I was at a solo concert of his a couple of months ago. During the second song, the guitar's connection started acting up, and was emitting a horrible buzzing noise. M. Ward, being the stone cold badass he is, kicked the switch, so the guitar was purely acoustic, pulled the mic right down, bent over, and lifted the guitar to the mic. He performed the entire song perfectly, hunched over, with the guitar at his chest... it was amazing.
@thejonahdoan I don't have my guitar in front of me but at 2:32 he plays all of the strings open so it should be pretty easy to tell if you have your guitar
Found a tab for this last night! Apparently I can't post the link--do a search for m. ward medley tab, or something along those lines. It's on Cheezy Tab, and it seems just about 100% correct.
god. does he really need a band, when he plays all the parts on a single guitar? incredible stuff. check out swords and horns "country blues fingerpicking". similar style.
For the millionth time, its music, its an art, it not a race, or a competition, or a measurement, or a way of besting someone or something else. I really enjoyed it.
I wonder what rag/duet for guitars #1 and #2 sounds like! just joking... You know the action an that gibson must be low.They sure will eat your fingers up if not! Is'nt he just, just, just......yeah.
He played this on Austin City Limits! You should check it out! He walks around playing this complicated song. I can't figure out how he's tapping the guitar while he's playing. I don't care. I wanna do him! hahahah
How about a new concept - If you don't like the video, then don't watch it. There is no need for you to post your insulting comments. Though you are entitled to have your own opinions, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. That way, no one feels compelled to one-up the other person.
yeah yeah!! I watch this almost once a month for the past few years. Have seen Matt all over, Crotia, England, USA, festivals.
I am never disappointed. Anyone who wants to dispute his style, Listen to LEO Kottke or John Fahey. I might of spelled the names wrong but they are similar in fingerpicking.
I heard Matt learned guitar by playing every beatle song, know a couple others who have done that and all come out amazing.
YOU'RE THE BEST MATT, not to mention you hang out with Zoey....
This guy rocked my socks off at Monsters of Folk in Richmond last month. I keep seeing him with other artists or in a festival setting - want to see the guy solo for 2 hours. That is my wish.
i don't know much about m ward because i just started getting into his music, but from the recordings, it sounded like he tended to play with a slide. i guess he just has a way of making it sound like that or does he usually play with one? anyone know?
it's not the giving of a kidney that makes you play this way - it's practice... and love for it - not to mention - a talent - you ether can play or cannot play this way
hmmm, i don't really understand the point of criticizing m. ward in this situation...it's obnoxious anytime people criticize other peoples playing on youtube but if someone posted themselves with the interest of getting constructive criticism I guess negative comments would be called for. But to all the critics: do you think m. ward is considering your criticism? why are you offering it? i suspect it's to make yourself feel superior to others, because otherwise it's worthless.
yeah i think its either drop d or he drops the g string down to f#, which can be done by relative tuning the g string to the 4th fret on the d string, rather than the 5th
Funny, I was thinking the same thing when I saw that performance. After a quick google, it appears to be a Gibson Signature Johnny A w/Bigsby. Pretty sweet guitar!
christ all you people who are commenting mostly in a negative vibe about m ward's guitar playing are missing the point,here's a guy who's guitar playing by singer-songwriter standards is excellent,who's voice is amazing and lyrics and songs probably the best that's out there at the moment.He's No.1,m ward don't need the presidency,he's already the King
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
>>>Well before you die take the time to listen to some real guitarists. Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Jorma Kaukonen, Charley Patton. Start with those.
True, or dig even deeper - Rev. Gary Davis for one. And Robert Johnson, of course. So, he's "only 27, eh?" Hell, Jimi Hendrix was "only 27" when he died and he was light years ahead of Mr. Ward. Not to detract from M Ward - he's damn good.
yeah, he gives a lot of credit to Fahey for being an inspiration. it's like stevie ray reinterpreting hendrix. i've seen m.ward six times, and i end up with tears of joy every time.
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I know what you mean, I've seen him three times now, I think... maybe four. I have to say though, I don't think he lets people record the shows, which is lame. I got stopped after a few minutes by security, so did my brother, and another person on here I saw.
I loved Elliott Smith for the fact he supported the idea of sharing the music, freely, and he let people video tape too.
Whatever - talent is talent - I still like Smith more than Ward, but it's only my opinion.
