Learning the Hardest John Mayer Riff

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  • Опубліковано 3 тра 2018
  • Join Guitar Super System today: guitarsupersystem.com
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,5 тис.

  • @ichabod1326
    @ichabod1326 4 роки тому +4012

    MIW - takes 45 mins to learn the riff
    Me - *takes 4.5 hours to get the good evening part correct*

    • @g2nelson15
      @g2nelson15 4 роки тому +96

      Me - takes 4.5 years to get the whole song perfectly.

    • @anirudhrowjee1378
      @anirudhrowjee1378 4 роки тому +130

      Me - takes 45 years to learn how to sit properly

    • @user-wm8cc5ym7y
      @user-wm8cc5ym7y 4 роки тому +8

      It's really not that hard

    • @trbnghuy15902
      @trbnghuy15902 4 роки тому +9

      ͔ sure and i am teaching john mayer to play

    • @antoniosloan5643
      @antoniosloan5643 3 роки тому +4

      it took me 7 hours to get the good evening part right

  • @gabrielgoncalves8180
    @gabrielgoncalves8180 5 років тому +2693

    The guy playing at 03:05 was playing the album version, which is played on electric guitar without the slap. The fact that he wasn’t slapping isn’t wrong.

    • @silly7eraph
      @silly7eraph 4 роки тому +50

      True

    • @gabrieljohansen8266
      @gabrieljohansen8266 4 роки тому +6

      Brøther

    • @gabrieljohansen8266
      @gabrieljohansen8266 4 роки тому +1

      O_o

    • @pedrocaetano751
      @pedrocaetano751 3 роки тому +9

      You're right but I guess that what Tyler was trying to say is that it feels wrong considering that we was learning the live version of the song. Nice comment though.

    • @trendkill3333
      @trendkill3333 2 роки тому +3

      Pretty sure the album version is quite a bit easier to play. Getting right on acoustic is hard

  • @nkyryry
    @nkyryry 5 років тому +4861

    John Mayer is one of the greatest ever at the lobster claw technique. He picks this riff with two fingers.

    • @arthurtonkin15
      @arthurtonkin15 5 років тому +136

      The way I learned was to keep lobster shape stiff and play as if strumming. If that makes any sense

    • @probablychris
      @probablychris 5 років тому +49

      no doubt. between neon, stop this train/heart of life/who says-he's just gotta be

    • @TheBanderson22
      @TheBanderson22 5 років тому +36

      @Tesco home brand pork sausage elitist 1 finger and a thumb is the same thing as two fingers. Your thumb is a finger.

    • @jdstearman
      @jdstearman 5 років тому +37

      @@TheBanderson22 anatomically speaking, the thumb is not a finger.

    • @r9xas
      @r9xas 5 років тому +6

      Like a bass player

  • @joshwhite3180
    @joshwhite3180 5 років тому +4210

    John Mayer only plays with his thumb and forefinger the entire song.

    • @rhabdob3895
      @rhabdob3895 5 років тому +236

      John Mayer plays every song with only 2 fingers. No matter what.always.

    • @zac3392
      @zac3392 5 років тому +110

      Rhabdo B Nope... 7

    • @anorangewithacapybaraunder2370
      @anorangewithacapybaraunder2370 5 років тому +233

      He must use his toes to form chords

    • @maxmeier532
      @maxmeier532 5 років тому +81

      @@anorangewithacapybaraunder2370 obviously he referred to the picking hand.

    • @idontreadreplies.252
      @idontreadreplies.252 5 років тому +11

      @@anorangewithacapybaraunder2370 you didn't understand what (s)he meant.

  • @mrwitty4166
    @mrwitty4166 6 років тому +8296

    "I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but the beginning seemed so slow and frustrating..."

  • @GilangRamanda
    @GilangRamanda 6 років тому +2590

    The hard part is SINGING while doing that crazy riff.

    • @jotaguisc
      @jotaguisc 6 років тому +84

      It's actually pretty easy when you learn the right hand movement, I swear. I made a video with tabs trying to show how the right hand technique works for the acoustic version, it's the only correct one I've seen on youtube, here it is: /watch?v=5etpllTqiDM

    • @shaterproofblosm
      @shaterproofblosm 6 років тому +17

      Anything you can learn in one day isnt hard hahaha check out Tommy Emmanuel if you want to see something actually interesting imo. All the best!

    • @renobailey8516
      @renobailey8516 6 років тому +9

      That why John Mayer is one the best

    • @gabrielleiria2853
      @gabrielleiria2853 6 років тому

      Gilang Ramanda

    • @ananth218Canada
      @ananth218Canada 5 років тому

      João Guilherme Castro
      dude...u r amazing!!!

  • @christianrae5179
    @christianrae5179 4 роки тому +634

    Took me like a whole weekend to find out where that bass line was coming from. I searched everywhere. In my cupboards, my garage, I called my mom, nothing. And then I realised he dropped the low E to a C. As one does. Also that thumb advantage isnt fair.

    • @my_family_journal
      @my_family_journal 4 роки тому +31

      This cracked me up real hard.

