Excellent breakdown. It’s why you see most of the cover versions not quite sound like Elliott. His seemingly simple patterns are deceptively intricate and complex. It’s all about nuance and small details in his playing.
This goes for all his songs. Most covers simply cannot get down all his subtleties. Those that succeed best are those that don't even try and just lean into their own style which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. However, if the purpose is to as-faithfully-as-possible reproduce his exact sound then ESP pretty much nailed it (or as close as us mortals can come). Purely as an exercise in getting better at the guitar, it's some of the best material one can cover.
I've been waiting so long for a definitive answer on what variation(s) of G he plays in the chorus. This video is a perfect and succinct tutorial on this song. Thank you so much!
6:27 When you started playing and it really felt like it was Elliot I was blown away. By the way what Elliot song do you think someone can start with if they want to learn how to play a guitar?
Could be the recording of him I'm playing along with haha but thanks so much! That's a great question. Needle in the Hay might be the easiest song I've covered, but there's really no "easy" Elliott Smith song! The point of this series is to show the way HE played his songs, which usually involves alot of challenging details. Luckily, there are simplified versions everywhere, in standard tuning with standard chord shapes! (ultimate guitar, etc.) That might be a good place to start for anyone who's new to guitar... Guitar is a difficult instrument to learn no matter what though, so honestly I think it makes sense to jump into whatever you want to learn!
Wow. Great attention to detail. I’m going to definitely come back to this channel as I keep learning more of Elliott’s songs. You’re also right that a lot of tutorials miss certain key voicings in his songs, and instead opt for simpler stuff. Which is a shame because the intricacy of his often complex chord choices was where so much of the magic was with him. Thank you for properly keeping his memory alive :)
You are right. That is why most covers sound slightly off also. Without those little complexities on guitar combined with the same with the singing, you just can't get the sound right.
Thank you! I just got it for this series, first guitar I ever bought 🤘🏻anyone who’s in the market, Art&Lutherie, Canadian maker, cheap and beautiful sounding.
thank you so much for your brilliant videos (: your series on elliott’s self titled album and these videos on either or are hands down the best elliott smith tutorials on the platform !! you pay a close attention to these songs that your audience greatly appreciates
great video. I've been playing his songs for about 10 years or so and there's still details I learn that I had no idea about before, like that detail in 4:59, good catch.
Brilliant work, I'm having more difficulty singing and playing this one due to the strumming pattern. There are some really interesting Chords in this Song. *Also, just ordered your Tab book, the reviews all say it's really good so i'm finally going to have accurate versions of these Songs!
I transpose this song with the verse chords being em7 and gadd9. It becomes pretty self explanatory. Imo it vecomes easier to play too, but has a slightly different feel
lol was the first elliott song i ever learned over a decade ago, been playing it the same way you show in the vid too :P though your parenthasised notes dont need muted, if your strumming over them, you are just avoiding hitting them to begin with.
When you watch live performances you can see the chord shape clearly, like in this one at 2:05 ruclips.net/video/p4cJv6s_Yjw/видео.html You can see there’s nothing fretted on 4th string, and he just bars across the 1st fret. Makes it an even cooler chord with an Eb instead of F! Fm7/Ab or Ab6
@@stevencrear3495 Hey again, I replied to your comment from a month ago as well! Just watch any live video to see for yourself (here's the example I gave on your other comment, at 2:05 ruclips.net/video/p4cJv6s_Yjw/видео.html). He doesn't fret a note on the 4th string. But please always comment any other suggestions or corrections! I appreciate it
haha you caught me, not actually that simple at all. I think you’re right, 2:45 might be his simplest (musically speaking). got me thinking… maybe half right comes close
It is amazing to get to know people who shares the same passion for ES! Your videos are much appreciated, not by many but deeply by the few ones who does. Much love and keep up the great work ❤️
What s all this analysis? That s all emotions, why everyone is so obsessed with the technical analysis of a song. Start writing your own songs and shaddaaapp
Excellent breakdown. It’s why you see most of the cover versions not quite sound like Elliott. His seemingly simple patterns are deceptively intricate and complex. It’s all about nuance and small details in his playing.
This goes for all his songs. Most covers simply cannot get down all his subtleties. Those that succeed best are those that don't even try and just lean into their own style which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.
However, if the purpose is to as-faithfully-as-possible reproduce his exact sound then ESP pretty much nailed it (or as close as us mortals can come). Purely as an exercise in getting better at the guitar, it's some of the best material one can cover.
u seem like such a chill guy
Will be buying the either/or songbook, no one else putting this much effort in to getting these songs notated. Thanks!
I've been waiting so long for a definitive answer on what variation(s) of G he plays in the chorus. This video is a perfect and succinct tutorial on this song. Thank you so much!
