He's rehearsing for a recording you retards. There's not going to be an audience and there never was. This wont be played in any church EVER, lol. What is the point of some of these comments?
I like how he actually incorporates 8 finger tapping into his phrasing rather than occasionaly going "I can play really fast and 8 finger tap" like most guys who use this technique do.
Yes, it's incredibly impressive playing, and I wish I had half of that technique. But he was looking at his hands the whole time.
I couldn't imagine going to a concert of his and watching him play his solo's with him looking at his hands the whole time and not engaging with the audience. I guess that where the rock and metal players excel.
@ZaphodBeeblebrox65 I am fully aware it says rehearsal. But can you imagine him being able to play that way and not look at his hands - do you think he would be able to play full touch technique and getting the correct notes and proper left/right hand sychronization happenning without looking.
I say not! So I stand by what I say - I would not enjoy going to a concert seeing a player looking at his hands the whole time. And It looks like he doesn't even stand or move about while performing?
@Vercingetorix I go for the music mostly. The onstage show is a by product when I go to shows. Each to his own. You must really enjoy the "modern" music.
@Dicertification I live in a small rural town and can honestly say I have only attended about 10 shows in my time on the planet. So I'm averaging about 2 a decade thus far. So when I go to a concert which is once in a blue moon I want to be entertained. I don't want to go to a concert watching a guitarist sitting on a stool watching his hands the whole time. When play at Church I make a point of looking at the audience, smiling, try to engage them, because, hey its fun right, right?!?
@Vercingetorix It's cool to go to a concert expecting something pretty entertaining or even outstanding. But some of the best musical performances in history have been done with artists sitting down. Frank Zappa, Al Di Meola, Andres Segovia, TJ and even Eddie Van Halen have all sat down to play something that will blow your mind away. And sometimes, some of us hardocre guitarists need more of that headspace to let out imaginations run a little wild. TJ can do that, even when sitting down.
@Vercingetorix Go to his show and then comment about whether or not you actually enjoyed it or not. Your ignorant speculation serves no purpose for the rest of humanity.
@minjoem Ok, the next time he comes to perform in a small town in rural Australia I will be first in line to buy a ticket. For the record I would like to say that I enjoy his and his bands music, and his technique is impeccable, but, then again that is just my ignorant speculation - so you better attack me on that front as well.
@shadowknight132 Are you familiar with Stanley Jordan? Check him out if you haven't already. He has a comparable "touch technique" and uses both hands for tapping. I enjoy Jordan's cover of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and Zep's "Stairway to Heaven". Guitar Player magazine has a lesson by TJ with tabs on their website, interesting lesson. Rock on!
@ibanezxiphos700 He is definately great but give anyone a huge amount of distortion and the strings will ring whether you like it or not.Even the best of them use a hairband or something these days especially in the studio to avoid destroying perfectly good takes from an unwanted noise here and there.A full blown metal lead sound and not these fusiony jazzy tones...will ring like you wont believe.
@ibanezxiphos700 My friend since guitar is not a sport but a musical instrument there is no cheating involved.There is no winner or loser here.....you want to make music.Its no more cheating than using an amplifier or an effects pedal or a whammy bar.So until it is registered as a sport there is no cheating envolved.
Most guys doing the two-handed thing don't get a good tone. This guy does. I would say, though, that he needs to "breathe" a little bit. Don't misunderstand me, he's way better than I am, but I'm not hearing any phrasing.
Who here is old enough to remember Stanley Jordan? He was incredible. TJ must have had him as a big influence to his playing. Two handed stuff is really amazing to me.
I went to GIT when he was there in '89. He's very nice, and his playing was always great. He looked much like this then. Wow, memories. Nice post, apb
"I worked on vocals and engineering allot too. They are both great passions of mine. And vocalists get the chicks, though I thought that the 8 finger thing would be enough. Somehow that attracted dudes...that and engineering. I love singing. "
Amazing! Seems effortless for him, yet looks complicated as hell. So yeah, how does a human being manage to sound this clean?! There's only one explanation: he's a machine.
what the fuck man ? How can he be THAT clean ? Nowadays shredder will never beat someone like that, he was already so much beyond that 18 years ago... Pretty scary actually.