    • @AwesomeRandomVids
      @AwesomeRandomVids 4 роки тому +3

      Yeah this needs way more likes

    • @Tk421Clone
      @Tk421Clone 2 роки тому +1

      I’ve done that with a lot of songs only to realize I’m in the wrong tuning.

  • @randypr97
    @randypr97 3 роки тому +376

    John Mayer just made a TikTok where he explains his picking technique and even THEN I’m still needing to see other peoples video to learn how to do it xD tricky stuff

    • @RTFosmark
      @RTFosmark 3 роки тому +16

      That's what brought me here! You gotta see Paul Davids's lesson on it. I got it down after a solid 4 hours, though still slower than the live version. Make sure you watch the *new* Paul Davids video, because he has an old one that is not as thorough or correct.

    • @lcandothat
      @lcandothat 3 роки тому +1

      Use xd again.... see what happens

    • @heiwa8697
      @heiwa8697 3 роки тому +4

      @@lcandothat xD uwu

    • @superbeast4473
      @superbeast4473 3 роки тому +5

      That wasn’t a tutorial. I don’t know what that was to be honest, if he wanted to teach it he could have but he didn’t he just said “make it flow” or something cheesy like that. I feel like he was just tryna dig up some old clout on TikTok

    • @thelegendkillersshittyduff1335
      @thelegendkillersshittyduff1335 3 роки тому +2

      @@superbeast4473 acting like a damn kid and he's what 48

  • @abote
    @abote 6 років тому +1987

    And you still hear people saying John Mayer is not that good of a guitar player :__)

    • @MrTechselect
      @MrTechselect 6 років тому +47

      Parmenion he is a good player but I honestly don't get the hype. The way people hype him up you'd think he was the second coming of Michael Hedges or something.

    • @thepretender9140
      @thepretender9140 6 років тому +288

      MrTechselect dude are joking? He is fucking great. A fucking master, as Eric Clapton said.

    • @kennethhwilliams6054
      @kennethhwilliams6054 6 років тому +101

      They're lying John's a bad ass on all levels, guitar, writing and has a distinctive voice.

    • @mokhan8832
      @mokhan8832 6 років тому +33

      He’s a good player but I’m not into his music

    • @willthomson6141
      @willthomson6141 6 років тому +94

      I think people like to dismiss him because he likes to write pussy songs. Not songs by a pussy you understand, songs for a pussy. Or two

  • @RossCampbellGuitarist
    @RossCampbellGuitarist 6 років тому +2855

    Haha! It's so weird to see myself in one of your videos Tyler. Watching your Udemy and UA-cam channel grow last year was what inspired me to start teaching online, so thanks for that - it changed my life for the better.
    Just FYI - that picking pattern you highlighted in my video is just me looping the first four notes of the fingerpicking pattern that is applied to pretty much all of the chords (if my memory serves me well). I do mention to add the slap in after that part of the video :)
    All the best dude.

    • @KyleNoelMusic
      @KyleNoelMusic 6 років тому +24

      thought of u the second i clicked the link

    • @hesch-tag
      @hesch-tag 6 років тому +10

      Ross Campbell You are both very inspiring!

    • @ryanshearer9110
      @ryanshearer9110 6 років тому +6

      I was gonna message you and let you know but looks like you already beat me to it. Hahaha.

    • @michael350p6
      @michael350p6 6 років тому +5

      music is win is calling you out lol

    • @mdeerocks6792
      @mdeerocks6792 6 років тому +7

      Ross, you've nailed it. Your right hand technique is just right, including extended wrist (not slamming it into the guitar) which is pretty much mandatory to get this sort of flow going.

  • @8DenverBass
    @8DenverBass 5 років тому +498

    That's actually a bass technique, Mayer is simply double thumping

    • @jesushentaichrist5729
      @jesushentaichrist5729 5 років тому +33

      8DenverBass ikr,i also play the bass guitar,but when i started learning neon to play on accoustic guitar,it was so easy for me to get used to the thumb picking cuz i already know how to do it

    • @castlehill6717
      @castlehill6717 4 роки тому +6

      Invoker I don’t even really play guitar, been playing just about straight up bass for 16 years with the occasional guitar thrown in just fucking around, but fortunately for me this technique comes reallly natural for me, specifically this riff.

    • @elijahpathak6854
      @elijahpathak6854 4 роки тому

      Ye

    • @mikeswarbrigg6304
      @mikeswarbrigg6304 4 роки тому +2

      it’s very hard to do it his way though. he only plus with his thumb and index, it’s ridiculous

    • @naev.3344
      @naev.3344 3 роки тому +4

      Yeah, as a bassist i noticed this too. Popping, slapping and thumping with some flamenco picking. He's basically doing a Les Claypool lol

  • @rcbc1986
    @rcbc1986 5 років тому +376

    John wrote on his own tabs the following comment about that weird thumb position:
    Having GIANT thumbs help.

    • @alby7348
      @alby7348 4 роки тому +3

      where can i find john's tabs?

    • @mcbill7352
      @mcbill7352 4 роки тому +10

      @@alby7348 look up "John Mayer neon tabs" on Google images. It's handwritten and has notes written on it. It's got all of the parts

    • @TheRedOctoberProject
      @TheRedOctoberProject 3 роки тому +13

      @@alby7348 Where can I find John's thumbs?

