What I really love about this whole interaction is that Tommy provides really great constructive feedback. A lot of players would either say ''Well done!, That's awesome" regardless of how well you played, or go to the other end of the spectrum and be patronising or dismissive. He gave really specific feedback on how to progress and develop as a player. I hope you took it on board! What a gentleman!
I met him last summer as well. Super nice guy. When I asked him a few technique questions he ran to get his guitar from his room and showed me personally.
same...and ive been at it since 82...its kinda like the old "watch me ride my bike with no hands, mom." Never comes off well...but he would still be gracious and encouraging...of that i am sure.
4:01 Tommy finishes playing for the final time on that guitar, and as he's giving useful advice to the owner, he still tweaks the tuning. I just love that all-round commitment to and love of music.
Tommy is that type of guy. What's his best finger picking book? I want to have my son buy me my copy on my September 26th Birthday. Must have it! Advice for Tommy's book? Advice now please.
His contribution to music is second to none , how many people with his time schedule would constantly be doing this .. He is a generous and gifted spirit
Time is often one thing stars like Tommy don't have, due to their schedules being so crazy and so many people to meet etc. And when he takes a moment to meet a fan and fellow guitarist, he genuinely listens, appreciates and offers tangible advice to actually help. This was great!
Go to PAWN STARS show this video and sell your guitar for $1.5M, I’m sure they will price it for $1M. Boy, you’ll be a millionaire in no time. You go home with a million bucks and a million dollar smile on your face. 😃
An absolute joy to watch! This is really what separated Good Guitarists from Great ones, great ones share their knowledge and experience to up-and-coming guitarists. Absolutely love it.
Jae-Min Seo plus he saw and understood the kid's level and provided carefully thoughtout finetuning to an already good player. no condescendence let alone rockstar shtick. very nice
Jae-Min Seo Completely agree...my first guitar I bought ( almost a year ago) was purchased with the help of another customer. This old guy was just picking up guitars and playing insanely well - if you've seen Tommy emmanuels boogie woogie guitar vid, it was that sort of level, not even exaggerating! The staff were helpful, but there were two guitars I liked, and being a piano player, was a bit indecisive. The guy happily helped, going through the pros and cons of each one, playing different styles on them with different technique. You could see just how much he genuinely enjoyed both just playing the guitar and also helping aspiring players - giving me bits of advice as well. I am extremely satisfied with my guitar and am grateful to that guy for being so inspirational. A truly great guitar player is not afraid to help others with their guitar playing!
Wow,.. that was great. This epitomizes Tommy the man,.. not just a brilliant guitarist but a humble man that loves the guitar and takes the time to give some really excellent instruction and good advice and praise to a young guitarist. I learn something myself every time I watch and listen to Tommy. He's the best!
heelfan1234 I don't think "pwned" is an appropriate choice of words. There was no domination or humiliation involved on Tommy's part. He's a complete gentleman who loves his work and loves his fans and genuinely enjoys helping and encouraging them. You could see that the fan was totally thrilled with the attention Tommy gave him.
O.K....I must be living in a cave or something....What is "pwned"...I'll look it up. I'm back from Ask.com....You know what...I was surprised by that myself the whole thing about moving your hand back...And for a different reason....I play back there myself because I like to anchor the heel of my hand on the bridge. I'm not so sure I feel the same way as Tommy that it's nessassarily better...What he said was correct in terms of the sound it makes...yet when you play directly over the hole of the guitar the sound is mellower...so...I don't know... Maybe Tommy should hook up with another Aussie by the name of ...get this ...Olivia Newton John...."Have ya never been mellow"....:)
Gary Hughes Actually Gary I had to look up "pwned" myself as I was familiar with it being modern vernacular and sensed its meaning was somewhat derogatory and I was right. To be fair to the commenter, he may not have been aware of the connotation. Yes,.. I thought the tip about playing the right hand closer to the bridge was good. I have experimented with some fingerpicking using that technique and it does add a crispness in some sections which can then be contrasted by moving closer to and over the sound-hole.So that's one thing I took away from this video plus his excellent advice to follow the melody and build the chords and other picked notes around that. It makes a remarkable difference even though it does add some degree of difficulty in making it all come together. Cheers!
What I like about those artists is that they take time to listen and give one or two tips always simple as crazy most of the time (nothing like technical infact), but so important and make the whole difference, in 10 seconds he summarized what's gonna take some days or weeks to practice and make the piece so much better..I liked the part where he explained the melody should be more distinguished from the chords and played exactly as John sung it on the record... Inspiring, thanks for the uplaod!
You did a great job, Alex. You have a God-given talent. I hope you keep working on your skills. They will be a joy to you (and others) for the rest of your life.
The greatest musicians in the world can play their instrument as if it's an appendage to their body but also taking the time after playing a show to meet with fans for autographs and sometimes some hints on playing a favorite song. Do that and that ticket has been sold for the next time thru. Tommy Emmanuel is a great guitarist but is also a wonderful humble person. Love it.
Well done, Alex! You were very wise in playing for Tommy. Most folks would have choked... but you got yourself a free lesson with the master. That's a fine little Seagull you've got there. Keep up the good work! And Tommy.... if you see this - you're a the consummate gentleman and an inspiration.
LeadFootLiam I have a Seagull too. Not this one tho, it’s very beautiful. Mines second hand & the action seems high & tight. I’m a beginner really; not sure what to do with it.?. The replacement strings the owner put on aren’t to my liking either that’s for sure. Tommy plays like a Guitar God! 😭🙏❤️
This is the coolest video I have seen in a while, first, you play unbelievably well...nice job, but how nice to have a guy like Tommy Emmanuel take the time to share his wealth of knowledge in such a constructive way. He just seamed so genuine and sincere in his sharing. Nice job both of you!!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
I don't know what the circumstances were surrounding this encounter, but that was a nice video: Alex, you play nice, and Tommy Emmanuel seemed really accommodating in this clip... Congrats to you for having that opportunity, and thanks to the maestro for his kind input into playing.
So nice of Mr. Emmanuel to listen and offer those special musical tips to enhance your all ready wonderful playing. How fun that must have been for you!
No. But 41 dufuses agree with you. In any case I'll keep listening out for that. Also, have you ever considered you might be overthinking this while the 3rd world doesn't give a shit and multiplies the fuck out of your race? Just a thought
Yeah, then he would pay you for it, AND you could sell it on Ebay as 'broken while being played by Tommy Emanuel' and get probably ten times what it was worth in one piece. Or put it on the wall and likely have one of the coolest ice breaking conversation starters in that room, at least for any guitarist that walked in.
I know this comment is a year old but just so everyone knows this guitar is like 400-600 USD. Seagulls made in Canada, best value guitar being made today.
Without doubt the greatest acoustic fingerpicking player of all time. Saw him over 25 years ago at a small intimate theatre. Absolutely blew my mind and everyone in the theatre. He has continued to play 8-10 hours a day since. His playing is amazing to watch but also frustrating as I know even 2 hours a day practice wouldn’t get close to this guy.
What a generous giver Mr. Tommy Emmanuel is! To share his time, his ear, to teach and give feedback and to play with the hope of helping the young player improve is just the mark of a great man.
