James Taylor guitar lesson (Never Die Young) -- by ThinkingDog

[TrappedInABikini]

great tone

[94fruitopia]

what kinda string do u use ?

[19990SAND]

YOU GOT A FRIEND FOR SURE :D

[andrewearthtube]

wow, so glad I came accross your video - love JT and messing around with those changes- thanks !

[murjr]

Very nice video. There should be more videos like this that explore the individual styles of great musicians. Thank you.

[94fruitopia]

do u have pick up in that 810??

[ThinkingDog06]

@94fruitopia -- yes, not sure what brand but I got this guitar about 15 years ago so it's not one of the Taylor Expression systems (no controls, just a mic under the strings in the soundhole).

[94fruitopia]

@94fruitopia im kinda dissapointed how this model does n't have a ES system ,,, but would you recomend this guitar compared to 414ce or 814ce ?

[94fruitopia]

@94fruitopia im kinda dissapointed how this model does n't have a ES system ,,, but would you recommend this guitar compared to 414ce or 814ce ?

[ThinkingDog06]

Gon -- thanks for the kind comment, very much appreciated.

[gonspin]

The best "plating like JT" i've ever heard

[TheDudeFrom0Z]

any tabs for this one mate?

[ThinkingDog06]

@TheDudeFrom0Z -- sorry, I've never written tabs. Haven't seen good tabs for this yet, but hopefully somebody will post if they have.

[canefan17]

great lesson - whats being played on tat diminished chord?

[canefan17]

How'd you play the diminished chord?

[scootersd]

Thanks TD. I just discovered your posts yesterday and am enjoying and learning. As an old guy and aspiring player (at it for about 5 years now) your videos are perfect. Your thoughts on JT are also right on. Thanks!

[ThinkingDog06]

@scootersd - thanks again for the kind comments. Glad this is helping in some way. And BTW, never too old to enjoy the thrill of playing music, or to learn something new and inspiring (I learn something new every week from other players on YT). Take care.

[creankk]

@ThinkingDog06 please, could you tell me what guitar do you use in this video? thank you in advance

[ThinkingDog06]

@creankk - hi, this guitar is a Taylor 810. Thanks for listening!

[MrLegoboy2009]

wow. just wow. you are surely the BEST at teaching James Taylor songs. ive been looking all over youtube for years.. and finally, a teacher who FEELS james taylors AWESOMENESS. im only 14 and i wish i lived in this era of music! :D

[ThinkingDog06]

@MrLegoboy2009 - hey thanks, I appreciate your encouraging comments. I was your age when JT first became popular, and he inspired me to concentrate on acoustic guitar so I know exactly what you mean. Take care!

[brobdj]

I began playing JT style back in the early 70s... your tutorial is very good indeed and I have learned so much more from watching you explain the chords and bass lines. Many thanks indeed!!!

[ThinkingDog06]

@brobdj - thanks, I really appreciate your kind comments and glad the tutorial is helpful.

[Fschramm1]

This is a pretty good lesson. It is difficult to adjust playing A major leading with the index finger bit in JT it does work doesn't it? I'd really appreciate a full lesson on Everyone She Knows. You seem to have it in you to do that for us.

[ThinkingDog06]

@Fschramm1 - thanks, I actually have posted a video lesson on "Like Everyone She Knows" -- on my channel, under James Taylor covers & lessons ("James Taylor guitar lesson #2).

[AbrahamVanHasselhoff]

What is the name of the tune you start playing at 0:11? I heard this on Squibnocket back in the early 1990s. I love that melody and the chord changes. Thanks.

[ThinkingDog06]

@AbrahamVanHasselhoff - it's called "Like Everyone She Knows," and I posted some lesson notes on it (in my uploaded videos, titled James Taylor guitar lesson #2). Thanks for listening and commenting!

[rbrown21]

@ThinkingDog06 this is great but can you tab this out or put the picking pattern to make it easier to translate this? thanks!