    • @halo123keano
      @halo123keano 3 роки тому +14

      @@TheRedOctoberProject the dark Web

    • @paradise_valley
      @paradise_valley 2 роки тому

      @@TheRedOctoberProject most pro bass player thumbs should do the trick

  • @jacobpeters3659
    @jacobpeters3659 6 років тому +61

    One thing that people don’t account for with John Mayer is his absolutely massive hands. If you’ve ever met him in real life you can see just how massive they are

  • @joelmichotjr97
    @joelmichotjr97 6 років тому +1360

    I got a "Yousicion can teach you how to play the ukulele" add.

    • @joeylai1653
      @joeylai1653 6 років тому +1

      Joel Michotjr me too

    • @liquor8396
      @liquor8396 6 років тому +69

      Grab your uke and play along

    • @daanboon4118
      @daanboon4118 6 років тому +10

      All the fucking time

    • @adhokshajacharya99
      @adhokshajacharya99 6 років тому +12

      Guess what...I haven't seen that ad on any video since months..

    • @judew.3624
      @judew.3624 6 років тому +1

      Same here!

  • @freedomflight.
    @freedomflight. 5 років тому +915

    Me: *takes a week to learn this with nonstop practice
    MIW: *learns in 45 min

    • @evap304
      @evap304 5 років тому +23

      Well he got some wrong

    • @retro4454
      @retro4454 5 років тому +50

      It doesn’t exactly just take a week. It takes years of practice.

    • @evilfrenzy4888
      @evilfrenzy4888 5 років тому +3

      unique GT duhh in 45 minutes he manages to do better than most guitarist

    • @benhart6438
      @benhart6438 4 роки тому +2

      It took me about 2 hours, and I'm not particularly good, a lot of it depends on the way you learn. The video tutorials worked well for me, then repetitions until its buttery smooth.

    • @richy3421
      @richy3421 4 роки тому +1

      Motionless in white

  • @elias9746
    @elias9746 5 років тому +303

    6:59 me trying to guitar

  • @jakobmorningstar
    @jakobmorningstar 6 років тому +172

    It puts my mind at ease watching this and seeing someone, who I consider to be rather talented when it comes to guitar, go through the difficulties of learning a new song and having the “wobbly baby deer legs” on the fretboard... great video

    • @jakobmorningstar
      @jakobmorningstar 6 років тому +4

      Db Cooper he never said he already knew the riff for Neon, he said he already knows a lot of his riffs

    • @ninjaturdle69
      @ninjaturdle69 6 років тому +2

      the funny thing is that it took em 45 minutes to figure it out!!!

    • @jakobmorningstar
      @jakobmorningstar 6 років тому +4

      Danny Pineda yeah, meanwhile I’m 2 months deep on the same riff lmfao although it’s not one of the main things I practice so that could be why

    • @dayshawna
      @dayshawna 6 років тому

      Jakob Morningstar i try not to learn things too hard so it usually takes me about a week to learn a whole song properly.

    • @agerm2378
      @agerm2378 6 років тому +1

      It's good to remember we all do it

  • @brandtbaron7809
    @brandtbaron7809 2 роки тому +233

    It’s extremely motivating to see him get this so quickly and his talent. He started playing at 13 (I think) and I’m 14 so it really goes to show that you can achieve anything with practice. Thank you!

    • @SupreetSinghsuppi
      @SupreetSinghsuppi 2 роки тому +11

      Yes you can do it. No matter what happens just don't stop when you feel like quitting

    • @legoalex1930
      @legoalex1930 2 роки тому +2

      Keep going

    • @Matt_10203
      @Matt_10203 2 роки тому +4

      Keep working at it, and just remember everything is a process. It’s a lot of work and effort but you’ll get there, don’t forget that.

    • @rtk90083
      @rtk90083 2 роки тому +1

      You can do it buddy your still young, if you want it bad enough and put the work in you can get really good. Also it wouldn't hurt to learn some music theory at least how it pertains to the fretboard learn major and minor scale, learn intervals and how to put together chords. Learn the fretboard learn the fretboard learn the fretboard!! Did i mention learn the fretboard?? Lol you got it young man, youth is on your side!

    • @brandtbaron7809
      @brandtbaron7809 2 роки тому +1

      I’ve been playing guitar for almost a year now and recently started trying out Neon and I’m super close to getting it down, thanks for all of the encouragement!!

  • @Pbfoot7
    @Pbfoot7 3 роки тому +77

    that "WTF" at 12:37 had me dying

  • @steveboel12
    @steveboel12 5 років тому +306

    0:08 god I can smell the estrogen from over here

    • @mucheq5386
      @mucheq5386 4 роки тому +6

      What

    • @mcbill7352
      @mcbill7352 4 роки тому +41

      @@mucheq5386 girls in the crowd

    • @_pewreat3199
      @_pewreat3199 4 роки тому +7

      Maan imagine John Mayer playing tender surrender perfectly

    • @fooooked
      @fooooked 4 роки тому +5

      high IQ comment

    • @strmrbtw2499
      @strmrbtw2499 3 роки тому

      Loool

  • @Backmannen1
    @Backmannen1 6 років тому +242

    "The groove is heavy with this one" - Tyler on may 4th
    I see what you did

  • @ryanhendrymusic
    @ryanhendrymusic 6 років тому +107

    He's 6'3", his hands are massive making it easier to stretch his thumb on that last chord

    • @JAQVCS
      @JAQVCS 6 років тому +2

      ryan hendry I was just gonna mention that!... He's about 6'3".... If you watch him play that strat... He's hold a baby strat!... Lol...

