Revisiting "How I Fingerpick 'Hello In There'"

[MSimp2k6]

Also, Prine recently released "The Singing Mailman Delivers", and it has some cut back versions of his songs; it makes it really easy to hear the strings he's plucking since there's no backing most of the time. Plus it's a great album :)

[MSimp2k6]

Just revisited this video as I've been playing the song from memory for ages now, and I hadn't really noticed all the flaws in my picking pattern. The little nuances demonstrated in this video (like playing the high E and B in the correct order) make the song flow a lot better and sound much nicer. I wouldn't have picked up on my mistakes without listening closely and then watching this video. I think I've already posted a "great video" comment, but it warrants repeating. Cheers!

[Geno589]

I'm trying to learn guitar at 62 and ashamed to admit it but I can't seem to learn your picking pattern. I would really appreciate it if you could describe exactly which treble string(s) you are plucking after each bass string.Just for the C and D chords and I should be able to apply it to the other chords.You say that you're not much of a guitar player but I beg to differ my friend

[billybubh2o]

I have been picking at John Prine songs for years. I am so glad you have taught me how to finally to play it right. I love this song and the way you pick it. it is as authentic as they come. If I may ask, might you have a lesson covering Souvenirs?

Thanks So Much!!

[gorillashorts]

Thanks so much...I think you did a great job...really helped me...have always watched and been amazed by John...saw him once for four hours...by himself...

what an experience.....

[pwea1]

...... I've listened to this song when it was first released many many times over and over and over ... Thanks for the great post and all the hours and hours of hard work you put into this song for so many years , and thanks for sharing .... what a great post ... also , that giant Gibson really pops it out !

[pwea1]

...... I've listened to this song when it was first released many many times over and over and over ... Thanks for the great post and all the hours and hours of hard work you put into this song for so many years , and thanks for sharing .... what a great post ...

[RCBING22]

Great job on this instructional video!!! Well done and thank you for the finer points on this great song. 

[dlfleming1]

Thanks Tom...good fingerpickin'...& you're a nice guy to boot!

[TheHappyenchilada]

This is a great demo and very helpful and easy to follow. The hard part is going to be getting my chunky fingers around it all!

Get back to you in about 6 months when I can play it....

[forgetfull40]

Thanks man I've been wanting to learn some john prine songs for a long time...

[krejdloc]

This is just a fantastic tutorial. I hope that one day you will post one for my personal favorite Prine song Souvenirs.THANK YOU for your efforts.

[davidbdawson]

Nice job. You explained it well.

BTW -- that IS a D6 chord, and a nice-sounding one at that. A standard D Major Triad would contain D-F#-A. That's what you play when you fret the normal triangle-looking D chord.

Using x x 0 4 3 2, you've got the open D string (root), B (the sixth) at the fourth fret of the third string, D (root) again on the second string, and F# (third) on the first string. That gives you scale intervals of 1-6-1-3, which adds up to a D6 chord.

[jordanthecat]

@carthaginian5 I have no idea- I searched x x 0 4 3 2 at jguitarDOTcom, and it gave me these results: D6, D 6th, Bm/D, B/D Minor, F#sus4#5/D, F#/D Suspended 4th Sharp 5th. Which one is correct? As I said somewhere, I'm no guitar expert by any means!

[jordanthecat]

@carthaginian5 I searched x x 0 4 3 2 at jguitarDOTcom, and it gave me these results: D6, D 6th, Bm/D, B/D Minor, F#sus4#5/D, F#/D Suspended 4th Sharp 5th. Which one is correct? As I said somewhere, I'm no guitar expert by any means!

[carthaginian5]

@carthaginian5 This is not a D6. It is a chord that John Prine made up, believe it or not. He does this with many songs. He just does what sounds good to him and makes it his own. This is one reason why I like him so much. He is very unique.

[tompillion]

One of the best instructional videos I have ever seen...I have been playing a number of years and have always loved and played this song, but never had it quite right. Your video broke down the elements expertly and accurately, and was very easy to follow.  Thank you for sharing, and "Well done!"

