Trey Hensley - Bending Your Ear, volume 3 - “serving the song”

This one’s all about playing the melody, playing the song, and learning fiddle tunes. Let me know what volume 4 needs to be about!

[@tonypowell2773]

Good picking advise and demonstrated really well. May your dreams b fulfilled. Keeping your gift real.

[@dancrow2524]

Your comment about allowing the person who is being featured in the group "being the star" is one of the reasons I really am a fan of the group "Carolina Blue". They play with one microphone and the person who is being featured IS the star at the moment they are singing or playing their break. Nobody in the group is the main performer on anything they play it seems and as a group they are very pleasant to watch because of that as well as they are all very talented.

[@dancrow2524]

Both "Wildwood Flower" and "Carters Blues" are great songs because they allow a newer player to practice hammer ons and pull offs regularly as well as slides.

[@ermancroney3805]

My appreciation continues to rise for you. A gift is very different from academia. I'm grateful for your talent and sharing what you do, and your view of how you approach the guitar. I play some of those tunes you demoed, but nothing as clear as what you do. Wow! Thanks again for being modest, patient, kind, and sharing your music.

[@dancrow2524]

Grandpa Jones was the first entertainer I saw play a Gallagher guitar. They were made in Wartrace Tn. I believe in the early years.

[@ThisIsTheHardestPart]

Ridiculous playing from a clear guitar prodigy. And that isn’t to discount this dude’s time playing and practicing. I think part of being a prodigy is having the focus to put in so much time! This dude posts videos constantly playing wicked guitar music. A Legend!

[@grekiely6245]

Thanks Trey, appreciate the lesson. You mentioned some fine Artistes there. I reckon that Trey Hensley is tops as well. I like the Gallagher sound, and the cost seems very reasonable for the range.

[@RadGuitarDad]

You’re an amazing picker, inspires me to play more. I enjoy these old tunes too.

[@nige2410]

Love these series by the way … thanks for taking the time to do it … much inspiration for us bluegrass novices (I’m 65 by the way 😂😂😂) - cheers

[@robertfraley8407]

I agree 100 percent, if you can't hear the melody, every song sounds the same.

[@sandrabutterflykisses9638]

Don’t get me wrong I like slow song but they make me sleepy lol I prefer the fast ones to keep me awake 🤣I love listening to you play Trey

[@jimwilson3878]

We just saw you and Rob last week. We always love your concerts. I appreciate your dedication to the melody. So many players lose the melody, adjust play "scales".

[@nickbeier6265]

I believe the Doc Watson is Sitka, while the Doc Watson Signature may be Adirondack. I have a Doc Watson as well, such a sweet guitar!

[@billycockrell2470]

Fantastic points you made. I am big on the importance of melody. Love, love, love Larry's playing too! He was my first bluegrass player, guitar hero. Anxiety on stage is a huge problem with me. Not always, but once it hits me, I just can't shake it the rest of the show. Even though I'm older, I'm really just a beginner, and just starting to get on stage. I'm hoping it gets better soon! Man, I love these "bending your ear" things!!! Thank you so much!

[@G_Demolished]

I think one of the coolest things in live music is when someone hears another player’s motif and improvises off of it when he takes his own lead break. I remember Tommy Emmanuel jamming with David Grier’s band and he was mirroring some of what Stuart Duncan had played on the fiddle. That’s next level listening to the other players.

[@vernmusgrove5667]

Learned most of these songs when i first started picking. Good stuff. Would like to hear Norman Blakes OBC#3 in your serving the song series. Or maybe how you would pick the West Virginia melody by Hazel Dickens. Thanks for sharing your amazing tunes!

[@craigwhitfield1898]

Trey, thanks for bringing us behind the curtain. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series. Please keep them coming. I love that Doc Watson Gallagher!

[@235buz]

My dad taught me to play the Wildwood Flower in 1960 on his Gibson J-200 built in the 40's. Learning your first song on the guitar is one of those things you never forget. I've forgot some songs I played 20 years ago, but I never forgot that first lesson. Thanks for sharing, safe travels.

