Embryonic Journey by Jefferson Airplane

[EdgyXD]

You fingers are little pieces of heaven! I loved it!

[07Attila94]

how long have you been playing? i really want to be this good :/

[beewright2604]

holy shit... Amazing

[DzedajO]

I've learned this song about half year ago but I still haven't that sound you have. I presume your guitar is connected to amp with little distortion, I hope I'm right :) It's my favorite acoustic tune, too. Also, beautiful cover, I love your intro and your clean fingerpicking. Peace and keep it up :)

[Thorbur1]

@DzedajO Pretty sure its not distoreted. He uses reverb though, which is partly responsible for making the sound feel much "bigger"! :)

[citrix99301]

I'm working on this piece with my guitar teacher this month, and found your performance while searching for inspiration. Thanks for posting this, it's very good!

[rlga5]

Excellent! Practically perfect. I would probably have liked a little less bass and some reverb to give it more of the sound that Jorma Kaukonen recorded it with, but other than that, the best cover I have heard in a while.

[HailCostanza]

I'd have sex with your b-hole.

[TheReilly8]

check my version out please

[knoxrox167]

i'm auditioning for Berklee college of music in 11 days with this song, and your video has been a great help in figuring out how to play it. gracias

[Nickstermc]

@knoxrox167 good luck! I hope you have a great audition.

[madmartigan4077]

@knoxrox167 Interesting variation. You seem to really enjoy playing it. I also enjoyed it. : )

[Sappiest]

thanks alot for posting this.. i'm trying myself to learn this song.. it's very very difficult, and you make it look flawless.. did you learn this by ear?

[Nickstermc]

Hi there, yep worked it out by ear, the picking pattern I'm doing isn't exactly the same as the original but it's close enough for me.

[madmartigan4077]

@Sappiest BTW, t

he other thing is, the low E string is tuned to D.

[kharmakreep]

the middle part of that song that sort of flies off the hook in the original is tough....i've just decided to improvise it and it sounds ok...and is more manageable for me.

[qwertyp999]

nice cover! :) but ur audio amp setting is not satisfactory

[peacefrogguru]

Almost dude :(

[therealbp]

seriously dude, i kid you not, you are INCREDIBLE. keep going!

[keo774]

you play it too fast.

put into it the soul

[hoggyovhebn]

amazing cover everytime i hear this it reminds me of the last episode of friends such a good acoustic song

[Bettysdolls]

This is awesome! why the hell 12 don't like that great job?

[Homieg89]

Good job but I can't here the bottom notes

[vinnothelizard]

its shit crap

[MrLewstep]

Best cover, on youtube.

[christina7163]

Amazing!! great song and a great cover!! Well done!

[sujetperdu1]

Beautiful work, for a beautiful song: it's my favorite song on guitar, period. Ever considered covering Shenandoah? Second favorite, a different kind of complexity: not as complex passage by passage, or within passages, but the 'narrative' takes a great deal of time, and maturity, to try and take it all in.

[Nickstermc]

Cheers, I'll take a look at it!

[Glencanon4au]

Excellent job. I remember when the album "Surrealistic Pillow" was first released, and this was its only instrumental song. But "Embryonic Journey" stood out for other reasons, too. It captured what was new in the US at that time, the idea that it was OK to be young and introspective, or something very much like that. In some ways, I think that your version even surpasses the original.

[Nickstermc]

Many thanks for the kind comment.

[anagasa]

amazing

[barefootrebellion]

Fantastic job! I love that song.

[Nickstermc]

I'm having to think really hard because it was so long ago but I'm pretty sure it's.... Acoustic plugged into Roland VGA-5 combo (probably using acoustic sim mode on amp). Then output from amp plugs into M-Audio Firewire interface which in turn connects to imac.

[aurigos]

Wow! nice one mate! You really know how to play:):) plus the song itself is absolutely amazing! Keep up!

[iamPeezy]

Wow, this is utterly amazing, I can see the passion you have on your face =)

[kcherry9]

I literally sat here with my mouth hung open just now, you are FREAKING fantastic...ugh, my god

[scottallentvh]

While not "note-perfect" (Jorma actually alternates his thumb on 6-4), this is one of the better covers of this I've heard on YouTube - you certainly captured the feel better than most, and your technique is really clean. Well done.

