I wanted to relearn this song so I started watching videos of Elliott Smith playing it live and he plays an open E in the bass during every awkward transition. So instead of shifting fingers early (on the 4) the way you do, he just plays an open E on those beats and then goes right back to G on the next beat. Needless to say it is a lot easier to play it that way. Edit: I just wanted to add that I like your way of playing it too. I’ve playing it both ways and they both have their advantages. Who knows how he played it on the album. Could’ve been overdubs for all we know. Also, I’m convinced that he wrote this on piano and then translated it to guitar. The voice leading is very pianistic. Play it on keyboard and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Nice breakdown, dude. You have a fun and easy-going teaching style that wasn't too slow or fast for, at least, my level of playing. I'll keep practicing this one, not anywhere close to playing at full speed yet, but couldn't have done it without you. Thumbs up and much obliged.
Jeez, after like 2 weeks of practicing this song I've almost gotten it down! I'm in the beginner to intermediate phase for guitar and this was definitely a challenge I needed! Thanks for breaking everything down so clearly and naming chords, it helps with memorizing and made it easier to follow along.
In the into before the into, just do the same changing the thumb on the fourth beat to the C/G chord. So like this; Middle finger on 3rd fret E with pointer on 2nd B And pinky on 5th e. That’s an A/G chord technically. On that fourth beat with the thumb, change to a way easier fingering of the C/G chord Ring finger E 3rd Pointer B 1st Pinky e 3rd. Surprised it wasn’t taught this way, you already made that type of a transition earlier!
Great tutorial! I am still stuck at the impossible F chord stretch. Don't know how to switch that smoothly. Your work-around with the F is great and a blessing for beginners but not like he played it.
Thanks this is my new mission ie to get my fingers around this, could not have worked that out myself in a thousand years and am looking forward to it thanks again
thank you so much for this video, would like you to do more of Elliott smith though.(I don't think i'm ever gonna figure it out.) I also subscribed to you because your definitely one of the more interesting fellows on here, with very useful information, thank you for that too. I watched a live video feed of you, something along the lines of a mystical journey which was really cool, and you opened my mind to different ways to have fun on guitar. Just keep doing what your doing, cause that morning coffee was the best coffee i ever had.
Damn Sean you get me in the mood with your Elliot Smith songwriting video and I work on this song last night and then you drop a video breaking it down. Thanks!
I would write this down wrong just to have to come back. lol. Soooo excited. I haven’t covered this song since I was 16. COUGHCOUGH16yearsagoCOUGH. lol
It was one of the first songs I ever learned/covered. Back to relearn it. I’m gonna have a little fun and see if I can remember them. Verse G, Am, D, G/C run to F#, Am, F, F# chorus Em, Am, D, G/C run to F#, G/C, G, Am, D, G/C, F#m (maybe a 6)
This tutorial really helped me out but I do think you are making a bit harder than it needs to be, like you can play the B minor with an A string root and the Eb minor7 is not as much of a stretch if you play the D# on the B string and the A on the E string, granted the F chord is a massive stretch but again great lesson seriously helped me figure out the song
Nope you're right on. I've seen those live vids too and it is kind of easier to play it that way, but I personally think he plays it this way on the album because you can hear the control of the voicings a little better. BUT it's not like I've never been wrong before, just the way I've known it. Both get the job done though!
Funny, it says Martin & Co. on the headstock, seen you playing a Taylor in your other vids. Guess you just mixed them up, thinking of buying either but can't decide, which do you prefer? I love the brightness of the Taylor but the setup and quality just can't match the Martins. Then again I love the Gibsons I've been trying out, need all three but the wife wouldn't have that. I have 8 guitars already.
@@seandaniel23 I'm learning it rn and have some serious struggles though there is a good tab on ultimate guitar and a great cover Video here on yt by mason summit
For sure! In fact the way I play it in the 'How to Write Songs Like Elliott Smith' video is tuned down a step with the key of C chords and it sounds great.
I feel like Indiana Jones swapping the golden idol for the sand when I try to change the fingers for the bass note
Genius level comment
😂so true
I wanted to relearn this song so I started watching videos of Elliott Smith playing it live and he plays an open E in the bass during every awkward transition. So instead of shifting fingers early (on the 4) the way you do, he just plays an open E on those beats and then goes right back to G on the next beat. Needless to say it is a lot easier to play it that way.
Edit: I just wanted to add that I like your way of playing it too. I’ve playing it both ways and they both have their advantages. Who knows how he played it on the album. Could’ve been overdubs for all we know.
Also, I’m convinced that he wrote this on piano and then translated it to guitar. The voice leading is very pianistic. Play it on keyboard and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
This is an awesome lesson. And for a two year old video it needs more views and likes. Thank you for this!
I love the way the window and blinds in the background look like a guitar fretboard. Nice touch!
Also, nice lesson. Thanks!
Nice breakdown, dude. You have a fun and easy-going teaching style that wasn't too slow or fast for, at least, my level of playing. I'll keep practicing this one, not anywhere close to playing at full speed yet, but couldn't have done it without you. Thumbs up and much obliged.
So happy to help!
Jeez, after like 2 weeks of practicing this song I've almost gotten it down! I'm in the beginner to intermediate phase for guitar and this was definitely a challenge I needed! Thanks for breaking everything down so clearly and naming chords, it helps with memorizing and made it easier to follow along.
Congrats! It's such a fun and challenging song to play!
