Thank you so much for these videos. They give me a lot of joy, hearing my favourite songs, singing along and thinking back 50 years when I was a teenager trying to play these songs myself. Actually, I had wished for a guitar but my dad got me a zither when I was 8 years old. My first question was "how do I hang this around my neck?" Here in southern Bavaria, it is a traditional instrument that goes with all the old folksongs. Dad did like the rock song Tutti Frutti but other than that he wasn't all that keen on having a wee rockabilly rebel in the house. Soooo, for 6 years I had weekly zither lessons - then I secretly sold the zither to buy a Bonanza bike 🫣 Yes, shame on me, it was a very stupid thing to do and I often regretted it. Guess it was just my rebellious attitude towards everything and everyone in my puberty years. Little did I know that one can play rock 'n roll on a zither and it actually sounds cool. I still wanted a guitar - preferably a LOUD electric one but there was no way to come home with that. For my 16th birthday my parents gave me an acoustic guitar and I was in heaven. Smeared my fingertips with deer balm again to ease the blisters and pains from practicing accords. Dad wasn't ready to spend more money on lessons since I had pulled that stunt with my zither , meaning I was on my own with this. No internet back then but little booklets with lyrics and accord to them. That was my way of learning. Wish I'd had had someone like you to show me how to do it right. Long read - all these memories coming back watching your awesome videos. I'm in a sickbed, have been for more than 2 years now but the whole bed is rocking when I hear you playing. A friend promised to bring her guitar next time she comes see me... You bet, I'll sit here in bed trying my best to play along with your videos. Gonna need some more balm for my fingers 😀. Thank you again, you make an old girl smile a lot. Best wishes, happy New Year from the alpine region of Bavaria 🙋🏻♀Lisa
Hi Lisa. I was interested to read the story of how you started playing music, and I’d like to hear what rock and roll zither sounds like! 😃 I like playing rock and roll on the ukulele as well as the guitar. I played ukulele before I played guitar. I was given one as a Christmas present when I was about 11 years old. I’m sorry to learn that you’ve been unwell for so long. It’s nice to know that you’re enjoying my videos. I’ve visited Bavaria. I stayed in Oberstdorf for a few weeks on a school exchange trip back in the winter of 1981. Great memories! Happy New Year! - Jez
@@RocknRollSongbook Hi Jez, what a nice surprise to wake up and find your reply. Thank you for taking your time to write back. I'll look up your ukulele videos - first time I saw and heard a ukulele was either Marilyn Monroe playing it in Some Like It Hot or it was an Elvis movie that was shot in Hawaii. You have me curious, now. Everyone in our family was and is playing an instrument, some more than one. It's always been great fun at family gatherings when my granddad pulled his harmonica out of his pocket and the singing and playing began - no rock 'n roll though 😀Guitars, different flutes, a pocket harmonica, an accordion, a trumpet, a horn, a zither, a Hackbrett (dulcimer?), a piano and grandma Maria beat the spoons and the tambourine - I know, we are a crazy lot, the tradition lives on with my sister's kids and grandkids. Oberstdorf is located in a very lovely region, especially in winter. All kind of fun to be had there. 1981... long ago and yet still so present in my memory - started studying slavic languages that year. As to the zither rock - I have no idea how many others did this but the first was a guy named Manfred Zicks who was and still is known as Zither Manä. I found out when I happened to find his first record in the rockabilly department of a big music shop in Munich back in the 70s/80s. I was shocked - yet another reason why it was so stupid to sell my zither. It came from an old man in our village who had learned to play this instrument when he was a little boy in late 1890s/early1900s). The wood was double palisander (rosewood) -beautiful sound - with ebony inlays on the edges. Actually, zither is a good instrument to play rock 'n roll because you ca play bass, accords and melody all at the same time. You can find Zither Manä here on RU-vid. His singing is a bit funny (Bavarian lyrics) but the music is so cool. I'd love to watch you watching his videos, I take it you'd be smiling, tapping and nodding along with the music... 😀 Best wishes, Lisa 🙋🏻♀
Hi Ken. Thanks very much for the book purchase. No, sorry, I don't have a CD. Keep watching my channel though, as I have more tutorials planned which you may find helpful. In the meantime, browse around my older videos and you'll find many more tutorials, as well as demonstrations of different styles of playing.
