What ANY GUITARIST Can Learn From Billy Strings

Check out what we can learn from the young prodigy Billy Strings and how we can apply it to our own guitar playing.
🎬WATCH NEXT🎬
⏩ Most Acoustic Guitarists Don’t Do This, But Billy Strings Does!: • Most Acoustic Guitaris...
What ANY GUITARIST Can Learn From...
⏩ What Jerry Garcia’s Acoustic Playing Can Teach You: • What Jerry Garcia’s Ac...
⏩ Trey Anastasio: • What ANY GUITARIST Can...
⏩ The Allman Brothers Band: • What ANY GUITARIST Can...
⏩ Bob Weir: • What ANY GUITARIST Can...
⏩ Jerry Garcia: • What ANY GUITARIST Can...
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[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

🎬WATCH NEXT🎬 ⏩ Most Acoustic Guitarists Don’t Do This, But Billy Strings Does!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYarg2x9ptKZnac What ANY GUITARIST Can Learn From... ⏩ Trey Anastasio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZaZgK2Dap57m5o ⏩ What Jerry Garcia’s Acoustic Playing Can Teach You: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2GTlppte8aJrJI ⏩ The Allman Brothers Band: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3Pcea2nlrOkg5Y ⏩ Bob Weir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n52nmpd-lK6ZrJo ⏩ Jerry Garcia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGPYXoCGhLuCjs0

[@originalvillagevidiot]

Nice breakdown Jeff. Thank you. He recently sat in with my friends in the Allman Betts Band. Humble and very talented. I'm a deadhead and am excited to hear what he brings to music over the next decades.

[@catmandude2357]

Billy and Sierra Ferrell inspired me to write for the first time in a decade. So much vibrance in their playing, writing, and singing. Both are generational talents.

[@mcrocksy2018]

He blows my mind. I don’t try to comprehend him I just enjoy

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Billy's amazing. I've heard other acoustic players that were as fast but not many so fast and so clean. Every note is audible, machine gun timing. The guy's incredible.

[@jvslyke4025]

check out Doc Watson and Flatt n Scruggs

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

@@jvslyke4025 For why? I already like the bluegrass music. And, Earl Scruggs is kind of a prerequisite there. But if you're saying they're as clean as Billy, well, banjo wouldn't count in this case and the guitar is great. He's a real pro. He's obviously very talented. But I stand my what I said.

[@mattwilson7443]

@@PaulTheSkeptic Norman Blake?

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

@@mattwilson7443 I'm not saying no one can do what he does or that all others are lacking in some crucial way. It's just that he has this particularly loud, forceful and insistent style that's also very neat and tidy and I find that very appealing. All guitar players are going to have their own idiosyncrasies. We all have different ways of coming at the instrument. And often there are particular players who resonate with and inspire others. Those other guy are impressive for their own reasons. I respect them all. I just particularly like Billy's style.

[@JohnDoeDeadhead420]

I love Billy strings but check out Larry keel

[@scottbegonias313]

When I saw Billy years ago busking up in Traverse City I knew he was something special! I immediately thought ..man this kid's got some heart! Been a huge fan ever since!

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

You saw Billy busk? That's cool. Everyone's gotta start somewhere.

[@dontask6863]

Got to meet this guy a couple times. Before he exploded. Man is very quiet yet very nice. Has an energy that you can feel emanating from him. I’ve only met a few people I can count on my hand that have that magical allure when they come in a room without having to say a word. Unbelievable player.

[@billparrish4385]

The point at the end about bluegrass fans often having a narrow view of what that style means, and how Billy is able to break out of it without worrying about the backlash, that really rings true. And I believe Billy's able to pull off these departures because he's doing so respectfully, and not with an "in your face, bluegrass snobs" kind of a way. His choices and methods of departure speak that respect, every bit as much as his words in interviews, or his wide-eyed wonder and pure joy while performing. He says, musically, "Hey guys, what if we did _this,_ and follow it up with _this?"_ And then, as if by magic, otherwise _doctrinaire_ bluegrass fans and performers alike, tap their toes, nod their heads, smiles creep across their faces, as if to say, "Yeah, Billy, that's right. Doc or Earl might have tried that, if they'd known about it! What else you got?" Billy is respectful, above all else, of traditions and feelings about them. Which is why he can be such an innovator.