[ThinkingDog06]

@rbrown21 - hi, thanks for listening and commenting. I haven't ever created a tab, and I barely have enough time to play so I won't be able to post tabs. Good point about the right hand stuff, I'll do my best to show that in the future. Thanks again!

[rayspfx]

great stuff, huge JT fan love your explanations thanks so much

[ThinkingDog06]

@rayspfx - I'm a huge fan too! Thanks again for listening and for the encouraging comments.

[onefoot7]

very nice sir, thanks for pytting this together it really helps a lot, I owe ya!! will keep you posted...

[ThinkingDog06]

@onefoot7 - glad it helps, thanks for listening and commenting!

[musicalsimon]

anyone managed to tab this one out yet?

[gm2363]

TD . It was marvellous. Thanks very much for sharing with us. I have to tell you I have been waiting for too long for someone like you to come forward and help with us with all great JT numbers . Esp since all the others make us pay for it , you do it for us free and that too you are closest sounding like JT himself. May God Bless You TD

[ThinkingDog06]

@gm2363 - thanks, I really appreciate your kind comments. I'm glad the JT videos are helping! Take care.

[nealgh111]

Your good. Been a JT fan for 34 years.

[ThinkingDog06]

@nealgh111 - Thanks for listening and commenting. I've been a JT fan for about the same length of time!

[martinbeauce]

I'll make a tab of it ;-), I'll message here when I'm done.

[bobo54uk]

Thanks ThinkingDog06.

Spot on!

Bob

[bobo54uk]

Great sound and well played. I've just learned a whole lot about JT's style, chord structure and use of bass lines.

Would you tell me, please, what is the chord you play at 6.55/56 (intr to 'Never Die Young)? Can't seem to figure that one out.

Thank you.

[ThinkingDog06]

@bobo54uk - thanks for listening and commenting. I think what you're referring to is a Bb Diminished chord, played with the index finger on the A string/1st fret and the little finger on the B string/2nd fret (and letting the open G string sound out). JT uses that chord in several songs as a lead-in to the Bm chord. Hope that helps... send me another note if that's not the chord you're looking for.

[williamguion]

Do you happen to have tabs for these Taylor fingerings? It's a bit hard to see exactly what you're doing with your fingers in this great video... thanks!

[ThinkingDog06]

@williamguion - Thanks for listening and for commenting. There don't seem to be many tabs out there that accurately capture JT's picking mechanics. If you find any, please let me know as many people have contacted me with the same question. I'll try to do a better job in the future of slowing down and making the fingering clear on my tutorial videos. Thanks again!

[martinbeauce]

@ThinkingDog06 I'll make tabs of it, will post them soon...

[Bicho705]

I have a general question.. I'm about to buy a acoustic guitar but did not get the chance to try one with and one without cutaway..my questions is..is the difference in sound with or without really that drastic as some people say? I would really apreciate your comments.. Thanks

[ThinkingDog06]

@Bicho705 -- good question. I've played both, and while the cutaways give you better access to higher frets that's about the only advantage I know of. I prefer non-cutaways because I don't often need to go up that high on acoustic, and I just like having more wood on the face ... it's probably just psychological, but I like all the wood I can get on an acoustic guitar. Not sure about any sound differences, to be honest. Best of luck!

[markloy1]

I would pay a pretty penny for a dvd with you giving lessons on all the JT songs you play...any chance of you doing lessons of..with tabs..cause although there are lots of tabs out there...unless you are a good music reader..the timing needs to be seen and heard

[ThinkingDog06]

@markloy1  - thanks, I really appreciate the kind comments. I've never created tabs, and unfortunately I don't have as much time to play (and post videos) as I'd like so I doubt I'll be able to create tabs any time soon. But I appreciate the encouraging words, and if I can find enough time this summer perhaps I'll give it a go...

[bobbeanbags]

Hi Thinking Dog ... About 6 months ago you said you were thinking about posting a lesson on JT's "You Can Close Your Eyes", any progress on that? Thanks and great playing!