    • @johnnyjudis9163
      @johnnyjudis9163 4 роки тому +1

      I’m 5 11 I work with a guy that’s like 6 1 my hands are massive compared to his it’s just genetics 😂😂

  • @blakemurphy3918
    @blakemurphy3918 4 роки тому +114

    Thanks for the tips! I’m gonna use this and finally take on Smoke On The Water

  • @gamesandguitars3901
    @gamesandguitars3901 5 років тому +94

    Something that really helps with ear training is playing a song you know well enough to know how it should sound then play it in the dark and hear yourself mess up you will and if you don’t then you are probably too advanced for this but when you mess up guess how many frets you need to move up or down I did that yesterday and it helped immensely

    • @famatu
      @famatu 4 роки тому +1

      Thanks mate, love it when people in the community exchange thoughts on how to improve!

  • @evening4092
    @evening4092 5 років тому +1530

    It's so depressing to see how easily he transcribes
    Edit: hey this blew up. at the time i commented id only been playing a.few months. definetly gotta better grasp now of what hes doing but he is still has phenomenal ear.

    • @foxredt2
      @foxredt2 5 років тому +44

      Why? Did you also study music at one of the best places to do so? If not, then you don' t need to be. He put a lot of work in his abbilies.

    • @BarelloSmith
      @BarelloSmith 5 років тому +36

      Actually it didn't look easy to me... XD He is editing a lot of things out, otherwise the video would have been too long.

    • @NigelGrab
      @NigelGrab 5 років тому +11

      The true marvel of guitar transcription is Chris Zoupa. Easily the most talented UA-cam guitarist and one of the best teachers on here hands down

    • @afloppingtuna
      @afloppingtuna 5 років тому +8

      There’s no way he could possibly learn this by ear this quick. He either already knows the song or he took time to edit out himself learning as he goes

    • @dare_he_is
      @dare_he_is 5 років тому +6

      This more than likely took him a few hours. He chopped it down to a 13 minutes video. He just happens to put a shit ton of work into his musical ability

  • @seanv4735
    @seanv4735 5 років тому +173

    Yeah the thumb is the real talent. Mayer should thank it every morning.

    • @calebprice9924
      @calebprice9924 3 роки тому +2

      I have long ass thumbs they are very unproportional, I can do the thing...

  • @megadodd
    @megadodd 5 років тому +53

    Definitely an essential part of this riff is using your thumb & index finger since you lose some of the voicing easily if using standard fingerpicking patterns

  • @Curt15x
    @Curt15x 5 років тому +54

    Legend has it John Mayer has his thumb insured for $10,000,000.00

  • @LaLaLoganOliver
    @LaLaLoganOliver 3 роки тому +40

    The dude is 6’3” I can only image how huge his hands actually are. 😳

    • @whale7056
      @whale7056 3 роки тому +14

      Damn boo what that thumb do? 👁️👄👁️

    • @divyeshmalhotra7649
      @divyeshmalhotra7649 2 роки тому +1

      Fuck I'm a whole ass foot smaller. Guess I'm at a genetic disadvantage for learning this riff

  • @retro4454
    @retro4454 5 років тому +136

    I can’t do techniques on the guitar but i can pick my nose professionally

  • @harrisonwhitman3329
    @harrisonwhitman3329 2 роки тому +6

    After knowing this song for a good 6-8 months, I can finally play it just like he can. With the thumb and hit that Bb bass note on the last chord in the main riff, and do the thumb and the index technique.... Again, 6-8 MONTHS after originally learning this song... Must say it was worth it.

  • @sammillion272
    @sammillion272 4 роки тому +8

    Man this breakdown of each component of John's playing really helped me understand how to fit the pieces together. Thank you for this video.

  • @ishaansharma654
    @ishaansharma654 6 років тому +61

    Loved this video! Such an organic learning process is beneficial to viewers who envy the skill of guitarists like you. It shows us that it takes quite a bit of effort and practice to get this good.

  • @TheMrfizzyrocks
    @TheMrfizzyrocks 5 років тому +13

    I don't even play guitar or know anything about it I just love the process of progression in any sort of art form.

    • @flazo9152
      @flazo9152 3 роки тому +1

      a settlement needs your help bro

  • @Kondratbl
    @Kondratbl 5 років тому +22

    The one that this definitely helps with is to see that even high-level guitar players can make mistakes and play sloppy while learning a song. The hardest part of learning the guitar really does lie in frustration when you see people pull everything off perfectly, but we don't realise that they once too had the same problems that we do, they just overcame that and kept on trying.

  • @Ryan10865
    @Ryan10865 3 роки тому +43

    Him: “That’s weird I don’t have grammarly and I don’t need it.”
    Grammarly who was about to give him 1,000,000 dollars so that he could promote their website: “You’ll regret that.”

