Thank you, @joeehrlich2898! You're absolutely right - J.J. Cale was a musical genius, and it's a pleasure to dive deep into his songs. Your support means a lot, and I'm glad you enjoyed the lesson. Keep rocking with us! 🎸🎶
@mdavidhuffman9351 I really appreciate your compliments. I just happened to be working on our lesson premiering on Saturday at 11 right here on UA-cam and saw this. It's a great song, great recording and so much fun to play! If you have any other questions or comments or requests, don't hesitate. Happy Picking! Jason
I just recently discovered the music of JJ Cale. I had heard his name but nothing else. I have seen a couple of videos on how to play After Midnight and I'm puzzled a bit. I saw a video of JJ playing the song and it was in EM with him playing the chord sequence as Em, G, A, and B7. But the instructionals all have the first chord a Major chord not a minor. Why?
GREAT QUESTION AND THANK YOU! The discrepancy you're noticing likely stems from different interpretations and arrangements of the song "After Midnight." JJ Cale's music often features a laid-back, flexible approach, which allows for variations in chord progressions and playing styles. Here are a few reasons for the differences you observed: 𝟭. 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Artists sometimes play their songs differently live compared to the studio recording. JJ Cale might have chosen to use an Em chord live for a different vibe or feel, whereas the studio version might use a major chord. 𝟮. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: The creators of instructional videos might base their lessons on the studio version or a popular cover (such as Eric Clapton's version) rather than JJ Cale's live performance. Eric Clapton's version of "After Midnight" starts with a major chord, which could influence how instructional videos teach the song. 𝟯. 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: JJ Cale was known for his relaxed, improvisational style. The minor to major switch could be a personal interpretation or a spontaneous decision during a live performance. 𝟰. 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀: The deep fusion of American roots blues music often blurs the lines between major and minor thirds. Blues musicians frequently bend notes or use the "blue note," which lies between the major and minor third. This fluidity allows for both major and minor interpretations within the same song, creating a richer, more expressive sound. JJ Cale's use of Em in a live performance might reflect this tradition of blending major and minor tonalities. To reconcile these differences, you could try playing both versions and see which one resonates more with you or fits the context in which you're performing the song. Understanding that music is often fluid and adaptable can also help you appreciate these variations. Happy Picking! Jason
Thanks for your interest! The guitar I'm using in this lesson is a Gibson Memphis ES-339. It's a versatile instrument that works great for JJ Cale's style. Do you play guitar yourself? If you have any other questions about the gear or the lesson, feel free to ask! Also, cool vids on your channel! -Jason
One of the overlooked least recognized musicians of his time! Nice job Jason!! Spot on again!
Thank you, @joeehrlich2898! You're absolutely right - J.J. Cale was a musical genius, and it's a pleasure to dive deep into his songs. Your support means a lot, and I'm glad you enjoyed the lesson. Keep rocking with us! 🎸🎶
Been waiting for someone to do this version instead of Clapton, which is great but this one speaks to me more.thank you and great job.
@mdavidhuffman9351 I really appreciate your compliments. I just happened to be working on our lesson premiering on Saturday at 11 right here on UA-cam and saw this. It's a great song, great recording and so much fun to play! If you have any other questions or comments or requests, don't hesitate. Happy Picking! Jason
Great lesson really appreciate it
You are most welcome!
I just recently discovered the music of JJ Cale. I had heard his name but nothing else.
I have seen a couple of videos on how to play After Midnight and I'm puzzled a bit.
I saw a video of JJ playing the song and it was in EM with him playing the chord sequence as Em, G, A, and B7. But the instructionals all have the first chord a Major chord not a minor. Why?
actually an EM7.
GREAT QUESTION AND THANK YOU! The discrepancy you're noticing likely stems from different interpretations and arrangements of the song "After Midnight." JJ Cale's music often features a laid-back, flexible approach, which allows for variations in chord progressions and playing styles. Here are a few reasons for the differences you observed:
𝟭. 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Artists sometimes play their songs differently live compared to the studio recording. JJ Cale might have chosen to use an Em chord live for a different vibe or feel, whereas the studio version might use a major chord.
𝟮. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: The creators of instructional videos might base their lessons on the studio version or a popular cover (such as Eric Clapton's version) rather than JJ Cale's live performance. Eric Clapton's version of "After Midnight" starts with a major chord, which could influence how instructional videos teach the song.
𝟯. 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: JJ Cale was known for his relaxed, improvisational style. The minor to major switch could be a personal interpretation or a spontaneous decision during a live performance.
𝟰. 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀: The deep fusion of American roots blues music often blurs the lines between major and minor thirds. Blues musicians frequently bend notes or use the "blue note," which lies between the major and minor third. This fluidity allows for both major and minor interpretations within the same song, creating a richer, more expressive sound. JJ Cale's use of Em in a live performance might reflect this tradition of blending major and minor tonalities.
To reconcile these differences, you could try playing both versions and see which one resonates more with you or fits the context in which you're performing the song. Understanding that music is often fluid and adaptable can also help you appreciate these variations.
Happy Picking!
Jason
What is that guitar
Thanks for your interest! The guitar I'm using in this lesson is a Gibson Memphis ES-339. It's a versatile instrument that works great for JJ Cale's style. Do you play guitar yourself? If you have any other questions about the gear or the lesson, feel free to ask! Also, cool vids on your channel! -Jason