Lessons
Just launched! The new Study With Adam website. Learn my Youtube arrangements and post YOUR videos to me…just go take a look!
Looking for a Song in Particular?
Here is a song list which shows you where to find my guitar lessons for Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and more.
Totally FREE Lessons for You to Enjoy!
Free Tabs
Grooves, Licks and Tricks
- E7 Groove lesson (Video & Tabs)
- Cool Harmony Move on an “A” Chord (Video)
Christmas Tabs
- Silent Night Full Video Lesson Series and Tabs!!! – Very awesome.
- Angels We Have Heard on High (mp3 & pdf)
- O Come all Ye Faithful (mp3 & pdf)
- O Holy Night (mp3 & pdf)
Technique & Musicianship
- Groove Scales Part 1 (Video & Tabs)
- Groove Scales Part 2 (Video & Tabs)
- 5 Part Video Series – Arranging Stevie Wonder or Solo Guitar (Video 1 of 5 parts)
- Learning “How to Learn” (Video)
- 4 levels of “Boom Chick” Groove – (Video)
- Intro to Guitar Harmony (Video)
Rhthym
- Boom Boom Bap
Recording & Tech
If YOU have any lesson requests or ideas – tell me below!
Do you have tabs for Michael Jackson lady in my life?
Please, lesson and/or tabs for Ciao Bella….. what a beautiful song!!!!!
Hey Adam –
I downloaded the Stevie Wonder DVD but had to put it down…can you point me in the right direction so I can reconnect to the lessons?
Thanks,
Adam
Deborah, pick it up again and pick one song to chip away at.
Adam,
Love your Beatles finger-style arrangements! I would like to purchase the tablature, when will it be
available?
Thanks for your inspiration,
Ron
ROn I am hoping to do a video lesson exchange site this year – stay tuned.
I’ve been waiting for your Beatles lesson videos since you posted “Yesterday”. Do you have any idea when it will be available?
PLeeeeeeeease !
Waiting on the yesterday lesson too!
Karson
Please check out the free trial at StudyWithAdam.com
Please create a lesson for “Rock with you”!
Stay tuned, I am hoping to do a private video exchange lesson site next year.
Hi Adam!
I am here from your youtube video where you are playing Yesterday.
Can you please share tabs for this melody?
Thank you.
Yes please share 🙂
Really cool sight,I’m sixty two and been playing for years off and on.I just started my fingerstyle journey a year ago,I always played by ear Rock,Bluegrass,but always yearned for the styles of James Taylor and Paul Simon and John Denver but had no Idea where to start and figured at 61 I was probably to old to learn.So I decided to throw all I had into it,I’ve learned to read tab,and now I’m studying with a Classical instructor and learning to read by note.Most fingerstyist around here are travis pickers which I like but wanted more.I went with the classical instructor to learn technique and ended up learning play by note also..I’ve been with him for about six months,I was also lucky enough to get to see Tommy Emmauel in Champaign Illinois a couple years ago with free tickets from Pam Rose and a VIP special meet and greet.What a great guy and inspiration to all guitar players.I’m so glad to find a sight like yours,thank you.I spend a lot of time on the Acoustic Guitar magazine sight also which has a lot of good information,Respectfully Mike
Mike
Excellent, and thanks for stopping by. Classical is great – I use the technique to pull off my fingerstyle stuff too, so keep rockin it.
Email me anytime!
Adam
hello!Might you pass me the link of thriller? wanted to learn it
Hi Adam,
I found you via your acoustic recording of Jimi Hendrix’s Machinegun. I was wondering if you were going to post up the tabs or maybe a lesson for that song? Thanks!
Cordially,
Wes
I’m totally in love with your arrangement for Ain’t no sunshine. I’m just a beginner in playing guitar so I cannot fully understanding your playing. Will you have tab for it? That’ll help me a lot.
Hey Adam. I really love your videos, especially the Michael Jackson covers. If you put up some video tutorials of those (Thriller, Billie Jean, Rock With You) or even just some tabs, I’d be more than grateful. Name your price!
Hey Adam!
