What Jacob song should I teach next? In standard tuning or his altered tuning? Find my Jacob guitar transcriptions at justinroth.com/store (including Little Blue, Summer Rain and more).
Thank you! Glad to be of service. I’ve got more Jacob tutorials and tabs in the works. Stay tuned. Don’t forget to check out the tutorial for “witness me” as well. 👍
I just had a late night revelation of an error I made regarding the second pre-chorus. At 44:40, I say that we've modulated up one whole step from D to E. However, I now believe that it is actually modulating from D to B. The pre-chorus starts In the key of D, with Bm (vi) to F#m (iii). If we are modulating to E, then the next chord, G#m would be the new iii, to B/D# (new V in 1st inversion), to E (new I chord). The alternative here is actually: G#m is the new vi in the key of B, followed by B/D# (new I in 1st inversion), followed by E (IV). After that we then start the modulation to Ab with the Bbm (new ii) to Ab/C (new I in 1st inversion) to Db(IV) to Eb(V). Thoughts anyone? Either way, it's amazing!
I love your dedication! I am just finishing up another 50 minute tutorial for “never gonna be alone!” I tried a few shorter formats for a couple other Jacob songs and got feedback that most people liked the longer version, so that’s my new MO. 👍 Stay tuned!!
Thank you! I'm glad it's helpful and I'm grateful for any feedback on your prefered format for my other Jacob song tutorials and transcriptions (see poll). I've got more on the way so stay tuned to my tutorials playlist here: bit.ly/JCtutorials
Thanks! I was worried at first that it was too long but after trying other shorter formats for a couple other Jacob songs, I got requests to do more long form, like I did for Little Blue. Since not everyone has used altered tunings before, there’s a lot to learn about the tuning itself and how chords are built in it. After you understand that, it makes all his other guitar versions easier to understand. Check out the “Easy chord shapes tutorial” - bit.ly/JCchordshapes, and my JC guide to triadic chord voicings handout for more - bit.ly/4doCwhO
620 view? seriously!? you deserve way more than this. but on the other hand, lets not judge a video by the count of its views :) i really enjoyed watching your video and appreciate the amount of work and time you put into it. thanks for helping to learn this song. cheers!
Thanks! The video is only about 12 days old, so we’ll see who continues to find it. I’ll be working on other videos and transcriptions of other songs in the near future so stay tuned. Thanks for your support.
Wow! Great job! You have not only exhibited tremendous harmonic knowledge in an altered tuning (and explained it clearly), but have exhibited tremendous patience and "stick-to-it-tive-ness" in your editing of this video and using transparent images (chord diagrams and annotations) for instructional graphics over your video. I'm Exhausted thinking about how much work went into this video...Kudos Justin!!! *Side Note: Do you use your thumbnail - or are you striking with a combo of both flesh and nails (using thumb and all picking fingers) to get your tone?
Thank you so much! This was the first home video I had ever made, let alone using three cameras, and it was the first time I had ever edited a video. I dove in head first and it certainly took me a long time. Thanks for recognizing that. 🙏 Thankfully, my passion for the subject matter made it all worthwhile. I’ve tried a couple other formats on other tutorials, but I think I’ll be going back to this format with the added, notations and diagrams, because it seems to be the most helpful for people. I’ve got more on the way soon! I use an acrylic thumbnail, but don’t really grow out my fingernails, so those are mainly flesh.
@@justinrothmusic Awesome, this tutorial format is the most clear and helpful. On the other note, when I watch your right hand, it appears to me you are using the side of that acryllic thumbnail mixed with the flesh of the side of your thumb. Incredible virtuoso Matteo Mancuso also uses acryllic nails to utilize classical fingerstyle to a unique jazz fusion-sty;e shredding approach on an electric guitar.
Matteo is amazing. My thumbnail helps with the attack when plucking or strumming but it’s still combined with the flash of my thumb. It also adds a little more punch on upstrokes. My “never gonna be alone“ tutorial will be comprehensive, and I even have a suggestion for Jacob to make the modulation smoother when he plays it solo. He fumbles over moving the capo and I have an easier way for him to manage it. It’s a mechanical problem that needs a remedy, and there is a way to do it . But who am I to tell Jacob, what to do?😉
Thanks a lot for the tutorial ! Just to tell you that if you tune your high G string to a A (a whole step up), it s then easier to play because you dont need to avoid that string anymore, its in the scale and thus in tune😊
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 👍 Yes, if you tuned it up to A, that would work, but the added tension on your guitar, in addition to the likelihood of breaking that string may or may not be worth it. In my “Jacob Collier Easy Chords” tutorial, I demonstrate how you could tune everything else down a whole step to CGDGGC as an alternative and get that same doubling of the second and third strings without the added tension. Before he had his five string guitar, Jacob used to split the difference and tune to DbAbEbAbAbDb so that he could tune the third and fourth strings up only a half step, and would therefore have those double strings on the second and third string. He uses custom gauge strings so that he can raise the fourth string up a whole step to E, and you may want to consider doing the same, especially if you’re going to raise your third string up to A as well. Good luck and happy music making!
this is an amazing tutorial, nice work brother! I just went through learning this on my own so i was checking to see if there’s a good tutorial out there, otherwise I was going to make one. This is awesome. peronally, I tuned the first 5 strings of a baritone acoustic to this tuning and it works really well!! and i’ve got a low A string with it 😎
Thank you! I’ve got a handful more JC tutorials on the way to, so stay tuned to my channel. Your baritone is a great alternative, and you can add a bass line for more inversions! 😂
Wow! Thank you. It’s an absolute joy to take apart these songs and learn so much, then have the opportunity to share what I find. I’m so happy that it’s of value to others. Stay tuned for more to come.