[ThinkingDog06]

@bobbeanbags -- yes, I've been meaning to post that lesson but haven't carved out the time yet. Unfortunately I don't get very much time to play (at least not as much as I'd like...) and I've been working on other music for the past several months. But I'll get that lesson done soon -- thanks for reminding me (and thanks for listening and commenting)!

[GlennGalen]

Excellent, accurate lesson. The best I have seen on the JT style and fingerings.

[LiteGauge]

Great video and really good explanation of JT's guitar style. Thanks. JT appears to play the A and D chords with the index finger of the left hand fretting the higher string (C# or F#). Do you know if this is systematic or just a question of efficiently of finger movement between chords?

[ThinkingDog06]

LiteGauge -- My guess is he's using the fingering you've described for efficiency, which is the basis for why I use my fingerings as shown in this video. Looking at JT's playing overall, it appears he's using "unorthodox" fingering at times; I think it's mostly a matter of discovering what's comfortable and finding the most efficient ways to move between chords and articulate the embellishments. Thanks for listening and commenting!

[tritone12]

really extra great. thank you for posting this.

[nealgh111]

NICE!

[nealgh111]

You sound good. Thanks for sharing the GREAT JT!

[bnhaus]

Thank you for posting this

[11marini]

You definitely have one of the most incredible JT sounds I've heard in a while. I loved the structure of the lesson, but sometimes it's a little difficult to follow along at the speed you're going.

I hope you post more lessons, you obviously have a knack for it. Just slower would be nice....

[bigbassman641]

I was just curious what strings you use. Thanks

[ThinkingDog06]

@bigbassman641 -- I may have been using Elixer light gauge for this video, but more recently I've been using John Pearse lights (great strings!).

[bruce5352]

Great sound mate, JT's an acoustic wizard.

What song is the 2nd little riff at the start from??? (about 11 seconds in - after the Carolina in my mind riff) - love it!

[ThinkingDog06]

The second riff is from the intro to a JT song called "Like Everyone She Knows." I recorded a video lesson for it if you're interested (on my channel: Thinkingdog06). Thanks for listening and commenting!

[woodenmusic]

Thanks for what you're doing here. I think Taylor is very underrated as an acoustic guitarist, but it seemed he was snubbed by the musical community for a long time. Guitar Player magazine didn't do a feature on him until the late '80's; by then it was impossible to ignore his influence, especially on singer/songwriters, who used the guitar for accompaniment. You've really helped me out on some of the chords that I had close but not quite right. Have you done a lesson for Secret O Life?

[ThinkingDog06]

Agree with you that JT has always been underrated as a guitarist; he's a real pioneer and has unbelievable technique and creativity in his playing and phrasing. I haven't done a video yet for Secret O Life, but that's a great song -- I've received a few requests for Close Your Eyes, which is one of my favorite JT tunes, so I'm hoping to do that one next. Thanks again for listening and for the comments.

[woodenmusic]

I always thought it if you add a B note to an A chord, it was only a ninth if the seventh is also in the chord. Otherwise it would be a second, no?  My music theory is admittedly a bit rusty.

[ThinkingDog06]

I think if you add a 9th but keep the basic 1-3-5 notes its a "C add 9", or with the added natural 7th its a maj9th, or if you replace the third with the 2nd it's a "C sus 2" chord. Would have been more accurate if I referred to the A bar form alt as a sus 2 chord, and the extended version (used for "Secret of Life") where the Db remains as the add 9 chord. I'm not a theory guy, so I might be off on some of this... in any case, JT creates great alt versions of these basic chords. Thanks!

[fuciledacaccia]

You have JT's sound down perfectly; the best on YT.

[ThinkingDog06]

Thanks, very much appreciated!

[Lukasound08]

You're amazing dude =)

I know you won't be able to provide your own tab for your versions but would you recommend any?