[@turtleie]

great playing trey

[@sandrabutterflykisses9638]

Awesome picking Trey

[@craigwhitfield1898]

Trey, would love to learn what it’s like playing alongside an all time great like Rob Ickes. Rob’s been on top of the Bluegrass Dobro world for quite awhile. A Bluegrass Junction personality (I think Chris Jones) said that Rob lived with him when he first moved to Nashville. Besides being a phenomenal player and great guy his dedication and work ethic was off the charts. Rob’s obviously blessed with enormous talent, but his dedication and work ethic made him a freak/legend. These stories are really motivating for those of us still struggling to find our sound. Love this series!

[@3xthemoney]

I don't care what brand or model guitar you may have Trey you make them sound great because of your talent and commitment to your craft. Love the effort you put in to your videos.

[@blufordbirdsong1834]

Great video! Totally agree about learning the melody, and learning tunes in general. I’m more of a jazz guy and had to really go back and force my self to learn the melodies to songs I had been riffing on for years. In many ways the melody can serve as a blueprint for solos.

[@N_M_46]

The Smashing Pumpkins shirt 🥰

[@michaelwhite2702]

Great advice about not playing through someone else’s break. We always have one guy in our jam that tries to do that. And he’ll always play an original song. That’s what open mic nights are for. Thanks for the videos. Keep em’ coming. And I need to send you one of my company hats.

[@chuckskarsaune3149]

Perfect listening for the ride home from the jam in Bristol. Love these, thanks for doing them.

[@jakzimny6752]

Hey Trey, loving the content on your channel! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. God bless you! How about an episode on tone, phrasing and dynamics? Also I've seen some of your shorts with the Frontier! Being a relatively "cheap" guitar compared to some of your other ones it seems to be holding up pretty well? Would love to see some more of it on the channel, just a great looking and sounding guitar!

[@cemcan2647]

As always I appreciate so much for sharing your music, thank you. 🙏🙏🙏

[@kebirbenkaccem726]

Playing by ear is truly a gift..hey Trey, being gift to by ear,can pick any song from any type of music such jazz,flamenco, classical and blues? What music you Excell at ? What is your book in Playing guitar called? Thankyou.

[@alysonhazelwood6625]

❤ the slick capo adjustment mid melody..... Keep em coming you're top notch.

[@randytausch3519]

The content of these videos is great. I have a hard time understanding how ANYONE could critique your playing and how you do it. You are a WORLD CLASS player as I’m sure you know. I wish I’d have had access to this kind of information 30-40 years ago. I’d be a much better player now. I can only listen and be jealous while also admiring your talent. Thank you!!!!!

[@key22u87]

Love the Larry Sparks. Great point. I will work that more into my practice. Enjoy the little half step bends you throw in.

[@ericjohansen1953]

Love the videos. To my ears there is no song without a melody and your adherence to serving it was one of the first things that I loved about your playing. Chops are great but if you can’t use them with taste and purpose then it’s just a bunch of notes.

[@TreyAHensley]

Ahh man, thank you very much! I really appreciate that!

[@Orfix33]

Thanks for the insight. Looking forward to more of these.

[@gregrandolph7601]

Well said brother. You're amazing, picking or singing.

[@kellymcintosh9620]

These sessions are great! Your always going to get some negative feedback, can’t please them all, don’t try, just be your self Trey, like many of the greats say to do! Nice work!

[@MrDirkjung]

I love wildwood flower. Your take on it is beautiful.

[@brianstanley4160]

Great video keep them coming ,Larry Sparks is a great guy!

[@justintackett2803]

BMR 26:00-29:00 long ending C run and interchange with keys and chord changes

[@danstheworst]

what a player man. love the videos trey, also a big thanks to the rig rundown fellas for introducing me to you and your playing!

[@leonvmusic1]

Man that was awesome .Would love to hear about how a bass rhythm is so important when jamming. For instance while you were playing (You are my Flower ) I was playing Clamped 2nd Fret playing in F with kinda of a Rythm Bass regular chrords. How you and Rob play off of each other is Magic. Thanks for making me want to be a better player.

[@sarahbrzezniak373]

Tony P sent me over, thanks for the tips, just got Flatt and Scruggs Foggy Mountain Jamberee. Can you talk about Cumberland Gap on your next one?

[@dcallan1]

Please keep it up!

[@dcallan1]

Also, you don't need to know string gauges. That's for the posers who can't play like you.😆

[@chuckskarsaune3149]

Question for next time - how much do you practice nowadays, versus how much did you practice starting out?

