My guitar teacher tabbed this out for me and taught me the entire song in 5 1hr lessons. It took me another 6 months to polish it. Now I see this and realize that I'm in the wrong positions in a few places, but overall right on the money. This is a masterpiece. I bust this out at campfires. People come from everywhere within earshot to hear it.
After studying this video, and a month of hard practice i finally have this under my fingers for a college audition. Thanks Steve, couldn't have done it without you
HallMonitor Hope it went well, I’ve decided to finally learn country picking and then learn the middle section of Starship Trooper because I have the rest of it and hopefully Clap as well.
I dunno...I had a buddy back in San Diego county in the 70's who could play pretty much anything note for note...you'd had to have hear him but he was a prodigy guitarist who could play the Clap or Alvin Lee's Goin' home and it was exactly like he heard it on the Woodstock album...or any else for that matter...freaky
there has never been a guitarist more creative, more inspiring, and more underrated than steve howe.(my opinion) i have been playing guitar for 40yrs.and he is my all time favorite. even though i can play this piece, the nuances, the whimiscal drive, and the fingerpicking style remains a daunting task (curse you fat fingers!)i guess by the time i reach 80 i'll be close. anyhow this man is a treasure.
I remember when I first heard this at age 9 and playing guitar for 4 years....I thought it was God showing me how it's done in Heaven! Steve Howe is a blessing!
Sincere condolences to Mr. Steve Howe on the loss of his son ,Dylan . I just saw them in concert about a month ago in Conn. Clap will now be remembered for it's original inspiration.
this is way beyond any composition by EVH or Jimmy Page.. Beautiful counterpoint, chord melody, hybrid fingerstyle.. no hate here I love Eddie and Zep, but this is a whole other level.
Brenda Harris its a different level for sure, but eddy could pull it off, that guy is a genius in his own way, my jazz teacher use to tell me, no one plays like another, so lets give credit to all of em, and stop comparing, cause Howe could never bend and gi as fast as eddie and sing at the same time with difficult rythms...and look good and jump and have lots of beers hahahahahahaha
Giant page fan but Steve is well,, Steve. Diiferent player all 3. Page and Howe are closer than ev &Howe in my opinion though i think vh with hagar copied best of both worlds directly from roundabout . Rain songs some serious shit, But Evh does not even count, vh just runs songs through, were zep has specific time signature changes in many of there songs, I love all 70s players, 80s to if thee from the 70s. hhahah, 1 more thing Howe is closests to a legit classical guitarist as far as techniqe goes in my op. Closer than morse, Hacket, Maybe Rhoads was as legit, talking 4 finger legit techniqe+scales
But neither one can flat pick/finger lick at the same time, playing the bass and melody, like Steve, try playing it, I saw him play Clap 20+ times and it still blows me away
very true, in my op, Howe is the closest to the level of a classical guitar player or a country wizard like Jerry Reed. His finger style,using all 4 fingers surpasses all rock players+some jazz players in my opinion, EV, Page, even hacket, uli roth, steve morse. Dimeola , mc laugfhlin. Steve can play scales well with his fingers, few other rock players can, only hardcore flamenco, classical, jazz=Joe pass etc....beat SH, But they don't play rock guitar +write songs we hear every day.@@ciliaris2
Steve Howe has inspired many souls to learn masterworks like this, and made the world a better place for us all. Accompanied by the Angel Warrior voice of Jon Anderson, the Triad layers of Squire, Bruford, and Wakeman... wow, it's humbling.
As a young kid and when I heard this in my early guitar Journey I couldn't believe it was one person playing it and no video back then. At age 61 this is the first time I've actually seen it played live. Just brilliant musically and technically
Steve, thank you for taking the time to give us an intimate look at timeless composition. You've always been extremely generous in sharing your skill and knowledge. I'm a fan for life.
Never heard any stories about that. I’ll need verification before I believe you. Keep in mind that Steve has never been a frightening physical specimen. He wouldn’t have fared well if one of those lighting guys wasn’t in the mood to deal with a prima dona rock star.
@Satanic Panic Fun and Games I took a look at the video you recommended. Obviously Steve was frustrated, but his wrath was strictly verbal and only applied to one of the lighting techs, not legions. I once stood on stage with Steve Howe. He’s about 5’9” and weighs approximately 130 lbs. soaking wet. He was not an imposing figure. If he decided to act on his threat, he’d be going up against a guy who’s done lots of heavy lifting, and who was probably substantially younger.
As a guitar tech for many guitarists over the years, the only person I knew that actually figured this song out (pre RUclips) and could play it perfectly, was John Frusciante from Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also (on a day off on a Japanese tour) figured out Siberian Khatru note for note. Including the entire outtro solo. He even played (on guitar) the keyboard parts where there's no guitar. In one day he figured it out. The guys a genius.
