Learn to play "Old Man" Acoustic by Neil Young 

You are definitely the most patient, enthusiastic, intuitive and BEST guitar teacher on You Tube. When I think I have seen your best video, your next one is even better. Greetings from S F. CA

Great Lesson Angela…about the song: Young wrote this about the caretaker of the ranch he bought in 1970. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the old man was once like this young man. The caretaker of the that cattle ranch? His name was Louis Avila. The ranch was the Broken Arrow Ranch, purchased for $350,000 in 1970 (just think about those real estate prices compared to now!). Reportedly, Avila was giving Young a tour of the place and asked him how a young man like him could afford a place like this. Young, aged 25, replied "Just lucky, Louie, just real lucky." Avila was quite bemused.

Really nice to see someone so young who is smart enough to recognize how great these timeless tunes were and still are. You do a great job breaking it down to digestible parts and set the framework such that individuals can then sneak in their own little adds. thanks much

What a great lesson. I have just stumbled upon this fantastic post while looking for new songs to learn in the future. I have just had surgery on my left thumb which needed to be fused after blocking something which was thrown at my head. I have been in a pretty negative place as I received no compensation, had to pay for the operation myself and was forced to resign from my work due to not being fit enough to carry out my work duties. My hand is in a brace at the moment to stop movement of the thumb during the rehab period. The positive is that I have time to browse the net looking for material for future use and this lesson is number one on my list. Thank you Angela.

Why would two people NOT like this? She is providing a free , detailed lesson, well thought out and delivered . I knew how to play some of these songs, but still pick up useful tips from her lessons.

I think you were a 60's hippie in a former life! You definitely have a Hippie soul girl! Rock on!

Finally found an instructor who I can follow! Thank you for taking the time to slowly show us the notes and techniques! I was born in England but moved to USA when I was eighteen.

You are the best teacher on youtube,I can play proper intro to Angie totally out of my league,until your youtube video.Bravo.Old man is hard Neil Young is another Hurdle.I'm 64 been playing 6 yrs.I know this is old just wanted to say thanks from Aust.

Best teacher on U Tube, step by step, no shortcuts, thank you soo much 🎼🎼🎼

Great job Angela! Always a pleasure to follow your lessons!

I really like how you go through the lessons slowly because it helps to hear the notes ring out and establish technique while also memorizing the song instead of relying on a tab to play it. Some instructors teach it so quickly there is no chance to pick up all the nuances. Thank you so much!

You do such a good job with this song, I am 65 years old and play daily , for enjoyment. Love your lessons and your pace of explaining things. Thankyou , Dang that Martin sounds good.

I’ve watched hundreds of lessons on RU-vid and you are by far the best! Not to mention your song choices are excellent.

My favourite acoustic song. Great words and Neil Young's voice is so mesmerizing. Good lesson Angela - I like your enthusiasm.

You're awesome...love playing along yo your "lessons". Song choices are right on!

Love the way you teach. Good loud, clear instructions and lots of repetition of each bar.

I love the way you break down every section and give us the chance to grasp it. You are a very good teacher.

So glad l found you Angela. I was a pro freelance guitarist in London England working many West End musicals, tours and l had my fair share of sessions and TV work but......between a car accident and a very serious illness my great career was cut short by first the accident and then my ability to play at all ended with the illness (Guillian Barre Syndrome) which completely parslysed me overnight and nearly killed me. After a month in icu and six months in rehab l walked out on a stick back in Sept. 2020 after being told l'd never walk again, but my hands were (are still) crippled with pain, weakness and numbness. I just had to try and play again so l picked up an acoustic, put some lighter strings on to give my weak fingers a chance and gave it a go as l felt that things had got a little better. I set myself a target of being able to play Jimmy Pages Rain Song, and if l managed it l'd get myself a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top, it took four months but l'm looking at that beautiful guitar now! It lines up so well with my other Gibsons and fenders. Playing is very painful, and things that were so easy for me are very hard, it's so frustrating. Just a plain old bar chord now presents me with a lot of difficulty and pain. Aghhhh! I've being watching you a lot, l had to retire on medical grounds so have a lot of time on my hands and your channel has been so helpful and inspirational for me. Yesterday l got Wild Horses under my fingers and today l'm learning Old Man one of my favorite Neil Young songs. God he was a great guitar player. It's a tough part to play cleanly but it's so beautiful. I'm writing this while giving my hands a rest, and then l'm going back in to "Old Man". Thanks again Angela for helping me on my long road back. I hope you're still checking comments on this as it's 2 years old. Thanks again. X

This lesson sounds just about note for note of the original recording to my ear. The best lesson for this song that i have heard. Great job Angela!

This is one of the best instructional videos I have seen on RU-vid. Thanks

I love the fact that you break everything down, you are a great teacher

Great lesson and you are my new favorite RU-vid instructor and while I can play Heart of Gold which came out when I was in my early teens, I have always struggled with Old Man. Thank you Angela for your lesson as I can play it now! Wow, we have such the same taste in music!

