Once upon a time you could get on national prime time TV just for being really good on electric guitar. Edit; 2022 Responses to my comment that I’m misrepresenting Chets ability by saying “ really good “ you’re missing the point. Guthrie Govan, Tommy Emmanuel, take your pick, they aren’t on prime time television NOW, because the public isn’t interested in virtuosity on an instrument. Chet was incredibly good and I’m sorry to have complicated your comprehension of my comment with an understatement.
Just imagine seeing that on TV and having no way of seeing it again, recording it, seeing him live, getting the sheet music etc. Life before the internet really focussed the mind!
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
@@lyndafaye6748 And he was influential too. George Harrison brought a Gretch Country Gentleman to America and if you listen to the All my Loving Solo it is all Chet.
@@andreasgajewski Thanks for the recommendation. The version I saw was by a guy named Andy Rehfeidt if anyone is interested. Looks like he has done some more covers among other things. Worth a look haha.
@@kyzor-sosay6087 Thank you. The same to you. Tommy Emmanuel is a good resource for fingerstyle. I learned a few of his pieces and spent a lot of time doing it. Keep at it.
Just shows how amazingly talented Chet was. This is 1954 where there was not as many guitar players then and certainly not that many that had mastered that picking style. Now we have instant video replay at our finger tips but in the ‘50s & ‘60s the only chance to see these kinds of incredible talent being performed and live was very rare. The quality of the video is also excellent. Thank you for posting.
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
@@superslayerguy you can totally play this style without a specialized thumbpick. its just another tool that makes it easier if thats the style you stick to
I finally started using mine. Broke one already. Don't even know where to buy more _ I am not shopping blind for one. I had a bunch from years and years and years ago ... it was a rarity. It's like guitar stores are made for people who just buy guitars and hang them on walls ...
My father-in-law played like Chet. He was amazing. Chet was his hero. I love the Chet style; smooth and both lead and rhythm in one instrument. Bert and Chet you are both missed so much!
If you watch just before the second verse the backup guitarist looks scared to death. He brushes himself off... gets his guitar strap just right.... then just stands there confident no one can really hear him anyways....
Dont worry guys, 50s and 60s will come back in a few decades Fact: Chet Atkins can only sleep while he is sitting straight. It is because of his asthma. So, every night he would play his guitar until he is asleep. His family would usually see him sleeping with his guitar
Unfortunately they will not be as good as the LAST 50s and 60s. They will probably be a much worse version of the 2010s. But then again look at how times changed from 1980-2020, maybe I’m wrong, hope so.
Absolute mastery. Killer chops, swinging, tasteful, what can you say. The most immaculate technique I've ever heard. Pretty much in a class by himself, for me.
Agreed, this guy and Brian Setzer (who was obviously hugely influenced by Chet) stand head and shoulders above any other guitarist for me, not only is their stuff very difficult, but it's exceptionally musical, often overlooked by many guitar players. There's a video from a Total Guitar interview with Setzer where he does a similar jam in terms of technique and you'd swear there were 2 people playing, very much like this, you almost can't believe your ears!
All players know Chet is on the Mt. Rushmore of guitarists period. The players know that regardless of style or genre, if you can play, you've stolen a lick or two from chet whether you know it or not. 🍻
I love the innocence of the folks in the background. Different time and Chet is in a league unto his own. Even today few can approach his technique and inflections. Super sublime.
@@MrHighlander26 Debatable. Early 50’s Europe was predominately white. Regardless of race Chet was one of the very best to ever play and deserves the adoration of the crowd.
@@rexjolles only if you drop em or set em against a wall to slide to the floor. The reason Gibson headstocks break are 99% user error and 1% that 17 degree angle.
When I was a kid in the 90s my uncle used to take me to see Chet play every Tuesday at a little bar in Nashville called Cafe Trieste. I appreciate it more now than I did then. RIP
I'm stunned every time I watch this, Chet was so good it's just unbelievable. Such an effortless rendition of this classic song in a way no one has ever duplicated. So thankful these old recording exist, Chet's musicianship will be enjoyed for centuries.
I think Chet just became my new guitar hero. My fingerstyle playing has grown over the years....but how could I overlook Chet for so long? He was the master!
Oh yeah fellas..I'm a huge fan of Glen, Roy and Mark as well. I'm a Scruggs style banjo picker too so I sometimes use finger picks when I play guitar..sometimes don't.
@@johnlockesghost5592 One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Thousands of hours of disciplined, dedicated hours required to reach this standard. The legend, the complete master. Chets influence on guitar players and popular music is beyond computation.
Lmao how ironic because you clearly didn’t get the joke. The joke refers to how Smoke on the Water is one of the first songs that almost every beginner learns, and usually play to try impress other people. Joke was that he clearly is talented, and the joke is a type of sarcastic humor. The joke had nothing to do with the fact that the song had not come out yet. You know, having to explain a joke to someone is a great way to zap out any comedy from it.
