What ANY GUITARIST Can Learn From Bob Weir 

👉 Take the FREE Bob Weir 5-Day Challenge www.jeffwilliamsguitar.com/Bob-Weir-5-Day-Challenge 🎬WATCH NEXT🎬 ⏩ Bob's Chords Playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLWbyLS1VMRzjKu6LCu2JbTa7mhwYCS7Gi What ANY GUITARIST Can Learn From... ⏩ Billy Strings: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EPxGZD2V1hk.html ⏩ Trey Anastasio: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-se6OzM59He8.html ⏩ The Allman Brothers Band: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MByHzqaNqM4.html ⏩ Jerry Garcia: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B2u-MPOVOXk.html

Saw the Dead over 100 times. People always focused on Jerry, but Bob was a genius who layered a foundation for Jerry to build on. And don't get me started on how important Phil's bass playing was. Jerry was the icing on the cake, but Bob and Phil were the cake!

I played rhythm in my first real band. We were all 49er fans from Chico. We went to a niner game one time. After the game the guys wanted to go to Fisherman's Wharf. I said drop me of at the Fillmore. I was just learning those second position(caged) chords. It was my first time at the Fillmore. I walked in and the Dead were jamming hard. Bobby was using those chords. I thought "those damned things really work". It was a real inspirational moment that changed everything.

Bob played my $100 beginner acoustic in the hall of a hotel when we were stalking them down. We couldn't get to see the show so we had crazy idea of finding what hotel they were at so we could me them. We were around D.C. and knew where the venue was so we looked up the closest nice hotel. We go in to lobby and I tell them that we are supposed to meet up with the Grateful Dead. LOL To my surprise and they said you have to call up first. I said how do I do that? He said go to that phone on the wall and dial this number. I went over and called. Guess who answered the phone? Bob Weir!! OMG! It's his voice! I said we are musicians and loved them so much can we come meet you. He tells me okay and what floor!! We go up and elevator opens to a hallway and he's standing there with a few adjoining suite doors open. We talked awhile and I had my guitar. He asked if he could play it!! It was surreal of course. After about 15 minutes Phil Lesh comes out and say's "okay, the party is over" LOL We left but Bob was so humble and awesome to meet. Didn't see Jerry at all but that's for another story

I love Bob and this is great overview. But in many ways his playing is not going to translate very well to other players. There’s a show that circulates that is just Bob isolated and sometimes it’s almost impossible to even know what song is being played. He was a kid who was in a two guitar band that ALSO had keys and Phil as bass player. The best compliment I can pay Bob is that he not only found a way to fit in without being overbearing , but it’s noticeably worse when he’s absent. I think Bob also had a great sense of frequency. In such a crowded band, he never stepped on toes.

Even if you’re not a Grateful Dead fan, this is a fantastic rhythm lesson. These techniques are what all the greats do.

“Dogged persistence” I’ve been playing since 1982. The reason people think I’m a good player is mostly because I’ve been hacking away at it a long time. Just keep playing just keep playing just keep playing Btw…one strategy strongly encouraged on this channel is to learn how to play the melody line. I concur; This is something I’ve been doing for a long long time. I recommend taking the time to learn some vocal lines for every little nuance and phrasing. It will change your playing.

20+ Years playing... Just learned what the CAGED system means. It's gonna be a good week. Thank you Sensei

Bobby is one of the most underrated rhythm players out there! Thanks for the video!

I was always just as fascinated by Weir's tickling of the strings as Garcia's picking. He is truly a unique genius.

When listen to and see Bob …I think of Weather Report….” We always solo and we never solo” … phenomenal

Always found it interesting to listen to guitarists try to explain what something sounds like.

I've listened to isolated tracks of Bobby and noticed that a lot of the licks that I thought were Jerry were actually Bobby. Jerry would sit back and let Bobby's rythym take over the lead.

Thanks for the insight into Bob's playing. So much can be missed if your not paying attention to what he is playing.

He's been one of my favorite guitarists since the 60's. He's so unique. If I hear him for a second, I know it's him. He's as identifiable as Jerry Garcia.

Im an old timer watched Bob develop over the years . He didnt start out a super talent but NEVER stopped learning and improving , a lifelong journey hes still on. Great cłip Thanks for the years of enjoyment Bob

In Phil’s book he talks about how at some point in the early 70s, Bob really started to study music and the guitar including jazz theory. He brought it back to the band and started playing in a really disciplined considered way that had a much bigger influence on their sound than people realise.

The Dead are one of the biggest, most influential bands that manages to be altogether so underrated by much of the music world. Their catalog should be required listening for all serious musicians and all the players are worthy of appreciation.

One of my favorite things on 'Wharf Rat' is the way Bob slides into the chords during the verses. This was great, thanks! So much good info in very little space. Deserves a ton of views.

You're a very positive and informative teacher. This and the Jerry video are great. Like all your videos, good stuff!

Thats the best CAGED explanation I ever heard.

