Tommy Emmanuel Teaches Ballad Guitar Techniques in "Stay Close to Me" | Reverb Learn to Play

Australian fingerstyle guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel graced us with his delightful presence as he shares some six-string wisdom about playing ballads. Follow along as Tommy
Read More on Reverb: goo.gl/KcYg8M
Browse Tommy Emmanuel on LP: goo.gl/H47Lbt

[@Max-sd3to]

I was at the Australian guitar retreat recently and I have a one on one recording of Tommy showing me this tune personally one afternoon, as a very very special request to my very sick Father.This sends shivers up my spine as it puts me back in that special moment.Oh and by the way, Tommy lent me one of his guitars for the duration of the guitar retreat as mine was badly damaged by Qantas on the way to Melbourne.A true gem as a composer,player, teacher and as a person.Cheers,Max

[@fulltonesmusic]

It's almost surreal to try & imagine or estimate just how many lives this gent has moved not only with his music, but with his spirited nature of generosity. Calling him an international treasure is almost not good enough. Anyway, what an experience you had & I send blessing to you and your father.

[@temiongcecilio]

You are so blessed to have experienced that time with Mr. Emmanuel. God's best to you & your famiily -- especially your father.

[@farrewelll]

How does he get such a crispy clean tone it's incredible this dude is a true master

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

Masterful articulation...it's almost as though every string has its own output with an engineer dutifully moving mixer-sliders up and down. In reality its great playing due to a life-time of hard work and love of music. I take my hat off to you Tommy - an honour that my baldness and vanity rarely permits!

[@randymccracken2722]

I love this song Tommy. You're the best!

[@johngreenwood1972]

He seems to be getting the hang of this guitar playing business. Could have a future.

[@WobiKabobi]

Feifei Du people been making this joke forever obviously he’s joking

[@afiffathannur4718]

i'm literally crying on this song..

[@KelvynTaylor]

"You might have to practice that a bit"

[@manawarrior2010]

"This next bit is a lot harder to play than you think" - Jesus how hard is then, Tom?

[@vintagebluesmann]

Music is so good for the Soul!! A lot of feeling right there!!

[@telboy1966manu]

Such a great player and an inspiration

[@thedondeluxe6941]

"Back when I had hair"... His hairline looks like mine and I'm 34, hahaha. Your hair is fine, Tommy!

[@jdl2180]

Maybe he has fake hair

[@sacitmanav]

i am 28 already bald bro. damn

[@Crashed2023]

He says 'When I had hair and teeth' lol Yeah I can't complain about my hair thank goodness but teeeffff oh losing them like old tombstones that have more than seen better days!

[@wchphoto]

Thanks, Tommy...now I gots ta learn another song...sheesh!

[@Danii087]

8:10 "which is not easy" hahaha i love you tommy!

[@DudGolfer]

What a sweetheart of a guy🙂

[@joecoool100]

Master class. Pay attention

[@franknada8235]

Tommy himself hasn't learned one lesson though: Never underestimate the musical illiteracy of the 95% common people - They will hear pretty much any 3 chord random picking as a master class example.

[@franknada8235]

@Lake Kelley No. Thats not what Im saying.

[@brentdhedrick]

That makeup tho.....Tommy you don’t need makeup, or Reverb needs better makeup artist!

[@samlee2562]

This make-up makes him look like he's ready for an open coffin 😂

[@TheShreddDude]

Less make up next time guys, yeesh!

[@aueret]

good one :D nailed it

[@bonglehaddock]

Just watch his hands - that's where the magic is.

[@edededOo]

same thought this lesson is about guitar wonders not painting your face yellow lol

[@dwebster50]

One of my faves ...the chord played ar 55 secs ...is one of favourites. Over the years , one can incorporate it in a melody. I was happy to see TE use and show us the bass lines , the things I miss when I play this ballad . There are progressions here that can be used with your playing ... I call them , the TE effects .lol I going to see a fellow I grew up with, in Edmonton this November 24.... most guitar players know the works of TE and Tommy usually introduces all the things that are possible on the acoustic guitar. I came back to the acoustic , after years of being away from guitar , it was TE that showed me , what is possible with just 2 hands and six strings and Determination.