@@ExternusArmy chill out man, it doesn't matter when smoke on the water come out. it's just a joke! smh and you don't need to give us a long explanation about the song, because we already know
This is the sign of superb guitar skills - when one person can play both rhythm and solo at the same time. When only one plays but it sounds as if there are two!
Drooling over those guitars. That big Gibson in the back is just stunning. Golden age of Gibson arch top jazz boxes. I bet it’s worth some chunk of change today!
THE Greatest guitarist of ALL time! If you ask any other great guitarist, he'll say the same thing! Hell, Chet taught us ALL how to play! The Man was fantastic! A true gentleman! There aren't enough superlatives in the English language for this guy!
He is one of them yes. Have you heard Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Eddie Lang? Plus the classical guitarists like John Williams? Quite a few more contemporary ones that Chet Atkins featured on his TV shows.
I was lucky enough to be there along side Chet when he recorded this and I remember him telling me "You watch... this will one day get 10 million views on UA-cam". I hope he's right.
And still, the poor composer of the song gets no "attention". And Pat Ballard who composed the song ? AND THE ORIGINATOR "PAT BALLARD'S " NAME ISN'T ON ANY OF THE VIDEOS; WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SONG FOR CHET ATKINS TO PLAY AROUND WITH, RIGHT ? HOPE THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE STILL HAS HIS NAME LISTED !! One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" "Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Chet Atkins is the greatest, there will never be another guitarist like him, many try to replicate his playing- myself included, but nobody will ever match him. Every note he ever played was perfect, never hit a bum note. The guy was almost superhuman and is my biggest inspiration as a guitarist
@@marcusneeras2568 ehhhh, not so sure about that. Tommy is great but I hear a few buzzing strings every now and then. Chet was just so pure. And not just in the picking, but in his timing as well. It's absolutely perfect. Every note sits exactly where it's supposed to be and there's no hiccups anywhere.
@@bellofortis2020 I don't see any difference or any criticism for Tommy Emmanuel's timing. In terms of ability alone, Tommy Emmanuel can play 100% what Chet Atkins plays. But Chet Atkins can't play what Tommy plays. That being said Tommy songs are much much harder than Chet Atkins
@@marcusneeras2568 I'm not criticizing Tommy's timing at all. Perhaps, in that regard it was the wrong word to use. I'll rephrase the thought. Every guitarist has a particular "voice" in their playing. If they all played the exact same song, it would sound just slightly different because of this voice. Many things add to an artist's voice. The guitar itself. The style or patterns of picking. The effects on the amped up sound. But, in my opinion, more importantly than those are the in-between notes. The ghost notes. The little bit of flair that each player uniquely brings to the table. For Chet, one of the little bits of flair he adds is a quick little up-stroke on the eighth (or whatever) before beginning of the next bar. It's that "timing" that I was referring to. Many people do that, or add in flair elsewhere. But when Chet did it, it sounded so natural and led absolutely seamlessly into the next phrase. The human body is capable of detecting the tiniest of differences in timing down to fractions much smaller than even the fastest of shredders. It's the heartbeat. And some players have an uncanny and almost genetic ability to hit it so precisely that our bodies know it. I'm not knocking Tommy in one bit by saying Chet had this quality. I apologize if the comment was too acute to understand.
Probably the worst thing you could have done was try to play a chet atkins song when starting to learn to play the guitar 😂 that's probably why you haven't been able to play yet. I've only started learning this song 2 days ago and can play the first half. But then again, I've been playing guitar for over 10 years. You should really learn to play guitar properly first then once you're at an intermediate level, try learn songs like this. It's like going to the gym and trying to lift weights out of your league. You're just going to end up damaging yourself. You must start small and work your way up!
Chet at 30 years of age. Now get on line and listen to the 50 yo Chet play his guitar up with Les Paul on his “Chester and Lester” and “Guitar Monsters” albums. He was great at 30 but not even close to where he was in his 50’s. Just an incredible player.
Always loved the 'twang' and 'quack' Chet always managed to get from the hollow and semi-hollow bodied instruments he played. Haven't heard anyone to compare with unique his touch and feel on these particular instruments. Respect and RIP.
George van Eps played a Gretsch that was very quacky but without all the reverb. Personally I think Chet made a better sound (before he got into piezo pickups).
I was 4yrs old when he played this on tv. My dad used to play along with Chet whenever his programs were on. I can hear this tune and remember when and where we were at the time!!
He shows you how dynamics can add so much to what you do, some things are soft, some things are loud, when others play they play up and down, when he plays he's up down in and out.
Sam Sveistrup I really doubt that. Maybe if you know how to play a guitar then sure. But as someone who has never played guitar, no. it took me almost a week to playBeatles yellow submarine that has only 6 or so chords smoothly.
"didn't have nobody to play with so I worked on sounding good by myself" - Chet. He was truly the most guitarist of all time, I was never good at singing and Chet showed me that the 6 strings hold endless possibilities for expressing yourself, him and Steve Howe opened a new world of possibilities for me with solo guitar, I'm still blown away every time I watch him to this day.
