Guitar Artistry of Tony McManus

[JcWongAndCompany]

Beginners will never know how difficult and complex this song is holy crappp.

[talister106]

Ah for the want of a pint o`pipe and the good cheer of music ! Carrey on me lad.

[TheBananaviper]

In person watching this guy, all you can do is space out. Very good.

[nerdalert12345]

well didn't that just make my day that much better :)

[JamJamOnWheels]

I'd quite like to learn this, but just know it'll be as hard as 10 bears.

[tdbsnr]

Tony just smacked my gob! I've been listening to loads of guitarists recently, but only just found this - acoustic guitar playing at its FINEST. Tony, this is superb.

[moronslave]

sound is so touching.. I've got a yamaha acoustic and I wonder if all acoustic got that harmonic spots.. so clear sounding. Thanks!

[angelicguitar]

you my friend are one of the things in this world that make me want more for myself and show me how emotional a song can be to the person

[Clinton320]

watch?v=hilw10JvaZU

[TerrorrHurtz]

wayyyy betr thn all this mad metal shredin stuff

[Slipnotes]

@TerrorrHurtz Fuck off man, lots of metal ''shredin stuff'' has it's roots from techniques like these..JUST SAYING, don't bash something you don't like, metal guitar playing requires a certain degree of skill as well..

[FingeredFatality]

This puts my mind at ease. The Imagery that comes form this music is unreal. Amazing.

[spicbuddha]

Does anyone know the brand capo he was using? I know the guitars quality is more of a factor, but that capo kept perfect intonation.

[mcmanustony]

@spicbuddha

good old fashioned Shubb.

[Ruhrup]

This blows my mind awaaaaaay !!

[scanditube]

Phenomenal playing. Tony your CD is one of my very favorites! Hey people, if you love the music, help support the musicians: Buy their CDs, download their tunes, take their workshops etc etc. It takes total dedication to play like this.

[xandekocsi]

it's so sad to think that this kind of talent is so underrated

[fetthaarkontrolle]

I saw and hear him 1997 in Stuttgart/ Germany im "Laboratorium"...wonderful!

[rmwhee]

my good god!...thats impressive. ive never mastered the art of playing harmonics like that. pinchies and opens are what i can do comfortably...but thats on electric!!! ive so much to learn.....

[LfunkeyA]

too awesome

[Penatr8]

Sunday? Maybe Saturday night in brissy? Was a good night!

[LipstickFlash]

i get to see him live this sunday fuck yeah

[OliverDanielSJ]

Beautiful isn't it?

[jesuswashere0000]

Nice.......but, i've heard that you're a FANNY!!! 

[NegiTom]

HOLY THUMB-NAIL BATMAN!

[nicodiath]

what guitar is this? exactly the sound I'm looking for. So loose and jangly, but also very deep and sonorous

[rosstofurry]

@nicodiath Its made by an Australian called Chris Melville. Expensive but lovely. I had the chance to play this when Tony was in Stirling a couple of years ago. He has two, this is his second one. See his website for details

[MasterclassNL]

how can he make something impossible to play look so easy

[hugore26]

It's great i love it!

[tinwhistler22]

waaaaaaaaahhhhhh :-)

[DavidPileGuitar]

if anyone's wondering its dadgad

[TheDobbo1991]

this lad has taken what bert, davy, john and martin carthy have done in the past and made it his own.

[djgca1]

Wow. I'm lucky if I can get one clean harmonic while playing. This is beautiful. Back to practicing :)

[SlickSmooth22]

well lads it's back to the drawing board for me

[Genwaworldwide]

This just says it all !

[NewryRepublican81]

class

[Crime1234management]

It sounds like 2 bake bean tins and a piece of string is it meant to sound like that?

[LamseyMcBrien]

@Crime1234management They're called harmonics and it's very difficult to play an entire melody using almost nothing but them.

[BubbaC393]

not that bad cept for the pinch harmonics what tunings is this in?

[LamseyMcBrien]

@BubbaC393 DADGAD I think.

[mcmanustony]

@BubbaC393

those aren't pinch harmonics. they are "false" harmonics.

[weejoesoap]

mazin :D

[tinwhistler22]

wwwwwwwwwoooooooooooaaaaaaawww­wwwwww

[AllanHable]

i dont think practice has anything to do with it, this guys gifted.

[gtrrobster]

@AllanHable

Even the gifted w/o practice (or at least a lot of playing time, call it what you will)

is destined to be mediocre. Or certainly less than they could be w/o the playing time.

