Copy Nick Drake With These 5 Easy Steps ★ Acoustic Tuesday 173

Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль

Put your listening skills to the test in this step-by-step guide to emulating Nick Drake's tone and style! After this video, you'll have the tools you need to play in Nick Drake's style!
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Before I go any further, I want to thank ‪@joshturner_etc‬for his incredible video on Nick Drake's tone and style. You can watch his video here: • Nick Drake's Tone - An...
In addition, the ‪@VinylRewind‬episode on Nick Drake provided tons of useful information about Nick's life and recordings, which helped make this video. You can find that episode here: • Who Was Nick Drake - A...
Besides chatting about the 5 steps to replicate Nick Drake's iconic tone and style, you'll have the chance to hear about one of the incredible transformations that is happening inside the Tony's Acoustic Challenge community.
This week, you'll hear from Brandon K., a guitar geek that used the power of reflection and evaluation to get excited about his progress and process in TAC.
Finally, I have my acoustic guitar news you can use! This week, you'll hear about developments with‪@deadhorseswi‬as well as Iris Guitars and Guild Guitars.
#NickDrake #NickDrakeLesson
00:00 - Intro
02:06 - Step 1: Gear
04:47 - Step 2: Picking Hand Technique
06:39 - Step 3: Embrace Alternate Tunings
07:52 - Step 4: Composition
10:33 - Step 5: "X" Factor?
13:26 - TAC Family Story
17:40 - Guitarsenals & Comments
23:31 - Acoustic Guitar News

Пікірлер: 172

  • @robertnewell5057
    @robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын

    Update to my last post. I asked an old friend of mine who is a big Nick Drake fan and also a guitar geek, introduced me to his music back in the 70s, and he said: 'I saw him twice. First time was at Essex Uni where he was the support for Fotheringay (Sandy Denny's band after Fairport - my added comment). He was playing a large body Martin tho I can’t reliably say which model. Second time was at Les Cousins where he was “sort of” support for John Martyn (they alternated sets into the very late night/early morning). He was playing a (“the”?) Guild M20. I know this because I and several others asked him about it as it was unusual to see a “brown “ guitar (I think it was the first time I’d seen a mahogany guitar). He said it was borrowed and that he’d have to “give it back soon “.' So there you go. From the horse's mouth.

  • @danieldufeu7375
    @danieldufeu73753 жыл бұрын

    Hello Tony. Many thanks for the Nick Drake analysis. As a 64 year old Brit I was lucky enough to discover Nicks music back in1973 via the tune “Solid Air” which as many will know was written for Nick by another fantastic guitarist and singer song writer -John Martyn. He’s well worth checking out and worthy of an exploration - great percussive acoustic style. One of my favourite Drake tunes is “ Time has told me” its in standard tuning but has really interesting chord voicing sand the singing has that counter melody thing mentioned in the video.. For anyone wanting to really push their acoustic playing I would also suggest exploring Bert Jansch. Neil Young is a huge fan and describes Jansch as“the real deal” and being “ to the acoustic guitar sort of like Hendrix is with the electric” - high praise in deed!;.

  • @IamClapham

    @IamClapham

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tony, just endorsing Daniel's comment here. I was going to recommend John Martyn's song for Nick Drake "Solid Air" but Daniel beat me to it. Do check it out if you haven't already.

  • @stanby2712
    @stanby27123 жыл бұрын

    A couple of thingsTony First, re the Bryter Layter cover photo with the Guild M20. There are plenty of contemporaneous witness accounts that it was just there for the photo shoot and not used on the album However, I saw him play an all nighter supporting John Martyn at Les Cousins ( London club) a couple of months before the album was released. He was playing a (the?) Guild M20 ( I was into guitars even way back then). He did say that it was borrowed and that he’d have to “give it back soon”. So even though he didn’t own it, he did play it for a substantial period. Just a little piece of guitar history trivia. Secondly, for an extraordinary insight into the origin on his unique style of writing and vocal phrasing, check out (if you haven’t already) the songs of Molly Drake (his mum). The experience is really quite eerily uncanny. See what you think Regards

  • @TheDipasqua

    @TheDipasqua

    3 жыл бұрын

    This is an amazing story. I would love to hear more about that night!