Dave Lee well of course if you had as much experience as he has you'd be able to figure it out in one day too. It's really not that hard unless if you're just deaf and don't know what the guitarist is doing during each segment of the song
Well frusciante learned to read music by literally devoring all Frank Zappa albums. Dude was super talented and had super fine taste, considering he was the rhcp guitarist. but then he started abusing of heavy drugs and fucked him up bad
lol pretty different styles of guitarist. i can't say i've ever heard frusciante finger pick a song in the chet atkins style before. Also, this is a very complicated song to play well, ain't no reason to sell Steve short. He is one of the best players and minds out there on the guitar.
Easiest way to tell it's Steve Howe: check that ring on the right hand; he almost always wore it. This is an excellent rendition of one of Howe's best pieces. Glad to see it posted on RUclips for all to see!
I can't thank Steve Howe enough for making these recordings. I saw him play numerous times with Yes and solo, his work always fascinated me with melodic hooks and virtuous chord structures. Being able to see these up close is like sitting in his living room with a glass of red, pinching myself, thank you Steve!!
This ranks #1 on the list of hardest songs I have ever tried to learn without a tab. The right hand technique and time changes will confuse and amaze as always, Mr. Howe you are the dude, thank you for this video.
I'm a huge fan since the 70's, gotta say here,"Thanks, Steve, for all the inspiration all these years!" I've been performing both Mood for a Day and The Clap on Classical guitar, and I find the Clap sounds quite well on the classical too. Brilliant guitar compositions, Bravo! I figured out the Clap by ear, before ever seeing this video, one of the toughest things I've ever done, but, ahhh... the satisfaction when I did was huge!! By Best, Ed
Those calluses on his fingertips are amazing; they stand off the ends of his fingers. Over 50 years of intense, nonstop playing and touring! Great tutorial for an iconic piece of guitar playing! Thanks Steve!
Love the clap I even played it for my dad before he passed away and he even thought it was fantastic/and to those of you who can't read English /fantastico.
It's the rap and hip hop crap that's out today and the poor kids today don't know wahat good clean classic rock n roll is and yes is good clean classic rock
He is certainly without a doubt the most influential guitarist on me way back when I played. I learned Close to the Edge, Roundabout, Relayer, Mood for a Day, Perpetual Change, and others, including the solos in those songs, but the Clap was beyond me then. Great video too. Kudos to Steve for posting it.
I always loved this song and put it on several cassette tapes that I made for the car back in the old days. I can't believe that he actually put all of this stuff on the net! Bless you for sharing! And keep on dancing those fingers across the fretboard.
Steve Howe was a rarity in 1970 because almost all the guitarists coming out of England at the time were playing straight up blues. Instead, he was into guys like Tal Farlow, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Wes Montgomery. Really sophisticated players. I just find it so interesting - as a lifelong Yes fan - that this little ditty could be sandwiched right between Yours is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper, without sounding the least bit out of place. Steve Howe's playing is the reason Yes sounded like no other band.
Steve Howe is the **THE** quintessential underrated guitarist in the world. I first saw him play live with Yes in 1979 and again in 1981, 1989, 2004 and 2019. He is spell-bounding!
Howe is one of the best ever. Been trying to learn this song for 10 years and I've come to the conclusion that my fingers are just not cut out for this type of workload.
I'm totally with you on this point. I've been at it for more than 5 years and I can play it half to three quarter speed with some mistakes. Been working on trying to smooth it out. Fatigue sets in at three quarters through. Don't give up on the piece. It's definitely worth it! I'm going to get this! It's a masterpiece!
I've been struggling with this song for 13 years and still don't have it yet. It's definitely a complex song, but I've pretty much got Mood For A Day which is also not that easy to master
This did something to me as a guitar player that no other song has done before. My drummer sent me the song one morning, I thought it sounded pretty cool and decided to try and learn it. Spent about an hour figuring out the first riff and getting it up to speed, almost got it down but got frustrated and decided to take a break. After a few minutes, decided to pick up the guitar again. The feeling I had when I got the riff to sound right for the first time was something I've never, as a guitarist, felt before. I was suddenly filled with undescribable joy and realised I was tearing up, all the while looping the riff over and over. Amazing feeling, cannot really put it into words.
Yes he's holding a pick with his thumb and forefinger and using his third and fourth fingers. It's a hybrid fingerstyle method that you'll see from time to time. The guy is absolutely amazing isn't he!
was playing for two and a half years when I started to learn this song... took me 6 months, sat down and practiced a bar each night. Thank you Steve for being so amazing... If it was not for your wonderous music I would not be half the musician I am today!
Steve Howe - - a great composer, musician, and because of videos like this one, a great teacher as well. God bless that man, one of the greatest guitarists, beyond words and at so many levels, to ever walk the earth.
Nick Drake used unusual tunings in almost all his songs, he even invented some tunings. He was just a genius. I would put Elliott Smith as well, brillant guitarist. I'm talking about fingerpincking style But Steve Howe is a genius too and here it is just mind-blowing...
