I Can't Make You Love Me, solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar -- cover by ThinkingDog

[ThinkingDog06]

Hi, thanks -- yes this one was recorded with an external mic (you can see it in the video) plugged into a Motu audio interface into my Mac running Logic. Since this video, I think I've gotten better results combining the Maton's internal pick-up with the external mic. Thanks again!

[VanceEllis]

Are you just playing through the external mic? It sounds exceptional!!!

[mambowman]

simply perfect!

[ThinkingDog06]

@mambowman - thanks so much!

[macculloch2]

Thinking Dog - I'm getting stuck with the harmonics near the beginning. Can you explain how you do them and what frets/notes you are playing? Thanks

[ThinkingDog06]

@macculloch2 - hi, the two harmonics at the beginning of the verse both happen on the 15th fret. Between :30 - :32 on the video -- strike the low E string with your index finger on the 11th fret and hold, then fingerpick open G then high E strings, then the D string with your little finger sitting lightly on the 15th fret for the first harmonic, then open B string, then the A string with little finger sitting lightly on the 15th for the final harmonic. Hope that helps!

[macculloch2]

@ThinkingDog06 Thanks ThinkingDog. That is very helpful. I'll try it tonight when I get home. Your playing is beautiful.

[macculloch2]

Very beautiful. Thanks so much. Learning this from you will be a wonderful project. 

[hmassato]

Hi Adam,

What a wonderful version! I like this song so much!

Your video is one of the best that I saw on youtube!

Thanks for playing!

Hugo

[tumalojim]

great cover. What tuning are you in? Thanks so much for your vids.

[ThinkingDog06]

@tumalojim - Jim, thanks for the kind comments. This arrangement is played in standard tuning, capo on the third fret. Thanks again!

[vasmikey]

hoo boy! that was great! As always, excellent playing.

[ThinkingDog06]

@vasmikey - thanks, I'm glad you liked it, thanks for the encouraging comments.

[Tadaahh]

I love your version, thanks! Recorded my vocals to it. Take a listen on my channel!

[ThinkingDog06]

@Tadaahh - Emmy, thank you for adding your beautiful vocals, I'm honored. You really have a great deal of talent and a wonderful voice.

[123AndreaB]

Very beautiful.....

[cmuratf73]

Best version i have heard so far sir and believe me i have listened to a lot of them. Great Job.

[ThinkingDog06]

@cmuratf73 - thank you so much for the encouraging words, I really appreciate it.

[spanarnz]

This is so beautiful, can't you please make a lesson out of this.

[ThinkingDog06]

@spanarnz - thanks for commenting, I really appreciate it. Because this is an arrangement by Adam Rafferty, I didn't think doing a tutorial was appropriate -- I think he plays it so much better, and his video is the one everyone should try to learn from, as I did. If you're trying to learn this and get stuck along the way, send me a note and I'll try my best to help. Keep playing!

[spanarnz]

@ThinkingDog06 Thank you for your reply, I hope I don't seem rude to Mr Rafferty. I've also looked at his video, quite alot, just as I watched your video. I'm trying to learn this song and I'm getting there. Thanks for your offer to help.

[tomorrowsflavor]

wow! one of the better guitar vids you can find on youtube! it's realy beautiful.

I think about getting a maton 808 myself but i wondered if it sounds good unplugged cause they always tell that it sounds wonderful plugged in but i also want a guitar that sounds good unplugged.

[ThinkingDog06]

@tomorrowsflavor -- thanks for the kind comment. I think the 808 sounds great unplugged, but it doesn't sound "big" like bigger-body acoustics. It sounds fantastic plugged in, so maybe I'm biased because I can hear those tones when it's unplugged as well ... best thing to do is get your hands on one to see how it sounds to you. Best of luck!

[carvetop01]

Excellent interpritation of Adam's arrangement. That's a great sounding guitar also. 5*****

Cheers,

allen

[08girlforchrist]

OH WOW, YOUR REALLY GOOD, LOVE IT

[questarian]

TAB PLEASE ... love this version

[cedfrog]

amazingly awesome

[gazoscreek]

I can't say enough about how great this is played and sounds. Very very nice my friend.

[ThinkingDog06]

Gazos: Thanks man -- really means a lot coming from you. See you at the TE gig in a few...

[djmonsta200883]

This is amazing... I've seen and heard so many versions of this song, as its my all time favourite song ever, and I'm pleased to say you've more than done it justice! Beautiful... just so easy to get lost in the music when listening to it. Well done!

[entysax]

that was wonderful thanks for posting. I am going to buy a Maton 808 and can't decide between an Artist (like yours) or a TE. I'll be buying it mail-order, so will be deciding based on reputation and videos such as this. Just wondered if you have any comments on preference - obviously you preferred the Artist, but did you compare the two?

[ThinkingDog06]

Thanks. I wasn't able to compare the two by playing them, but it seems the primary difference is the Tommy signature stuff, like having CGP on the fret board ("certified guitar player"). The headstock and tunning heads might be a little different, but I believe they play/sound the same. I got mine mail-order from Haworth guitars in Australia. I need to lower the action a bit, but otherwise I'm happy with it -- great acoustic sound when plugged in. Can't go wrong with either choice.

[andijoseph]

Hi entysax, just curious if you went for the Artist or the TE Maton and why?

I have the same dilemma. I'm a strummer, more like Neil Finn -Crowded House and would like the fullest sounding of these 2 guitars. 90% of the time it will be plugged in. thanks.. Andi

[yipmicha]

wow you play it so fine! And the guitar sounds just awesome!

I have once tested that guitar and since that i want just that sound!

[Simonwahl89]

beautifully played!

[ScottTsai]

hey thanks for the comment on my video. everything on this video looks really professionally done! what did you use to record the video?

sometimes i feel like the equipment i use to record really cheapens the overall impact/ quality of the playing.

[ThinkingDog06]

Scott -- I use a Canon HD20. It's small, easy to use and takes standard mini DV tapes. I look for decent lighting (which is why I'm always playing by a window), and lately I try to shoot at least two angles so people trying to learn the song see close-ups of the left-hand fingering plus the picking hand.

BTW: your playing is great -- that's what matters. Your videos are very watchable because your playing is so good.

[crescentridge]

Adam here...I found you! Gorgeous! I gotta be careful with guys like you - you'll end up playing my stuff better than me! 5 stars my brother!

[ThinkingDog06]

Adam -- I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind words. You're an amazing player and a true artist... thank you for the inspiration!

[gazoscreek]

Your Maton sounds incredible, and your pacing and feel is impeccable. This definitely is going on my iPod. ( with your permission ). It's so brilliant and moving.

[adriabarros]

Simply the most best played song ever...

[SilentGuitarSounds]

awesome sound and performance - a true tribute to Adams talent!

[ThinkingDog06]

Thank you -- agree Adam is uniquely gifted, I'm a huge fan.

[SilentGuitarSounds]

I just listened in again: really amazing sound. The Maton sounds awesome. Would you mind telling me your recording set-up?

Thanks, Jeroen.

[ThinkingDog06]

Jeroen -- I used an Audio-Technica 4050 mic, plus ran a direct line from the guitar. Can't beat Maton's pick-up system. I use Logic Express, added reverb and exported it as an audio file (AIFF) into a video editing program (Final Cut Express) then matched the audio back to the video. For my prior video posts I just used the camera's built-in mic, which was easier but I wasn't really getting the sound I wanted. It helps to put new strings on as well -- makes a huge difference! Thanks again.

[Qpidon]

This is one beautiful video!!

[ThinkingDog06]

Thanks Pascal for the kind comment.