In case anyone is wondering, one of the main reason Johnny liked to tune up was that he would go into the studio to lay down guitar tracks and find that Morrissey had sung all over the places where his more intricate guitar parts were supposed to go. So Johnny started tuning up to carve out his own part of the frequency spectrum. Job done
Yep - that’s pretty much what he stated in his autobiography. He went up in order to get out of Morrissey’s way and find a tonal space for the guitar. Just as well too, because unlike the conventional rhythm players of the time he was also carrying the melody through his voice leading approach. It’s part of what made his style really quite unusual for the period.
Great work Adrian. I was part owner of a vintage guitar shop in the Boston area and Johnny Marr would come to our shop every time the Smiths (and later, on his own) were on tour. We had a reputation for having a great selection of 'How to Play' books. Johnny was particularly interested in Jimi Hendrix books. He was always great to deal with and loved to talk about American and British rock and pop music.
Many Smiths fans see Girl Afraid and William it was really Nothing as the Holy Grail of Johnny’s guitar parts. Both your rendition of Girl Afraid and your pedagogical skills are breathtaking !
Adrian, your music taste is impeccable. Seriously seriously cool musical palate, lad. Keep up the good work. You’re an extremely humble and likeable teacher, and easily one of the best on here. Respect 👌🏼
Truly great tutorial Adrian. Like gold dust really. As a long time Smiths and Johnny Marr fan I’ve waited a LONG time for this. Respect. And Thank You!
This is for me the most difficult song to play. I really appreciate your lesson. Love the way you play The Smiths songs. Great teacher. I’ve learned to play a lot of songs with you. Thanks a lot for this.
Without this video, I would have never been able to play this song. Amazing job and you describe things at a perfect pace. This is now the most difficult song I can play ;)
Absolutely glorious, one of my favourite Smiths songs and I am really looking forward to learning it, as I have with every Smiths that you have done. I am going to attempt to do this with the band, although it might end up not possible in a three piece, which is what we are. Damn Johnny and his layering! 😎🎙🎸✅
I salute you, Adrian, for figuring this one out. I have been a huge Smiths fan since 1984, but all my attempts at playing them never worked out because there was just so much going on there. You have broken the proverbial elephant into bite sized chunks.
Have no idea how you manage to work these out it is far beyond my capabilities but I am so pleased you do. Thanks for sharing with us mere mortal guitar players.
This is an incredible coincidence!! I only thought this week if the guy with glasses, who brilliantly covered The Smiths 'Back to the Old House' had given a lesson on this song and now lo and behold it's here.. Astonishing and thanks!! 😊👍
Blinkin' flippin' great! A classic early Smiths tune and a personal favourite from younger days. I've been trying this off and on for a while - fingerstyle (easier than picking?) but haven't been able to suss the finer points you've explained. Cheers- thanks for sharing this.
Thank you so much! I've been thinking that I could play this one for years. Learned it from a smiths tab-book. Turned out I had to relearn most of it :)
Oh the rapid melodic guit joy! It's pretty sweet to know two of my favorite Smiths compositions (this and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now) were conceived just miles from me in NYC.
@@IrishBog The Iroquois Hotel I just discovered. I occasionally used to check out guitars on 48th st (it's not what it used to be) where Johnny got the Gibby he used to compose this with.
I’m not yet brave enough to tackle this song although I mastered Some girls are bigger than others, but I keep coming back to this video just to hear your rendition of the song…perfection, hearing all the guitar parts clearly without the vocal overlay
After years and years of hearing about Jazz Chorus amplifiers, I finally bought one. Just the little JC22 model. I was kinda preparing myself to be disappointed having not played one before. I have to say it's the most glorious clean I've ever had the pleasure to play. Even inspires you to play different. I'd highly recommend for you to get one on your bucket list, especially with the type of music you like to play.
Hatful of Hollow came out about 12 days after Johnny’s 21st birthday so he recorded it while he was still only 20 years old….what an asshole 🤣 who does that
@@mvxwelldemon Jimmy Page, Adele, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Bob Dylan… all in their early twenties or younger for many of their classic recordings. Lots of young “assholes” in pop music😁.
