Thanks so much for this lesson. I'm 66, and I gig once or twice a month. I've played this tune in various forms since high school and still picked up some ideas and tips. Your lesson motivated me to work on looping this song. I loop occasionally-maybe once or twice a set-usually to interject some lead. I listened to your lesson while walking the dog, came back, and worked out the looping over a couple of days. It got reasonably smooth-I already knew the lead parts from playing in duos and with friends. I looped it at the gig on Friday, and it came off well. Even my intently observant guitar-picking friends commented on how smooth it was. They don't like anything. ;> I returned tonight and listened to the looping part of your lesson again. Surprisingly, I realized I picked the OTHER chord - the G/D - to start on! It may not matter too much as long as you know where you are. It does allow me to play the initial lick coming out of the chorus - the one you pointed out you were missing. I start the looper on the second "...in the air..." I'm not suggesting either of us learn it the other way-once it is in your head, it is better left alone! At some point, if I have any cojones, I'll also learn to loop the lead part and play the harmony lead part above it. That presents a good challenge for me. Thanks for the lesson and the push to get looping - I am enjoying your channel.
That’s great. I’m glad the video was able to help. As long as you are clicking in at the right point it should be fine. Though I find it interesting that you are clicking the loop in coming out of the chorus with it starting on the G … hmmm 🤔 but if you found a way that works for you that’s all that matters. Lol we drive ourselves nuts with this stuff!! All the best to u. lol your guitar playing friends… the best critics we could have
My dad is a huge America fan. I grew up listening to him and his buddy play this song in the basement when they would get together to jam. I have an old sheet music songbook of America tunes that belonged to my dad. Maybe I'll go dig it out of the box now. Cool lesson. Brought back some memories.
I really appreciate this lesson! I've played this song on and off over the years with varying degrees of frustration! The loop pedal makes total sense to get the main riff integrated.
One of my biggest challenges has been how to keep the younger audience members happy. I struggle to connect with a lot of the newer music and I dont feel it suits me. I have found that twisting 80’s classics works but I would be grateful to hear what songs you have chosen in your mix. Cheers
It is a challenge indeed. Mainly because the younger kids just flat out aren’t into music as much. There are artists like Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes that you could cover and it usually goes over well with the younger kids. And the 90s and early 2000s grunge type stuff is also pretty widely known but younger kids.
@@FrankPersico I’ve noticed in Australia there is a growing love for modern country with the younger ones too. That style suits me better. Thanks for the reply Frank.
Great lesson Frank. I’ve always loved that song and America. I worked hard on my acoustic skills for over a decade then the COVID lockdown hit and I lost my way. It should’ve been a great opportunity but my heart wasn’t into it. Have barely picked up my guitar since. Your teaching style is motivating me to pick up my guitar again. Thank you! Keep them coming.
This is a great tutorial for a wonderful song. I saw this band in a small pub outside Glasgow in the very early seventies, where I was living at the time; it was a brilliant gig in a very intimate venue. I’ve been trying to sound reasonably accurate playing this for decades, without great success! This tutorial has been a lightbulb moment for me. Thanks so much and I will now be a subscriber to your channel.
Came across This lesson as I Going through some other Guitar lessons… love this beautiful Song, love the Band America! I’m 63 and I kind of grew up with them, definitely going to learn this song, I play Sister Golden hair, lonely people, and horse with no name… This will be a great addition! Just subscribed!
Always good tips and powerful experience laid out in these lessons. Thank you Joe! This is a classic for sure, love the bit on strumming and being intuitive in some respects. 90% I get the feel from the song recording but then there are some (Wild Horses by Stones) is a good example where you need to get some tips.
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners. It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar. I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn. Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well. Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻 I’ll try it today. Thanks Frank !
This was a very impressive insight into your skill set. When are you going to put up videos of your gigs or something of you doing a cover as if you are on stage? As a beginner guitar learner, I can’t even say I’m a beginner guitarist yet; but as a beginner, I am impressed at your virtuosity on the acoustic guitar. Thanks for the seminar.
