Any guitar players who like James Taylor?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I'm a little ashamed to admit this. But having learned my guitar chops from Van Halen and Eric Johnson albums, I'm totally stumped by James Taylor's stuff. Somehow his music has really touched me and I bought one of his TAB books. I am stumped! Finger picking acoustic stuff is one of the only things that ever came naturally for me and I cannot make any of his stuff sound recognizeable. Yes, I use a capo and still have no idea what the trick is. Is there some secret? I'm watching one of his concerts on tv right now and can't figure it out.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

No picker, but a big fan here. I even remember when he had hair. He has a couple of excellent performances out on DVD.

speeder · 10-06-2006, 09:05 PM

Also not a musician, but JT is an amazing artist. One of the greats, IMO.

Howard Agency · 10-06-2006, 09:49 PM

A particular song you have in mind? No pro, but try me.

DentShop · 10-06-2006, 09:52 PM

I am not much of a musician but I like his music, nothing in particularly just his style.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Howard Agency
A particular song you have in mind? No pro, but try me.

Something In the Way She Moves and You've Got a Friend.

scottmandue · 10-07-2006, 09:05 AM

Long time fan and James is one of the best (saw him at the Greek theater).

I'm a bass player and I also fool around on guitar, I learned some Arlo Guthrie finger picking many moons ago.

Start with one small section and play it really really slow until you get it then speed it up gradually... then move on to another section... then piece that song together... at least I think that is how I did it. Helps allot if you have a friend or teacher that will play the song for you so you can watch what is going on up close.
YMMV

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

If you've never done fingerstyle, be prepared for a lot of frustration. I started playing when I was 8, and in my early teens was doing a lot of fingerstyle folk and bluegrass. Probably your biggest problem will be your thumb when you need to alternate on the wound strings.

The transition from fingerstyle to flatpick is easier than the other way around. But it can be done...

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

As you know, guitar playing (or any other instrument for that matter) is about 75% Physical, 20% Mental and the other 5% is what seperates the great players via their inspiration.

My recommendation is to do lots of excercises with your right hand, promoting finger-independance, such as alternating picking between right hand fingers, practicing flamenco strumming techniques, trilling etc. Its not easy, particularly trying to learn those techniques on a standard acoustic guitar.... its easier to practice these on a wider necked classical.

JT doesnt use many of those techniques in his songs....however if you become very proficient technically in these techniques in an advanced way, you will find JTs stuff to be rather easy to play.

Its similar to you being able to play EVH or Eric Johnson, which requre specfic speed flat picking techniques and left hand dexterity... because you know these things, something like Jimmy Page would be rather easy for the most part.

To develop your left hand, my recommendation is to practice playing "odd" shaped jazz chords. There is a great book called the George M. Smith guitar method, which takes the player through many jazz chord melody progressions... another great series of books is by Ted Greene.

Again, JTaylor doesnt play much chord-melody and not much jazzy, however by developing your advanced left hand technique with jazz chords, combined with your advanced right hand techniques.....you will find (in about 1 year) that JTs stuff is rather basic, with great subtle nuances of course.