I remember Eddie saying he picked up tapping at a Zeppelin concert in '71. He saw Page do his famous " Heartbreaker " solo and had a small section with tapping, that inspired him. Robert Fripp, Steve Howe, Chet and many others like Smeck did it before of course. I saw a piece of music for lute once, from 1697 with a tapping section on it. Thx for sharing Fil, Roy Smeck was a beast ! Peace.
I studied uke, lap steel, tenor banjo and guitar with Roy between 1981 and 1990 and I am also his biographer. Even in his 80's, he was a surreal player and a unique eccentric genius. He recorded with everyone from Vernon Dalhart, Cab Calloway, Gene Autry, King Oliver, etc... Roy also plays lap steel on "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine", the first gold record. You can see him play "Laughing Rag" on octachorda in the first program of sound films ever, for Warner Brothers VItaphone "His Pastimes" in 1926, the year before "The Jazz Singer" (I also own the uke he used in the film).. and since you are in the U.K., he not only played at the inauguration of F.D.R. in 1933, but at the coronation of King George in 1937.. thank you for shining a light on my dear old friend.
I'm one of Roy's grandsons (the younger one). We would go up to New York and spend a week or so with them every summer, and his students would come in all the time. I wonder if you were one of them? Maybe our paths crossed at some point. Small world!
@@chrisferro9809 Hi, Chris! Yes indeed, I remember you, your brother, mother and father as well. I was at the 85th birthday party with all of you in Brooklyn and played guitar with Roy there. I was at their place taking lessons from May 1981 through the end of 1990 at least once a week. There is no describing what a blessing it all was and a highlight of my life in so many ways. I wish you the very best. It is great hearing from you.
I just found your channel and immediately subscribed and binge watched! I love the knowledge you have and bring to your reviews. Teaching and reviewing at the same time. I love the joy on your face while watching other musicians play. I love the fact that one musician can appreciate and enjoy the talent, technique, gifts of another musician. Your Glen Campbell review hooked me! Thank you for these reviews!
Proof positive that rock-n-roll guitar was born nearly 100 years ago. And I bet if Mozart had access to the guitar in the 1760s, rock-n-roll guitar would today be over 250 years old.
Eddie Van Halen admitted that he did not invent finger tapping, although we associate him with it. This is another great video. I learn so much from your videos. Cheers Fil!
Wow! Thank you for introducing me to such a great musician and entertainer. This is where metal guitarists got all their on-stage gimmicks. I can even see that he probably had a hand in influencing other great entertainers like Chubby Wise and Roy Clark, et al.
Yeah, i don't know how you can even say who "invented" it. I mean, it's just there. It wouldn't have taken a genius to figure out that touching the fretboard makes a note. It's just a matter of who figured out how to do something interesting with it, and made it mainstream. i guess Eddie is the one who made all the other guitar players want to do it too.
You're 100% correct. There's a interview on youtube where he's being interviewed by a lady in front of an audience (hour long interview) and he categorically denies inventing tapping. I think fans over the years gave him credit for inventing tapping.
Much respect to you for showing this and for clearly pointing out that Roy was well ahead of his time and pavied the way down which many were to follow. A remarkable talent and very hard worker. A true Wizzard of the strings.
Smeck also played guitar and banjo as well, he tapped using a slide on guitar but used that for Hawaiian music, not as impressive as he was tapping on Uke but still pretty cool.
This guy is Smokin!!! Now that's bloody talent!! Imagine him on a electric guitar with distortion!! Wow!! Another guy Fil is an Italian guitarist named Dr Vittorio Camardese if you get a chance watch this guy unbelievable!! Playing and tapping on a nylon string guitar!! Really his mind blowing!! Roy is great but just check this guy out!! You'll see what I mean!! I saw him on you tube playing dated back to 1960s he was around 50 years old!!! Amazing !! Great stuff Fil !!
The ukkelele man is Brilliant . Thanks for sharing this fil . First i thought tapping was invented by steve hacket from yes . Boy was i wrong . I love it that you listen to all kinds off guitarplayers . Respect fil . Keep up the good work .
