I am not a beginner but for you players out there, this guy is the real deal. I’ve been following him for a while. Incredible guitarist, singer, and performer. Listen and learn. Thank you Carson.

I’m a 74 year old beginner. I took lessons for 3 months from a younger instructor that spent most of each lesson demonstrating how easy it was for him to play without understanding that I was certainly not at his level. Thanks for a video that I really needed! I’m going to try again.

@danieli.9252

3 ай бұрын

I think it’s easy for people to lose the beginner’s mindset as they progress in any field, but it’s critical for teachers to hold onto it in order to communicate with their students.

@annajones1426

3 ай бұрын

If you are looking for great online teachers try Justin guitars or Lauren Bateman

@cameronfoy3662

3 ай бұрын

Please try again! I am 29 and I started 5 years ago. My whole life I heard that it was “too late to start”. I know, I’m rolling my eyes right now, too, but even at 24 I heard that from others. I’m so glad I started playing. In 5 years I made more progress than I ever thought was attainable. It turns out that the people who say “it’s too late” are people who don’t play at all! A guitarist, or any hobbyist really, would never tell you that! The only people who tell you that are the suckers who have already convinced themselves! @chuckk212, please go pick up your guitar. There is only one YOU. You do not have to be Jimi Hendrix or SRV because there is also only one of THEM, respectively. Just go be YOU and embrace the learning! It’s worth it.

@wetawatcher

3 ай бұрын

Onya dude!😎

We're all familiar with and love Carson's singing voice but his speaking voice is so remarkably smooth and soothing. Also,I miss "The Other Favorites". Carson and Josh together are very very special and magical.

@zzzaphod8507

3 ай бұрын

I agree with you. Seems like Allison is Josh's other favorite at the moment, so to speak.

Now this is true guitar teaching I will be sharing this, this is Gold.

Hi Carson, I’ve tried to learn guitar 300 times, but you know what? You’ve inspired me to try again 🙏 thank you!

I started playing when I was 13, I'm now 64. The only advice I can give is practice. I enjoy your video's and try not to miss any.

Really enjoy your music. Headed to retirement and picking up the guitar for the first time in 50+ years. Appreciate your comments.

You have beautifully described the journey I have been on for about a year now. My mantra has become, "Break it down, slow it down. " (Break new things down into bite size chunks, and then go through them very slowly until the neural connections form.) I would be so grateful if you could break down your incredibly beautiful arrangement for Hickory Wind one day.

Carson I am 62, self taught and I enjoyed this lesson. I play this song and appreciate the extras that I was not doing. Thanks for your video. I love all your videos.

Hello from NC Carson! I am 67 years young and really admire your work and appreciate you providing material for us beginners! Thank you Carson!

I enjoy your lessons. Although they are beginner level, I can appreciate the way you take it to the next level using different chord variations , and bringing them together to dance to the same song. Like what you do Carson , keep it up.

Hey Carson, not sure if you’re taking tutorial requests now, but I would love to see a lesson on your version of Stuff That Works by Guy Clark. Always liked that one. I’m enjoying your lesson videos by the way, keep up the great work!

@TheRon0mac

3 ай бұрын

Yes @Carson McKee, that would be great! Thanks for suggesting it @LoopcrateAudio!

Thanks so much for this Carson! It’s nice to see you doing this content regularly. You support your supporters not only singing and destressing us! 🥰

As a subscriber and fan, Carson, I cannot wait to share you with my daughter and grandson. Kayla brought her Martin over yesterday and we played everything we remembered from her youth and some songs we've both discovered. I'm an injury that was forced to drop my guitar and pick-up harmonica in 1980. Kayla started lessons at age twelve and was blessed to have a Brazilian Classical guitar professional for a teacher (four years). Colin, our eleven-year-old grandson is starting guitar and will benefit greatly in watching you in this video and hopefully more. Thanks!

Thanks Carson! Feels like I've been watching you forever, and then you pull out some super young footage LOL! Thanks for the encouragement from a new-ish guitar player

@carsonmckeemusic

3 ай бұрын

My Dad has a wealth of camcorder footage I could probably find a home for here, hah. And sure thing!