    • @user-ng8vy7dt2j
      @user-ng8vy7dt2j 2 роки тому

      yeah but that was comedy gold, so... worth it.

  • @mractamt123
    @mractamt123 6 років тому +9

    Back in my day we used to have to pause and rewind the ol cassette player. You youngsters have it all these days. Feeling old😩

    • @nimrodfernando4729
      @nimrodfernando4729 5 років тому +1

      Old and new doesnt matter for me, we all strive to learn and play some smooth tune for the sake of music.

  • @dannydillon997
    @dannydillon997 2 роки тому +21

    As a guitarist who learned this song ten years ago or more now, I had a great time watching your video, everytime I hear this song I can normally learn something new, I noticed John plays a lot in the key of C, I'm trying to learn slow dancing in a burning room on an acoustic right now and I'm struggling, each of his songs thins the line more and more between simple and intricate. I leave y'all with a quote, "Simplicity is man's greatest intricacy, aristotle."

  • @matttin579
    @matttin579 2 роки тому +9

    I made it boys learned neon it costed me crying blood and sweat but made it and I’m proud

  • @angelm.garibaybarona668
    @angelm.garibaybarona668 4 роки тому +1

    I really love the way you explained the importance of take tutorials away and get back to ear-practices. Actually you have encouraged me to follow trying to do it that way. I truly admire you sir!

  • @Varone26
    @Varone26 6 років тому +447

    Ross Campbell has the best tutorial. He helped break it down terrifically.

    • @ragilmalik
      @ragilmalik 6 років тому +20

      A.S.V as long as it is only played with thumb and index finger, it is correct. 99% people who say it that any other mayer's song is harder, they don't play it exactly like john.
      every mayer's song is only interesting and challenging if one does it exactly like john

    • @ShahriarHaqueStuff
      @ShahriarHaqueStuff 6 років тому

      check justin guitar

    • @maycoppi
      @maycoppi 6 років тому

      ua-cam.com/video/sf17osuWTnA/v-deo.html

    • @leokogut3235
      @leokogut3235 6 років тому +2

      Look at Cifra Club Neon tutorial

    • @ZOOSEtheGOOSE
      @ZOOSEtheGOOSE 6 років тому +9

      If you search up John mayer live in San Francisco at the masonic, around the 17 minute mark he literally teaches how to play neon right before playing it

  • @mariepereira1154
    @mariepereira1154 6 років тому +831

    Bruh just use youiscian app like all shredders out there

    • @themetalmemeboi5429
      @themetalmemeboi5429 6 років тому +103

      Learn Everything I ALWAYS WANTED TO LEAEB GUITAR! !!!

    • @adamcummings20
      @adamcummings20 6 років тому +167

      But the beginning was so slow and frustrating

    • @federico___6557
      @federico___6557 6 років тому +127

      but now with yousician my learning seems fun and easy!

    • @dontnukeluke
      @dontnukeluke 6 років тому +109

      Just grab your acoustic or electric

    • @rafaelpaccelliserpa
      @rafaelpaccelliserpa 6 років тому +98

      And play along

  • @klla2536
    @klla2536 2 роки тому +2

    this whole riff is a humbling experience

  • @rodrigocirilo5309
    @rodrigocirilo5309 Рік тому +8

    It’s sad that he didn’t watch the “Cifra Club” class about this song. That guy is a genius, he just plays and teaches it perfectly. And it’s the live show version!

  • @Markus-ge9pt
    @Markus-ge9pt 6 років тому +54

    Zartimus is the GOAT for John Mayer live performance tutorials

    • @Fuffuloo
      @Fuffuloo 6 років тому +6

      Markus Flores finally SOMEONE mentions Zartimus! Does really no one know about him?

    • @duhj
      @duhj 6 років тому +4

      His tutorials are great, but he is a bit sloppy with playing the songs. it doesn't matter ofc because he still makes an incredibly accurate tutorial. The dude has a damn good ear for those little details.

    • @brandonthemuso8238
      @brandonthemuso8238 6 років тому +2

      Preach man. I've used his tutorials to learn the entire live version

    • @andthentherewasguitar
      @andthentherewasguitar 6 років тому +1

      Zartimus for the win

  • @NickParees
    @NickParees 6 років тому +37

    I consider you to be one of today's greats. Watching you learn a song from scratch reminded me that 99% of the time spent on our instrument is a long grueling experimental process where it's all trial by error. It's easy to pick up the guitar, play what's comfortable, try something new, get frustrated, and put it down again. Watching someone I consider to be a pro who is leagues and leagues beyond, actually sit down and go slow on a song was really eye-opening. Thank you for the A+, down-to-earth content as always.

  • @technosteed4644
    @technosteed4644 5 років тому +10

    1. I've heard John himself talk about his weirdly long thumbs.
    2. Even though it's not the exact same technique, John also uses his index nail to hit the string while doing the down motion. Just like using a pick. You can see this technique in "Stop this train" and "Heart of life". I suspect there's some of that here too. This technique adds this click sound which get combined with the slap.

    • @charwell59
      @charwell59 4 роки тому

      And What about the thumb hitting E string up?