I’ve been following you online for quite a while now – starting with YouTube and then signing up for the blog posts. I’m primarily a rock, blues, and jazz guy and play mostly electric guitar, but must admit that you and that maniac Aussie, Tommy Emmanuel, have spun my head around.
Would love to see you in a ‘live’ setting, so I’m wondering if you have any plans to perform out in California any time soon?
Best,
Mark
Adam.
Hope you are doing well. To say you inspire me would be and under statment. I started playing guitar when I was very young but with out any training or supervision I gave up. Now at almost 60, I have heard you play and watched your videos and have started some what playing again. Not to say I could do what you do but the way you play is what I always wanted but didnt know how or where to find it.
Recently I heard you play” Summer Time” and it’s been the best I have ever heard. I would just like to say thank you and to ask if you sell any lessons on your arrangement?
Thank you for your time and talant. I will continue to listen to your music.
Steve
Steve
Wow, thank you!
And – thanks for asking about the tabs!
Unfortunately, I don’t have proper licensing, so in this case
I don’t even tab the tune out so nothing comes back to haunt me.
I will however have a one-on-one video exchange lesson site where I plan
to try to teach the covers as videos for students.
This should be better for the publishers than me giving “songs” I have no rights for.
That will launch until mid 2014 – so please stay tuned.
Please stand by.
Thank you!
Adam
Any arrangements for Bacharach (Say a Little Prayer/Do You Know the Way to San Jose/Walk on By)?
Doorma
Thanks – and here is a “stock answer” 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t have proper licensing, so in this case
I don’t even tab the tune out so nothing comes back to haunt me.
I will however have a one-on-one video exchange lesson site where I plan
to try to teach the covers as videos for students.
That will launch until mid 2014 – so please stay tuned.
So – sorry no tabs at the moment, but I am working on the “workaround”
to be able to teach the songs (semi) legally.
Please stand by.
Thank you!
Adam
Do.you have a tab for spain.chick corea? Spare me thanks a lot..
PLease join my mailing list – a new lesson site is coming!
do you have the tabs of your arrangement of aint no sunshine when shes gone
I would be interested in purchasing it from you
thank you
Wayne
Wayne,
You’ll see this answer a few times so here goes.
Unfortunately, I don’t have proper licensing, so in this case
I don’t even tab the tune out so nothing comes back to haunt me.
I will however have a one-on-one video exchange lesson site where I plan
to try to teach the covers as videos for students.
That will launch until mid 2014 – so please stay tuned.
So – sorry no tabs at the moment, but I am working on the “workaround”
to be able to teach the songs (semi) legally.
Please stand by.
Thank you!
Adam
OMG, “The Hippie Dance” was superb and totally in the pocket goodness.
Wow, thanks so much for sharing. Best, Jon
Thanks John. It will come out on my next teaching DVD – tabs and all!
hi adam :> im living in north korean seoul i want a tab your autumn leaves but my english is small ………. i hope you can understand this comment if you have tab plz send me ! have a nice day by js_ahn
Adam, i just heard your composition “Jill’s Song” it is absolutely beautiful, Please can you share the tabs?
Would love to get TAB for Mas Que Nada. Great arr.! Or written music is good too. Please visit my website. Cheers. Bob
Stay tuned Bob – lesson site coming with videos for this one.
Thanks a lot Adam, you are very generous.
I’m another one of those codgers who used to have aspirations and is coming back to it now for for the therapeutic value. Looking forward to learning your pieces and finding out about your work.
RT
Great great great! Enjoy the music, and let it light up your life.
Hey Adam have you considered offering Skype lessons as another instructional option? Thanks, Tony
Tony I have a new lesson site in the works where it will function like the ARTISTWORKS sites (if it all comes together.) You will be able to post videos to me and I can answer via video. Skype is a tad clunky for me for a lesson format.
Just listened to your ain’t no sunshine solo, what a lovely composition. Do you have the tabs for this piece?
Thanks for a great music,
Sid
I would love to hear Amie by Pure Prairie League.. LOL 🙂
Love your video of in my life. How can I get the tab for it?
