Understanding Elvis as a guitar player | His influence is UNDERRATED 

I remember hearing a rumor when I was a kid, that all his guitars didn’t have any strings on them because he couldn’t play…. Fast forward… I am a semi professional guitarist, and Elvis was a fantastic guitarist!!! Just some vicious rumor some hater started…

He was a musical genius...better left untrained, diamond in the rough. One in a billion, between his singing and playing various instruments. Also, an underrated producer!c

Elvis was a great guitar player from the start.his first 2 studio songs in 1953 was my happiness and thats when your heartace begins.he played them both unplugged.he also did a great job with forget me never,in my way and lonely man.also done by the king unplugged.

Exactly , look back at the 68 comeback , he was a great guitarist! ❤️🇦🇺

I wish he had played more guitar in his shows! The acoustic guitar was nothing but a prop in his live shows! The few times he did, he was quite good! Thank You David!

Yeah he was good, as a rhythm player. You can see the confidence with which he handled the instrument. And you can hear it as well. 😊❤😊

Elvis was extremely intelligent it amazes me how talented he was and his voice was so beautiful especially his gospel music. My thoughts only!

He played the guitar and the piano very well and he looked so good with the guitar. I enjoyed your thoughts on how he seemed more into the music when he was playing either one. He was a genius whether playing, singing, producing, directing or just being on stage.❤❤❤

At the '68 sit-down shows, at the end of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" Elvis plays a major 7th scale and ends on a C-major 7th.

Elvis was a great rhythm player. Listen to Sun recordings .

I remember seeing Elvis on tv with the Comeback '68 special with that red guitar which was also the cover photo of that album. I was 8 years old then and mesmerized with that guitar. I couldn't stop looking at it. He looked amazing with that guitar. And had amazing rythm playing it. He couldn't play guitar like Glenn Campbell for example who was at first a studio musician. But no need. Elvis making it big in '56 moving and handling that instrument had a forbidden fruit connotation behind it. Which Elvis emphasized well. And musically having a good ear he could pick up easily on certain guitar riffs that he wanted to have in the songs. It's not because one isn't a virtuoso on an instrument that you therefore can't be creative, which Elvis certainly was and knew what he wanted. Class

He loved playing the electric bass too. He was a fantastic player and he drove the band in the early days pre DJ Fontana. Remember that!

I've always recognized Elvis talents. But to be shy or embarrassed?! He had no reason tobe! Tysm for sharing this ❤

Yes, that's always been crazy to me, too . The fact he was self-taught.🤯

Enjoyed this video - especially the photos. Elvis seemed very humble about his abilities, but I reckon the best instrument he had was his voice ❤‍🔥🙏

Johnny Cash wrote beautifully about the impact of Elvis, the GUITAR player in the mid-50’s, how his sound as a rhythm guitar player stood out live on stage. And that this for him integral part of Elvis wasn’t put on display during his career as it should have been. I believe I read that in Johnny Cash’ last autobiography, a great read, which I believe was published in the 1990’s. The first one was from somewhere around 1976 (also highly recommended). He had quite a few great things to say about Elvis. Personally, I think Elvis’ rhythm guitar work was memorable, and I can recognize it anywhere, although I’m not much of a guitar player myself. “Distinctive”. Just like his voice. Btw, James Brown’s piano/organ playing also was very distinctive and special. He played some very tasty, funky notes and crazy delightful stuff on there, surely to the distaste of professional players, but I loved what he did on there.

Magic is exactly right...I love the 70's concert where he sat down with his guitar and played. " Little Sister" and the Beatles "Get Back".... heaven on earth for this fan.

Another great video. Thank you from a UK lifelong Elvis fan

As a guitar student thirty years ago, I chose to learn the blues riff "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do" from the sit-down special" I only had the record no internet no video. I am still working on it to get it right.

"I Didn't Make It On Playing Guitar" is one of Elvis' best studio jams!