We SHOULD be telling that to the decedents of PAT BALLARD? I think "Pegasus" the guitar expert in the UK did a special analysis of him? Yes, but More than thirty minutes of listening to this at one sitting makes some of us absolutely DIZZY though! Variety IS the spice of musical life. An, "arrangement" of a great ORIGINAL too? Yes, of course, and not even a mention of the composer of the song, on ANY of the videos ? Pat Ballard.. who composed the song ? That's like being an AUTHOR of a famous novel and all of the producers profit on the remakes without mentioning his name except in microscopic print at the bottom...or perhaps at Wikipedia ? One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" "Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
When I was a kid, my mom had a Chet Atkins album--yes, a vinyl record. I loved it and played it all the time. I was only 8 or 9, and loved the sound of his guitar even then, and it's still nice to hear.
Absolutely beautiful with flawless execution. About the only thing that amazes me as much as this performance is the fact that it received over 10 million views and yet got only 117K likes.
A bit of music trivia... in the Chordettes version of Mr. Sandman, there is a moment when the Sandman croons a deep, bass "Yes" in the song. That voice is Ike Everly, father of the Everly Brothers, whom Chet gave tremendous assistance to in getting them started on their road to fame.
@@hello-rq8kf He's using the tremolo bar (aka the whammy bar) to drop the pitch down half a step and then release it. That's not vibrato. If you want to see him use the bar to do an actual vibrato, look at the :57 mark. Blame Fender for the term. When they first introduced the system, they called it a tremolo.
@@almostfm tremolo involves changing volume, vibrato involves changing pitch aka what whammy bars do. if he was twisting the volume knob that would be tremolo.
AND THE ORIGINATOR "PAT BALLARD'S " NAME ISN'T ON ANY OF THE VIDEOS; WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SONG FOR CHET ATKINS TO PLAY AROUND WITH, RIGHT ? HOPE THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE STILL HAS HIS NAME LISTED !! One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" "Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
The man could certainly play. Him and Roy Clark have to be two of the .most talented guys ever. There are other great guitar men, but those two are certainly missed. We are fortunate that we have the technology today to record and save their performances for future listening.
Reverb? Do you remember Jack Benny's playing his "exercises" over and over on his violin at all?? Yes, but More than thirty minutes of listening to this at one sitting makes some of us absolutely DIZZY though! Variety IS the spice of musical life. An, "arrangement" of a great ORIGINAL too? Yes, of course, and not even a mention of the composer of the song, on ANY of the videos ? Pat Ballard.. who composed the song ? That's like being an AUTHOR of a famous novel and all of the producers profit on the remakes without mentioning his name except in microscopic print at the bottom...or perhaps at Wikipedia ? One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ? Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS! "I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class" "Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!" LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Wow! I just came here for the pleasure and noticed that I was here and left a comment four years ago! ( so much has happened in that time, some sad) but listening to Chet is always a treat!
When I first started serious study I was told one thing that I've always carried with me: "Slow is fast - Less is more"... Chet displays that calm and poise that channels that concept perfectly. On a side note, those guitars are beautiful...
I love how the Lo-Fidelity of the TV recording makes the song seem warm and fuzzy, and it totally enhances the whole thing.
You're also hearing the sound of a tube amplifier, that he used to play his electric guitar.
@@hxhdfjifzirstc894 it's the tape machine saturating more than the amp
Free EQ
The whole damn studio used vacuum tubes. Including the camera orthicon.
No transistors here.
Once upon a time you could get on national prime time TV just for being really good on electric guitar.
Edit; 2022 Responses to my comment that I’m misrepresenting Chets ability by saying “ really good “ you’re missing the point. Guthrie Govan, Tommy Emmanuel, take your pick, they aren’t on prime time television NOW, because the public isn’t interested in virtuosity on an instrument. Chet was incredibly good and I’m sorry to have complicated your comprehension of my comment with an understatement.
now you have to be a pop star or have a really nice ass
Nicole Reynolds i honestly expected that answer to be down here, what a sad time we live in.
Chet had a nice ass
Even in today's standards, his playing here is unfathomable to most experienced guitarists. Dude deserved being in the spotlight
But he wasnt just really good,he was supreme!
Just imagine seeing that on TV and having no way of seeing it again, recording it, seeing him live, getting the sheet music etc. Life before the internet really focussed the mind!
And to think, he had no one to listen to.
And these moments gave life to life
@@thomasfrenette5010 damn
@@Gumaonetwothree yes
That just makes me appreciate UA-cam even more!
Tone, timing, chops, taste, flawless execution. He had it all.
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
@@lyndafaye6748 And he was influential too. George Harrison brought a Gretch Country Gentleman to America and if you listen to the All my Loving Solo it is all Chet.
HotCheezMuvaa!
Dynamics too
For some reason, I read that as "Chet Atkins, Enter Sandman". Now I kinda want to hear it.
somebody plz
Haha haha yes so did I.
listen to the enter sandmann jazz version someone played over actual footage of a live gig. it´s so funny
@@andreasgajewski
Haha you're right it is funny.