Thanks so much. There are some cover tubes if you look back a bit into my channel. I’m hesitant to do any more cover tubes because of copyright. Best of luck with your playing ..
Great lesson. Just started really using my looper. Already knew the chords and strumming for the song. Practicing my basic improvised solos by ear over the 2 chords from the song. Really opens up another area in my playing. Thanks!
You’re right. Strumming is intuitive. I listen to the song about 100 times before I play it. Those videos with the UDUD etc just confuse me. I grew up in a small Wyoming town. The only guitar lessons available were slide country, which I wasn’t interested in. So I muscled through with a Mel Bay book and lifting the phonograph needle back to the start. After all that work I ended up playing bass in a band. I’m still playing guitar now.
Totally: I get better strumming practice just using my thumb on my jeans then when I actually have the guitar in my hand. The right hand is just like a hand percussion instrument and if you can get it to capture the feel as if it were a shaker or something then you can strum. I want to do a video on strumming but it’s so hard to translate it.
Been playing this one in various forms since it was released. With you putting the pieces and parts together so carefully the way you perform it, this will help me simplify it some. The F#m11(?) is of course also used within Sweet Melissa as you know and other great tunes. New follower. I will search for other similar instructional vids you might have especially incorporating a looper (never used one, yet). Thanks, music brother! 👍🏻
Welcome and thanks for commenting. Yea it’s the sweet melissa chord lol! I thought the same thing when I was learning it. Feel free to reach out at any time :)
Hey Frank..I really appreciate your lessons..You remind me of my Guitar Teacher "Ralphie Boy" .. Who I took lessons from in Ozone Park in the 70s....I finally have the strumming down on Ventura Highway.. Properly...I really dig it...Thanks
Hey Frank……great instruction video. Coincidence…..I did a looper video of this great song 3 months ago on my YT-channel. I used the same ‘trick’ by starting the first loop with the Dmaj7……😂……works great that way. Love your channel…!!
"Play along with the record". You're showing your age. LOL!! Great lesson and a good acoustic song. This was very popular when I was in college and was up there with Stairway to Heaven in terms of acoustic songs guys would try to learn to play.
As I was playing this and thank you very much for this by the way I started layering my fingers off of the G6 to go to the d major 7 and I'm hearing a note that belongs there also and I may be wrong by not putting your fingers on the G6 all at once I'm hearing something that's on the album thanks
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners. It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar. I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn. Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well. Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻 I’ll try it today. Thanks Frank !
Awesome let me know how you do. I answer this comment earlier and I don’t think it went through so excuse me if this is the second comment you are seeing lol
Thanks!
Dude! Thanks so much
Thanks so much for this lesson. I'm 66, and I gig once or twice a month. I've played this tune in various forms since high school and still picked up some ideas and tips.
Your lesson motivated me to work on looping this song. I loop occasionally-maybe once or twice a set-usually to interject some lead. I listened to your lesson while walking the dog, came back, and worked out the looping over a couple of days. It got reasonably smooth-I already knew the lead parts from playing in duos and with friends.
I looped it at the gig on Friday, and it came off well. Even my intently observant guitar-picking friends commented on how smooth it was. They don't like anything. ;>
I returned tonight and listened to the looping part of your lesson again. Surprisingly, I realized I picked the OTHER chord - the G/D - to start on! It may not matter too much as long as you know where you are. It does allow me to play the initial lick coming out of the chorus - the one you pointed out you were missing. I start the looper on the second "...in the air..."
I'm not suggesting either of us learn it the other way-once it is in your head, it is better left alone!
At some point, if I have any cojones, I'll also learn to loop the lead part and play the harmony lead part above it. That presents a good challenge for me.
Thanks for the lesson and the push to get looping - I am enjoying your channel.
That’s great. I’m glad the video was able to help. As long as you are clicking in at the right point it should be fine. Though I find it interesting that you are clicking the loop in coming out of the chorus with it starting on the G … hmmm 🤔 but if you found a way that works for you that’s all that matters. Lol we drive ourselves nuts with this stuff!! All the best to u. lol your guitar playing friends… the best critics we could have
My dad is a huge America fan. I grew up listening to him and his buddy play this song in the basement when they would get together to jam. I have an old sheet music songbook of America tunes that belonged to my dad. Maybe I'll go dig it out of the box now.