Knockin' on Heaven's Door is one of the earliest songs I practiced when I started learning the guitar during the pandemic. What you said, Carson, about the progress being very elusive is so true. In fact I wrote a parody about it (apologies to Bob Dylan): Mama, take the guitar from me I cannot progress any more ' Been practicing every day and night But still suck at C to G chord Mama, put the guitar on the ground My fingers hurt, n' my wrists really sore Looking at the tabs in front of me Feel like I want to roll on the floor Knock, knock, knock on guitar heaven's door... It is about changing from C to the four-finger G chord. But looking back now, about 3 years later, I really feel good about the how far I have traveled in this journey, even though at this intermediate stage, trying to learn fingerstyle, I often feel plateaued, frustrated at the slow progress. But I will carry on, and there are some many songs waiting for me to learn. I enjoy every one of your Bob Dylan covers! Keep them coming!

What a beautifully awesome and honest person, gotta love him 🥰 I was playing the cornet, at age 12 I had got to English grade 4, then puberty hit and I failed my grade 5 exam twice, girls and football and my mum forcing Sunday school for my confirmation not withstanding.

You, sir are excellent and exceptional. I’m 72, finally getting serious about my playing. You are special helping me on this quest.

Great stuff! I’ve been playing for over 40 years and this is the lesson that we all needed!

Great advice. Carson. I agree with your muscle memory comments. I encourage absolute beginners to focus on having their fingers in the correct location and not worry about the delay in chord changes; the speed will come later! Keeping at it pays off!

This was beautifully done, Carson. Do you give lessons? You could teach kids. Your calm easy, step by step approach and your words of encouragement and explanation along the way would be perfect.

Thanks for this, Carson! I’d love to hear your advice for new singers, and if there you have different advice for them.

I regret that I did not learn to play any "finger picking" style when I was younger. I simply could not figure it out just by listening, and I never came across any books to teach me in the Finnish countryside where I grew up. Now I´m 68, and I have all but given up playing guitar. But listening to you I get inspired, should I try again, now that there is so much information readily available. Greetings from Sweden.

@bathroomjon1

3 ай бұрын

Yes, definitely yes - good luck from Jon in the Uk 😊

@drewheyman7173

Ай бұрын

I could not finger pick until l got the right guitar. It took me 50 years to find that out.

Nice one Carson, Live Forever by Oasis has same chord progression so two for the price of one. Very good lesson 👍

Really useful, Carson. Hope you do more of this.

Hi Carson. I enjoy watching you sing and play as well as the others who sometimes join you! Such fun and personality! Believe it or not, I often get ideas for songs I want to add to my shows at senior facilities :) Keep on doing what you're doing!

I like your music, especially the oldies. I’ve been playing for 50 years, still learning.

It's encouraging to know the brain is recording/learning everything even when I'm not playing. That's helpful to know. I love your performances but would love to see more of your lesson/tips. You are the guy I hope to play like some day. Thanks!

Georgeous! You brought in some really enlightening thoughts on learning guitar. But not only guitar - I think your way of thinking about progress, about when learning really happens, falling asleep, away from your instrument doing other things, relaxed. Those thoughts are essential for learning any instrument. In my opinion for „learning“ in general. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

I get amazed sometimes as I work and work and work on getting something to sound right and it never does..... until suddenly , one day, the darn thing comes off my fingers just the way I am hoping to hear it. Do the repetition and do it until the breakthrough hits you.

Practice...(PROGRESS) It takes work. You want to become good you must put in the time. You want to become great you do the same thing. Set whatever instrument you pick up or can't pick up (Piano) to be player friendly. Carson can help you with that. Go with sum medium light strings. Fingers will get sore. Once you get past that you need to keep them tough. After that....PRACTICE... then time will become your friend. What's always amazed me is if you put in 2 hours of practice and you get tired and frustrated (Crushing Weight) then you pick it back up the next day and you go wow...I have made some progress...(McKee is right again) If its important you will find a way, if not you will find an excuse....Great Clip

Im a 74 yr old beginner for 15 years now. Progress is slow but love music and the feeling of being able to learn something new at my age. Took lessons when i started with an amazing teacher. He moved out of town and have been mostly learning on my own ever since. These video lessons are great as they can be played and followed along with as much as you need until you get it down...just stick with it, dont beat yourself up when it feels like its taking forever. Its the journey right? Im having the time if my life now, finally. Thank you Carson, and keep em coming. This old timer really appreciates what your're doing.

Carson, while I am far beyond a beginner, I watched this video because I really like what you do musically and because you should always take the opportunity to learn from others. I do agree with your assessment about giving your brain a chance to process what you are learning. I find that when you get frustrated learning a song's chord progression, lyrics or chord changes, it is sometimes best to just walk away from the song for a few days and then go back to it. When I do this and go back to the song, it always seems I am much better at playing and singing it. I do enjoy all of your videos, keep up the good work!

