I just performed in a concert with this amazing guy and on this piece, too. He is amazing in real person as well. And I can't wait to potentially play with him again!! Thanks, Billy, for being there!!!!
I first heard Billy in the 90s he played at the Univ of Arkansas for a couple of years. The last time he played here was there he flipped his van on black ice....They havent been back since. :( Back when I was in the military his music would get me thru the times I was missing being home and away from family & friends. I am glad I had the chance to meet this incrediable guy :)
I'm a musician myself and i am currently hurt and i can't play. I gotta tell ya. I literally cried watching this video and learning about Billy's story. Thank you, really. U are an inspiration to me.
@NewWaysMusic gutted for you, that sounds like it really sucks. If you feel inspired by this guy, check out the guys who have no arms and play with their feet, they are something else altogether(and quite good). They have worked out their own tunings to do it. Truely inspirational. They won't be told no.
Django Reinhardt, another fantastic guitarist, overcame the paralyzing damage of his left hand sustained in a fire. Django is one of the finest guitarists that ever lived. McLaughlin is an inspiration in the same way.
im must comment out of all politeness to the two of you in disagreement. billy is a GENIUS! he overcame the odds! most people give up, when some succeed to the end!
I used to watch Billy play when I went to UWEC... he inspired me to learn guitar. I was heartbroken when I found out about his hand. THIS is simply amazing. What an inspiration. Rock on, Billy!
I wish Billy would come tour in the UK and that you could get hold of his records more easily... I've only managed to get Fingerdance and Guitar Meditations vol2 in the UK so far through Amazon!! =( This guy is easily my musical hero since I discovered him. Complete legend.
@Lukestarable I know this is a very late reply haha, but I completely agree! He's a nobody over here which is not right at all! Amazing guitarist, composer, and a huge inspiration. Would love to see him in the UK some time.
caerhawk, your a moron....music for twats by a twit??? I suppose you have more musical talent? This guy is a genius! And on top of that, when he developed focal dystonia in his left hand/forearm instead of giving up he learned to play left handed...do you know how hard that is??? like perfectly speaking the English language BACKWARDS! Your a Dbag! Go home and listen to your queerstreet boys records!
@qweasdzxcname Sure practice, technique and blah blah blah.... To create has nothing to do with technique. What have you done for the music world lately?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Music for twats by a twit- spend more time learning English grammar and less time wanking it- some law against playing with the hand you're good with?
He's not just playing like that fun, man. He began to have a neurological disease which gave his left ring and pinky finger uncontrollable spasms so he re-learned the instrument with the other hand
@zlajacrnjak do you know how dumb you are???? Sure this is a year later and all, but did you now he had FOCAL DYSTONIA??? It was incurable, but he made it. I see this guy a lot. He always performs at my church. He is awesome, however you ARE A DUMBASS!
He has more songs with orchestra. the director is one of the greatest pianist in latin america, Eugenio Toussaint, proudly mexican, he was teacher in my school and it's a good thing that he is working with at that level.
He used to come to University of Wisconsin @ Platteville yearly when I went to school there and it was the highlight of my musical calender. I saw him with and without his band about 4 times I would guess. To hear his story since I had last seen/heard from him is amazing. I remember this song so well. Coffee Break .... Inhale Pink Exhale Blue. The first time it was him and his instruments and his sound stuff in a room not make for performance music and it was just mesmerizing......You RULE BILLY
He's playing on a left-handed guitar. He used to play right handed until he was stricken with focal dystonia. He relearned his material left handed. Simply amazing story check it out
it's considered left handed guitar because when you play right-handed guitar, your fret hand (the hand pressing down the strings) is playing the high strings and you pluck the strings with your right hand, whereas with a left handed guitar, you use your right hand to fret while you pluck the strings with your left hand
He is amazing and his story so inspirational....I only wish there were more videos of him playing on youtube. There use to be a really good video of him playing this song without the orchestra(back when he still played right handed)
an amazing artist and better man. my uncle and he are very good friends so i have had the privilege of having him play in my own home. just outstanding. no one loves music as much as he does.
This reminds me the movie August Rush. I didn't know he plays both left and right handed guitars. That adds to the beauty arround his music, so great!
he played this song live when he came to visit my school..one of our computers teachers knows him..so he did a show and he played this and it was absolutely beautiful!!