You're welcome! I hope it's helpful. Please subscribe if you want to be notified when I release more Jacob Collier tutorials. The next one is on its way soon. 👍
You’re welcome! I wanted to keep the initial tutorials accessible to all levels and teach the harmonic content first. Once I’ve got a handful more of his songs completed, I may add other tutorials to break down more of the technique. Since his pattern isn’t consistent throughout, nor is he picking out melodies with the right hand, I kept it more of a general approach. There are many layers to uncover and I plan to keep making guitar tutorials on his guitar playing as long as he keeps releasing acoustic songs, so please stay tuned. 👍
I'm thrilled that my official, legal, licensed and legit transcription of "Little Blue" (Mahogany Sessions version) is available for purchase here: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1430831/Product.aspx
I’m so glad to hear it! Jacob‘s tuning makes so much of his music easier to play, if you’re willing to learn some new chord shapes, so I hope it leads you down that road. Get that guitar ready!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! After years of playing, I've been reinspired! I ordered a 6-string guitar kit and I'm going to convert it to a 5-string because, according to the internet, they don't exist!
You’re welcome! There’s more to come here, and even more over on my Patreon, so stay tuned. Strandberg is going to be releasing a five string JC signature model electric guitar, but I don’t know the timeline. I hope you’ve got a good luthier to convert the acoustic! 👍 I’ve considered the same and heard that you can keep the string peg holes for strings one and six, fill the holes for strings two through five, and then re-drill the center three holes. You’ll need a new nut and saddle too. Send me a picture when it’s done! 😉
@@justinrothmusic Will do. I saw JC play the 5-string Strandberg on YT. Taylor recently made a 10-string for him and you can find him playing that on YT as well. I've played in open tunings before, but this hits different. I just got a coffee and donut on your Patreon. Your teaching style is so clear and and easy to follow. Thanks again. I'm a fan.
Thank you for joining me on Patreon! I look forward to bringing more songs to light in the near future. I saw him play in Denver earlier this month and he had the 10 string and the five string Strandberg. I posted a video with chord diagrams for “the sun is in your eyes“ that he played at that show on the 10 string. 👍
Also a big thanks from my side for this video. Coming from the piano and also as a great fan from Jacob Collier I had the idea of building such a 5-String guitar. In the end I bought a cheap used LAG Western Guitar and had it modified from a friend to a 5-String version. We removed the parts where the strings are running across at the top and the bottom and replaced them with custom 5-String versions. Then we drilled an additional hole for the middle string. It works quite nice and I think it's a lot easier to play than this muted 6-String version. Unfortunately I cannot add any photos here.
I look forward to trying out an actual five string someday. The whole idea of muting the third string is optional. It works fine over many of thechords, but it slightly changes the character of the chord that Jacob actually plays with only five strings. It doesn’t have to remain muted over all the chords. I’d say experiment with it to find any specific time that you absolutely don’t want that note, but now you have a five string and you don’t have to!😀
You are welcome and enjoy! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I’ve got more in the works. You can find other Jacob materials on my Patreon.
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear it. That’s one of the great things about this tuning, there aren’t too many chord shapes to learn and they are easy to play. Check out the other song tutorials on my page and you’ll find them easy to play as well because it’s all the same shapes. Good luck!
Thank you so so much for giving us this amazing work. I'm so happy to be able to learn it and understand it so easily. I'm blown away by this song, and I can do it mine a little bit, thank you so much for that
You are so welcome! I love hearing stories about people learning how to play this song. ❤️ Stay tuned for more Jacob transcriptions and tutorials. The next one is on its way soon!
Thank you! This was a gem of a song to dive into, especially for my first-ever tutorial. I loved it so much, I just couldn't resist. 👍 I saw another notice from you asking about tuning the G down to F#, but I don't see it here. I tried both ways and the G worked better over more chords than the F# did, and at times the clashed more than the G did. Another way that actually works "better" and doesn't require you to mute that string as often, is tuning the G up to A and allowing it to drone in unison with the 2nd/A string. I'll warn you that the string gets tight though and depending upon your gauge, it may break. So, if you're able to, you can lower the gauge of that string to 0.022 or 0.020 to compensate for this additional tension. Your local guitar store should have individual strings available for purchase. That'll work better, both for the tension, as well as the feel of the string when tuned up to A. If you watch my tutorial for "Never Gonna Be Alone," you'll see how that song actually works better tuning the G down to F#. Find it here: bit.ly/NGBAtutorial
Thank you very, very much for putting me on the right track facing Jacob's way of playing guitar ! I agree with you that technique is not the main issue here. With just a few shapes I learned from you I can enter Jacob's 'Little Blue'-environment. I'm very excited ! Great work !
Thank you! I'm so glad it's helpful. Jacob's music needs some decoding to figure out what he's doing, but I love that kind of detective work. I'm just putting the finishing touches on another tutorial that covers all the main chord shapes that Jacob uses on many different acoustic versions of other songs in this DAEGAE tuning. Think of it as Jacob's acoustic guitar chord vocabulary. After that I'll be rolling out more videos on other individual songs. All the best to you!
That will be great ! Every once in a while my daughter -19 years old, sings and writes- introduces me to the music of this new generation of young gifted musicians. Jacob is one of them. I sometimes feel like a young kid myself when I'm learning his music. I'm a guitar-teacher and player myself. It keeps me curious and young. Everyone who says the best music is already written has blinkers on ! Have a good one !
Glad to hear it! I’m super inspired by the idea of more people finding this song accessible. Keep up the good work and stay tuned for more Jacob tutorials coming soon.
thanks greg! Still getting used to talking to a camera, but I love finding and sharing a more accessible way of learning these tunes. Stay tuned for more JC songs in the near future!