Bloody hell, that was just amazing. Whenever some van Halen fanboy says he invented tapping I used to reply that Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping and shredding in 1971 - now I'll have a new reply :)
Terrific. I had heard of Roy back in the 70's, but never heard or saw it until the Internet age. Waving and spinning it on his knee generated early Leslie type effects.
love this video! crazy strumming technique! as an ukulele teacher in Hawaii, I highly recommend watching Jake Shimabukuro... He is one of the best ukulele players in the world today... in fact, his performance of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' (the one he does in Central Park) is one of the original viral videos (it has over 16 million views) and pretty much kickstarted his career... there are even videos of him performing this song with Tommy Emmanuel. He also does a great version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'...
I could not believe and got to many arguments that Eddie did not invent tapping. I knew this from a young age and even played it in one of my recitals. U are always going to have guitar players that push the envelope! And try to get the most out of their instruments.excellent Fil.!
Nice departure and reality check here. Nice to see you thinking outside the "perceived" box. and informing the youngsters on the idea there's nothing that's really new.
Not sure if you are aware of this but Roy Smeck was a multi-instrumentalist and he was a virtuoso on each instrument. Guitar, steel guitar, banjo, and uke. Uke was his favorite. But he had amazing tricks and skills on each instrument.
Here's a fun story: Roy got his big break when Harry Warner (of the Warner Brothers) was looking for a subject of his first Vita-film (video synchronized with audio). He asked a friend of his who happened to be a manager at the Knickerbocker Hotel if he knew anyone and he said, you gotta see this guy that lives upstairs. He plays the uke, banjo, guitar, etc. They called Roy down to the lobby of the hotel in the middle of the night and he went down in his pjs to audition. When he got to the uke solo, Warner said, that's it! That's what we want! That film was Roy's big break and the rest is history. He also worked with Thomas Edison in Edison's recording division which is pretty neat I think.
Roy was my guitar teacher in the early 1960's in Manhattan. He was also a "Harmony Guitar" distributor with a couple guitars designed for him for the company. He also did all the music for the movie "Cat Ballou" (1965).
That guy was a musical genius, ahead of his time! I found similar things like this, when I started playing guitar. I started researching blues music and found guys did things with a guitar, that I thought only rock musicians invented. They had it going on back then...just unplugged!👍😎🎸🎶
I have heard that before he found fame VanHalen would turn his back to crowd when tapping as not to show others how to. The ukulele has kinda made its way back into popular music lately. Thanks Fil that guy was a real talent
That was an amazing find; he makes his uke sound like an orchestra. Remarkable virtuosity. And yeah, it's not a secret that other's were using tapping before EVH: Harvey Mandel and Steve Hackett come to mind, but no-one took it as far as EVH.
Hey Fil... uni here. Is it just me or does this guy look like he is having the time of his life. I am going out tomorrow and buying one. I figure if I have half the fun he is it’s 100% worth it... thanks for the video brother
Thanks Fil! Once again, an awesome vid! I've read that Billy Gibbons did tapping. I know Steve Hackett did it with Genesis, and I've heard it. He also did it on his solo album Voyage of The Acolyte. A brilliant album, and Alex Lifeson has said it was a huge influence. I know it had a big effect on me with arranging and using orchestral instuments in my songs.
some guitar performances/artists I enjoy are: Emil Ernebro - I like his 'Boogie Woogie' and 'Nearness of You', and Walter Rodrigues, Jr. doing 'Isn't She Lovely'. If you haven't heard/seen Hawaiian 'Slack Key' guitar (aka Kiho Alu), you should listen to 'Opihi Moe Moe' as done by Ledward Kaapana.... this is an interesting style of guitar playing. it uses tunings that are 'slacked', hence the name 'Slack Key Guitar'.... back in the day, families kept tunings secret from other families....
Wow! Roy Smeck was my grandfather! He was an amazing uke/banjo/guitar player - certainly one of the best who has ever lived. There's a short documentary about him "The Wizard of the Strings" here on UA-cam if you're interested. It goes into his history on Vaudeville. Anyway, thanks for the video!
Never heard of Roy Smeck but what an amazing player he was! Also his right hand was incredible. Maybe I'm wrong but one of the earliest examples of doing some kind of windmill on the electric guitar was sister Rosetta Tharpe. And let's not forget about Johnnie Guitar Watson. With his track space guitar in 1954 he was at the forefront of what you could do with an electric guitar.
Vittorio Camardese and Harvey Mandel did it already in the mid sixties!! Even Hendrix did (`one hand) tapping` and that sounds the same...i think.. Check out the Winterland version of Hey Joe `68. Eddie saw Jimmy Page tapping with one hand. Eddie thought, what if i use two hands...?.. Eureka!...Eruption..