[tompillion]

One of the best instructional videos I have ever seen...I have been playing a number of years and have always loved and played this song, but never had it quite right. Your video broke down the elements expertly and accurately, and was very easy to follow. Thank you for sharing, and "Well done!"

[jordanthecat]

@tompillion Many thanks, Tom- I'm glad you found my video to be helpful.  I do hope that you will consider uploading your rendition of this fine song to YouTube.

[nickweir5]

I saw John Prine (along with Bonnie Koloc, Steve Goodman,etc ) quite a few times in Old Town in college. I just saw him on the Elvis Costello program and found myself searching for more. Isn't youtube great? I was reminded of what a unique talent he is. I certainly hear this song differently and think of my family differently forty years later, than I did at age 19. You have done a great service by posting this and I quite admire you and envy your talent and impeccable musical taste. Thank you.

[charlie2mia]

A Great song and a great lesson you do it beautyfull Thank you, and wonderfull to see a pure hearted admirer of John Prine. Warmest Wishes from a John Prine fan in Scotland

[carandme1]

I've got this boodmarked. I really enjoy Prine and you've helped me with his picking style to no end. You seem to be as laid back as Prine which can't hurt. Thanks and I'd really like to hear you do more of both Prine and other musicians of the same picking style. Again thanks.

[emilputzer]

Thank you for an excellent lesson. Your guitar work is clearly right on, but I have to say your vocal is very Prine. I'd like to hear you do the complete song with the vocals. Thanks again...

[mvam319]

Awesome job im playin along w/you great great great i need some practice but ill get there love this song

[GumboRon]

This is my second jordanthecat guitar lesson. I can't yet do it near a pretty as you but I got it all... just need to pratice. Thanks for the post. The lesson is five star!

[doncarrier]

If your not a guitar player I'm in real trouble! Thanks a millon you nailed it!

[thedudeabides3332]

Thanks so much. Your lessons are incredibly helpful.

[iNewsie]

I guess I should have gone all the way to the end of the lesson!!!! You mentioned the G and the A minor, which I was fretting as D. Oh well!

[iNewsie]

I want to thank you for posting this lesson. I grew up listening to John Prine thanks to my parents. Love this song. The only part I had trouble learning was the point at which he sings "a life of their own, left us alone." I finally figured out you were using a simpler fretting of the G and D chords.

[jordanthecat]

John Prine, bless his heart, always uses simple fretting and easy fingering.

[timalloy6711]

nice job mate i came across this song by stipe, merchant and bragg in Glasgow 1990. It was just nostalgia cos i was there and now i'm gonna get my guitar and learn it.....well done a fantastic contribution

[MainzMan]

Great video, thanks for posting it.

I actually searched the song to see how long it is as couldn't be bothered to go upstairs and get the CD out. I'm making a DVD slideshow of old family slides for my mother and thought this song would be perfect in the background. Hope she can keep the tears back!

I'll be back later with my guitar in my hand though to try to learn it, it's one of my all time favourite songs.

[jordanthecat]

It's a great song. I hope your mom likes it.

[AcousticPhases]

I shall honor John Prine and you for posting this great vid later by allowing your instructional vid teach me, an old dog, how to play this fantastic song. I shall post it as soon as it is recorded, thank you for teaching this song to us.

:-)

[jordanthecat]

Thanks, Scott. Please alert me when you've uploaded your version- I look forward to hearing it!

[AcousticPhases]

I most certainly will do, thanks for posting all of your great guitar lessons.

I'll be back.

[kevplaysguitar]

Thanks to you I now know how to play this great song. Thank you

[jordanthecat]

You are quite welcome! Here's your next assignment: record and post your version to YouTube. You'll find that it's a rewarding experience.

[TylerrJayy]

im having a little trouble with the d6 part i cant seem to get it right?

[jordanthecat]

The D6 I'm playing is fingered as: xx0432. The two strings marked "x" are not played.

HTH!

[TylerrJayy]

i found it out after .. i just strumed the chord that sounded right then i realized what i was doing wrong, and it didnt make sense what i was trying to do! .. but thanks your vid helped alot and its not perfected but im getting there :P

[aebroyles]

thanks for the help with your videos, you should go into teaching. you play great and i love the john prine music. i hope someday you will teach us paradise. thanks again . keep up the good work.