  • @andyshriner5443

    @andyshriner5443

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's awesome! Thank you for sharing this.

  • @nieshamae

    @nieshamae

    2 жыл бұрын

    I've been fan of Nick for almost a year now. Thanks for sharing your story.

  • @YourLovelyMan
    @YourLovelyMan3 жыл бұрын

    I've been a fan of Nick Drake for over 20 years - favorite tune for guitar work is definitely 3 Hours, esp the breakdown. But everything he did was phenomenal. Thanks for putting this video together, it was a great rundown for a great guitarist.

  • @JonDSpeer
    @JonDSpeer3 жыл бұрын

    Tony - Acoustic Tuesday has become part of my weekly ritual. THANK YOU! I always pick up a few tips and pointers, discover artists, and just enjoy the show. Thank you this week for reminding me about Nick Drake. Definitely going to dive into his music and sound more in depth.

  • @WickedIndigo
    @WickedIndigoАй бұрын

    “Parasite” is easily my favorite Nick Drake song. The intro chromatic descending melody buried under the rest of the harmony is eerily beautiful. The lyrics are some that I can relate to and feel more so than almost any other song I’ve ever heard.

  • @leonardoneves7450
    @leonardoneves74502 жыл бұрын

    I discovered his work just a day ago. Mesmerizing is the least I can say about his songs. Thank you for your insight. Awesome video.

  • @cph630
    @cph6303 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for featuring my Guitarsenal! This is Christopher H. TAC member since December 2020. I played the double neck on the New Year’s Eve VOM and the fellow guitar geeks liked hearing it. I played the A Pirate Looks at 40 on the 12 string in open G.

  • @FrankBirtwistle
    @FrankBirtwistle3 жыл бұрын

    Pink Moon is one of my favourite albums of all time. He's been a huge influence on my playing/writing...both solo and in my duo. Yes, a great point about not giving up - I have a lot of low points myself due to hardly any audience for my music. My favourite track - Fruit Tree. Great video. x

  • @keithwoznek3429
    @keithwoznek34293 жыл бұрын

    Great job Tony! I have watched you for a couple of years but my first time commenting. You have taught me a lot about guitars. I’m in my 70’s and started playing an acoustic last February. I borrowed a Fender acoustic from my daughter. I purchased my first new acoustic guitar based on a recommendation from your video about starter guitars. I purchased a Seagull S6. I love the sound. Keep inspiring us, thanks.

  • @mwj5368
    @mwj5368 Жыл бұрын

    Wow! You're right on with Nick Drake and such a cogent and lucid treatise! Thanks for sharing your talent and knowledge!

  • @vwbeetle72jellybeen
    @vwbeetle72jellybeen3 жыл бұрын

    I love Nathaniel‘s series! He‘s so laid back in his conversational approach! Very easy to listen to!

  • @tonyajohnson7948
    @tonyajohnson79482 жыл бұрын

    A long time fan. I love all of Nick’s work. “Things behind the Sun” is a huge favorite of mine. Nick’s music always takes me to a place where I need to be… Free…

  • @alfredbennett1183
    @alfredbennett11833 жыл бұрын

    Brandon is awesome. I just joined tac at the beginning of the month. This guy has a great sense of humor. It's awesome to hear his story here

  • @adamsacousticarsenal6573

    @adamsacousticarsenal6573

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agreed! A good, witty person makes all things better. :)

  • @ryansutter4291
    @ryansutter42913 жыл бұрын

    Ive listened to "Road" a million times from the album.....at first when I heard you play the Martin single O, I was sure that was gonna be the one, but the MOMENT you started playing the Santa Cruz I immediately felt as though THAT tone, whatever THAT was causing it, was closer to his album version...

  • @trojanlorrie

    @trojanlorrie

    3 жыл бұрын

    I agree the Santa Cruz sounds closer. That makes me think he actually recorded with his Martin Copy the Levin Dreadnaught.