[ThinkingDog06]

Thanks for listening and for the compliment. I've never really found good tabs for JT's guitar playing -- I don't know why they're so hard to find. If anyone reading this knows of a good source for JT tabs, please post. There's a site called barmherzigkeitmusik that has a good tab for "Like Everyone She Knows" (under Et Alia and then find James Taylor) -- that's about the only good tab I've seen. I hope that helps a little!

[Lukasound08]

Yeah I've had the same problem haha. Thanks, I'll take a look =) I'd love to hear some more of your covers too =)

Sub'd (Y)

[VSFleishel]

Way to go big time... I've been doing his stuff for years and you are the rare one to get the exact nature of his playing. Many many thanks for your excellent playing and excellent instruction! You really play him well! Doing any John Mayer too?

[ThinkingDog06]

Thank you for the kind comments -- it's very much appreciated.

I've played around with some John Mayer tunes... an extremely talented guitarist!

[djgca1]

Love that guitar. Taylor's always have the warmest sound.

[maxflyingcowboy]

you play very well and i'm glad that you, just like me, appreciate JT's playing as one of the best acoustic player ever.

max from italy

[lovemyguitarlomo]

your guitar is beautiful!

[jdcremin]

Best JT sound I've heard. I'm barely an intermediate player with a bad ear - would love to see the picking hand and fret hand separate and slowed down. Regardless, thanks.

[MSimp2k6]

Great video, nice playing.

[ericr61]

Really fine. Nice work on the never die young collage. You made my day, thanks.

Eric

[trescorpuzz]

how about for a tab for JT songs..do you know where i can find a good tabs of it..tnx

[ThinkingDog06]

Sorry, I've never written tabs. I looked online but haven't found any that accurately capture his fingerpicking and embellishments. Anyone else have advice on JT tabs... ?

[trescorpuzz]

sir..do you have a complete tutorial of even a single song of james taylor..pls reply..i want to learn atleast one piece of his song.thanks alot..

[ThinkingDog06]

The closest I've come to a full tutorial is "Never Die Young" (second half of this video). Sorry if this isn't helpful to you. I'm going to attempt to provide a lesson video soon for the instrumental intro to "Like Everyone She Knows"... Trying to find the time. Thanks!

[fabmic]

Thank you. I envy you for the way you can play...! ;-)

[apostlecreed]

you do mean of the 1988 album

[ThinkingDog06]

Yes, my bad -- 1988 not 1998.

[giacoo007]

you are amazing

[pontepolentepontepi]

Bravo! *****

Very nice lesson :-)

[tubecat72072]

I love that intro... just having that down would be nice. Wish the camera was zoomed in just a little bit more. We would see the chord patterns and variations in a new light! Thanks for what you have posted, it has helped alot. T.E. ? I won't get close to that in my lifetime! I started at ten, now 37, just haven't excelled as well as others have:( You know the guitar very well thinkingdog!

[ThinkingDog06]

I appreciate your comments. I know the lesson could be better -- hopefully I can improve the camera angle and slow things down a bit more next time I post a lesson like this. As far as the T.E. stuff goes, my advice is try to learn the bits and songs that stretch you just a bit at a time. Keep that up and eventually you'll get to where you want to go. And keep it fun!

[tubecat72072]

I've been using heavy strings on my Martin for a long time. I decided to try light strings this time around, and wow, what a difference with fingerpicking! Even strumming with a pick sounds great! I'm sold on lights for now on. I've learned a lot from this instructional by the way. Trying to play an A in the shape of a D is tough! Still working on it, thanks for posting it.

[ThinkingDog06]

Glad you're finding this video helpful. These days I only use lights or at times even extra lights (the Taylor 810 had extra lights on the first video I posted, "Those Who Wait") -- better for fingerpicking, brighter sound for individual notes vs strumming. It's still a matter of personal taste and preference.

[Collingscollector]

Hi thinkingdog

great song and great lesson.

I play also Taylor Guitars.

I have a Brazilian, Cocobolo and many other taylors.

greetings

uwe

[ThinkingDog06]

Collingscollector -- thanks for the kind comments. I've seen one Taylor recently with cocobolo sides/back, what an amazing looking (and sounding) wood for guitars. Hope to see a post from you in the future!