YOu can bet TM has put in a LOT of hours playing and still does.

On the other hand, even most normally naturally talented and even sub talented people can achieve

a pretty high degree of musicality if enough time is invested in practice. Assuming the parcatice is efficiant and effective.

[Xerxes4242]

@gtrrobster Tony's in his prime now and is just getting better - check out a concert if he's ever in the area!

[pitiedsid1]

just discovered this guy woooooooooooow

[harryhirsch07]

NAILS!

[danlyons45]

Wow. His right hand/fingers remind me of the legs of a 'Riverdance' dancer

[116connor]

for those of you that dont know, 1:32 kicks off something really incredible

[mrlaa1]

I have never seen anything like this!!

[christyhughes15]

i saw him live. he's a beast.

[magocacana]

his sound is so perfect..I adore his playing.long life to tony!!

[donnysmeegs]

Yes, it's a shame he's got no life, all he does is jet around the world playing beautiful music with a myriad of talented people and then whatever he wants for the rest of the week, must be so depressing (irony).

i would change places in one tenth of a heartbeat.

we can only assume that anyone who pulls this down either knows nowt or is jealous.

shame on you!

[radgemasterben]

@donnysmeegs nowt????

u from carlisle or therabouts m8?

[Fraseshotjonson]

What a champ!

[muzikscud23]

The man's a genius

[HouseofSouls]

He's my cousin, I'm so proud!!

[beano090]

immense

[Gatormon]

Beautiful...Although the headstock is shown I can not make out the brand name or know what model guitar this is..

anyone know?

[barryblack19]

its a melville guitar

[yaisum]

Its Melville, possibly a TM custom, made by a chap in Australia. Not exactly common. Or cheap, I would think, but if Tony chooses them they must be pretty special

[bigal2400]

very very good

[Pagra50]

Hector never sounded better....

[EFAITSCH]

See you in dresden!! ;)

[carrots69]

i saw him play this about two weeks ago

[lancecoutts26]

where is he from?

[Milhausful]

Paisley.

[MrGuitarDavid]

he's ma neighbour

[EamonJgod]

The average person has no idea how difficult this is to play.

[Intotheorchard]

@EamonJgod Pretty god damn hard lol. This is pretty rediculous.

[jonrocker1983]

@EamonJgod

That's not hard to play...

[mcmanustony]

@jonrocker1983

yes it is.

[gtrrobster]

@jonrocker1983

Not hard to play compared to what? Sweet Home Alabama , or some hard hitting Joe PAss Chord melody solo from Virtuoso album?

:)....but yes, with practice and learning how to use the technique, I bet it becomes natural.

Lok at LEnny Breau's use of them.

[TheColinstevens]

@EamonJgod listen pal its just loads of pratice

[radgemasterben]

@EamonJgod

how true. u play aswell then i asume?

[whitefalcon113]

That's exactly correct, however it isn't really that difficult with the right technique.

[EamonJgod]

@whitefalcon113 Yea, what is difficult is mastering that technique. Which makes it difficult. I win.

[ronaldmcdonald333]

@EamonJgod maaan you don't know what youre talking about......EVERYONE plays guitar nowadays so everyone probably knows how hard this is to play....i do this kind of shit on bass though sounds better to me

[djd904]

@EamonJgod However, it is easy when you truly love your instrument. The uncountable hours of practice are all part of the fun. :P

[storekeeper80]

Beautiful playing style

Many good Australian luthiers:

Brian De Gruchy

Jim Mills

Andrew Knight, etc.

Still hard to beat a C.F Martin

[aidengrandfield]

Awesome video. I cant wait to see tony again live. It is mesmerizing to watch him play.

PS. For those of you commenting on the amazing "tone" of his guitar, it is a nice guitar but I suggest you read the poem "Touch of the Masters Hand"... its a good one.

[acguhe]

It's an Australian guitar: Melville. Amazing aren't they!

[WhatDaSausage]

My hell. Anyone know what brand this is?

[STRATOCASTER1992]

that's a custom guitar cause he uses only custom made guitar made by luthiers especially for him, maybe except PRS acoustics

[parsnipfingers]

What you state isn't strictly true but anyone can see and read about Tony's guitars by simply visiting his website.

Regardless, Tony is a wonderful musician, guitarist and a gentle man of music. Youtube serves a purpose but rarely does justice to a performance and there's no substitute for seeing an artist play live. If you like what you see here then you'll be totally enchanted by the live sound; heartily recommended.

[radgemasterben]

allow me to second that m8.