  • @markstrain8989
    @markstrain89893 жыл бұрын

    Awesome show, Tony. Many Thanks for the reminder and rekindling my dormant, for much too long, interest in Nick Drake's music.

  • @chrispestana8991
    @chrispestana89913 жыл бұрын

    I love your comment about pushing forward even when that little voice is telling you "this is no good". It is soooooo TRUE! One thing leads to another; Keep Going!

  • @michaelimhof488
    @michaelimhof4883 жыл бұрын

    I came to "five leaves left" through the book "a long way down" by Nick Hornby, which I had to read for school 12 years ago. Fell in love with the music immediately. Remains one of my all time favorite albums with a melancholic beauty unmatched.

  • @markstrain8989

    @markstrain8989

    3 жыл бұрын

    Got to get that book...

  • @Jess_Jones
    @Jess_Jones3 жыл бұрын

    When I was in my early twenties I wanted a guild because of Nick Drake. He did what I wanted to do. Write songs and play them for people with my guitars. Huge inspiration for me personally. Tony, great job on “Road” that was nice to see

  • @Artytype1
    @Artytype13 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tony. What a great unappreciated talent Nick Drake is. Really enjoyed that you focused on this great artist. Also appreciate that you are so genuinly positive...it's a welcome respite from all the negative vibes and cynicism overwhelming internet and social media. Keep up the great work.

  • @naomivernon607
    @naomivernon6073 жыл бұрын

    I love this so much Tony!! I’ve been a huge fan since the movie Garden State and I was obsessed with the soundtrack and discovered Nick Drake!! Do more videos highlighting amazing fingerstyle guitarists please!!!

  • @angelg8445
    @angelg84453 жыл бұрын

    took a 2 hour drive through the foothills and piedmont of NC ab 15 yrs ago whilst hungover visiting a friend. It was a rainy drizzliy day...Love the song Horns

  • @scottwatelet5769
    @scottwatelet57693 жыл бұрын

    What a great piece. Thank you so much

  • @carlkellner1310
    @carlkellner13103 жыл бұрын

    I really appreciate this video! I've been quite obsessed with Nick Drake for 20 years now - I was introduced to "Pink Moon" by a very special friend one summer night in 2001. That album is his masterpiece in my opinion, and my favourite song of his is "Things Behind the Sun". One cool thing about that song from a guitar player's perspective is that it can be played in standard tuning (capo on the 4th fret). Another cool thing: You can play "Horn" as an intro to it and then go right into "Things...", just like on the album. And it's just a magical song. Another favourite is "From the Morning", besides the more obvious ones. "Pink Moon" as an album is just amazing beyond anything else - each song is a world onto itself, so powerful and evocative and unique ("Parasite" for one is such a panorama of a certain kind of mood, you can really get lost in it). And the fact that it's just one voice and one guitar and feels so complete and atmospheric really encouraged and inspired me as a young musician, and continues to do so to this day. You don't need a band or a big studio to create musical worlds that envelop you and the listener completely - that's one thing I learned from listening to "Pink Moon". I could go on and on, but - there you go.

  • @russcowles8516
    @russcowles85163 жыл бұрын

    Nick Drake follower since I first started playing guitar - 1995. I think I saw an article in acoustic guitar mag spotlighting him. Songs were always so hard to play as a newbie with alternative tunings. My favorite (from the point of view of playing guitar); Day is done (Five Leaves left)

  • @frankswildyears2217
    @frankswildyears22173 жыл бұрын

    Hi, awsome show tonight. it really has some lightbulb moments when you explore Nick Drake's Style. Fine youtube recommendations also. I discovered Nick Dake, when i dug into songwriters in the 90th, coming from Heavy Metal and the Seattle Sounds. Even in the more instrumented recordings, Drake has the feel of delta blues purism. Sonic adventures went on and i lost his music out of sight several times, but returned constantly over the decades. I think the small body guitar you play is nearer to the recording on Pink Moon. But anyway, the intro is classy, play it on whatever instrument you want. Favourite ND songs change over the years, seasons and moods but as i listenened today it were "Roads" and "From the Morning", both on Pink Moon Album. Thanks again for this great show. since i joined TAC in October '20 i tune in to Acoustic Tuesday constantly with increasing fun. The more you know the more you recognize and the more you can connect to. stay sound, frank

  • @leowalless9328
    @leowalless9328 Жыл бұрын

    LOVE THIS! I watched the Josh Turner when it first popped up, this is an excellent follow up. I think it's very cool that you properly credit Josh Turner for his input. Definitely a small body for the tone

  • @joaofilipelobo4113
    @joaofilipelobo41132 жыл бұрын

    Amazing insight man, I just did one cover on pink moon and would love to have seen this advice beforehand. thank you so much!

