"Blue Sky" Allman Brothers cover (Dickey Betts/Duane Allman)

[gavocrazy]

make a tutorial PLEASE! you taught me so many others, teach me this one !

[Django5198]

nice cover!!! what scales?

[PMurfy21]

you rock and i have played and it stoned me along with you probably like 100 times your a great jam partner. you play the song the same way every time we play it lol

[TheBromateChallenge]

thats a DAMN GOOD COVER! hot damn dude let that rebel flag fly high!! GOD BLESS THE SOUTH!!!!!!

[divrack]

NICE JOB ! please next time if you do it get us a cleaner shot ! awesome thanks

[nomatt36]

its a minor

[ringshanked]

GOD BLESS THE ALLMAN BROS!

[donquixote08]

You need to use a glass slide for this song.

[mayito714]

Nice rips. I believe this group tuned to Greg Allmans Hammond B3 organ in the studio keeping them in tune fairly often. You might be 1/2 step high....

[United4Freedom2010]

Nice job

[assyrianpimp1]

badass man, wish i could play this soon, just started picking up guitar. good stuff man.

[califgirl11]

Wow! you really make that guitar sing!

[bebon15]

Great playing BRO. I love that tone , I wish it didn't cut short though.

[waverunna1200]

nicely done...this is my favorite allman song by far

[gooner556]

can u please post a lesson for this song, its my favourite song and ive been trying to learn it 4 ages but the tabs are inaccurate and although i know its in the key of E i cant do by ear, HELP PLS!

[archambault65]

"Blue Sky" is in the key of E. A lot of the stuff the Allman Brothers recorded (and other bands of that era as well) was slightly sharp or flat in relation to standard 440 pitch because they just tuned to each other in the studio. To see this, try playing along with "Melissa" in standard tuning in the key of E.

So when I play with this song, I'm tuned slightly sharp (1/2 step), so it fits the original version.

Thanks for listening

[danval069]

come see my les paul man

[IepsyI]

man, i'm not into music much latele, 'cuz my brother died recently. and this reminds me so much of my carolina days.

[brucefan181]

i never thought about the recording/key issues

[Pitoffy]

Duane would be proud, my man!

[jschnook]

Thanks for the inspiration man, I stopped trying to learn this song six months ago now I have to finish it

[philleon2]

not bad brother

[Buelligan88]

Geez... I wish I could play that!

[limegreentj]

fucking rad brother!

[codyr222]

Nice work, especially the ptich on your bends. You might work on your timing with a metronome a little to get a more fluid, natural sound.

[dienoobszomg]

that lick at the end is one of the best runs ever played on a six string, sucks it was cut short

[Imgonnatakeu2hell]

GREATTTT

God bless Duane, RIP Skydog

[slashfreak55]

this song has possibly my favorite guitar solo of all time and you nailed it!

[shue3303]

good job dude!

this song and solo just blows my mind, i listen to this and I am like what - the - fuck - how could they even write this shit. it's just unbelievable.

[heyyallgal787]

amazing job!!! gosh this song reminds me of my dad he loves this song and used to play it in our living room when i was like 4. Anyway great job! best cover ive seen.

[adamusic123s]

Great job - You're a clean and precise player, and I like that. Did you tab that out yourself? It was very accurate. Nice, keep rockin.

[BlazinChipmunk]

wow... amazing!

[olaznog311]

Very well done... I've had the Eat A Peach album since it first came out and for the last 38 years never grow tired of listening to Blue Sky. You're good, man!. Thanks for the nifty sounds!. Love it...

[batherbutt777]

Dude Im about to post a video of myself playing this. Eyes closed the whole time. you could learn something

[coontardo]

lead on this is played by both Duane and Dickie, Dickie's solo starts at about 1:40.  Good cover on a great solo.

[golfyob]

Nice f'ing job!!!!I've been whistling that solo for almost 40 years now,and seeing you do it has allowed me to start to get it down myself...i've seen dickie play it half a dozen times but hes so fast and moving around you cant get a sense of the notes....

Thanks man!!!!

[dcolburn09]

naw man, but this is some really good guitar playing.....it sounds just like Betts and thats not easy to do....how long did it take for you to learn this solo? great job!

[archambault65]

thanks my friend

[dcolburn09]

nailed it.....you should do more gutiar solos without singing

[archambault65]

LOL, now you're neutering my singing!

[OFC32]

i would probably give anything to be able to play this! i can never get enough of this song. im slowly learning it, but its just so far beyond my skill level. credit you, chief. my ears really enjoyed this one. where could i possibly find tabs?

[DanOblacksmith]

OFC32 Keep at it!

