Tommy Katona of Voodoo Blue does an interview and shows us some of the secrets of Stevie's guitar playing as part of the ongoing series about How to play like Stevie Ray Vaughan. www.voodooblue.net
This gentleman is basically explaining the Zen of aspiring to emulate a master like Mr Vaughn which is very important. For example that the playing has to have meaning and sound special prior to the equipment, prior to the guitar being plugged in. Sometimes there are profoundly important things that need to be explained about music through words. Excellent video
I saw Stevie many times and even ran sound for him on a few shows back in the 70's while working for Cason Sound. I've seen Tommy live a few times as well and can tell you that Tommy's technique and tone is closer to SRV's than anyone else I've ever seen. Living in Dallas, I've seen hundreds of people try to play like Stevie but Tommy is really the only one to nail it.
I don't know about closer to SRV than anyone. Please elaborate on the shows Maybe it's because I was a kid and it's my family, but for some reason I just can't remember you. I'm not being a smart ass I truly want to know. Just curious on how you knew my family and how you got into working for Stevie.
I would agree with you. I also saw Stevie many times and also saw him up close were you really have the chance to closely evaluate his playing and I have never heard anybody get as close to his sound as Tommy. It's actually uncanny.
@@coreymihailiuk5189 I was talking to Tommy at the Dallas Guitar show last year and took the time to tell him he was the closest I'd ever heard. Amazingly humble.
@@webnuts4u2 He appears to be quite humble and down to earth which was also true of Stevie himself. I really hope that Tommy manages to develop his own sound and music.
I agree with that. People are more worried about his equipment and less worried about his way of playing! I love SRV. Got some lessons of my own on my channel!
TanksTtony. Never seen you'all Live but Enjoy your Live videos! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on SRV's playing. Great Stuff. Keep Sharing your Talent. Take Care of YourSelf!
Thank you! I've recently been on a heavy blues kick and I was literally just telling someone the other day how amazing it is to watch anyone play who has gotten to the point where there is no thought involved, then the soul takes over and it's like they're having a conversation through music. Truly amazing
Don't Forget What Stevie Always Said...."The Blues Are To SOOTHE"....Each Players' Tone Is As Unique As Their Fingerprints! Stevie Always Made Me Feel Better! Even Changed The RythymOf My Breathing.... I Agree - His Sound Came Straight STRAIGHT From His Heart! It Was A Direct Expression Of It! Thank You For Honouring Him! He - & His Beloved Band - Are Deeply & Endlessly Missed!! SOUL💞SOUL, STEVIE!💗😘
Stevie Ray is the reason I picked up a guitar, thank you for sharing your wisdom! You are the only person I've seen that has truly captured that magic!
TOMMY KATONA IS a cool guy i got to meet this dude kicked it with em at couple of his shows he appreciates and has love for the of music(blues) yes just like STEVIE RAY VAUGHN and alot of great blues players, Love the personality the talent n not to forget the performanace at the shows. Thank you for what u are doing with music and doing the TRIBUTE band your input and tips on playing ,, see you at Bryans Tavern this month man..
Tommy don't let the negative comments stop you. I appreciate your helping us guitar players who want to incorporate some of these licks into are playing. you are one of the best at SRV that I've found to date. Love you brother will be following you.
hi, I'm teaching my youngest son guitar and found this video.. soul. you explained it you are true ,it is in our hands and heart! we evoke this sound from ourselves...thank you Tom!
Stevie's playing is an attitude. His brother always said he played like he was trying to break out of jail. Very powerful, confident and with conviction in every note. Even with the slower, softer stuff. It's just as intense but with total control in the dynamics. BTW Tommy I just got my Sabbadius Triple Trouble pedal and it is killer. I run it through a Fender Super Sonic and I'm very pleased with the sound. Thanks for keeping Stevie's music alive. I never got a chance to see him live so you have to come to Canada sometime.
Hi Tommy, at 12:50 you actually sound more like Peter green (which is not bad by itself). I really loved what ou were talking about poeple buying pedals instead of understanding the music.
