This Guitar Part Is IMPOSSIBLE (Magic Sam's Boogie)

[@timfletchermusic]

The way he calls the band back in and shakes his head and goes "YYYEEAAA!!" is the most rock n roll thing I've ever seen.

[@timfletchermusic]

@Philthy Casual YES I noticed this too. Proper old school RnB trick

[@terjeohrdegard4385]

This is literally what every band does

[@ItsJustRyan89]

@@terjeohrdegard4385 it really isn’t.

[@cm6string]

Yelling back “heyyy”>telling the band what count to come back in

[@triptusmiguelis9738]

Reminds me of Rory Gallaghers Cruise on out...

[@doughull9287]

Thank You! To SEE someone actually try to figure out a lick/song like the rest of us, rather than teach or show they can play it! This process is so important to growing as a player.

[@andrewmccombs7347]

I don't think non-players understand that part. That's why they think that pro guitarists or even working musicians in general are doing something magical worthy of god-like praise... because they don't see the thousands of hours spent stumbling over oneself and feeling like your brain and hands are retarded, and if you happen to be unfortunate to live with a non-player who does not share your enthusiasm for struggling through long periods of sucking, it can be kind of frustrating to explain to them that you're sorry for burdening their ears, but this is the process which must be done. They just don't understand or put two and two together. Of course, one day, you'll hear them saying "Wow, he's good, isn't he?" like some devil mysteriously showed up and magically made you able to play something with the flick of his blood-pen. And still... they won't understand... this is exactly what Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton went through. They may be special, but they weren't born that way. They became that way through PRACTICE!!!

[@yak9147]

Thats what I was gunna say

[@marcelgaryjames]

More of these please. Seeing your process for authentically learning this on the spot was helpful to watch.

[@fretgunk9522]

If everyone can please give a listen to Dont Owe You A Thang by Gary Clark this is very similar no?

[@TheBenb1999]

Gary Clark Jr definitely plays a bunch of stuff that sounds influenced by Magic Sam.

[@FogTub]

I appreciate your humility in not hiding the frustration of learning new stuff, and facing one's shortcomings. There's a great lesson there between the syncopated lines.

[@adamziolkowski2549]

Yes indeed!

[@FaintUnicycle98]

Lol yes , that’s why I’ve been recently interested in learning how to read music. It seems like the easiest way to learn songs

[@gavinw5469]

He needs to slow down. Going to fast the first time. No wonder he is frustrated. And he is playing it to straight.

[@FaintUnicycle98]

@@gavinw5469 I think he knows that. He doing it for the video. Frustration seems more entertaining than a video of him practicing to a metronome.

[@gavinw5469]

@@FaintUnicycle98 also, reading music is a lot harder than tabs, trust me. I am currently learning to read music, but it is no easy feat.

[@BlackMusicGenre]

This technique kinda reminds me of bluesmen R.L. Burnside. It makes me think of Poor Black Matte and Jumper On The Line . Magic Sam is definitely underrated IMO.

[@martingalicia36695]

Magic Sam is a very underrated guitarist. You can hear all the riffs Gibbons and Vaughan used in their body of work. Chicago blues at its finest.

[@richie_b-1234]

Agreed. I have also heard George Thorogood use these riffs in his playing.

[@ronj9448]

I don't think he's underrated. All the great blues guitar players give him the nod especially if they liked a raw west side sound.

[@buffdoc46]

His tone, the way he fingers plucks, palm mutes and does pull offs is absolutely incredible. This has always been my favorite. Best part, not using a top of the line guitar, but gets amazing sound.

[@gavinw5469]

Fun fact: guitars don't matter as much as amps. Really they don't.

[@buffdoc46]

@@gavinw5469 I have 35 Vintage amps and guitars. Well aware my friend.😁 A good guitar player can make any guitar sound great.

[@se38005]

About the guitar, he is not playing his own axe, but has borrowed Earl Hookers guitar. Obviously this one is better than his regular one.

[@murpsman]

Sam Maghett is one of my top all time fave blues musicians. I got to see him at the Ash Grove in LA in 1969 probably not long before he died. I think I have all his known albums.