[@fingerstyledojo]

thats a flat 13 chord

[@grumberfwarcraft7282]

what i would like to see is Eric clapton playing with Tommy Emmanuel before i die

[@trentjanszmusic]

He did. Tommy supported Eric Clapton back in the 90s if I'm correct, here in Australia. Hopefully some youtube vids will pop up eventually!

[@DanielRezendeGuitar]

Amazing, wonderful, beautiful.

[@ks2951]

Wonderful! Even what time is it heard! Too nice!

[@HTNT9]

Those pinky slide trills are hard as hell..still can't get them down after months of practicing.

[@Bill_Woo]

Shit, that is beautiful. Thank God I stopped by - I was going to skip this one. Then I couldn't pull myself away. Tommy, you are G.D. awesome in all you've shared here. I feel moved by your frank and specific sharing - every single detail.

[@ia5662]

It's ironic, he masterfully states it, it's HARDER to play a beautiful slow piece with feeling and technique than just ripping fast on scales. I 100% agree with this. People put WAY too much of a premium on playing speed rather than playing "feel" or emotion. The best players, including Tommy obviously, can make one note sing and captivate an audience with that, no shredding needed - @5:59 he demonstrates exactly what I'm talking about. Very Clapton-esque "Tears In Heaven" styling there, just absolutely beautiful vibrato and so much soul. NOT easy!

[@donnamoffitt7720]

I can agree with you on almost all of what you said except the clapton comparison i think as a player clapton gets to much recognition i honestly hate claptons playing there are much better players in the world for example rory Gallagher Roy Buchanan SRV luc lemay tomas michuad scott hull jim wilkins and joe pass to me the players i named are far and above clapton did not mean to rant but i really feel passionate about my abhorrence for clapton

[@janminor1172]

Well, I think that playing fast can convey valid emotions (anger, stress, hectic are feelings, and you you cannot show that with one or two slow bends). So nothing against shredding, if done purposefully. But I agree, playing well slow is hard, you also need have great control over your right hand picking dynamics. Something I still struggle with which is why my playing sounds rather amateurish. He does it perfectly!

[@axeman2638]

+Donna Moffitt, I'm inclined to agree, Clapton was playing better when he was young than he does now, he hasn't grown and developed as a player as Tommy has, or Jeff Beck who just keeps on getting better and better and is always doing something new.

[@dent5]

I think your anti-Clapton stance is clouding your judgement somewhat. The TIH comparison above is entirely accurate, whether you like it or not. Do you play guitar yourself?

[@donnamoffitt7720]

@@dent5 yes i play and have for right at 26 yrs now and clapton doesnt make me feel inspired like the players i mentioned in my post dont get me wrong if anyone likes clapton and can feel inspired by him awesome he is just not my cup of tea i need players that make me laugh and feel challenged when i hear them

[@Ben.morton]

That bend at 3:16 is just lovely.

[@realcygnus]

Beyond just elegant

[@flomo5473]

extremely beautiful guitar, extremely beautiful song, extremely beautiful tone, extremely beautiful playing, extremely beautiful soul, terrible makeup

[@CloDee]

Thanks for sharing! Neat chords and vibrant playing!

[@KaustubhPatilMusic]

I just love the way Tommy & Guthrie talk. They explain music without using musical jargons.

[@visby750]

damn..that's beautiful AF

[@rickgriego2844]

Wow..

[@BKInbound]

not good enough yet to follow this, back in a year

[@boop1261]

it’s been a year! have you come back to learn this yet?

[@BKInbound]

@@boop1261 shit i think i meant 2 years

[@boop1261]

BKInbound lol. you can do it, i believe in you. one bar at a time. repetition is your friend

[@TheBonefixr]

So beautiful and so masterfully taught, even for those of us who have "Played" for many years and will never have your skill. Thank you.

[@xchump]

So good!!

[@OzzyMandias]

Class!

[@TopGuitarPL]

Tommy Emmanuel, the best acoustic guitar player ever!!! :)

[@Ykkk173]

Eager to try the song after watching the video . . . gave up on the second bar with F#m

[@_Tanker]

Legendary guitarist but that spray tan is abysmal

[@axeman2638]

What a great teacher, the first thing he says is just so true, you have to sing the melody, hear the lyrics in you mind while you play it, this is the single most important thing to play not just ballads, but any melody well.

[@kai0_o564]

its refreshing to come across a TE song that's easy to play lol

[@janleonzeiler7319]

❤❤❤

[@osvaldomollo]

Great !!