Such a lovely way of connecting phrases smoothly! :)
filipdinev1 2 months ago
He's rehearsing for a recording you retards. There's not going to be an audience and there never was. This wont be played in any church EVER, lol. What is the point of some of these comments?
Whyrendog 5 months ago
he makes seem so easy
steveharris1975 6 months ago
I like how he actually incorporates 8 finger tapping into his phrasing rather than occasionaly going "I can play really fast and 8 finger tap" like most guys who use this technique do.
Sxrule 8 months ago
Yes, it's incredibly impressive playing, and I wish I had half of that technique. But he was looking at his hands the whole time.
I couldn't imagine going to a concert of his and watching him play his solo's with him looking at his hands the whole time and not engaging with the audience. I guess that where the rock and metal players excel.
Vercingetorix 8 months ago
@Vercingetorix The video says "rehearsal" on it, why would he not look at what he's doing? xD
ZaphodBeeblebrox65 8 months ago
@ZaphodBeeblebrox65 I am fully aware it says rehearsal. But can you imagine him being able to play that way and not look at his hands - do you think he would be able to play full touch technique and getting the correct notes and proper left/right hand sychronization happenning without looking.
I say not! So I stand by what I say - I would not enjoy going to a concert seeing a player looking at his hands the whole time. And It looks like he doesn't even stand or move about while performing?
Vercingetorix 8 months ago
@Vercingetorix I go for the music mostly. The onstage show is a by product when I go to shows. Each to his own. You must really enjoy the "modern" music.
Dicertification 6 months ago
@Dicertification I live in a small rural town and can honestly say I have only attended about 10 shows in my time on the planet. So I'm averaging about 2 a decade thus far. So when I go to a concert which is once in a blue moon I want to be entertained. I don't want to go to a concert watching a guitarist sitting on a stool watching his hands the whole time. When play at Church I make a point of looking at the audience, smiling, try to engage them, because, hey its fun right, right?!?
Vercingetorix 6 months ago
@Vercingetorix It's cool to go to a concert expecting something pretty entertaining or even outstanding. But some of the best musical performances in history have been done with artists sitting down. Frank Zappa, Al Di Meola, Andres Segovia, TJ and even Eddie Van Halen have all sat down to play something that will blow your mind away. And sometimes, some of us hardocre guitarists need more of that headspace to let out imaginations run a little wild. TJ can do that, even when sitting down.
Jedizen07 2 months ago
@Vercingetorix Go to his show and then comment about whether or not you actually enjoyed it or not. Your ignorant speculation serves no purpose for the rest of humanity.
minjoem 1 month ago
@minjoem Ok, the next time he comes to perform in a small town in rural Australia I will be first in line to buy a ticket. For the record I would like to say that I enjoy his and his bands music, and his technique is impeccable, but, then again that is just my ignorant speculation - so you better attack me on that front as well.
Vercingetorix 1 month ago
Comment removed
minjoem 1 month ago
justin bieber disliked this video
NOONAN67 8 months ago
how does he mute!?
HiImJerry8 8 months ago
I like that relaxation. Impressive
NoHellButInYourHead 9 months ago 3
1 people just have one single hand
marleysheredder 1 year ago 4
I don't know any fusion player who used only two hand tapping. TJ is definitely one of a kind.
shadowknight132 1 year ago
@shadowknight132 Are you familiar with Stanley Jordan? Check him out if you haven't already. He has a comparable "touch technique" and uses both hands for tapping. I enjoy Jordan's cover of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and Zep's "Stairway to Heaven". Guitar Player magazine has a lesson by TJ with tabs on their website, interesting lesson. Rock on!
minneapolis7967 1 year ago
@shadowknight132 Not to take anything away from TJ, but Holdsworth does it with just one hand......