Thank you so much for this. I will say, i wouldve preferred this to be taught with the capo so i could go back and forth between this video and the original, just for your reference. Thanks again!
Thanks again for the feedback. This was my first Jacob tutorial and, in hindsight, could very well have been done that way. At the time, I considered that it would be easier to teach the concept of naming the chords based on their shape (relative to the tuning), rather than confuse (or upset) anyone by calling an Eb chord (pitch with the capo) a D chord (based on the shape). We guitar players are notorious for calling chords by their shape, no matter where the capo is, so I could’ve done do with the capo after all. All of my other tutorials have been with the capo in the proper place and I will continue to do so on all others from here on out. 👍
Scott, great to hear from you! It has been forever. Looks like you've got a sweet setup in your studio as well. This was my first attempt at a home produced video. First time with the editing software and first time trying to stay on point with three cameras. Whew...I really did a deep dive, not just on the song, but in my own way for the whole production. I learned a lot in a week. 😂 I hope all is well with you in the windy city.
This was incredibly helpful. But I play the song tuning the guitar half step down and playing it like E Major. It Works pretty great because you can leave the 2 top strings open all song 🎸
I’m glad you found a way to make it work for you! Depending on the key that anyone wants to play the song in for their own voice, there could be a lot of alternatives. Stay tuned because I’ll be releasing another video in the next day or so, for the acoustic version of “never gonna be alone.”
Thank you! The next video will be dropping soon. It's going to teaching Jacob's main chord vocabulary on many of his acoustic versions of songs in this same (or similar) tuning.
7 месяцев назад+1
After watching the original video a gazillion times and having already played and figured out a tunning that works and everything I just learnt IT'S 5 STRINGS lol how did I not see that? Also, that G string you avoid playing. I tunned it to an E (which makes an open Dsus9 chord)
It caught me by surprise too. 😂Not something you’d typically need to look for. Just based on how he just plays triadic chords and pedal notes, I can see why he got rid of the G string. The tuning on the lower three strings in fifths makes it possible to reach all those great inversions, much like one would on piano.
The chords and tuning are nearly identical to "Anchor" by Novo Amor, so Instead of keeping the 3rd string "G" and avoiding/muting it, I like tuning it to "A" and throwing it in when finger picking, kinda mixing the two
Steven, thanks for your comment. I agree that tuning the G up to A is another option. In fact, Jacob used to use both options. He once posted that DAEGAD was his favorite, but I have since found other recordings of him with the G tuned up to A. I didn’t initially suggest it due to the fact that strings and guitars don’t tend to like having strings tuned higher than they intended to. However, if anyone is willing to put a guitar into this tuning, they may be willing to also invest in a couple lighter gauged strings to accommodate for the added tension. I recommend .030 for your fourth string raised to E and .022 for your G string raised to A. I’ve also updated my “guide to triadic chord voicings” to reflect this as another tuning option. You can find the guide here: www.patreon.com/posts/101016882?
Very good tutorial, but if I could give some feedback it would be that if in end of every section you would summarize all chords and progressions of the intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus etc. Because I find it little hard to keep track when to play what without having to keep backplaying the video. And also before each section, lay out all the chords which will be walked through to get a better image of the sections structure and progressions.
Thanks for the feedback! That’s a great suggestion. “Little Blue“ was the first tutorial I made, so I’ve been trying different formats to layout the sections clearly, but I really like your idea. I’ll try to incorporate it on the next one. I think I also mention in the video that you can get the transcription to follow along: www.justinroth.com/store What song do you want to see next? Thanks so much for watching!
@@justinrothmusic Also maybe try to make the sections in chronological order, i got just a little confused that the chorus got explained before the intro. But due to the special tuning and all unorthodox chords i can still see why the setup went as it did. Otherwise, as said, very good tutorial and content, well explained. I really hope you gain more followers, i will at least subscribe! Regarding new song... 🤔 for now I will try to grasp this one! 😁 but I really like these type of songs, so keep them coming and thanks for great work!
@WP-pn6nu I learned a lot doing that first tutorial, both in the song and in how to shoot and edit a video. I’m not sure why I left it that way with the intro coming later, but I know I was just really focused on teaching the chords initially before teaching a fingerpicking pattern. Hopefully I’m getting better at it each time! 😂
Thanks for your feedback. I love that you’re listening on that level! I agree that he does let what I believe to be the high first string, D, ring at the end of that chord, but I see it less as a chord tone and more as a passing tone pulling us back to the next chord. I labeled the chords based primarily on the function of the fretted lowest three strings. Since the open droning strings are used pretty liberally across many of the chords, I lessened how much influence they had on the naming of some of the chords themselves. On piano, Jacob would be far more intentional with his upper extensions and voice leading of those upper notes. Since they are intermittently plucked, but not with an overly calculated fingerpicking pattern, I see them functioning more as drones and less as functional voice leading. For example, when he plays an A7sus4, he frets the A G and D notes on the low strings, even though the high open D string first string would give him the sus4. He doesn’t voice lead off of those top two strings. They are just hanging over the top. I would also guess that on another live recording, he may not play that upper note in that same location, but would stick more to the function of the chord underneath. Since he varies how he plays everything from one performance to another, I tried to stay true to what seems intentional versus consequential to the tuning itself. Make sense? 👍
Thanks for the explanation, I hadn't even noticed that note could be played on just the open D string haha, now it makes sense as a drone. Well, it is another way of looking at it anyway!
I do my transcription in Guitar Pro 8, and then upload a pdf to arrangeme.com. As long as they have the song in their catalog, they grant the license for the transcription. They then list the arrangement on Sheet Music direct and Sheet Music plus. I have also added my transcriptions to musicnotes.com in a similar fashion.