[@duanewilson3941]

"Lets run through the ending now because it's a lot harder to play than you think". LOL Tommy, everything you play is a lot harder than one would think!!

[@barrieflix]

That's a beautiful tune - I think he's taken some inspiration from Martin Taylor's "True" on this one.

[@Gdomce]

Super!

[@temiongcecilio]

"Stay Close to Me" is one of the most beautiful & melodic pieces ever written for the guitar. It is aptly titled. Thank you Mr. Emmanuel for sharing this ballad to the world. God bless you&family. And may you stay as you are... I bought this song from iTunes way back 2015. Never get tired listening to it. Thanks Reverb for sharing this. First time on your channel. Liked & Subscribed.

[@rheaub2]

That wonderful, elusive, matter of taste: TE has it all, it anchors all of his technique. Impeccable timing. He has it all. Splendid.

[@joseceraia]

Michelangelo on guitar !

[@avgjoegat8126]

He may as well wear a cape friggin superman

[@silvenshadow]

This is a man that wakes up every day and changes the world with his music.

[@CellZealot]

He is also a man who wakes up every day and plays all day long....

[@steveb9325]

Tommy is such an incredible musician! Wow! A melody in music again!!! People say melody is gone in today's music. Well, yes, a lot of pop is just reciting words to a drum machine though they're plenty of real musicians-songwriters out there! Thank God! What a beautiful song Tommy. Thank you!!!!

[@FABRIZIOZPH]

he has three things going on: 1 world class technique 2 world class knowledge of music, chords, melodies and arrangements, 3 world class feeling for music which allows him to compose exceptional songs.. I thing 1 and 2 as hard as they are yet they can be achieved with hard work, but the latter you are born with it. if you don't have it you will never have it

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Thank you, Tommy for a close up glimpse of your technique!

[@dougzernow1022]

Thank you, Tommy and Reverb.

[@cthulhuhoops7538]

Tommy's pinky game is second to none.

[@GutoPolonio]

Tommy Emmanuel is an amazing guitar player. One of the best of this world.

[@MarionFiedlerMusic]

I love this I love this I love this and yes, I will practice :-)

[@tylerbostic2929]

I’m convinced that this man is the best acoustic guitar player in the world

[@miatovich8539]

There’s something soulful about this song

[@dreambeliever3652]

Man, just to remember all the notes and positions to all that you play, blows me away! Fantastic

[@NickWeissMusic]

Oh Thanks Tommy, just do 3 or 4 simple techniques that are damn near impossible, and I’ll be good at ballads? The dynamics exhibited in this video are absurd; there’s gotta be a 6db difference between the melody and chords, which he’s playing at the same time. Hard work workin this stuff out is right...

[@cornerliston]

I see an opportunity for a new product: Shirt button guard.

[@paulmartin5544]

Put me down for one!

[@cornerliston]

Lovely! Order book open as for now. : )

[@dadude7]

corner liston That’s deliberate. He scratches the guitars so he can scrape his thumb across the wood.

[@cornerliston]

Hey dadude7, don't mess with my new product line here will ya! : )

[@dadude7]

corner liston Sorry pal. Put me down for one then. If fact, I’ll take two.

[@tbeau6663]

Love Tommy's Maton guitar.....but in truth they're only as good as the player, and he's outstanding.

[@mariussauer892]

Mines going somewhere down my Neck lol ... 24

[@Max-sd3to]

Hi T beau,Tommy lent me his cutaway Maton at the Australian Guitar camp last month as mine was really badly damaged by Qantas on the way to Melbourne and not playable.I think it is probably the most photographed guitar in history for the several days that I had it-:)I'll never forget his generosity...I'm still pinching myself!!!!Regards,Max

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

Brilliant...as always. Thanks Tommy! 😎

[@maurocasanova9929]

Two start chords seem like “hand in hand” by dire straits

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

ahh it was awesome, than you

[@TheSearchers1000]

If there is a benevolent god, Tommy is certainly channeling him/her. Tommy, you are such a gift to human kind. So thankful for you and this marvelous gift which you share so beautifully. Live Long and Prosper, mate.

[@michaelstrickland6592]

Hmmm...."You might have to practice that a bit," he says at 8:17...probably so...It is so easy to watch these and want to play like Tommy. But guess what?? It is all a result of years of toil and hard work. That's the inspiration of a Tommy Emmanuel. Inspired to work even harder!