He is the man. Cheers for this one
Thanks so much!
I love this song
You're getting good at it.
I love you for loving this song
In the into before the into, just do the same changing the thumb on the fourth beat to the C/G chord.
So like this;
Middle finger on 3rd fret E with pointer on 2nd B And pinky on 5th e. That’s an A/G chord technically.
On that fourth beat with the thumb, change to a way easier fingering of the C/G chord
Ring finger E 3rd
Pointer B 1st
Pinky e 3rd.
Surprised it wasn’t taught this way, you already made that type of a transition earlier!
Great tutorial! I am still stuck at the impossible F chord stretch. Don't know how to switch that smoothly. Your work-around with the F is great and a blessing for beginners but not like he played it.
I don't love you in the way Stan does in that Eminem song but this tutorial and your teaching style bring me joy
Thanks this is my new mission ie to get my fingers around this, could not have worked that out myself in a thousand years and am looking forward to it thanks again
Rock it out Martyn!
I LOVE that you've done this. Thank you!
thank you so much for this video, would like you to do more of Elliott smith though.(I don't think i'm ever gonna figure it out.) I also subscribed to you because your definitely one of the more interesting fellows on here, with very useful information, thank you for that too. I watched a live video feed of you, something along the lines of a mystical journey which was really cool, and you opened my mind to different ways to have fun on guitar. Just keep doing what your doing, cause that morning coffee was the best coffee i ever had.
Thanks so much for reaching out! Always great to hear from another Elliott fan!
God bless your heart for this.
Deep diving into your channel today.
Do you teach, Tallest man on earth’s, Troubles will be gone, or Love is all?
Damn Sean you get me in the mood with your Elliot Smith songwriting video and I work on this song last night and then you drop a video breaking it down. Thanks!
Always happy to spread the word!
seriously thank you man 🤘🏻
Love this song.
Sean Daniel finally visualizing it on guitar and “learning it”(rough rn but i’ll get there) really shows his genius
wow that looks tough!
Just got to work on it super slowly.
I would write this down wrong just to have to come back. lol. Soooo excited. I haven’t covered this song since I was 16. COUGHCOUGH16yearsagoCOUGH. lol
Thanks Sean, good one to practice while I wait for my covid to pass!
Get well soon!
This is great. I tried learning this about 15 years ago and had no idea.
taught well, thanks
Thanks for watching!
Can you do Elliott Smith - Angeles?
Tysm
14:57 for the chords :)
It was one of the first songs I ever learned/covered. Back to relearn it. I’m gonna have a little fun and see if I can remember them. Verse G, Am, D, G/C run to F#, Am, F, F# chorus Em, Am, D, G/C run to F#, G/C, G, Am, D, G/C, F#m (maybe a 6)
Wtf. Didn’t even have the verse or chorus chords. I’m an idiot.
This tutorial really helped me out but I do think you are making a bit harder than it needs to be, like you can play the B minor with an A string root and the Eb minor7 is not as much of a stretch if you play the D# on the B string and the A on the E string, granted the F chord is a massive stretch but again great lesson seriously helped me figure out the song
also you might have no idea what I mean but that's just what I've observed from his live videos
Nope you're right on. I've seen those live vids too and it is kind of easier to play it that way, but I personally think he plays it this way on the album because you can hear the control of the voicings a little better. BUT it's not like I've never been wrong before, just the way I've known it. Both get the job done though!
fair enough! both do certainly get the job done and I appreciate you taking the time to make the video!
Dude you made my day lol. I always found this song difficult to play, this vid helps alot. what guitar are you using if i may ask?
Thanks Joey, its' a Taylor GA3.
Funny, it says Martin & Co. on the headstock, seen you playing a Taylor in your other vids. Guess you just mixed them up, thinking of buying either but can't decide, which do you prefer? I love the brightness of the Taylor but the setup and quality just can't match the Martins. Then again I love the Gibsons I've been trying out, need all three but the wife wouldn't have that. I have 8 guitars already.
@@EnzoFerenczyo hope you got the Martin. Either way at least you have now had a Martin or Taylor for 2 years.
THANKS!
Thanks for checking it out!
I have pretty long fingers, but I play on a guitar with a classical neck and this is hell lol
Can you make a lesson to Lets get lost?
Great idea!
@@seandaniel23 I'm learning it rn and have some serious struggles though there is a good tab on ultimate guitar and a great cover Video here on yt by mason summit
do you do zoom lessons man?
Your love for Elliott Smith is like Bernard Fockers love for Gaylord Fockers 9th place ribbon
Haha, it's real.
Can I play 'say yes' downtuning to DGCFAD and normal open chords that is without the intricacies involved in the verse 1 and 2..
For sure! In fact the way I play it in the 'How to Write Songs Like Elliott Smith' video is tuned down a step with the key of C chords and it sounds great.
Thank you so much Sean:)
Where can i find the verse chords?
Also....Sean, do you know what happened to the person running SweetAdaline.com? I tried to email but said wasn’t available or didn’t exist anymore.
Close but not how he plays it. Watch him playing it in Strange Parallel and you’ll see. :) It’s here on RUclips.
🤯
What model of Martin is it?
It's a Martin GPCPA4
anybody have tabs?
he sounds like ninja
sir, the chorus chords please. Im begging you
He gave us those just not the verse chords
Pewdiepie is that you?
11:06
The bass line in the intro is incorrect.