Mr Howe, thanks so much for posting this! I've been wanting to learn "Clap" ever since I learned 'Mood For A Day' from your sheet book back in the 80s ... tried to learn it from there, but I just couldn't figure out the fingering on some of this (I'm not really very good). This is completely awesome, I actually feel like I'll be able to learn it now!! Thank you ever so much.
Your humility is refreshing. I've been playing for over 40 years, yet I often feel that I'm quite mediocre. In reality, I don't think that's true. Don't take humility to an excess. If you mastered "Mood For A Day", then you are very good.
Come heve every week to watch this over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.... and every time something is new again. God bless this artist !
I learned mood for a day in the summer of 1987, I was 13...I spent the summer rewinding the VCR 9000 times, but I did it, and have spent the last 30+ years playing that song...fast forward to 2020, I am 46...I ran across this video, and have spent two weeks learning to play this...it can be done!!!Travis picking, and knowledge of the caged system really helps, coupled with a lifetime of music theory and tons of playing...there are harder songs to play...absolutely...playing this song is not magic...the magic is, Steve Howe sat down and wrote this song...pure musical genius on another level...ANOTHER LEVEL....us players get to play it, and when you learn it and can whip it out, it’s magical and people stop in their tracks...it’s simply amazing, and thanks to Steve, for a brief moment in time, when playing this song we get to become a little part of the genius...so thankful...great stuff, from one of the greatest players and writers of all time...
This is an insane piece of music. Steve Howe is a genius! There's not many people out there who can both be amazing prog rock guitarists while also being able to compose and play incredible solo guitar pieces like this.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards thought they could hear two guitarists on a Robert Johnson LP they bought from a shop in London which imported blues records from the US.
@Chris S Oh man I wish. I don't play much anymore. And even back then I don't think I was anywhere near mastering it. Learning it is one thing but playing it this well, need practice. Used to play it nearly everyday so it sounded decent but if I tried now it'll be a disaster.
Thanks Steve, i can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are a master at melodies and feel.... When I was young I did not always get your vibes, now I know you are one of the best in my book. Thx for sharing
javitobrigante I would also add Scott Joplin, I mean it sounds so much like ragtime applied on guitar, kinda like what Marcel Dadi used to do. This video is so awesome ! I’m so grateful it’s there :)
Awesome! Thanks for the post - I'm a huge Steve Howe fan! This one's been on my to-do list for many years. I did learn "Mood for a Day" on my classical guitar - another great tune! Steve Howe is so diverse - that's why he's one of my favorite guitarists. Thx again for the post!
A very good friend of mine learned this song in 1999 and mastered it. He played it completely solo for our high school talent show and brought the house down as a clear winner. 99% of the audience (including me) had never heard the song before. What a guy. What a day.
In 1978, I listened to these musics with real pleasure, and at the same time a kind of despair we tell ourselves, at that time, that we will never know, or we will see how to play these magnificent musics, The clap, your moove ... Etc ... And one day, we discover the internet, youtub ... Etc ... And our despair of 1978 turns into joy, to have, in a few "clicks", everything you thought about playing, to see, at will, the way and the way to be able play yourself, and all of a sudden, with exercise, discover that you can become Steve Howe, Hendrix, Gary Moore, Gilmoor… etc… Magnificent… THANK YOU Mr. Howe,
Me: I spy... a Band Friend: ¿They are a great Band? Me: YES! Friend: ¿They are magnificent? Me: YES!! Friend: ¿They have the greatest classic guitarplayer? Me: YES!!!!! Friend: ¿They have a great singer? Me: YES!!! Friend: ¿The Bass and Keyboard Players are gods? Me: YES!!! Friend: ¿¡Who are they!? ¡I forgive! Me: YES! idiot!! ¡¡¡¡¡YES!!!!
Such a bloody cool song. I love the fact that you'd think this nice-sounding song is named after an STD then you realise he wrote it after watching his first born son clap his hands. Humorous contrast :p
Kevin James; Just play it for your own pleasure. Whether or not you perfect it, it'll still enhance your natural abilities as a player. Besides, this is Steve Howe we're referencing, I often think he's not human.
Kevin James man don't look at it that way... I've been playing for over 50 years and I'm only now taking the time to figure this tune out... I had a friend back in the 70's who could literally play anything... and it sounded just like the recording. A true prodigy but the rest of us rely on our own interpretation... if you want it bad enough and stay after it you'll play it and people will be amazed!
His ring finger is longer than his middle finger. It's no exaggeration to say that most people 'couldn't' play this. Because we couldn't. His hands are ludicrous.
Thanks so much to Mr. Howe for this one! It's probably the best of all of his instructional shorts on RUclips. I remember playing this back about 1979, people said things like prodigy, but I knew I still had a long way to go. I'm closer today, but still not there, even though I sometimes get paid fairly well to play his tunes. Thanks again Steve for all your hard work and the time away from those you love so dearly.