[surferboy119]

woah nice! im looking for a tutorial cant find one but yeah really nice song :P

[beetbeet1221]

friends! :|

[wendyxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Well done youth,

[tomsadad]

Hey hey. Fantasic!! Ive got one of these guitars. I play mine through an AER amp , amazing tone. it would sound even better if i could play the darn thing properly!!

[FattyCorpusle]

this is outstanding!

that guitar has a beautiful sounding, perfectly suited to this tune!

well done and thanks for sharing!

[100bourne]

this is souch a wonderful peace of music :b you verly nailed it

[booba1603]

...im trying to learn it at the moment...... um.... not that level...yet...

[soilsminor]

Nice. The beauty is that you played your interpretation of the song. Good job.

[LEWBCompany2009]

nice!

[eternallygreatful]

great!!

[jellygoeswobble]

Nice playing! You said it wasn't perfect, but a very good representation of the original! One thing, though - Instead of using the low D exclusively as the bass run, you should be constantly alternating between low D and middle D. I.e, 6th string and 4th string.

More greetings from Scotland!

[Nickstermc]

Nice one. I'll give that a try.

Cheers!

[jellygoeswobble]

No problem!

[beelzebozos]

What guitar is that you are using?

[Nickstermc]

Washburn EA33SN

[beelzebozos]

Thanks for reply im in the process of buying a new guitar and that washburn sounds lovely. Im sure that had more to with the guitarist behind it though lol

[joebuckjrr]

very beautiful sound

[Shoestring88]

Fantastic stuff, well done! Mind if I ask what kinda guitar you're playing?

[Nickstermc]

It's a Washburn EA33SN

[schwinn365]

is that intro a scale or some type of progression was wondering if you could tell me?

[Nickstermc]

I'm not sure. It's just a series of hammer -ons and pull offs. It's a thing I used to do whenever I picked up the acoustic.

[JesseGuitar07]

awesome

[GregzyBoy]

Wonderful!

Greetings from Scotland

[072740]

This makes me wish I were a talent agent....I'D BE SO RICH!! Nice playing. You must have started playing guitar when you were three years old!!

[hybridpicker]

i keep on coning back for more

[Mika151]

That was really nice !

[jackolanternsoup]

awesome :).

[bellasgowns]

AWESOME:)

[jaydbaltimore]

Very nice. You are drone picking the D instead of Travis style. But it is a fantastic cover!

[satanux]

Wonderfull!

Greetings from Chile!

[montaramike]

FANTASTIC!

[GnosticAirChild]

sounds pretty fucking close, what tuning are you in?

[Nickstermc]

it's drop D tuning

[jim78250]

Bravo!

[Seamus3476]

This is my favourite of your vids. Magic!

[Caim86]

where did u get the tabs for this song?

[Nickstermc]

I didn't get tabs for it. I just worked it out myself which is why it's perhaps not 100% exactly like the original.

[ladypoppins67]

amazing, good job =)

[beaglsrule]

Excellent job, Nick.

[keefer023]

Absolutely dazzling! I would love love love to hear you play the song 'Bron-Yr-Aur' (not stomp) by led zeppelin, i have yet to hear an outstanding version of it. I loved how you put your own spin on covered song. Remarkable dude.

[cyberwilliams]

Post some more acoustic work. This is wonderful.

[Thejbirdy]

Cool Nick, you made that seem so easy!

Excellante!

[pokbv]

well done

[DoctorSalamander]

wow

[tremoloheart]

standard tuning? love your version

[joffreyverkade]

fantastic

[drewan666]

great job man

[WhiteDimensionz]

woahh i got totally lost in the music man i fuckin love it so much

[kingsurf77]

Amazing that is the best cover of Embryonic Journey I have ever heard I Love this song Jorma would be impressed. Keep Playin on you rock

[g0rmless]

Please have my babies, sir.

[TeenTalkItOut101]

nice job

[crowdsurfer342]

wow really impressive. im trying to learn it and found it really useful watching you; have u considered doing online lessons?

[charco84]

was pretty damn good, i liked how you held back the power from the last 6 chords.

[timleeca]

I Hate you,with all my love.You little prick.