Thank you! What a great subject you covered. Elvis was like one of the band members. So talented! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I didn't know he played the bass intro of Baby I don't care, Elvis is awesome a natural musician no doubt he is gifted and talented❤❤❤

So true. His playing was underrated. I think the answer to your question is simple. Elvis loved playing guitar. As you know he owned many of them over the years, and never forgot the first one his mother bought for him at Tupelo Hardware. For the rest of his life a guitar in his hand was a reminder of his loving mother. But, unlike in the early years, the concert years guitar-playing wasn't integral to the show, only to the image. This video was brilliant.

Elvis always said he couldn't really play the guitar but he really could. He wasn't on a level with James Burton but he could play and he was also very good on the piano. I'm pretty sure he played drums as well. I've read the same about the base solo for Baby I Don't Care. Elvis was musically talented, he was a natural.

Yep your right on the money! I always go back to the sit-down portions of the '68 special and that tells you right there how good a guitar player he was. Even doing cool sounding little riffs before a song would even start. I've played since I was 5, and I can see, and hear, that he did actually play good. I hate when some people say he couldn't, or didn't really play. It's simply not true. He wasn't a lead guitar player, but he did play very well!! Just not enough later on. ⚡🎸

Love him playing any instrument

I love this, I remember a few musicians, saying he was a fantastic groover and set the beat. Same as John Lennon . He was Very modest about it

Elvis was so humble and talented! Absolutely Wonderful!! Thank you so very much for sharing! ❤❤❤❤❤❤!

ELVISISTHEMAN CHANNEL Iliked Elvis singing, playing his guitar 🎸, moving his body. Elvis had the abilities to become a great piano and guitar 🎸 👌 player. He was interested in doing his best for his fans. He had great talents that propelled him to stardom and he worked them throughout his performances. Thank you David as Elvis guitar introduction proved he could deliver and delight the audience. ❤🎉😊

I enjoyed this video, and have had similar thoughts about his guitar and piano playing over the years. It is interesting to listen to some of the home recordings made of him sitting around at home.

I strictly remember when viewing the sit down show of 68 fir the 1st time i thought how good is this but when elvis swapped guitars with scotty well the performance went to annother level Scotty was a brilliant guitarist but what Elvis gave to the show in 68 was nothing short brilliant.TCB&TLC

Enjoyed this one, thank you, David. 🙂

Sometimes I think that there are a lots of “what if” in Elvis’s career, and although it may sounds crazy, because we’re talking about the greatest performer of all time, I still believe this somehow. I wish he played the guitar and piano more in his 70’s live performances, kind of medley sit down à la comeback special! But again, Elvis knew better what he wanted to do and I’m ok with it, that goes without saying! We still have, as you pointed out in the video, a lot of amazing moments in which he shows how great he was as a musician! Thank you for this beautiful video! Love Elvis forever ❤

He was not a guitarist and his best instrument was his voice, but I've always loved to see him playing the guitar or the piano ❤ He sure was humble enough to admit he had never studied music...but his instinct, rhythm and charisma were natural talents .

Those piano bits really are underappreciated! I can't imagine what the reaction of the crowd was when Elvis started playing the piano! Sucks Elvis didn't play the piano that much after. We only have footage of How The Web Was Woven, You'll Never Walk Alone and Unchained Melody. I am unsure wether or not Blueberry Hill was filmed, Elvis played the intro for the song! For the guitar parts, sucks he didn't give Johnny B Goode a try in '69 or '70, imagine what that would've looked like! I am also confused as to why he didnt play it while they were filming TTWII

There's also pictures of him playing the trombone drums and the Accordion.

Great video David 🎉 I really love how you put together all this stuff. Elvis was a self taught. He took few lessons from his pastor or uncle (I don't remember) when he was a child but he just improved what he had in his nature. He has never pretended to be considered a good guitarist, but he could do whatever he wanted. In the '68 Comeback Special he was simply amazing in the sit down session. ❤

Thus was a really really God video. I think my favorite of yours to date. Elvis was very talented for sure. We got so much but I wish selfishly there was more.