  • @mikesweeney263
    @mikesweeney2633 жыл бұрын

    Long time Nick Drake fan here! I can remember the first time I heard his music and where I was located and what I was doing. My favorite Nick Drake song is Northern Sky. So good!

  • @nicksonblackwell
    @nicksonblackwell3 жыл бұрын

    Definitely the Santa Cruz! Everyone also needs to listen/learn “parasite” on pink moon! It’s one of my personal favorites. It’s a true haunting anthem

  • @jonhaslam3699
    @jonhaslam3699 Жыл бұрын

    Great analysis thanks! I actually got into Nick Drake after stumbling on the Josh Turner post on KZread many years ago. My favourite ND track is “Time of no reply”.

  • @ceciliaojeda200
    @ceciliaojeda200 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve been a big Nick Drake fan for about a year now. He was a musical genius. He really was one of a kind! My favorite song is “Place to be” but “Road” is also one of my top favorites

  • @audunkongsrud7038
    @audunkongsrud70382 жыл бұрын

    I'm a long time fan. Have fell a sleep with his music in like 8 years. covered some of his songs aswell:D Thangs for the video!

  • @jeffdooley5675
    @jeffdooley56754 ай бұрын

    love this, thanks. Black Eyed Dog always stops me in my tracks. And the Cello Song too. His vocals are so natural and smooth. He performs like it's just you and him in a small apartment sitting on the couch. It can bring tears sometimes. Nick and Townes are cut from the same cloth, yet so different.

  • @MadTracker
    @MadTracker3 жыл бұрын

    Legend!! Nick Drake was a genius 💯. Thanks for covering him.

  • @robsmart1999
    @robsmart19993 жыл бұрын

    First heard Nick Drake’s songs Pink Moon and One of These Things First on the soundtrack of the movie Garden State in the mid 2000’s, and wonder how I missed listening to Nick’s music in the early 70’s when I was really into British music. It’s reawakened my interest in fingerpicking style, “dead” strings, and alternate tunings. Thanks Tony for all the links about Nick Drake’s music and his biography doc.

  • @MonoLake02
    @MonoLake023 жыл бұрын

    I found Nick Drake when Pink Moon (song) was used in a VW commercial. I heard it once and started my internet search. I have been a fan ever since. I have started learning guitar recently and some day I hope to play “Road”...

  • @andyshriner5443
    @andyshriner54433 жыл бұрын

    This is awesome and I can't believe the youtube algorithm didn't suggest this to me! I've been researching Nick's technique, guitars, etc. a ton recently and a video with a nice comparison of a small and large body guitar playing his music is really cool. I think he recorded mostly on his Levin Goliath dreadnought and there's a guitarist on youtube named Sam Lynch who owns a Levin Goliath and plays Nick's music on it. I'd give him a listen.

  • @meddmawamm
    @meddmawamm2 жыл бұрын

    Great that people are giving Nick Drake love. I didn’t understand why the hell Nick Drake sounded the way he did when I was younger, but he was one of my top 5 or so guitarists, whether they be electric or acoustic.

  • @michaeltouchette8156
    @michaeltouchette8156 Жыл бұрын

    back in 74-75 time period I distinctly remember listening to Pink Moon. It made the airwaves, sadly this was after his death.... took a couple more decades for me to finally com e back to Nick.... once again remembering my youth and hearing Pink moon then taking the time in the 90's to find a the album on CD.... the rest is rock and roll legend. thanks for this. I don't play but listening to his music is Devine..