Spot on with that soul thing. Thanks for the videos man I recently started playing about 6 months ago and just discovered his genius. His music truly is amazing and I can enjoy trying to mimic him. Thanks again
Tommy i love the way you play in my book i feel that stevies spirit lives within you. I watched this video the first time and i said man he sounds and looks just like stevie great work. 🎶🎸
Tommy is from Hungary. And I'm like "Where are all the American guys!?!"...but he is a humble dude who has dedicated his life to paying homage to SRV...such a treat for those of us who saw Stevie perform..now we can kinda still get a little shot of Stevie when we feel the need for quality entertainment.... peace
Tommy you so damn correct about Stevie. I know him from 84-90 and I'm just wish to say this! You understand where he got it from. And about the gears is so correct! I play number one red and Charley. And they all was good sounding stratocasters. He use big strings at full hight that give a part of his tone but most how he hold and touch the guitar. That made Stevie who I'm very much missing. Tanks for you post🙏 If we get across we might play some deep blues from the roots! Best regards for Stevie and you Tommy! And all people who love'd him so deeply. Bjorn
I'm 60yrs old, been a Stevie fan even before Texas flood came out. ( heard it underground in a leather goods store and I immediatlely stopped and said (Who's that?) I've been playing 50 plus years. And your so right, tab alone won't cut it. His sound came out his hands, as yours does. And yours is very, very close. I'am genuinely impressed. I only want to know one thing, the correct way to play the Say What lick. I know I'm close, but not positive? I haven't studied him as you have. Well I have, just not as much as you. Thank you
Indeed, you don't learn Stevie, you feel Stevie......you don't get Stevie from tabs, you get him through his music and his feeling, you definately feel Stevie so much Tommy
Of course it does! I like to play through my full rig and I can do my best if my tone is right. I had some people telling me that they have the right guitar, amps, pedals, Leslie, etc. but they can't get that sound and they were asking me why. And this was my point here to let them know that you have to get the Stevie touch first, picking style, attack, vibrato, the big bends, all the details. Takes lots of practice and hard work. But still, nobody will ever sound just like him.
Agreed. It's possible to learn his style. I have been studying his style but haven't learned any of his material. Just learning Stevie's dynamics and techniques have been so helpful to me and fun. And I've learned exactly like you said. Nobody will ever be able to do it like he did because Stevie had next level improvising skills. His improvising never felt like improvising ever note still felt like it was carefully chosen. I consider myself pretty good at improvising but I could never dream of having Stevie's note choices. He always knew when to play what note. That's a talent that can't really be learned I think his improvising was a god given talent. But we can all at least learn to play his style and learn his techniques. People get too caught up in sounding like him and few people I've noticed actually focus on Stevie's phrasing. Thank you for this lesson I really enjoyed it
Awesome Tommy! I am so amazed by your playing style, and love seeing you put on a Hell of a show!! Going to try too book you guys for a private party for my birthday.
Also, I'll check-out all your other vids now that I discovered you, and you prob already talked about getting that SRV-Tone out of a Strat in at least one, but do you have any general-advise regarding how I should learn more about getting an "average" Strat to sound more like Stevie. I know your preaching style and technique over gear mods, which is smart, but I can do most of the note-playing and cop similar style(s) but getting any of my Strats' to sound SRV is really tough + frustrating - TIA
I wish you would do a video of the Stevie stuff you've gathered over time. I seen your wall with the pick guard and signatures? Just can't read em. Bet you have some cool stuff! The guitar from Charlie's, number 1 guitar, six string slinger ect, ect. Bet you've got an old Tube screamer the kind they don't make anymore? Yup why in the bridge pickup tone knob missing on the white Charlie's guitar?Thanks
Hey man this was really useful, a truly great video. Thank you so much! This truly helped me get the sound of Stevie and I really appreciate it. Hope all is going well you your band! Thanks!
Dang , here's a guy that can probably play better than everyone leaving comments & all they're worried about is how to play a lick or riff ... sometimes you gotta put the guitar down & actually listen to good players' wisdom ... the main thing you should've got from this video is right hand technique , phrasing & playing from your soul ... lighten up .
Tommy, it was a pleasure to meet you in Grapevine this past weekend. You rocked that place to the core! Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Maybe at Tolbert's! Keep up the great playing man. You certainly have it. ;)
you about summed it all up brother!!! it comes from the heart & soul some guitar players dont get that... thanks man you are truly a great player... keep stevie alive !!!!!
Great input. Yes you are right Stevie said it in interview that his playing is basically a mix bag of influences that helped him evolve in finding his own style. I am paraphrasing offcourse.
Tommy, if you could make a playlist for us of good music to start listening to as far as the basic ground blues fundamentals. What stevies influecnes were and good songs to learn that from. Thanks
thank you so much! this really helped me , the tip about the pick i didn't know, just started playing blues a few months ago... ur right it's not your equipment,SVR basically poured him self in to his music, yeah i am a huge fan of his lol, you sound awesome by the way, watching some of your finger movements helped too
... Hey VoodooBlue ... Cool name and AWESOME vid. I'm SO glad I stumbled onto it. I've been trying to play some of this stuff a REALLY long time, and this will surely help immensely. I totally dig everything you said about more "playing and technique" and less "gear". Very true and good advise, but I still have a tough time getting any of my Strat's to have that SRV "sound". His tone always sounded extra "springy" to me. Did he use special trem-springs, and did he use all 5 ???
Aaron Prince thanks so much for this comment. You've completely changed my perspective. I've spent to much time trying to emulate to perfection, but I've boxed myself in
However, it is also perfectly ok to try to emulate a guitar hero in sound, tone, vocals, etc. How many ‘tribute’ bands do we see these days? I live in Dallas, and Tommy and Texas Flood are great players, and they all do their job very well. Tommy also does a Jimi Hendrix act, which is spot on also. He is a great player in his own right. If he wants to emulate Stevie and Jimi, this is his choice. I, for one, enjoy watching him play, and always learn something from his videos.