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well if that's the case I'd tell the pussy to get the fuck over it! How can you expect to travel around the world without people wanting to capture it on film??
he doesnt owe you or anyone anything. he is his own man, just because he has talents doesnt mean he has to even share them with us. be thankful they share theirs with us
Fuck that! There are millions of other people in the world that are just as, if not more talented than this guy. If he doesn't want attention then we'll find a hundred others that are just as good who do.
dude, shut the fuck up. can you play guitar like him? and if you claim to, which is most likely bullshit, why aren't you pleasing the masses with amazing music? so like i said, shut the fuck up and stop being such a hater.
@Mooch1124 I was replying to dylanyoung22 about how he thinks we should all be so grateful that this guy allows us to hear his music. Ya, I do play music, and popularity doesn't directly equal talent. There's people sitting on the street playing guitar that are more talented than this guy. So if he doesn't want attention from it, then let someone else take the stage. And btw this music isn't that amazing.
Of course there are millions of other people in the world that can play just as good, and a whole lot better than this. But the fact that he doesn't want attention makes him that much better than the other millions. Self-discipline goes a long way.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
You need to get attention to make a career out of performing arts. Of course he wants attention, that's why he's in music videos and plays with that pretty faced horrible singer Zooey.
Being unpopular does not necessarily make you more talented, and visa versa. Saying that he's better than other guitarists, even ones that ARE more talented, just because he's not as popular is a reiculously stupid argument.
And your argument isn't going to hold up as well either with spelling errors. I'm not saying that being unpopular is automatically going to make you a talented human being. I am saying, however, that without all the arrogance that other artists display as well the constant need to be in front of a camera, it just makes him a better person. I wasn't speaking in terms of talent; I guess I should have made myself more clear.
i'm not gonna' get too in depth here.. i do want to say how fucked up i think it is that of ALL the awful musicians/music on this site, THIS is where you start talking up about how there are SO many people out there more talented than this guy. you're a bad joke
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I checked this dude out because I heard him being talked up so much. I wouldn't go to a vid of some amateur playing a green day cover and talk it down. Of course there are worse musicians than M ward, but there are definitely better too.
For some reason a few people must have a stick up their ass - i'm not saying anything bad about his talent - he's an amazing artist. I simply stated Elliott Smith is my preferred artist.
But everyone's so fucking touchy these days - go ahead and tell me how much of an asshole you think I am - "spam" me - whatever.
It bothers me that so many people out there are so judgmental on musicians, " he is better than that guy" or "oh he sucks, so and so is a "real" guitar player." Its as if all music is one big competition for who is the best. What ever happened to simply enjoying someone expressing themselves. This isn't aimed at anyone, just speaking in general, its all over youtube.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
this phenomenon has been studied in some detail. It seems as if some people's morals have run amuck due to the impersonal and detached manner in which we can post things anywhere. Taking it to an extreme, it's a bit like what happens during war, when a soldier goes to a foreign country and feels like he can rape, kill, and commit any kind of crime with total impunity. Just raw, unadulterated primal urges from unresolved adolescence I suppose.
people keep telling me that "he's not that good, go check out these real guitarists" and then give me a list of names to look up...but these 'real guitarist' are soooooo old, they have had a whole lifetime of guitar playing to get good. this guy is only about 27 or something. i love this style of playing & no 60 year old has-been is gunna change it.
I mean, this is a very cool little song. I like M. Ward's music. That being said, you're wrong. M. Ward is no virtuoso. Watch videos or listen to the music of someone like Django Reinhardt or Lonnie Johnson, both of whom were also very young when they started recording. Or if you're really biased against older people, try Nick Drake. He died before he was 27. Ward's use of inverted chord structures and fingerpicking is quite good but it's not great. I think he'd be humble enough to admit that.
hey man, i don't have anything against old people so don't get all youtube on me and try to start a fight. i looked up both the guys you said about & once again... old old old. were these guys around before colour was invented? they aren't bad sounding but i like slightly more modern music. it's not that m ward is technically the best ever it's just that he's got something that all these old dudes hasn't... and Nick Drake is sooooo slow & boring. i like acoustic stuff but he's too easily ignored
Sorry if I came off as hostile, I didn't mean to get all youtube on you. Yes, they were around before color television. I guess I don't understand what you mean by old. If you mean a long time ago, that has nothing to do with their skill level, if you mean age, they were also pretty young. What I was trying to point out is that M. Ward replicates their styles, like all guitarists.
oooh i see. yes he does as i can now tell. i've recently tuned my guitar into an open tuning and i can play things similar to the style of this movie. i was so amazed... until i tried it myself but it turns out it's not as hard as i thought. it's opened up a whole new world for me so thanx buddy.