Cool lesson. Brought back some memories.
Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate this lesson! I've played this song on and off over the years with varying degrees of frustration! The loop pedal makes total sense to get the main riff integrated.
Enjoy. Let me know how how you make out with the looping
One of my biggest challenges has been how to keep the younger audience members happy. I struggle to connect with a lot of the newer music and I dont feel it suits me. I have found that twisting 80’s classics works but I would be grateful to hear what songs you have chosen in your mix. Cheers
It is a challenge indeed. Mainly because the younger kids just flat out aren’t into music as much. There are artists like Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes that you could cover and it usually goes over well with the younger kids. And the 90s and early 2000s grunge type stuff is also pretty widely known but younger kids.
@@FrankPersico I’ve noticed in Australia there is a growing love for modern country with the younger ones too. That style suits me better. Thanks for the reply Frank.
@@FrankPersicotoday’s “music “ is awful 😞
Great lesson Frank. I’ve always loved that song and America. I worked hard on my acoustic skills for over a decade then the COVID lockdown hit and I lost my way. It should’ve been a great opportunity but my heart wasn’t into it. Have barely picked up my guitar since. Your teaching style is motivating me to pick up my guitar again. Thank you! Keep them coming.
I hope you do play your guitar again. Thanks for the kind words
Great lesson, Frank...keep coming up with more "how to play" tunes that appeal to most audiences!
More to come!
An Amazing tuition of one of my favourit America's songs, a big thankyou Dude 👌👌👌
My pleasure! Enjoy
Brilliant Frank, just love this song..
Hi! Thanks so much. I love the song too. So happy I finally learned it :):)
Starting on the Dmaj7 for the looper just made it click for me. Thanks, Frank!
That’s great. Deff the part that got me as well
Love it. Been trying to figure out that F in the chorus for literally YEARS and it never sounded right! So simple. Thanks.
My pleasure.
This is a great tutorial for a wonderful song. I saw this band in a small pub outside Glasgow in the very early seventies, where I was living at the time; it was a brilliant gig in a very intimate venue. I’ve been trying to sound reasonably accurate playing this for decades, without great success! This tutorial has been a lightbulb moment for me. Thanks so much and I will now be a subscriber to your channel.
Oh wow that must have been awesome. Thanks for the sub and for sharing w us! Cheers
Excellent lesson as usual! Thanks Frankie!
Much appreciated
Came across This lesson as I Going through some other Guitar lessons… love this beautiful Song, love the Band America! I’m 63 and I kind of grew up with them, definitely going to learn this song, I play Sister Golden hair, lonely people, and horse with no name… This will be a great addition! Just subscribed!
Awesome. Welcome to the channel and thanks so much
Always good tips and powerful experience laid out in these lessons. Thank you Joe! This is a classic for sure, love the bit on strumming and being intuitive in some respects. 90% I get the feel from the song recording but then there are some (Wild Horses by Stones) is a good example where you need to get some tips.
Thanks so much. Name is Frank but the middle name is Joe Hahaah! Have a great one and thanks for the kind words
Did someone say Wild Horses? 😮 Frank BravO! Your Channel Is Growing Fast! ✌🏻😎
@@lindapeterson2892 thanks so much...lol
@@FrankPersico sorry about that… = )
A great tutorial . Just love America . 🎼🎸
Thanks so much. Likewise
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners.
It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar.
I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn.
Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well.
Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻
I’ll try it today.
Thanks Frank !
Heavens door is a great one to start getting the fingers used to the steel string acoustic. In no time you will develop the strength
Really, really great lesson Frank. Especially the looping!
Thank you so much.
You're very welcome!
Love this song and have been trying to nail it as a mostly acoustic bedroom enthusiast for quite a while. This is extremely helpful.