  • @kyleellis241
    @kyleellis241 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks for posting a video showing the real struggles of learning certain songs. Nice to see someone much better than myself struggle until they get it as well

  • @jmckaskle
    @jmckaskle 6 років тому +9

    Pro Tip for learning complex music by ear: separate the bass, melody, accompaniment parts, learn them individually, then fit them together. If you have an audio file, use a tool to slow the music down and loop difficul-to-comprehend sections until you have it down. Writing it out in some sort of notation to organize it, especially rhythmically, is hugely helpful. No need to shun reading and writing music. Not using those tools doesn’t make you a better musician.

    • @lancepate
      @lancepate Рік тому

      Bloozdad riff lord would disagree, it's all about the feel man. Hendrix didn't know no stupid theory and he was the greatest guitarist and musician to ever live.

  • @RespectEdits
    @RespectEdits 6 років тому +6

    I’m glad someone finally made something about this. If you want to see the correct technique, type in “how to play neon the right way” it’s the first video. I went through months of learning this technique and it is way more complex than you can imagine. You alternate the bass and g string with your thumb while getting the slap sound. I still can’t play it perfect after all this time but trust me it sounds so much better when you learn the right way.

  • @panda93247
    @panda93247 5 років тому +1

    This is one of the best how to practice videos on the internet. Thank you so much for this.

  • @claytoncarroll7414
    @claytoncarroll7414 3 роки тому +1

    you have no idea how much inspiration came from this video. you, the best guitarist i know, took time like this to learn a song that i wouldve thought came easy to such a god. but for 2 years ive dreamt of being able to play that song. and to this day you still make my dreams feel less impossible man

  • @lucaskenui6379
    @lucaskenui6379 6 років тому +417

    Cifra Club its just great to learn songs!

    • @hyde7751
      @hyde7751 6 років тому +5

      Lucas Kenui o melhor meua migo

    • @lucaskenui6379
      @lucaskenui6379 6 років тому +2

      Com certeza! (Sou BR também hehe)

    • @gabrielmusicas
      @gabrielmusicas 6 років тому +1

      ih ala br aqui ahsuahs

    • @danilor2d269
      @danilor2d269 6 років тому +1

      Olha os br ai. Nao perdem um video do cara kkkkk ♡

    • @jotaguisc
      @jotaguisc 6 років тому +4

      o tutorial do Leo é o melhor com certeza, mas ele esqueceu do thumb slap marcando o tempo! No meu canal tem 2 vídeos explicando direitinho como é a técnica da mão direita:
      /watch?v=j5A1D-sTjqE&t=

  • @sanogamble7797
    @sanogamble7797 5 років тому +56

    Paul Davids explained it in his video and i think his version is almost 100% same to JM

    • @lamefart8831
      @lamefart8831 4 роки тому +4

      Jamie Harrison Guitar has the best version..

    • @coryCuc
      @coryCuc 3 роки тому

      @@lamefart8831 Definitely Paul Davids and Richard Smith.

    • @lamefart8831
      @lamefart8831 3 роки тому

      @@coryCuc Jamie Harrison had that left thumb down to the tee that's why his sounded nearer to John's. I've watched the other's versions, bdw.

    • @coryCuc
      @coryCuc 3 роки тому

      @@lamefart8831 For the same reasons you listed, are the same reasons I think Paul and Richard do a better job at explaining it and playing it.

    • @lamefart8831
      @lamefart8831 3 роки тому

      @@coryCuc haven't seen Paul doing the whole thing including the intro and I A-B JM's and JHG's versions and not surprisingly, they matched with just a slight tempo difference 2 mins into the song.

  • @samuelmccarty4527
    @samuelmccarty4527 5 років тому +1

    I learned how to play this riff in thirty minutes, yours is about ten times better. Keep up the great work!

  • @Yas_
    @Yas_ Рік тому +1

    Where the light is… indeed the one of best performances!

  • @Kostas1601
    @Kostas1601 6 років тому +20

    I feel like most people play this riff wrong (or not exactly right to be precise). I think as you said, examining the artist playing it live is the best way to go

    • @jotaguisc
      @jotaguisc 6 років тому

      I made a video with tabs trying to show how the right hand technique works for the acoustic version, it's the only correct one I've seen on youtube, here it is: /watch?v=5etpllTqiDM

  • @tiamelancholyjeoncockity
    @tiamelancholyjeoncockity 2 роки тому +3

    That riff is so SATISFYING to listen to 😩💗

  • @BilzoToGo
    @BilzoToGo 5 років тому +2

    This was better than any tutorial. i learned how to play it in about 20 minutes since you did all the hard work.

  • @somesome5600
    @somesome5600 4 роки тому

    Thanks for showing the process. Sometimes I just feel stupid when trying it by ear and not getting it. You gave me comfort that this is just a progress until you overcome.