He had Roy Clark's right hand, Van Halen's tapping, and Pete Townsend's windmill , all the while never losing the smile on his face. That's Braggadocio
WOW! Great video! The Wizard of the Strings! This man came up with a lot of different little techniques, or brought them into the light. I read, as you seem to have, that he was influenced, or took ques from, a few different artists of his time. He was a very special player, and mostly forgotten for many years it seems. Apparently, a certain guitar player either had discovered him, and imitated his techniques, or just accidentally re-discovered them. The rock world hasn't been the same since. Thanks again, for a wonderfully informative video. I don't think that anyone else on here has a channel quite like yours. Keep up the great work, take care, and have a great day! Rock on!
3:42 - "And tapping onto those nylon strings..." No, those aren't nylon. Nylon hadn't been invented or sold yet, when this movie was made that Roy Smeck appeared in.
Tapping has been around at least since Paganini (of course this was on the violin). There was a semi-professional Italian guitarist in the 60's who used to incorporate the technique and of course there were numerous guitarists in the 70's who utilized tapping (Hackett, Zappa, Blackmore et al). EVH's innovation was to base his entire style around the technique as well as doing it with a speed and fluidity that no one had ever really accomplished previously.
His right hand dynamics are unreal. The strumming is far above anything seen in modern music outside of Hendrix. The tapping is nowhere near as difficult as the speed and precision of this guys strumming and picking. The wrist action is almost superhuman.
Thanks, now I know where Buckethead got his tapping from!! And Pete Townsend got his windmills, and SRV got his right hand technique, and Buddy Guy got his smiley face.
Another ‘gem’ Fil. As some have already posted here EVH has said on interviews he really didn’t invent tapping he just figured he was probably the first (at least rocker) that managed to incorporate it into his songs. The rest was history for modern rock and shredders, etc. Whatever. I’m sure you probably know that but showing this just reminds us of our musical roots (thirds and fifths - ha). You are a good teacher and mentor! Keep rocking on.
Admittedly that was one hand tapping, not two hand tapping. But Steve Hackett of Genesis recorded two hand tapping before Van Halen in any case,,, & probably others before him. One of the things that made Eruption stand out was the delay pedal on it, which, lets be honest, made it sound like there was a lot more going on at first listen than there actually was (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that)
I think the guy who invented tuning deserves a lot more credit than he's getting. I always buy my guitars tuned, but I didn't invent the idea. The trick is to buy them tuned, and buy a lot of them. That and the strings go on the outside. Those are my hottest tips.
Haha yeah, but theoretically you can tune your guitar anyway you like and learn to play it that way. People just took on this tuning as the 'standard' 🤘
Wings of Pegasus "The strings go on the outside." That made a world of difference. If only somebody had told me that sooner. I met Bob Johnston he recorded Dylan's first six albums, including Nashville Skylines. So we're sitting around the dining room table. And I said " Dylan was so good that anybody could have recorded him." Bob looked me in the eye and he said " I did it, and I didn't fuck it up." I told him "that's the most perfect answer I've ever heard." He was right, and his statement was so pure and true. Because that's the trick "capture the signal and don't fuck it up." Let the artist be the artist. I've really enjoyed listening to what you have to say. I think listening comes first, most important.
Wings of Pegasus, Guitar was designed a certain way. Strings one and two are a relationship of fourths. Strings two and three are a. relationship of thirds. Strings 4 through 6 are a relationship of forths. Violin and cello are strung in a relationship of fourths. Viola is strung in a relationship of thirds. As you understand how the guitar is constructed. you realize whoever built it. Built it in a manner to be played. 145, 134, with a 251 modulastion,. The 4th is always below the 1st in the bass strings. BC over EF or close by. Pretty thoughtful in its construction. I think Segovia really opened it up for us. There's no question that you here Moorish influences in Flamingo. The Moors traveled through Spain and the Spanish hung out in Belgium. I know people start talking about the relationship of languages, English and law French, Gaelic and Irish. It's all country music, the question is which country? How the immigrants in America influenced the Appalachians and how that affected bluegrass and Country. All getting woven back into African rhythms blues, jazz and rock and roll. So maybe music really is the international language. I heard White Rabbit in Arabic. Which I thought was far out. Full circle far out.