I' ve got to admit that I havent't heard any of the guitarrists you mentioned. I'll check them out. But i sure hope they don't sound anything like the Joe Satrianis and Van Halens because if it's undeniable that they have great technique they suck as songwriters and use completly dated and cheesy pedal effeccts. M. Ward can play the guitar and write good songs. And for me it's more about substance than flash...
Oh, I can vouch for savagerabbit. He's recommended some real winners for you. Fahey is one of my faves. Charley Patton. I might add Glenn Jones and Jack Rose. There all pickers in the Country Blues/American Primitive style. Good stuff.
Man, I've watched this video so many times already. Man, can this guy play his axe... It almost sounds like there is more than one guitar playing. Colour me envious.
i had no idea a guitar could make those kinds of sounds. so it turns out i actually can't play the guitar! and all these years i've been thinking i could. never mind i'll be dead one day.
wow, i normally listen to metal like pantera and five finger death punch but none of the bands i listen to have the soul and heart that he puts into his music
I saw him playing an Alvarez and a Gibson. I couldn't make out the models though, sorry. He also played a gibson electric for most of the set, I think it might have been a cs-356, but I'm not sure.
this is probably my favorite video on all of youtube. it makes me so damn happy to see someone sitting down with just a guitar and making incredible music. not to discount the rest of his work, which I love, but you just don't see much of this anymore. just beautiful.
I recently found out about M. Ward through a duet he does with Bright Eyes on the 4 Winds EP (Smoke Without Fire). I had to find out who that was with the haunting voice... I've since become a huge M. Ward fan! He's got such an original sound and is obviously mega-talented. Also, the B.E. comment board could use some intelligent folks contributing, so I encourage ya'll to visit and post comments! There's waaaaay too much "OMG, Conor's so cute!"
he's backstage at a show, in this empty, badly lit room, recorded on an average-quality camera, and yet i'm so moved by this medley. "Rag" is definitely one of my favourite compositions by M. Ward.
Well, the E-string is tuned into D, so that can't be it. I think he may have only did that to let it drone and the rest of the strings are most likely tuned as normal. Especially judging from the last strum: loose top string and a Spanish D finger-setting.
One of my favorite musicians, and for a reason.
MoonySkins 1 month ago
Waaaaay under-rated guitar player
Battlefield2Pilot 3 months ago
I would kill criminals to play drums for Mr. Ward..
unclecletus 5 months ago
@unclecletus I'd kill nuns to keep you off M. Ward's kit.
princeoftidds 3 months ago
I think he sold his soul to the devil
jro2498 5 months ago
I WANT IT.
JONathaNandspermette 6 months ago
I think he's had a couple drinks.
nicoletteychristophe 6 months ago
Any idea what picking style he uses here?
polaroidsky 6 months ago
@polaroidsky Silk. Pure freaking silk!!!
bluevalentine9 3 months ago
Are these 6 idiots for real, how could anyone dislike this.
ALfaDuB101 6 months ago
I was at a solo concert of his a couple of months ago. During the second song, the guitar's connection started acting up, and was emitting a horrible buzzing noise. M. Ward, being the stone cold badass he is, kicked the switch, so the guitar was purely acoustic, pulled the mic right down, bent over, and lifted the guitar to the mic. He performed the entire song perfectly, hunched over, with the guitar at his chest... it was amazing.
backwardshoe 8 months ago 5
what I would give to learn from this man
hobojon23 10 months ago 5
tuning is Drop d with a flattened G string (F#). wicked song
zak0503 11 months ago
@zak0503 I knew it!
thejonahdoan 11 months ago
1000 times better than "August Rush",
and 100% more real.
neckfacesupra 1 year ago 2
i love m. ward.
if you like him and bright eyes you should check out
Old Jim And The Mountain Orchard Band
radjimmie 1 year ago
@radjimmie Brighty Eyes needs to join the military
hobojon23 10 months ago
Comment removed
radjimmie 1 year ago
Do you think this is in DADGbBE?
thejonahdoan 1 year ago
@thejonahdoan I don't have my guitar in front of me but at 2:32 he plays all of the strings open so it should be pretty easy to tell if you have your guitar
grizzlybayer 1 year ago
@grizzlybayer yea thanks. im 99% sure its DADGbBE
thejonahdoan 1 year ago
@thejonahdoan I think it's open c tuning man, he does a lot in open c.
jaimelochte 1 year ago
@jaimelochte Does even more in D6
hiddeninromance 8 months ago
I have watched this 50+ times and it blows me away each time. Amazing.
bactgr 1 year ago
+2 pts. for impressive intonation..