I used to love this song back in the 60s when I was a boy from a small town from Brazil. I tried to learn it fom listening when there was no visual access to the real playing like this. Out of nowhere I remembered the song a while ago and thought that maybe it was there. There it is. It is a tribute to great, unforgettable playing.
There will never be another guitarist/musician like Steve Howe. He is one of a kind genius. His contribution to Yes, Asia, solo and more is testament to that.
Steve is one of my favorite guitarists of all time. He puts a lot of feeling into his guitar playing.... A true artist to say the least. I'll play this video as much as it takes to learn this piece on my own guitar!
My guitar teacher tabbed this out for me and taught me the entire song in 5 1hr lessons. It took me another 6 months to polish it. Now I see this and realize that I'm in the wrong positions in a few places, but overall right on the money. This is a masterpiece. I bust this out at campfires. People come from everywhere within earshot to hear it.
Do you still have the tabs?
@@kjv-public-domain would you like to share the clap tabs?
@@kjv-public-domain you should def spread the knowledge of this man's legacy if u can
This Roy Ettinger?
ruclips.net/video/MxdvK_LFbtc/видео.html
@@kjv-public-domain all the talent and guitar technique gone in an instant - you were fortun
This is so much more complex, melodic and enjoyable than some shredding out 64th notes.
I would agree this jumps not vapid or sterile without a doubt
After studying this video, and a month of hard practice i finally have this under my fingers for a college audition. Thanks Steve, couldn't have done it without you
HallMonitor Hope it went well, I’ve decided to finally learn country picking and then learn the middle section of Starship Trooper because I have the rest of it and hopefully Clap as well.
Clap to you..congrats!
did you get into college?
How did it go?
what was the outcome???
One of the happiest and most intelligent songs ever written for guitar.
Dashiell. I like this comment. Have a happy day.
here is how you can tell this is really Steve Howe playing:
no one in the world can play this song perfectly except him - duh!
I dunno...I had a buddy back in San Diego county in the 70's who could play pretty much anything note for note...you'd had to have hear him but he was a prodigy guitarist who could play the Clap or Alvin Lee's Goin' home and it was exactly like he heard it on the Woodstock album...or any else for that matter...freaky
Carlos Edwardos Tommy Emmanuel could easily shred this piece.
Tommy is too much of a show off.
This piece needs no shredding at all.
hillmillenia I can do that too. I'm just extremely observant that way in seeing and hearing things
ciliaris2 that and tommy compose shit
there has never been a guitarist more creative, more inspiring, and more underrated than steve howe.(my opinion) i have been playing guitar for 40yrs.and he is my all time favorite. even though i can play this piece, the nuances, the whimiscal drive, and the fingerpicking style remains a daunting task (curse you fat fingers!)i guess by the time i reach 80 i'll be close. anyhow this man is a treasure.
I remember when I first heard this at age 9 and playing guitar for 4 years....I thought it was God showing me how it's done in Heaven! Steve Howe is a blessing!
Sincere condolences to Mr. Steve Howe on the loss of his son ,Dylan . I just saw them in concert about a month ago in Conn. Clap will now be remembered for it's original inspiration.
Was not Dylan who died, but another of Steve's sons, Dylan's younger brother Virgil.
terrible, damn, condolences to the mistro
It was Virgil,not Dylan
this is way beyond any composition by EVH or Jimmy Page.. Beautiful counterpoint, chord melody, hybrid fingerstyle.. no hate here I love Eddie and Zep, but this is a whole other level.
Brenda Harris its a different level for sure, but eddy could pull it off, that guy is a genius in his own way, my jazz teacher use to tell me, no one plays like another, so lets give credit to all of em, and stop comparing, cause Howe could never bend and gi as fast as eddie and sing at the same time with difficult rythms...and look good and jump and have lots of beers hahahahahahaha
Giant page fan but Steve is well,, Steve. Diiferent player all 3. Page and Howe are closer than ev &Howe in my opinion though i think vh with hagar copied best of both worlds directly from roundabout . Rain songs some serious shit, But Evh does not even count, vh just runs songs through, were zep has specific time signature changes in many of there songs, I love all 70s players, 80s to if thee from the 70s. hhahah, 1 more thing Howe is closests to a legit classical guitarist as far as techniqe goes in my op. Closer than morse, Hacket, Maybe Rhoads was as legit, talking 4 finger legit techniqe+scales
But neither one can flat pick/finger lick at the same time, playing the bass and melody, like Steve, try playing it, I saw him play Clap 20+ times and it still blows me away
very true, in my op, Howe is the closest to the level of a classical guitar player or a country wizard like Jerry Reed. His finger style,using all 4 fingers surpasses all rock players+some jazz players in my opinion, EV, Page, even hacket, uli roth, steve morse. Dimeola , mc laugfhlin. Steve can play scales well with his fingers, few other rock players can, only hardcore flamenco, classical, jazz=Joe pass etc....beat SH, But they don't play rock guitar +write songs we hear every day.@@ciliaris2
Howe probably utilizes the entire fretboard more than any other
Steve Howe has inspired many souls to learn masterworks like this, and made the world a better place for us all. Accompanied by the Angel Warrior voice of Jon Anderson, the Triad layers of Squire, Bruford, and Wakeman... wow, it's humbling.
i've never heard Anderson called the Angel Warrior.