This is nothing short of a miracle. It's so beyond anything I can imagine. Learning all of his songs again completely backwards. Do you know how hard that is? I have trouble playing this song regularly!
This is an amazing thing to see. I can't wait to see him Live!
Billy, To know your story; to watch you and hear you play; bring such a range of emotion that I find hard to put to words - for how can one describe the sublime? I've been reduced to tears here. To watch you play is to know joy, it is to remember hope, it is to be in the presence of God, in the presence of Love, it is to have travelled far and paid great price to get there! Twice Blessed, I know your musical soul must know peace again and sleep and rest must be sweeter. Thank You.
Absolutely amazing, he would practice performing for this concert outside the restaurant i work at such a fan of his. Glad he got the recognition he deserved with this PBS special.
OMG, it still brings back memories to me because I heard him for three years when I attended college and his music was such an inspiration to me back then. Thank you so much for posting this and it is soo good that he is BACK!!!
Beautiful man. I hate to be repetitive but this is such an inspiration. We are so glad to have you back Billy!!!! Thanks for sharing your music and your life with us.
SO SO glad to see you back! I've really mourned for you and this loss and have prayed for you and I'm thankful to see you return! You're a real inspiration!
AMillionLilies, helms place was an area where Billy lived in california, and it started as a factory but slowly got smaller and smaller till it was just a little plot of land. this song is about his life there
Wow. Where to begin? Billy is really a great guy-I have met him, taken a lesson from him, and even played that exact guitar! He is truly on a different plane of the musical world than the rest of us. Thank you so much for posting.
to be honest I had never even heard of this guy until tonight when I just happened to stumble upon these videos and all I can say is I'm happy I did this guy is amazing and his story is even more unbelievable. I couldn't imagine doing what he has done...BRAVO!
I just performed in a concert with this amazing guy and on this piece, too. He is amazing in real person as well. And I can't wait to potentially play with him again!! Thanks, Billy, for being there!!!!
payne1022 2 weeks ago
Sure wish Billy would repost the right hand version - a lot better for figuring out how to play it.
lastdaysguitar 3 weeks ago
most inspiring stuff ever man
BentheMighty84 1 month ago
I first heard Billy in the 90s he played at the Univ of Arkansas for a couple of years. The last time he played here was there he flipped his van on black ice....They havent been back since. :( Back when I was in the military his music would get me thru the times I was missing being home and away from family & friends. I am glad I had the chance to meet this incrediable guy :)
lugians 5 months ago
Going to see his solo performance on Thursday, and I couldn't be more excited. Keep pushing forward, Billy!
primusdude87 7 months ago
I'm a musician myself and i am currently hurt and i can't play. I gotta tell ya. I literally cried watching this video and learning about Billy's story. Thank you, really. U are an inspiration to me.
NewWaysMusic 7 months ago
@NewWaysMusic gutted for you, that sounds like it really sucks. If you feel inspired by this guy, check out the guys who have no arms and play with their feet, they are something else altogether(and quite good). They have worked out their own tunings to do it. Truely inspirational. They won't be told no.
DontGetVaginal 6 months ago
I'm smiling!!!!
floralwaters 9 months ago
My mom is good friends with him.
nejifan365 1 year ago
Django Reinhardt, another fantastic guitarist, overcame the paralyzing damage of his left hand sustained in a fire. Django is one of the finest guitarists that ever lived. McLaughlin is an inspiration in the same way.
TigerRocket 1 year ago
Love Helm's Place. It is my favorite of his songs.
twilightgirl1978 1 year ago
is this the guy whos fingers were fucked from this tapping style and has made a return now?
d07a 1 year ago
@d07a He has some kind of neuro muscular disorder. Now he plays with his left hand instead, which is pretty fucking impressive.
SilverbackGorilla69 9 months ago
Thanks so much, Billy! I had a bad case of writer's block. Listening to this song always brings me out of it.
