genegibson3264]

Love to watch people learn to do what Ian does so effortlessly. Not a musician, but I see the difficulties .

[@LeonTrotsky6782]

Sounds absolutely amazing to me. I’m no musician, but loved your contribution 🙌❤️

[@HorizonMelt]

That was definitely worth watching.

[@WheresJeanninePacifica]

Brilliant got it. Two primary shapes against D chord and walk to G-ish chord then the 5 on G 5 7 thing and walk dopwn back to D ---- got it after a half hour. That whole Em Bm D A to F# is brilliant!!! Thank you thank you - well taught. Other people talk too much - you get right to the lesson. THANK YOU

[@Magik1369]

Great tutorial and a difficult song even for an experienced player. Your teaching video is better than most because you don't waste a lot of time talking or spending too much time on intricacies. Excellent job!

[@Dudeguy217]

You are incredible man. Starting this video I had no idea how to play this but now practice is the only thing in the way. Everything is super clear.

[@jdrosborough]

Thanks man. Love Ian's acoustic guitar work, well done.

[@marioflash-newjerseyshorer3368]

I always struggled with this JT song but, this lesson clarifies some things for me. Thxs!!!!!!

[@richoneill5619]

Dude! You knocked out of the park

[@richardanthonytownley653]

Brilliant.. wanted to learn this for years ..thank you

[@jacklipinski985]

Thanks for the lesson, very very helpful

[@davidmiles6558]

Excellent! Thanks for helping get this sorted after so many years!

[@bowgart5567]

Beautiful sound

[@swirljet4245]

Thanks for this mate... Sounds great

[@johnmaer]

You make it look and sound so easy yet so authentic. I admire your musical ear and your dedication/practice. Ian Anderson doesn't get the credit he and his music warranted IMHO. His acoustic guitar parts resonated Old English folk/chamber music, appealed to the young rock music fans, included lyrics that were interesting, provocative if anything, and involved a strumming technique, cadence, and timing that were anything other than simple/easy. It all sounded good to the ear, and so does your video. Thank you, sir.

[@seankellymurray]

Most excellent, thank you,Cheers!

[@HermanoSolMusic]

Wonderful man! Thank you!!👏

[@celsojeovanidasilva8300]

Thank you so much for teaching this music classic. Thanks a lot!!! Very good!!

[@dougsmith9788]

Best Shot? Excellent!

[@paulbalogh4582]

We thinks your “best shot” is damn awesome. I’m coming back after dinner!

[@LuisEB100]

Great! Learned a lot. Greetings from a Colombian Tull fan.

[@StephenRybacki]

That sir was awesome teaching, and awesome playing. Bravo!

[@paulopestana8183]

Simply great performance... thank you !! Paulo (from Brazil)

[@DWTish]

Thank you! Great, efficient lesson.... Much appreciated

[@steveparkinson8887]

Bloody brilliant

[@Keninoz1]

Hey. Just stumbled across this today. You've helped me realise a life-long dream. I've always wanted to play this since I first heard it in the 70s - & now i can. Many thanks from Australia.

[@Knuckleman7]

Glad I could help!

[@mopuccino]

You're being too humble Mr Knuckle ,great playing and great tutorial ,Thanks a lot!

[@kevinpeters4614]

The first time I saw Jethro Tull was in Oklahoma City in the early 70's. The Eagles were his backup band. It was right before the Eagles first album was released. I saw Tull two other times. What a showman.

[@funkyjones]

Hate to break this to you but the lead singer's name is Ian Anderson.

[@richrol58]

You're too modest--nice job!

[@helpfoolsouls]

Mr. Knuckle's, I like your style. I can understand everything you are getting at. Teacher! I am having great fun trying to master this one.

[@757flyer]

Excellent!

[@benwood7174]

That's awsome brother! If only I could sing to you

[@deschutesmaple4520]

Excellent tutorial. Much respect! :o)

[@lawrencesprau1935]

You've given me much to work on, thank you sir!

[@tedspens]

Watching you play it is all the explanation I needed. Now to get my fingers to do it. My neighbor is going to hate you. Thanks! 😁

[@gregm9587]

MR Knuckles ! Tull being my favorite band in high school, yeah, it dates me to the early '70s. I just want to thank you for the guitar instruction to one of my favorite Tull Lps. Seen a lot of instruction but yours is the best. Show the song, then break it down----brilliant ! (My fav part of the original is about 27 minutes into the 44 minute song when the reprise of the intro comes back in with the beautiful lyrics "Do you believe in the day?"

[@BrandonDanz]

You sound awesome!!!

[@DougWittrock]

Tackling Martin Barre is a big chore. Love these Tull lessons.

[@joshward7009]

Aucoustic Tull stuff is almost always Anderson, electric if Barre

[@mistehmen]

I gave your video a thumbs up just because you were able to play the song so well.

[@m.g6402]

Sem dúvida melhor aula dessa música do KZbin um salve aqui do Brasil graças a vc eu aprendi essa canção

[@zachbrautigam3179]

thx knuckleman, your video really helped me alot :)

[@KennedyLawOfficesScranton]

that's damn good guitar work

[@maddyd.346]

Very well done intro., Thanks.

[@drewcunningham2]

sounds pretty damn brilliant to me!!!!!

[@gioscacco]

don’t worry you’re really good at it

[@johnhassall1782]

Pretty good pal tbh! Shown me the little details that I couldn't fathom,, the way I played it just didn't sound right,, now I know why,, cheers good video, thanks for posting!

[@Dark_Oz]

Hey man this is great and very helpful but I'd like to mention to any beginners this is not how you'd normally want to finger an A chord. It works for this song and you're smart for doing it, though. I wouldn't have thought of it.

[@5150JAM]

great job.....I suscribed to see what other songs you teach

[@franzschneider9416]

You seem to be pretty good at it. Thanks.

[@rickster58]

Bravo, good job!

[@Ironjack53]

just superb m8 , your a true artisan ,loved watching that one beautiful sounds!- learning, but aint easy -need that speed and fluidity that shows in vid!

[@moranlencinas9605]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Saludos desde Mendoza, Argentina.

[@donbogdala5428]

Good Job!

[@lukahmad5683]

Thank you, sir for the lesson. The tempo is so fast for beginners haha I need to slow it down and this is really helpful

[@BeauJames59]

I tink youse nailed it.

[@mertman1]

Lovely

[@presidentoxford]

You're great.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

Well, what this demonstrates to me is how important the other instruments are.

[@manjoo3861]

absolutely great tutorial, enough for anyone who is willing to grab

[@earlgrey691]

Oh this is good.

[@justgivemethetruth]

sounds good to me.

[@joaopaulopimenta5372]

Thanks!

[@lovemyhd1960too]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@Knuckleman7]

Glad you liked it!

[@mesientorelajadoalas438]

MIL GRACIAS!!

[@thatulises]

Sounds amazing dude!

[@neumichel]

nice playing knuckles. question....when i listen to the record I don't hear the high G in the chord at the end of the first measure of the riff. I just hear the fifth (D) ringing. I'm not sure why everyone is playing that G but the tighter, more economical style is better. less is more, right?

[@96jaguar0]

Nice!

[@billbarhorst8369]

Nice job, Mr. Knuckle.

[@hwrdthomas]

Awesome :)

[@ghostbox7920]

Nice job man

[@jacquesfrank]

Great work!

[@runfarr]

Actually, the whole song is 43:46 but who's counting. Anyway, great job on this because it's really difficult to play.

[@robwalton7749]

What do you mean you're not the best at this, it's awesome and thanks for posting!!!