That performance in 68 of Baby What You Want Me To Do is simple but played so dirty. That's rock n roll baby.

I've been enjoying your videos for a while now friend, your channel is awesome, your videos are always wonderful, thanks😊.

Everyone here should go watch the RU-vid video of Elvis singing “blue suede shoes” in 1956 for a Hollywood screening. He’s “playing” a guitar in that video but there are no strings on it. He was so good at playing rhythm, that he probably fooled 99% of everyone watching because it really looks like he plays the guitar…it’s a fun watch

Enjoyable take. Great stuff.

Elvis '68 Comeback Special the best concert he ever recorded !!!

Till now even my father in law said Elvis didn’t know how to play the guitar. 😂 I laugh and have to show them you tube videos to show them how Elvis did know how to play the guitar.

That man Elvis could played a bicycle wheel and made it sound good. I Love Elvis.. Elvis istheman are you going to watch Elvis as BoB Joyce on August the 10 2024???

Wait. Elvis played bass on “Baby I Don’t Care”?? I never knew this. 😮

This is the best Elvis video you've ever done. You have shown me clips that I have never seen. Yes, Elvis could play guitar. There is no place to hide in a three or four-man group with only a lead guitar, a bass, a rhythm guitar, and a drum. Thank you for the Great video.

Great video of serious analysis of Elvis' talent with instruments. Poor guy was never given enough credit in that department, especially by non-fans, and the "Elvis couldn't read music". 🙄 Who cares? It takes a ton of talent to play by ear! I can read music, and can play by ear if I practice over and over and over. It's not easy for me. Elvis had more talent in his little finger in Florida than most people will ever have. God gave him so much talent, and I'm thankful I can enjoy that talent whenever I want to. Thanks, David, for another great post.

Elvis and his guitar(s) were one. I love the combination of Elvis and his guitarplaying. In my opinion it fires him up emotionally even more than without. You know, I know by experience, when you play and sing and really connect with your instrument, it all comes together. You become the music. You raise the musical vibrations of your own and around you. I was inspired by the way he played. I stopped music school (it was so boring and this way did not fit to me) and bought a book with Elvis songs and the guitar chords belonging to them. And from that moment on I was hooked. To Elvis and the singing and playing. And yes, Elvis intro was better. Much more rythm and emotion.😂

Elvis was pretty solid as an acoustic rhythm guitarist. You check out the early Dorsey shows he was quite good. Obviously the 68’ show and all the 69 ‘ shows . After that it was prop. He was a better piano player according to Jerry Shilling.

Elvis was definitely better than what he gave himself for on the guitar. The 68 comeback special version of Love Me is a perfect example. He’s using what’s known as the “Hendrix” F chord shape during that performance, where it uses the thumb on the low E string. Players like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer always use this shape. I just thought it was a cool detail.

All I can say is durning the 68 comeback durning that jammin’ session with Charlie Hodge… DJ…… he rocked with that electric guitar

Elvis knew -- if not music theory -- but several music theory terms. There's a '77 concert where Elvis jokingly says that a song is in a "minor - augmented 5th -diminished third" chord. LOL!

I really loved this video. You do such a good job bringing out points of information that I did not know or maybe never noticed before. I think part of Elvis' genius is that he knew when to back away and let someone else play, even though I think he would have loved to play on all his songs. His ability to play without formal training was genetic. There were others in his family like that. My dad played by ear, the guitar, the piano, and the French harp. People from this part of the country and who grew up during the Great Depression had no access to such things. Many made instruments from found objects or farming objects repurposed to make music. Thanks for your excellent work. (Judy C)

Hey, buddy, I really do love your channel. It is the best. I am a huge Elvis fan. I am 64 I was at his last concert and his music is just the best. I do have one question. I've never seen anybody. Make this comment if you watch the video of Elvis plane unchain melody on the piano. At the very end, I noticed that after he raises his hands. You can hear somebody else Playing the piano the end cord. Have you ever noticed this? Please get back with me as I'm dying for an answer. Thank you jerry

I'm 82 years old and I didn't realize until after the Elvis movie that he could actually play the guitar rather well! Thanks for acknowledging this fact.