Bob connected Phil and Jerry on stage. He was the intermediary. A monumental accomplishment

Excellent teaching style dude. Been playing 30 yrs but still learning!

This is brilliant, especially for songwriters who are getting into a little deeper waters like myself. Thank you for sharing what youve learned with everyone...you are making the world a better place. And with such enthusiasm. I subscribed-

Great stuff, dig your vibe and your grasp of feeling it, listening, and practicing.... Thank you

So glad I stumbled on this. Your way of teaching and genuine passion for music is infectious brother. Got me pumped to work on some inversions and triads in the "strangest of places." Bookmarked this one for sure!

thanks jeff, you do such a good and enthusiastic job of breaking this stuff down. i like how you give the concepts more so than mechanically instruction. it's all a state of mind and feeling.

Real good info for people learning to play with others and jam/improvise. Also you have a skill for explaining concepts that are typically difficult to put into words.

This was a really great video. I was looking for a good breakdown. Looking forward to watching your other videos

Love this video format. Packed full of info and no beating around the bush! One of my favorite Bobby licks is in the breakdown between China Cat Sunflower and I Know You Rider. Always catches my ear.

Man!! You opened my eyes up a whole lot!! I learned a lot from like two videos.. I plateaued for a long time and I was real boxy.. I can shred now Soo much love man!

Wow, mind blown! Thanks Jeff, you are spreading the Deads message of musical unity!

Awesome exclamation, thank you so much. I subscribed

I just found your channel, I love the videos so far. I've never been a big fan of the Grateful Dead but I've always thought they were a very interesting band and these videos have a lot of good info in them.

thx a lot! extremely helpful and inspiring on the way to master guitar.

Amazing video man. Appreciate ur hard work fr

Those are all things I am working on. A lot to digest. Bob is great.

Thanks for making this man, gotta love Bobby

This is great councelling Jeff! Thank you so much!

Wow, what a excellent lesson! To me Bob Weir was merely an afterthought, your efforts here were stand alone fantastic. Thank you!

Great overview of triads and colorings using one of our favs... Bobby. Thanks Jeff Really Great Lesson!

Great content buddy keep teaching us!!

You're REALLY good at this Jeff! I've watched thousands of Guitar videos on RU-vid and I got more about Bob Weir's rhythm guitar genius from this presentation than any 10 other videos combined. SUBSCRIBED Brother! Really glad I found your channel today.

Bob very underated

Great video, Jeff! This is exactly how I learned to expand my guitar playing and I credit Bob for giving me the building blocks. Another thing I'd add is that when a chord progressions is short and repetitive (like "Franklin's Tower" or "Fire on the Mountain") you can keep track of how many times your playing it by using one set of chord shapes 2x or 4x and then switching to another set (of shapes and/or inversions) so that you know how long another player in the band is soloing or where you are in the overall form of the song performance.

If you are playing rhythm, you create the wave for the vocalist or lead instrument to surf, they are the ones that truly appreciate what you give them, Lake Michigan or Maui? Believe me, even the greatest can't cut up Lake Placid.

Jeff, this is so great. This is exactly what Weir was about in the GD. They led me to Trane, Miles, and of course, McCoy...and 1,000,000 others. I'm sending this to my friend who I've been saying this stuff to for a long time. Now he doesn't have to hear my whiney voice saying it! AND, doing it tastefully and in the midst of listening to the other players is truly what it takes to make this stuff come alive. THANK YOU for sharing this priceless info. Great vid, and funny, too!

I enjoyed your insights on this great band.

You are a very good teacher easy to understand at all levels thanks

Beautiful video. To understand Bob's contribution to the space and the mix takes some appreciation for the entire piece. A lot like jazz

This is great. Thank you for giving structure to the mysterious underbelly Bobby creates in this magnificent music!

Great work. I followed it all and remember when I would not learn this lesson and that. It costs me now not to do triads and do a caged practice regime into my daily workout

That was a cool video. I especially liked that picture you showed of Bobby with the orange Parker fly. I had never seen him with a fly before. Mickbeth music is real good at everything Bob. Some favorite Bob voicings: 0 7 6 9 0 0 for E (think Jack straw) or x 7 9 9 7 7 (E sus2 think Let it grow) or x 9 9 11 12 to x 11 9 10 12 x to x 11 9 9 12 x to x 9 9 7>8 7 7 (B5 Bdim E5 B from Bucket). It an be fun applying Bob chords to non Dead songs with non Deadhead musicians. People are like: "is that another Bob chord? I don't really consider Bob a rhythm player because he is playing different parts than you think on most songs. A lot of times it is call and response thing with him and jerry. Is it Batman and Robin, Michael and Scottie? lol..

Truly informative and inspirational lesson, thanks very much

Fantastic video! Thank you!!

Great lesson excellent message!!!

Whoa... there is a lot to absorb here in this video!!! wow

Another gold nugget. Thanks Jeff!

Off topic, he's athletic. He's known to run hill sprints before shows, and having the crew leave the forklift tines in the high position so he can do pull ups from them. His jockish polo shirts are kind of a tell.