  • @StratsRUs
    @StratsRUs Жыл бұрын

    Pink Moon is the mountain top.Recorded over two nights.Astonishing.From The Morning is a fave.

  • @verderosa9
    @verderosa93 жыл бұрын

    Great show T. Discovered ND in the 90s listening to the LA station KCRW and thought to myself "who the F is THAT"? The song was River Man. That's my favorite. It perfectly exemplifies what you were talking about with the stark difference in rhythm between his guitar picking and vocals. It's a masterpiece. Next is Three Hours. Josh Turner does an amazing job covering it in his bedroom on his 000-28. Then Cello Song, Way to Blue, Northern Sky and all the rest. Drake's was a tragic story of bad timing, clueless reviewers and audiences as well as a host of other sad injustices.

  • @carlose0318
    @carlose0318 Жыл бұрын

    So many things I could comment on having been obsessed with Nick Drake since discovering him in high school. My favorite track of his remains Hanging on A Star (the Made to Love Magic, fingerpicked version). Listening to it with high-quality headphones is quite an experience. The depth and purity of the tone of his guitar, the rhythmic but also transcendent vibrations from his open baritone tuning... It was recorded at a time when he was in such rough shape that the guitar and vocals had to be done separately. And you can hear a kind of resignation (but to me, not necessarily defeat) in his voice. Not a weakness either, just the sound of a man putting all he had left into a very simple and short vocal track (essentially the same melody as Horn, if you compare the two) to say what he needed to say. If anything, I think that demonstrates just how strong Nick was. As you mention, Nick continued to compose and record despite the devastation of not being able to support himself or enjoy the type of career he wanted with his albums. As an artist, and as a human, he still held on to hope that someone, somewhere, someday, would hear him and know the pain he experienced. That he could help someone know they were not alone. That's the relationship I have to Nick's music, anyway, having discovered it during my own period of darkness and deep despair. There's such a lonely familiarity in the connection I feel to his songs that ultimately confirms how we are all more alike than different. On the surface, I have nothing in common with this man, but through his music, I hear the same longing for connection, love, and recognition of life's beauty I've experienced in my life. I can't help but think it would elate him to know how he has affected me, and countless others, in this way with his music. Thank you, Nick. You are still with all of us.

  • @SMGstunt
    @SMGstunt3 жыл бұрын

    Learned a lot from this video, thank you so much.🙏🏼

  • @MoonhareStudio
    @MoonhareStudio3 жыл бұрын

    Been a Nick Drake fan for decades. Such an icon here in the UK. Favourite track is probably At the Chime of a City Clock on Bryter Later.

  • @aaronpetermeier8527
    @aaronpetermeier85273 жыл бұрын

    Discovered him cuz of your show 👍

  • @TheClagga96
    @TheClagga963 жыл бұрын

    Been a fan of Nick Drake for a good 3 or 4 years after a friend of my dad’s introduced me to this artist with this use of articulation with his fingerpicking and some genius songwriting too! Pink Moon as an album does have a dark feel and quite haunting and meloncolie in some parts of those songs from that album. Nick’s sister Gabrielle became an actress as well in a sci-fi series which was done by the creator of the puppet show ‘Thunderbirds’ as well!

  • @archy3737
    @archy37372 жыл бұрын

    road, cello song and hanging on a star are my personal favorites

  • @allynfornow
    @allynfornow Жыл бұрын

    Ryder on the wheel is my fav nick drake tune!!

  • @katkazakoff4452
    @katkazakoff4452 Жыл бұрын

    Love Nick Drake and just learning a few of his songs myself - definitely felt like your comparison of small body vs large body of the Road intro led me to feel like it was large body - IMHO-