Thanks 👍👍
@@andreasgajewski Thanks for the recommendation. The version I saw was by a guy named Andy Rehfeidt if anyone is interested. Looks like he has done some more covers among other things. Worth a look haha.
I love how at 1:04 he plays that blazing fast lick like it's no big deal just to show "hey if you're worried I don't shred, I definitely shred."
Its just your basic penatonic scale hammering on after the first note is played, lots of jazz guys do it and it sounds fuckin rad.
nothing chet does is basic
that's a pretty basic jazz component
Easy
Real Backing Tracks lol!!! Yes!!
Funny, I was 4 years old when Chet played this. Many years later I learned it. Now I am 72 and I still play it.
18 here. I am blessed and grateful to be born when I was but sometimes I wish I was born earlier just to experience music then.
@@technobat8601 You can still experience it. I exposed my son to the music of my generation and he has very eclectic music interests now.
That’s fantastic,man.
Gives me some hope,I’m 60, been playing about 20 years,still learning.Good luck and good health to you and your family.
@@kyzor-sosay6087 Thank you. The same to you. Tommy Emmanuel is a good resource for fingerstyle. I learned a few of his pieces and spent a lot of time doing it. Keep at it.
Several guitar scales were created with this song.
Just shows how amazingly talented Chet was. This is 1954 where there was not as many guitar players then and certainly not that many that had mastered that picking style. Now we have instant video replay at our finger tips but in the ‘50s & ‘60s the only chance to see these kinds of incredible talent being performed and live was very rare. The quality of the video is also excellent. Thank you for posting.
Loved it. My Dad used to listen to Chet Atkins and l did too!
Absolutely❤
There were a lot of classical guitar players to learn fingerstyle technique from.
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
I bet the guitar player in the background was just as good
This video inspired me to buy a thumb pick. I never use it
😂
Hahahahahahaha same dude same
I play this song hybrid picking with a normal pick
@@superslayerguy you can totally play this style without a specialized thumbpick. its just another tool that makes it easier if thats the style you stick to
I finally started using mine. Broke one already. Don't even know where to buy more _ I am not shopping blind for one. I had a bunch from years and years and years ago ... it was a rarity. It's like guitar stores are made for people who just buy guitars and hang them on walls ...
Gotta love that tweed 50s sound. Muted EQ and reverb.
Tape delay
Needed tube amps for that ring.
The sound of a TV studio at the time too.
Who doesn't love a Gretsch
+Wafl Kone harrison
+Wafl Kone Possibly the Gretsch that stole christmas?
+Wafl Kone Possibly the Gretsch that stole christmas?
+Wafl Kone me
+Orange Fender why is that?
My father-in-law played like Chet. He was amazing. Chet was his hero. I love the Chet style; smooth and both lead and rhythm in one instrument. Bert and Chet you are both missed so much!
The Love how he applied classical technique in his playing. Amazing guitarist!
Michael Lucarelli 'classical technique' lmao
Michael Lucarelli Yes sir...agree
Who's the clown standing behind Chet trmying to hog the. Camera? Mr. Sandman video
RMichael Lucarelli
Michael Lucarelli
1:34 Such a clever, tasty little lick.
Literally thought the same thing. Not overly complicated but incredibly tasteful.
@@superslayerguy agree
@Olli Koskiniemi tantric.
I know! That harmonic he hit as well 😍
My favourite part of this piece. Just brilliant!
If you ever feel useless just remember Chet Atkins had a rhythm section
Yes--- Himself
If you watch just before the second verse the backup guitarist looks scared to death. He brushes himself off... gets his guitar strap just right.... then just stands there confident no one can really hear him anyways....
@@11calman Yes--- No shit
And they got paid unlike us
lol
Dont worry guys, 50s and 60s will come back in a few decades
Fact: Chet Atkins can only sleep while he is sitting straight. It is because of his asthma. So, every night he would play his guitar until he is asleep. His family would usually see him sleeping with his guitar
Yeah! Its already 20
Lol you are right
Unfortunately they will not be as good as the LAST 50s and 60s. They will probably be a much worse version of the 2010s. But then again look at how times changed from 1980-2020, maybe I’m wrong, hope so.
@@KingRiverVlogs Hey kid, have you already started shaving...............?
@@unknownuser5260 lol you made my day. the dude has 66k views but he claims that has more than 100k follower :D I love Americans every day more
Absolute mastery. Killer chops, swinging, tasteful, what can you say. The most immaculate technique I've ever heard. Pretty much in a class by himself, for me.
Agreed, this guy and Brian Setzer (who was obviously hugely influenced by Chet) stand head and shoulders above any other guitarist for me, not only is their stuff very difficult, but it's exceptionally musical, often overlooked by many guitar players.
There's a video from a Total Guitar interview with Setzer where he does a similar jam in terms of technique and you'd swear there were 2 people playing, very much like this, you almost can't believe your ears!