[@cmquinn2000]

I've sat next to him while he practiced. A great experience.

[@bubba5246]

Love billy and his band. Seeing them live is amazing and he is a special musician glad to be able to enjoy his/their music.

[@gregoryguarneri8473]

One of the best tutorials on the tube! Straight and to the point, slow when showing examples and very flowing progress. Thanks

[@paulkielty3800]

I love Billy his playing is just awesome and he is so humble,legend

[@van1976]

I've been Enlightened. Thanks Jeff. 5 STARS! --Van

[@drschoeps]

you are the best thank you for this and everything else!

[@TheKevinKitchen]

Many thanks. Very interesting and well presented.

[@Al_G]

Billy Strings is what happens when you don't ever put down your guitar.

[@richardmindemann6935]

Only if you have a ton of talent. I've been playing for over 50 years, and I'm no closer to Bully's level than I was 25 years ago. There's no substitute for talent.

[@wfrobinette]

@@richardmindemann6935 pffft! Talent comes from practicing. Not one professional musician I know of got where they are by talent alone! All of them practiced many hours a day. You are no closer because you aren’t practicing enough to get closer.

[@richardmindemann6935]

@@wfrobinette If only you were right. I bumped up against my physical limit years ago.

[@wfrobinette]

@@richardmindemann6935 Maybe it's time for more lessons

[@richardmindemann6935]

@@wfrobinette It's never too late to learn.

[@jonmoreno9703]

Billy Strings is the whole kit and kabutal.. he can not only play that guitar with feeling he can write thought provoking words that transcend the style he is coined for. Fantastic musician.

[@markiszak]

Great video Jeff I learned a lot, thank you for sharing

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Thanks and no prob

[@wordytoed9887]

Impactful video. Nice job.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thx, didnt know about excluding 3rds

[@paulhendershott667]

So happy I found you! Great video!

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Thanks so much Paul!

[@wmrustycox]

I'm a big fan of Billy and he's undoubtedly one of the greatest guitarist today !!! Billy is a phenomenon !

[@KelleyGreenEcstasy]

Great vid, Jeff. Always love hearing little bluegrass lessons.

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Thanks

[@jackodonnell3463]

Good lesson thanks for uploading

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Thanks and no prob

[@paulhunt4690]

Saw a Christmas show he did in Nashville. Just wow!

[@brettlazor8219]

Thanks for this one!

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

No prob Brett!

[@Halliday7895]

his actual early start was in bluegrass (with his dad as a little kid) then Heavy Metal and Rock as a teenager then bluegrass got him some more attention at parties so he fell back in love with what he did with his dad as a kid and stayed in the folk americana world.

[@ronhobbs8038]

If I'm not mistaken, Billy got his start playing Metal and because of his dad, went to Bliegrass, which says alot about his speed. I know I have a new admiration of Bluegrass

[@jimburns33]

I definitely love his metal influences. What you said is somewhat right. He got his start playing bluegrass when he was a small kid, switched to metal when he was in high school so he could play with people his age, then rediscovered his bluegrass roots in his late teens.

[@haggismuncher]

Your not mistaken, there is even footage on you tube of him playing a blue grass concert with a death metal T-shirt😉

[@jaek4489]

Bluegrass just hillbilly metal :)

[@Hunter-ui1rj]

What if I told you Jim root from slipknot and John 5, who plays with Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson are both big into bluegrass?

[@Jack22VV]

He went from bluegrass to metal back to bluegrass

[@zemlidrakona2915]

This "wasn't" really my kind of music, but I caught this guy by accident recently, and now I'm kind of addicted. It's a nice change to hear someone who is supper skilled but still plays real music and not endless shreds.

[@nomernomznomz6015]

yeah i totally subbed this content rocks

[@AKFloorcare]

Nice man. Thanks.

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

No prob Bob

[@1dissan]

Great vid

[@user-kt7hq9hn9f]

Oh I do like the sound of a nice Breedlove guitar...my younger brother worked for them for a little while in production shop

[@theyoungupstarts1243]

First i’ve heard of Billy Strings (yeah, i don’t get out much). Thanks - good stuff!