[Collingscollector]

Hi thinkingdog

Great song, great lesson.

thanks from Germany

[andropogon09]

I also own a Taylor 810, but finger style is very difficult with the recommended medium elixers. When I bought the guitar, I was told medium gauge strings were required to "drive" the guitar, but I'll try it with a set of lights. I also find the guitar resonates better if I tune it down a step. Does anyone else do this?

[ThinkingDog06]

I've owned my 810 for many years and always fitted it with either lights or extra lights -- I'm sure mediums would help project the sound better, particularly if you're going for hard strumming (which the 810 is good for). But for fingerpicking, particularly James Taylor style where you want that bright sound and the ability to articulate pull-offs and hammer-ons, light strings on the 810 work great.

[MOOSEBE]

Very nice, I've always loved that JT intro, always meant to figure out this great little instru he played on New Moon Shine, but there it is, you've got it "PERFECT". Do you perhaps play the entire piece and would it at all be possible to play the changes slowly through the transitions, passing notes. Thanks so much thinkingDog. Yes, never die young, one of his all time best. You play and teach JT so well, might there be any other postings of his material?

Thanks again.

[ThinkingDog06]

Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you mentioned the instrumental is from New Moon Shine because I forgot where it came from -- it's called "Like Everyone She Knows." I will try to record a video of the entire piece as soon as I get some time -- it's a great little song to play on acoustic guitar. Thanks again!

[MOOSEBE]

Oh thats great! very much looking forward to it. Yes, sweet tune to kick back on.

Your taylor sounds beautiful, amazing it's just the room, a bit of verb sweetening and the cam mic, very nice!

Thanks so much once again thinkingDog

[meeasy123]

Great video and impressive playing. What guitar, strings, effects are you using. I love the crisp tone. Sounds just like JT. Very impressive.  I was figuring it out in the key of C but gonna scratch that now. Thanks... I'll look for more.

[ThinkingDog06]

I listed some of this in the notes on the right (unfortunately very long-winded notes...); I'm playing a Taylor 810 (from the late 90's, spruce top with Indian Rosewood sides/back), light gauge Elixir polyweb strings. Audio was recorded via the internal mic on my Cannon HDV20 camera and then I added a little reverb during the editing process (in Final Cut Pro Express) -- the original video was about 13 minutes long (I talked way too much).

[johnhatkinson]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this video, I was just gonna try and play it with alternating bass notes. I remember when I saw him play this live a couple years ago, I went to the concert but I was having a pretty bad day. This was the first song he played and I'd never even heard it cos I was quite new to his songs but I was absolutely blown away, it gave me shivers and really put me in a good frame of mind. This is really gonna help me to learn it, thanks again.

[ThinkingDog06]

Glad to help -- his songs are great to learn for solo acoustic playing. I agree about his concerts as it's always been an inspiring experience when I've seen him play live.

[alberge1066]

beautifully done - please can we have a tab! or, failing that, can you slow it down a bit and show the chords a bit more clearly. e.g. is the third chord an A7? how are you playing it? what's after the Bm - is it an Em7? thanks.

[ThinkingDog06]

alberge1066 -- thanks for the comment. I'm playing the third chord as a straight A, using my first finger to bar the A making it easier to transition to the next chord, Bm, which also requires the first finger to bar the same fret. After the Bm the following notes essentially form an Em7, as you mentioned, which leads into the G chord. I'm not very familiar with tabs but I'm looking into it. Thanks again; please continue to ask questions and hopefully I can help...

[erikmeijs]

Very good playing of never die young ... is there any possibility for you to tab it? It is difficult to play while playing it ...

[ThinkingDog06]

Thanks for your comment -- I've never written tabs before, so I'll need to look into it. I did a quick search for "NDY" tabs and just saw some with chords only (and in a different key from what I'm playing here). So not very helpful. If anyone else can provide a link to a credible JT tab source, please post...