Steve Gaines Licks That Forced Me to Up My Game - I Could Finally Play Fast and Clean!

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  • Опубліковано 25 лис 2023
  • These guitar licks forced me to be a fast and clean guitar player. I couldn't help but improve because they were so challenging. There was a time when my guitar playing stagnated. I felt stuck. I wanted to play fast and clean but nothing was working for me. Then I started playing some Steve Gaines. If you don't know, Steve Gaines was one of the late guitarists to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. His playing was electric fast and so clean you could hear every note. From the moment I began learning his licks, I could tell a difference in my playing. It didn't take months either. My guitar playing improved immediately. If you want to play faster, cleaner, and be an overall better guitarist - watch this guitar lesson!
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    #guitar #guitarlessons #guitarist
    0:40 Sweet Home Alabama - Live at the Fox
    7:00 That Smell
    5:45 I Know a Little
    22:30 Bonus

КОМЕНТАРІ • 83

  • @guitarwithryan8283
    @guitarwithryan8283 8 місяців тому +24

    Oddly enough, I started working on I KNOW A LITTLE over the past few days. I'm at about 85% so far. The speed and clarity Gaines played with are unbelievable. I'm a punk rock wrecking ball who, by default, plays like a caveman - but I try and force myself (and my students) to get better and (momentarily) tame those kinds of primal urges with songs like this. It's tragic we only got one Skynyrd studio album with this absolute monster of a guitar player.

    • @bloozedaddy
      @bloozedaddy 8 місяців тому +6

      The solo on Honky Tonk Night Time Man will keep you busy for a few years after you finish I Know A Little

  • @Fukna69
    @Fukna69 8 місяців тому +33

    I’ve heard Gary tell a story about recording I know a little, it was Steve’s turn to lay it down, Steve walked into the studio calm and cool did it in one take, set his guitar down, walked out and said where do you all wanna go eat, they were all like wtf? damn

    • @TomsRockinGuitar
      @TomsRockinGuitar  3 місяці тому +6

      Steve probably said "I know a little" spot downtown where we can get a a nice steak. You guys "got that right"?

    • @Fukna69
      @Fukna69 3 місяці тому +1

      @@TomsRockinGuitar haha, yeah good one Tom, probably a place called the jug 🤣🤟✌️👍, that’s peace out, ✌️👍

    • @jameslyons1661
      @jameslyons1661 2 місяці тому

    • @srujan00
      @srujan00 Місяць тому +1

      Arty Pyle said something like Steve always had his guitar on (his shoulder), he'd come to the hotel door in his underwear with his guitar. Arty said something else - like they were playing around with beer bottle caps one day, and Steve was able to hit a fly on the wall with one from across the room.

  • @Mr.56Goldtop
    @Mr.56Goldtop 8 місяців тому +12

    Steve Gaines was a guitar MONSTER!

  • @sauletto1
    @sauletto1 8 місяців тому +17

    Man, I really like this channel. The fact that you really take the time to dissect every note and where it's played is awesome. Plus the fact Skynyrd is so rarely dug into deeply as you do , is like finding a secret treasure . Great video and channel !

  • @josephliptak
    @josephliptak 8 місяців тому +4

    I grew up listening to Skynyrd as a teen in the 70s. Thank you for keeping this band's spirit alive. They had 4 great guitar players that made Skynyrd tops in the Southern Rock arena.

  • @CraigS5.5
    @CraigS5.5 8 місяців тому +7

    Thank you so much Tom! I agree that solo Steve does towards the end of Sweet Home Alabama is pure musical genius. No other way to describe it. For those that haven’t heard it yet, watch the one from the Oakland Coleseum 8/77. I think it’s symbolic that Cassie is directly behind him. And watch Ronnie’s look of approval to Steve’s mastery. I watch this one over and over. Thank you for breaking it down for us!

  • @johnlowder3788
    @johnlowder3788 Місяць тому +1

    I never dreamed is a great song Tom. Such a clear sound and that is the hard work they put in on that album.