If you are using.a 2nd guitar permanently tuned in this DAE (G) AD tuning, why not simply remove the G -string altogether, especially since you aren't using it? Then you will have a 5 string guitar like Jacob. That will also negate the possibility of accidentally striking it.
Because I am a hardwired, six string player! 😉 I’m not looking to switch to five strings. The thing that Jacob misses out on by not having that third string is, when his right hand technique catches up to his harmonic mind, he will have fewer options for adding melodic passages on the guitar. However, that’s more of a fingerstyle guitar thing, and it may not be the direction that Jacob will ever go in. His five string set up suits his harmonic sensibilities, but he is far less driven by technique. I primarily play fingerstyle and use multiple altered tunings throughout a show, so I need all six strings.
@@justinrothmusic Good point. I sense that Jacob is not interested in moving toward fingerstyle guitar, and wants to keep his right hand as minimal as possible for the sake of performance. But as you say, his feelings might change in the future. Especially as his right hand skills progress, based on his adoration and aspirations of playing more in the style of Ted Greene.
He is highly capable on any instrument that he touches, but he doesn’t have to master every technique for every instrument by any means. I think he’s doing just fine with the chops that he has. 😂
Hey Johnny, I agree, if you can do it without breaking the G string. I’d recommend lowering the gauge .22 or .20, not just for tension but also for feel. That third string will feel really tight next to the others, although you won’t ever really be fretting it. I do really like the doubled A sound though. Thanks for watching! 👍
If you tune the third string down to F#, it doesn’t work as cleanly across as many chords on this particular song. On “never gonna be alone” the tuning is DAEF#AE. That one works at F# because he plays out of a different position and that note works over most of the chords far better than leaving it at G.
Thanks again for your feedback! Anytime I indicate a barre chord, it is based on the notes that I can hear Jacob playing on this particular performance, but not necessarily that a barre is required or the only option. The simpler version of all of those chords are made just by focusing on fretting the lowest three strings, and knowing when the top two strings work or don’t work over the chord beneath it. Also, since this is based on a live performance, and that he’s not using a set fingerpicking pattern, he varies these voicings from performance to performance. The chords indicated are an accurate representation of only this particular performance, and can be a guide to be interpreted and adapted however you see fit, or are able. 👍
Agreed. There are a few different options in terms of re-tuning to avoid having to mute that string, or know when it works being played open. Tuning down to D works (but will feel really loose), tuning it up to A also works, but it feels tight. If your guitar will be used going back-and-forth between this tuning and any others, you may find that you’ll break that G string more often simply because the tension is changing so much beyond what it’s made for. Personally, I would choose tuning it up to A so that the top strings are in the same higher register when used as drones over the top of the chords. When it’s tuned down to D, it’ll be pitched closer to one of the chord tones and may clutter up the voice leading a little more. If that string feels too tight tuned to A, and if this guitar will stay in this tuning, you could swap out the G string with an extra second string and tune that to A. Does that make sense?
@@justinrothmusic thats a really good idea, i use a classical guitar and the strings are fairly light guage so that shouldn’t be an issue, also i cant state enough how much i loved this tutorial, perfect amount of info, everything i needed to know. I had been racking my brain trying to figure out what jacob was doing in that recording and this video came to my rescue
What Jacob song should I teach next? In standard tuning or his altered tuning? Find my Jacob guitar transcriptions at justinroth.com/store (including Little Blue, Summer Rain and more).
This might be one of the best alter tuning lesson on youtube
Thank you! Tell your friends. 👍 Subscribe to find out when my future Jacob tutorials are released. The next one is on its way soon!
This is literally perfect. Exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the great work, you are amazing !
Thank you! Glad to be of service. I’ve got more Jacob tutorials and tabs in the works. Stay tuned. Don’t forget to check out the tutorial for “witness me” as well. 👍
I just had a late night revelation of an error I made regarding the second pre-chorus. At 44:40, I say that we've modulated up one whole step from D to E. However, I now believe that it is actually modulating from D to B. The pre-chorus starts In the key of D, with Bm (vi) to F#m (iii). If we are modulating to E, then the next chord, G#m would be the new iii, to B/D# (new V in 1st inversion), to E (new I chord). The alternative here is actually: G#m is the new vi in the key of B, followed by B/D# (new I in 1st inversion), followed by E (IV). After that we then start the modulation to Ab with the Bbm (new ii) to Ab/C (new I in 1st inversion) to Db(IV) to Eb(V). Thoughts anyone? Either way, it's amazing!
I see 50mins of video time and already know, this is the tutorial that I was looking for
I love your dedication! I am just finishing up another 50 minute tutorial for “never gonna be alone!” I tried a few shorter formats for a couple other Jacob songs and got feedback that most people liked the longer version, so that’s my new MO. 👍 Stay tuned!!
This was superb, thank you so much for putting the effort into making this video! And what a nice tuning :)
Thank you! I'm glad it's helpful and I'm grateful for any feedback on your prefered format for my other Jacob song tutorials and transcriptions (see poll). I've got more on the way so stay tuned to my tutorials playlist here: bit.ly/JCtutorials
Wild that one songs requires 50 mins of tutorial. 🤯
great song great tutorial
Thanks! I was worried at first that it was too long but after trying other shorter formats for a couple other Jacob songs, I got requests to do more long form, like I did for Little Blue. Since not everyone has used altered tunings before, there’s a lot to learn about the tuning itself and how chords are built in it. After you understand that, it makes all his other guitar versions easier to understand. Check out the “Easy chord shapes tutorial” - bit.ly/JCchordshapes, and my JC guide to triadic chord voicings handout for more - bit.ly/4doCwhO
620 view? seriously!? you deserve way more than this. but on the other hand, lets not judge a video by the count of its views :) i really enjoyed watching your video and appreciate the amount of work and time you put into it. thanks for helping to learn this song. cheers!