Izicanplay 1 year ago 2
@Izicanplay +2 if you're being sarcastic..
jrcenina85 1 year ago
So original, so much talent. I would like 50 more albums, please.
Rooiebert 1 year ago
Found a tab for this last night! Apparently I can't post the link--do a search for m. ward medley tab, or something along those lines. It's on Cheezy Tab, and it seems just about 100% correct.
ackychris 1 year ago
@ackychris Awesome, thanks!
meatygrum 1 year ago
@ackychris i looked up that tab and its great
thanks for the heads up yo
deathlikesilence710 1 year ago
Fucking amazing! This how you smoke a fret board!
shenora1116 1 year ago
god. does he really need a band, when he plays all the parts on a single guitar? incredible stuff. check out swords and horns "country blues fingerpicking". similar style.
EstebanSalsa1 1 year ago
Damn that boy can play guitar! I just assume he plays all the intense riffs on the MOF cd
melmes03 1 year ago
@melmes03 Mike Mogis is pretty good at guitar as well. I think he plays quite a few of the riffs on the album.
thiswasallabadidea 1 year ago
@khakisandatee sounds like its a step down cus im playing my low e right now and it sounds the same
EECIEI 1 year ago
@EECIEI Its the tuning he usually uses. Drop D with the G down half a step.
meatygrum 1 year ago
For the millionth time, its music, its an art, it not a race, or a competition, or a measurement, or a way of besting someone or something else. I really enjoyed it.
cwhanna 1 year ago
whaaaaaaaaaaat! this is freaking beautiful. :)
juanete4ever 1 year ago
Comment removed
djmmusic2320 1 year ago
what tunning is he in?
hergreenjacket 1 year ago
@hergreenjacket Heaven
Rooiebert 1 year ago
@hergreenjacket Open D. it's D A D G# A D i'm pretty sure.
99centstore 1 year ago
D A D F# B e
djmmusic2320 1 year ago
@99centstore Oh oops i messed that up i meant to say F#. and e on the high string? huh. didn't think so but you may be right.
99centstore 1 year ago
Arguably, one of the most underrated artists of our time.
Visuallynoisy88 1 year ago 15
Comment removed
Visuallynoisy88 1 year ago
I wonder what rag/duet for guitars #1 and #2 sounds like! just joking... You know the action an that gibson must be low.They sure will eat your fingers up if not! Is'nt he just, just, just......yeah.
datsyhoehoe 1 year ago
He played this on Austin City Limits! You should check it out! He walks around playing this complicated song. I can't figure out how he's tapping the guitar while he's playing. I don't care. I wanna do him! hahahah
datsyhoehoe 1 year ago
wow wow wow!!!
misshotchocoholic 1 year ago
this guy is great...period...
danelster 1 year ago 15
How about a new concept - If you don't like the video, then don't watch it. There is no need for you to post your insulting comments. Though you are entitled to have your own opinions, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. That way, no one feels compelled to one-up the other person.
lookieitskatie 1 year ago 5
I support that concept :-)
DerikSarver 1 year ago
I once snorted cocaine with M. Ward.
HairyBeast13 1 year ago
@HairyBeast13 SURE YOU DID. Craw back into your hairy hole
datsyhoehoe 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
mllions more talented ,fuck off and listen to them then,should take you a while,
tommytucker222 2 years ago
yeah yeah!! I watch this almost once a month for the past few years. Have seen Matt all over, Crotia, England, USA, festivals.
I am never disappointed. Anyone who wants to dispute his style, Listen to LEO Kottke or John Fahey. I might of spelled the names wrong but they are similar in fingerpicking.
I heard Matt learned guitar by playing every beatle song, know a couple others who have done that and all come out amazing.
YOU'RE THE BEST MATT, not to mention you hang out with Zoey....
LennyWeen 2 years ago 2
anyone know what guitar he's playing here? gibson j-45?
scypio 2 years ago
Yeah it is a J-45. He has a brown one too. I like the big Everly Brothers pickguard on it.
YoHuckleberry 2 years ago
What songs are these?
nojokesfact 2 years ago
i can't imagine how calloused his right hand must be from playing like that, it hurts my hand just to watch
jlaw666 2 years ago 2
if only jerry were alive to play with him.
dsleeperhold 2 years ago 4
This guy rocked my socks off at Monsters of Folk in Richmond last month. I keep seeing him with other artists or in a festival setting - want to see the guy solo for 2 hours. That is my wish.