[@acdcskater2]

Thanks!

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

No prob Lucas!

[@Jamestele1]

I've played Bluegrass and Country guitar for 25+ years, and I learned from Mr Strings that he is waaaaay better than I am at flatpicking! I'm a new fan

[@Steve-si8hx]

Down down, down up down up, is the most used for bluegrass strumming pattern on guitar.

[@keenanfarago6882]

Billy is so good

[@gpav1]

Love the head spinning metal moves whooooo yaaaaa

[@chriskovalchuk8503]

I’m so glad Billy got so many people into bluegrass 😊. Soooo inspiring and he seems like a cool dude and not a pretentious douche!!

[@loganmoyer1548]

I remember when I played in a bluegrass band and we watched alot of Billy to draw off of, and he never ceases to bring something new to the table.

[@gergemall]

Billy was born to perform.

[@saywhat4314]

I have this exact same guitar nice

[@Steve-si8hx]

His roots are why I started playing bluegrass

[@jellyjub1690]

dude i saw him live he was insane

[@josiahpierce2906]

Thanks for the lesson frank zappa

[@gabanjoman]

William Apostle His aunt called him Lil Billy Strings And Thankfully Billy kept the Nick Best Flat picker ever to pick up the guitar,he also plays Mandolin,Banjo,and Base fiddle Respect!!

[@IceCubeInMyIceTea]

Breed Love guitars are amazing.

[@kerryc.7438]

Thanks

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

No prob Kerry

[@ApolloSuns]

This is awesome!

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Thanks!

[@ApolloSuns]

@@JeffWilliamsGuitar so informative and ideas to really chew on. Just getting deep into Billy and bluegrass in general and this is great. Also! The Trey video is great too. Can you do Zappa, Fripp and Jeff Beck?

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

@@ApolloSuns I'm just stating to plan out a video like this that will be all about bluegrass basics so keep a look out for that. Zappa would be a great one. Fripp and Beck might be out of my league though! But would love to attempt a Jeff Beck one. That would be a loooong term project.

[@dwind222]

How did Billy actually learn so much and get that good in such a few years. Billy is awesome.

[@brandenbran]

A few years? No, he has been playing guitar since he was 4. His dad taught him very very young so it’s second nature to him

[@saddamdontsurf]

Yep . I cant remember the quote exactly but Billy said when he was a kid all his friends were in their 60s. From the bluegrass get togethers .@@brandenbran

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

There are also technique quirks in grass. Get your guitar set up higher, make sure your thumbnail is looking up at you etc, crosspicking is important too. Acoustic guitar is such a different game because the volume depends on technique.

[@bigduke6ix846]

Love the thumbnail pointing at Billy's G chord

[@MitchellMozdzen]

There's no 3rd in the G chord! As stated in the first point.

[@kylanmcnichols6525]

You forgot to teach how to headbang like Cannibal Corpse while playing a bluegrass solo.

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

Haha!

[@MACKHAWKSS]

pleeeease do goose if you haven't already (i just got here) **just saw the backing track video. im in the right place

[@johnballs0540]

What was that billy and umphrees performance

[@dustylense]

Almost 19k subs!!! Oh yeah!

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

I know I can't believe it! I'm always obsessed with more but need to stop and think about it. That's a lot people!

[@dustylense]

@@JeffWilliamsGuitar You will grow and grow. You're channel is tops! Thanks Jeff.

[@acecaldwell4701]

Breedlove is one of my favorite guitars rite behind Martin but if I'm going for most guitar for the price there's only one option that I know folks will hate that's the tried an true epiphone masterbuilt

[@joshtimmons7332]

I don't know how he doesn't break more strings during his performances. Such a great player

[@That.Guy.]

He plays manly medium gauge

[@Cjass814]

its because hes not bending

[@scottymckay2813]

Cool informative video. but one note: near the end you state how Billy recently "sat in" w/ Trey Anastasio Band, when it was actually the other way around. Trey sat in w/ Billy in NYC. 6/29/22.

[@edwardrichard2561]

The first G run is the Lester Flatts run the second more bluesier run is Del Mccourys Run. Combine a D run and your working.