I saw both Ace Frehley and Roy Clark in concerts (separately, of course) doing multi-handed tapping before the first Van Halen album was released. Obviously, those guys weren't the first to do it either. The difference being that Van Halen struck a nerve when he did it. People paid attention to him. Right skill at the right time done the right way, so-to-speak.
fil, one other thing, i like how you switched things up with your analysis vids,,,, you should do more "fun" or "off the wall" videos from time to time, i.e., pepper them in every now and then. really enjoyed this vid, although i have seen this before, maybe others might not have seen this vid. rock!!
Thin Lizzy wrote a song about him. Brian May cited him as an influence. And if you ever got to see him perform around the DFW in the early 70s you would see some really amazing tapping. Not the first to do it, tho. Im almost sure Eddie has seen this guy play. His name? Rocky Athas. Criminally Overlooked Guitarist. Great stuff Fil!
Now I know who inspired Pete Townsend's windmill and Eddie Van Halen's tapping. That was pretty incredible. I'd love to see Eddie shred on the Ukulele 😄
I love hearing Ukuleles played well. George Formby was pretty amazing too. I have the privilege of owning my great uncle's Banjo Uke, which he got back in the 1920s whilst serving in the Royal Navy. It's the same as a Ukulele in essence, but has a skin front... It wouldn't be me if I didn't throw in a semi-relevant clip for your viewing pleasure. This one is Pete Townshend giving a really sensitive performance on Ukulele. "Blue, Red and Grey" was always my favourite song from The Who by Numbers - and possibly the least "Who style" song they ever released... ua-cam.com/video/BOiOgqHEUuI/v-deo.html
You cant watch that video without having a giant smile on your face.
😂👍
Meaning you in a general sense, hehe
I remember Eddie saying he picked up tapping at a Zeppelin concert in '71. He saw Page do his famous " Heartbreaker " solo and had a small section with tapping, that inspired him. Robert Fripp, Steve Howe, Chet and many others like Smeck did it before of course. I saw a piece of music for lute once, from 1697 with a tapping section on it. Thx for sharing Fil, Roy Smeck was a beast ! Peace.
No problem!
I studied uke, lap steel, tenor banjo and guitar with Roy between 1981 and 1990 and I am also his biographer. Even in his 80's, he was a surreal player and a unique eccentric genius. He recorded with everyone from Vernon Dalhart, Cab Calloway, Gene Autry, King Oliver, etc... Roy also plays lap steel on "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine", the first gold record. You can see him play "Laughing Rag" on octachorda in the first program of sound films ever, for Warner Brothers VItaphone "His Pastimes" in 1926, the year before "The Jazz Singer" (I also own the uke he used in the film).. and since you are in the U.K., he not only played at the inauguration of F.D.R. in 1933, but at the coronation of King George in 1937.. thank you for shining a light on my dear old friend.
Thanks for the info Vincent! No problem! ☺
Was he friends with Roy Clarke and Glen Cambell?
@@easyenetwork2023 No...he did not know either of them
I'm one of Roy's grandsons (the younger one). We would go up to New York and spend a week or so with them every summer, and his students would come in all the time. I wonder if you were one of them? Maybe our paths crossed at some point. Small world!
@@chrisferro9809 Hi, Chris! Yes indeed, I remember you, your brother, mother and father as well. I was at the 85th birthday party with all of you in Brooklyn and played guitar with Roy there. I was at their place taking lessons from May 1981 through the end of 1990 at least once a week. There is no describing what a blessing it all was and a highlight of my life in so many ways. I wish you the very best. It is great hearing from you.
We all knew that Van halen didnt invented the tapping. But he did made it World famous.Everybody started tapping after the Van halen 1 record.
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I just found your channel and immediately subscribed and binge watched! I love the knowledge you have and bring to your reviews. Teaching and reviewing at the same time. I love the joy on your face while watching other musicians play. I love the fact that one musician can appreciate and enjoy the talent, technique, gifts of another musician. Your Glen Campbell review hooked me! Thank you for these reviews!
No problem!
I never heard of this guy. Amazing talent!
Roy was the guitar god of the 30s and 40s
Never heard about actually the GREATEST guitar (and other instruments like the uke) player in popular music ever?
Proof positive that rock-n-roll guitar was born nearly 100 years ago. And I bet if Mozart had access to the guitar in the 1760s, rock-n-roll guitar would today be over 250 years old.
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Eddie Van Halen admitted that he did not invent finger tapping, although we associate him with it. This is another great video. I learn so much from your videos. Cheers Fil!
