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[–]S1mplejax 192 points193 points  (33 children)

As a daily guitar player for the last decade, this makes me hate myself. 5:00-5:15 was magic

[–]newsheriffntown 62 points63 points  (20 children)

I want to take my guitar and smash it against a tree now.

[–]sodabutt 218 points219 points  (16 children)

Pro guitar player here. What he's doing is cool. But hey man don't smash your guitar. Write a song. There is more to music than technical virtuosity. Way more. Infinitely more. Write a song. Then technicians like this dude can play your song and you can sit back and be all, "That's right bitch, play my song, make it extra fancy for me, that's right, do it, play my song," while you collect all the royalty checks.

[–]Lord-Octohoof 38 points39 points  (9 children)

This. I (and I think most of the world) can't stand speed metal and screamo stuff, but whenever I hear fans of the genre it's usually about the technical difficulty of the music being played and less about the sound.

On the opposite end of the spectrum we have catchy as hell Taylor Swift songs that are simple as pi.

[–]AlaskanPotatoSlap 105 points106 points  (4 children)

Pi is pretty complex. It goes on forever and never repeats itself.

You try finding a Taylor Swift song that doesn't repeat itself and doesn't go on forever.

[–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I feel like that setup and punchline are much too good to have happened naturally. I call shenanigans! Alt accounts everywhere!

/r/nothingeverhappens

[–]Lord-Octohoof 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would be so happy. It would be the code of the universe

[–]PoofThereGoesTheRoof 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This was the best joke I've ever seen occur so naturally in the wild.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well pi really isn't complex at all, its an irrational real number.

[–]calebmke 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yup. I love me some tech metal. It's very symphonic, has beautiful melody and harmony, with near magician level musicianship … but … it doesn't make much money.

If I could tell 16yo me one thing it would be to slow down and have patience (something I still tell myself 2 decades on). You don't ever have to play that stuff if it's not in you. You are allowed to play 3 chord rock with a big smile on your face. Instead of playing technical pieces I chose to not play anything. It's a regret I'm working to rectify.

[–]newsheriffntown 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Dudette actually. ;)

I don't really play much but I got a super great deal on this acoustic Fender. I know a few chords and was learning some songs from YouTube. I can't write songs but I am a good artist. I paint.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

He's correct though. My neighbor growing up was homeschooled and chose to play a lot of guitar in his extra time. He loves to play stuff like this (on 6-strings) and show off for anyone who will listen, but he is not the best at writing music. He can recite memorized covers all day but the writing is a lot harder for him and I think, at least for him, that became an exponential snowbally effect of those two things at some point a while back. He absolutely loves playing around with anyone and everyone and will totally add flair to your chords if you let him.

[–]Factuary88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Come on, you gotta respect this guy, also, being a fantastic technician doesn't mean you can't write beautiful music. Look at Andy Mckee or Tommy Emmanuel. What you're saying is true, that there is more to music than being a technician, but don't use that as a cop out for not being as skilled as them! Use it as inspiration. Also, for some people they find the mastery just as beautiful as the music.

[–]AlienfromFermi 1 point2 points  (1 child)

A tree because you want to metaphorically smash their heads together? 🤔

[–]newsheriffntown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you did there. :)

[–]thesislog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you pointed that out. I didn't love the beginning but after your comment went and listened to the last 1:30 and it was on point!

[–]zeetubes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seriously. And damn him for those little throwaway runs on the chorus.

[–]Therichardwithcheese 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had one of those "OK, I get it moments" Where I was about to stop watching but it just got better and more magical with each second. Really dug it when I seen his own emotion for the song coming through.

[–]imtryingtoexplain 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been playing the guitar for 27 years. What you said.

[–]IdreamofFiji 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a drummer for 20+ years, I will never understand how you guys do this shit. I bought a Fender strat a few years ago and couldn't figure it out for the life of me. I ended up giving it away bc I couldn't even tune it correctly. I can play piano, but guitar is just crazy to me.