Is your father Cat Stevens or something

[wafflecopter08]

haha the look on your face is like "thats right... im the shit" :)

[JimmyPage7777]

you really feel the music.

it dosent even look like you learned this from tab or watever

ur really good. i like this version.

keep up the great work.

[justinbars]

lol in the description he says he worked it out by ear not tab

[tremoloheart]

he plays it so well that I'd have to take his side. He figured out it was in drop-D tuning, his mastery of the "Travis" picking style sets him up perfect for Embryonic Journey. He was liking his progress, he saw some tabs on it at a friends house to past some plateaus, becoming more conscious abourt precision, starting out playing it slow , then building speed. But then you gotta admit...he plays it better than most.

[HailCostanza]

Very good. Although you seem to be a bit cocky.

[drowninInDdark]

wow!! its amazing, the ease with which u play... im still trying to master that..i personally love this acoustic n u completely added ur own individuality to it. absolutely love it.. beautiful work..

[Marcusnoo]

You wouldnt happen to have tabbed this, do you?

Tryin to learn the song and it annoys the crap out of me not to get it rhgt :)

Awesome version btw :)

[dhdgjkdghjdghjdgdddd]

you sound incredible but you look a bit goony bobbing around like that

[kingsuji]

Nick,

Fantastic. Fourty years removed from the original, you give the song new life and meaning. I hope somehow Jorma sees your video.

Thank you. You inspire me.

King Suji

[xcougarx2003]

awsome vid, u think u can tell me the tuning? thannks

[Nickstermc]

Sure, it's drop D. DADGBE

[CabronDioz]

Dude! F'ing beautiful!

[kris242]

You play with such ease! It looks like the action on your guitar is excellent. Can you tell me what kind it is? Beautiful cover by the way^^

[Nickstermc]

Hi there, It's a Washburn EA33SN

[sarah1991knight11]

Brilliant!

[frasermorrison]

Absolutely fantastic mate, beautiful.

[haleyelyse]

pure bliss

[amishgangsters]

haley? strange i found you here!

this video is magnificant btw

[knoxrox167]

you should do Bron Yr Aur

[toxicity28]

my heart cry's passionatly to the sweet melodic tone of your guitar

thank you very much

[youbecame]

this is a bloody good rendition, and i hope to sound this good myself sometime.

One thing though, bending the guitar neck like that is potentially damaging to the instrument. You might find a simalar sound by applying pressure to the strings above the nut, which isnt anywhere near as bad for the instrument

keep up the g reat playing

[guitarman6848]

Your killing me softly with your talent, way to go dude to pick this up so good. Best version I have heard.

[dirtley]

best rendition I have ever heard of this song, your awesome dude.

[thearbolproductions]

best very best

[gtsport02]

Your guitar's tone makes my ears smile.

[budburd]

WOW, this is my fav acoustic piece....

ur amazing......

xxx

[Brom24]

dude u figured this out by sound?....amazing.

[RustyCat666]

Takes courage to cover a challenging piece by a great guitarist. You've got the courage and the talent. Way to go. A nice job with a bit of stylistic originality thrown in.

Thanks for posting!

[Euphoriaman]

beautiful sound my friend.

[dieguku]

fantastic. also has the merit of doing personal. pleased to meet you my friend!

dieguku

[Nothingisreal1122]

Awesome job man, you got this down perfectly! Way to go man! Damn, can't get over this man..great song, great playing, nice job!

[retrojim]

Excellent finger work!

[allanikene]

Nice sound! Great song!

[vachief]

...Very nice work....super

[wtfretart1]

loved it =]

how did you learn to play guitar ?

[foshizRAWR]

Pure brilliance.

:]

[SeaOfOrange]

Color me a fan!

[AddictiveHerring]

definitely one of the most beautiful songs. nice job.

[joebuckjrr]

nice

[ImmortalxUntilxDeath]

...

I'm rendered speechless by your talent.

[w950]

this song is in the last episode of friends at the end!

[p0nette]

omg you're awesome. you play so so incredibly good!! AND with a smile lol! i can't get over it :P (+hotness!) ^^

[Steven0724]

Easily the best cover of this song that i've heard. I cant get over how lush your guitar sounds

[hoty1957]

The thing I dont hear is the low D to high D rhythm which is the foundation to this right handed piece of music as Jorma describes it.....