No problem!
Wow! Thank you for introducing me to such a great musician and entertainer. This is where metal guitarists got all their on-stage gimmicks. I can even see that he probably had a hand in influencing other great entertainers like Chubby Wise and Roy Clark, et al.
Van Halen never claimed to have invented tapping, just no one did it how he did or as often as he did
Yeah, i don't know how you can even say who "invented" it. I mean, it's just there. It wouldn't have taken a genius to figure out that touching the fretboard makes a note. It's just a matter of who figured out how to do something interesting with it, and made it mainstream. i guess Eddie is the one who made all the other guitar players want to do it too.
You're 100% correct. There's a interview on youtube where he's being interviewed by a lady in front of an audience (hour long interview) and he categorically denies inventing tapping. I think fans over the years gave him credit for inventing tapping.
Yeah I'm not sure why people think he did, but a lot do! Certainly Eddie used it in his own way to get a unique sound.
Eddie ABUSED Tapping....the damn thing is even at the end of Bohemian Rhapsody....on VIDEO.
Eddie actually said he saw Ace Frehley doing it before he tried it himself.
i love that his playing is faster than the shutter spped on the camera
Much respect to you for showing this and for clearly pointing out that Roy was well ahead of his time and pavied the way down which many were to follow. A remarkable talent and very hard worker. A true Wizzard of the strings.
Eddie Van Halen never claimed he invented tapping, he popularized it and mastered it
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He used to claim he did in the late 80s.
Smeck also played guitar and banjo as well, he tapped using a slide on guitar but used that for Hawaiian music, not as impressive as he was tapping on Uke but still pretty cool.
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Roy was known as "The Wizard of the Strings." If it had strings, I think he could play it.
This guy is Smokin!!! Now that's bloody talent!! Imagine him on a electric guitar with distortion!! Wow!! Another guy Fil is an Italian guitarist named Dr Vittorio Camardese if you get a chance watch this guy unbelievable!! Playing and tapping on a nylon string guitar!! Really his mind blowing!! Roy is great but just check this guy out!! You'll see what I mean!! I saw him on you tube playing dated back to 1960s he was around 50 years old!!! Amazing !! Great stuff Fil !!
Thanks!
Abso-freakin-looutely!
There wasnt electric guitar when roy was in his prime
What an underrated Channel this is. You deserve a lot more subs hopefully you'll get them!
Thanks!
The ukkelele man is Brilliant . Thanks for sharing this fil . First i thought tapping was invented by steve hacket from yes . Boy was i wrong . I love it that you listen to all kinds off guitarplayers . Respect fil . Keep up the good work .
Your eyes always light up when they do something kickass, awesome vid!
ua-cam.com/video/ImAlx0amAIc/v-deo.html try her on for size
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Never heard of him before this. Thanks for putting this out there!
No problem!
Delightful to see some kudos go Roy Smek's way. Thanks for taking the time.
No problem!
Bloody hell, that was just amazing. Whenever some van Halen fanboy says he invented tapping I used to reply that Steve Hackett of Genesis was tapping and shredding in 1971 - now I'll have a new reply :)
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1:59 Apparently Pete Townshend didn't invent the windmill either.
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That was really cool.... totally talented dude! Thanks for sharing!!!
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Terrific. I had heard of Roy back in the 70's, but never heard or saw it until the Internet age. Waving and spinning it on his knee generated early Leslie type effects.
Cool!
That is the great aspect of this channel being that you can point to many examples of any year and show us who was doing what first..
Thanks!
love this video! crazy strumming technique! as an ukulele teacher in Hawaii, I highly recommend watching Jake Shimabukuro... He is one of the best ukulele players in the world today... in fact, his performance of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' (the one he does in Central Park) is one of the original viral videos (it has over 16 million views) and pretty much kickstarted his career... there are even videos of him performing this song with Tommy Emmanuel. He also does a great version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'...
Thanks!
Ill have to check that out
That section features not just tapping, but swept 16th note descending arpeggios , clearly articulated and in time
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I am getting realy addicted to your analyse Guitar Player Videos ! Keep up the good work : )
Will do!
your reaction videos are so relaxing to watch
Thanks!
I could not believe and got to many arguments that Eddie did not invent tapping. I knew this from a young age and even played it in one of my recitals. U are always going to have guitar players that push the envelope! And try to get the most out of their instruments.excellent Fil.!