Elvis' playing was integral from the Sun days the strumming is heard quite distinctly and complmented by Scotty's leads and fingerpicking with Bill Black too of course to fill out the sound with bass. Also heard on the TV shows. Later Elvis relies less on his playing and uses it more as a prop. Don't forget another use of the guitar is when he slapped it on Dont Be Cruel. But he was an accomplished player to a certain level.

Elvis was an OUTSTANDING rhythm guitar player. Check out his greatest album, “Elvis is Back.” He leads the band with his guitar on every song. Incredible sound. He also effectively produced the album.

Great video and discussion, David. Thank you. I prefer the final cut version of the intro, however, if I'd never heard that one and Elvis' version had been used, it would have been just fine!

David, do you ever watch the Wings of Pegasus YT channel? He did quite in depth videos showing how Elvis was actually quite proficient. He breaks down hand positions, how comfortable he was with all the changes and movements. Very interesting.

This is such an interesting subject to me, Fascinating 🎉

Never mind his guirar playing ,hes underrated as a vocalist!!! He was so multi taltented, are you going ti review the moody blue ftd, 👍😊

Warner Brother's Studio is in Burbank, CA, not Culver City, CA. MGM is in Culver City, CA. Elvis played by ear.

Do you think maybe he lacked confidence in his ability to play guitar or the piano ? Could it be that because he always surrounded himself with such fantastic musicians that he felt a bit in awe of them ( maybe that’s the wrong word ) leading him to lack confidence in his ability to play ! As everyone knows he didn’t lack confidence in his singing but saying that I’m sure he did explore other types of vocals that he wasn’t quite confident with but on hearing Elvis sing Danny Boy at the very end of that song literally blew my mind where he hits that beautiful note at the end ! I know I’ve gone on to a bit of a different subject but has anyone else noticed the bit at the end ! For me this is why I love your channel it makes me delve that little bit deeper into Elvis’ music ….. thankyou x

He showed his bass player Bill Black how to play an electric bass in his movie Jailhouse Rock.

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Yes Elvis’ version sounded so much fresher ( can’t think of another word 😅) shame he didn’t think he could do both sing and play 😉x

I believe he was fairly underestimated as a musician, you can feel by certain guitar licks and that metronome rythmm that he was quite capable of more had he had the time or emotional context to do so. I read in one of the Stanley book that one night on stage Elvis actually started playing lead with the band and thought it was funny, by doing so he shocked the hell out of everyone. Again this was just an anecdote in a book so…..

He had rhythm. Which is the way he played and wrote and how he understood music. It was in him and he had plenty of other great ways to play it out and get his point across to the players and people. His energy love and passion for music is what comes naturally and across. Not the best musician, but the only Elvis! He probably grew up with a top string or two and he had the most success with banging on those top strings and learning how to use that. Which makes sense to why he did it okay with the bass guitar topics in the video. The rhythmic sound of strumming the bass strings is similar to the guitar in a way. Similar sounds come from the instruments that make it over to the piano. All 3 of the instruments and then the comment on drums makes sense too bc it’s all about the rhythm and downbeat and tempos. So as a singer he has music inside of him not unlike James brown for example. He is different in his music is in him and he did not play it.

Reading Scotty Moore’s book now and pretty new Elvis fan. Scotty was very perturbed by Elvis taking his guitar and other issues re : monetary gifts that go beyond his issues with Parker and Phillips. I was surprised of the hostility but understood

If you check out some of the limited video from 1969 he played the guitar on almost every song. Give it Al look you’ll see him play it almost the whole show. I’ll take 1969 over anything else he’s ever done

I don't know my thoughts on Elvis playing the guitar because I don't know when he actually played it or if he was just acting like he was playing it. Only time I really believe he played it was in the sit down session of the 68 Special other than that I couldn't tell you if he played it or not. He had to know a little on how to play it to do that at the 68 Special. It always confused me if Elvis could play the guitar or the piano but I think he could a little bit of both of them.