Makes me happy to hear. Have fun learning :)
This was a very impressive insight into your skill set. When are you going to put up videos of your gigs or something of you doing a cover as if you are on stage? As a beginner guitar learner, I can’t even say I’m a beginner guitarist yet; but as a beginner, I am impressed at your virtuosity on the acoustic guitar. Thanks for the seminar.
Thanks so much. There are some cover tubes if you look back a bit into my channel. I’m hesitant to do any more cover tubes because of copyright. Best of luck with your playing ..
I saw them 10 yrs ago or so. I was surprised to hear them say how heavy their tour schedule has been over the years. They put on a great show.
That’s awesome! Would have loved to see them
From the mid 60s through mid 70s, best music ever across the board.
I totally agree
Great song and an equally great lesson. Thank you for showing it to us.
My pleasure
Excellent video with very helpful little hints. Great song to cover!
Thanks 🙏
Great lesson. Just started really using my looper. Already knew the chords and strumming for the song. Practicing my basic improvised solos by ear over the 2 chords from the song. Really opens up another area in my playing. Thanks!
My pleasure .. keep us posted as to your progress
@@FrankPersico So far so good. The only thing I have a hard time with is double-clicking the looper to stop it.
thanks Frank for sharing so passionately. great song, your version i like the most, regards
Chris
Many thanks
Super cool lesson. Nobody targets lessons towards working musicians/modern day troubadours like you do Frank. I think you have a sweet niche channel.
I appreciate that!
Good one Frank. I’ve been wanting to do this song for ages and the way I have been playing without a looper is OK but this is way better. Thanks.
Thanks so much. Let me know how you do with it.
Looper, beat buddy is what I need, I would have lots of fun with family gathers. Thanks for the video awesome guitar song.
Thanks so much. I tell you the more I hear about beat buddy the more I realize it’s an inevitable part of my future lol
Fantastic teaching sir...this is a great instructional video
Glad it was helpful!
This is great! I’ve always thought this would be a good looper song but wasn’t quite sure how to do it - thanks, Frank! 👍🏻
Happy to help! Let me know how you do
I thought I did not know the song at all but then when I heard the chorus I was like yeah I've heard this before. Great lesson.
Thanks so much!
Awesome job man. I wouldn’t begin to know how to play that song if I just downloaded the chords/tab, you’re great!! 😎
That’s great to hear thanks for letting me know! Good luck with the song. Let us know how you make out. Cheers
Thanks Frank!
My pleasure
You’re right. Strumming is intuitive. I listen to the song about 100 times before I play it. Those videos with the UDUD etc just confuse me. I grew up in a small Wyoming town. The only guitar lessons available were slide country, which I wasn’t interested in. So I muscled through with a Mel Bay book and lifting the phonograph needle back to the start. After all that work I ended up playing bass in a band. I’m still playing guitar now.
Totally: I get better strumming practice just using my thumb on my jeans then when I actually have the guitar in my hand. The right hand is just like a hand percussion instrument and if you can get it to capture the feel as if it were a shaker or something then you can strum. I want to do a video on strumming but it’s so hard to translate it.
Thanks for the great Lesson.
Greetings from Germany
My pleasure!
great lesson!!! great teacher, great voice!! thanks man
Thank you, thank you, thank you and you’re welcome :) cheers
Gonna have to get a looper pedal, always played around with this song could never get it right. Your explanation is really helpful, thanks Frank
Glad I could help! Let me know if you have any questions
a great great song. i still remember the first time i heard it.
It is such a great song. I could t believe it had slipped through my repertoire for so long
Well structured and presented tutorial
Thanks so much
MY FAVORITE AMERICA SONG😊
👍👍mine as well
Been playing this one in various forms since it was released. With you putting the pieces and parts together so carefully the way you perform it, this will help me simplify it some. The F#m11(?) is of course also used within Sweet Melissa as you know and other great tunes. New follower. I will search for other similar instructional vids you might have especially incorporating a looper (never used one, yet). Thanks, music brother! 👍🏻
Welcome and thanks for commenting. Yea it’s the sweet melissa chord lol! I thought the same thing when I was learning it. Feel free to reach out at any time :)
Thanks, Frank... great lesson!