All players know Chet is on the Mt. Rushmore of guitarists period. The players know that regardless of style or genre, if you can play, you've stolen a lick or two from chet whether you know it or not. 🍻
@@misterknightowlandco Very well said.
I'd call this virtuosity. It's the step above master. A truly incredible talent.
@@misterknightowlandco which model Gretsch is he playing?
at 1:34 does he hit the A string harmonic then finish the chord?! mmmmmmmmmmmm smooth
eyg24 to make it even better he uses dat whammy bar to make the chord sound even more orgasmic
This guy was smooth
his whammy technique is smooth as butter
eyg24 he does and it was hot im moist
not even gonna lie, that was smooth
I love the innocence of the folks in the background. Different time and Chet is in a league unto his own. Even today few can approach his technique and inflections. Super sublime.
Innocence or decency?
Innocence? Wtf you talking about lol
All white musicians with an all white decent audience... in europe at that time groups and audiences were mixed...
@@MrHighlander26 Debatable. Early 50’s Europe was predominately white. Regardless of race Chet was one of the very best to ever play and deserves the adoration of the crowd.
@@MrHighlander26 Not really dude. Europe in the 50s was pretty white
Love the arpeggio + bigsby move + chop at 1:33 . Super smooth. Always loved also the knob turn at the very end, it's so confident.
The notes in the arpeggio are harmonics as well - if that wasn't impossible enough
@@dcl525only one of them is a harmonic, probably made it easier for him though
Uploaded 13 years ago, 1 year after UA-cam began... Crazy that you can still stream this!
Yeah and how it hasn't gotten taken down for copyright
In one month it will be 15 years old!
Edit: it’s now 15 years old!
@@KingRiverVlogs well well well
Who knew this would evolve into death metal...
How did it evolve into that?
Mario Cruz we're do u think it comes from stuff like this and Jimi Hendrix mainly but who influenced him chet
just shut up
Ignorant comment.
metelicgunz 1 Metallica is not death metal...
Now THAT'S how you fingerpick! That is masterful.
Yea one of the best indeed in doing that!!
He did really good
But does it djent???????
Let's see, I have a Gretsch, I have a thimbpick, and a suit, ah! I know what I'm missing. Talent!
And a headstock?
@Mr Bruh my bad
@@joebryant8500 yes mine is broken, as is with most les pauls
@@joebryant8500Hahahaha. I saw what you did there.
@@rexjolles only if you drop em or set em against a wall to slide to the floor. The reason Gibson headstocks break are 99% user error and 1% that 17 degree angle.
When I was a kid in the 90s my uncle used to take me to see Chet play every Tuesday at a little bar in Nashville called Cafe Trieste. I appreciate it more now than I did then. RIP
consider yourself very fortunate to have been able to see him live! i know i wish i could
He’s related to me
I'm stunned every time I watch this, Chet was so good it's just unbelievable. Such an effortless rendition of this classic song in a way no one has ever duplicated. So thankful these old recording exist, Chet's musicianship will be enjoyed for centuries.
Emph Squee check out Brian Setzer too. He’s phenomenal
Man, could that guy play. Total control of the instrument and he makes it look so effortless.
I think Chet just became my new guitar hero. My fingerstyle playing has grown over the years....but how could I overlook Chet for so long? He was the master!
Now check out some Roy Clark.
Check out the stuff he did with Mark Knopfler.
Check out Glen Campbell
Oh yeah fellas..I'm a huge fan of Glen, Roy and Mark as well. I'm a Scruggs style banjo picker too so I sometimes use finger picks when I play guitar..sometimes don't.
@@johnlockesghost5592 One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Thousands of hours of disciplined, dedicated hours required to reach this standard. The legend, the complete master. Chets influence on guitar players and popular music is beyond computation.
very good but can he play smoke on water?
him : hold my whammy bar pls
Funny because he literally couldn’t. Song didn’t come out til 1972 haha
gaylord welcome to the joke
Lmao how ironic because you clearly didn’t get the joke. The joke refers to how Smoke on the Water is one of the first songs that almost every beginner learns, and usually play to try impress other people. Joke was that he clearly is talented, and the joke is a type of sarcastic humor. The joke had nothing to do with the fact that the song had not come out yet.
You know, having to explain a joke to someone is a great way to zap out any comedy from it.
@@ExternusArmy chill out man, it doesn't matter when smoke on the water come out. it's just a joke! smh
and you don't need to give us a long explanation about the song, because we already know
This is the sign of superb guitar skills - when one person can play both rhythm and solo at the same time. When only one plays but it sounds as if there are two!
@@Peter-ff1tp Most of the time he was just twiddling his thumbs. Literally. The bass was playing, though.
@@alanbarnett718 and also playing the entire rhythm part?
No one was playing but Chet. Look at the other guys hand. It’s like 4 inches away from the strings.
My dad was the lead guitarist in the 50's and 60's. Chet Atkins was his idol!!
OMG........that's just finger picking heaven! Amazing chord sequences, sublime touch, great rhythm. No wonder he inspired so many other guitarists.