BDenverite 2 years ago 3
the only time I've seen him play with a slide is in "Change Is Hard" with Zooey Deschanelle in She & Him
hobojon23 2 years ago
gaaaaahh. M. Ward......what is there to say. You leave me completely speechless.
I have goose bumps.
freewholeEtoes 2 years ago 3
This video just got hardcore favorited.
fyi he played pretty much this entire thing solo on stage at the monsters of folk show, there was definite dancing on M. wards behalf.
ngholden 2 years ago 27
@ngholden and he played it with norah jones in 08. what a wonderful song. amazing!!!
ryfry06 1 year ago
WOW!!
isdavidisgood 2 years ago 6
i don't know much about m ward because i just started getting into his music, but from the recordings, it sounded like he tended to play with a slide. i guess he just has a way of making it sound like that or does he usually play with one? anyone know?
therchen 2 years ago
Great fingerstyle.
cyanide63 2 years ago 2
I've never heard anybody play like this O_O. Wow.
joetssy 2 years ago
Is he tapping his foot on his macbook?
ih8pikeys 2 years ago 4
Wow!
itsjustanillusion 2 years ago
it's not the giving of a kidney that makes you play this way - it's practice... and love for it - not to mention - a talent - you ether can play or cannot play this way
shadrussell 2 years ago
Everyone can, its just a matter of how much they want to.
gooseCha 2 years ago 2
beautiful
rnwepc 2 years ago
i'll give one of my kidney to play like this man.
shookone2nv 2 years ago
Jaw droppingly good.
0captain0eddie0 2 years ago 2
hmmm, i don't really understand the point of criticizing m. ward in this situation...it's obnoxious anytime people criticize other peoples playing on youtube but if someone posted themselves with the interest of getting constructive criticism I guess negative comments would be called for. But to all the critics: do you think m. ward is considering your criticism? why are you offering it? i suspect it's to make yourself feel superior to others, because otherwise it's worthless.
Beermuff 2 years ago 5
Yah, open D. M.wards style is stupendous, to say something
ntflanagan 2 years ago
I just got home from watching this guy play - he's so awesome... he did this solo at the show and owned it completely.
Thank you M.
shadrussell 2 years ago
Living your dhama, baby. Way to go!
kriskkramer 2 years ago
i'm pretty sure the tuning is open D major
D A D #F A D
actionfiguremovies85 2 years ago
Ridiculously good.
pandah462 2 years ago
bafflingly good
BaveThields 2 years ago
This song gives me a hard on its that flipp'n good
dress2impress2008 2 years ago
yeah i think its either drop d or he drops the g string down to f#, which can be done by relative tuning the g string to the 4th fret on the d string, rather than the 5th
factis20 2 years ago
what tuning is he in??
emase06 2 years ago
seems to be drop d
DarkRaven90 2 years ago
Smooth.
Rag for the 21st century.
tintosangre 2 years ago
wicked!!!
54spiritedwill54 2 years ago
Simply beautiful !!!
pontepolentepontepi 2 years ago
Gotta love M
ANDYGLOV3R 2 years ago
Any body know the model (black double Florentine cutaway ES Gibson) guitar played on Letterman 2/17/09 ?
us19 2 years ago
Funny, I was thinking the same thing when I saw that performance. After a quick google, it appears to be a Gibson Signature Johnny A w/Bigsby. Pretty sweet guitar!
bradmu 2 years ago
The Johnny A has weird f holes. Didn't seem the Ward guitar had any sound holes. But you may be right and thanks for the courtesy of a reply.
us19 2 years ago
Hey StevenJay,
He's tapping his right pinky on the wood.
genevievefrazier 2 years ago
nice one, it really builds well
adamschmalenberger 3 years ago
Matt Ward has some serious soul in his hands. Done.
iamthetransvaeta 3 years ago 2
Authentic music, pure and simple
704studio 3 years ago
how does he get that clicking noise?
StevenJayCrowley 3 years ago
He's tapping his foot on a Mac book lol
spinachpuff182827 3 years ago
ha sure enough...those things can do anything...
StevenJayCrowley 3 years ago 4
christ all you people who are commenting mostly in a negative vibe about m ward's guitar playing are missing the point,here's a guy who's guitar playing by singer-songwriter standards is excellent,who's voice is amazing and lyrics and songs probably the best that's out there at the moment.He's No.1,m ward don't need the presidency,he's already the King
doyler369 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
>>>Well before you die take the time to listen to some real guitarists. Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Jorma Kaukonen, Charley Patton. Start with those.