UndeadintheHead1 1 year ago
They should make a movie from his story
treuchburns 1 year ago 2
@treuchburns they did, pbs called changing keys, the billy mclaughlin story
sxymamaceta 11 months ago
Comment removed
waxiestappleful 1 year ago
so very very beautiful
Basie81 1 year ago
got to see him at my church on Sunday, November 7, 2010
RyansDrumChannel 1 year ago
OMG that was awesome
cedars85 1 year ago
cool the composer is wearing chucks lol
onixtheone 1 year ago
@onixtheone that isn't the composer.
Sodacake 1 year ago
@Sodacake I meant conductor
onixtheone 1 year ago
One of the best guitar players EVER OMG
hdbrock34 1 year ago
im must comment out of all politeness to the two of you in disagreement. billy is a GENIUS! he overcame the odds! most people give up, when some succeed to the end!
johntinger 1 year ago
@johntinger and thats why I usually see him at my church. ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH BLOOMINGTON, MN!
RyansDrumChannel 1 year ago
We need to feel this type of music...only feel.
Thanks Billy! Regards of the Argentina (South America)
mauromaty 1 year ago
I used to watch Billy play when I went to UWEC... he inspired me to learn guitar. I was heartbroken when I found out about his hand. THIS is simply amazing. What an inspiration. Rock on, Billy!
threeguitars 1 year ago
He's my fucking hero!!!!
alslash76 2 years ago
Does he write the orchestra parts, too?
dmanfromm 2 years ago
I think he does.
alefingerstyleguitar 2 years ago
only feeling!!!
ogbdesign 2 years ago
I wish Billy would come tour in the UK and that you could get hold of his records more easily... I've only managed to get Fingerdance and Guitar Meditations vol2 in the UK so far through Amazon!! =( This guy is easily my musical hero since I discovered him. Complete legend.
Lukestarable 2 years ago
@Lukestarable I know this is a very late reply haha, but I completely agree! He's a nobody over here which is not right at all! Amazing guitarist, composer, and a huge inspiration. Would love to see him in the UK some time.
Maidenrugby 1 year ago
caerhawk, your a moron....music for twats by a twit??? I suppose you have more musical talent? This guy is a genius! And on top of that, when he developed focal dystonia in his left hand/forearm instead of giving up he learned to play left handed...do you know how hard that is??? like perfectly speaking the English language BACKWARDS! Your a Dbag! Go home and listen to your queerstreet boys records!
chavez604 2 years ago 25
@chavez604 Hahaha! Queerstreet! Awesome!
waxiestappleful 1 year ago
@chavez604 late reply but still
you make it sound so super human, which is far from it.
to play in that style just requires alot of technique exercises that improve that work on that technique.
talented guitar player, but that doesnt have anything to do with how he plays.
qweasdzxcname 1 year ago
@qweasdzxcname Sure practice, technique and blah blah blah.... To create has nothing to do with technique. What have you done for the music world lately?
waxiestappleful 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Music for twats by a twit- spend more time learning English grammar and less time wanking it- some law against playing with the hand you're good with?
caerhawk 2 years ago
He's not just playing like that fun, man. He began to have a neurological disease which gave his left ring and pinky finger uncontrollable spasms so he re-learned the instrument with the other hand
ShatOnATurtle10 2 years ago
sad. you must be a very lonely and musically deprived person.
sehnsucht77 2 years ago
@caerhawk wow your gay dude
EmptySun 1 year ago
he hears music when he sleeps. a true musician
tenacious645 2 years ago 2
Beautiful piece of music!
Kusseleif 2 years ago 3
heeeey people! has anybody heard before that you can get a lot higher on billy's songs than on drugs? XD
This guy is a fuckin genius! :))))))))))
zlajacrnjak 2 years ago 10
@zlajacrnjak what about his songs AND drugs lol jk
Tranzphonic 1 year ago
@zlajacrnjak do you know how dumb you are???? Sure this is a year later and all, but did you now he had FOCAL DYSTONIA??? It was incurable, but he made it. I see this guy a lot. He always performs at my church. He is awesome, however you ARE A DUMBASS!
RyansDrumChannel 1 year ago
this is my girlfriends uncle! i meethim he is a really cool guy
robinson8907 2 years ago 3
@robinson8907 He performed at my college and I got his autograph one year. I share the name of one of his sisters.
twilightgirl1978 1 year ago
Super!
satrapaspor 2 years ago
one of the most beautiful songs n guitar ive ever heard...if he is still around in the future i hope to learn from him
Seanthom93 2 years ago
He has more songs with orchestra. the director is one of the greatest pianist in latin america, Eugenio Toussaint, proudly mexican, he was teacher in my school and it's a good thing that he is working with at that level.