Thanks – stay tuned, I am planning a lesson site where I plan to teach this one.
very nice cover of “Michelle”! would like to see this arrangement ( or any other Beatles tune….)
Jeff- my apologies for the late reply and thanks for commenting.
A lesson site with this one will come soon, please join my mailing list if you are not on it. All the best – AR
Hey man! I wonder if you have any tabs for the hippie dance song? We really want it for a recital can you provide some? or can we buy it seperately? Thanks! -Joshua from Philippines
Josh sorry for the late response! It is on my FINGERSTYLE FAVORITES dvd….all the best – AR
Hi Adam,
I’m a jazz pianist and I do workshops in my own camps, at conferences and universities for classical piano teachers on improvisation which is very foreign to them.
I”m developing a workshop titled, “Improve Your Groove,” in which I teach them the basics like feeling 2 and 4 (really, these fine musicians are clueless about this time stuff). I recall seeing a video you put out in which you began, “People as me how I groove so hard…” and then you explained (I think) how you have to feel it in your body, essentially dance a little while you play. Am I crazy or did you do a video like that? Please point me to it so I can show an excerpt to them.
Thanks,
Bradley – sorry for the late reply. Check out Mike Longos “rhythm DVDs” he was my teacher – and he is the best IMHO at explaining this. All the best -AR
Yo,
digging your music all the way from China. Watching you on http://www.youku.com as youtube is blocked here.
There’s an awesome video of Sungha Jung and Trace Bundy doing ‘Billie Jean’, but I think they use your version as a base.
Anyways, digging your spot-on covers. Going to see if I can buy your stuff from this side of the globe.
Peace, and keep it coming.
Dan
Hey Adam. I’ve been playing guitar for like 5 years now and I absolutely love jazz guitar, or just older classical-ish music in general.
I’m gonna cut to the point: I love your guitar playing. Especially your bossa nova guitar version of The Girl from Ipanema!
Could you please post the tab to that song on this website?
Keep rocking your guitar man!
Devin, my apologies for the late reply and thanks for commenting.
A lesson site with this one will come soon, please join my mailing list if you are not on it.
All the best – AR
Hi Adam,
I’m joining Devin is saying that I’m also eager for the lesson/tabs for ‘Girl From Ipanema’.
Perfect groove and beautiful arrangement. I’ll join your email list also.
Thanks…Jim
Jim this will be upcoming on “StudyWithAdam.com” in a few months. That’s where I am teaching covers now…(that are not on DVD)
Hi Adam.
Is possible to buy your mas que nada tablature?
I love it!!
Bye
Ste
Stefano – I may do a lesson site with video, join my email list – maybe I can teach the song there!
Hey Just signed up on here was looking for the tab to yesterday on here. where can I find it?
No tab for that but stay tuned for a video lesson!
Absolutely loving all of your tunes adam.. pure funky rythem flowing through your veins.
A tab or video lesson for bill withers – lovely day would be fantastic.
Thanks
Stay tuned, thank you!
Sir I Would Like To Request It Might Be You In Fingerstyle 🙂
Dear Adam Rafferty,
Firstly, allow me to thank you, for your wonderful and inspirational music. I’ve just purchased your DVDs and I’m waiting in earnest anticipation for their arrival.
I would like to ask you a question regarding your arrangement for Stevie Wonder’s ‘My Cherie Amour’.
In your arrangement, there is a capo change midway through the song, (if I remember correctly, immediately after the 1st string (high ‘E’) 5 fret, there is a capo placed on the 1st fret…..my question is…, is this arrangement still playable without a capo? (because I have a slight challenge placing my capo with my picking hand and sustaining the notes on my fretting hand).
Kamsahamida!
Just play it without the key change! No problemo!
Adam, I love your style, joy and love for music! Nobody seems to have a good cover of “Hotel California” especially the intro. I bet you could do it, even though the intro is multiple guitars. If you’re looking for a challenge!
Hi Adam,
Just watched the finger style “yesterday” your posted.