True, or dig even deeper - Rev. Gary Davis for one. And Robert Johnson, of course. So, he's "only 27, eh?" Hell, Jimi Hendrix was "only 27" when he died and he was light years ahead of Mr. Ward. Not to detract from M Ward - he's damn good.
tomzabob 3 years ago
Yes, he's very, very good. But he's not in the league of people like Fahey or Jansch or Richard Thompson. Not yet anyway...
SkipJames25 3 years ago
yeah, he gives a lot of credit to Fahey for being an inspiration. it's like stevie ray reinterpreting hendrix. i've seen m.ward six times, and i end up with tears of joy every time.
sk8tf69 2 years ago 3
Fahey? as in John Fahey? - I can definitely hear the "Yellow Princess" vibe here - i'm so glad he's making the music he is.
shadrussell 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I know what you mean, I've seen him three times now, I think... maybe four. I have to say though, I don't think he lets people record the shows, which is lame. I got stopped after a few minutes by security, so did my brother, and another person on here I saw.
I loved Elliott Smith for the fact he supported the idea of sharing the music, freely, and he let people video tape too.
Whatever - talent is talent - I still like Smith more than Ward, but it's only my opinion.
shadrussell 2 years ago
M. Ward doesn't let people record his shows because one of the band members isn't comfortable in front of cameras, unfortunately.
MolinMUSE 2 years ago
That was a reply to
shadrussell, I didn't mean to critize M. Ward in anyway. He's great.
MolinMUSE 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
well if that's the case I'd tell the pussy to get the fuck over it! How can you expect to travel around the world without people wanting to capture it on film??
shadrussell 2 years ago
he doesnt owe you or anyone anything. he is his own man, just because he has talents doesnt mean he has to even share them with us. be thankful they share theirs with us
dylanyoung22 2 years ago
Fuck that! There are millions of other people in the world that are just as, if not more talented than this guy. If he doesn't want attention then we'll find a hundred others that are just as good who do.
plusmin09 2 years ago
dude, shut the fuck up. can you play guitar like him? and if you claim to, which is most likely bullshit, why aren't you pleasing the masses with amazing music? so like i said, shut the fuck up and stop being such a hater.
Mooch1124 2 years ago 2
@Mooch1124 I was replying to dylanyoung22 about how he thinks we should all be so grateful that this guy allows us to hear his music. Ya, I do play music, and popularity doesn't directly equal talent. There's people sitting on the street playing guitar that are more talented than this guy. So if he doesn't want attention from it, then let someone else take the stage. And btw this music isn't that amazing.
plusmin09 2 years ago
Of course there are millions of other people in the world that can play just as good, and a whole lot better than this. But the fact that he doesn't want attention makes him that much better than the other millions. Self-discipline goes a long way.
DerikSarver 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You need to get attention to make a career out of performing arts. Of course he wants attention, that's why he's in music videos and plays with that pretty faced horrible singer Zooey.
Being unpopular does not necessarily make you more talented, and visa versa. Saying that he's better than other guitarists, even ones that ARE more talented, just because he's not as popular is a reiculously stupid argument.
plusmin09 2 years ago
And your argument isn't going to hold up as well either with spelling errors. I'm not saying that being unpopular is automatically going to make you a talented human being. I am saying, however, that without all the arrogance that other artists display as well the constant need to be in front of a camera, it just makes him a better person. I wasn't speaking in terms of talent; I guess I should have made myself more clear.
DerikSarver 2 years ago
i'm not gonna' get too in depth here.. i do want to say how fucked up i think it is that of ALL the awful musicians/music on this site, THIS is where you start talking up about how there are SO many people out there more talented than this guy. you're a bad joke
SkotNewbower 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I checked this dude out because I heard him being talked up so much. I wouldn't go to a vid of some amateur playing a green day cover and talk it down. Of course there are worse musicians than M ward, but there are definitely better too.
plusmin09 1 year ago
Comment removed
TeamZelda66 1 year ago
Ya, really. If you're going to put together an indie "super group" then I would expect all the members to not be camera shy.
plusmin09 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
For some reason a few people must have a stick up their ass - i'm not saying anything bad about his talent - he's an amazing artist. I simply stated Elliott Smith is my preferred artist.
