probably one of the most underrated guitarists we have. Plays amazing and can do so many things, yet I don't hear people yelling his name as a great guitarist, which he most obviously is.
I think the very fact that Steve Howe can play any stringed instrument to an extremely high level and create awesome melodies….whilst most other guitarists can’t….says it all….I actually can’t think of a more rounded guitarist in the world 👍
Exactly my thoughts, well said that man. They often talk of 'Super-Groups'...I can't think of another group, that had a Classical Guitarist, A classical Pianist, an 'Alto Tenor, and such a great Rhythm section. Except 'SKY' as in 'Toccata and Fugue'.
Steve has had no formal training and says, in his own words, knows no music theory, scales, modes or the like. He just plays what sounds good. Sounds good to me.
That's impossible. He is classically trained. You can't be classically trained without a thorough knowledge of chords, scales, and theory. What MIGHT be true is that he plays what SOUNDS good and doesn't care to break the rules of music.
He stated it in an interview that it's a common misconception people have about him that he has a degree or was classically trained. I thought the same, but he's not in fact quite the contrary. Hie said it.
Johann Wilder True. My first guitar teacher told me," No matter how much training in theory and technique you receive, it'll mean NOTHING if you don't have a good set of ears."
Level 47 Productions Same with my number 1 favorite Alex lifeson. Howe is either tied or close second to Howe for me personally, but, there's just no way! These guys aren't from earth. Amazing musicians. Just don't get how they don't know theory they just play amazing mind blowing music..
As an aspiring classical guitarist and a musician who has been studying Steve Howe's style for decades, this is incredible. 21 proud pricks out there have nothing on Steve and how he shaped so many of our styles. I heard the story of how Steve wrote mood for a day the day his son was born. About that time, we found out we were having our first boy, so I dedicated 9 months of perfecting as best I could this beautiful song. I played to our son every day while he was inside his mother's womb. I played it the day he was born and I still play it 14 years later and it always rings a chord in him, though I haven't told him why yet, Thank you, Steve, One of my favorite teachers, No one is self taught. That is a proud delusion
Anthony thomas beautiful. Reading this is finding parts of the magic of human spirit. These types of moments are far more valuable than most will ever realize.
One of the top 5 all time classic rock guitarists. Technically the most advanced in that medium ( 60's / 70's rock). Howe could ( and still can ) do it all. Bluesy phrasings, flamenco, rock riffing, classical, pedal steel, psychedelic , etc...He can dominate gracefully with an electric or an acoustic guitar. A virtuoso and an ensemble player extraordinaire - Steve Howe.
At 61 years old I spent a really really good part of my life and listening to this man and his band.... And if I hear no other music but yes till the day I die... I would be perfectly fine with that. !! 😎👍
I'm a teenager just getting into them! I admire the amazing guitarwork. If I was stuck on a island somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and the only form of entertainment I had was Yes, I would still be a happy man!
@@Samotbackwards wow !!! It is so good to hear that coming from a youngster with all the music you can get your hands on... Perhaps you may want to start from the beginning and just go through their catalog.. two albums I believe were only released in the UK I'm sure you can get them now on RU-vid... As the band went through quite a lot of changes and different members of the band..... It's too bad I can't give you some of what I experience seeing them live well over 25 times... But there are a couple of movies out out there... Enjoy young man enjoy. 😁👍👍👍
Yes, I,m about your age and the thing I love about the 67 to 73 era in rock , folk music was acoustic guitar and mouth organ in the mix of sounds, was a unique contrast and blend to good vocals and storytelling in music, these were the true artesian musicians.
It's so awesome to hear people actually appreciate a great musician. Nowadays, when Steve plays these songs, people sit in the front row and talk over him while he's trying to play. I weep for the future. BTW, I hope the 27 people who disliked this video get the clap. ;)
+Phil Sackett i liked the wrath:get the clap;;;;;; greetings from brazil. i still hear this song and i remember my good old days trying to play it like he does.
When you utter a statement saying this genius gentleman had 'no formal training ' The concept of formal training would be in danger of not possibly being able to recover. He's one of the most skilled musical geniuses of our lifetime. Bravo Mr. Steve Howe. Thank you.
Mr. Howe is the master and author prog rock guitar. I loved him as a young kid;I love him as an old kid. I'll always love the music of Steve Howe. Its' just doggone beautiful.
The fact that this one guy can use just an acoustic guitar in standard tuning and keep me entertained for 10 minutes and leave me wanting more just is amazing, incredible underrated guitarist
Jochen Hofmann someone said the same thing about Gary Moore we argued when I said there’s no such thing as the greatest guitarist in the world for to be so would require them to be the best in every style classical folk country jazz rock etc there’s not enough time in one person’s life time to do this yes he’s a wonderful player but as classical player he’s no where near the standard of say John Williams but there again why should he Williams probably started playing classical guitar at a very early age and dedicated himself to that style ! Howe is a wonderful allrounder
There are literally millions of excellent guitarists in the world, and hundreds near the top of the game. There's no bloody way to pick The Best. There's the best that you've heard, but many, many more that you never have. Enjoy what you enjoy. Personally, the best little known rock guitarist I've heard is a guy named Neil Zaza. I'd put him up with just about anyone.
Oh Yes!! I remember all those classic albums, we had them on album vinyl! "Close to the Edge," "The Yes Album," "Fragile," "Yessongs," Steve Howe always amazed me! I also liked Chris Squire and Rick Wakeman.