So good - thank you for sharing what helps us all, Carson!

So Carson, this was a great video. I have played forever, but still learned some things here. Your teaching is superb and relaxed, but also very thorough with reasons clearly shown and variations thrown in. I think you are really onto something here. I will look forward to lots of instructional videos from you in the future! I suspect you don't know how good you are at this and how pleasant your teaching is, just like you were here in the room with us. Home run. (from one of your patrons...)

Nice lesson. I loved your cover of 'If I Could Only Fly'. How about a lesson on that?

Thanks Carson....you are a gifted teacher! In addition to being an incredible vocalist and a solid guitar player.

Sounds Zen and mildly painless, thank you.

I've been learning a lot just watching your covers but if you start making tutorials? Awesome!

I’m a 64 year-old confident beginner with a YT channel. Thanks, this is solid advice. I’m fortunate that practicing seems fun to me now. I’m more of a songwriter than a performer. I feel like I do the best with the skills I have.

Nice teaching, thank you and greetings from the Nederlands.

You are a talented singer / player and I assume songwriter I really enjoyed the videos you made with Josh Tuner and others Thank for the pep talk ! God Bless you Joseph

Carson PLEASE keep putting these videos out! I’m an Old guy starting out playing and love your teaching, and of course your singing and playing talent😊

Great tutorial Carson! - I have this song on my channel. Also recently added a "play around" version of it that my brother and I did. He passed away in 2022. I appreciate your music and these tutorials! I know some of the tricks you showed us here, but have not incorporated all of them in this song. May try it! Thank you!

I've been looking to get back into guitar after two yrs of not really playing at all. Found this video really engaging and *fingers crossed* can see myself coming back to it often in the next few weeks :) Thank You, Carson.

This is a great lesson Carson! And you have some of the most expressive eye brows on the web!

@carsonmckeemusic

3 ай бұрын

Thank you…and man, I am always surprised when I look back at the footage and see them in action 😂

Really great, thank you. Mastered the first bit… now doing battle with the harder version with the twiddly bits! Thank you for taking the time to do this

Thank you.

Hi Carson, still enjoying everything you play and sing 👍. Can you give us all a video on your voice rig sometime please? Your vocal set-up looks superb. I have no clue how to make my old voice sound better. Keep up the great work👏🏻👏🏻

Great advice, thank you.

Thankh you, Carson! That was a great lesson and you are a great teacher! I am myself a beginner guitar player and I'll give it a try! ❤

Just tremendous! I’ve been playing for a decade. Started self taught in my late 50’s. I have enjoyed following you since your early teens. I love the video of you doing this song as the mantle clock chimes at the end of the song. Thank you for doing these lessons please don’t stop, also love you showing the chord variations

Carson thanks so much on showing us how to play songs so simple and the difference of moving to different chords.

Great information

I'm not a beginner either but what a pleasure to discover new simple tricks that sound so great explained by you. Looking forward for new stuffs again! Cheers!

Dear Carson, when I started playing the guitar 50 years ago, it didn't take me long until I could play the chords to Knockin on Heavens Door, Mr Tamborine Man, or the Boxer.. But to this day I have never learned to sing as beautifully as you.

This was the first song I learned almost seven years ago now. I remember spending evening after evening on the sofa making a c chord over and over. I feel like the progress as a beginner is almost exponential. Ones you got a couple of open chords down and can switch between them relatively smoothly you have built up the dexterity you need to progress even faster! It’s all about patience. Getting through those first couple of weeks or months of burning fingertips.

Do not doubt your teaching skills at all. This is an excellent tutorial… and I am a retired educator. I am a musician of other instruments but recently picked up the guitar. I use your covers to choose and learn pieces to perform… keep them coming 😉. I live in Salisbury, NC😉

Thank you Carson. It was nice that you let us in on a little bit of your personality (OCD), and I'm going to be working to copy the way you played this song at the end of the video. I enjoy everything I've heard you do. Please keep playing and singing. Thanks !

This is brilliant Carson keep the lessons coming

Hi Carson, thanks for the lessons. I’m hoping you may do a lesson on how you think/do strumming. A lightbulb went on with me in your brief description of how you approach this. I’m an advanced beginner and thought I appreciate the d-d-du-du approach but I experimented with what you were doing and had a oooh I see!

This was so great! Can’t wait to dig into this song.

Thank you. Very encouraging.

Good coaching and excellent instruction....thanks for all of that!