[@skweetis]

"This guitar part is impossible." That show was recorded in 1969. Magic Sam had been playing guitar in that style for almost 20 years at that point and could improvise around the world with his unique fingerpicking all day long. Rhett has gotten 75% of the way there in 4 days. The way Sam got there is the same way Rhett's trying to get there, listening to scratchy recordings of the blues greats who came before and trying to imitate them. But that's the thing... Sam didn't successfully imitate Muddy and Wolf and Little Walter exactly, either, and that's how HIS sound was born. He spent some time learning - imperfectly - what others had done, and then spent the rest of the time building on that through his own experimentation and creativity. When you try to imitate one of your heroes, but fail to get it exactly right, that's just the start. Sure, it might be impossible to play EXACTLY like Magic Sam, unless you devote 20 years to playing exactly like Magic Sam, just like Sam did. But that's the point of this whole thing, isn't it? We take what others have done, and use it as an ingredient for our own music concoction, as a jumping off point.

[@joelarrivee4512]

He was the real deal. Great singer, great guitarist; if he wasn't the best, I don't know who is.

[@Alex-eo9of]

Blues players from back in the day, who play with their fingers, always have some cool rhythm and syncopation techniques. Love this stuff

[@csxblackmusic]

Man. This clip and Magic Sam were both TRULY MAGIC. Thank you for sharing with us. The fact that he did all of this while singing too is ridiculous. RIP Magic Sam. Its also an acommplishment that you got this far in four days is a testament to your musicianship.

[@overdrive201]

Very fun video. Congrats! Hugs from Brazil.

[@dodgedandle8311]

This is MENTAL: complete feel . I call this a window cleaner moment because as any guitarist knows there are some players that you listen to who make you feel like taking up Window cleaning 🤣😂 Keep at it Rhett 👍🏻⭐️

[@mburtondavis]

It’s cool to see a professional watching and trying to play along with a video like us beginners

[@bcook6960]

That tempo is crazy! It almost sounds sped up it’s so fast!! What a great performance.

[@Shadezman76]

Rhett show's the every guitarist struggle of learning something new relative to their skill level. And to top it off, by ear none the less

[@RidaHallal]

same happened to me when learning R.L. Burnside’s See My Jumper Hanging on the Line, couldn’t get it to sound exactly like Burnside, really difficult and very similar technique

[@oleonekinobi2823]

Failed attempt? I disagree. You have the gist of this- I would call it four days of success. It can take months even years of noodling around with tunes like this and then one day all the baby steps come together and you got it. I am an accomplished finger-style guitarist and over the course of the last 3.5 - 4 years have really been studying bluegrass flat-picking, with a focus on David Grier...took a couple thousand hours the first year to get a grasp and even start to get it down ( the way I wanted to)and a few thousand more hrs.since then- but I'm getting it, it's all very comfortable and familiar now....but what a humbling experience it has been.

[@sirstashalot7441]

Make this a series! Learning songs. I always forget to breathe when learning something difficult too 😂 My guitar instructor introduced this song to me a while back. Absolutely nasty tone, I love the hell out of it. I wish more songs like this existed.

[@joeurbanowski321]

Breathing..!! Yeah..! I forget to and then go into a coughing fit..!😩

[@thmp3r]

This is valuable watching someone with far more skill on guitar struggling. Teachable moment, not everything comes easily, takes work.

[@teletele9320]

thx for the video, haven't known this piece, and you gave me a challenge and inspiration which gave me the joy the last couple of weeks trying it and going on as i still can't master it furthermore it explained me some of the playing of one of my greatest influences john lee hooker which i haven't understood since i heard john lee hooker for the first time on cd 30 years ago when i was starting playin guitar

[@isaacjohnson.]

Magic Sam's Boogie-hell ya! What a performance, love it. Love seeing you work through the piece-seeing the struggles and challenges, and the realizations is very helpful. Thank you for sharing that side and not just showing you nailing the piece.

[@jasonm3602]

GREAT! Thanks, Rhett. It's amazing to see a KZbin guitarist who isn't showing themselves playing perfectly. And that even great guitarists still need to put in the hard work sometimes. Good stuff, mate.

[@stephensuddick274]

Magic Sam was a giant, a guitar hero to many of us.

[@jamescassidy3995]

Played this over & over maybe 100 times when I first heard it on the DVD. Absolutely killer. My favourite thing on the entire freaking internet. Sam’s playing Earl Hooker’s cheap Les Paul copy there with that killer tone that Billy Gibbons would kill for! Wonderful. Rhett you did a hell of a job here too! Respect ✊️🎸✨ The fabulous Greg Koch does this pretty great too.