I am in my 50’s and it’s fantastic that you play all these songs I grew up listening to! Awesome job!

Okay, you are my new favorite RU-vid teacher. You are well above my level, but explain everything succinctly. I should be able listen a few times and get it.

Angela- After getting back into guitar again, I took a second view of your lesson(s)… and was SO INSPIRED! Your patience, focus, explanation, methodology, personality and style has been pivotal in improving my playing from how you approach teaching. Your kindness, humility and connection to your community is heartfelt, genuine and of course “live,” which brings it on home to everyone, I think. Wishing you more growth, new chapters and continued inspiration on your journey-As it so obvious from the comments of the people who are learning and improving from your work. I am sure that Fishman appreciates having you as a partner. Thank you for what you are doing. Music changes lives…

Hi Angela It's been 2 years since you posted this video so not sure if you still check comments, but ... I just want to thank you for putting this lesson out. I've been looking for EONS for someone who plays this song correctly and teaches this song in a way that I understand, and you hit the nail on the head !! You play it correctly, and not many youtubers out there that do. So thanks again !! :))

Bravo, great old song, very well taught, you are probably the most fastidious teacher on YT, thanks for sharing your expertise with us, you're destine to be a YT icon.

Love this song, love the way you played it!!

Very masterfully done! Patient teacher! Love it ❤

This is the best lesson for this song. Thank you so much. I really like your playing style and the songs you choose. I saw you play “The Rain Song” on a Norm’s Rare Guitars video. Would love to learn that song too!

Hello, Thank you for all these great lessons, Ive been playing for 35 plus years, (I was on the road in the Hair band 80's!!) I never really learned acoustic, but I am learning now and I enjoy how you teach, thanks again!

spot on Angela, well done and thank you for this lesson

Neil Young wrote the song about an old man that takes care of his ranch in California, but clearly most young men driving home to their parent's house from their first away from home are going to assume that the term "Old Man" refer's to a man's father, and this is why the song is so emotionally engaging. Most guys whose father stayed around, are indeed just like their Old Man, and they know it! And there is certainly nothing wrong with that.

Thank you so much for these lessons, I’ve attempted several times to try the guitar since the Beatles first came to America, and it’s finally sticking

G'day from Australia. I have always loved this song - brings back memories from a foregone era. My friends and I used to play it, but now you have shown how to play it properly. Cheers.

You really nail it Angela. Your guitar and playing sound pretty much exactly the same as the original Young's record, just amazing. Also, I agree a hundred percent with all the praise posted here about your talent, patience, teaching method... You're just fantastic. Can't wait to grab my instrument again, inspired and motivated by you. Thank you so much!

Love Neil young myself, harvest was the first cassette tape I ever owned. This is one of my all time favorites. Thanks ☺️

Thank u for being so patient live your teaching Angela

You are brilliant! - Thanks for what you teach Angela, but mostly for how WELL you teach it!!! - from Australia - Kudos!

Such a great teacher...like the best teaching skills on the planet

Thankyou so much i love your technique and found that i was able to sit through your whole video unlike all the others that I’ve watched

Love the way you teach guitar!❤

excellent tutorial...thanks again Angela You are awesome

Really enjoy your playing, & seeing how much you love playing!!!!😁😎👍🎸❤️

Ive been trying to figure this out for years. Thanks for a great explanation. great teacher beautiful.

You have changed my life with my guitar. Thank you so very much Angela.❤

Enjoy your videos you break down songs easy to play like your style and guitar awesome color sound really nice

Love playing this beauty, but always found that percussive intro a challenge. I’ll revisit the song now having watched this. Lady is doing a great job!

A newbie on guitar, I have always thought Neils acoustics would be so hard with all of his little taps between and during chords. You show that anyone can do it with practice. I know he has other songs with even more taps, but you made me believe its just practice and patients. BTW, how bout Neil closing out the Canadien Olympics all by himself? My favorite Angela if you never seen it. (1645) Neil Young - Long May You Run - Vancouver 2010 Closing Ceremony | Music Monday - RU-vid Song is so deep that most people don't know he wrote that song about his car. Such an amazing song.

Truly have learNed aloT in 1 week studying the technical attention to details. Really helped how to identify the small synchronization issues with my picking skills. This has made a note able difference in my playing. You have gotta new fan an will be tuning in live next week.

Great tune love your teaching,,

Thanks for one more great class! I already knew how to play Old Men (one of my favorites) but I learned some details I was missing. Cheers from an Italian guy in Brazil.

Love your style of teaching ! I've learned so much

Hi Angela. Thank you for your patience in teaching, excellent teacher. It's been a great song. I don't think I've heard this song by the amazing Neil before, I had to listen to it last time to get to know it. I've really learned (almost) a very beautiful song. Greetings from the South of the World., Concepcion Chile ❤

You are just so awesome !!!still practicing !!!

Such an awesome teacher. Thank you!

Fantastic song !!! Well taught too !!!