There is nothing new under the sun
That was incredible. Great one Fil.
Thanks!
Nice departure and reality check here. Nice to see you thinking outside the "perceived" box. and informing the youngsters on the idea there's nothing that's really new.
No problem!
Well shoot, always knew Ukulele players were underrated, but that man is a beast.
Phil: "Lejonet" pretty much sums it up! I was very impressed w/his style.
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Fil, no apologies necessary you were and always are great. Thanks & Rock On!!!
Thanks Kathy!
@@wingsofpegasus Your welcome!
Now I know there is a ukulele hall of fame. Great stuff Fil.
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That guy was great , thanks for the video !
No problem!
Very well done!
Respect Fil... Another great analysis and lesson : )
Thanks again Valorie! 😁
Incredible. Just incredible!
Not sure if you are aware of this but Roy Smeck was a multi-instrumentalist and he was a virtuoso on each instrument. Guitar, steel guitar, banjo, and uke. Uke was his favorite. But he had amazing tricks and skills on each instrument.
He also toured the vaudeville circuit with Les Paul and the Three Stooges, to name a few.
Here's a fun story: Roy got his big break when Harry Warner (of the Warner Brothers) was looking for a subject of his first Vita-film (video synchronized with audio). He asked a friend of his who happened to be a manager at the Knickerbocker Hotel if he knew anyone and he said, you gotta see this guy that lives upstairs. He plays the uke, banjo, guitar, etc. They called Roy down to the lobby of the hotel in the middle of the night and he went down in his pjs to audition. When he got to the uke solo, Warner said, that's it! That's what we want! That film was Roy's big break and the rest is history. He also worked with Thomas Edison in Edison's recording division which is pretty neat I think.
Thanks!
Roy was my guitar teacher in the early 1960's in Manhattan. He was also a "Harmony Guitar" distributor with a couple guitars designed for him for the company. He also did all the music for the movie "Cat Ballou" (1965).
That guy was a musical genius, ahead of his time! I found similar things like this, when I started playing guitar. I started researching blues music and found guys did things with a guitar, that I thought only rock musicians invented. They had it going on back then...just unplugged!👍😎🎸🎶
@brad zybola he sure does!👍😎🎸🎶
Exactly!
I have heard that before he found fame VanHalen would turn his back to crowd when tapping as not to show others how to. The ukulele has kinda made its way back into popular music lately. Thanks Fil that guy was a real talent
Yeah I heard that too!
That was an amazing find; he makes his uke sound like an orchestra. Remarkable virtuosity. And yeah, it's not a secret that other's were using tapping before EVH: Harvey Mandel and Steve Hackett come to mind, but no-one took it as far as EVH.
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Hey Fil... uni here. Is it just me or does this guy look like he is having the time of his life. I am going out tomorrow and buying one. I figure if I have half the fun he is it’s 100% worth it... thanks for the video brother
It looks like it! No problem!
Thanks Fil! Once again, an awesome vid! I've read that Billy Gibbons did tapping. I know Steve Hackett did it with Genesis, and I've heard it. He also did it on his solo album Voyage of The Acolyte. A brilliant album, and Alex Lifeson has said it was a huge influence. I know it had a big effect on me with arranging and using orchestral instuments in my songs.
Cool!
Steve Hackett did it in the early days of Genesis.
Also it's a known fact that he saw Genesis live as a teen. Must be mentioned that EVH never claimed to have invented it (at least as far as I know).
Amazing footage/playing!
The guy just destroyed that Yukalayle! Fantastic! Great talent and showman!!
Nice choice!
Rock!!!
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Thanks for this one Fil. Been waiting patiently for my request of it and am thrilled by your responses to it! Cheers and good on you mate! 👍
No problem!
Looks like two of us sent this to ya. : )
some guitar performances/artists I enjoy are: Emil Ernebro - I like his 'Boogie Woogie' and 'Nearness of You', and Walter Rodrigues, Jr. doing 'Isn't She Lovely'. If you haven't heard/seen Hawaiian 'Slack Key' guitar (aka Kiho Alu), you should listen to 'Opihi Moe Moe' as done by Ledward Kaapana.... this is an interesting style of guitar playing. it uses tunings that are 'slacked', hence the name 'Slack Key Guitar'.... back in the day, families kept tunings secret from other families....
Cool!