[@ultramanj]

If it makes you feel any better, I am loving your tone on this.

[@davidhoxit4274]

I love the study of highly syncopated musicianship, it is humbling In the power and timing. This is an example of that complex advanced sound we all love! I have only nailed this once in my lifetime, so I have much to learn! Thanks Rhett!!!!!

[@Bangkokguitar]

You have a winner with this video. I believe most of us can relate to this; and there is a kinship in sitting together trying to figure out the secrets of the universe. Well-done and best to date, for me personally.

[@ronnie5129]

Rhett, I was at the Ann Arbor Blues Fest, It was a Awesome time, you got to see people that you may never heard of, But when you left the Show, you knew who they were and what you have been missing in Music, A Major Learning Experience , John Lee Hooker, a very young Bonnie Rait Ect. Cousin Figel

[@billybobroyale]

Rhett, Loved the video.I have been listening to and trying to play this tune for years.A while back I thought I got it right and then listened back and it still wasn't right.Its all in the name....Magic Sam.Thanks for posting.

[@cgkuch4184]

Magic Sam was a hidden gem. I stumbled on that video and was instantly taken back. I was like wow!! This man was way on a different level. There are a few videos out there trying to emulate his style. Truly a one of a kind groove.

[@bradrehn1007]

That's why he's known as Magic! There are so many gifted, practiced, dedicated guitarists and musicians out there...then there are those rarified few that transcend logic, both in and out of their respective eras. Blessed be the art we can never quite grasp, for it keeps us all, thirsting! Wonderful video, thank you!

[@tristanbouchonnet1461]

MAAAAAn this is the greatest kind of videos !! I love it !! It's a real insight in how you train your ears and learn songs without tabs !! Keep doing those !!

[@guyturck2015]

I tried to play this for weeks, you got A LOT farther than I did. Thanks for trying and sharing your process, that's what I really learned from this vid. I'm gonna try again based on what you showed us.

[@timchalmers1700]

Thanks for doing this. You make me feel better about the things that I struggle with, even though my things are much simpler. Consider it a service to humanity.

[@deepspacepilots]

Gotta be one of the greatest guitar grooves and live performances, ever. Much quicker than the studio version.

[@bluzfan190]

Thank you for honoring Magic Sam and keeping his music alive. The genius is that it is not only more complex than it may seem, the experience of hearing his voice and guitar is transcendent.

[@SkinnyAl83]

I have been waiting for someone to cover this riff, really awesome! Thx!

[@dirtybird850]

Putting your pedalboard on the keyboard slide out on the desk is next level. Brilliant

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

I think something that must be taken into consideration is that every time Magic Sam performed this he most likely played it differently. He's just letting go rhythmically!!! Having a blast... Improvising within the groove... going with the flow! I kinda doubt he had a specifically repeated set of rhythmic inflections. This sh!t happens spontaneously for this kind of player! Yeah, I think you nailed it when you said "I think he's adding a beat in there...he didn't do it intentionally, it's improvised." Reminds me of some of the players I've heard live years ago... such as Lightnin Hopkins and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. Sometimes a blues wasn't a strict 12 bar structure or whatever.... they'd add an extra beat or three... maybe it would turn into a 13&1/2 bar blues unintentionally. These guys might even play a whole tune on a single chord with varying rhythms and beats over each repeated form. The blues could use a little more loosening up these days imho. Tight is cool too... just different. Thanks for sharing this great clip. It's very much appreciated 🙏

[@tobymearing8407]

great video - this footage has haunted me since it first appeared...it's the ultimate boogie riff so thanks for having a go at it.

[@bassmonsteradsit7160]

That was super awesome to watch. I've spent my 35+ years playing mostly hard rock, metal, prog rock and metal but have always had a love for old school blues and jazz, especially as it pertains to the rock realm. You sir are an inspiration to watch and listen to. I discovered you a couple years ago after having discovered Rick Beato's channel. I am so glad I did!

[@AskZac]

Really great part, and a great look at dissecting a part to learn it.

[@trampley]

West Side Soul was the first old school blues album I ever really got into. Love Magic Sam.

[@PTheory]

Can’t respect you enough for getting how hard this and you ain’t no wannabe yourself. Magic Sam was next level, gave Buddy Guy his first record contract

[@rpmblues7018]

Hey britther thanx. So much fun with this. I'm gonna practice this till I get it. I've gottin into the groove a few times and it feels good. This will get me out of my SLUMP.

