Thanks so much for this lesson. I'm 66, and I gig once or twice a month. I've played this tune in various forms since high school and still picked up some ideas and tips. Your lesson motivated me to work on looping this song. I loop occasionally-maybe once or twice a set-usually to interject some lead. I listened to your lesson while walking the dog, came back, and worked out the looping over a couple of days. It got reasonably smooth-I already knew the lead parts from playing in duos and with friends. I looped it at the gig on Friday, and it came off well. Even my intently observant guitar-picking friends commented on how smooth it was. They don't like anything. ;> I returned tonight and listened to the looping part of your lesson again. Surprisingly, I realized I picked the OTHER chord - the G/D - to start on! It may not matter too much as long as you know where you are. It does allow me to play the initial lick coming out of the chorus - the one you pointed out you were missing. I start the looper on the second "...in the air..." I'm not suggesting either of us learn it the other way-once it is in your head, it is better left alone! At some point, if I have any cojones, I'll also learn to loop the lead part and play the harmony lead part above it. That presents a good challenge for me. Thanks for the lesson and the push to get looping - I am enjoying your channel.
That’s great. I’m glad the video was able to help. As long as you are clicking in at the right point it should be fine. Though I find it interesting that you are clicking the loop in coming out of the chorus with it starting on the G … hmmm 🤔 but if you found a way that works for you that’s all that matters. Lol we drive ourselves nuts with this stuff!! All the best to u. lol your guitar playing friends… the best critics we could have
My dad is a huge America fan. I grew up listening to him and his buddy play this song in the basement when they would get together to jam. I have an old sheet music songbook of America tunes that belonged to my dad. Maybe I'll go dig it out of the box now. Cool lesson. Brought back some memories.
Ok man, so I'm in a spot where I can dedicate some time to this one. I love this song. America was a phenomenal band that people often dismiss because it sounds easy. I always put it to them that usually, a well crafted song is deceptively simple. Such is the case with ventura highway. It is possible to play this in real-time without a looper, even including the riffs in proper sequence, but the riffs don't hold the A major (9?) 1st inversion shape (right?). They drop to a D major root (4th string) position (yeah?) shape on the ascending notes for the second and third riffs in order to catch the G6 on the hit. Challenging, but right now I'm doing it on an ibanez pn1. It's doable, for sure. Just not easy. Love your stuff. Hopefully this makes sense to someone (might be handy if you're stuck in a fleabag motel learning covers on a cheap acoustic without a looper). Thanks for this tutorial! [Nota bene: edited many, many times to ensure clarity]
I really appreciate this lesson! I've played this song on and off over the years with varying degrees of frustration! The loop pedal makes total sense to get the main riff integrated.
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners. It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar. I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn. Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well. Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻 I’ll try it today. Thanks Frank !
This is a great tutorial for a wonderful song. I saw this band in a small pub outside Glasgow in the very early seventies, where I was living at the time; it was a brilliant gig in a very intimate venue. I’ve been trying to sound reasonably accurate playing this for decades, without great success! This tutorial has been a lightbulb moment for me. Thanks so much and I will now be a subscriber to your channel.
One of my biggest challenges has been how to keep the younger audience members happy. I struggle to connect with a lot of the newer music and I dont feel it suits me. I have found that twisting 80’s classics works but I would be grateful to hear what songs you have chosen in your mix. Cheers
It is a challenge indeed. Mainly because the younger kids just flat out aren’t into music as much. There are artists like Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendes that you could cover and it usually goes over well with the younger kids. And the 90s and early 2000s grunge type stuff is also pretty widely known but younger kids.
@@FrankPersico I’ve noticed in Australia there is a growing love for modern country with the younger ones too. That style suits me better. Thanks for the reply Frank.