glguitarman 8 months ago 3
holy shit wow
PRIESTWORLD 1 year ago
scott taplay is a jew face
swiffermyduster 1 year ago
this guy must have two brains
Marioguitar 1 year ago
fucking...daymn
BurnElectric 1 year ago
TJ is GOD
Johnnysoyyo 1 year ago
how is he muting?
zappainca 1 year ago
@zappainca
cause hes not a noob
ibanezxiphos700 1 year ago
@ibanezxiphos700 i said how, not why....
zappainca 1 year ago
@ibanezxiphos700 He is definately great but give anyone a huge amount of distortion and the strings will ring whether you like it or not.Even the best of them use a hairband or something these days especially in the studio to avoid destroying perfectly good takes from an unwanted noise here and there.A full blown metal lead sound and not these fusiony jazzy tones...will ring like you wont believe.
Dreamdancer11 1 year ago
@Dreamdancer11
if their technique is good enough, it wont always ring, i agree i would also use a hairband ect for studio but thats about it.
ibanezxiphos700 1 year ago
@ibanezxiphos700 My friend since guitar is not a sport but a musical instrument there is no cheating involved.There is no winner or loser here.....you want to make music.Its no more cheating than using an amplifier or an effects pedal or a whammy bar.So until it is registered as a sport there is no cheating envolved.
Dreamdancer11 1 year ago 2
@Dreamdancer11 Is great to find somebody who really understands that... I couldn't say that better... thumbs up!!!
engendrox 1 year ago
@zappainca
When you are clean in legato tap.. no muting !
yellowshadow92150 1 year ago
Most guys doing the two-handed thing don't get a good tone. This guy does. I would say, though, that he needs to "breathe" a little bit. Don't misunderstand me, he's way better than I am, but I'm not hearing any phrasing.
martyteboe 1 year ago
@martyteboe all i hear is phrasing
TruNikkaz 1 year ago
@martyteboe He's phrasing just fine, perhaps just not the way you like to hear someone phrase. I recommend listening to someone else.
EthnHayabusa 1 year ago
Incredible.......................
Lan2Wave 1 year ago
great playing dude
atlantida7 2 years ago
Who here is old enough to remember Stanley Jordan? He was incredible. TJ must have had him as a big influence to his playing. Two handed stuff is really amazing to me.
superhossenpheffer 2 years ago 3
@superhossenpheffer Remember him? I listen to Stanley on a daily basis!
TheAngusBurger 2 years ago 2
full feeling!! only the fingers flesh right on the strings!!
catapei 2 years ago
I like this...close your eyes it sounds even better!
BEY0NDWARD 2 years ago
Of all the tappers I've heard over the past three decades, this guy tops the list. This is the A-list right here.
Maxx61 2 years ago
AMAZING
seppesai 2 years ago
I went to GIT when he was there in '89. He's very nice, and his playing was always great. He looked much like this then. Wow, memories. Nice post, apb
aaronbergAPB 2 years ago
TJ Helmerich is Badass. OH and that is cool that you went to GIT. My instructor went there in 89 as well.
EeeAreEyeKay 2 years ago
It was a neat time to go to GIT. Lot's of amazing student players, and teachers. apb
aaronbergAPB 2 years ago
Incredible skilfulness ! Great licks !
mulotwo 2 years ago
Just incredible! I love how he gets a sax type phrasing.
coltrane1966 2 years ago 3
master
rockgeorge7 2 years ago 3
Don`t care about the technique!!
I like the notes!!
wolf2161 2 years ago 11
This is still very impressive.
SirSnipesalot93 2 years ago 2
Reminds me of Bad Medicine.
Amazing.
aec0691 2 years ago
Sick. Really really sick. Ahah, i'm so impressed now :)
blayeah1234 2 years ago 3
im guessing he was a piano player
staticxfrk 2 years ago
No. He just wanted to learn to play like that for the ladies. Check his Myspace.