@@Chrishagen i’m aware my man! although everyone you named wasn’t really getting noticed till around 22+….Adele doesn’t exactly shred on a guitar either so i’m not counting her lol
Well the rest of my days activities are now on pause! Every girl afraid tutorial on youtube pales in comparison to this great job as usual. I would love to see This Night Has Opened My Eyes next. There’s a few parts I just can’t get down
I LOVE YOU ADRIAN. my favourite songs are William, What Difference and then probably Sheila Takes a Bow, however, Girl Afraid is probably at the top of anything The Smiths, Morrissey or Johnny Marr ever produced............I think I am going to have to throw money at you, as I have literally no other way to show my undying gratitude....
Absolutely brilliant!! Totally nailed it! I just wonder how many takes it took 🤯 I’ve learned 3 Smiths songs from your videos! I’d love you to be my guitar tutor!
This is the Mount Everest of learning Smiths tunes.
Correction - Adrian is the Mt. Everest of all the best tunes including the Smiths!
It has got the best Sherpa leading the way though.
Thanks Adrian. Total magic.
Nearly impossible to play
I subbed to you specifically because of this comment.
In case anyone is wondering, one of the main reason Johnny liked to tune up was that he would go into the studio to lay down guitar tracks and find that Morrissey had sung all over the places where his more intricate guitar parts were supposed to go. So Johnny started tuning up to carve out his own part of the frequency spectrum. Job done
@@LordDenning_ yes, I think you’re right. I had always heard that Johnny tuned up to match Morrisey’s vocal range. I could be wrong
Yep - that’s pretty much what he stated in his autobiography. He went up in order to get out of Morrissey’s way and find a tonal space for the guitar. Just as well too, because unlike the conventional rhythm players of the time he was also carrying the melody through his voice leading approach. It’s part of what made his style really quite unusual for the period.
Typical Morrissey being a prick
I understand you don't want to get labeled as "that Smith's guy", but this video really made my day.
Great work Adrian. I was part owner of a vintage guitar shop in the Boston area and Johnny Marr would come to our shop every time the Smiths (and later, on his own) were on tour. We had a reputation for having a great selection of 'How to Play' books. Johnny was particularly interested in Jimi Hendrix books. He was always great to deal with and loved to talk about American and British rock and pop music.
Fantastic! More of The Smiths would be highly appreciated.
Many Smiths fans see Girl Afraid and William it was really Nothing as the Holy Grail of Johnny’s guitar parts.
Both your rendition of Girl Afraid and your pedagogical skills are breathtaking !
One of my fave smith's song; thanks Adrian for meticulously working through it - fantastic job.
Oh my goodness. Keep them Smiths tunes coming please!!!
Adrian, your music taste is impeccable. Seriously seriously cool musical palate, lad. Keep up the good work. You’re an extremely humble and likeable teacher, and easily one of the best on here. Respect 👌🏼
signed
Brilliant tutorial. Your videos have been a sheer joy to watch and learn from this past year. Thank you!
Bravo! This is so beautiful and so full of melancholy. Thank you.
Truly great tutorial Adrian. Like gold dust really. As a long time Smiths and Johnny Marr fan I’ve waited a LONG time for this. Respect. And Thank You!
One of the most thorough and complete guitar lessons I've watched on yt. Helps that it's a cracking tune too. Thank you sir!
Your method of teaching is brilliant and you've made it possible breaking down such a tricky song!
You know you’re something else when you casually drop the fact you learned/transcribed ‘girl afraid’ in one week...
List of national treasures to be preserved at all costs:
-David Attenborough
-Adrian of ACG
That’s it.
Johnny marr too
And Andy Rourke 👍
This is for me the most difficult song to play. I really appreciate your lesson. Love the way you play The Smiths songs. Great teacher. I’ve learned to play a lot of songs with you. Thanks a lot for this.