Thanks very much Lawrie! A few people have told that they've bought GS Minis after seeing me playing mine on RU-vid. I should maybe try and get Taylor to sponsor me! 🤣😂
Great playing🙂because of you i bought gs mini🙂🙂🙂🙂amazing guitar.I always buy and sell acoustic because never like the neck,but this guitar is great and sound bigger then it looks🙂.You are great Sir🙂
Thanks very much! It's good to know that I inspired you to get a guitar you like so much. I love mine too! Yes, they're remarkably loud and full-sounding for small guitars, aren't they? And very 'comfortable' to play too - Jez 😊
Greetings Jez.. 50 from fifties is on the way Amazon just ordered.:) . I am so stoked !! Here in N.Y . it was easy to get. I have the chords down .So hoping I can put it all together. As they say in merry old England " Lets give it a go .shall we "!! If something goes awry.... I will let you know . Then you can advise me on how to fix it .. Thanks once again on my guitar journey. {yes I am between intermediate to advance, so you know where I am at with this.
Hi Ray. Thanks for the songbook purchase. I’m pleased to hear you’re enjoying getting into playing rock ‘n’ roll, and very glad that I’ve helped a little. Keep on rockin’ in NY!
Great lesson jez, 👍 I am 77 learning to play guitar 🎸. I have arthritis in my hand and struggle with barre cords. But thanks to your lesson and book 📖 I can now play 50 songs.
Thanks very much Eddie! I always tell older people that it's never too late to start learning the guitar. I'm really pleased you're finding the songbook and my lessons helpful. Keep on rockin'! - Jez
Hello Jez, great to see you in a new video again. Always love to learn your insights to great tunes, and I also have one these little Taylor guitars as well. All the best to you both over there. Be well and stay safe.
Hello John! They're great guitars, aren't they? Remarkably loud and full-sounding for their size, and very 'comfortable' to play too. I hope all's well with you, Jez
Wow that was brilliant! Absolutely tremendous lesson. Loved the Taylor GS Mini's tone. I thought it had some slap back delay on at first but you don't look plugged in? Bravo 👏
I just need to find a time machine! Of course, if I'd lived in the 1950s I wouldn't have had the advantage of learning from the innovative musicians that recorded these songs first.
@@RocknRollSongbook I guess you're correct. They had to be first so you could do what you do. None of us would be playing on any level if it weren't for these innovative rockers
Another great video Jez I just love it when you mention what the bass player is doing and how he adds to the performance. Really valuable musical knowledge. Thanks.
Luv this song - and even though I can already play it, I've still learned a couple of "new" tricks and tips - thanks a bunch and keep on rockin'! Cheers! 😁
Ah yes. I'll get around to that one eventually. I included a little of it though in the 5 song medley I recorded a few weeks ago: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dnBeQWbArc0.html
@@Abdou3406 Ah yes! I got the two songs muddled up. You mean the Ray Charles song. I honestly don't think I could do that one justice. I can't really song soul/gospel style.
How on earth have I not come across your videos before. This is only the second one I have viewed and you are a brilliant instructor. I am definitely going to subscribe. What a gem.
Hi Grégoire. When I play 'Cut Across Shorty' I use the pattern that I call Strumming Pattern #3 in my Tutorial #5 video. It's a pattern that I use a lot when playing up-beat country and rockabilly songs. Here's a link to that video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nbVEQ7gzQkU.html
Good going Jez. I bought your book and hope you sell a million of them. You’re a great teacher and deserve praise for your efforts and talents as a teacher.
Hey Jez, I have a serious question for you. Would you consider to make a book 60 From The Sixtie's. I'm sure you Can, and that it's gonna be a succes like you're 50's book. But also a lot of Good songs where made in that decade.
Try thinking about a B7 like this: your 1st, 2nd and 3rd fingers are in the same relative positions as when you play a D7 (you simply move that triangle shape across a couple strings), then you just need to drop your pinky into place. Try making the chord shape in two stages like that. Slow your playing right down when you're using the B7, and only gradually build up speed. I hope that helps - Jez