Thanks! The video is only about 12 days old, so we’ll see who continues to find it. I’ll be working on other videos and transcriptions of other songs in the near future so stay tuned. Thanks for your support.
Well sharing this might help it a lot 😊
Brilliant. Loved your lesson. Thank you, Sir. 👏👏👏
Thank you! I’m glad it’s helpful. Subscribe to my channel for more Jacob lessons coming soon. 👍
Wow! Great job! You have not only exhibited tremendous harmonic knowledge in an altered tuning (and explained it clearly), but have exhibited tremendous patience and "stick-to-it-tive-ness" in your editing of this video and using transparent images (chord diagrams and annotations) for instructional graphics over your video. I'm Exhausted thinking about how much work went into this video...Kudos Justin!!! *Side Note: Do you use your thumbnail - or are you striking with a combo of both flesh and nails (using thumb and all picking fingers) to get your tone?
Thank you so much! This was the first home video I had ever made, let alone using three cameras, and it was the first time I had ever edited a video. I dove in head first and it certainly took me a long time. Thanks for recognizing that. 🙏 Thankfully, my passion for the subject matter made it all worthwhile. I’ve tried a couple other formats on other tutorials, but I think I’ll be going back to this format with the added, notations and diagrams, because it seems to be the most helpful for people. I’ve got more on the way soon!
I use an acrylic thumbnail, but don’t really grow out my fingernails, so those are mainly flesh.
@@justinrothmusic Awesome, this tutorial format is the most clear and helpful. On the other note, when I watch your right hand, it appears to me you are using the side of that acryllic thumbnail mixed with the flesh of the side of your thumb. Incredible virtuoso Matteo Mancuso also uses acryllic nails to utilize classical fingerstyle to a unique jazz fusion-sty;e shredding approach on an electric guitar.
Matteo is amazing. My thumbnail helps with the attack when plucking or strumming but it’s still combined with the flash of my thumb. It also adds a little more punch on upstrokes.
My “never gonna be alone“ tutorial will be comprehensive, and I even have a suggestion for Jacob to make the modulation smoother when he plays it solo. He fumbles over moving the capo and I have an easier way for him to manage it. It’s a mechanical problem that needs a remedy, and there is a way to do it . But who am I to tell Jacob, what to do?😉
Thanks a lot for the tutorial !
Just to tell you that if you tune your high G string to a A (a whole step up), it s then easier to play because you dont need to avoid that string anymore, its in the scale and thus in tune😊
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Yes, if you tuned it up to A, that would work, but the added tension on your guitar, in addition to the likelihood of breaking that string may or may not be worth it. In my “Jacob Collier Easy Chords” tutorial, I demonstrate how you could tune everything else down a whole step to CGDGGC as an alternative and get that same doubling of the second and third strings without the added tension. Before he had his five string guitar, Jacob used to split the difference and tune to DbAbEbAbAbDb so that he could tune the third and fourth strings up only a half step, and would therefore have those double strings on the second and third string. He uses custom gauge strings so that he can raise the fourth string up a whole step to E, and you may want to consider doing the same, especially if you’re going to raise your third string up to A as well. Good luck and happy music making!
this is an amazing tutorial, nice work brother! I just went through learning this on my own so i was checking to see if there’s a good tutorial out there, otherwise I was going to make one. This is awesome.
peronally, I tuned the first 5 strings of a baritone acoustic to this tuning and it works really well!! and i’ve got a low A string with it 😎
Thank you! I’ve got a handful more JC tutorials on the way to, so stay tuned to my channel. Your baritone is a great alternative, and you can add a bass line for more inversions! 😂
This is amazing, Justin- thank you for sharing this incredible breakdown of such a beautiful song. I hope this video reaches a lot of people....
Thank you so much!
Absolutely amazing bro, nobody makes stuff like this. Very detailed and clear. Thank you
Thanks! Stay tuned for more JC acoustic tutorials coming soon. Witness Me tutorial went live two days ago. 👍
Absolutely fantastic.
Thanks, Sam! More JC tutorials are on their way. What other song would you like to learn?
This was an amazing gift to the world in addition to the song.
Wow! Thank you. It’s an absolute joy to take apart these songs and learn so much, then have the opportunity to share what I find. I’m so happy that it’s of value to others. Stay tuned for more to come.
Awesome work ! Thank you !
You're welcome! I hope it's helpful. Please subscribe if you want to be notified when I release more Jacob Collier tutorials. The next one is on its way soon. 👍
Thanks for your nice tutorial! Would have been great, if you would have talked about the right hand patterns and using of the drones he uses.
You’re welcome! I wanted to keep the initial tutorials accessible to all levels and teach the harmonic content first. Once I’ve got a handful more of his songs completed, I may add other tutorials to break down more of the technique. Since his pattern isn’t consistent throughout, nor is he picking out melodies with the right hand, I kept it more of a general approach. There are many layers to uncover and I plan to keep making guitar tutorials on his guitar playing as long as he keeps releasing acoustic songs, so please stay tuned. 👍
Thanks dude , amazing tutorial , i learned a lot
You’re welcome! Check out my other tutorials for more Jacob songs and I’ve got more of his songs on the way. 👍
I'm thrilled that my official, legal, licensed and legit transcription of "Little Blue" (Mahogany Sessions version) is available for purchase here: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1430831/Product.aspx
Thank you for this….you’ve made me want to pickup my guitar again!