I was so moved. It has revealed the original beauty of the rhythm
and me love this song even more.
I truly hope that you can post the tab of this song!
Grateful.
From China.
Best wishes
Wei
Wei, stay tuned, I will probably do a video lesson soon – stay on my mailing list, as it may be private!
Hi Adam.
That would be great!
Looking Forward to your lesson.
Thanks.
Wei
How come that the download version of your latest DVD costs as much as DVD + book? You save the extra costs of producing DVD + book. (I would happily order DVD + book if it wasn’t for the costs of shipping abroad.)
Cheers, Michael
Michael, because it cost a lot of money to produce a project like this. DVD costs more due to shipping. All the best!
Hi Adam,
Are there any plans to do a video lesson/tab for “Killing Me Softly’? I realise there are contractual and copyright reasons for your not being able to put loads of songs out, but does it apply to this song too?
Stevie Wonder DVDs arrived and being used……
Doc –
My apologies for the late reply and thanks for commenting.
A lesson site with this one will come soon, please join my mailing list if you are not on it.
All the best! AR
Hi Adam, just wondering there is a lesson or tab of Black or White by Micheal Jackson that I could purchase, I can’t get your style out of my head!
Jess – my apologies for the late reply and thanks for commenting.
A lesson site with this one will come soon, please join my mailing list if you are not on it.
All the best – AR
Adam! My oh my, your skills are amazing. I just watched ‘Yesterday’ (more than once might I add) and fell in love. It’s the best arrangement on YouTube, by far!!
I was wondering when you were going to publish tabs/tutorial video for this song? I understand it takes a lot of time, but it would be appreciated a whole damn lot.
Thanks,
Steph
Steph – my apologies for the late reply and thanks for commenting.
A lesson site with this one will come soon, please join my mailing list if you are not on it. All the best – AR
I am a busker in Philadelphia who plays a number of your arrangements-and am working up boogie man. I am having trouble parsing the hot lick on the turn around if you could shoot me an e-mail with the tab of that lick I would gladly pay a lesson fee!
Pete – I have eliminated the hot lick as I felt it threw the grove off. Send me an email, I’ll send you the old tab with the lick. – AR
Hi Adam do you sell the tabs and instruction dvd’s for billy jean and rock with you 🙂
I really like your arrangements and would love to learn them for my performances at university
Dave – I will post video instruction on StudyWithAdam.com in the next few months…
Greetimgs Adam.
Your solo rendition of masquenada is absolutely amazing. Have you perhaps done the tabs to it, or perhaps a video lesson. It is absolutely amazing. I await your response.
Glenn, there is a video lesson currently up on StudyWithAdam.com – enjoy! AR
I would love to see some day you will put tabs for “Ain’t No Sunshine” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLF7-Ui94AI) in the free section 🙂 Thank so much!
Xe – I will announce a lesson site soon where you can learn that arrangement from me. Please stay tuned to the email list communication.
Hi Adam! Can you please make a video tutorial of your “I can’t make you love me” cover. I cant seem to move on after hearing your beautiful arrangement!
Mitch – I will announce a lesson site soon where you can learn that arrangement from me. Please stay tuned to the email list communication.
sir cant i get the tabs of killing me softly….
I will announce a lesson site soon where you can learn that arrangement from me. Please stay tuned to the email list communication.
Adam!
Wow! Where to begin…? You’ve got a groove you land a B-747 on! And your arrangements are innovative and percussive! I started with “Little Fingers”, recommended by “thinkingdog06” of YouTube fame, then saw your rendition of “Just the Two of Us” and was moved by your funky feel! I am 50 and trying to really dive into the guitar and finger playing. I have been inspired by James Taylor, learning a great deal from his free lessons. The gentleman at “thinkingdog06” has been very helpful as well. However, you just blew the roof off! I’m not at a level to learn your arrangements yet but I’ll get there. Until then I’ll enjoy your creative talents, your pristine articulation and that funky groove on your website and try to catch you live at somewhere. Thanks for staying humble and being accessible!
Thanks so much John. Stay tuned….big things coming from me in the next few months.