Great content Angela, that is a beautiful sounding Martin! I got completely involved playing bass and haven't really played any of my guitars in about 12 yrs now! I used to know many of these songs on guitar. But now I'm playing these songs on bass guitar. I play bass daily but I recently stumbled across your channel and I must say I'm tempted to pull out one of my guitars:) It'll be interesting to see how much guitar motor muscle memory is still there after not playing guitar 12 yrs. LOL Surely it will all come back after a short while and a little adjusting to the difference in string spacing. lol Your teaching style is perfect for all types of players. Its always a bonus for the person being taught to learn from a mentor with great passion for the instrument and the music:) Of course you have very good taste in music, if I didn't know better, you must have grew up down the street from us. Anyone here learning guitar, keep hanging with Angela, with a little tenacity and practice, in no time, your life will never be the same learning all these tunes! Hang on to that Martin!

THANK U for sharing your knowledge - you are a born teacher!

Great song, thanks for the lesson. I used to think rock solos were the only thing I should play. But, it's all about rhythm guitar.

Thank you miss Angela. Taking this and the lesson by Shut Up & Play and I’m synthesizing and taking this fine old chestnut to heretofore unachievable living room heights. All seriousness aside you’re one of the best instructors.

John in Salem, OR. I thought I new this song but after hearing you I know my version was off, thanks for the lesson!

I love so much the way you say Angela Petrelli Greetings from Italy !

Your an angel I could not figure out the run in C but I am finally playing it right Thanks :-)

This is probably one of the most beautiful and heartful songs ever written... oh..then there is "Needle and the Damage Done"... "Suite Judy Blue Eyes"......

Hey Angela! Just thrilled to learn from you in your video here! I have played this song as best I could, incorrectly in so many ways for about 25 or more years. I never realized so many chord progression changes. The nuances, hammer-ons and stuff--so much richer than what I ever could do. I also really appreciate your hypnotizing eye contact which allows me to stay completely glued to the lesson even if my fingers frustratingly fail to find the right positions at all the right moments. I am so glad to find your lesson and am really hopeful (since this is also one of my all time favorite songs) that you have more lessons for my favorite tunes (that I have probably also been butchering for decades! XD ) Much love, and thanks, from Ojai, California!

Danbury, CT favorite venue Jones Beach. Love your lessons and thank you!

You are Magical Angela. Thanks so much ❤

Awesome lesson Angela

Hi, Phoenix, learning so much from your videos!

Hi Angela, thanks from Brazil for your lessons; 🌹

Hey Angela Hi from Thailand Great tune From the man himself Best venue for me Albert hall London I once saw Neil Young during my studies in Oakland And saw him with CSN & Young in London With skunk Baxter gusting & Joe Walsh & Jackson Brown played Happy days Great tutorial You will impact on so many lives & guitar journeys 🙏🙏🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿👏🏾👏🏾✌🏼

Great stuff Angela. Wish I could see you in Chicago's Zepparella's show. Your understanding of fine music, and love of it, is just fantastic!

You are the best I’m in love with your lessons better that jamplay your top class cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪

By far the best tutorial for sure!!!

Great analysis of one of the most interesting songs from the most unusual rock guitar players of all time!

Tricky tough but tenable. Always good to look at more than 1 vid to learn it succinctly.

Youre a great teacher Ang! - What I would love to see is you play the song as well. I learn better seeing the song played. Keep up the good work!

you are pleasantly great in playing and teaching.

But thankyou so much i really enjoyed the video and i love the way you play the song and teach as well

Old Man is one of my favourite songs of all time. 😀 Would be great to see a run-through of Dogs from Pink Floyd, one of my favourite albums is Animals. I get goosebumps every time I listen to the whole album. Well, it's a concept album, so it's a shame to only listen to single tracks. I get totally lost in the music.

Love this 😀 Nanaimo, BC

Nice teaching style. You rock!

That was awesome.

Great song, great lesson. Greetings from Brasil

You’re becoming one of my favorite teachers. Favorite music venue- Pine Knob Clarkston Michigan. Place is legendary. If you would like some song request ideas how about some Jim Croce or Gordon Lightfoot

Thank for your channel. Many will learn how to play the guitar ma'am.. fr philippines..

You are so good. I am from Austria. Thank you for this realy good video.

So very impressed.

Thank you so much You're a good teacher

You’re pretty much my “go to girl” when I need a -tune up- on the great songs you pick out for us. Appreciate you Larry Skynnyn Lynnyrd Band

Thank you, you are fantastic teacher !!!!! Xx

52 years ago..Wow! ... music was wonderful ... the artistry was amazing!

You are a fantastic teacher. I love the patience and breaking it all down. Thank you! Might make a note on the video comments that you are bringing it down to a D major instead of a B major with that middle finger. It’s at 9:53 in the video. A newbie might have a snag over that. God Bless! Thanks again! Keep up the good work

Fantastic thanks

Very helpful ,thank you so much!

Lovely cover 😍

I love this song, I’ve never come close to playing it…, but I got really close tonight. you are a good teacher, I’m a teacher, trust me I know. thanks!

Great lesson! And, WOW, does that Martin resonate!!!

love your playing