  • @greglawson3094
    @greglawson3094 8 місяців тому +1

    Awesome break down, love Steve Gaines thanks for taking the time.

  • @MIKE-D158
    @MIKE-D158 3 місяці тому +2

    Tom. I just discovered your channel. You are doing great.
    Sadly I never saw Steve Gaines, fortunately I saw Allen Collins and Gary Rossington with the RCB. And of course Ed King with the tribute band a few times and also when he set in with others.
    Glad to see someone your age appreciating Steve Gaines. I’ve been playing guitar over 40 years and we can all learn. Thanks for your lessons. Keep picking.

  • @concernedcitizen939
    @concernedcitizen939 8 місяців тому +4

    Love your instructional style and playing. Keep ‘em comin’.

  • @KenPryor
    @KenPryor 8 місяців тому +9

    Really cool video Tom. Steve Gaines is one of those guys I listen to and can't help but be amazed. I sure wish we could have heard more from him because he was just getting started. He would have done more truly incredible stuff. You're doing a darn fine job on his stuff.

  • @ToTheMaxGaming1
    @ToTheMaxGaming1 5 місяців тому +4

    If you want to hear more of Steve Gaines type in ‘crawdad live’ on youtube, Crawdad was a band he was in before LS and it is honestly the best guitar playing I have ever heard, those 3 live ‘albums’ alone have convinced me he is one of the greatest of all time, great video it’s nice to see Steve get recognition

  • @sld67869801
    @sld67869801 3 місяці тому +1

    You can't think while you are playing. Reminded of SRV's quote "the only time I get in trouble is when I think about what I am playing"

    • @TomsRockinGuitar
      @TomsRockinGuitar  3 місяці тому +1

      So true! I'm usually thinking up what I want to play while doing rhythm then try to make it happen on lead. But dont think while playing lead 😂

  • @brushstroke3733
    @brushstroke3733 8 місяців тому +1

    Daggone man, my ear can't even move that fast!!
    Steve was phenomenal, as were all of Skynyrd's pickers and players, but Steve stood out as something very fresh and exciting.
    Thanks for showing us all these licks. I've been working on "I Know A Little" for 30 years and have never learned to play any of it right! This is astounding. I'm glad I finally figured out how to use UA-cam to listen to things at quarter speed or half speed.
    "I Never Dreamed" has also been a favorite of mine for a long time,

  • @davidwebb3412
    @davidwebb3412 8 місяців тому +2

    Hi Tom.
    Just a quick one to say….It’s really good to see you back doing guitar clips again.
    Missed you!!!
    Cheers
    Dave🙏🏼🇬🇧
    #Skynyrd4Ever

  • @MrJParfait
    @MrJParfait 8 місяців тому

    The harmonic part in I never dreamed is the best. Thanks again Tom for another great video 🤘🏼

  • @WayneSorbelli
    @WayneSorbelli 8 місяців тому +2

    hi Tom. i love your channel bro. I got a led zep tribute band and always working out guitar parts of other bands as well just for fun - - you are a great player & teacher - VERY Glad to subscribe to your channel

  • @garysheppard366
    @garysheppard366 5 місяців тому

    Tom, thank you so much brother for the break-down of one of my all-time favourite solos, Steve's on Sweet Hone Alabama from the OMFTR set. I have been trying to learn this solo for about 46 yrs now, and have a basic, pretty crappy version of it. Part of my daily guitar practice & goals now is to learn & play this solo note-for-note as best I can. You've inspired me! 🇦🇺

  • @bamjam23
    @bamjam23 3 місяці тому

    OMG this is great. Your so right on about playing clean! Its not for the Felines. This was informative & very entertaining to watch. Steve was amazing & underrated. Thanks

  • @irock4u222
    @irock4u222 2 місяці тому +1

    theres plenty of preskynyrd stuff of steves playing on youtube, it's not that he suddenly appeared he was pretty established already and having his sister in the band was a plus.