My Dad raised us listening to Yes. In the car on long trips, great stuff. The Clap is almost a lullaby for me! LOL
If any guitarist thinks that they are good - just play them this Clap clip to bring them back down to reality.
Agree this is not a piece of cake specialty using the fourth finger like that
I just chewed my fucin nails off, will i pick it up or think...
As a young kid and when I heard this in my early guitar Journey I couldn't believe it was one person playing it and no video back then. At age 61 this is the first time I've actually seen it played live. Just brilliant musically and technically
I just looked at my Taylor and asked “why can’t you sound like that?”
To my surprise the guitar said “I can but you can’t make me!”
From all the languages a guitar could start speaking, yours just choose to speak in *painfull truth*
Steve, thank you for taking the time to give us an intimate look at timeless composition. You've always been extremely generous in sharing your skill and knowledge. I'm a fan for life.
WOW 😮 YOU COVER IT ALL MAGNIFICENTLY STEVE. GOD BLESS YOU FOR UTTERLY SHARING MUSIC OF HEAVEN🎚🙏
@@franktejera3347 cover it? It's his song you melon
@@franktejera3347 qaq As
Never heard any stories about that. I’ll need verification before I believe you. Keep in mind that Steve has never been a frightening physical specimen. He wouldn’t have fared well if one of those lighting guys wasn’t in the mood to deal with a prima dona rock star.
@Satanic Panic Fun and Games I took a look at the video you recommended. Obviously Steve was frustrated, but his wrath was strictly verbal and only applied to one of the lighting techs, not legions. I once stood on stage with Steve Howe. He’s about 5’9” and weighs approximately 130 lbs. soaking wet. He was not an imposing figure. If he decided to act on his threat, he’d be going up against a guy who’s done lots of heavy lifting, and who was probably substantially younger.
As a guitar tech for many guitarists over the years, the only person I knew that actually figured this song out (pre RUclips) and could play it perfectly, was John Frusciante from Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also (on a day off on a Japanese tour) figured out Siberian Khatru note for note. Including the entire outtro solo. He even played (on guitar) the keyboard parts where there's no guitar. In one day he figured it out. The guys a genius.
Yet somehow he could barely tune his fucking guitar all through the BSSM sessions. I smell Caca
That all now makes great sense to me . Theres a guitar part on Stadium Arcadium thats taken straight off Tales From Topographic Oceans !
Dave Lee well of course if you had as much experience as he has you'd be able to figure it out in one day too. It's really not that hard unless if you're just deaf and don't know what the guitarist is doing during each segment of the song
Well frusciante learned to read music by literally devoring all Frank Zappa albums. Dude was super talented and had super fine taste, considering he was the rhcp guitarist. but then he started abusing of heavy drugs and fucked him up bad
lol pretty different styles of guitarist. i can't say i've ever heard frusciante finger pick a song in the chet atkins style before. Also, this is a very complicated song to play well, ain't no reason to sell Steve short. He is one of the best players and minds out there on the guitar.
Easiest way to tell it's Steve Howe: check that ring on the right hand; he almost always wore it. This is an excellent rendition of one of Howe's best pieces. Glad to see it posted on RUclips for all to see!
he normally doesnt wear his ring on his pinky, also the right hand technic in this video is so not Steve Howe. I doubt it's him.
@@SuperJupiter9 he is actually steve dude
Miranda Gemini It’s also from Steve Howe’s dvd!
@@SuperJupiter9 those are Howe's hands, that's Howe's technique, this is Howe. It's from his instructional DVD.
drooling here
Unbelievable. True mastery. What a terrific piece. Yes yes yes.
I can't thank Steve Howe enough for making these recordings. I saw him play numerous times with Yes and solo, his work always fascinated me with melodic hooks and virtuous chord structures. Being able to see these up close is like sitting in his living room with a glass of red, pinching myself, thank you Steve!!
Is this not the coolest human to ever live?
He’s been creating some of the very best music for over 60 years now.
This ranks #1 on the list of hardest songs I have ever tried to learn without a tab. The right hand technique and time changes will confuse and amaze as always, Mr. Howe you are the dude, thank you for this video.
I'm a huge fan since the 70's, gotta say here,"Thanks, Steve, for all the inspiration all these years!" I've been performing both Mood for a Day and The Clap on Classical guitar, and I find the Clap sounds quite well on the classical too. Brilliant guitar compositions, Bravo! I figured out the Clap by ear, before ever seeing this video, one of the toughest things I've ever done, but, ahhh... the satisfaction when I did was huge!! By Best, Ed
Steve is the best of all!!!