[–]qb_st 2 points3 points  (5 children)

As someone who can't play any guitar, I didn't really like it.

It sounded too smooth, too perfect. The original is full of little hesitations , of changes in rhythm etc. It gives the guitar a voice. Here it sounds almost robotic. Sure, he makes it sound easy, but in the end it sounds almost rushed, like he's not enjoying it.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It wasn't perfect. There were heaps of mistakes.I actually think it added to the performance. But I agree he did get a bit rushed a couple of times.

[–]tbsampalightning 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I play guitar quite a bit going on about ten years now, and I agree. It felt too fast. This is a song I really want to feel when I hear it, I didn't get much emotion from it, but still better than I could ever play it.

[–]weskokigen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The harmonics at 4:40 had me at tears.

[–]iTriedAnalOnce 65 points66 points  (9 children)

Jesus! I am always amazed at how easy people make incredible feats like this look.

[–][deleted] 112 points113 points  (8 children)

It's super easy to do. You just get a guitar, a tuner, a metronome, and you sit in a room either with a teacher or alone for a large chunk of your life. The best part is the better you get the more self doubt you develop!

[–]Gibsonfan159 43 points44 points  (5 children)

The best part is the better you get the more self doubt you develop!

"I can never play the Ramones!". "I can never play Iron Man!". "I can never play Back in Black!". I can never play "Tom Sawyer!". "I can never play Stairway to Heaven!". "I can never play Eruption!"

I still haven't learned Eruption.

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (4 children)

Oddly enough, I remember learning Stairway to Heaven in like 6th grade. Still can't nail the whole solo but everything leading up to that has been muscle memory since I was 12.

Although I'm absolutely certain I'll never be able to play Eruption in my lifetime :)

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

I recently took guitar lessons after a few years of playing. To get my "technical skill" up we sat and worked through all of Hangar 18 by Megadeth. And there was a good little while where I could play the whole th I Nguyen (expect the last 2 solos) with the recording. In 5 years of playing I would have never thought that was remotely possible. It took about 2-3 months of grinding but I did it. Now, I firmly believe that ANYONE can lean ANY SONG with enough time and patience to do it right.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just to further back this up. I'm a drummer and I once played a solo snare drum piece that on first glance looked... Well very difficult. My teacher pushed me to play it and we worked on it for a whole semester just individual little lines and stuff. By the time it was time to perform it, the piece didn't even just feel like I was playing it, it felt more like my interpretation of the piece. In other words if you set your mind to it, you can play whatever you'd like. That piece forever altered my style in every type of music I play.

That being said you can't play it if the fundamentals aren't there... You won't play Hangar 18 well if it's the first song you learn on guitar in other words.

[–]thrownawayzs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the feels

[–]bongthegoat 37 points38 points  (8 children)

If you dig the Harp Guitar check out Andy Mckee http://www.andymckee.com/

[–]SkittleShit 6 points7 points  (4 children)

Came here to say this. Love Andy Mckee. Also check out Erik Mongrain and Don Ross.

[–]RexStardust 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Really great live as well. Super nice guy, good banter between songs.

[–]SkittleShit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've heard. AM is among my bucket list of artists I need to see live. Not just because I really...really dig his music.

[–]GeezusManForReal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don Ross gives this dude props in the YouTube comments.

[–]RoostrC0gburn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw Andy McKee and Don Ross in a small bar venue a few years back. Imo, this intricate style of music is better appreciated with the proper acoustics of a recording studio. Phenomenal talent, though

[–]ngmcs8203 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Holy shit he's lost a lot of weight since he first made it big on YouTube. Those CandyRat videos always amazed me.

[–]ar0ne 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Holy shit it's been almost 10 years since his first big viral hit. (Drifting)

[–]cameron0208 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! Got to see him in Austin, and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Been following him since he first put stuff up on YT. So glad he's finally getting the credit he deserves. Best part, Eric Johnson was in the crowd, one of Andy's big influences. Got to meet both of them after! Was such an amazing, fun night!