  • @mlc6413
    @mlc6413 6 років тому +85

    12:33 I laughed so hard because of this ahahahahahah

  • @AlvinRamli
    @AlvinRamli 5 років тому +31

    **several metronome clicks later**
    **ad plays**

    • @Drengur
      @Drengur 4 роки тому

      This happened to me as I was reading your comment. 😂

    • @joselupechavez9203
      @joselupechavez9203 4 роки тому

      HOW DID I JIST READ YOUR COMMENT ABD GET AN AD

    • @gcun1992
      @gcun1992 4 роки тому

      Lol wtf, just read the comment and an ad appeared

  • @YagrumsCrafts
    @YagrumsCrafts 5 років тому

    Ya, I like how you mentioned at the end about John Mayer's thumb. He's one of my favorite artists and when I tried to learn one of his songs I realized the problem of my small hands and his hands are MASSIVE so he can do things like that. Just means I need to find work arounds like you did and take more time on it.

  • @CanyonWanderer
    @CanyonWanderer 3 роки тому +1

    @4:40: could not agree more! First time I saw this, played it at least three times in a row

  • @latestsports-viralsportscl3971
    @latestsports-viralsportscl3971 6 років тому +4

    wow that was super cool, seeing you discover it like that

  • @s550danny
    @s550danny 4 роки тому +9

    He flick and slaps at the same time. That’s what gives him the “gun shape” hand

  • @GUIDESPERSPECTIVE
    @GUIDESPERSPECTIVE 2 роки тому

    Love that you did this, I can relate to the process you went through because this is what I do when I learn a song on UA-cam. I usually watch a bunch of videos, use the one I like or parts from others that make it playable for me, then I will look at and compare it to the sheet music and clean up the parts where I can.
    Every song on UA-cam is a different way to play it, but thats all good, I just want to be able to get through the tune first in structure and form, then after I played it a few times I will clean it up while listening to the recordings slowed down.

  • @originofbean4513
    @originofbean4513 3 роки тому

    I gave up on this song and now this video popped up in my feed and now I’m on it again

  • @nickbailey202
    @nickbailey202 6 років тому +3

    My little boy has brought me to your videos. You're giving him some great direction on the thought process in breaking down chord transitions and lead voicing. Thank you.
    Regarding John's crazy thumbs, check out Stop This Train again. After the intro and into the verse, John frets a G on the E string, but somehow still manages the play the main intro motif throughout. I can't physically bend my fingers to reach.

  • @felixgould979
    @felixgould979 5 років тому +4

    Paul David's breakdown of this riff is very good.

  • @michaelmondays4723
    @michaelmondays4723 5 років тому +1

    Thank you for this, sir. I did not learn how to play neon, but I learned how one could learn a song by breaking it down into details. Thank you!

  • @NigelGrab
    @NigelGrab 5 років тому

    Nice Chris zoupa shout out dude. That man taught me guitar pre-youtube and he's the reason I'm so musically inspired today.

  • @chrisc7574
    @chrisc7574 5 років тому +44

    I'm starting to try learn this song now. This is how I interpreted the picking pattern from watching his Live in LA video at .25x speed:
    John only uses his thumb and index finger. His hand moves in a constant 16th note down-up-down-up pattern, with each note plucking a string. First he plucks the low E with his thumb while his hand is moving down, then the D string with his index finger while his hand is moving up, then brings his thumb up and plucks the G string while moving down again, B with index while hand is moving up, then repeat, either slapping or playing the low E string again (depending on which part of the song you're at).
    Basically, this song is hard as fuck.

    • @spaghettisauce445
      @spaghettisauce445 Рік тому

      that last part was hilarious i hope you became a better musician in 4 years

  • @nortynooh_7552
    @nortynooh_7552 6 років тому +5

    That thumb doe. Great for giving MiW likes👍 🎸🎶

  • @jazzguitarcollege
    @jazzguitarcollege Рік тому

    Wow man such a pleasure watching you do this in real time. Please do more songs by John Mayer.

  • @oh_no
    @oh_no 5 років тому +1

    As someone a year into learning. This video is prefect. Thank you for the pov 'good guitar player learning guitar'

  • @kcave23
    @kcave23 5 років тому +5

    There are vids of Mayer showing the technique used in Neon on Instagram live.

  • @TimelapseExperimentals
    @TimelapseExperimentals 5 років тому +634

    So its harder than the Smoke on the Water riff?
    XD

    • @john-fo5xv
      @john-fo5xv 5 років тому +77

      Timelapse Experimentals no, i feel like smoke on water is near impossible and only true masters can play it, music is win hasn’t reached that level

    • @LocalGoatStatus
      @LocalGoatStatus 5 років тому +23

      @@john-fo5xv no one has quite got it down right yet, and that day may never come

    • @gintokisakata3073
      @gintokisakata3073 5 років тому +5

      @@LocalGoatStatus watch paul davids! He got it and even explains it!

    • @cidoet3360
      @cidoet3360 5 років тому +24

      @@gintokisakata3073 _woooosh_ *the joke flies over your head*

    • @JoseARosas-wl1fx
      @JoseARosas-wl1fx 5 років тому +6

      Gintoki Sakata r/wooosh

  • @ArnoldsKtm
    @ArnoldsKtm 4 роки тому +1

    This is an amazing video! Great dedication.

  • @Paunaldo
    @Paunaldo 3 роки тому +2

    Is so amazing how an amazing guitar player have to learn another person playing ♥️

  • @YeatzeeGuitar
    @YeatzeeGuitar 6 років тому +123

    Should have continued with Ross' video. He explains the slapping after he shows the picking pattern.