Eagerly waiting for the “big things”.
Apologize, Juergen
Thanks Juergen!
hi adam!
i really love your arrangement!
im so glad if you open the tab of “just the two of us” 🙂
do you have any plan?
Snoophe – this wil be available on StudyWithADam.com in the next few months…
Am looking forward to your new site. I’ve wanted to learn your version of “I can’t make you love me” for a long time. I’m hoping this will be a lesson tutorial that you work through.
Steve – it’s up, check it out!
Hi, Adam
I would like to have a copy of your arrangement for -Just two of the us- it be possible?
Thank you.
I want to thank you for your concern for my concern …..
good and what I learn is to play blues with all basic tricks from the technical aspect to the harmonious formation (chords) either minor and major.
I actually am finishing this year at the National Conservatory in Lima, Peru, specializing in music education, so I have training in classical guitar, and I know that in the acoustic blues guitar played with a pick, but you know I’m getting used playing with your fingers as they do the classics.
I would like to learn the art of speed on what is called scoring or crushed when one touches one …. and I’m willing to practice for it is the only way to achieve this. and secondly, the issue you asked yesterday to extend my popular repertoire and increase versatility in the art of fingerpicking.
But I will follow your advice. by that you’re a great teacher.
thanks in advance for your rspuesta my concerns.
Pedro Rodriguez.
Thanks Pedro!
Where can I find you tab for Bill Withers Lovely Day? I’ve looked all over your web sight and I can’t find it…if it needs to be purchased I would be ecstatic to do so.
Nicholas
Nicholas this will be available soon on StudyWithAdam.com
Dear Adam,
I heard yesterday “yesterday”. I would like to buy your arrangement assoon as possible!!!!!
Thank you for your reply,
Ralf
Are you going on tour to Germany netx Year ? We have a fantastic space for 250 pax in Berlin,
Ralf I will have a new lesson site soon, I hope you are subscribed! Please contact me about the Berlin space you mentioned!
Please, lesson and/or tabs for Ciao Bella….. what a beautiful song!!!!!
Contact me for tabs!
Please the tabs of the beatles.
Some book with DVD of the prinseble of finger piking with bass line melody and chords. Like what you do
Thanks Boaz!
Hey Adam!
The way you played mas que nada is amazing!
I tried learning it from the video you posted on youtube, but its a bit difficult…
If you can send me the tabs, or help me somehow, that would be great.
Thank you!
Mark – , please join my mailing list if you haven’t. A new lesson site will come in 2015, and I am planning this tune for it! – AR
Happy Healthy Prosperous and Strumming New Year, Adam – i love, i love, i love the way you play “Get Back” i am constantly listening to it onthe LIRR during my commute and every one watches me as i tap my knee, bob my head to your version.
is there a way you could send me the tablature , i would be gladly pay you for this version, pulease, pulease, pulease
Your Buddy, Stevie Wong / sdwong@optec.net
Steve, please join my mailing list if you haven’t. A new lesson site will come in 2015, and I am planning tis tune for it! – AR
hallo adam,
ich wünsche dir ein erfolgreiches jahr 2015. gern denke ich an unseren workshop in hamburg zurück. heute würde ich dein angebot annehmen, die noten von deinen stücken per e-mail zu bekommen. ich bedanke mich und hoffe, dass wir uns bald einmal wiedersehen.
liebe grüße von rudi
Danke Rudi!
Hi Adam
Thank you for your great dvd’s of Stevie Wonder .
In first song “Over Joy” I am having great difficulty in producing the same sound that you make. I am following the tabs and fingering is correct but it sounds to me like there are other notes in there somewhere!
Is this the case, or can I slow the video down …I’m getting frustrated by this!
Kind regards
Harry
Hi Adam,
First of all I’m french so I’m sorry for my english !
I really love your work and especially what you did with Just the two of us, which is one of my favorite song ever.