[@stevereynolds547]

Billy is scary. Jeff, great video! How come you didn't bust out a dreadnaught for this lesson? Bluegrass guitarists like that pronounced low end. That's a beautiful guitar, nonetheless. I've been trying to become proficient at flat picking for four decades and that proficiency has, for the most part, eluded me. Almost by necessity, I play Travis style. I just can't seem to find that sweet spot with a flat pick, especially at the tempos these monsters play at. Thanks for this great advice!

[@tristanwalling1388]

Is there a link to the original video you show a clip of at 2:40?

[@kane6529]

Dust in a Baggie 🔥

[@LilOlWaxy]

Are we not gonna talk about that deathklok headbanging during the solo

[@seanomeirs8574]

What’s the tuning?

[@kalvino67]

I want to play like Billy Strings…without the effort! 😂

[@get_wrx9618]

Imagine a festival with Billy Strings, Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan.

[@Henryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

Sturgill* not Zach

[@get_wrx9618]

@@Henryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy havent heard much from him, but I like him. I was also thinking The Steeldrivers

[@paulkielty3800]

Put Molly Tuttle in and I’m there.

[@mikebastiat]

Would be a hipster party

[@ryanstreett4450]

Take my money

[@HeavensCry]

Billy is fucking insane, so are the rest of the band aswel

[@jasonredding2282]

Nice capo

[@cainanroff7170]

Man just gave me a whole new appreciation for bluegrass, weirdly a true metalhead

[@echambers1112]

Bluegrass and metal share some sounds and underlying ethos, check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpezmIaPqbKYaZY

[@briangarcia8384]

I think Billy was a metal head at first.

[@grahamdavis8777]

metal is just electric bluegrass...

[@an5925]

@@briangarcia8384 he actually was a bluegrass player first (thx to papa strings), didn't get into metal until his teens, then in a death metal band in HS then back to bluegrass. Now plays both at every show, melding many genres together. Heard him call it 'Psychedelic bluegrass on acid'...LOL Whatever it is, I f**king LOVE it!! Never thought another musician would make me feel the way Jerry did, then BOOM..BMFS! Grateful to be alive to witness Billy's greatness. #blessed ✌ ❤ 🐐

[@fongy200]

Love the Breedlove Grand Auditorium, it's a lovely Guitar. I like to have mine plugged in though, i mean my Grand Auditorium style Acoustic sounds pretty good unplugged but it doesn't project as well as a Dreadnought but plugged into my Fishmans Acoustic Amp it then comes alive..

[@lenwest7734]

BOOM CHUCK...!!! BOOM CHUCK!

[@danielemilazzo432]

Is the video out of focus? or it's my screen?

[@tylersmyth8861]

Can I get a date/link for that meet me at the creek?

[@Michael_Crist]

It is from the Red Rocks show from 2020 I think he opened for Billy and the Kids. It does sound like "Meet me at the Creek" but it's not on the setlist so not sure what song it is

[@an5925]

No, it from the Ogden Theater Dec. 14, 2019. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnPIoZKhiNCLiNk

[@tomtoss2463]

I actually don’t like fast blue grass music; however, it is clear that Billy Strings is a virtuoso who can play in many genres. Give me a song that has legs - meaning still popular 30 years later.

[@j-sin3344]

5:41 Headbanging Hillbillie

[@terrybeaud9348]

Billy is like if Hendrix had decided to play bluegrass instead!! :))

[@North_9]

We’re all just ignore the "Billy gets fluid all over the fretboard” @3:32 ?

[@ExpertAdviceTV]

Billy is often compared to Jerry Garcia?

[@chkbspctr]

You guys know him as Billy String but I've always known him as William Strings

[@gabanjoman]

William Apostle ,is his actual given name at birth I think it fits perfectly

[@caseykittel]

I like the premise of this video, but the audio is way out of sync on the strums. It makes it really difficult to learn from.

[@Aelawen]

That part about not being afraid to challenge another guitarist of a very popular band. They were playing chess and billy won. They were trying to beat each other live while keeping the fluidity of the song and billy did something so unexpected that he was deemed king the moment his opponent started hammering the same note and then let his guitar fall silent. Billy Strings is not humble. He is cool headed and knows what he’s got and he expects full dues. The moment he meets another guitar player that could potentially be considered competition he immediately imagines the most glorious way to put them to shame while still looking to be the good guy. To be king of anything, one must first think like a king and use all possible advantages at your disposal in addition to your own brilliance, talent and ability. Billy strings wants to be king and if this video is looked at from the correct lense he was playing with these guys for many reasons but he made it a point to outbest his competitor.