Without this video, I would have never been able to play this song. Amazing job and you describe things at a perfect pace. This is now the most difficult song I can play ;)
This is one of my favorites to play and this rendition sounds stellar!
You are great!!! That’s the one I was waiting for ! It’s going to take time but I appreciate you!
Dude i think you're as close to nailing this as Johnny himself. Love your stuff, especially when you do The Smiths. Bravo!!!
What you accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. Wow. Thank you.
The hardest smiths guitar track by far!
Just what I needed. You and your channel are treasure in the wasteland of guitar lessons.
Brilliant! I've shied away from this one for years - gonna give it a go now! Thanks for doing this :)
GREAT playing and Great video!!! Love it! And of course love this song!
Absolutely glorious, one of my favourite Smiths songs and I am really looking forward to learning it, as I have with every Smiths that you have done.
I am going to attempt to do this with the band, although it might end up not possible in a three piece, which is what we are. Damn Johnny and his layering!
😎🎙🎸✅
Man thanks for all the great lessons !
I salute you, Adrian, for figuring this one out. I have been a huge Smiths fan since 1984, but all my attempts at playing them never worked out because there was just so much going on there. You have broken the proverbial elephant into bite sized chunks.
Man, you doing this tutorial is a dream come true. This song has always been a mystery to me.
Have no idea how you manage to work these out it is far beyond my capabilities but I am so pleased you do. Thanks for sharing with us mere mortal guitar players.
Wow! Fantastic job there on a really intricate piece!
Been waiting for this for a while!
Thank you!
This sounds great. Was following someone else’s tutorial, but this is way better. Great job. Can’t wait to get stuck in.
I was always amazed at how intricate and amazing this song was... lookin forward to see how you tackle it. Love these videos! :)
Man this is great! Thank you so much dude, this goes so indepth it's perfect!
Thank you for this lesson. You’re amazing teacher!
Wahou ! Amazing... Whish I could play this song one day. Adrian, you're my favorite... and a GREAT guitar player and teacher.
Finally, you analyse what I deem being the best guitar part ever composed by Johnny Marr when he was in that glorious band. Thank you!
This is an incredible coincidence!!
I only thought this week if the guy with glasses, who brilliantly covered The Smiths 'Back to the Old House' had given a lesson on this song and now lo and behold it's here.. Astonishing and thanks!! 😊👍
Blinkin' flippin' great! A classic early Smiths tune and a personal favourite from younger days. I've been trying this off and on for a while - fingerstyle (easier than picking?) but haven't been able to suss the finer points you've explained. Cheers- thanks for sharing this.
Amazing, thank you for this great lesson!
Thank you so much! I've been thinking that I could play this one for years. Learned it from a smiths tab-book. Turned out I had to relearn most of it :)
Oh the rapid melodic guit joy! It's pretty sweet to know two of my favorite Smiths compositions (this and Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now) were conceived just miles from me in NYC.
That’s right. Which hotel was it ??
@@IrishBog The Iroquois Hotel I just discovered. I occasionally used to check out guitars on 48th st (it's not what it used to be) where Johnny got the Gibby he used to compose this with.
I’m not yet brave enough to tackle this song although I mastered Some girls are bigger than others, but I keep coming back to this video just to hear your rendition of the song…perfection, hearing all the guitar parts clearly without the vocal overlay
Absolutely fantastic.. brilliant love this song 🎵 ❤️ ..
A gift indeed! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for being such a wonderful teacher....again!
After years and years of hearing about Jazz Chorus amplifiers, I finally bought one. Just the little JC22 model. I was kinda preparing myself to be disappointed having not played one before. I have to say it's the most glorious clean I've ever had the pleasure to play. Even inspires you to play different. I'd highly recommend for you to get one on your bucket list, especially with the type of music you like to play.
Johnny's finest work. How old was he when he did this? Sheesh......absolutely insane
19 or 20?
And nobody sounded remotely like this before either! JM is a genius.