Always loved Bob

Great video and important takeaways. You really describe the essence of his contributions. Your teaching style is succinct and entertaining. I like to think of Weir not only as a rhythm guitarist but as a "harmony guitarist". I've learned so much from him. Interesting that I've had the most fun (and difficulty) learning and figuring out stuff from the 2 best (and unsung) rhythm players in rock: Lennon and Weir!

Great video!

I've known the CAGED system for a few years now - especially with scales. This last month or so I realized I only really knew every interval (1-2-3, etc.) in the E shape, aka the starter shape. The last few weeks I've been practicing in each shape going from I to ii to v to vi to iv to I, like in the C shape, then just up the neck in each position, getting all 7 chords on every string in the scale.. It's a "bit" of a grind but instantly becoming useful and I'm finding I prefer a lot of those grips/positions over the "big barre's" that I'm used to with the E shape.

Excellent!!!!!!

A lot of Jimi in Bob’s playing, with a different syncopation. Jimi was a little more swing time with his comping, but they have the similar voicings and approach to harmony.

Best 2nd fiddle there ever was or is.

Another important thing about rhythm accompaniments and chord inversions is to stay out of the bass territory and any other guitar part which might be playing at the same time.

Love that B&J guitar

Thank you for the CAGED explanation!

I really appreciate this; and I love that guitar you're using! I would suggest, though, that what really sets Weir's playing apart from other "rhythm" players is not just his chord shaping but, well, his actual rhythmic approach. Listen to any Dead recording or - better yet - watch a video of their playing, and you'll notice Bobby Weir searching for those spaces to color or, even more importantly, searching to CREATE spaces in the music and opportunities for others to fill them. He's not just keeping the rhythm; like a good jazz player, he's commenting on it. Watch his head movements, the pauses in his right hand, and his obvious ear-turning to his band mates. He's weaving a rhythmic texture and accenting on it, not just chunking chords in time with the drummer. Thanks for this, and again, I really dig that axe! Wish I knew what it was. So warm and crisp at the same time!

This is a great video

No wonder I learned so much from listening to this era of music.

Beautiful looking guitar. I have never seen an electric guitar before with a slotted head stock.

I saw a jam session at the Monterrey pop festival in a instrument display tent. I don't remember everyone playing but I remember Al Kooper, Paul Simon, Bob Weir, Mike Bloomfield, and a few others. This was early in Weir's career but I remember that he was definitely playing but in a sense indistinguishable from the whole sound. I suspect he was already into some of the technique you're offering here.

Hey Jeff, What's that guitar YOU'RE playing ? That thing is cool !

I learned how to strum a guitar from watching Bob Weir in concert. But I kind of have a mental block as most of those up the neck voicings lose me. Also I am on acoustic only which makes some of those forms harder.

I used to see the Dead all the time and always thought Bob was just playing air-guitar!

Bobby is the most inventive guitarist this side of Hendrix. That Dew on Europe 72 is all Bobby.

Ii remembrer the front page of a rock magazine, the best rythme guitarist of the world : Bob Weir

I figured out CAGED as a teenager didn't think to give it a name and tell everyone about it. Thought other people did that too, and I play keyboard

great video! what guitar is that you're playing? sounds terrific

Bob Weir has been recorded more times by more people than anyone in the history of the guitar, in the history of music, indeed even in the history of the technology of recording. He has no equal, and his record will likely never be exceeded or even matched.

I heard an interview and Phil said he doesnt play the root on bass.

Actually it is a Dead tune. You can find it on the Europe 72 album.

Content Approval 10/10

Bob Weir has forgotten More about playing the guitar than most guitarists will ever Know.

Fingers of the hand called grateful

The easier way is to do what Bob did not as Bob does. That is study jazz and know your inversions very well and watch McCoy turn his left hand or any jazz piano players left hand that’s where he learned the jabbing from.

Why do you refer to how Bobby plays in the past tense? He's still going strong!

I don't even know where to start, where would be the best place to get a good grounding? Learn all the chord shapes and in every place on the fretboard?

It's weird seeing Frank Zappa teach a grateful dead lesson.

When I first saw your guitar's headstock I assumed it was a classical--but it didn't sound like one, so I was confused. Then I saw your pickups and looked closer at the strings (metal, not nylon). So it's not a classical. But the tuners look like one. And I'm still confused. But this is still a great video. Subscribed.

I gotta give you some love, I’ve always steered clear of the Dead just don’t care for them (licorice, as Jerry said) but the lessons are definitely worthwhile for anyone. Keep it up!

There were so many songs the Dead played that weren't Dead tunes. Some nights they were closer to a cover dance band, than an original band. Loved 'em either way.

i think i have the same lamp... amazon?

I like your guitar what manufacturer brand is it?

Talk about that guitar

I've always been curious but never asked - what kind of guitar is that you got there my man?

Nice. But you talk about Bob and Phil in the past tense. They are still alive and playing well

Why do you speak about Bob in the past tense? Saw him at The Sphere last week!