But everyone's so fucking touchy these days - go ahead and tell me how much of an asshole you think I am - "spam" me - whatever.
shadrussell 2 years ago
amazing
branbilling 3 years ago
great feel, but dude spend some time and get yerself a better guitar --way too trebly. Brilliant playing though of course.
kimowasabe 3 years ago
You can get a guitar by spending time?!! And all this time I thought you had to spend moneys!
beriukay 3 years ago 3
havent you ever heard? time=money
plusmin09 2 years ago
oh my goodness. this is brilliant. i have so much to learn still.
carottechan 3 years ago
It bothers me that so many people out there are so judgmental on musicians, " he is better than that guy" or "oh he sucks, so and so is a "real" guitar player." Its as if all music is one big competition for who is the best. What ever happened to simply enjoying someone expressing themselves. This isn't aimed at anyone, just speaking in general, its all over youtube.
MikeUsGroove 3 years ago 17
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this phenomenon has been studied in some detail. It seems as if some people's morals have run amuck due to the impersonal and detached manner in which we can post things anywhere. Taking it to an extreme, it's a bit like what happens during war, when a soldier goes to a foreign country and feels like he can rape, kill, and commit any kind of crime with total impunity. Just raw, unadulterated primal urges from unresolved adolescence I suppose.
splf 2 years ago
@MikeUsGroove Amen brother.
theonlybyrone 1 year ago
people keep telling me that "he's not that good, go check out these real guitarists" and then give me a list of names to look up...but these 'real guitarist' are soooooo old, they have had a whole lifetime of guitar playing to get good. this guy is only about 27 or something. i love this style of playing & no 60 year old has-been is gunna change it.
good on ya Mr Ward.
connorlangley44 3 years ago
I mean, this is a very cool little song. I like M. Ward's music. That being said, you're wrong. M. Ward is no virtuoso. Watch videos or listen to the music of someone like Django Reinhardt or Lonnie Johnson, both of whom were also very young when they started recording. Or if you're really biased against older people, try Nick Drake. He died before he was 27. Ward's use of inverted chord structures and fingerpicking is quite good but it's not great. I think he'd be humble enough to admit that.
bigdb42187 3 years ago
hey man, i don't have anything against old people so don't get all youtube on me and try to start a fight. i looked up both the guys you said about & once again... old old old. were these guys around before colour was invented? they aren't bad sounding but i like slightly more modern music. it's not that m ward is technically the best ever it's just that he's got something that all these old dudes hasn't... and Nick Drake is sooooo slow & boring. i like acoustic stuff but he's too easily ignored
connorlangley44 3 years ago
Sorry if I came off as hostile, I didn't mean to get all youtube on you. Yes, they were around before color television. I guess I don't understand what you mean by old. If you mean a long time ago, that has nothing to do with their skill level, if you mean age, they were also pretty young. What I was trying to point out is that M. Ward replicates their styles, like all guitarists.
bigdb42187 3 years ago
oooh i see. yes he does as i can now tell. i've recently tuned my guitar into an open tuning and i can play things similar to the style of this movie. i was so amazed... until i tried it myself but it turns out it's not as hard as i thought. it's opened up a whole new world for me so thanx buddy.
stay happy and keep strummin' that guitar.
connorlangley44 3 years ago
Listen to Been Smokin' Too Long by Nick Drake.
And I'll know he's not slow & boring.
pixel09 3 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to check out the guitarrists you guys mentioned.
stereosanctity1 3 years ago
I' ve got to admit that I havent't heard any of the guitarrists you mentioned. I'll check them out. But i sure hope they don't sound anything like the Joe Satrianis and Van Halens because if it's undeniable that they have great technique they suck as songwriters and use completly dated and cheesy pedal effeccts. M. Ward can play the guitar and write good songs. And for me it's more about substance than flash...
stereosanctity1 3 years ago
Oh, I can vouch for savagerabbit. He's recommended some real winners for you. Fahey is one of my faves. Charley Patton. I might add Glenn Jones and Jack Rose. There all pickers in the Country Blues/American Primitive style. Good stuff.
stolelife 3 years ago
Man, I've watched this video so many times already. Man, can this guy play his axe... It almost sounds like there is more than one guitar playing. Colour me envious.