Blackdawn64 2 years ago
He used to come to University of Wisconsin @ Platteville yearly when I went to school there and it was the highlight of my musical calender. I saw him with and without his band about 4 times I would guess. To hear his story since I had last seen/heard from him is amazing. I remember this song so well. Coffee Break .... Inhale Pink Exhale Blue. The first time it was him and his instruments and his sound stuff in a room not make for performance music and it was just mesmerizing......You RULE BILLY
LostCauseonew 2 years ago 2
i love love this song
FluteStar09 2 years ago
Why is it considered left-handed when he's mostly using his right hand?
terminaldeity 2 years ago
He's playing on a left-handed guitar. He used to play right handed until he was stricken with focal dystonia. He relearned his material left handed. Simply amazing story check it out
crazymonkeytits2006 2 years ago
it's considered left handed guitar because when you play right-handed guitar, your fret hand (the hand pressing down the strings) is playing the high strings and you pluck the strings with your right hand, whereas with a left handed guitar, you use your right hand to fret while you pluck the strings with your left hand
CtrainplaystheGeetar 2 years ago
Where can i find more Songs with orchestra ?? he didn´t make an Album with Orchestra .. argh ..
???
metalpade 2 years ago
this guy is an inspiration
mintoO2cOolv2 2 years ago
This man boggles my mind twice over. What an amazing story!
ReillyDieffenbach 3 years ago
He is amazing and his story so inspirational....I only wish there were more videos of him playing on youtube. There use to be a really good video of him playing this song without the orchestra(back when he still played right handed)
Anyway....Billy is great =)
Aetherius88 3 years ago
an amazing artist and better man. my uncle and he are very good friends so i have had the privilege of having him play in my own home. just outstanding. no one loves music as much as he does.
tyetyetye17 3 years ago 2
This reminds me the movie August Rush. I didn't know he plays both left and right handed guitars. That adds to the beauty arround his music, so great!
SlytanX 3 years ago
he played this song live when he came to visit my school..one of our computers teachers knows him..so he did a show and he played this and it was absolutely beautiful!!
sk8mastert 3 years ago
This is nothing short of a miracle. It's so beyond anything I can imagine. Learning all of his songs again completely backwards. Do you know how hard that is? I have trouble playing this song regularly!
This is an amazing thing to see. I can't wait to see him Live!
whouston33wh 3 years ago 2
It´s a privilege to humanity to be able to continue listening to him.Magnificent...
fharru 3 years ago
Incredibly inspiring. Thank you! :-)
zeugmatis 3 years ago
Comment removed
whouston33wh 3 years ago
What a man! Only a sum1 with true determination and passion would be able to accomplish a feat like this! Inspirational stuff! Congrats Billy! :)
Flanno91 3 years ago
He was so much stronger back then...
But his story is an inspiration to everyone, everywhere.
Thank you for pushing through Billy, the world applaudes you for it.
just6822 3 years ago
Perhaps as he continues this way, he'll get stronger and eventually be just the same!
Stoovey24 3 years ago
My favorite song of his, and the orchestra just brings it alive. Truly Magnificent!
Daftpunkfan123 3 years ago
Sometimes the beauty in your soul is so strong that it refuses to not be shared.
Minxcomix 3 years ago 3
wow
hot21fuzz 3 years ago
I come back again and again to listen,
for the triumph of the moment gives me hope!
Thank you, Billy
enilegnave21 3 years ago 3
What can I say?
What this man has endured and conquered is what lends such sweetness to the music.
There is tenderness, longing and joy in the playing, even fulfillment, which lends it's subtle voice to the piece; that is what I hear.
I celebrate that!
enilegnave21 3 years ago 2
Billy y el genial Eugenio de director de su orquesta!!!