[@frontman62]

Great boogie riff and so good to hear someone talking about Magic Sam👍😎

[@jr0706]

I grew up near Ann Arbor. My wife is actually from that town. Fun stuff.

[@Riverparkroad]

Duuude!!!! This was AWESOME!!!! It’s so refreshing to see professionals struggle like all the rest of us!!!! I can’t tell you how encouraging this was for me!!! Please do more of these!!!

[@maximmunity2059]

This is by far my favorite video that you've done.

[@emmiejo1]

This is what makes learning guitar so much fun. Whether you have been at it for one year or for fifty. When a guitar player says they don't need to practice, a couple of things come to mind: they are lazy, have huge egos, or they are dead okay 3 things. Thanks for sharing Rhett, gonna go practice now. :)

[@johncox2552]

Exactly!

[@nickmonadi]

Finger picking like this is a unique skill. Its like playing a different instrument so even really experienced guitar players struggle with it

[@danjacobson9476]

This is one my favorite videos that you've made - so cool to see you humble yourself like that.

[@johnbryant8828]

Thanks!! Have been playing again after about 30 year break. Watching you deal with the same frustrations, at the level you play. Are the same frustrations that I face at my level of playing. Shows that practice will pay off! Thank you!!

[@MichaelMYouTube]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for posting Rhett.

[@michiellombaers3198]

It's all about muscle memory. He had the basic of that shuffle already integrated into his system for years (if not decades) so he then was free to play all kind of variations and inversion on the fly. Very, very impressive.

[@anttihartikainen6006]

What a great video, one of your best. Sick playing there and a really cool tone. I think you nailed it pretty well.

[@davroshalfbeard8368]

That is truly a mind bender of a riff you did well remember it was second nature to him after years of playing in that style i don't know if anyone could get up to his speed in a short time

[@martindunvegan270]

Great video ... thanks for sharing the process

[@vicesquadpunk]

The only thing that keeps me going after decades of playing and writing is to know that absolutely, I cannot copy the greats with any true accuracy and, in return, no one can play my original licks and riffs with the intent and feel like me… without that somewhat simplistic and fragile thought I would have hung up the guitar years ago ✊️😊 There is no substitute for learning other players licks and styles but ultimately its a case of, "DO WHAT YOU DO and DO IT WITH PASSION" 🔥❤️🔥

[@hawkgeoff]

Really enjoyed this one Rhett. Kinda fun watching someone of your caliber working thru something like this. Very cool.

[@michaelbutler2312]

i want to thank you for giving exposure to the great magic sam and you for a really well done attempt at playing his song!

[@simonsbuddy1806]

Nice to see someone of your caliber doing what we all have been doing since 8th grade in 1965!

[@justinsprotte4200]

Thanks for sharing these moments with us, Rhett. This video showcases really well what goes into understanding another player's technique, style and tone.

[@antalantal2366]

I appreciate Magic Sam's music more than a lot! Your difficulties in learning this syncopeted riff reminded me of my struggling in learning shake your hips by the Stones!

[@miller8084]

Very cool. Love seeing that old school style! We forget how interesting and talented these musicians were given the overall malaise we see in popular music today.

[@guilherme6818]

I'd really like to see more videos like this, very interesting to see your learning process

[@velotik6633]

I love this Magic Sam footage. He was an absolute badass player and as cool as they come.

[@velotik6633]

So badass that he played on a guitar he’d borrowed from Earl Hooker

[@weschilton]

OK loved watching you tackle this, Rhett. Don't give up!

[@jefferp]

My Mrs listened in while I watched. Now she understands why she hears the “same thing” from me over and over when I’m practicing at my lowly level of playing. Great video watching you suffer! 😂😂

[@DrJeebles]

Great video, Rhett. Thank you for introducing me to that clip. It's amazing! It's also nice to see you still struggle with some things guitar related. I can definitely hear some Jack White in there. I'm glad you mentioned it.

[@Hello-pl2qe]

Great video Rhett, love the woodshedding

[@lukethompson1041]

So cool to see you go through the process. Makes me realize everyone has to put in the work. Thanks!

[@prairieschooner99]

Very inspiring. Whether to practice more or send my guitar through the wood chipper, I haven't decided. Think I'll give it a go any-hoo. Thanks for sharing this. I haven't hear it before. Very cool indeed.