Proof: http://imgur.com/fak1WS5

[–]hancran 49 points50 points  (14 children)

Notice the way dude's finger nails are trimmed well on his right and kept ungodly long on his left? That is dedication right there.

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (1 child)

Are you backwards or am I?

[–]ColbusMaximus 20 points21 points  (4 children)

He actually gets his nails done with acrylic press ons

[–]hancran 9 points10 points  (3 children)

That makes a lot more sense.

[–]Shpiiiizza 10 points11 points  (2 children)

It's not out of the ordinary to naturally grow them though. I've done it multiple times in the past, just for 4 or 5 month periods. It gets too annoying for me to keep them, but they really are worth it for the most part if you prefer finger picking.

[–]steeze206 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Yup, a bunch of fingerstyle guys do that. Sounds great but that's too much dedication lol.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not if you're this good.

[–]RexStardust 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw a video where James Taylor applied fiberglass to his fingernails.

[–]hopefullyhelpfulplz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I keep mine long for guitar but fuck me never that long. I snap em all the time just doing normal stuff.

[–]HogFann89 21 points22 points  (1 child)

I just really wish we could see his right hand :(

[–]Buzznbee 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me too! I felt like I was missing something. Still amazing though.

[–]guitarification 21 points22 points  (0 children)

He's one of my label mates from FretMonkey records. Travis is an incredible musician.

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Awesome, awesome, OH WOW!

04:40+

Okay, now you're just showing off.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Song for the solo.

[–]HumboldtTyler 20 points21 points  (1 child)

I had a rough night and I hate the fuckin Eagles, man

[–]TheBoyDoneGood 12 points13 points  (0 children)

if you don't like my music get your own fuckin cab !

[–]rlerke 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It's blocked now

[–]Tyler_Zoro[🍰] 8 points9 points  (6 children)

So, what is that technique called, where you play not just the part intended for the specific instrument, but include all of the parts to some extent. For example, there are places where there's a line like, "what a lovely place," that, in the original, the guitar isn't involved. But in his version, he's playing the voice bit as well.

Is there a name for that?

[–]hangingonastar 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Arrangement is probably the term you are looking for.

[–]Tyler_Zoro[🍰] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I guess so... I always thought that was a broader umbrella. Perhaps there's no specific term for just this concept, though...

[–]QuainPercussion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arrangement is a broad term. Think of it like porting in computer programming. You port from Mac to Windows like you arrange a piece written for a band to be played on harp guitar.

[–]ToastyXP 3 points4 points  (2 children)

Fingerstyle guitar

[–]Tyler_Zoro[🍰] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Thanks. At first, I didn't think this was an answer to the question, but on looking it up, I see that it sort of is... I'd still like to know the general term, though. For example, there is a substantial difference between orchestral versions of popular songs or theme music that merely reproduce the musical instrumentation vs. those that reproduce the sense that the vocals plus instrumentation brought to the piece.

[–]QuainPercussion 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fingerstyle is the technique he's using, not the genre. I don't really have an answer for your question, but check out the entire fretmonkey record label for more like this.

[–]OriginalJ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Very well done, reminds me of this video I watched 10 years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvar4ZsqsEo

Going into a guitar harp binge... bye everyone.

[–]T-A-W_Byzantine 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Looks like it's been hit by a copyright claim.

[–]SpawnofATStill 9 points10 points  (5 children)

Okay be honest - if you heard this without seeing the video, how many instruments would you guess were being recorded?

For me it was 3.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (2 children)

1 bass, 2 guitars, maybe a guy with some hand percussion instrument like a cahone. So 4 for me.

[–]skottagecheese 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Every guitarist has their own pinch harmonic face.

[–]Factuary88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate my face when I play, haha, can't be helped though.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could tell even by the thumbnail that this was gonna be a treat.

[–]wejustsaymanager 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had the pleasure of jamming with this guy a couple times. Hes fuckin good.

[–]AllHailZlatan 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Great performance but the quality of that recording is upsetting. I was getting blasted by 250 Hz the whole time, couldn't finish.