  • @bhok1971
    @bhok19712 жыл бұрын

    The last 2 bars in the Hazey Jane 1 bridge are the most beautiful ever composed

  • @BizarrePudding
    @BizarrePudding3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tony, great video and thank you for bringing attention to Nick Drake and his guitar playing, tone, technique and compositional style... I haven't watched Josh's video in a while but I believe one of the elements of Nick's guitar tone that he identifies as essential is the type of strings Nick would have used - most likely, pure nickel strings, since that was pretty much all that was available at the time... I decided to experiment myself with using pure nickel strings on a couple of my guitars and I had very interesting, if mixed results...My newer guitar (2017 Martin OM-28e) didn't take to them at all...My older one (1946 Gibson LG-2) sounded amazing and I still use pure nickel strings on them...(The guitars use different tone woods in their construction so that might have had something to do with it also...) So - have a question...do modern luthiers construct their instruments with particular types of strings in mind, i.e. Phosphor Bronze/80/20 Bronze/Nickel Wound/Pure Nickel etc?...It seems to me the Martin sounds best with Phosphor Bronze strings, even though I'm not the biggest fan of those...Like I said the Gibson loves pure nickel...Was the Gibson built to sound best with pure nickel strings, since they were all that was available at that time and conversely was the Martin built with the sound of Phosphor Bronze strings in mind?...I wondered if you could reach out to some of the luthiers that you know and ask them what role, if any, the type of strings that they wind up using on their guitars factor into the construction of the guitar?... Thanks again Tony, and I apologize for how long this post is!!!!

  • @ScottRandall31
    @ScottRandall313 жыл бұрын

    Very similar to the earlier Sun Kil Moon recordings. You can get very lost in listening to these! Thanks for breaking this down.

  • @martinboere3274
    @martinboere32742 жыл бұрын

    What I especially like about Nick Drake's songs is the manner in which they're constructed. When you go through them while analysing you'll often encounter passages in which the composer must have thought: "Nah, that's too obvious, let me try to be more original here!", that way decorating his music with unexpected turns. Moreover Nick Drake will never waste his listeners' time, for example by applying multiple repeats, a thing for which I'm very grateful. It's a compositional approach which made the Beatles famous, but left Nick Drake go unnoticed in his time. I guess luck has to be with you when cherishing any ambition, no matter how much of a genius you are.

  • @teedilo4902
    @teedilo4902 Жыл бұрын

    Cool video! The smaller body guitar definitely sounded more authentic to ND’s sound.

  • @thecaveofthedead
    @thecaveofthedead11 ай бұрын

    Josh Turner is clearly right to my ear. In your demo, vs the album recording, I hear the same kind of 'truncated lows' in the smaller body guitar and the album - a less sustained low end ring compared to your demo with the dreadnought.

  • @sebastianjones9203
    @sebastianjones92033 жыл бұрын

    My mom actually listened to Nick Drake with me a lot as a baby, so you could say I've been a fan for a really long time, but I only really started listening to him a few years ago. He is definitely one of my favorite songwriters and a big influence in my playing. I want the bonus points so I'll say my favorite song of his is Place to Be

  • @jeffwolfe532

    @jeffwolfe532

    3 жыл бұрын

    Picking a favorite Nick Drake song is nearly impossible for me, but I most frequently come around to Place to Be as a favorite too.

  • @johnmitchelljr
    @johnmitchelljr3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for a fine video.

  • @virginiapohl417
    @virginiapohl417 Жыл бұрын

    I think the intro to Road sounds more authentic on the dreadnought. Even though I think Josh Turner's in-depth look at Nick Drake's style is fantastic! I'm 60 and recently discovered all of Nick Drake's work. I'm completely addicted!

  • @drewirvin5620
    @drewirvin56203 жыл бұрын

    Also every time you wear the green hawks jersey I get excited thinking it’s a Dallas Stars jersey. May the best team (Stars) win tonight!

  • @leewaite789
    @leewaite7893 жыл бұрын

    Great show as always Tony 👍👍 First I’ve heard of Nick Drake was this episode, so after the show I went over to Spotify to listen to the whole of the Pink Moon album, wow 😳 The stand out songs for me were “Which Will” and “Free Ride” but I also like the instrumental “Horn” I think I’d like to have a go at this sometime. Thanks for introducing me to Nick Drake, I will no doubt be going down a rabbit hole here 😂

  • @jeffwolfe532

    @jeffwolfe532

    3 жыл бұрын

    You are in for a treat, my friend!