[hollowtones13]

his guitar is absolutely stunning.

[trublue1435]

What a lovely tone! I love this.

Jeanine

[ImOnTheTube]

I seem to be coming back to this video many times. It just puts a smile on my face :)

[Patrickakustisk]

?????

I love it

Best regards

Patrick

[solidsn2004]

I didn't know this guy until I saw him tonight in an amazing performance in Union Chapel in London with Andy McKee and Johnny Dickinson!!! I really loved his music plus the sitar style guitar he is using!!!

[eblancart]

It was the same for me!! amazing night

[chazzplaya]

Yup, I was there too. I loved his bagpipe tune.

[GeologyRocks101]

Saw the same act at The Brook in Southampton. I came to see Andy McKee but I would have paid the same money to see this guy as well! Sitar-style guitar? You mean the Dhelicaster?!

[InsomniacGoose]

Just saw him in at The Junction in Cambridge. Words can't describe it. I love this.

[tomguyatt]

saw him last night with andy mckee and johnny dickinson at the aldermaston west end centre. I agree to the above I would have paid the same to see Tony. He was immense

[jksdvb8]

i saw him in maidstone, was an amzing show especially good bye porkpie hat

[ThisMustBeAvailable]

...and I saw him a couple of weeks back in Newcastle. Absolutely amazing, and really funny too!

I take it he told the gag about the DADGAD tuning and jazz at the other venues too? :P

[Deebemc]

Been away from Youtube for some months. I thought I'll get some guitar wizardry in.........oh dear and here is old Nerodollinger going about what is or isnt Celtic......AGAIN! Mr Mac is a hell of a guitarist and his stuff is sublime. AND there are very good practioners on Youtube which are a joy. And that that is what we should do....ENJOY!

[psychobollox]

know what you mean....

i hate when mine catch...

but.. yeh, he's good, isn't he?

[murrmac]

There is a superb hour- long archived performance from 2002 on WGBH, where Tony is interviewed by Brian O'Donovan, and talks about his music as well as playing some tremendous tunes.

In particular, he plays a phenomenal version of the "Easy Club Reel" , a tune which he hasn't recorded to date on any of his CDs (but should do !!)

Google "Tony McManus WGBH" it is the first link you come to that directs to the WGBH website. Click the link, then scroll down and click on " Tony Mcmanus".

[Xerxes4242]

It's on his "Men of Steel" album, not quite the same way he plays it solo though.

[tiloky]

need tab!

[vinnothelizard]

he hits too many duff notes

[Scotsovertheborder]

I can play like that, but I just don't want to :-)

I'm really looking forward to seeing Tony McManus live at the begining of June.

[gtrrobster]

@Scotsovertheborder

haha! I feel the same way about Leo Kottke....could do it, chose not to :)

Tony is way awesome. A deaf man could vouch for that.

[Gminor7]

Thank you for sharing your stunning talent and beautiful interpretation . . .

[Thorendoodle]

I'm guessing that's not standard tuning. Does anyone know what tuning he's in?

[McMonster65]

DADGAD

[78wer]

I know little to nothing about Celtic fingerstyle, so could someone tell me why he holds his hand ike that? I like the music alot, though.

[McMonster65]

someone tell me why he holds his hand ike that?

To play false harmonics. the thumb is plucking behind the hand and the index finger is merely touching the string. the bass notes are either plucked with the left hand or just tapped.

[bcpipes]

It's also to align the index, middle and ring fingers properly for triplets. Triplets are the super-fast notes that come in threes.

[fuckapotomis]

What the shit is celtic finger style? He's just playing with his thumb..

[Xerxes4242]

He's using every finger except for the right pinky..

[gtrrobster]

@fuckapotomis

um...you have researched the subject and artist well, it is obvious!

So John Williams is not play classical guitar, and MArtin Taylor is not playing jazz,

they are just playing with their thumb?

'scuse my sarcasm, But it is pretty much agreed upon that Tony is the finest Celtic fingerstyle player in the world today. Perhaps of all time. Not bad to have John Renbourne vouch for you!

[Deebemc]

my final word here is that (thanks to Davy Graham)a lot of bagpipe music is beautifully replicated on the guitar. Have a listen to Andy Renwick's Ferret, both versions, Tony's and that of it's late great author Gordon Duncan. Thank you, Youtube. Oh yes.

[jteran29]

Culture is in a constant state of evolution. Unless you are a orthodox jew or something. Tony is a Scot. I doubt he is concerned whether or not he is a Celt. It is just music.