[@jeffbeliew6568]

Incredible sounding Gallagher!!!

[@williamsumptersr2301]

Sound n good trey

[@jasonbougere361]

Thank you for this series! Your last album shows that you are a tremendous songwriter and storyteller. Would you please talk about that work?

[@TonyKarczPiper]

Great stuff!! Maybe the next one or any future ones could be about increasing speed and accuracy? That’s always something I’m thinking about is how be more proficient and improve the right to left hand connection.

[@dorothylawrence8462]

GREAT JOB AS ALWAYS❤

[@strokerace14bp]

My thoughts on Larry as well. Bending and Bluesey!

[@juballard1972]

Thanks! That was great 😊

[@tomandmarley]

Mega as always

[@dancrow2524]

The great Jerry Douglas says that the most important thing for any player to do is PLAY THE SONG. If the song, the basic notes of the song, the timing of the song, the plain backbone of the song in it's original version can't be heard throughout the entire song, then you are just making noise. All the fillers, the runs, the breaks, and fancy licks that someone places in the song, if they ignore the tempo and base song as it was written, mean nothing. It is all for show and as he said, just noise.

[@anthonyyoung7344]

You should try the Martian bluegrass strings I use them and I'm hooked I'll never use another string.

[@timothywryan]

Another great video. Is that a Paige capo? Been shopping and I see that Shubb mentions you on their web site. Looking for something that allows you to play a B7. I'm always curious about the guitars in the background. Maybe a video on some of your axes and equipment?

[@joereadel]

That's a sharp coat, Trey

[@cheepchicken]

Damnit you were in Montana and I didn’t know

[@pallisg]

larry sparks and all the rest , ... I dont know really,- I listen a lot to Trey Hensley🙂. I have the impression that theres some kind of connection between irish folk and country /bluegrass,or the connection between django style and bluegrass (all string bands) Ive heard some great musicians talk about a connection there too,- that could be interesting

[@robmiller3464]

Trey, this is great. Do you ever use a metronome?

[@Emmetgriffin9]

🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gillyOO7]

Old guitar teacher always said serve the song also

[@micahbgood]

My problem is i can't make up my mind between playing in fingerstyle or flatpick so i play the melody from a different viewpoint, any advce?

[@peytonwaters1967]

Do you prefer rosewood or mahogany for bluegrass?

[@jamiemacdonald6951]

Can I meet you in person and learn that song from you

[@bubba2007]

epic dude

[@EdDanaGuitar]

Trey, do you play any Taylor guitars?

[@TreyAHensley]

I do! They make great guitars…I have quite a few Taylors, actually. I’ll try to show some off on the next video.

[@EdDanaGuitar]

@@TreyAHensley Thanks Trey. I just bought a 214 ce Deluxe Red. lol... Thanks!

[@alandfaraway552]

You were a cute kid Trey. Were you nervous to play on stage back then? You seemed fearless.

[@TreyAHensley]

Thanks! I didn’t get nervous until I was much older…

[@316LSS]

thank you for your time doing these videos, i was wondering if you would talk about how you move from the low end of the neck to the high end of the neck. like when you play the a part of a tune at the low end, and when you repeat the a part at the high end of the neck, the notes you play moving from one end of the neck to the other, is a shape, or parts of a scale, and how do you practice on moving from one end to the other. thanks again

[@kirkmichaelsbackyardtunes]

Great video and I love that Gallagher! Do you notice any discernable change in tone from the undersaddle pickups on your guitars?

[@TreyAHensley]

Thank you! I really don’t notice any tonal difference with under saddle pickups. I’m sure there are really minuscule differences in the tone, but I don’t really notice it.

[@willpable5575]

What’s your thoughts on climate control for acoustic guitar storage? Control the room, the case, both, or neither?

[@TreyAHensley]

It’s a must, for sure. I have humidifiers in the room (and controls to keep an eye on the humidity level) and I also humidify in the cases during the winter months.

[@keithking1985]

@@TreyAHensley great tip. And very important for winter coz most people (almost all guitarist) would think just having your guitar in its case would be fine, but remember your guitar is your baby. SO LOOK AFTER THAT BABY YAL. 👍🇮🇪💚🙏🏻🎸