[nrmwntrs]

Thanks for your help,I think I'm getting it after watching you many times. If someone learns something, then you are a good teacher.

NKenny

[cgetman02]

Terrific! I just started learning to play a couple of months ago (at 55) and your video is great. Sometimes I can even get my fingers to cooperate. I'll take all the Prine lessons you can give. I also enjoy trying to learn some of Jerry Jeff Walker's songs. Thanks and keep them coming!

[atmjunkey]

thank you!..awesome!!

[lovinmonterey]

This took me some time, but I finally got it. Thank you so much for teaching me this lovely song. I love hearing you play this and now I can do it. My family thinks I'm listening to the video when actually it's me playing. Thank you...

[jordanthecat]

I'm very glad to know if I've helped someone learn to play this classic song. Thank you!!!

[masterassassin93]

very good vid. i loved it. but did your wife really break that kids laptop?

[jordanthecat]

Ha! Thanks for reminding me!  At some point I really must get around to posting a comment to that video to end the ongoing debate.

But to answer what I deliberately misinterpret to be your question, no, she's not actually my wife.

[vegetableswife]

Excellent video, really great job! I think this is really good for people just starting out on guitar because its really easy to play and sounds really good. it can be learnt in half an hour or so you only need to know a few basic chords and own a capo and perhaps have had a go at some basic picking. jordanthecat are you/could you do a teaching video like this for the other John Prine tracks you play?

[kumgangpoepsa]

Hi Jordanthecat: as I told you before, I am a classical guitar player (now trying some bluegrass, country and traditional here in Argentina) and it took me about a month to get this fingerpicking pattern. So I'd like to thank you because you teach very well and it helped me a lot. This video goes further and it's perfect to improve the playing of this nice song.Thanks a lot

[jordanthecat]

Thanks very much, Gonzalo- I'm very glad to know that you found it helpful! Will you be posting a version of this song soon?

[kumgangpoepsa]

As soon as some friend/student comes back from England with his camera. Actually we are thinking about posting some beautiful songs we play and also with my partner Eva (she's from Iceland and we are playing many Prine's songs along with many traditional songs -Jenny Jenkins and Will the Circle be Unbroken-). Best wishes and keep posting! Thanks a lot

[captainspooneye]

Thanks Enjoyed the lesson. You said your not a guitar teacher but you did a very nice job on that song,

[rjeroots]

Well, the last couple of days I actually took your video and tried what you show. This morning it sort of fell into place and I walked upstairs with guitar in hand and picked and sang the first verse for my wife. She liked it. Your video was the answer for me. Thanks for posting it..

[jordanthecat]

Thank you so much. I don't play this song quite perfect by any means, and when I look at this video I only see/hear my mistakes. I'm very happy to know that I've been of some assistance.

[coolanddark]

thank you!this is very helpful.

im going

have a go at this one if a ever

get some free time!!

[guitmartiman]

Thanks for the lesson! I've been a guitar teacher for more than 40 years, and I think you'd make a great teacher.

[identitytraveler]

this song reminds me of an oldsmobile that my folks used to drive. about 17 years ago i used it to go see a girl that lived about 100 miles north. i drove through a bad winter snow-storm to get there. i remember how it felt laying next to her & how she looked w/ the firelight shining in her eyes. as i drove back w/ the company of my thoughts (who always talk too much) i listened to this tune over & over. it's funny how an old memory could seem to be from a different life.

[noahat]

I feel exactly the same way. Of course it brings back totally different memories for me, but everytime I watch "jordanthecat" play this song I just kind of space out with my memories... What a bittersweet feeling.

[duplago]

I have been wanting to learn this song for quite a while and now I will. Thanks for a great lesson...Hope you do another.

[siebevanegmond]

Thanks Ian, you really dig the feel of John Prine. I sure gonna work on your lesson

[Smokeater68]

You're a fine musician Brother. You're certainly better than you make yourself out to be.