SirSnipesalot93 2 years ago
"I worked on vocals and engineering allot too. They are both great passions of mine. And vocalists get the chicks, though I thought that the 8 finger thing would be enough. Somehow that attracted dudes...that and engineering. I love singing. "
seppesai 2 years ago
fuck he must light gauge strings on, his eight fingered tapping technique is amazingly clean and controlled!!!
derhsXcisX 2 years ago
unfortunately thats what he is limited to
jclp777 2 years ago
like to see you eight finger tap its no easy feat my friend years of practice, every guitarist has got some speciality, this is his
derhsXcisX 2 years ago 3
i didnt say i could do it my friend, but when thats the only technique you have it gets a bit stale
jclp777 2 years ago
LOL
TJ before he decided hes gonna specialize in tapping was already mastering the picking technique ;)
torturer6067 2 years ago
To repeat what several people have already said: Garsed and Helmerich must be among the most underrated players of all time.
This jam is just awesome. Even while flying smoothly, it mannages to dig into the grooves.
shredderroy 2 years ago 8
awesome music..not only the tchnique
new idea!
great style..of tapping solo
fabien courtois
fabienKLE 2 years ago 2
The Most underrated guitar player on the planet along with his partner in crime Brett Garsed.....
rapidtranq 3 years ago
Great!!! Where is B.Garsed...probably behind the camera!
Jasmin5150 3 years ago
wow! that was freaking awesome!
fluxx2000 3 years ago
He married my cousin Cindy.
danialleg 3 years ago
lol hi dani my couson too, lol i didnt know you had a youtube account
pencilman222000 3 years ago
number one
TaraSmashan 3 years ago
WAT BAND DID THIS BRO PLAY IN, BROS?
I want to cop those licks.
3510211 3 years ago
TJ is a monster player, TJ and Bret smoke!
MusiciansQuarters 3 years ago 3
fuuuuck yeah thats my mother fucking teacher at my school!!!
elextrixtechnixtree 3 years ago
where? i so want to learn Touch Play!
Phrygian12 3 years ago
musician's institute of hollywood california. he's my teacher for recording/audio engineering there
elextrixtechnixtree 3 years ago
ah so thats why i couldnt find him in the Faculty department
dose he give prative
Phrygian12 3 years ago
gah sorry i pressed the "post comment" button on accident
dose he give private guitar lessons? or like open counseling?
Phrygian12 3 years ago
im not sure but ill ask him when i get back to school on monday,then ill let you know that night on here
elextrixtechnixtree 3 years ago
sweet thanks im going to be going to M.I. Soon
i cant wait theres so many people to learn from about different things
Phrygian12 3 years ago
sweet he married my couson cindy down in cali
pencilman222000 3 years ago
ultimate sickness
eesloan4 3 years ago
Amazing! Seems effortless for him, yet looks complicated as hell. So yeah, how does a human being manage to sound this clean?! There's only one explanation: he's a machine.
Gianfrancoco 3 years ago
what the fuck man ? How can he be THAT clean ? Nowadays shredder will never beat someone like that, he was already so much beyond that 18 years ago... Pretty scary actually.
Childofarctica 3 years ago
Does anyone know what muting method he uses (if at all) to cross the strings so gracefully and noiseless
ACadencePredesigned 3 years ago
just his hands!!!
subjulio 3 years ago
shit yeah. finally more tj. check out brett garsed's full concert on google vid for his shit. or even "yerba buena bells" on here
BlooBeluga 3 years ago 5
I'm gonna quit playing the guitar now.
clovis2012 3 years ago 5
very good ,, loock leo actis in you tube
leonardoactis 3 years ago 7
Severely underrated.
polishcomedy 3 years ago 52
TJ is the best!!!!!!!!
Khyronshred 3 years ago 9
Great video, thanks for posting!
lauriemonk 3 years ago 9
Wow!
NotYourTypicalNegro 3 years ago 8
Awesome Video,
There should be sooo much more footage of this guy on youtube,
Luke
eightfingertapping 3 years ago 9
Way ahead of his time!
tremsolo 3 years ago 34