  • @apegrasshoplizard
    @apegrasshoplizard2 жыл бұрын

    10:58 some of my favorite & most authentic: Blaze Foley , Tracy Chapman, Richie Havens, Cat Stevens.

  • @hotlov72
    @hotlov723 жыл бұрын

    Hey Tony, I have one question. On your old Acoustic Letter videos are those riffs ones you wrote for the video(because of the 'public domain' thing) or did they come from other songs? I usually call it them Tony Pelecastro riffs

  • @louieo.blevinsmusic4197
    @louieo.blevinsmusic41972 жыл бұрын

    11:50 Thank you so much for that. Seriously……I genuinely needed it as I’m sitting here stressing over nothing. I hate that our brains, I’m assuming other’s do it as well, can get so negative. Or even flip floppy as something I loved that I created will then become “worthless.” I’ve gotta start remembering when my brain turns into an ass that I’m just wired like a goof. 🙏

  • @adamsacousticarsenal6573
    @adamsacousticarsenal65733 жыл бұрын

    Nick Drake was a staple of my teenage years, and is probably responsible for the reason I can only listen to music that makes me cry. Also, his guitar playing is like that of John Prine in that it’s so quintessentially him that it’s hard to replicate.

  • @surfwriter8461

    @surfwriter8461

    8 ай бұрын

    Yes, his guitar playing is so specific and personalized. But Josh Turner posted a lengthy analysis of the Nick Drake guitar sound that you might find interesting.

  • @PoetlaureateNFDL
    @PoetlaureateNFDL9 ай бұрын

    Excellent 😊😊🎉🎉

  • @leewaite789
    @leewaite7893 жыл бұрын

    Just watched the Josh Turner video on Nick Drake tone, awesome ! Josh even plays some of “Horn” I’ve got to find me the TAB for this 😎

  • @leewaite789

    @leewaite789

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oh thanks again Tony, I just found the TAB to “Horn” and picked it out on my Gretsch Jim Dandy 😁 the boxy tone of the Gretsch and this little piece of music are a match made in heaven, I am slipping down the rabbit hole 🕳

  • @garethporter1554
    @garethporter15543 жыл бұрын

    Hi, Nick used a Martin D-28 on all his studio recordings. The Guild M20 is just a prop for the Bryter Layter photo shoot. The only other guitar he used in recording is an old Spanish classical.

  • @griffinmitschelen6349

    @griffinmitschelen6349

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nick drake used a 00028 on pink moon

  • @GTRJohn13
    @GTRJohn133 жыл бұрын

    LOOOVE the song The River Man!!!!

  • @malcolmlagares8245
    @malcolmlagares82452 жыл бұрын

    Long time fan of Nick Drake.

  • @BGS002
    @BGS0023 жыл бұрын

    Found Nick Drake via Jackson C. Frank songs. I was a huge Frank fan, found Nick's covers, and from there heard 'Cello Song.' That sound blew me away.

  • @robertnewell5057

    @robertnewell5057

    3 жыл бұрын

    Such a shame that Jackson C Frank (who was very influential in the UK 60s/70s folk scene) did not leavea much of a legacy as Nick.JCF was a true original.

  • @firecrackerheart
    @firecrackerheart Жыл бұрын

    love this episode. love love. pls. do a similar episode on elliott smith and his "x" factor. i believe it is warranted.

  • @timwoodruff
    @timwoodruff Жыл бұрын

    Just discovered Nick Drake after listening to John Smith, and really loved the song Pink Moon, and the whole album. I bought an all sapele guitar, and realized it was a similar sound to an all mahogany. I found out that Nick Drake played a Guild M-20 small-bodied mahogany guitar for Bryter Layter, and that really got me listening to his sound for ideas on how to emulate some of that vibe. Love it.

  • @surfwriter8461

    @surfwriter8461

    8 ай бұрын

    Regarding the Nick Drake sound, Josh Turner posted a lengthy video on this site to analyze that very well. He talks about the type of guitar briefly but says that is less important than other factors. Dead nickel strings, for example. His video is very informative if you want to get close to achieving that sound yourself.