  • @mdew24
    @mdew24 7 місяців тому +1

    It is pretty cool to learn these licks as Steve played them on the record for the sake of practice but it is not necessary to play them exact in performance. One thing I like to point out to people and other guitar players is the fact that these musicians never played the licks the same way twice when playing live. Now, Steve may have nailed these licks the first time in the studio but normally what happens is that the songs and sections are played several times and the producer or recording engineers or even the band chooses which "Cut" to drop into the final recording. I was in a band and played these parts. One of my pet peeves is people who insist on hearing exactly what is on the recording. I would hear "That's not how Steve played it" I would give two answers. One was "Steve does not play it like the record either when playing "Live" and " I am not Steve". They are great practice licks and can be linked together in making up your own solos and when you get something close to the feel of the solo when playing live it ends up sounding great even if you miss one or two of Steve's notes.

    • @1200JML
      @1200JML 23 дні тому

      Good points. Except Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of the rear (?) bands at theyr time that played solos live same way they had recorded. Red that Al Cooper who produced theyr first and second albums said that he was amazed to see when Skynyrd walked in to studio they were the only band that had composed the solos note by note. Ofcourse this might not be the case with every song i guess... But I think that Allen and especially Gary pretty much stick on theyr recorded solo versions when playing live and it was also Ronnies demand that the band should sound same live as they were on records cause the audiens came to here the same songs live that they have listened from recordings. Though I haven't heard many of Skynyrd bootleg records (because the Live at Fox One More from... is so amazing and in my opinnion the best live album ever made) from those I have heard they guite much played same strong core songs in theyr kicks most of the time. However not sure when was it that they started to do some jamming (T for Texas, Crossroads) where there was more room for improvisation. It would be so nice to have more well produced live recordings from the band. Im not sure but think that it could possibly be done now with all the modern sound techinique then we would know more about this subject. Also some alternative studio takes would be interesting to hear though Im not that big fan of listening second versions of any songs as usually its the best takes that after all come in final records.

  • @gottadomor7438
    @gottadomor7438 8 місяців тому +5

    Sweet looking guitar there TRG.
    I always thought Gaines should've played a tele - his, "sound" sure sounds like one playing.
    Man Skynyrd had some iconic guitarists - the original two, then EK, then SG who imho topped them all. A-MAY-zing.

    • @wingnutt4200
      @wingnutt4200 8 місяців тому +1

      He did play Tellie that my friend I'm telling Tellie you! Actually was a Stratocaster! Very few people on could make a fender sing!! Eric Clapton was not one of them .. 😊 sounds like Roy was one!! Figure that out and have some fun

    • @mitchchandler8243
      @mitchchandler8243 8 місяців тому +1

      Steve played a strat that Craig Reed built on I know a little, there's a few pics of Steve holding it.

  • @DannyPodesta
    @DannyPodesta 8 місяців тому

    Nice skills Tom. I love working on Skynyrd chops.

  • @mitchchandler8243
    @mitchchandler8243 8 місяців тому +3

    I never dreamed, Steve could sure pop the strings in that song

    • @wingnutt4200
      @wingnutt4200 8 місяців тому +1

      Sounds like Roy!!! Roy Rogers?? Roy Clark? Watch that man sitting in a chair behind right of Merle Haggard... That's some freaky 9 seconds...

  • @stevendoust6658
    @stevendoust6658 6 місяців тому

    Love your style and patience to playing. When I can’t play a lick properly I start getting aggressive and annoyed but now I see you just have to keep it cool 😅

  • @collinlathrop5073
    @collinlathrop5073 8 місяців тому +2

    It’s sure good to see you back man!

    • @TomsRockinGuitar
      @TomsRockinGuitar  7 місяців тому +1

      Hey Collin, great to see you bud! Still have fond memories of our Skynyrd jam session back in 2020. I hope you and your family are well!