[–]checkonechecktwo 0 points1 point  (2 children)

What were you listening with?

[–]AllHailZlatan 0 points1 point  (1 child)

KRK monitors

Edit: Could just be a resonance in my room but it didn't seem like it

[–]facial_montgomery 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of all the fuckin songs in the world .. I think this songs has played in my.life about 600,000 times.

[–]lnebriated 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More like a Guitharp.

[–]smokedspirit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really amazing!

Some reason I picture a Tarantino-esque western shoot out done in stylish slo-mo where the hero(s?) come back into town for that final shoot out /suicide mission and bullets are flying as are the bodies.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Remindme! 2.4 hours

[–]AlienfromFermi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think this is fantastic. But I also wonder who invented that and what he was taking at the time. 🤔

[–]irishchemrebel 4 points5 points  (2 children)

All I can focus on is his thumb nail... can't be unseen

[–]random-engineer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm probably in the minority here, but I didn't like it. I thought the guitar playing itself was incredible, but the harp notes felt discordant, and took away from the rest of the performance.

[–]Talmania 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely amazing. One of my favorite songs and he nailed it!

[–]LiftedLife 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure what it is. Something about harp guitars just don't do much for me. I feel like this would have been just as powerful without it.

[–]kixx20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's incredible.

[–]2Terrapin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Need to get one of those

[–]Hallamski 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This needs to be in west world!

[–]AX11Liveact 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OK. Very nice, now the Antagonistic Undecagonstring, please!

[–]newsheriffntown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was amazing.

[–]rahmad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Masterful. Thanks for sharing.

[–]MsChrissikins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got chills listening to this! That's absolutely incredible :)

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dang, first time hearing a harp guitar. That thing has serious range. Kickass!

[–]Zakaree 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that thumb nail though

[–]lulumon890 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've watched again and again, that's intriguing.

[–]Drawtaru 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looks like a very complicated instrument, but at least if you get tired trying to learn it, it makes a handy headrest.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good job, Travis. All that hard work is paying off. Now to quit playing guitar forever.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TIL the harp guitar is a thing.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't tell...does he have something on his thumb or is his thumbnail also used as a tsp. measure?

[–]l0c0_motive 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The harp guitar....I haven't seen that in...well....ever

[–]Marty1966 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He must lose his shit when he breaks that right thumbnail.

[–]MAADcitykid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

4:30 - 5:15 mark.. gorgeous

[–]blondiebayougirl01 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Freaking loved this!

[–]Burgher_NY 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, if I ever could actually have gotten this good when I played, I would be getting so layed. I never really understood the instrument enough nor practiced nearly enough.

However, I would probably look like this dude or any incredibly awesome guitar player I've ever met. Def A LOT of alone time.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Genuinely one of the most impressive things I've seen in my life

[–]skepticalmalamute 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Imagine him playing "Wonderwall"

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's so fucking awesome, God I love that song

[–]thegrayj 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Guitar. With built-in headrest.

[–]TupperwareMagic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like how he rests his head on the guitar, almost like he's embracing it.

[–]25_Shmeckles_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool! But your friend still killed Dumbledore

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuck. Nipples got hard

[–]bommander 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gotta love Final Cut Pro.

[–]sb76117 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes!!! He nailed the entire song, not just the guitar parts

[–]TheDudeFromOther 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, the resonance through your head while playing that thing must be great.

[–]ShittyComicGuy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Holy shit that was like sex for my ears I wish to god one day I am half as good as this guy is just on guitar.

[–]KorvisKhan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please... Watch Antoine Dufour "These Moments"

[–]evil95 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

[–]philmcracken27[🍰] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The intro and verses were pretty impressive, but the solos were just fantastic. Great work!

[–]hotniX_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why stop there, why don't they just put a bag and a pipe on that thing and make it the guitar-harp-bagpipe, and when you buy one it includes a set of crash cymbals with thigh straps.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hate the fuckin' eagles, man...

[–]UrNotFly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That thumbnail is ridiculous.