Don't worry, you WILL arrive at the point where you can play this in your sleep. It has a very fluid feel to it over all and a lot of nuances and much must be felt in the earning of learning the composition before you find yourself approaching the level at which it comes out of you as a flowing expression.

If you have a decent guitar and amp your ear will follow. There is a LOT to be said for having quality equipment.

Gibson Les Paul + Marshall tube amp + work = own it

[jdomary]

There is no such thing as the key of E#. The correct term for E# would be F. "Blue Sky" is definitely in the key of E, not F or E# as you said. A lot of the stuff the Allman Brothers recorded (and other bands of that era as well) was slightly sharp or flat in relation to standard 440 pitch because they just tuned to each other in the studio. To see what I'm talking about, try playing along with "Melissa" in standard tuning in the key of E. Not bashing you, just clarifying for any beginners.

[archambault65]

Thanks you for your wise insights; I'm always learning. I'll update the site. I appreciate your sharing this with me and others. Sincerely, thanks.

Steve

[MesaBoogieLonestar]

well that just isnt true. in theory, E# and B# do exist with their own key signatures and chords. even though the inharmonic equivalent is F doesnt mean you neccessarily have to call it F.

[maryjaneisparanoid]

@MesaBoogieLonestar *enharmonic

[billebrock]

if you werent bashing, why the -3?

[jdomary]

The -3 wasn't me. That's others rating my comment. Maybe I should have put it a little differently. E# and B# DO exist as Mesa said but you're never gonna hear someone call out a classic rock tune in either one of those keys. If you do say a tune is in E# you're gonna end up with double sharps and/or double flats in the chord names which is why you generally just use the key of F, or C in regard to B#. That any better?

[archambault65]

When I play with the song, I tune slightly sharp. It's all good, you've got to have thick skin in life. I play for my own expression. I'm always learning and growing. An open-mind is essential. Thanks for your insights.

Steve

[archambault65]

You are indeed insightful. I "played" this lead a thousand times in my minds-eye before I ever learned a note. Here, I was in my infancy of technique, trying to "feel" what my heart was inspired by in my expression. It's all a progression. I have grown since this time and continue in layers to be indelibly influenced by Dickey and Duane. Life itself is an art. As Michaelangelo said at 88, "I'm still learning."

Steve

[italianojb24]

My all time fav. song you really did a awsome job on both parts

[archambault65]

thanks my friend.

[dalcon555]

pitch perfect job

[archambault65]

thanks!

[mojo292]

Nice job here, love the McCarty's with the IRN, they really get that Allman Bros. tone!

[archambault65]

Thanks brother. The IRW neck has such a great feel and warmth to it's tone. I love playing it.

[JonEis63]

Wanted you to check out my video response. Hoping to get mine up to par with yours one of these days. Nice work.

[archambault65]

Great job Jon. Welcome to You Tube brotehr. You'll enjoy the whole experience. 5 stars on yours!

[Dwslassls]

This Duane Allman (first part) and Dickey Betts (second) is one of my very favorites. You did a great job.

[archambault65]

Thanks my friend. It is my favoite of all time. I appreciate your kind words.

[tankbrute6]

stilll very jelous,,,i watch this like every day i WANT that guitar,,,,oh and maybe look at my guitar jam video,,,its the one on my page,,or yea you'll find it on my page!!

[allthatremains333]

this song always made me feel good when iwas little thanks for posting

[archambault65]

Thanks my friend.

[FacebookOnlineIdol]

Great work, one of my favorite guitar riffs ever

[archambault65]

Same here. Thanks brother.

[FacebookOnlineIdol]

I'm also from Rhode Island, I live down in Charlestown.

[monkeyboy1955]

Great work dude!Had a friend from the service from Cumberland and we drank in a bar called "Over the Rainbow" Have you ever heard of it?

[archambault65]

Thanks. Oh yeah, I know that bar. I'm from Smithfield. My family grew up in Cumberland. Do you know the O'Briens?

[SteviesLastTry]

great job.

sounds so good

[SteviesLastTry]

btw my name is stePHen too :]

[archambault65]

Thanks Stevies.

[lolesco7]

Fantastic!!!

[archambault65]

Thanks my friend.

[gamecock930]

hell yea...very nice man

[archambault65]

Thanks brother.

[gtrwes]

That was right on, nice job

[archambault65]

Thanks brother.

[carterwatrous]

hey man vibrato like that gives me such a harder time than playing fast...

that was beautiful man

it sounds just like when the allman brothers came to virginia beach a few years ago

keep rockin on brother

[archambault65]

Wow, thanks for the inspiration my man. With your skill level that's a great compliment; thanks for inspiring me!

[redhotled]

what do you have your amp set to?