Great lesson Frank. I’ve always loved that song and America. I worked hard on my acoustic skills for over a decade then the COVID lockdown hit and I lost my way. It should’ve been a great opportunity but my heart wasn’t into it. Have barely picked up my guitar since. Your teaching style is motivating me to pick up my guitar again. Thank you! Keep them coming.
Came across This lesson as I Going through some other Guitar lessons… love this beautiful Song, love the Band America! I’m 63 and I kind of grew up with them, definitely going to learn this song, I play Sister Golden hair, lonely people, and horse with no name… This will be a great addition! Just subscribed!
This was a very impressive insight into your skill set. When are you going to put up videos of your gigs or something of you doing a cover as if you are on stage? As a beginner guitar learner, I can’t even say I’m a beginner guitarist yet; but as a beginner, I am impressed at your virtuosity on the acoustic guitar. Thanks for the seminar.
Thanks so much. There are some cover tubes if you look back a bit into my channel. I’m hesitant to do any more cover tubes because of copyright. Best of luck with your playing ..
Always good tips and powerful experience laid out in these lessons. Thank you Joe! This is a classic for sure, love the bit on strumming and being intuitive in some respects. 90% I get the feel from the song recording but then there are some (Wild Horses by Stones) is a good example where you need to get some tips.
Great lesson. Just started really using my looper. Already knew the chords and strumming for the song. Practicing my basic improvised solos by ear over the 2 chords from the song. Really opens up another area in my playing. Thanks!
You’re right. Strumming is intuitive. I listen to the song about 100 times before I play it. Those videos with the UDUD etc just confuse me. I grew up in a small Wyoming town. The only guitar lessons available were slide country, which I wasn’t interested in. So I muscled through with a Mel Bay book and lifting the phonograph needle back to the start. After all that work I ended up playing bass in a band. I’m still playing guitar now.
Totally: I get better strumming practice just using my thumb on my jeans then when I actually have the guitar in my hand. The right hand is just like a hand percussion instrument and if you can get it to capture the feel as if it were a shaker or something then you can strum. I want to do a video on strumming but it’s so hard to translate it.
Been playing this one in various forms since it was released. With you putting the pieces and parts together so carefully the way you perform it, this will help me simplify it some. The F#m11(?) is of course also used within Sweet Melissa as you know and other great tunes. New follower. I will search for other similar instructional vids you might have especially incorporating a looper (never used one, yet). Thanks, music brother! 👍🏻
Welcome and thanks for commenting. Yea it’s the sweet melissa chord lol! I thought the same thing when I was learning it. Feel free to reach out at any time :)
Hey Frank..I really appreciate your lessons..You remind me of my Guitar Teacher "Ralphie Boy" .. Who I took lessons from in Ozone Park in the 70s....I finally have the strumming down on Ventura Highway.. Properly...I really dig it...Thanks
Hey Frank……great instruction video. Coincidence…..I did a looper video of this great song 3 months ago on my YT-channel. I used the same ‘trick’ by starting the first loop with the Dmaj7……😂……works great that way. Love your channel…!!
"Play along with the record". You're showing your age. LOL!! Great lesson and a good acoustic song. This was very popular when I was in college and was up there with Stairway to Heaven in terms of acoustic songs guys would try to learn to play.
As I was playing this and thank you very much for this by the way I started layering my fingers off of the G6 to go to the d major 7 and I'm hearing a note that belongs there also and I may be wrong by not putting your fingers on the G6 all at once I'm hearing something that's on the album thanks
I just got a used acoustic guitar and last night lowered the action, installed new nut, strings, bridge and locking tuners. It’s an Ibanez and it’s sure a lot more difficult for me to play than an electric guitar. I was trying to figure out a couple acoustic songs to learn. Knockin’ On Heavens Door, Wish You Were Here are “roughed in” and coming along well. Ventura Highway is a great idea 👍🏻 I’ll try it today. Thanks Frank !
Awesome let me know how you do. I answer this comment earlier and I don’t think it went through so excuse me if this is the second comment you are seeing lol