Increible...
erickhcabrera 3 years ago
Genial, inspirador ....gracias¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
BONOUTUBE 3 years ago
Awesome! Amazing! Inspiring! Thank You! -Derek
AnchoriteProductions 3 years ago
wow beautiful...
lip333 3 years ago
enilegnave21 4 years ago
Evangeline, you are such a beautiful person. Thank you very much for sending me this video, but also for a further glimpse into who you are.
dancegypsy 4 years ago
You make my soul sing, cami!
enilegnave21 4 years ago
CRINGE! beatiful music though. i just finished learning it.
geoguitarman3 3 years ago
damn. this is so amazing. beauty itself.
Xanaden 4 years ago
Billy - so WONDERFUL to see you again! And fantastic to see you perform again. It does my heart good!
ladypn 4 years ago 2
Absolutely amazing, he would practice performing for this concert outside the restaurant i work at such a fan of his. Glad he got the recognition he deserved with this PBS special.
audia42point8 4 years ago
BillyMacMusic, if you could fing a video/audio of "The Good Wife" by billy, if you could..please post...thnx!
gothrulz2003 4 years ago
does anybody know wat tuning hes using?please help me hehe
moks107 4 years ago
I know for a lot of the other tracks on Fingerdance he uses DADDAD, but not 100% positive on Helms Place in particular.
neosonic66 4 years ago
He's using DADEBA tuning. You take your high E string off and put on another B string and tune it to an A.
Larsonhoopes11 4 years ago
my guess from the music vid is DADABD the key is making sure the 3rd string is an A
mminjarez 4 years ago
No, it's definetly DADEBA. I have the sheet music and I am sure that is right.
Larsonhoopes11 4 years ago
eh my way works w/o taking any strings off try it :)
mminjarez 4 years ago
you are right. If you go to his myspace page he has it listed as DADEBA and there are step by step pictures of how to play it so check it out.
RSMassacre13 4 years ago
PLEASE!!! if someone can find tabs for this song (or fany of billy's stuff) please, let me know!
gothrulz2003 4 years ago
i have this song
Peetahwithhisgeetah 4 years ago
Fantastic, Billy. Just fantastic. You're an inspiration to us all. Well done.
gilboman26 4 years ago
I still remember the first time I heard his music. I don't remember where, but it was stormseeker.
Welcome back, Billy. It hasn't been the same without you.
RedWingedAngel 4 years ago 2
I wonder how long this video took to make, because the audio is still in sync with what his hands are doing in the older footage
saleens7austin 4 years ago
OMG, it still brings back memories to me because I heard him for three years when I attended college and his music was such an inspiration to me back then. Thank you so much for posting this and it is soo good that he is BACK!!!
Phoenix1973 4 years ago
Beautiful man. I hate to be repetitive but this is such an inspiration. We are so glad to have you back Billy!!!! Thanks for sharing your music and your life with us.
Guitarman504 4 years ago
SO SO glad to see you back! I've really mourned for you and this loss and have prayed for you and I'm thankful to see you return! You're a real inspiration!
mwhdvm 4 years ago
Uhm, I was just wondering. What excactly is Helms Place?
AMillionLilies 4 years ago
AMillionLilies, helms place was an area where Billy lived in california, and it started as a factory but slowly got smaller and smaller till it was just a little plot of land. this song is about his life there
saleens7austin 4 years ago
Wow. Where to begin? Billy is really a great guy-I have met him, taken a lesson from him, and even played that exact guitar! He is truly on a different plane of the musical world than the rest of us. Thank you so much for posting.
saleens7austin 4 years ago
to be honest I had never even heard of this guy until tonight when I just happened to stumble upon these videos and all I can say is I'm happy I did this guy is amazing and his story is even more unbelievable. I couldn't imagine doing what he has done...BRAVO!
tornacho 4 years ago
You're an inspirational person, and you make me proud to be a musician. (And proud to be Irish)
RenardGris612 4 years ago
:O I got goosebumps all over my body when I watched this, this man really shows what music is all about!!
sirpsychosexy555 4 years ago
Billy's back!!
akinun 4 years ago
I also cried a bit when I saw the video. You are true and honest music and this song reveals how much effort you have put to bring it back again.
Thank you so much for let us enjoy your music. You are an inspiration for us.
JustinCaseSongwriter 4 years ago
It's simply wonderful to see him playing that song.
taproots85 4 years ago
actually, watching this made me loose some tears,
it shows your huge love to the music and its just amazing to watch
Congero 4 years ago