  • @timstratton1523
    @timstratton1523 8 місяців тому +1

    Tom , if you lived in ohio, id have you to my jam barn, and pick skynyrd all night , been learnin, and playin Skynyrd since the first time i heard them in 73 ! Instantly fell in love with them , Steve Gaines was a monster ! And a guitar master ! Allen, Ed , were amasing , and Gary , my favorite , could make it sing with such heart felt expresion !!! Best band ever in my book , way beyond thier time !!! Keed doin the good stuff man , you rock ! And inspire me to keep playin Skynyrd !!!
    I really enjoy your videos !!

    • @joelhull4149
      @joelhull4149 8 місяців тому

      What part of Ohio I'm from Akron and Gary Rossington is my favorite guitar player from Skynyrd

    • @timstratton1523
      @timstratton1523 7 місяців тому

      ​@@joelhull4149
      I'm over by Marysville in Union county ...

    • @timstratton1523
      @timstratton1523 7 місяців тому

      Lmao I'm not far from ya ... I'm not far from West Mansfield Logan county 😂

  • @theking-fl9sq
    @theking-fl9sq 8 місяців тому +3

    I have Steve Gaines demo record of one in the sun on mca and a cassette of his songs....I liked give it to get it

    • @cover557
      @cover557 7 місяців тому

      That's my favorite Steve GAINES SONG

    • @sld67869801
      @sld67869801 3 місяці тому

      That song is amazing. Has a very cool BB King vibe to it that Steve nailed.

  • @caseysniper308
    @caseysniper308 7 місяців тому +1

    we will never play as good as steve gaines but it feels good to try.

  • @rrrttt1112
    @rrrttt1112 8 місяців тому +1

    Steve Gaines was just so good, that no one has ever been able to duplicate his sound verbatim.

  • @1200JML
    @1200JML 23 дні тому

    Lynyrd Skynyrd is my all time favourite and the main influence learning guitar playing. Those guys were exceptional musicians and they knew how to do the best with theyr own instruments to put plenty of great songs together. They also were heavy drinkers and what ever and really were burning the candle from both ends. Rough and rowdy young men. It's some how funny to see that theyr music has become a bit nerdish thing also (IN A POSITIVE WAY) were fans and especially those who play guitar get in the discussions about technical details of theyr playing. It only tells us how unike band they were.

  • @NealVan
    @NealVan 3 місяці тому

    I like your realism Steve. Great chops and even with things you feel you play less than perfect. Its makes you a better instructor in my opinion.

  • @rogerrives5407
    @rogerrives5407 8 місяців тому

    So glad you ended the video with my all time favorite song

  • @unkolawdio
    @unkolawdio 8 місяців тому +1

    He was great

  • @RB-pm2ni
    @RB-pm2ni 8 місяців тому +2

    That smell is a masterpiece, street survivors makes you dream of what might have been

  • @waynegram8907
    @waynegram8907 8 місяців тому +1

    Can you make a separate video lesson showing how to get that Steve Gaines snapping technique? It's not a pinch harmonic

  • @mikemiller6628
    @mikemiller6628 2 місяці тому +1

    Steve was a Master.

  • @johnegan4762
    @johnegan4762 4 місяці тому

    Fantastic playing. I wish you could expanded on this with tabs etc. This one video could actually be broken down to about a 25 lesson course imho.

  • @zancraft7865
    @zancraft7865 4 місяці тому

    Just goes to show how awesome Steve really was. Never given the credit by any guitarist that I know of.

  • @MrJParfait
    @MrJParfait 8 місяців тому

    I Never Dreamed!

  • @YooTooobJeff
    @YooTooobJeff 8 місяців тому +1

    Steve Gaines, the Michigan connection (there always is)

  • @brushstroke3733
    @brushstroke3733 8 місяців тому

    Don't miss out on Steve's songs with Crawdad. "One in the Sun" is amazing, among others, and of course they had an alternate, prototype version of "I Know A Little." You could all almost say Skynyrd's version was a cover! 😂

  • @9yearsinchina301
    @9yearsinchina301 8 місяців тому +1

    Steve Gaines did not play on the studio album with Sweet Home Alabama, so I assume you are talking about something "LIVE" on One More From The Road ?