I just really dig the smile he allows himself at 1:04 when he works the fast riff then nails the first note of the next seque.... live...
An absolute American treasure! This man had more talent than nearly anyone! Unbelievable! We were blessed to have him!
Drooling over those guitars. That big Gibson in the back is just stunning. Golden age of Gibson arch top jazz boxes. I bet it’s worth some chunk of change today!
Why does this video just scream nuclear bombs?
I CAN see this song being put at the opening of some cliche apocalyptic/post apocalyptic video game
Xx Bro Army Forever xX ikr!
Xx Bro Army Forever xX Like, in a grisly murder scene in a movie by Wes Craven or Quentin Tarantino, ha ha!!
Guy Collishaw why did this comment just make me laugh out loud?
Lyle W the world may never know
THE Greatest guitarist of ALL time! If you ask any other great guitarist, he'll say the same thing! Hell, Chet taught us ALL how to play! The Man was fantastic! A true gentleman! There aren't enough superlatives in the English language for this guy!
He is one of them yes. Have you heard Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and Eddie Lang? Plus the classical guitarists like John Williams? Quite a few more contemporary ones that Chet Atkins featured on his TV shows.
This man's soul is on display in his playing, and it's a truly beautiful thing to witness ❤
Good post. Nostalgic👍
I'll don't think I'll ever tire of this video! It never fails to bring a smile to my face. So much technique, feel and class.
This might be one of the most beautiful guitar songs ive ever heard. I hope to learn this one day
0:44 the audience is literally in a trance
John Tunstall what’s a trance
@@trackerrzz_3130 Google that shit son
Did he hit'em with the vibe check straight after this man is a trail blazer
when are they gonna bring back those pointy bras?
@@trackerrzz_3130
🤦
Still enjoying his melodies after all these years.. he did a little "i'll see you in my dreams" at 0:36, such an inspiration this man :)
I was lucky enough to be there along side Chet when he recorded this and I remember him telling me "You watch... this will one day get 10 million views on UA-cam". I hope he's right.
And still, the poor composer of the song gets no "attention".
And Pat Ballard who composed the song ?
AND THE ORIGINATOR "PAT BALLARD'S " NAME ISN'T ON ANY OF THE VIDEOS; WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SONG FOR CHET ATKINS TO PLAY AROUND WITH, RIGHT ? HOPE THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE STILL HAS HIS NAME LISTED !!
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
"Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Chet Atkins is the greatest, there will never be another guitarist like him, many try to replicate his playing- myself included, but nobody will ever match him. Every note he ever played was perfect, never hit a bum note. The guy was almost superhuman and is my biggest inspiration as a guitarist
Except.. you know, all the CGPs that Chet himself awarded.
But yes, he was almost superhuman.
Tommy Emmanuel surpassed Chet Atkins by miles
@@marcusneeras2568 ehhhh, not so sure about that. Tommy is great but I hear a few buzzing strings every now and then. Chet was just so pure. And not just in the picking, but in his timing as well. It's absolutely perfect. Every note sits exactly where it's supposed to be and there's no hiccups anywhere.
@@bellofortis2020 I don't see any difference or any criticism for Tommy Emmanuel's timing.
In terms of ability alone, Tommy Emmanuel can play 100% what Chet Atkins plays. But Chet Atkins can't play what Tommy plays.
That being said Tommy songs are much much harder than Chet Atkins
@@marcusneeras2568 I'm not criticizing Tommy's timing at all. Perhaps, in that regard it was the wrong word to use. I'll rephrase the thought. Every guitarist has a particular "voice" in their playing. If they all played the exact same song, it would sound just slightly different because of this voice. Many things add to an artist's voice. The guitar itself. The style or patterns of picking. The effects on the amped up sound. But, in my opinion, more importantly than those are the in-between notes. The ghost notes. The little bit of flair that each player uniquely brings to the table. For Chet, one of the little bits of flair he adds is a quick little up-stroke on the eighth (or whatever) before beginning of the next bar. It's that "timing" that I was referring to. Many people do that, or add in flair elsewhere. But when Chet did it, it sounded so natural and led absolutely seamlessly into the next phrase. The human body is capable of detecting the tiniest of differences in timing down to fractions much smaller than even the fastest of shredders. It's the heartbeat. And some players have an uncanny and almost genetic ability to hit it so precisely that our bodies know it. I'm not knocking Tommy in one bit by saying Chet had this quality. I apologize if the comment was too acute to understand.
This video was one of the reasons I started playing guitar years ago. I still can’t play it lol
So glad someone is in the same boat and that 11 years ago for me haha
Haha same for me but 3 years ago! I can play a shittier version though so im happy enough
@@CannibalWHORE22 doubt you were actually trying to learn it if it was 11 years ago
Saint Petru I was until other bigger responsibilities came to my life.
Probably the worst thing you could have done was try to play a chet atkins song when starting to learn to play the guitar 😂 that's probably why you haven't been able to play yet. I've only started learning this song 2 days ago and can play the first half. But then again, I've been playing guitar for over 10 years. You should really learn to play guitar properly first then once you're at an intermediate level, try learn songs like this. It's like going to the gym and trying to lift weights out of your league. You're just going to end up damaging yourself. You must start small and work your way up!