That’s why I’d really love to have a tab of it but I can’t find one ! Is there a way to purchase one without buying a whole book ? See I’m a student and I’m really short on money… But what you did with this song is so beautiful!! So even if I must buy a book it’s ok; but I didn’t find it in any book…
Please tell me there’s a way for me to get this tab !! 🙂
Keep up the good work 🙂
Robin check Songsterr.com maybe it’s there!
Dear Adam,
I like your finger style and feels!
Special, I was impressed “Yesterday & Just the two of us” guitar song.
How can i get the”Just the two of us” TAB?
I’ll waiting for your comment.
Best regards,
Jaeho.lee
jeaho – Please stay tuned regarding a NEW teaching site coming soon. All the best – AR
Adam – Do you have any plans to do any live clinics for guitarists in the future. I have been to clinics with Pete Huttlinger, Mark Hanson, Mike Dowling and David Hamburger. Your teaching style would be fantastic in a clinic setting.
Thanks, John
PS: I just purchased all of your DVD’s so I am getting a head start on your material and style.
John I am not sure where you are located, yes I do clinics but I don’t tour teh US so much. Are you on the email list? Thanks for posting – AR
Do you have the tabs available for “In My Life”?
Please stay tuned regarding a NEW teaching site coming soon…AR
Any chance you could do a lesson for your Imagine arrangement? 🙂 I love it and would love even more to learn it.
Please stay tuned regarding a new teaching site….AR 🙂
Hi adam, Im 19years old men who really got inspired by your
groovy guitar videos that u posted on youtube.
Your performance is just amazin!!!!!!!!!!
Just two of us is my one of the most favorite arrangement that
you’ve done. Do you have tab for it? and I’m still waiting for your
vitamin E blues tab.
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the late response! For vitamin E< please just sign up here on the site. Just the Two of Us will come soon on StudyWithAdam.com
Hey Adam could you share the ciao Bella tablature?
Thank you!
Gr Tom
Tom, email me and I will send it to you! AR
Hello, Adam) Where can I download “killing me softly” tab?
MAx – lesson available on https://studywithadam.com – and there is a free 14 day trial, enjoy!
Hi Adam,
It really is great to see such a great player being so open and humble about his music and the effort put in all the lessons. I have learned a lot from what I’ve seen here – a special note goes to the well set cameras, with that it was possible to follow up pretty well what you’re playing – and it is a very pleasant journey.
Besides wishing to express my appreciation about your music and work, I’d also like to ask for some advice. In your tutorial videos you are touching the topic of slapping while playing. The fact that you slap “almost freely” gives your groove an incredible dynamic. Yet besides explaining the hammer-ons with your left hand could you please share a lesson on all this? You’ve talked about it in the Superstition groove video, yet it’d be very great to have such an excellent lesson like you gave on the 4 levels of boom-chick. I wouldn’t really name or ask for songs, as you’re using this technique (almost) everywhere giving this fenomenal groove to the songs.
Thanks a lot in advance, I can’t wait to see more!
Watching the vids I’m really feel sorry that I don’t live in NY and hence can’t meet you playing live on stage.
Attila
Atila – one has to slap with care, it can easily be too loud. The main thing is the concept of the beat, and the slap is a back beat. What more would you like to know?
Thanks for commenting and sorry for the late reply! – AR
Hi Adam,
Love your style of playing, I’ve been looking for a fingerstyle lesson or tabs for “Yesterday” by The Beatles for a while now, your version was by far the best however, I cant’t find the tabs for it, is there a link I can follow to find them or are they not made yet? 🙂
Thanks,
Shane
I would be willing to pay for lesson and tab for aint no sunshine when shes gone. thank you
HI Adam,
Love your arrangement of Misty. Any chance of obtaining your tab for it or how else could I learn it?
Cheers
Chris
Hi Adam, i love your arrangement “Autumn leaves” but i can’t find the tab. Can you make a tab or a video toturial, please!
Do you have Trainfare Blues?
Hey Adam! It’s Brian
I’ve loved all your fingerstyle covers of MJ’s songs especially Billie Jean, I’ve played that aa million times at all sorts of events and even just when I’ve been jamming at home. But I really wanna learn thriller so I was hoping if you could do a lesson for that?