[Deebemc]

There are some doughballs around. This is a wonderful medley which sounds to my Celtic ear very, very evocative of my homeland. Perth-born me, and mighty proud of the talented musicians that have sprung from there. Great stuff, Tony. Mair power to your phenomenal fingertips

[nerodollinger]

There are no Celtic Lines to perth in Scotland. The Celts abandoned Scotland centuries ago. There are very little celtic cultures left to be found near Dundee or surrounds.

[jteran29]

where did they go?

[nerodollinger]

Most of them converted to a new culture and religion and the rest became history as the celtic culture can only be found in celtic language now, especially in Ireland. So that's were they went.

[fuckapotomis]

What about people who speak scots gaelic? There's plenty o' celtic culture left in scotland.

[nerodollinger]

Like what? Like Where? A handful of people in Scotland speak Scots Galic and this came directly from an Irish invasion well after the Celtic culture left ireland too.

[fuckapotomis]

no it didnt, where the hell are you from? Sligo? Sligo's full of tards.

[nerodollinger]

No, I'm not from Sligo, And whats a tard.

[WartoothisGod]

Nerodollinger - All I ever see you do if try to refute the idea that the Scottish have any Celtic heritage whatsoever. Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic are 2 separate and distinct modes and I'm getting sick of you shitting on Scottish heritage as if it wouldnt exist without Ireland. Both countries influenced the other, and they both have rich independent histories. Come off it, you biased Irish tit.

[sthoma07]

let's not forget the Welsh. also a proud Celtic people.

[WartoothisGod]

True, indeed they are, but while the Irish and Scottish languages are generally regarded as Goidelic, and the Welsh is considered of the Brythonic (or Cymric) vein. But in the end, they are all Celtic peoples, so you are right, and a rich heritage they have as well.

[Deebemc]

They also turned up in Spain, Brittany, Cornwall, Wales,amongst other places. A bit pessimistic, Nero old bean

[nerodollinger]

Ah yes, I'm not saying they never went to Scotland or the other places. I'm just saying that the only remains that exist are in the galic language. The culture is gone and I know they didn't have guitar music like the video shows.

[fuckapotomis]

You can still have celtic music played on other instruments

[nerodollinger]

Well you could if knew what Celtic music sounded like. Thats the problem, no Celtic music was ever recorded or passed down.

[fuckapotomis]

Ah yes it was, ever heard of sean nos singing? Old style? OLD style, passed down by word of mouth. Look up aswell the belfast harp festival, edward bunting and irish music collectors. WHat do you think irish music is?

[mutley2209]

listen to some welsh music, are music has been passed down though the ages being played on lots of differant instruments the fiddle, bag pipes and pibgorn, along with plenty of singing :D. there's plenty of welsh irish and scottish music about, fingerstyle celtic music is a new spin on older tradiditional styles of play. the passing down of music through word of mouth lets each generation put their own spin on it an influences new song-writing alots been lost, but alot has survived :)

[Deebemc]

Remains of Celtic crosses in and around Newburgh(OK just outside Perth) Abernethy (the name is Celtic for goodness sake) and Dunkeld.....odd burial stone on the Cupar Road. Not worried if there are Lines of not. Wouldnt consider Dundee for anything........

[nerodollinger]

It's annoying but dedicated. Not a bit of Celtic sounds in it at all.

[clumpofdirt77]

Tony, your an awesome guitarist. Beautiful song also.

[plimtaku]

I really like this piece. there are some interesting allusions to american traditional music to my ears too. Nice harmonics at the beginning, but was it the intention to have so much of the fundamental coming through? I like that approach, somehow more fitting.

[beatlegretsch]

Great playing and tone Tony!

THANKS!

[evh1eddie1rocks]

were can i find tabs for this?????? i love this song i want to learn it very badly

[jteran29]

your going to have to do it like me . one note at a time. there are a lot of fucking notes!

[evh1eddie1rocks]

can u tell me what the tunning it is is it standard?

[McMonster65]

DADGAD

[McMonster65]

celtic fingerstyle guitar vol 1. from Grossman's guitar workshop.

[amp884ever]

i met tony mcmanus today he told me he spent $20 000 on a guitar that looks like that one behind him i told him he was nuts lol

[McMonster65]

not quite! that would be the asking price from Linda Manzer today I think- plus a very long wait.

[amp884ever]

why would he say that then genious?

[McMonster65]

why would he say that then genious?

because I own the guitar in question, I know what it's worth and I know the deal- and I know Linda's price list

[amp884ever]

wow guy you really have no life making 6 comments in one day!!! i envy you

[McMonster65]

wtf? I answered questions about my music. what's your problem?