Love his music, by the way.
stereosanctity1 3 years ago 2
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Hahaha, if it were something actually spectacular you wouldn't have said "almost" sounds like more than one guitar.
savagerabbit 3 years ago
dude i know, this blew my mind too. do you know the tuning?
connorlangley44 3 years ago
i had no idea a guitar could make those kinds of sounds. so it turns out i actually can't play the guitar! and all these years i've been thinking i could. never mind i'll be dead one day.
connorlangley44 3 years ago
Well before you die take the time to listen to some real guitarists. Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Jorma Kaukonen, Charley Patton. Start with those.
savagerabbit 3 years ago
I didn't even know fingers could do that.
hunt3rl 3 years ago
quite compatible... Im a huge fan of the two guys. both great great artists.
Pomattic 3 years ago
thats no way to treat a macbook!!!
hes a legend, dont know how he does it
Lifeisamazing 3 years ago
my god. m ward has this incredible gift that makes me glad to be alive.
alfonsothepirate 3 years ago 4
Incredible isn't.. how many night's have you fallen asleep playing your guitar?
foalish 3 years ago
any guitar players here...
is he using an open tuning for the second one?
sounds like a bunch of 5ths when he plays it open.
dagharr2 3 years ago
Try: D,A D,F#,B,E.
nickthenail 3 years ago
M. Ward has a thing for weird tuning. Listen to Bad Blood for example (Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes song, but written by M. Ward)
Pomattic 3 years ago
wow, i normally listen to metal like pantera and five finger death punch but none of the bands i listen to have the soul and heart that he puts into his music
alsk8er14 3 years ago 4
Yeah, Crooked Spine is in there f'sure. But the opening is Rag. There's just a whole bunch of his instrumental gear in there.
zeejay70 3 years ago
this actually sounds more like he's playing "the crooked spine" and duet for guitars #3.. that's just me though. great performance regardless!
roxor302 3 years ago
does anyone know what kind of guitar m. ward uses?
zooeyfan28 3 years ago
I saw him playing an Alvarez and a Gibson. I couldn't make out the models though, sorry. He also played a gibson electric for most of the set, I think it might have been a cs-356, but I'm not sure.
exitpunkbass 3 years ago
wicked!!!
lykndamuzic 3 years ago 2
man he can really play that guitar !
jacksaw 3 years ago 2
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Mel0dymaker 3 years ago
wow.
fratsdomino 3 years ago
WHAT! When i heard this song on the album "Transfiguration Of Vincent" i thought it really WAS a duet! its just amazing that its him, and him alone!
quaksmaker 3 years ago 6
He's great with his instrument. Nice playing. I'm envious.
icunvme09 3 years ago 2
very Tommy Emmanuel-esk..
bazookascrew 3 years ago
Does anyone have an MP3 of this? It's excellent.
TheirThereOfficial 3 years ago
if i could favorite this twice i would
brycehammers 3 years ago
this is probably my favorite video on all of youtube. it makes me so damn happy to see someone sitting down with just a guitar and making incredible music. not to discount the rest of his work, which I love, but you just don't see much of this anymore. just beautiful.
gemco 3 years ago
oh my God that must have been the greatest thing I have ever seen. M. Ward for President !!
acousticlukas26 3 years ago
This is sell-your-soul-to-the-devil music. It is not of this world. But man, oh man...you'll be finding me at those crossroads after seeing this.
grumblepus 3 years ago 2
ever since his "obriens nocturne" duet with bright eyes on austin city limits, i havent gotten enough of m ward!!
miriaminthehouse 3 years ago
what is the wooden thing that he taps on called? I doubt that it is just a normal wooden plank since it sounds different.
baltabalta 4 years ago
I think that's his MacBook
jacopa4 4 years ago
Yeah, it seems so.
ssstoffe 3 years ago
haha thats so cool
harryD714 3 years ago
I recently found out about M. Ward through a duet he does with Bright Eyes on the 4 Winds EP (Smoke Without Fire). I had to find out who that was with the haunting voice... I've since become a huge M. Ward fan! He's got such an original sound and is obviously mega-talented. Also, the B.E. comment board could use some intelligent folks contributing, so I encourage ya'll to visit and post comments! There's waaaaay too much "OMG, Conor's so cute!"
glynor 4 years ago
he's backstage at a show, in this empty, badly lit room, recorded on an average-quality camera, and yet i'm so moved by this medley. "Rag" is definitely one of my favourite compositions by M. Ward.
boopiie 4 years ago
if someone knows the tuning of his guitar, please send me a message. sounds like open E
Freemasonry 4 years ago
Well, the E-string is tuned into D, so that can't be it. I think he may have only did that to let it drone and the rest of the strings are most likely tuned as normal. Especially judging from the last strum: loose top string and a Spanish D finger-setting.
IViewMusic 4 years ago