Shredding in 1954. He was and is the man.
The cleanliness and precision of the execution, while also being smooth af, in combination with that warm and fuzzy sound - this is magic.
Toujours superbe à écouter ce grand Monsieur...Quelle belle sonorité.
Écoutez Tommy Emmanuel ça devrai beaucoup vous plaire! Lui même est énormément inspiré de Chet.
Lewis and Clark en est une bien agréable.
Aless MicMast Ce que je viens de faire....Extraordinaire artiste..Merci de cette appréciation très positive.
Avec plaisir! :)
The strings are singing the words. Amazing
Chet is so good, his playing amazes me every time I see him !
Atkins had impeccable rhythm. That was his magic.
Chet at 30 years of age. Now get on line and listen to the 50 yo Chet play his guitar up with Les Paul on his “Chester and Lester” and “Guitar Monsters” albums. He was great at 30 but not even close to where he was in his 50’s. Just an incredible player.
The smoothest guitarist ever who made difficult pieces seem easy. The GOAT.
Always loved the 'twang' and 'quack' Chet always managed to get from the hollow and semi-hollow bodied instruments he played. Haven't heard anyone to compare with unique his touch and feel on these particular instruments. Respect and RIP.
George van Eps played a Gretsch that was very quacky but without all the reverb. Personally I think Chet made a better sound (before he got into piezo pickups).
I was 4yrs old when he played this on tv. My dad used to play along with Chet whenever his programs were on. I can hear this tune and remember when and where we were at the time!!
He shows you how dynamics can add so much to what you do, some things are soft, some things are loud, when others play they play up and down, when he plays he's up down in and out.
i can't stop watching this plz help
gabriel232 nice dog
I don't have to watch anymore - completely burned into my memory from repeat watchings.
A guy can train a whole life to play like that and still fail at some point, that's true talent right there
There's videos on youtube of him teaching guitar
Most people who train their whole lives will not be able to play like that.
Derpin MacDerperonton you could learn this in a week
Sam Sveistrup I really doubt that. Maybe if you know how to play a guitar then sure. But as someone who has never played guitar, no. it took me almost a week to playBeatles yellow submarine that has only 6 or so chords smoothly.
Gerard Is My Queen but he didn't train his whole life to learn one song either
"didn't have nobody to play with so I worked on sounding good by myself" - Chet. He was truly the most guitarist of all time, I was never good at singing and Chet showed me that the 6 strings hold endless possibilities for expressing yourself, him and Steve Howe opened a new world of possibilities for me with solo guitar, I'm still blown away every time I watch him to this day.
Where did you find this quote? Very fitting but I was just curious… thank you 🙏🏻
Wow... He's so precise. Beautiful.
Looks so peaceful and calm. Like paradise
Wow, this was beautiful. And also it demonstrates that tecnique and emotion can coexist.
Its amazing that every single guitar player, from metal to rock, to you name it, regards this as one of the most respected licks ever.
Good day. That walk up and bend with the bigsby at 1:35 makes me cream my jeans everytime.
1:34 is the full walk up and bend, and I agree, it's amazing
Потрясающий гитарист,композитор,аранжировщик,учитель Марка Нопфлера и мой Кумир!
This is truly one of the greatest guitar recordings. So timeless.
素晴らしいギタープレイ レスポールと双璧
I could practice every day for a million years and not even get close to this. Extraordinary.
Amazing swing.
Oh my gosh I LOVE the sound of his guitar! It sounds SO GOOD
I love how much warmness is contained in that sound, makng it super cosy and comfy.
it's magical
Dang this sounds AMAZING
1:34 is insane wtf!!! A string Harmonic into the chord with the whammy while keeping all so freaking smooth!!!!
雰囲気も含めて全部好き！
We SHOULD be telling that to the decedents of PAT BALLARD?
I think "Pegasus" the guitar expert in the UK did a special analysis of him?
Yes, but More than thirty minutes of listening to this at one sitting makes some of us absolutely DIZZY though! Variety IS the spice of musical life.
An, "arrangement" of a great ORIGINAL too?
Yes, of course, and not even a mention of the composer of the song, on ANY of the videos ? Pat Ballard.. who composed the song ? That's like being an AUTHOR of a famous novel and all of the producers profit on the remakes without mentioning his name except in microscopic print at the bottom...or perhaps at Wikipedia ?
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
"Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
When I was a kid, my mom had a Chet Atkins album--yes, a vinyl record. I loved it and played it all the time. I was only 8 or 9, and loved the sound of his guitar even then, and it's still nice to hear.
ElveeKaye you act like vinyl is some kind of mystical cryptid.
I have one of Chet’s first albums on vinyl and I’m only 28.