[@flomo5473]

extremely beautiful guitar, extremely beautiful song, extremely beautiful tone, extremely beautiful playing, extremely beautiful soul, terrible makeup

[@martinskorik7207]

31 dislikes? Strikes me what some people live for. How can anyone hit a dislike button for this. Thanks for a cool lesson Tommy and Reverb

[@hingmingyau4352]

Beautiful Song

[@guitawrizt]

Though Tommy articulates well, his 'light' ballads are syrupy and tend run similar and repetitive.

[@gab.man.5228]

as you close your eyes while Tommy plays, you start believing that your world isn't that bad. Something we're all grateful to you for, dear Tommy, dear musicians

[@svensvensson6705]

Do any one notice that bad makeup on Tommy ?

[@bah667]

Thanks soooooooo much Tommy

[@asifiqbal7755]

I was busy when I clicked this video.i tried to force myself to close it after 1 minute but I couldn't.the music captivated me.

[@lafreeway]

Has anyone ever shared his talent more freely than Tommy Emmanuel? My life is so much more full because of the wonderful music I have been able to play on my guitar just from watching Tommy on KZbin.

[@urbanoramos5229]

Just breathtaking,beautiful

[@johnhartlepool2349]

Genius Tommy thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge.

[@MrPaulCorcoran]

Jesus. I am a musician, and have been for 30 years. Tommy is beyond great. The touch and timbre of the man is enough to make you weep! I did. I have watched him play. Wow. What a genius!!

[@Bill_Woo]

That seems to hearken, though by no means exactly, and maybe not even that closely, John Williams - Cavatina (Theme From The Deer Hunter) Jesus, John Williams could write some music. Anyway, this verse riff reminds me strongly of SOMETHING - I just can't recall what it is. The chorus of Deerhunter is all that I can come up with.

[@arqromero3877]

My simple today's dream... To come back home tonight, and try to emulate with my guitar, a simple 'cover' of this beautiful song... Thanks Tommy for this sweet performance. Cheers !!

[@marksc1929]

...wow....such great feel and touch ....keep doin ur thing Tommy......"cheers 🍷

[@writereducator]

I hope you all realize how hard this is to do! But Tommy, I wish you'd add lyrics and sing it.

[@skotskiable]

Thank you. Just what I needed to help me unwind tonight. I have been playing for almost 50 years now and have pretty much given up hope of being even 1/10 as good as this. You are welcome...

[@talkless8747]

Respected Sir 🙏 🙏 🙏,, when ever I hear you first of all I lost myself then a lil drop of water rolls out of my eyes.. I really have no words to pen down the beauty of your tunes.. God must be there otherwise these couldn't be happened.., you r a living god in this planet.. 🙏🙏🙏

[@shuklajayant]

A living legend

[@Arthur-wh1tv]

メイク酷いなぁ、、顔の色とファンデ会ってないし分厚過ぎるよ。笑 でもトミーのギターは最高だね

[@teunio501]

Tommy is Orange!,

[@OnceABustAlwaysABust]

“I’m just playing with the flesh” 😂 Tommy’s a legend

[@kamealex]

Tommy has more strenght on his pinky than me on my whole body.

[@rangeofmotion5993]

B-E-A-utiful! He was throwing some chord shapes in there that I plan to learn this evening. Soooo much feel!

[@mariaroncalli863]

Sigh...if I played like TE I would NEVER put the guitar down!! Ever. Definitely need to practice more! What a joy it must be to be able to pick up the guitar and have THAT cone out!!

[@tijn83]

The only way to be as good as him is to never put your guitar down

[@andrewlovell116]

Just started learning this song - this is so helpful, thank you!

[@PaulAshley]

You sure a lot of James Taylor in this tune.

[@enzotomassetti4414]

You are magic

[@vdub1959]

Stunning and beautiful. Soulful perhaps is a better word. I dig it.

[@Cyberbooly]

Beautiful.

[@yiguitar8611]

THE TAB...

[@benjiverzeni8397]

What a men...

[@claudelarosa3378]

Tommy Emmanuel Est un Prince des" six cordes "Merci Tommy pour ce que essaime en ce monde ;avec tes parcelles d'Harmonie .