[@edseloliveira]

Hi Rhett! This is an outstanding video! I have been following you for a long time, and this is a really good. Just feels like so real!

[@brendanoreilly2014]

You did great Rhett thxs for sharing

[@jshearer94]

It is really cool and encouraging to watch a professional musician try and learn a song that is difficult for them. Seeing the frustration but also the time required! Very encouraging. Thanks!

[@fearbabyriffs]

I think it’s good to keep in mind Magic Sam may have developed those parts from years of enjoyment practice. In my mind those are the licks you gravitate towards constantly that have become your own. His muscle memory, force & neural pathways can’t be expected to be copied in 4-5 days although you went a long way in that time. I would break it down into even smaller sections and just do one section until mastered instead of trying for 3. Patience is a virtue and it’s a cool sound.

[@YanYeiDei]

brilliant. thanks for show casing yet another amazing player from years ago. Really enjoyed this one.

[@pierre-antoinedesplaces2065]

I've been obsessed with this video for years, really great to see you analyze it precisely like this. Another classic one I've never been able to get exactly right is RL Burnside's See My Jumper Hanging On The Line. Just a thought, if you want to turn this into a series haha!

[@edphaze6550]

This is one of my favorite videos you’ve ever posted! I’m going to try this on my lap steel.

[@caramanico1]

Much appreciated your admission of "failure." Reminds me of when I started collecting bootlegs. I have a live Zep boot where, IN THE MIDDLE OF KASHMIR, I can hear (having been in that situation more than once) that the three instrumentalists are all playing tentatively while looking at each other for some kind of signal to find out where they are in the song. If you play it's hysterical, but it humanizes them to anybody.

[@wjb5150]

This was awesome! He was incredible. Great video. Ty.

[@TheBenb1999]

It’s quite something to listen to Magic Sam and then you and realize this is one of those pieces of music where it’s really unpleasant to listen to until it’s very close to 100% perfect. Obviously many guitar parts are not like this and sound good when played imperfectly. Great video!

[@natalievelasquez2664]

Thanks for bringing up the music and style of playing of such a legit player. It was eye-opening to see you take on the process 🤘

[@dchauser4]

I really appreciate videos like this. It's good to see that everyone struggles no matter how accomplished.

[@shneaky45]

Every tutorial should be like this. Great way to teach by learning together

[@briankuyken9788]

I really appreciate this video. You should definitely post more like this!

[@desertriderukverun1002]

It's amazing how many stages we go through learning the guitar. First it's a struggle just to get a note to ring out, then it's on to chord shapes. Over time we learn the notes to a song. Then in time we may make those collections of notes to form something resembling music. Then you start chasing tone through amps and pedals. But to truly reach that level of mastery where the music comes out of the musician through the instrument in a unique defined sound of the artist, few reach that level. And Magic Sam is clearly one of these masters where the music just flows out of him.

[@matterask]

Nice to see some of the hard work that goes into learning something difficult.

[@brownsfan7753]

Way to stay with it!! Hard work always pays off!!

[@Allann882]

Thanks for this.... Please make a 2nd part and 3rd

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

Welcome to my world. All of the phrases you used, such as “This is like relearning to play guitar”, “Visible frustration sets in” and “I can’t figure out what he’s doing right here” are like things I think when I’m trying to learn any song by ear, including “Mary Had A Little Lamb” (I’m not talking about the Steve Ray Vaughan or Buddy Guy version, just the basic version).

[@seanbaines]

Been there. SO been there!

[@bryanmannoia8410]

Sam tearing it up on the great Earl Hooker's guitar.

[@DocWhiteblues]

Paul Rishell and Annie Raines do a great version of this. Paul’s got the guitar part nailed and Annie plays some amazing harmonica.

[@mhmoretti]

Seeing you progressively get closer is pretty awesome. That is a really hard piece for so many reasons.

[@marksr12]

That is one badass old shuffle, with his fingers! Thanks for the video, Rhett.

[@geoffcrosby8]

Love how you work at your craft!!!!!

[@joshreynolds6784]

Cheers for the intro to magic Sam, what a riff!

[@ericinnc]

Thanks to you, I just learned about Magic Sam. I appreciate hearing about unknown guitar players that are now cherished. He played as though it was just natural with his own style. More please and thank you!