Hatful of Hollow came out about 12 days after Johnny’s 21st birthday so he recorded it while he was still only 20 years old….what an asshole 🤣 who does that
@@mvxwelldemon Jimmy Page, Adele, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Bob Dylan… all in their early twenties or younger for many of their classic recordings. Lots of young “assholes” in pop music😁.
@@Chrishagen i’m aware my man! although everyone you named wasn’t really getting noticed till around 22+….Adele doesn’t exactly shred on a guitar either so i’m not counting her lol
Ok. I’ve watched the into/play through a couple of times and the timing is impeccable. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try it.
Revenge of the nerds!
You’ve done a great job, as always.
Thanks for taking the time to do this for us.
An absolute belter such a great one cheers
Your taste in music is amazing!
Another top tune and great tutorial cheers 🍺
I’d love to hear Adrian play this with the guitar god, Johnny Marr. Impressive detective work on one of my favorite Smiths riffs.
Thanks a lot! I’m a begginner but I’m looking forward to being able to play this song!🤩
This is very well done!
Well the rest of my days activities are now on pause! Every girl afraid tutorial on youtube pales in comparison to this great job as usual. I would love to see This Night Has Opened My Eyes next. There’s a few parts I just can’t get down
Wow. Awesome lesson
Awsome, always wanted to learn this. Cheers.
Yes more smiths please!! You should do this night has opened my eyes next! Awesome bass line in that song too!
Adrian your the coolest nerd on the circuit, especially deciphering this tune 👌
thank you so much!!! i already learned with you this song and Spellbound by siouxie 🤩
Awesome lesson Adrian - can't wait to try (and fall a little short ;) )
Marr is a genius. Brilliant lesson Adrian.
Thank you!!!!!!!! I was always proud of my crappy self taught version, now it is time to play this right.
Dude that's amazing!
one of my favorites--thanks!
I LOVE YOU ADRIAN. my favourite songs are William, What Difference and then probably Sheila Takes a Bow, however, Girl Afraid is probably at the top of anything The Smiths, Morrissey or Johnny Marr ever produced............I think I am going to have to throw money at you, as I have literally no other way to show my undying gratitude....
Thank you Adrian!
Sounds Great Mate!😎🤟🔥🎸
Great work man 👏 👏
can we have this happen more than once a year? these tutorials are the best
Lovely, keep up the good work. I hear a hammer on in the third chord, first (/second) note ... but maybe that's just my tinnitus.
This video came out on my 37th birthday. Thank you Adrian for this!
Amazing! hats off to you!
One of my favorite Smiths songs!
Probably my favourite riffs in a Smiths song
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! The great Johnny Marr, none better!
Love it. Thank you ❤️
Thank you so much Adrian!💚
yessssssss!!!! Thanks, amazing lesson
Great lesson cheers Adrian
Fantastic. Learnt the chords in the 90s never got my head around the actual details though
BRAVO 👏. Take bow Adrian. You earned it 👍🍺
Love you! More smiths 🥰 aaaaand more the cure!
Wow- this is very difficult. JM is the man.
Great tutorial! But this is definitely the hardest smiths track to learn on guitar!
i know it might seem crazy but would you possibly be able to do a bloc party lesson seen as they are post-punk?
Upvoting this one
Adrian the guitar stuff is really intricate in this band you would really enjoy playing this stuff ^
Not a bad shout that tbf.
Love Bloc Party! I, want to see this happen as well.
You, are amazing!! Thank you.
I love ur smith tutorials
YESSSSSS.....a jazz master, the Smiths, and ACPG!
Whether we are hearing either chorus or reverb through the amp, it sounds very Smiths-like
I love Smiths. Thank you mate.
AWESOME!
Absolutely brilliant!! Totally nailed it! I just wonder how many takes it took 🤯 I’ve learned 3 Smiths songs from your videos! I’d love you to be my guitar tutor!
Thank youu for this!
Hi Adrian, love the vid - cool song. Would love more smiths! And also request u do another stone roses tume if possible. Cheers :)
Brilliant!