Master Howe, indeed. Such an impressive range of style and technique. Reminded me of a bit of Tommy Emmanuel's solo acoustic playing (heavy Chet Atkins influences, etc) - wouldn't that be awesome for those two guys to get together for a jam!
Saw him play this several times live In Seattle!! The r the GOATS of prog rock and he is the GOAT on the guitar!! Such a great showman! Seems so happy!!❤️😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Steve Howe is such an entertainer. His love for playing guitar exudes out of him! He's had my heart since the 70's, I will never love another. And YES rules!
Steve's a true inspiration. As a guitar player who can't sing for shit, I was blown to subatomic particles when I saw that you could play guitar like this and have absolutely no need for words. I proceeded to spend the next 6 months working on Clap every night. Every Night I would play the same bar over and over, in the end it was worth it, made me feel so much better about myself as a musician. Thank you Steve, you are truly a gift to our society of mortals.
I love a lot of great guitarists - Jimmy Page; Eric Clapton; Jimi Hendrix; Alex Lifeson...but, Steve Howe is just perfect in every way! Steve Howe makes even the greatest of guitarists seem ill.
"Clap" has always been one of my favorite pieces of music... not that there aren't many other great works out there, but... "Clap" just has a certain energy to it that gets me every time.
So if this is "real music", what do you call what Julian Bream and John Williams (the guitarist, not the movie composer) play? Howe's unaccompanied pieces from Yes Album and Fragile are okay, in my opinion, but still pretty far from wonderful. Here they sound particularly twangy and percussive. Otherwise, they're just too repetitive. It's interesting to see that Howe has a few flamenco-ish moves (rasgueado, etc.) but apparently no real classical technique at all. I'm not all that impressed with his Travis-ish (everything is "ish" with this guy) picking either. Sorry. (At least I didn't click the dislike button.)
Astounding guitar work, his touch is so light and soulful and inspiring. He makes it look so easy. His movement is like the pied piper leading the way through a rustic old time village. Truely a great talent!
Beautiful, especially Mood for a Day. My 92 yo father in law... a performing classical guitarist still! Loves this but can't get his head around the fact he plays this standing up!
OMG - does this bring back old memories! Saw YES in a early concert at University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1972 where Steve broke into one of his marvelous acoustic pieces in the midst of their usual freneticperformance style. You literally could not hear a breath in the entire venue as everyone was totally transfixed by his virtuosity. Obviously, he has only expanded in that respect. Truly amazing diversity of styles and meldings. There are those who "play" the guitar technically perfect, there are those that "elevate" the instrument with true love and empathy - that is Steve Howe. If you can't hear the difference - pity on you!
..so true ...and also when record labels BELIEVED : In 1967, Atlantic became a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Bros.-Seven Arts, now the Warner Music Group, and expanded into rock and pop music with releases by Led Zeppelin and Yes.... and vinyls where purchased at the stores ... bonding people .
Howe blew it in a very similar fashion to the way Eugene O'Neills father blew it. If you think thats no big deal you should read what O'Neill wrote about the way his father was tortured by the knowledge that he threw it all away fpr money. Howe probably could have been a top notch classical guitarist but the money and fame would have been a fraction of what he got through rock. Howe will always be second rate now.
My brother spent hours and hours learning these 2 songs. I was quite impressed . I told him now you're a world class guitarists. He just made a crocodile smile.
There are no words to describe this man and his talent!! I just saw him two months ago, and his performance was not only breath taking, it was heart stopping!
I remember learning "Mood For A Day" from the record, back in the mid 1970's, and that was a trial and a half, I can tell you! None of this special software that tells you the chords, and slows it down so you can pick the notes out easier! Beginners these days don't know they have it easy compared to those days!
Ive listened to Clap for over 50 years, played till my hands bled, till my mind bended like a time warp and this beautiful tune has turned to an incoherent mess in my mind since I can no longer make sense of then rhythm, phrasing, and technique. My overdoing it has completely destroyed this masterpiece for my brain. I hope it did not happen to anyone else. Do not over do it!!
I agree with Bruce S, and Elizabeth Ward. These are very wonderful observations. Music is a performance art. In my opinion it's ALWAYS about the audience. As for those who are into harsh criticism because they think they are superior, I ask: How many millions of people have you played before and records of yours have been sold? Have you delighted audiences the world over for decades, bringing them to their feet, applauding and cheering thunderously, bringing them joy and putting big smiles on their faces?
Howe was voted "Best Overall Guitarist" in Guitar Player magazine five years in a row (1977-1981) and in 1981 was the first rock guitar player inducted into the Guitar Player Hall of Fame. He's so good that I've literally never heard anyone else even close. I've seen him live once: speed and accuracy in concert is remarkable. He is still writing and producing music to this day.
This man is beyond a virtuoso at guitar--he is truly great in a way that relatively few musicians can ever become at their respective instruments in this life! Sincerely, BobbyK And to think, Yes was making great music when the Beatles were still together! Simply amazing! BobbyK
This is amazing, to play this way on your own, in front of a great audience, so focused, shivers going up and down my spine, deepest respect. The Clap and Mood for a day, very introspective and than the outburst, magnificent, a whole symphony in one song.
This was my grandfather’s favorite guitarist , he met and watched him play many times and even brought me once, any time I think of him I watch this and I can’t help but come to tears. ❤️