You’re welcome 👍
Thank you....Frank...really easy to follow
You are very welcome
Very informative!
Thanks so much
Gorgeous song Frank thank you! Note to self: drive the Ventura highway. Side note everyone - Sheryl Crow says to "lighten up."
Hahaah thanks for the comment. All the best to u
Great tutorial.
Thank you!
Hey Frank..I really appreciate your lessons..You remind me of my Guitar Teacher "Ralphie Boy" .. Who I took lessons from in Ozone Park in the 70s....I finally have the strumming down on Ventura Highway.. Properly...I really dig it...Thanks
Cool, thanks! Wow ozone park. Thats where I’m from!!
Cool...Yeah.. went John Adams HS.. Again.. your channel is great..hope you have much success...
Great lesson Frank, Grazie!
My pleasure
I recently added " feel like making love " great acoustic song great channel Frank
Thanks so much. And that is a great song to add! Appreciate u sharing
great stuff take me a while to get that one.
Little by little. U got this!
You’ve inspired me mate
That’s great to hear
I'm gonna try to learn this, i'm a beginner and old so we will see how it goes.
You can do it: take ur time
Hey Frank……great instruction video. Coincidence…..I did a looper video of this great song 3 months ago on my YT-channel. I used the same ‘trick’ by starting the first loop with the Dmaj7……😂……works great that way.
Love your channel…!!
Awesome!!! I will check it out!
Great video. I like the loop.
Thanks! Cheers to u!
Great tutorial!!
I appreciate it .
NICE!
Thanks!
I saw them at the Marquee Club...Wardour St......early 1970s before they became well known..
.❤
Oh wow … sweet!
U are a good guitar picker, very good.
Thank you very much!
Well, I think I’ll find someone to play the lead part😂. Glad to find your site ,though.
Hahaha all the best to you. Thanks for watching
Love this tune. Thank you for posting. 🌱🙏🏻
My pleasure!
Excellent. Great detail. Id love it if you had a lesson on how you learn a cover song. Ear? Chords? Etc.
Thanks I appreciate that . I will try to come up with a video on this
"Play along with the record". You're showing your age. LOL!! Great lesson and a good acoustic song. This was very popular when I was in college and was up there with Stairway to Heaven in terms of acoustic songs guys would try to learn to play.
Hahaha you can say that again!! 👍😂
Thanks Frank thats great. Do you have "Say it isn't so Joe" by Murray Head in your song book?
Hi there and thanks. As of now no but I will look into it
As I was playing this and thank you very much for this by the way I started layering my fingers off of the G6 to go to the d major 7 and I'm hearing a note that belongs there also and I may be wrong by not putting your fingers on the G6 all at once I'm hearing something that's on the album thanks
D minor? Should be a D major 7..
@@FrankPersico just a little dyslexic lol
@@joesegretto6689 eh join the club lol
@@FrankPersico I'm working on the rif that starts at the 12th fret
@@FrankPersico I just watched a video where Dan peek is playing with a capo on the second fret on Ventura highway
It's hard to solo this song without a harmony machine. America's harmonies are ingrained into our heads.
It’s true. Such amazing music.
Dude! You put a sticker on a new expensive Gibson? Wow
Yeah I’m a A-hole: lol it’s funny because since that video I have actually taken it off!!
Maybe some wallflowers, gin blossoms, and 4 non blonde hits- Aldo seether
Noted:) thank for suggestions I will try my best to include some in future vids
How many mins in before a guitar makes a sound?
I don’t know why don’t you use the chapters ?
@@FrankPersicosome people need to have their hand held for everything. 😂
The first chord is even simpler than it sounds. The B and E strings are left open. He is only fretting the lower 4 strings.
Oh nice/. I will have to try it that was as well. Thanks for the input
You little?
Or guit way big?
😂
About average
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners.
It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar.
I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn.
Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well.
Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻
I’ll try it today.
Thanks Frank !
Awesome let me know how you do. I answer this comment earlier and I don’t think it went through so excuse me if this is the second comment you are seeing lol
It's ready to sell now...