Steve is best
Slash is bad
This gives me hope for humanity and music.
I learned Clap song from this video, and i've always told everyone "Steve Howe tought me himself"
Those calluses on his fingertips are amazing; they stand off the ends of his fingers. Over 50 years of intense, nonstop playing and touring!
Great tutorial for an iconic piece of guitar playing! Thanks Steve!
Greatest guitarist of all time
Love the clap I even played it for my dad before he passed away and he even thought it was fantastic/and to those of you who can't read English /fantastico.
Love yes and will always be A yes fan
It's the rap and hip hop crap that's out today and the poor kids today don't know wahat good clean classic rock n roll is and yes is good clean classic rock
If you play good clean classic rock for your kids before they are born they will grow up with it
He is certainly without a doubt the most influential guitarist on me way back when I played. I learned Close to the Edge, Roundabout, Relayer, Mood for a Day, Perpetual Change, and others, including the solos in those songs, but the Clap was beyond me then. Great video too. Kudos to Steve for posting it.
I always loved this song and put it on several cassette tapes that I made for the car back in the old days. I can't believe that he actually put all of this stuff on the net! Bless you for sharing! And keep on dancing those fingers across the fretboard.
best guitar hands of all time
To see him play this while jumping around in the early 70s....o man...
It's just perfect.
Steve Howe was a rarity in 1970 because almost all the guitarists coming out of England at the time were playing straight up blues. Instead, he was into guys like Tal Farlow, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Wes Montgomery. Really sophisticated players. I just find it so interesting - as a lifelong Yes fan - that this little ditty could be sandwiched right between Yours is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper, without sounding the least bit out of place. Steve Howe's playing is the reason Yes sounded like no other band.
Steve Howe is the **THE** quintessential underrated guitarist in the world. I first saw him play live with Yes in 1979 and again in 1981, 1989, 2004 and 2019. He is spell-bounding!
Howe is one of the best ever. Been trying to learn this song for 10 years and I've come to the conclusion that my fingers are just not cut out for this type of workload.
I'm totally with you on this point. I've been at it for more than 5 years and I can play it half to three quarter speed with some mistakes. Been working on trying to smooth it out. Fatigue sets in at three quarters through. Don't give up on the piece. It's definitely worth it! I'm going to get this! It's a masterpiece!
I've been struggling with this song for 13 years and still don't have it yet. It's definitely a complex song, but I've pretty much got Mood For A Day which is also not that easy to master
This did something to me as a guitar player that no other song has done before.
My drummer sent me the song one morning, I thought it sounded pretty cool and decided to try and learn it. Spent about an hour figuring out the first riff and getting it up to speed, almost got it down but got frustrated and decided to take a break.
After a few minutes, decided to pick up the guitar again. The feeling I had when I got the riff to sound right for the first time was something I've never, as a guitarist, felt before. I was suddenly filled with undescribable joy and realised I was tearing up, all the while looping the riff over and over.
Amazing feeling, cannot really put it into words.
Yes he's holding a pick with his thumb and forefinger and using his third and fourth fingers. It's a hybrid fingerstyle method that you'll see from time to time. The guy is absolutely amazing isn't he!
was playing for two and a half years when I started to learn this song... took me 6 months, sat down and practiced a bar each night. Thank you Steve for being so amazing... If it was not for your wonderous music I would not be half the musician I am today!
No cabe duda que esta entre los primeros 5 guitarristas de todos los tiempos!!!
Thank you Steve for all you great music, this song of yours is one of my all time favorites!
The chord at 0:49 melted my brain.. A guitar god!
Steve Howe - - a great composer, musician, and because of videos like this one, a great teacher as well. God bless that man, one of the greatest guitarists, beyond words and at so many levels, to ever walk the earth.
Steve Howe and Nick Drake.
Twin towers of the acoustic guitar
i think steve howe towers above most other guitarists....
Alan Holdsworth
Nick Drake used unusual tunings in almost all his songs, he even invented some tunings. He was just a genius. I would put Elliott Smith as well, brillant guitarist. I'm talking about fingerpincking style
But Steve Howe is a genius too and here it is just mind-blowing...
This is an awesome song. Loved it on The Yes album and live on Yessongs.
Mr Howe, thanks so much for posting this! I've been wanting to learn "Clap" ever since I learned 'Mood For A Day' from your sheet book back in the 80s ... tried to learn it from there, but I just couldn't figure out the fingering on some of this (I'm not really very good). This is completely awesome, I actually feel like I'll be able to learn it now!! Thank you ever so much.
Your humility is refreshing. I've been playing for over 40 years, yet I often feel that I'm quite mediocre. In reality, I don't think that's true. Don't take humility to an excess. If you mastered "Mood For A Day", then you are very good.
Come heve every week to watch this over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over.... and every time something is new again. God bless this artist !