[dilekbree]

Sound is great, but the hardest chords aren't all there. The sound that gripped, kinda breezed by.

[trevlex]

Dude, take up needle point or something!

[mikeyshafer]

what kind of guitar do you have it sounds really nice

[dennisisms]

Great NICK !!!

Perhaps the greatest guitar solo instrumental of the 1960s

[polymath1944]

Well done young man!

[Vesalius1]

Great!

Fantastic music!

[Folkhippie]

Wow, im suprised your not famous. That was BY FAR the best cover of any song ive ever heard. It sounds so much happier when you do it. Thank you so much

[Pada503]

Whit out a doubt the best EJ cover on youtube!

[dkruzfbcn]

I love it!!

Congratulations from Barcelona ((Spain)) lol

[oggendoggen2]

Where would you find tabs for this? I've seen about 2 versions, both are in standard, and we all know that's crap. It's CLEARLY in Open G. By the by, Nickstermc, you have a very nice guitar. What model?

[oggendoggen2]

Oops, sorry. I meant Drop D, not Open G.

[theoriginalrogue]

its in open d actually

[oggendoggen2]

How do you figure that? The song's in the key of D which means that you'd have to play most of it open, and furthermore, you can clearly see him on the 7th fret (a D chord in Drop D) and you can see him play a normal D chord in in standard tunning.

[santepavalione]

nice job!!!

[terapauna]

WOW tu meke,perfect bro!

[kylek02]

I've been trying to play this song and I can't get the picking perfect. My picking is probably the least difficult way I can think to do it while keeping the right sound.

For the intro, I hit the low E string (D) then the middle D,G,B strings together. Then I go between the low E (D) and the high D for the bass note.

That was probably confusing, but what are you plucking in the beginning?

[ThePeacefulCat]

I think it's pretty darn well played myself!! Played with passion.. You want to hear the original version than listen to the album.. This is absolutely fantastic my friend!!

[MaurleyProductions]

you are decent but you should learn to read music and learn how to play it perfectly. ur pretty good without music...not that i havent heard better...but pretty good

[MorningOrbit1979]

Awesome...! You rock...!

[ZeddZar]

what the fuck is it with everybody that you have to be better, bigger, louder, longer, a deeper shade of blue....just fucking be...and let be.

BTW, nice rendition

[snichs1991]

very nice

what tuning do you have your guitar in?

[ECNEXAM25]

just turn down the sixth string in D.

[g0vinda54]

to all you nut jobs that think jorma is better than this, your all sadly mistaken, nick you really rock, your toccata was a work of art, keep it rizel!!!!!!!!!!

[partingbead]

Hey, Jorma wrote the song and his version is KICK ASS! This guy is improvising and probably feels that if you want to hear the song EXACTLY as Jorma did it THEN GO BUY SURREALISTIC PILLOW! This guy should not bend the neck of his guitar that way!

[Doors93]

excelent.

[g0vinda54]

got the album, but just face it(and i grant you it doesnt happen to often) this 'remake' is better than jormas live version, the album version is the best ill give ya that

[macizo25]

congratulations from Mexico !!!

really beautiful song , and wonderful playing !

[metalwings]

wow dude, that was really good, oved it

[jduffe1]

I've always loved the song...killer job !!

[rafastrur]

I loved the song.

Even better than the original song!

(oh christ, i'm not saying that!) >> but it's true!

you roooock!

congratulations ^^

[roydl]

is it effekt or is it the qualitiy of you guitar...incredible bass

[ew1951]

Beautiful guitar playing.

[MRLMedic]

Not quite Jorma... but pretty close. Nicely done!

[umbrellacorp2006]

wow man!! this is really amazing!! how do you think this will be on piano? i play piano and i´d like to learn, well, it´s just listen it, if achive it, you´ll know it!

[jksoulmate]

really amazing . you are really good . LOVE it

[blondierach89]

holy shit you are amazing! can I marry you??

[rkniffy]

Nicely played, but the actual version has an alternating baseline that you didn't include. The baseline alternates between the open E string (tuned to D of course) and the D string during most parts. Btw, nice guitar.

[garin1]

i especially love this song for it being in the end of friends