Wow! Roy Smeck was my grandfather! He was an amazing uke/banjo/guitar player - certainly one of the best who has ever lived. There's a short documentary about him "The Wizard of the Strings" here on UA-cam if you're interested. It goes into his history on Vaudeville. Anyway, thanks for the video!
Never heard of Roy Smeck but what an amazing player he was! Also his right hand was incredible. Maybe I'm wrong but one of the earliest examples of doing some kind of windmill on the electric guitar was sister Rosetta Tharpe. And let's not forget about Johnnie Guitar Watson. With his track space guitar in 1954 he was at the forefront of what you could do with an electric guitar.
Yeah Rosetta was awesome!
Vittorio Camardese and Harvey Mandel did it already in the mid sixties!! Even Hendrix did (`one hand) tapping` and that sounds the same...i think.. Check out the Winterland version of Hey Joe `68. Eddie saw Jimmy Page tapping with one hand. Eddie thought, what if i use two hands...?.. Eureka!...Eruption..
😂👍
Great info Fil, and whoever recommended the video to you!
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He had Roy Clark's right hand, Van Halen's tapping, and Pete Townsend's windmill , all the while never losing the smile on his face. That's Braggadocio
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WOW! Great video! The Wizard of the Strings! This man came up with a lot of different little techniques, or brought them into the light. I read, as you seem to have, that he was influenced, or took ques from, a few different artists of his time. He was a very special player, and mostly forgotten for many years it seems. Apparently, a certain guitar player either had discovered him, and imitated his techniques, or just accidentally re-discovered them. The rock world hasn't been the same since. Thanks again, for a wonderfully informative video. I don't think that anyone else on here has a channel quite like yours. Keep up the great work, take care, and have a great day! Rock on!
Thanks!
Roys a legend he had his own model guitar
I had to watch that twice!
Dose anybody know when I can find tabs or a tutorial video for this?
i love how he did "mean streets" at the end
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Bless you for this video.
No problem!
That ukelele dudes amazing!!
I love your videos man! Keep it up!
Thanks!
Wow, I've never seen this before, amazing!
☺🤘
Roy was amazing. The only thing he never did was light his Ukulele on fire!
Wow, nice one man. Never heard of this guy, ha why would I. Cheers for showing this, will open a few eyes and minds.
No problem!
3:42 - "And tapping onto those nylon strings..." No, those aren't nylon. Nylon hadn't been invented or sold yet, when this movie was made that Roy Smeck appeared in.
Cool History lesson! 🤘
Tapping has been around at least since Paganini (of course this was on the violin). There was a semi-professional Italian guitarist in the 60's who used to incorporate the technique and of course there were numerous guitarists in the 70's who utilized tapping (Hackett, Zappa, Blackmore et al). EVH's innovation was to base his entire style around the technique as well as doing it with a speed and fluidity that no one had ever really accomplished previously.
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Damn! That dude shredded that Uke! Also, I checked out that "Laughing Rag" , pretty cool slide.
Yeah!
His right hand dynamics are unreal. The strumming is far above anything seen in modern music outside of Hendrix. The tapping is nowhere near as difficult as the speed and precision of this guys strumming and picking. The wrist action is almost superhuman.
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That was a wild clip.
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That backward windmill was INTENSE!! This guy would slap the chit out of James Hetfield.
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Thanks, now I know where Buckethead got his tapping from!! And Pete Townsend got his windmills, and SRV got his right hand technique, and Buddy Guy got his smiley face.
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Another ‘gem’ Fil. As some have already posted here EVH has said on interviews he really didn’t invent tapping he just figured he was probably the first (at least rocker) that managed to incorporate it into his songs. The rest was history for modern rock and shredders, etc. Whatever. I’m sure you probably know that but showing this just reminds us of our musical roots (thirds and fifths - ha). You are a good teacher and mentor! Keep rocking on.
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Admittedly that was one hand tapping, not two hand tapping.
But Steve Hackett of Genesis recorded two hand tapping before Van Halen in any case,,, & probably others before him. One of the things that made Eruption stand out was the delay pedal on it, which, lets be honest, made it sound like there was a lot more going on at first listen than there actually was (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that)
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This is early thrash metal unplugged
Great job phil!
Thanks Jack!
I think the guy who invented tuning deserves a lot more credit than he's getting. I always buy my guitars tuned, but I didn't invent the idea. The trick is to buy them tuned, and buy a lot of them.