[@an5925]

Dude, you are so far off base with this comment I can only imagine you're joking. Billy NEVER competes...never. Hands down on of the most humble, down to earth, kind, compassionate musicians alive. Jerry never competed either. It's all about the improv jam and having fun. Competitive musicians are just lame...period.

[@72BlackRayne28]

What I've learnt from watching Billy is that I NEED A LOT MORE PRACTICE.

[@tomtoss2463]

Maybe, maybe not! Why not try songs in the 90 to 120 bpm range. Something people can sing along to or dance to. A hit song beats 10 virtuosos. If Tommy Tutone did it - why not you?

[@matviborg]

Lets play "Billy does" - I lost

[@andocobo]

Me an AC/DC fan: I am fully equipped to play bluegrass with my chords with no 3rds

[@haggismuncher]

Billy is sooo good because before he ever got into playing blue grass live he was into a lot of rock & metal… which gives him that edge on other blue grass players…I mean when you wear an Obituary T-shirt at a blue grass gig that tells you something about the guy!!!true fact it’s on You tube!!!

[@an5925]

@haggismuncher Actually, it's the opposite. He lìterally cut his teeth on bluegrass, thanks to his dad starting him young. His kindergarten teacher passed out sheets to his class that said 'When I grow up I want to be ______________'. Billy wrote 'a bluegrass musician' and drew a little pix of himself playing a guitar. Today, it's hanging in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville! By age 4 dude had mastered The Beaumont MF Rag!!! Wasn't until he reached his teens that he started listening to Black Sabbath, Hendrix, Zeppelin (thx to his momma). He joined a death metal band in high school, but soon went back to his roots...bluegrass! He often credits Bluegrass with teaching him guitar and metal with teaching him how to perform on stage. A year or so, his old buddy who was in the metal band with him, made his way to the rail at Billy's show. Upon seeing him, Billy immediately jumped off stage in the middle of a song, went up to Kyle, laying his head on his chest. Kyle gave him a huge up, and Billy never missed a beat! It's was really a touching moment! I love that Billy is always himself..100% authentic, honest, real and relatable. Filled with kindness, humility, appreciation. Never fake. Yeah he's a bada** player, can write the hell out of a song and literally melts faces when on stage, but his openness & constant gratitude certainly contribute to his huge success! IMO LOL ✌❤BMFS 'So I'm lifting back the cover the cover of my heart dear, and hoping that you'll do the same for me. It's not too pretty, but it's open It's the only way I know to tell you true'

[@nocarbonfootprint9120]

He's way more simpatico with Weir than Mayer ever is

[@arghapirate2427]

Billy Strings must be the one with the Pick of Destiny

[@albatros1752]

Like ... everithing ....

[@dylangoode9393]

We need a goose vid next 👀👀

[@JeffWilliamsGuitar]

It won't be next....but, I'm starting to prep one

[@johnballs0540]

And what turmoil and tinfoil was that

[@shokprof1313]

🎼✌🏿🌎✌🏻🎼

[@andrewszmauz3529]

You forgot to mention to not hang your thumb over the fingerboard!

[@jeffpeterson5791]

seriously try the g7 capo

[@hamesmck5061]

What's a g7 capo? tried googling but all i could find were expensive capos.

[@deangulberry1876]

4:45 China cat

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Internet is his best friend

[@rotaxrider]

Rumour has it green shirt guy in the background has a backpack full of amphetamines

[@evanistrans-dimentional2092]

I swear he is SRV reincarnated. Born on the same day too. Makes similar facial expressions and plays with as much intensity and force as SRV.

[@an5925]

Billy on electric nails Voodoo Child... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2qthp2uish9rJY

[@tawakoni2010]

I hate it when KZbinrs start out by stating everybody is doing it wrong, and then they play some crappy rendition that NOBODY plays like except beginners.

[@conahlestrange9794]

Green shirt guy don’t forget green shirt guy