Dislike this = envious person who just mastered the E minor chord :D
Filippo Masetto x
Haha.. Know what You mean ..... :D
Awesome Guitar player and Excellent Musician !!!!!!!
Steve Howe !!!!!!!!!
haha I was like "damn this guy might be better than steve"...turns out it is. makes sense now
I learned mood for a day in the summer of 1987, I was 13...I spent the summer rewinding the VCR 9000 times, but I did it, and have spent the last 30+ years playing that song...fast forward to 2020, I am 46...I ran across this video, and have spent two weeks learning to play this...it can be done!!!Travis picking, and knowledge of the caged system really helps, coupled with a lifetime of music theory and tons of playing...there are harder songs to play...absolutely...playing this song is not magic...the magic is, Steve Howe sat down and wrote this song...pure musical genius on another level...ANOTHER LEVEL....us players get to play it, and when you learn it and can whip it out, it’s magical and people stop in their tracks...it’s simply amazing, and thanks to Steve, for a brief moment in time, when playing this song we get to become a little part of the genius...so thankful...great stuff, from one of the greatest players and writers of all time...
Relying on Rolling Stone to know quality music is like relying on McDonalds to know quality food.
😮
🎉😂
To each his own. Snob.
You say it like a joke but that's pretty accurate
🎯
All I have to say is
Thank you Mister Howe, Master Wizard of the guitar for sharing your mastery of the guitar, Love and Respect for you Steve
How?!?! Howe!!!
This is an insane piece of music. Steve Howe is a genius! There's not many people out there who can both be amazing prog rock guitarists while also being able to compose and play incredible solo guitar pieces like this.
My brother swore he heard two guitars when I played the song for him. He just stared in awe when I showed him the video.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards thought they could hear two guitarists on a Robert Johnson LP they bought from a shop in London which imported blues records from the US.
Steve, thank you so much for the detailed angles. For nearly 5 decades you've been a pure gift to us all. God bless.
Finally learned it!
+Walamonga 1313
Bravissimo! That's quite an achievement. Now on to the next challenge. Keep it up! Perhaps we'll be watching videos of you one day.
@Chris S Oh man I wish. I don't play much anymore. And even back then I don't think I was anywhere near mastering it. Learning it is one thing but playing it this well, need practice. Used to play it nearly everyday so it sounded decent but if I tried now it'll be a disaster.
Thanks Steve, i can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are a master at melodies and feel....
When I was young I did not always get your vibes, now I know you are one of the best in my book.
Thx for sharing
you can hear the Les Paul influence in this incredible song from the maestro Howe !
Chet Atkins as well.
Timfine More so, yes.
Django Reinhardt also
javitobrigante I would also add Scott Joplin, I mean it sounds so much like ragtime applied on guitar, kinda like what Marcel Dadi used to do. This video is so awesome ! I’m so grateful it’s there :)
I saw Steve perform this 5 Days ago 15 Nov 22 in Torrington, CT. He's still got it.
i will not be complete until i learn this song
how is it going?
Have you learned it?
@melmel6253 I did, but I haven't touched my guitar in a few years at this point so I doubt I still can 😅
I love the way you flow through those moving chord sections Steve. Gorgeous.
The pinky finger bend is troubling me....
That's because his pinky is the length of your index finger.
Doubt so, See Paul Gilbert's Pinky xD
The pinky to ring finger pull offs are troubling enough in this song. I won't even mention those bends....
Sincerely the most amazing and dulcet guitar performance I've ever seen, by Mr. Howe himself, one of my many incentives.
Well I got the first seven seconds down, that's enough for now.
I hear ya. I life’s work for us mere mortals!
YOU..SIR..ARE JUST AS MAGNIFICENT AS UNCLE-MR.STEVE HOWE HIMSELF...
PHENOMENAL JOB DONE...
MORE PLEASE 🙏🏿...
It is Steve Howe who is playing
I think I know these fingers...
I am always amazed by this, no matter how many times I play it...wonderful
For a song about venereal disease, It's quite the happy tune.
The title Steve wanted was "Clap"like clap your hands. When the publishers listed the song they added a "The," thus the unfortunate name confusion.
Awesome! Thanks for the post - I'm a huge Steve Howe fan! This one's been on my to-do list for many years. I did learn "Mood for a Day" on my classical guitar - another great tune! Steve Howe is so diverse - that's why he's one of my favorite guitarists. Thx again for the post!
Not a single mistake!
Perfect balance and mastery between both hands. Amazing. Thanks so much Steve!
52 people lost a girl to a guy who played the guitar.
Joe Salvatore Probably drummers lol
Ha! Right you are!
+Timothy O'Brien You struck a bad chord with me with that one! See what I did there?
Dr. Mantis Toboggan, M.D. Frankly, no, I did not.
+Timothy O'Brien Niiiiice!