Dweebenheim aren't you cool
Dweebenheim he never even implied that, though lmao
@@Rustykid "yes, a vinyl record"
Boomers have no idea wtf anyone else in the world thinks or knows lmao
Wyatt Isrite yea but he didn’t imply it was some kind of a “mystical cryptid” like the other guy put. him saying that doesn’t mean anything.
Yes!! That'll sound just as good 1000 years from now as it did in '54!
Loved Chet and Mr. Sandman. Fantastic picking!!❤
I sort of expect to see Dennis Hopper in the audience. By himself, in a black motorcycle jacket, with wild eyes and smiling with insane pleasure.
Hendrix, Clapton, Beck..Hah. Here is one of the kings that influenced them all.
Harrison?
+seth larson
Yes they were,,
+seth larson of course...pretty much every guitarist was
Holy shit! An ultraman fan? What a rarity! You seen any stuff about ultraman orb yet?
And who influenced him? Django. Ever the original and unsurpassable guitar hero.
I think of this tune as Chet Atkins' tune first, and then the music of "Hill Valley, California".
Absolutely beautiful with flawless execution. About the only thing that amazes me as much as this performance is the fact that it received over 10 million views and yet got only 117K likes.
A bit of music trivia... in the Chordettes version of Mr. Sandman, there is a moment when the Sandman croons a deep, bass "Yes" in the song. That voice is Ike Everly, father of the Everly Brothers, whom Chet gave tremendous assistance to in getting them started on their road to fame.
That tremolo at 1:35 is so perfect. What a genius.
vibrato, he's not tremoloing anything
@@hello-rq8kf He's using the tremolo bar (aka the whammy bar) to drop the pitch down half a step and then release it. That's not vibrato. If you want to see him use the bar to do an actual vibrato, look at the :57 mark.
Blame Fender for the term. When they first introduced the system, they called it a tremolo.
@@almostfm tremolo involves changing volume, vibrato involves changing pitch aka what whammy bars do. if he was twisting the volume knob that would be tremolo.
For everyone wondering about the make and model of the guitar, it a gretsch 6120 DSW
Phil Ill they’re both gretsches, it’s the gretsch style
This man is like beyond human. It's amazing to see him play
AND THE ORIGINATOR "PAT BALLARD'S " NAME ISN'T ON ANY OF THE VIDEOS; WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SONG FOR CHET ATKINS TO PLAY AROUND WITH, RIGHT ? HOPE THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE STILL HAS HIS NAME LISTED !!
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
"Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
The man could certainly play. Him and Roy Clark have to be two of the .most talented guys ever. There are other great guitar men, but those two are certainly missed. We are fortunate that we have the technology today to record and save their performances for future listening.
To be able to watch the man do his thing 70 years later is a blessing
The best guitar player to ever grace our planet
Absolutely. He made the difficult look easy. Just a beautiful human being.
Umm have you ever heard of The Edge from U2???
Unless you're a guitar player I'm not sure you realize how hard and clean this is.
Look at the rhythm guitar, he’s moving fast and thumbing the E, Chet was a beast.
@@michaelolin2219are there any great jazz guitarists out there or was there who didn't know theory?
@@RoRo-vr6wx theory aint hard
but joking aside i think Reinhardt didnt really use written music or smth@@RoRo-vr6wx
Some wild finger stretches !!!!
Posso digitar em caixa alta? Lá vai :
SENSACIONAL !!!!!
AMAZING !!!!!!
BRAVO !!!!!!
JOGOU DURO !!!!!!
Such a beautiful reverb too.
Reverb? Do you remember Jack Benny's playing his "exercises" over and over on his violin at all??
Yes, but More than thirty minutes of listening to this at one sitting makes some of us absolutely DIZZY though! Variety IS the spice of musical life.
An, "arrangement" of a great ORIGINAL too?
Yes, of course, and not even a mention of the composer of the song, on ANY of the videos ? Pat Ballard.. who composed the song ? That's like being an AUTHOR of a famous novel and all of the producers profit on the remakes without mentioning his name except in microscopic print at the bottom...or perhaps at Wikipedia ?
One of the GREATS, Chet Atkins, when he didn't have arthritis in any of those fingers ?
Ha, I do wish artists would stop copying that SAME EXACT WELL RENOWN introduction and come up with something innovative, though! Always thought the Andrew Sisters recorded this too, but find they did not! And btw PAT BALLARD'S name isn't stated on most of the recordings! REMEMBER THE SONGWRITERS!
"I Fall to Pieces With a Touch of Class"
"Lynda's Songwriter's Serenade!"
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo
Amazing , what a guitar player .
Wow! I just came here for the pleasure and noticed that I was here and left a comment four years ago! ( so much has happened in that time, some sad) but listening to Chet is always a treat!
What an incredibly lovely, wholesome, enjoyable little moment in human history.
Chet Atkins R.I.P. one of my favorites together with George Benson and Earl Klugh.
That was simply delicious. A master at work 👍👍👍
When I first started serious study I was told one thing that I've always carried with me:
"Slow is fast - Less is more"... Chet displays that calm and poise that channels that concept perfectly.
On a side note, those guitars are beautiful...