[archambault65]

Dicky-type settings: mid and bass 1/3, tone 2/3., very slight overdrive (not distortion).

[ih8thishit]

You got the tone and licks, calm down a little and you'll have it! Vibrato's a little shaky :)

This is one of the all-time greatest leads though, and to think, it's one of the last things Duane ever recorded... just imagine where he was headed. Such a loss. Thanks for posting!

[archambault65]

LOL, thanks brother. You're highly observant. I thought I had a little too much vibrato in there, after watching Dickey a little more closely. He give the vibrato at the ending notes more; thanks for helping me here.

Yeah, Duane. Such great contributions and what a loss. The dynamic between young Dickey and Duane - wow. But he gave us some magical treasures while he was here. Thanks for sharing your constructive words and helping me.

[mwg5439]

Hey its Max Gardner (Billy's brother). Nice job, and nice PRS. I bought a PRS SE singlecut about two weeks ago, they are so playable and the pups are great. Anyway, nice job =)

[archambault65]

Hey Max, Thanks for the good words. PRS guitars are truly amazing, as you're now finding out. Let me know when you have time and I'll let you play my Modern Eagle. Anything you need I'll help you. Keep the faith!

[F33bs]

Great job. One of the best solos ever..

[archambault65]

Thanks. My favorite song and solo of all time too.

[barkley723]

is that your dog barking thats funny  very nice

[archambault65]

Yes, LOL. Sometimes they get going in the middle of a jam and there's nothing I can do. Thanks for the good words.

I'm going to redo this with a Marshall MK II, Ibanez DM 1000 and Les Paul, Dickey's set up. Will post ASAP with cloes-up. Thanks.

[Slice267]

Thanks for posting this. I always wanted to see this song on Youtube. I've never found it until today. You play it real good too. How long did it take you to learn all this?

[archambault65]

There are several people with pieces of it on You tube, but I hear certain phrases differently in my head, so it is my improvised version. I practiced it religeously for several weeks before doing this cut. Once you get it, play with the song. It's E # for the key. Practice, it comes.

[jimzer]

that was nice! sweet axe man

[archambault65]

thanks for the good words. I really enjoy playing it!

[LluisEnrique]

nice

[archambault65]

Thanks.

[tsuei05]

Very nice... another good job.

[archambault65]

thanks man.

[TearDownThisWall]

Yo...

strong effort...really appreciate.

Thank you very much

[archambault65]

Thank you.

[flafo914]

nice playing , what color is that?

[archambault65]

Thanks. You know, I don't know. I think it's an amber-burst. This video was my first and is of poor quality. If you go to my site you can see it in higher resolution. Thanks.

[kingcole64]

by far my favorite song, im trying to learn it right now, man ide pay a lot of money to see u make a long long instructional video on it, it would get a lot of hits...

[archambault65]

It is my favoite tune as well. Unfortunately, my video camera shuts off at 3 minutes! I'm trying to figure it out, LOL. I'll make a close up version for you. The original cut is in the key of E#, but Dickey plays it in G now. Dickey uses a lot of vibrato on ending notes. Just remember there are dual lines, Duane and Dickey. Just getting some of Dickey's tone (bass pickup Les Paul a little muddy, Marshall at 1/3 middle and bass, 2/3 trebble) and "feel," i.e. vibrato is enough for me.

[archambault65]

Incidentally, I use the Paul Reed Smith McCarty over the Les Paul becuase of the rosewood neck, particularly the feel. It's not a Les Paul nor do I suppose it to be, but my Les Paul classic stays in the case since I've had my hands on the PRS.

[stoeckel23]

ok yea

[stoeckel23]

wow we gotta jam sometime "sacred elder" lol

so i will call u later i gave u a 5*

[ACHNACONE]

excellent.. very talented..

Thanks for sharing it.

[MrThinline]

Hey There...!

Nice going on a great tune..!

Jan

[archambault65]

Thanks Jan, appreciate the good words.

[BobbyCook13]

Hey Steve!! Good going, buying that Marshall!! Its fantastic, classic Southern Rock sound, mild , smooth and warm distortion. Anyway, keep up the good work!!

You sound great! Sweet PRS by the way.

Bobby

[archambault65]

Thanks Bobby. You're an inspiration to me brother. I think the McCarty is pretty close to the Les Paul in tone; but it's the IRW neck that does it for me. Appreciate your kind words.

[sccouple2427]

My favorite song of all time!!! Thank you Dickey Betts!!!!

Thanks for shareing this with us!!! You sound GREAT!!!! You got a 5-star rating from me!!!

[archambault65]

Thanks for your kind words. Blue Sky is my favorite song as well.