Who taught him the piano

you can see in the CBS Special aka his last concert, how he was "zoning" in and out. the prescription drugs really messed his head up...

David, I was wondering about your opinion on something. IMO, after 1971, Elvis quit doing concerts where here just blew it out and he did a lot of his moves. He had some shows here and there where he really looked like the 1969 Elvis but it just seems to me after 71, he stopped moving as much, yeah for Polk Salad Annie and Suspicious Minds he still moved some but he looks like to me after 71 he just got tired, uninspired, or for whatever reason he slowed down a lot in 1972. For Aloha he barely moved. I love Aloha but he sure didn't light it up like he did before. I hate to say it but Aloha was a bit of a disappointment to me. What is your opinion on this and when do you think he started toning it down?? Thnkx Man

And sorry, my phone doesn't know how to spell certain words LO. L

I got my 1st guitar at age 5 but didn't really take it seriously till I saw the 68 Special. Man, I wore that old tape out studying how Elvis played on the sit down shows and haven't looked back since! Now very blessed to own a Gibson J200, Martin HD35, Taylor 818e, Gretsch Country Gentleman, 2 Fender Strat's among others. I blame it all on Elvis lol. Thanks for the vid man, keep rockin

I'm good with you saying he was pretty good. Just wasn't his gift but could do it and do it respectfully and we'll do that shows his talent 😀

Wearing the Tigers shirt for the Tiger Man!

He could play. I agree with you. He was not Eric Clapton on the guitar, Eric could not sing like Elvis. I play the piano but not well because I don’t practice and my fingers are so stiff I don’t play around people. I think he felt he that he felt he was not good without practice.

A G Em C ish

Listen to Sun Session , you would have to tone desf

So what happened with the bass player who walked out?

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(Urgent Warning) Elvis Presley's twin brother Jessie Presley the "First Born Male Child" Is"NOT"buried at Graceland with the Presley family members, the reason being they cannot find the body or the Grave of Jessie Presley, Jessie Presley will be one of the Great Signs from heaven spoken of in the book of (St.luke 21;11)"And Great Signs shall there be from Heaven", These Great Biblical signs will take place in the city of San Luis Obispo, California. The Whole world will be Watching, all media's will focus on this Great Biblical event, What we have here is basically the beginnings of the "Apocalyptic Media Frenzy", Global-Global.

He was average above average I'd say solid at best guitar player but his vocals was his instrument but for a guy untrained musician still pretty awesome guitar playing

I'M AN ELVIS FAN AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT ONE OF HIS MUSICIANS SAID THAT ELVIS WAS THE WORST PIANO PLAYER HE'D EVER HEARD. AND IF YOU ARE A GUITAR PLAYER CHECK OUT GUITAR MAN ON HIS COMEBACK SHOW. LOOK AT THE CLOSE UP WITH THE HAGSTRØM VIKING 2, HE IS NOT PLAYING. LOOK AT THE PLAYING IN TTWII, WHEN IN THE STUDIO, HE CANNOT FIND THE CORDS. WAKE UP GUYS. I LOVE ELVIS BUT LET HIM JUST SING. HE WAS THE BEST SINGER OF ALL TIME, NOONE COMES NEAR HIM, HIS VOICE AND THE WAY HE USED IT, ABSOLUTELY THE BEST, AND THERE CANNOT COME A BETTER SINGER IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THEIR VOICE LIKE THAT. HIS RANGE HIS TREMOLO, HIS......EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT, AND STILL IS. I LISTEN TO HIM EVERY DAY. GOD BLESS HIM 😊