    • @jotaguisc
      @jotaguisc 6 років тому +4

      yeah but that's for the electric guitar studio version. I made a video with tabs trying to show how the right hand technique works for the acoustic version, it's the only correct one I've seen on youtube, here it is: /watch?v=5etpllTqiDM

  • @adambarone3283
    @adambarone3283 5 років тому +13

    8:39
    ...when hard work finally pays off

  • @richardmesquitajr4724
    @richardmesquitajr4724 5 років тому

    His guitar playing is great, being able to learn songs from how you hear them is great! His ability to listen and actually make that appear on a fretboard is amazing👍🏻

  • @gordonbezanson4710
    @gordonbezanson4710 2 роки тому

    Came back to an old video to see the progress. Ya came a long way.

  • @kepler9014
    @kepler9014 4 роки тому +5

    The thumb and forefinger pattern is actually the way that John Mayer plays.

  • @miloudezwaan7418
    @miloudezwaan7418 6 років тому +230

    Maybe you could try "yousicion" to learn. It's the fast, fun way to learn and master the guitar.
    Ok. Bye.

  • @richardervins
    @richardervins 3 роки тому +2

    I‘m from a pre UA-cam - even pre CD - generation. We had to learn our stuff from memory after being at a concert, vinyl records or tape. Sheet music was no help, as it either wasn‘t available or it was over simplyfied. But this oversimplification was the actual trick, that probably still works today even with highly detailed lessons: Just work out a simple version, get into the groove and flow and consciously add the more delicate and harder to play parts with time and practice.
    Fun fact: When you get a chance to talk the original artist in person and ask him or her about a part you had a hard time learning, he or she will most of the time start off with a simpler version, sometimes just skipping the more delicate parts, but sounding right anyway. And many of them have developed a much easier way to play their difficult stuff that you may‘ve had such a hard time learning. 😄

  • @BarelloSmith
    @BarelloSmith 5 років тому +1

    It is comforting to see that even professional musicians go through the same struggle when it comes to learning new songs... 😅

  • @arturolinares6565
    @arturolinares6565 6 років тому +128

    12:36 LMFAOO WTF😂😂😂

    • @volterz619
      @volterz619 6 років тому

      Arturo Linares ahahhahahaha

    • @TayLybb
      @TayLybb 5 років тому

      Electric is skinnier too. Crazy hands

    • @ArcDevErik
      @ArcDevErik 5 років тому

      Not that hard at all.

    • @routex1
      @routex1 5 років тому +1

      @@ArcDevErik Sweet let's see your video playing it!

  • @masterstepz9800
    @masterstepz9800 4 роки тому +5

    It’s very humbling to see a pro like you trying to learn something in Guitar. Then the humbling stopped after seeing you learn it in under an hour.

  • @yikes7607
    @yikes7607 5 років тому +1

    I was half expecting you to rage quit but you kept calm and carried on.

  • @alexdven
    @alexdven 5 років тому

    Great video! Learned a bunch, and I like the way you approached learning this riff.

  • @XricheeX
    @XricheeX 3 роки тому +9

    the man the myth himself got sick of everybody getting stressed over this that he uploaded a tiktok tutorial himself hahah

  • @lukeh3285
    @lukeh3285 6 років тому +8

    When’s the tutorial coming out? ;)

  • @julianguy1000BC
    @julianguy1000BC 3 роки тому

    that was a brilliant way of looking at this. you truly do have a great ear and follow up on it. very well done amego .

  • @dean-lewis7
    @dean-lewis7 5 років тому

    Such a sweet set up in that room!

  • @StewartWhite
    @StewartWhite 5 років тому +4

    "Oh, that's weird, I don't have Grammarly, and I... don't need it..." Loved that comment! That's how I feel every freakin' time that ad pops up.

  • @jaguardo10
    @jaguardo10 6 років тому +53

    12:12 well... He's got the hands of a basketball player. That kinda helps.

    • @thaigo972
      @thaigo972 6 років тому +9

      As a dude with tiny hands, sometimes I wish I learned to play drums instead. I'm just glad I don't play bass.

    • @jaguardo10
      @jaguardo10 6 років тому +1

      Mikael Hetfield I know your pain my friend

    • @TheNomios
      @TheNomios 6 років тому

      It's not really a thing of hand size. For example I can hardly stretch from C to D# on piano without touching/playing other keys but could do those thumb shenanigans as soon as I learned to play normal thumb over chords. Must be a strange anatomy :)

    • @nurimetinonal2043
      @nurimetinonal2043 6 років тому +1

      I have very small hands (same size as female hands) and I can play this riff.but you need to practise A LOT

    • @ssoonnyymm
      @ssoonnyymm 6 років тому

      ...his hands aren't black...

  • @nicolas6ish
    @nicolas6ish 3 роки тому

    Thank you. I really enjoyed you video. As a novice, I am still learning how to learn to play.
    Having a smashing time.
    Keep doing what your doing.

  • @17CentProductions
    @17CentProductions 5 років тому

    came here and liked just because i learned this and i appreciate the effort taken to do so.