6:27 When you started playing and it really felt like it was Elliot I was blown away. By the way what Elliot song do you think someone can start with if they want to learn how to play a guitar?
Could be the recording of him I'm playing along with haha but thanks so much!
That's a great question. Needle in the Hay might be the easiest song I've covered, but there's really no "easy" Elliott Smith song! The point of this series is to show the way HE played his songs, which usually involves alot of challenging details. Luckily, there are simplified versions everywhere, in standard tuning with standard chord shapes! (ultimate guitar, etc.) That might be a good place to start for anyone who's new to guitar...
Guitar is a difficult instrument to learn no matter what though, so honestly I think it makes sense to jump into whatever you want to learn!
Wow. Great attention to detail. I’m going to definitely come back to this channel as I keep learning more of Elliott’s songs.
You’re also right that a lot of tutorials miss certain key voicings in his songs, and instead opt for simpler stuff. Which is a shame because the intricacy of his often complex chord choices was where so much of the magic was with him. Thank you for properly keeping his memory alive :)
You are right. That is why most covers sound slightly off also.
Without those little complexities on guitar combined with the same with the singing,
you just can't get the sound right.
that guitar is beautiful :)
Thank you! I just got it for this series, first guitar I ever bought 🤘🏻anyone who’s in the market, Art&Lutherie, Canadian maker, cheap and beautiful sounding.
please keep making these videos, he's my favorite artist ever
thank you so much for your brilliant videos (: your series on elliott’s self titled album and these videos on either or are hands down the best elliott smith tutorials on the platform !! you pay a close attention to these songs that your audience greatly appreciates
great video. I've been playing his songs for about 10 years or so and there's still details I learn that I had no idea about before, like that detail in 4:59, good catch.
Thank you so much for all your work 🙏
great. love this channel. will be watching everything that’s on the way
Glad i found this as i am going to learn the song, and i have found the perfect channel.
Waiting for the Either/Or book!!
Man these are such a gift, what beautiful songs and excellent tutorials, thank you for your work:)
Brilliant work, I'm having more difficulty singing and playing this one due to the strumming pattern. There are some really interesting Chords in this Song.
*Also, just ordered your Tab book, the reviews all say it's really good so i'm finally going to have accurate versions of these Songs!
I transpose this song with the verse chords being em7 and gadd9. It becomes pretty self explanatory. Imo it vecomes easier to play too, but has a slightly different feel
Love your videos, can’t wait for you to cover No Name #3.
lol was the first elliott song i ever learned over a decade ago, been playing it the same way you show in the vid too :P though your parenthasised notes dont need muted, if your strumming over them, you are just avoiding hitting them to begin with.
Thanks man for the video and a great lesson.
Nice analysis.
Great work
you're awesome!
yea dude!!
Banger
On the Fm/G# chord, I’m 99% sure the 5th fret is muted, next note is F on 4th string 3rd fret, and then the rest of Fm on the 1st fret.
When you watch live performances you can see the chord shape clearly, like in this one at 2:05 ruclips.net/video/p4cJv6s_Yjw/видео.html
You can see there’s nothing fretted on 4th string, and he just bars across the 1st fret. Makes it an even cooler chord with an Eb instead of F! Fm7/Ab or Ab6
YESS
Yay \o/ Go ESP !!
but how does the strumming pattern change for the base line?
Can you make a video on See You Later by heatmiser?
what about the right hand, how do u strum?
what is the strumming pattern? seems like the most complex thing in the whole song lol
SAMEEE
On the Fm/G# I’m almost 100% he’s playing the F on the 3fret 4th string w 5th string muted.
Obviously finishing the minor triad w his index.
@@stevencrear3495 Hey again, I replied to your comment from a month ago as well! Just watch any live video to see for yourself (here's the example I gave on your other comment, at 2:05 ruclips.net/video/p4cJv6s_Yjw/видео.html). He doesn't fret a note on the 4th string. But please always comment any other suggestions or corrections! I appreciate it
I didn't watch the video yet and I expect it to be great, but the title is simply not true, 2:45 AM is the simplest ES song in my opinion
haha you caught me, not actually that simple at all. I think you’re right, 2:45 might be his simplest (musically speaking). got me thinking… maybe half right comes close
It is amazing to get to know people who shares the same passion for ES! Your videos are much appreciated, not by many but deeply by the few ones who does. Much love and keep up the great work ❤️
For me the second chords doesn't sound like the original
Excellent lesson. My only suggestion is to show the fretboard position diagram from the guitarists point of view.. not front on.
Deceptively simple and not haha
What s all this analysis? That s all emotions, why everyone is so obsessed with the technical analysis of a song. Start writing your own songs and shaddaaapp