[amp884ever]

nothing i just made a comment

[McMonster65]

I "really have no life" is just a comment. like you really have no manners I suppose.

[amp884ever]

i really have no manners? what are you 50? look at your comments!

[McMonster65]

I have answered questions about my music from several people here. you made an incorrect statement about the manzer sitar guitar. I politely corrected you. you responded with "wow guy you really have no life making 6 comments in one day!!!"

I have a perfectly satisfyng life thanks not that it's any of your business. and you have a problem with civil discourse.

I have a life

you have no manners.

geddit?

[McMonster65]

or if you need a more contemporary version.

you are an ill mannered prick. where did you meet me anyway?

[amp884ever]

huh?

[Xerxes4242]

This is the first I've heard someone claim Tony has no life.

I would love to lead the lifestyle he does. I'm sure I'm not the only one either!

[chrileboy]

@Xerxes4242 if you played guitar you would realize that he has to have no life if he can play like that

[Xerxes4242]

@chrileboy ........I actually burst out laughing at that comment. Thank you!

[amp884ever]

holy crap youre tony mccmanis? wow

[Xerxes4242]

*chuckles*

[jteran29]

Nice work on putting that meathead in his place. You are an unbelievable guitarist.

[windybaer]

to both DamianNixon and lughddepaor I would like to know what's wrong with taking music seriously? To me it's the only thing worth worrying about.

Seriously. Slán & Beannacht Tony

[DamianNixon]

Hi Windy...Taking music seriously is fine..'too' seriously, is bad for ya. There's a difference between scratchin your arse and rippin it to shreds with a meathook, n'est ce que pas? ...and as for somethin to worry about.... worry about music? why worry? (How many accounts do you have!?!??)

[ryanxavierlane]

I can't believe I just witnessed that. haha, WOW!

I've been playing for about 7 years or so and I would consider myself competent. Tony is a phenomenon.

Thank you for the inspiration!

[jaywly]

I have been playing guitar professionally for almost 50 years and have seen, played with, and heard many good ones. I think Tony is brilliant. In my experience, the people who shoot their mouths off and are hyper-critical of great performers never play nearly as well, so the only way they feel validated is to criticize. When he posts a video of himself playing on YouTube we can see how Batronhigh plays. As for myself, I choose to listen, learn, and simply the enjoy this lovely music.

[lughddepaor]

Tá an ceart agat, a Damian.

You're right, Damian. I should not have let a post from an obvious crackpot get under my skin. And you're right that people do take music too seriously (myself included). But it does bother me to see great musicanship getting slandered.

Dála an scéil, is breá an leagan den amhrán Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair atá agat!

[DamianNixon]

....that guy Batronhigh below has been barred from loads of Youtubers channels. He's an upstart. How could he possibly slate this???

[DamianNixon]

...people take music far too seriously...any tube like myself that makes a prickly comment should not be taken seiously.....come on you guys, read the shit I've written previously below and realise that you oughtn't reply! These kind of comments are made by ignorant gits constantly on YouTube. DON'T TAKE THEM ON! When they get no replies it ceases! Lessons Over for Today.

[BatRonHigh]

Wot? A beginner's piece? ...and the harmonics are badly executed.

The 2nd tune is too fast. Try dancin a reel to this. Phew! (Speed AND pitch 45rpm).Speed only serves to disguise that the grace notes aren't being played. Nice guitar though...and NICE girly hands!

[lughddepaor]

Are you serious? Perhaps it is a little fast, but to say that he's not playing grace notes is absurd; he's putting more ornaments in than some highland pipers -  AND he's doing it on the fretboard of a guitar, which can can be very unwieldy.

And as for speed, that's really a matter of personal taste. Some sean-nós dancers in Connemara have commented to me that a faster tempo better suits the style of dancing done there.

As for the harmonics, how are they "badly executed?"

[lughddepaor]

He's playing "false harmonics," it is only natural that some of them are not going to be as clear as true harmoincs.

hi Lugh....I've just slowed it down and listened to the 'grace' notes. Total mess and the speed hides it. Doublets instead of triplets mostly....and Sean-Nós dancers couldn't dance a reel if they had a transplant of Michael Flattely's legs. It's not reel-speed. Regarding the harmonics...... it must be the guitar's fault. They're not ringing. If you can't hear it, it only shows how differently attuned individuals' ears are, thankfully. Bye-bye.