That and the strings go on the outside. Those are my hottest tips.
Haha yeah, but theoretically you can tune your guitar anyway you like and learn to play it that way. People just took on this tuning as the 'standard' 🤘
Wings of Pegasus "The strings go on the outside." That made a world of difference. If only somebody had told me that sooner. I met Bob Johnston he recorded Dylan's first six albums,
including Nashville Skylines. So we're sitting around the dining room table. And I said " Dylan was so good that anybody could have recorded him." Bob looked me in the eye and he said " I did it, and I didn't fuck it up." I told him "that's the most perfect answer I've ever heard." He was right, and his statement was so pure and true.
Because that's the trick "capture the signal and don't fuck it up."
Let the artist be the artist.
I've really enjoyed listening to what you have to say. I think listening comes first, most important.
Wings of Pegasus, Guitar was designed a certain way.
Strings one and two are a relationship of fourths. Strings two and three are a. relationship of thirds. Strings 4 through 6 are a relationship of forths. Violin and cello are strung in a relationship of fourths. Viola is strung in a relationship of thirds. As you understand how the guitar is constructed. you realize whoever built it. Built it in a manner to be played. 145, 134, with a 251 modulastion,. The 4th is always below the 1st in the bass strings. BC over EF or close by. Pretty thoughtful in its construction. I think Segovia really opened it up for us. There's no question that you here Moorish influences in Flamingo. The Moors traveled through Spain and the Spanish hung out in Belgium. I know people start talking about the relationship of languages, English and law French, Gaelic and Irish.
It's all country music, the question is which country? How the immigrants in America influenced the Appalachians and how that affected bluegrass and Country.
All getting woven back into African rhythms blues, jazz and rock and roll. So maybe music really is the international language.
I heard White Rabbit in Arabic.
Which I thought was far out.
Full circle far out.
I saw both Ace Frehley and Roy Clark in concerts (separately, of course) doing multi-handed tapping before the first Van Halen album was released. Obviously, those guys weren't the first to do it either. The difference being that Van Halen struck a nerve when he did it. People paid attention to him. Right skill at the right time done the right way, so-to-speak.
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GR-R-REAT! Cheers for that delightful treat, Fil! 8^)
fil, one other thing, i like how you switched things up with your analysis vids,,,, you should do more "fun" or "off the wall" videos from time to time, i.e., pepper them in every now and then. really enjoyed this vid, although i have seen this before, maybe others might not have seen this vid. rock!!
Thanks!
Yep, Love that technique, but when I seen Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke do it on BASS, THEN I WAS IMPRESSED!
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He inspired
a whole decade of guitar players we now call shredders.....and never stopped smiling lol cool vid too btw
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The tapping is cool, but that rhythm is impeccable. Ridiculous right hand!!!!
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Thin Lizzy wrote a song about him. Brian May cited him as an influence. And if you ever got to see him perform around the DFW in the early 70s you would see some really amazing tapping. Not the first to do it, tho. Im almost sure Eddie has seen this guy play. His name? Rocky Athas. Criminally Overlooked Guitarist. Great stuff Fil!
Thanks Michael!
There’s another video on youtube of an Italian guy tapping on an accoustic. Think it’s from the fifties.
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So good.
Sounds like it's sped up a bit from the old to the new. Probably could check by tuning to a tuner and matching pitch? Crazy video!
Nope. Roy was just that bad ass. I play Smeck style and I can play right along with this with my D6 tuned uke.
Now I know who inspired Pete Townsend's windmill and Eddie Van Halen's tapping. That was pretty incredible. I'd love to see Eddie shred on the Ukulele 😄
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I love hearing Ukuleles played well. George Formby was pretty amazing too. I have the privilege of owning my great uncle's Banjo Uke, which he got back in the 1920s whilst serving in the Royal Navy. It's the same as a Ukulele in essence, but has a skin front...
It wouldn't be me if I didn't throw in a semi-relevant clip for your viewing pleasure. This one is Pete Townshend giving a really sensitive performance on Ukulele. "Blue, Red and Grey" was always my favourite song from The Who by Numbers - and possibly the least "Who style" song they ever released...
ua-cam.com/video/BOiOgqHEUuI/v-deo.html
Bela Lugosi also played a mean yuke....just sayin
wtg fil
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You are great!
Thanks!
What fantastic playing!!
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Wow amazing history.
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He even threw a couple miniature windmills in there!
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