I started to learn guitar at over 40. There are no shortcuts just need determination practice and time invested . I have played every day for the last 23 years and have a level of competence that I am happy with. Also be clear on what you want to achieve. In my case it was to pick or strum an acoustic guitar to sing songs over. If you want to play screeching elecric guitar solos in a band setting you would probably concentrate more on different aspects of the instruments potential

Very cool lesson. Very approachable for the beginner. I dig it!

You’re a wonderful teacher Carson! I already learned this song on guitar long ago but stuck around to virtually jam with you at the end and learned some new tricks I could implement, love this style of content too!

This was great! You teach as well as you sing!

it is very kind of you to make a lesson for beginner guitar . the bluegrass notes are all new and sound interesting to use. Thank You

I enjoy your teaching style. Thanks for the lesson

I am now going to play this song! (A good way to train that stubborn pinky)

Great tutorial man! I have been playing guitar for a couple decades now, but I still enjoyed and discovered some new chords! Those bluegrass G and C sound beautiful man

This a very useful and well done, well explained lesson. Thank you very much.

Very nice - not a beginner but still got some new ideas from you

Nice lesson, Thank you .... waiting for the vocal lesson now 🙂

@carsonmckeemusic

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!! That’s a little tougher…I should probably take voice lessons myself to make sure my technique preserves the ole’ vocal cords for years to come!

Love it. Thanks Carson😊

Great lesson Carson thank you, you put it across very well

So great that you take the time to share your knowledge as well a talent.

This is a great lesson! I've only just started with a crappy guitar i got from the target clearance rack and its great to have another song i can fool around with as im learning. Im definitely gonna be trying to nail those chord variations because they make it sound amazing. One thing i really struggle with currently is keeping my strumming pattern consistent while singing. My hand desperately wants to follow along with the words and im having a hard time separating the tasks. Is there anything i can do to help with that or is that just something that comes with time and practice?

Thank you Carson!

Carson, you got soul and class my friend! Great lesson, thank you! 😊

Really excellent video. You got a new subscriber. Looking forward to more videos.

Fantastic tutorial Carson! 👍

Thanks Carson!

Good man Carson, appreciate you bro.

Love the shirt 🦎 And also the whole tutorial. A little bit of rain by Fred Neil is also a great song to start playing the guitar!

Awesome Carson. More of this please. Love it.

Another thing is don't be discouraged by others not being as excited or impressed by your small progress, they probably don't understand the challenges of learning an instrument.

great job sir. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience! .

Great teaching skills!

That was very sweet of you 😊😊😊.

Brilliant. Thank you so much Carson

You right, the first song a learned was knocking havens door

We need more of this, nice work!

Gee, thanks Carson!

Great lesson

Great lessons Carson! Could you give the count for the strum pattern in numbers as well as down ups? I have trouble understanding the timing with the up downs🤷. Nice teaching style loved the more advanced options too!

Love this content Carson.

I've followed you performing on KZread for years now but this is the first time I've ever seen you teach a lesson. First of all very nice job. Complete and clear with just the right amount of information to not overwhelm a beginner. Second that parlor guitar just sounds fantastic. It's as clear as a bell and nicely balanced. Couldn't see from the video what it was because the tuner was blocking the logo. Could you share the manufacturer?

@carsonmckeemusic

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!! I don’t do tutorials often but I’m toying with the idea of making more. The guitar is a Martin 000-17SM! They made them for a few years in the 2010s. 12-fret, spruce top and mahogany back and sides.

@Sellarmusic

3 ай бұрын

@@carsonmckeemusic I think you should definitely continue the lessons. I've played guitar for years but it would have been great to have someone showing me exactly the type of things you just taught. Simple chord progressions and chord inversions that sound interesting draw you in and make you want to learn more. When I was young I took lessons but never once was I taught about chord inversions, the caged system, or even the simple fact that you can just play a portion of the chord. Teach the stuff that you think sounds cool and give the beginners the info that will keep them playing for life.

I’m just a minute in and wanted to say a couple of things: sorry about the OCD - I think I have a mild case of it, and I have gotten in the habit of saying “The oven is off,” or, “The door is locked,” out loud, even when I’m alone. And about the KZreadrs who try to sell you on the idea that this one secret will unlock the fretboard, or make soloing so easy, or whatever, there is no shortcut. I’m slowly learning guitar and I just keep solidifying my foundation over and over, while trying to add new skills. I’m not good, but I’m better than I used to be.