    • @braseneubanks9326
      @braseneubanks9326 7 місяців тому

      Nah he played in oakland in august of 77 a few months before the crash

  • @bludworm1
    @bludworm1 2 місяці тому

    I really like your guitar! What is it??? I want to buy the exact one...

  • @jeffro.
    @jeffro. 8 місяців тому +1

    Well, Tom, I think for the most part you're playing too fast. (I'm halfway through the video now.) It's only when you say you're "slowing it down" or "playing it slow" that your play it at the correct speed.
    As it happens, I've been working on "I know a little" for the past week. I've got most of it, but not up to speed yet.
    I hope you get to that in the rest of the video!
    What i noticed was that after i started learning that song ("i Know a Little"), it seems like all of a sudden ALL my playing got better!
    I was able to play other things better, and do things that i couldn't do the day before!
    I've got some of the licks down, others still need work (practice), and a few i still need to work out the notes on.
    Anyway, thanks for the video! Inspiring as usual.
    Crazy stuff...!

  • @AM2PMReviews
    @AM2PMReviews Місяць тому

    Golf and guitar 🎉

  • @bobbaumeister5243
    @bobbaumeister5243 8 місяців тому

    I can't see your fingers!! Holy shit!

  • @willcurl3664
    @willcurl3664 6 місяців тому

    ed king plays the recorded sweet home alabama solos right

  • @user-pk9xc8fm6b
    @user-pk9xc8fm6b 8 місяців тому

    Also to learn i know a little or any song from u. U gotta point the guitar at the camera . U have an angle that doesn’t let the viewer see just exactly what ur doing.

  • @kdavis63
    @kdavis63 8 місяців тому

    Ill Never Dream

  • @pizzulo8111
    @pizzulo8111 Місяць тому

    I Never Dreamed from Street Survivors.

  • @joegavnik834
    @joegavnik834 4 місяці тому

    The next DUANE ALLMAN

  • @ScootinIsLife
    @ScootinIsLife 6 місяців тому

    Ed King Not Steve Gaines On Sweet Home Alabama !

    • @TomsRockinGuitar
      @TomsRockinGuitar  6 місяців тому +1

      I guess you've never seen the One More From the Road version?

  • @jerrysibincic5034
    @jerrysibincic5034 7 місяців тому

    How about “give it to get it”?

  • @incognitivedistortion8800
    @incognitivedistortion8800 7 місяців тому

    You can play it y’all’s own way if you want but I’m just not hearing those double stops on that 3rd solo Steve does that many people teach it that way, I’m just not. This guys doing a good job on his journey though.

  • @steveknoff6325
    @steveknoff6325 3 місяці тому

    Although steve gaines was great he wasn't no ed king when it came just playing sweet home alabama.

  • @verdigo5892
    @verdigo5892 5 місяців тому

    Would be better if the fret board was facing the camera. Just saying.

  • @RB-pm2ni
    @RB-pm2ni 8 місяців тому

    Watch tv or UA-cam while you play I know a little, and your fingers will start doing it on their own

  • @user-pk9xc8fm6b
    @user-pk9xc8fm6b 8 місяців тому

    Why do u focus the camera out when ur showing how to do the run.It’s very disturbing.

  • @lespaulguy63
    @lespaulguy63 2 місяці тому

    i never dreamed

  • @wingnutt4200
    @wingnutt4200 8 місяців тому +1

    Up your game? What are you talking about Tommy? Have you never woke up with the sun and that bird chirping on your window seal window seal? Feeling all chipper! Until that one person says to you! What are you so damn happy about!? You know and I know when you and and i die? Ain't nobody going to be talking about Tom's rocking guitar or my procrastinating guitar!!! But effort? Is astonishing!! Because I know you're giving it you're all& if I was blind? I can hear it!! Minus the Auto-Tune!! You're doing a fabulous job that's not a job & the day after you die we will sell TOM'S HELL HOUSE WHISKEY. that if they be some money made...Ain't a bad thing!! RVZ just wanted a fish camp...