Cheers
Brian
There is a video walkthrough lesson up on studywithadam.com in the members section. There is a totally honestly FREE 14 day trial, so you can check out the lesson without spending a dime. Enjoy! – AR
Hi Adam! greetings from Spain. im suscribed to your site some time ago. I asked you before, but I had no response, maybe i didn’t use the right way.. I would love to have the Just the 2 of us tabs! please can you tell me how to get it, buy it, or whatever? thanks!
Hi Adam. I like your version of Billie Jean too.
Where can I find video lesson or tabulature?
Thanks, Alex.
There is a full length video lesson with tabs available on https://studywithadam.com – and there is a free 14 day trial! BJ is a hard one though, you may want to take a stab at an easier piece! AR
Please send me an e mail on your guitar studies
Adam, where can I find the PDF/book that both you and Mike Longos mentioned about groove/timing? He mentioned on his website that you wrote a book about it…
Hi Adam,
I remember reading that you don’t have nails on your picking hand, just use the flesh, i find that when using a thumb pick, that it seems to overpower my fingers, do you think i may be picking too heavy with the thumbpick or picking too light with my picking fingers? I’m a novice with fingerpicking.
Thanks in advance.
Kev
Kev,
I have spent hours attempting to thumpick and still can’t get it to feel right. I love what players like Tommy, Andrea Valeri and others can do – I marvel at it like sleight of hand.
I have practiced slow, fast, east chords – and to marry the feel of a thumbpick with fleshy fingers eludes me.
I suspect that it has to do with how one “hears” music…I mean when I play stuff I “hear” I always manage to squeeze it out, but when I “think” about the thumbpick it becomes a weird mental / ego game I get into.
I find that fingernails compliment a thumbpic – but I don;t want to try & maintain nails.
All the best!
AR
Hello Adam……… I used to get “E” mail from you all the time….But it has been a very long time lately.
Any instruction video or tab on George Benson’s AFFIRMATION? Is it included on one your videos?
THank you
Rich
Hello Adam,
Now, you can say that you have an 85 year old student that is actually learning finger picking. The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not true.
I started playing guitar (flat pick) when I was 10 and started playing upright bass at 13. (All by ear, of course) I gave up guitar about 15 years ago and lost all of my muscle memory and dexterity. But, praise the Lord, it’s coming back.
I have played bass professionally most of my adult life. I have played with some of the worst. LOL. I still play the bass, but not gigs. I play along with a great piano player every Sunday at my Baptist church
.
My bio is on the “Vision” page of my web site. https://arniebrown.com
I have a question for you, if you don’t mind. I can get the “bass groove” pretty well, and I can pick out a melody (by ear) on any tune that I can think of. But when I try to put the two together, you already know what happens. My thumb freezes.
What I have just started doing, is playing the thumb part only and singing songs that I know, without touching strings 1,2 and 3.
I’m anxious to hear from you. Keep up the good work.
Arnie
Wow, cool man! Thanks for posting.
Well Arnie, I am not the ultimate thumb picker. My chops have gone through phases, and lately I am using a flatpick with fingers.
Dunno if you are using fingernails. You don’t need to…
I highly suggest snagging a few local lessons, maybe from a classical teacher, maybe a jazz guy – just to have someone to lean on. If you are on StudyWIthAdam.com (you said you were a student) upload a quick video showning me what you do.
See if you can start just playing RH fingers (I, M, A) with the thumb on a bass note, and pluck a 4 note chord. Let your hand go VERY light – fingers should be lightly curled. TRy just to get the fingers to releas from teh strings at the same time.
let me know how that goes 🙂
I would like to start over with a new user name and password
I want buy the lesson plan but I can’t log in
I want to study with adam
Actually, all your plays must be worth lessons.
But, personally your play of “Girl from Ipanema” was super-great to me.
I hope you can give lessens of that song soon.
Best regards
I am with many people when I say that I absolutely love Aquarela do Brasil. If you were able to make the tab up for purchase, I’d be the first to buy it
If you have music for “Just the Two of Us” I’d be willing to donate to the cause.