I’m so glad to hear it! Jacob‘s tuning makes so much of his music easier to play, if you’re willing to learn some new chord shapes, so I hope it leads you down that road. Get that guitar ready!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! After years of playing, I've been reinspired! I ordered a 6-string guitar kit and I'm going to convert it to a 5-string because, according to the internet, they don't exist!
You’re welcome! There’s more to come here, and even more over on my Patreon, so stay tuned. Strandberg is going to be releasing a five string JC signature model electric guitar, but I don’t know the timeline. I hope you’ve got a good luthier to convert the acoustic! 👍 I’ve considered the same and heard that you can keep the string peg holes for strings one and six, fill the holes for strings two through five, and then re-drill the center three holes. You’ll need a new nut and saddle too. Send me a picture when it’s done! 😉
@@justinrothmusic Will do. I saw JC play the 5-string Strandberg on YT. Taylor recently made a 10-string for him and you can find him playing that on YT as well. I've played in open tunings before, but this hits different. I just got a coffee and donut on your Patreon. Your teaching style is so clear and and easy to follow. Thanks again. I'm a fan.
Thank you for joining me on Patreon! I look forward to bringing more songs to light in the near future. I saw him play in Denver earlier this month and he had the 10 string and the five string Strandberg. I posted a video with chord diagrams for “the sun is in your eyes“ that he played at that show on the 10 string. 👍
Also a big thanks from my side for this video. Coming from the piano and also as a great fan from Jacob Collier I had the idea of building such a 5-String guitar. In the end I bought a cheap used LAG Western Guitar and had it modified from a friend to a 5-String version. We removed the parts where the strings are running across at the top and the bottom and replaced them with custom 5-String versions. Then we drilled an additional hole for the middle string. It works quite nice and I think it's a lot easier to play than this muted 6-String version. Unfortunately I cannot add any photos here.
I look forward to trying out an actual five string someday. The whole idea of muting the third string is optional. It works fine over many of thechords, but it slightly changes the character of the chord that Jacob actually plays with only five strings. It doesn’t have to remain muted over all the chords. I’d say experiment with it to find any specific time that you absolutely don’t want that note, but now you have a five string and you don’t have to!😀
Just bought both your little blue and witness me lead sheets! Thank you!!
You are welcome and enjoy! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I’ve got more in the works. You can find other Jacob materials on my Patreon.
Best tutorial ever !! Learnt the whole song even as a beginner
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear it. That’s one of the great things about this tuning, there aren’t too many chord shapes to learn and they are easy to play. Check out the other song tutorials on my page and you’ll find them easy to play as well because it’s all the same shapes. Good luck!
Yh I agree -Looking forward to learning more from the other tutorials :)
@@tianaw1nxm Thanks! The next one is underway. Thanks for tuning in (guitar pun intended).
Thank you so so much for giving us this amazing work. I'm so happy to be able to learn it and understand it so easily. I'm blown away by this song, and I can do it mine a little bit, thank you so much for that
You are so welcome! I love hearing stories about people learning how to play this song. ❤️ Stay tuned for more Jacob transcriptions and tutorials. The next one is on its way soon!
Great news ! @@justinrothmusic
Thank you! 🙏🏽🎶. Beautifully taught and articulated
Thank you! This was a gem of a song to dive into, especially for my first-ever tutorial. I loved it so much, I just couldn't resist. 👍 I saw another notice from you asking about tuning the G down to F#, but I don't see it here. I tried both ways and the G worked better over more chords than the F# did, and at times the clashed more than the G did. Another way that actually works "better" and doesn't require you to mute that string as often, is tuning the G up to A and allowing it to drone in unison with the 2nd/A string. I'll warn you that the string gets tight though and depending upon your gauge, it may break. So, if you're able to, you can lower the gauge of that string to 0.022 or 0.020 to compensate for this additional tension. Your local guitar store should have individual strings available for purchase. That'll work better, both for the tension, as well as the feel of the string when tuned up to A. If you watch my tutorial for "Never Gonna Be Alone," you'll see how that song actually works better tuning the G down to F#. Find it here: bit.ly/NGBAtutorial
What a beautiful work ! I hope you get a lot of deserved subscribers. All the best !
Thank you, Thomas! Working on the next Jacob lesson now, with many more to come. Stay tuned!
you are a fantastic teacher!
Thank you! My next Jacob tutorial video should be coming out in the next week or so, with more song lessons to follow. 👍
Thank you very, very much for putting me on the right track facing Jacob's way of playing guitar ! I agree with you that technique is not the main issue here. With just a few shapes I learned from you I can enter Jacob's 'Little Blue'-environment. I'm very excited ! Great work !
Thank you! I'm so glad it's helpful. Jacob's music needs some decoding to figure out what he's doing, but I love that kind of detective work. I'm just putting the finishing touches on another tutorial that covers all the main chord shapes that Jacob uses on many different acoustic versions of other songs in this DAEGAE tuning. Think of it as Jacob's acoustic guitar chord vocabulary. After that I'll be rolling out more videos on other individual songs. All the best to you!
That will be great ! Every once in a while my daughter -19 years old, sings and writes- introduces me to the music of this new generation of young gifted musicians. Jacob is one of them. I sometimes feel like a young kid myself when I'm learning his music. I'm a guitar-teacher and player myself. It keeps me curious and young. Everyone who says the best music is already written has blinkers on ! Have a good one !
THIS IS EPIC
Thanks! Stay tuned for future transcriptions of Jacob's music. 👍
Thanks for that, just what I was looking for ❤
You’re welcome! The Witness Me (roof of the o2) tutorial is now live as well. 👍
Thank you so much for this wonderful turorial.