A very good friend of mine learned this song in 1999 and mastered it. He played it completely solo for our high school talent show and brought the house down as a clear winner. 99% of the audience (including me) had never heard the song before. What a guy. What a day.
In 1978, I listened to these musics with real pleasure, and at the same time a kind of despair
we tell ourselves, at that time, that we will never know, or we will see how to play these magnificent musics, The clap, your moove ... Etc ... And one day, we discover the internet,
youtub ... Etc ... And our despair of 1978 turns into joy, to have,
in a few "clicks", everything you thought about playing, to see, at will, the way and the way to be able
play yourself, and all of a sudden, with exercise, discover that you can become
Steve Howe, Hendrix, Gary Moore, Gilmoor… etc… Magnificent… THANK YOU Mr. Howe,
Make it look so easy.
PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE EVERY TIME....I WISH I COULD PLAY IT....WELL DONE!!!
Me: I spy... a Band
Friend: ¿They are a great Band?
Me: YES!
Friend: ¿They are magnificent?
Me: YES!!
Friend: ¿They have the greatest classic guitarplayer?
Me: YES!!!!!
Friend: ¿They have a great singer?
Me: YES!!!
Friend: ¿The Bass and Keyboard Players are gods?
Me: YES!!!
Friend: ¿¡Who are they!? ¡I forgive!
Me: YES! idiot!! ¡¡¡¡¡YES!!!!
My god of all time ☀️
Such a bloody cool song. I love the fact that you'd think this nice-sounding song is named after an STD then you realise he wrote it after watching his first born son clap his hands. Humorous contrast :p
Steve Howe is such an amazing guitarist, definitely in my top 5 favourite guitarists.
Shit. Now I look at the video, I realise that the tabbed version that I've been playing off of is completely wrong in parts...
He likes to keep himself busy by changing the arrangement now and then
Ø its not wrong. he improvises a lot. just improvise yourself and make your own arrangement. theres is technically no wrong or right version
Kevin James;
Just play it for your own pleasure. Whether or not you perfect it, it'll still enhance your natural abilities as a player. Besides, this is Steve Howe we're referencing, I often think he's not human.
Kevin James man don't look at it that way... I've been playing for over 50 years and I'm only now taking the time to figure this tune out... I had a friend back in the 70's who could literally play anything... and it sounded just like the recording. A true prodigy but the rest of us rely on our own interpretation... if you want it bad enough and stay after it you'll play it and people will be amazed!
I doubt Steve Howe has ever played a song the same way twice.
It's amazing how humble this guy is to show his secrets to anyone wants to see and learn.
His hands were spiders in a previous life time.
His ring finger is longer than his middle finger.
It's no exaggeration to say that most people 'couldn't' play this. Because we couldn't. His hands are ludicrous.
Thanks so much to Mr. Howe for this one! It's probably the best of all of his instructional shorts on RUclips. I remember playing this back about
1979, people said things like prodigy, but I knew I still had a long way to go. I'm closer today, but still not there, even though I sometimes get paid fairly well to play his tunes. Thanks again Steve for all your hard work and the time away from those you love so dearly.
If thats not Steve,,, Hes sure done his homework...
It is, I'd know those fingers anywhere!
Yeah.....have you heard him do the acoustic yours is no disgrace?
NO one but Steve can do that
I mean...Disillusionment
+Paul Catania those extremely huge fingers
THEY LOOK like ;Steve's... have you seen them... Im doubting anyone ever called him "Stubby Steve
Love you Steve! Thanks for all the super music. You're the master!
Chet Atkins
Started trying to learn this song last night, using this video as a guide, he goes through it all so fast... Wish me luck.
One of my favorite renditions of Clap by the Maestro Steve Howe! Thanks so much for sharing.
I used to love this song back in the 60s when I was a boy from a small town from Brazil. I tried to learn it fom listening when there was no visual access to the real playing like this. Out of nowhere I remembered the song a while ago and thought that maybe it was there. There it is. It is a tribute to great, unforgettable playing.
Mr. Guitar indeed! Best hands in the business. I could watch Steve play all day every day!
There will never be another guitarist/musician like Steve Howe. He is one of a kind genius. His contribution to Yes, Asia, solo and more is testament to that.
Steve is one of my favorite guitarists of all time. He puts a lot of feeling into his guitar playing.... A true artist to say the least. I'll play this video as much as it takes to learn this piece on my own guitar!
This is one of those pieces that belong. I'm extremely grateful and the better for adding it to my life's soundtrack. 8)
What a treasure... so very very few players can make open voicings sing and dance like that. Thanks so much, Mr. Howe.
My very favorite bit of guitar playing, ever. What a great little video this is.
How is it not possible to admire such geniality?
Steve Howe, thank for bringing to this world such a piece of art. This and others of course!
Mind blowing!! What a guitar piece this really is.
This extraordinary player leaves me speechless all these many years later. What a talent and what a gift.
No one plays a guitar like this except Steve Howe and God!