Tommy has definitely figured it out he's in the Stevie Zone When you watch another tribute srv band.. the other guy just don't have the the feel it's too mechanical no Stevie soul .hes good..but for the whole experience I have to go with tommy!!. I've always noticed Tommy's hands has the srv feel an emotion...& as he said thats part of of the sound ...99% of feel & tone!... thank you Tommy for the information &lesson.
I always laugh when I hear young guitarists talk about gear like it will be their salvation, when it's just your soul and hands that make the real sound. It really is how they touch the guitar, their style that is your own, no one else can really copy it, just try to sound like it. Stevie was the best. And Tommy, you understand what it's all about.
Hi tommy great stuff love it were are your from what country its true its all in the approach with your hands stevie used a tube screamer also to get hes tone heavey gauge strings like 13s.
You know, nobody will ever be like Stevie was. No one. I'm just having fun playing his music and make people happy. And trying to learn something new and get better and better every day.
Hi Tommy,I kinda stumbled upon your youtube videos whilst scratching around looking for SRV videos to learn songs from for my band.Much easier these days to look at what people are playing as opposed to the old days when we stuck vinyl on the record player & gave it our best shot :-) Anyway,wanted to congratulate you on your technique & obvious hard work you've put into nailing Stevie's sound & style...& thanks for the detailed fingering & correct fretboard placement. It's saved me hours of work
(cont.) consider myself to have an above average natural talent for guitar. I played, strumming chords and singing songs like Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley. My Grandmother bought me some lessons when I was 9, and there was some improvement. She died when I was 11. I went to live with my Dad, his Wife, and my half siblings. After moving from the Kansas home I had shared with my Grandmother, to Louisiana in 1970, I was exposed to the blues, and began playing blues. The blues takes time, children.
You're a good man. Love your attitude and admire your talent. Great advice and awesome lesson. Hope you'll post more lessons -- especially right hand stuff.
recent comments shows that you guys still dont get it ;) i agree 100% with Tommy, and to make it more clear for yall.... there are no free lunches when it comes to play close to Stevie. i say close cause that's where we only get. i can nail him for 5-6 seconds and thre falls back and forth.. it's hard work but fun when you get rewarded with those short moments :)
dear Tommy, I hope this isn't out of line but. i enjoy watching your videos and hearing you play live shows.it makes me want to actully study guitar more. i just think it's so amazing how you sound just like Stevie Ray Vaughan. i'm a big fan of SRV. i've got 46 songs of his on my ipod. but any way i still think it's cool. i wish a was you and could play that good.
I admire your passion! Not sure how long you've been in Texas or how long you'll be here..breathe the air, soak up the water and eat the dirt....something about the elements here that produces players with great tone.
I shook the mans hand down here in Wellington New Zealand ! SRV was seeing a kiwi girl and I bumped into her so she brought him in to our shop, I have always been in ore of him, if only 1 % of that talent rubbed off on me I'd be a happy fella.
@fguka yes he did pick like that a lot. It's the hybrid picking style what country players use. In Stevie's case it was more like emulating Albert King.
Tommy, I have always read and heard that SRV switched to lighter strings after he got clean. Curious what type and gauge strings you use. I just drove past Lava Cantina and almost stopped in to see you. But early day tomorrow, so sleep is more important at this point.
I read that SRV played a pick on the large round end. So, yrs ago I started to play the pick that way and thought it was more natural that way. It's sure easier to STRUM.
Same for me. Have always been a huge SRV fan, and like so many others, have tried to copy his style, including holding the pick (standard Dunlop Gel, Heavy) sideways to play electric. After a few years of this, it feels odd to play with point of pick on electric. I still hold pick in std way for acoustic (Dunlop Gel, M-ML).
Don't know if there are any Twilight Zone fans here but check out the episodes a game of pool and a passage for trumpet starring the late Jack Klugman....has alot to say about life,music and being the best you can be.
I see a lot of comments from "Pimple faced punks and Friday night drunks" Negative people that go from one sight to another bashing people! Hey great playing I watch your video's time to time , Thanks! ...PS: Every guitar player in the world started out trying to be like there hero...copying and emulating them including SRV...He mentions it in interviews he tried to be like all the American masters...Over time you become original !
If this video is ponderous to you, then instead, make time to come see Tommy play a live set. I met him two weeks ago at the closing of the T Bone Walker Blues Fest. The information Tommy carefully and considerately conveys in this video will make you a better guitarist, but only if you listen to it and take it to heart. For all of you impatient ADHD "microwave generation" kids out there, here is my suggestion. START WATCHING AT THE 5:35 MARK so you will know that Tommy can play.