You're welcome! I'm working on more of Jacob's tunes, so stay tuned. 👍
Thanks for this amazing lesson, with the help of your video, I can perform this at a school event in a few weeks! Singing it octave lower though 😅...
Glad to hear it! I’m super inspired by the idea of more people finding this song accessible. Keep up the good work and stay tuned for more Jacob tutorials coming soon.
You are a great teacher! Your explanation works so well, thx for sharing. You really know...
thanks greg! Still getting used to talking to a camera, but I love finding and sharing a more accessible way of learning these tunes. Stay tuned for more JC songs in the near future!
Justin, Great tutorial! I hope all is well with you!
Thanks, Mark! I love this song.
Thank you so much for this. I will say, i wouldve preferred this to be taught with the capo so i could go back and forth between this video and the original, just for your reference. Thanks again!
Thanks again for the feedback. This was my first Jacob tutorial and, in hindsight, could very well have been done that way. At the time, I considered that it would be easier to teach the concept of naming the chords based on their shape (relative to the tuning), rather than confuse (or upset) anyone by calling an Eb chord (pitch with the capo) a D chord (based on the shape). We guitar players are notorious for calling chords by their shape, no matter where the capo is, so I could’ve done do with the capo after all. All of my other tutorials have been with the capo in the proper place and I will continue to do so on all others from here on out. 👍
Phenomenal!
Thank you! Hope you’re off playing Little Blue on your own right now. 👍
Beautiful Tutorial my friend! Hope you're doing well... It's been to long.... Love this tutorial style with the graphics and excellent explanation!!!
Scott, great to hear from you! It has been forever. Looks like you've got a sweet setup in your studio as well. This was my first attempt at a home produced video. First time with the editing software and first time trying to stay on point with three cameras. Whew...I really did a deep dive, not just on the song, but in my own way for the whole production. I learned a lot in a week. 😂 I hope all is well with you in the windy city.
This was incredibly helpful. But I play the song tuning the guitar half step down and playing it like E Major. It Works pretty great because you can leave the 2 top strings open all song 🎸
I’m glad you found a way to make it work for you! Depending on the key that anyone wants to play the song in for their own voice, there could be a lot of alternatives. Stay tuned because I’ll be releasing another video in the next day or so, for the acoustic version of “never gonna be alone.”
Thank you for this Justin!
Thank you! The next video will be dropping soon. It's going to teaching Jacob's main chord vocabulary on many of his acoustic versions of songs in this same (or similar) tuning.
After watching the original video a gazillion times and having already played and figured out a tunning that works and everything I just learnt IT'S 5 STRINGS lol how did I not see that?
Also, that G string you avoid playing. I tunned it to an E (which makes an open Dsus9 chord)
It caught me by surprise too. 😂Not something you’d typically need to look for. Just based on how he just plays triadic chords and pedal notes, I can see why he got rid of the G string. The tuning on the lower three strings in fifths makes it possible to reach all those great inversions, much like one would on piano.
Thank you very much brother, you are amazing. This was very helpful
You’re welcome! I’m working on another songs of Jacob’s as well, so stay tuned.
@@justinrothmusic will do
OMG great work, thanks a lot
You’re welcome! Stay tuned for more JC tutorials coming soon. I’ve got more songs in the works.
Find all my licensed *Jacob Collier guitar transcriptions* here: justinroth.com/store
The chords and tuning are nearly identical to "Anchor" by Novo Amor, so Instead of keeping the 3rd string "G" and avoiding/muting it, I like tuning it to "A" and throwing it in when finger picking, kinda mixing the two
Steven, thanks for your comment. I agree that tuning the G up to A is another option. In fact, Jacob used to use both options. He once posted that DAEGAD was his favorite, but I have since found other recordings of him with the G tuned up to A. I didn’t initially suggest it due to the fact that strings and guitars don’t tend to like having strings tuned higher than they intended to. However, if anyone is willing to put a guitar into this tuning, they may be willing to also invest in a couple lighter gauged strings to accommodate for the added tension. I recommend .030 for your fourth string raised to E and .022 for your G string raised to A. I’ve also updated my “guide to triadic chord voicings” to reflect this as another tuning option. You can find the guide here: www.patreon.com/posts/101016882?
Very good tutorial, but if I could give some feedback it would be that if in end of every section you would summarize all chords and progressions of the intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus etc.
Because I find it little hard to keep track when to play what without having to keep backplaying the video.
And also before each section, lay out all the chords which will be walked through to get a better image of the sections structure and progressions.
Thanks for the feedback! That’s a great suggestion. “Little Blue“ was the first tutorial I made, so I’ve been trying different formats to layout the sections clearly, but I really like your idea. I’ll try to incorporate it on the next one. I think I also mention in the video that you can get the transcription to follow along: www.justinroth.com/store
What song do you want to see next? Thanks so much for watching!
@@justinrothmusic Also maybe try to make the sections in chronological order, i got just a little confused that the chorus got explained before the intro. But due to the special tuning and all unorthodox chords i can still see why the setup went as it did. Otherwise, as said, very good tutorial and content, well explained. I really hope you gain more followers, i will at least subscribe!
Regarding new song... 🤔 for now I will try to grasp this one! 😁 but I really like these type of songs, so keep them coming and thanks for great work!
