Mark, I met Brian May in 1993/94 and personally handed him a CD/Album from my band Menking while he was touring after Freddie's death. The third song is Her Majesty a tribute to Queen. He wrote me back personally 6 months later and I still have the letter. He was so kind. And, my first concert was Queen with Thin Lizzy opening in Dallas in 1977. Later the drummer from my band Dan W. went on to play with LeAnn Rimes and tour and finished with Peter Frampton during his last 8 years of touring. I still play and of course watch your videos as I enjoy the guitar daily. Thanks)

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Wow, that's an amazing story. Glad to hear he lives up to his reputation as a good human being.

@jeffrowlette

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing that!!!! How cool!!!!!

@theyoungupstarts1243

Ай бұрын

Right on, Keith!

Not only is Brian a fantastic guitarist but a really nice man, I've met him twice and he always has the ability to make you feel that the question he's just been asked is the first time he's ever heard it. A well deserved video Mark, thank you.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thanks! I've never met him, but would love to someday.

There is a lot more to it. His guitar was short scale (24") and he used really light gauge strings (08's) for years (I think he uses 09's now, but that is still quite light on a 24" scale). This makes for a really slinky feel and makes bends and deep vibrato really easy. If you listen to his rhythm work, he was completely locked in. But on his solos, he played pretty free and easy with timing. Always ending at the right spot, but often using a "non-intuitive" approach to get there. Even in the BoRhap example you used - its not just 16th notes. They slightly speed up and slow down in a very unpredictable and fluid way (I think the technical term for this is Tempo Rubato). This is an important, and frequently used characteristic of his solos that makes his voice so unique.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

The rubato you speak of I talk about at the end of the video.

Of course, being an astrophysicist, Brian May's musicianship is out of this world. (Too easy? Sure.) I've always loved his skill and his unique style and tone. You can always identify a Brian May solo.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

LOL! Being a physicist myself (past life), I always liked that aspect of Brian as well.

Fantastic picks Mark!! Remarkable guitar player... unforgettable signature sound! 👏👏👏👋🖤🦋🖤👍

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more! Love Brian's playing.

The first song I remember, tie your mother down was awesome

@caryheuchert

Ай бұрын

Great opening riff on that one.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Awesome riff on that one for sure!

@davekogut8511

Ай бұрын

I think on Don Kirschner's Rock Concert! First time I saw/heard them and that was the song. Still one of my favorite Queen songs and I LOVE the opening riff!

Michael Schenker, Leslie West and a bit of Brian, aka Bohemian for me. 🙂

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Interesting collection of players!

Still have Brian's star licks tape from the 80s. Its awesome

Nice video Mark, I have been a fan of Brian's since the earliest days in the 70's, he is a phrasing artist to put it mildly.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes, amazing phrasing!

Great lesson…Thanks!

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

I really got something from this Mark...thanks again!

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

You did that Brighton Rock lick exactly like the video. I don't so much mean the playing... I mean, when you played it and then said, "And now, slowly." Brought back some fond memories. I love that video, and I think the introduction to Death On Two Legs is what started my lifelong love of Brian's playing. I was really disappointed when it wasn't on the video, but the solos in there are must haves for a Queen fan. ✌️🇦🇺

@castleanthrax1833

Ай бұрын

I just thought I'd let you know that when I tried the link to the triads you mentioned, my phone advised me that it was a potentially malicious site and to avoid it. I'm certainly not implying that you have created anything malicious, but I thought I'd just let you know. Were these triads included in the tabs I downloaded (in the Smoke On The Water #shorts), or are they in addition to those?

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

That's funny. It must've rubbed off on me, the way he said that in the video.

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day Mark ❤😊

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thank you! You too!

Great video !!!!

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

Did you know that Brian May plays not with a traditional pick but he has always used a small thin english coin to pick his guitar. Thats one of his secrets. When he found out they were going to discontinue making it he bought a sack full of them. He also uses a phased stereo rig for his amps to get that unique sound and his pickups were custom wound by him when he and his dad made his guitar. He also has special effects switches built into the body for the pickups. His guitar is different than the ones they now sell in guitar shops keeping his as unique and original as possible but he also has a couple of them.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

He uses a sixpence. Similar to a US nickel.

Great! I like your hair, Marcos. it has the same color as mine one... Un Saludo.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Yes, it's my natural color ... today! (Just how Brian May does it today too!)

Good evening mark,just wandering if you investigated the intro into Gregg Allman, with his on band doing acoustic guitar, midnight rider, but at any rate appreciate all you do.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

I have not had the chance to do so. Sorry

@kbradford2270

Ай бұрын

@@MarkZabel I understand you're a busy busy man and again.Appreciate everything you do mark

Great insight to a iconic Guitarist , Would it be possible for me to ask for a request to look at a 1980s song called Will You . By Hazel O Connor . within this song is a amazing sax progression that i would like you to transcribe into a guitar Solo,.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thanks Keith! Interesting suggestion. I'll give it a listen.

This video is at least two days late - it’s June now! 👻 Love your lessons and style, and that you read and reply to comments. =L \__

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

LOL! Thanks man! You had me there for a moment. I was thinking, "Okay Mr. Smart Guy ..."

I had heard a story that brian may and his father built his first guitar, Do you know anything about this?Thanks mark love you video brother

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes, they made his guitar - the only guitar he used for a long, long time.

That's what I do not learn it lick by lick get the general initial feeling and then add my own part in the lick.

Hendrix on keep yourself alive

Get back Joe, lol

Doing a clip with a paul reed fucken smith - you out of your mind? omg!

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

I was thinking about doing it with a bucket and mop, but figured, "What the hell, I'll use a guitar instead."

@christianhebditch

Ай бұрын

@@MarkZabelthat’s such a great answer ,Mark! You’re awesome bro! Love Brian May. I just bought a Foxx Tone Phaser (1970)! One of Brian Mays Tone secrets! Any way much like Brian May Mark you’re always an inspiration!

I get really sick and tired of these click bait titles. There's no "secrets" and I'm not about to become a genius player by learning a few "tricks". No matter how good the content is, at some point I will stop viewing the channel.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Feel free to stop. No one is forcing you to do anything you don't want to do.

@Steve.Dennis

Ай бұрын

@@MarkZabel That's not the point, my friend. I'm suggesting that a simple descriptive title is more honest and is likely to gain you better results long term. Trust your content, which is good! Without exception, channels I stick with I reward financially at some point with purchases.

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

@@Steve.Dennis Okay.

I mark why do you have trump cutting into your video Begging money when you’re teaching the crew guitar lessons for. ?😮 it’s not good???

@MarkZabel

Ай бұрын

Dwain - YOU have him cutting in, not me. The ads are different for everyone and tailored to individuals. I have nothing to do with ad selection. GoogleAds has determined that's what you will respond to.

@Dreyno

Ай бұрын

KZread is seriously biased to the right. I’m pretty middle of the road, lean a bit left I suppose. My feed is absolutely full of right wing propagandists and grifters. I’ve sometimes inadvertently clicked on lots of really quite disgusting stuff at times. No matter how diligent I am in deleting stuff I find repellent from my watch history and no matter how many channels pushing lies and hate, I keep getting more.