@WP-pn6nu I learned a lot doing that first tutorial, both in the song and in how to shoot and edit a video. I’m not sure why I left it that way with the intro coming later, but I know I was just really focused on teaching the chords initially before teaching a fingerpicking pattern. Hopefully I’m getting better at it each time! 😂
Get my complete guitar transcription of this song in Jacob’s altered tuning here: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1430831/Product.aspx
I hear a high D (Eb in the original recording) on the 2rd string at 47:30, making it a Gm6 or least an E7b5/G instead of an E°/G
Thanks for your feedback. I love that you’re listening on that level! I agree that he does let what I believe to be the high first string, D, ring at the end of that chord, but I see it less as a chord tone and more as a passing tone pulling us back to the next chord. I labeled the chords based primarily on the function of the fretted lowest three strings. Since the open droning strings are used pretty liberally across many of the chords, I lessened how much influence they had on the naming of some of the chords themselves.
On piano, Jacob would be far more intentional with his upper extensions and voice leading of those upper notes. Since they are intermittently plucked, but not with an overly calculated fingerpicking pattern, I see them functioning more as drones and less as functional voice leading. For example, when he plays an A7sus4, he frets the A G and D notes on the low strings, even though the high open D string first string would give him the sus4. He doesn’t voice lead off of those top two strings. They are just hanging over the top. I would also guess that on another live recording, he may not play that upper note in that same location, but would stick more to the function of the chord underneath. Since he varies how he plays everything from one performance to another, I tried to stay true to what seems intentional versus consequential to the tuning itself. Make sense? 👍
Thanks for the explanation, I hadn't even noticed that note could be played on just the open D string haha, now it makes sense as a drone. Well, it is another way of looking at it anyway!
Good day Justin, What kind of computer notation program do you use to convert (tab) sheet music to for example on "Sheet Music Direct" ?
I do my transcription in Guitar Pro 8, and then upload a pdf to arrangeme.com. As long as they have the song in their catalog, they grant the license for the transcription. They then list the arrangement on Sheet Music direct and Sheet Music plus. I have also added my transcriptions to musicnotes.com in a similar fashion.
If you are using.a 2nd guitar permanently tuned in this DAE (G) AD tuning, why not simply remove the G -string altogether, especially since you aren't using it? Then you will have a 5 string guitar like Jacob. That will also negate the possibility of accidentally striking it.
Because I am a hardwired, six string player! 😉 I’m not looking to switch to five strings. The thing that Jacob misses out on by not having that third string is, when his right hand technique catches up to his harmonic mind, he will have fewer options for adding melodic passages on the guitar. However, that’s more of a fingerstyle guitar thing, and it may not be the direction that Jacob will ever go in. His five string set up suits his harmonic sensibilities, but he is far less driven by technique. I primarily play fingerstyle and use multiple altered tunings throughout a show, so I need all six strings.
@@justinrothmusic Good point. I sense that Jacob is not interested in moving toward fingerstyle guitar, and wants to keep his right hand as minimal as possible for the sake of performance. But as you say, his feelings might change in the future. Especially as his right hand skills progress, based on his adoration and aspirations of playing more in the style of Ted Greene.
He is highly capable on any instrument that he touches, but he doesn’t have to master every technique for every instrument by any means. I think he’s doing just fine with the chops that he has. 😂
@@justinrothmusic Indeed. Btw, do you use acryllic fingernails on all right hand fingers, and was it at first difficult to get used to them?
can you do the sun is in your eyes please
I’m working on that one as well. Stay tuned!
Friendly tip. If you tune the G string to A, you achieve the same effect with an added twelve string vibe.
Hey Johnny, I agree, if you can do it without breaking the G string. I’d recommend lowering the gauge .22 or .20, not just for tension but also for feel. That third string will feel really tight next to the others, although you won’t ever really be fretting it. I do really like the doubled A sound though. Thanks for watching! 👍
How do you feel about tuning that G down to F#
If you tune the third string down to F#, it doesn’t work as cleanly across as many chords on this particular song. On “never gonna be alone” the tuning is DAEF#AE. That one works at F# because he plays out of a different position and that note works over most of the chords far better than leaving it at G.
the transitions are all easier if you do not do a bar chord for the top two strings .
Thanks again for your feedback!
Anytime I indicate a barre chord, it is based on the notes that I can hear Jacob playing on this particular performance, but not necessarily that a barre is required or the only option. The simpler version of all of those chords are made just by focusing on fretting the lowest three strings, and knowing when the top two strings work or don’t work over the chord beneath it. Also, since this is based on a live performance, and that he’s not using a set fingerpicking pattern, he varies these voicings from performance to performance. The chords indicated are an accurate representation of only this particular performance, and can be a guide to be interpreted and adapted however you see fit, or are able. 👍
I just tuned my g down to a d cuz i kept accidentally hitting it, and if i did It! wouldn’t really hurt the harmony much
Agreed. There are a few different options in terms of re-tuning to avoid having to mute that string, or know when it works being played open. Tuning down to D works (but will feel really loose), tuning it up to A also works, but it feels tight. If your guitar will be used going back-and-forth between this tuning and any others, you may find that you’ll break that G string more often simply because the tension is changing so much beyond what it’s made for. Personally, I would choose tuning it up to A so that the top strings are in the same higher register when used as drones over the top of the chords. When it’s tuned down to D, it’ll be pitched closer to one of the chord tones and may clutter up the voice leading a little more. If that string feels too tight tuned to A, and if this guitar will stay in this tuning, you could swap out the G string with an extra second string and tune that to A. Does that make sense?
@@justinrothmusic thats a really good idea, i use a classical guitar and the strings are fairly light guage so that shouldn’t be an issue, also i cant state enough how much i loved this tutorial, perfect amount of info, everything i needed to know. I had been racking my brain trying to figure out what jacob was doing in that recording and this video came to my rescue
@SoggySandwich80 i’m so glad to hear it. Got more on the way, so stay tuned. All the best to you. 👍
🖤🙏🏻🖤
🙏 You are welcome!