  • @sw4ns2
    @sw4ns23 жыл бұрын

    i'm so agree with you

  • @adammoore528
    @adammoore5282 жыл бұрын

    Nick Drake fan for 20 years. Favorite song is "Man in a Shed".

  • @jaimichaelmusic
    @jaimichaelmusic Жыл бұрын

    The dreadnought Santa Cruz definitely sounds more “Nick Drake-ish” (warmer) but I also give credit to your chops, your technique, your fingernails, relationship to the instrument, etc. Great rendition.

  • @keithfaust8925
    @keithfaust89253 жыл бұрын

    Nick Drake played saxophone before guitar, and a lot of his vocal lines (like in River Man, for example) sound like sax lines. I’ve been a Drake fan for years. Pink Moon is the ultimate album to listen to while driving at night.

  • @oscarreyes4078
    @oscarreyes40789 ай бұрын

    thank you for keeping drake Alive

  • @stevenwarner9156
    @stevenwarner91563 жыл бұрын

    Definitely sounds more like a dreadnought, especially on Five Leaves Left where more of the guitar's bottom end comes through. Got into Nick Drake in 2005 after discovering John Martyn and that the track "Solid Air" was a tribute to Drake. Was one hell of an artist.

  • @markharwood7573
    @markharwood75732 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for making and sharing. There are comments here about persevering. I would apply that to choice of fingerpicks. The different types all have their strong points and drawbacks. Try a few and don't throw them away. Give them all a chance to work in different styles. I won't recommend my favourite because you will find your own. Edit: I have been a fan of Nick Drake's music for well over 40 years. Gradually, Pink Moon has moved from my least favourite to my favourite of his albums. Perhaps it's time to learn some of his songs in their proper tunings.

  • @therampanthamster
    @therampanthamster Жыл бұрын

    i discovered Nick Drake at the beginning of the plandemic and used to spend hours walking through the countryside listening to him non-stop, especially pink moon. Prior to that i'd predominantly been a pick using electric guitar player. I was always into alternative tunings but my acoustic played second fiddle and finger picking was rarely used. Nick's music completely changed my approach to guitar. I now play my acoustic far more than my electrics and I exclusively finger pick, which luckily i picked up very quickly and love. I'm definitely planning to get a small body acoustic this year. A truly wonderful song writer, such a tragedy that he never got to see how appreciated his music was to become.

  • @davidlewis2055
    @davidlewis20555 ай бұрын

    Nick had a Levin ( Martin d copy ) & a Yamaha classical, later he went out on a limb & got a Martin D28 some say a Martin Om or ooo 28. PS the small body Guild mahogany on the cover of Bryter Later belonged to the photographer & the shoes !!

  • @Sauceyyyyyyyyy
    @Sauceyyyyyyyyy3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome show! I’d love to see one covering Ben Howard and his alternate tuning.

  • @naomivernon607

    @naomivernon607

    3 жыл бұрын

    I couldn’t second this more. I am OBSESSED with Ben Howard.

  • @gillesserrigny6324

    @gillesserrigny6324

    2 жыл бұрын

    The Nick Drake's covers by Scott Matthews are great too.

  • @thebreakfastmenu
    @thebreakfastmenu10 ай бұрын

    I mentioned this in the comments of Josh's video as well. I'm nearly positive that Nick used a Levin Goliath with maple back and sides. That's the dreadnaught he was pictured with. It was always asserted that Nick owned only a couple guitars his entire life. The only steel stringed guitar he owned was that Levin, and after Pink Moon was recorded, he bought a Martin 00028.

  • @robertnewell5057
    @robertnewell50573 жыл бұрын

    I've been listening to Nick Drake's music for over 40 years. I have also revisited Josh Turner's speculative video on his guitar tone,and I find it unconvincing. Strings were almost certainly nickel wound, and probably Rotosound, which were the most commonly available strings in the UK (here, I admit it's me doing the speculating. I feel it is important to distinguish between string sounding dark and sounding dead. Nick was apparently fanatical about tuning accuracy in the studio, as well as live, and you just won't get that with old, dead strings. Guitar - there's debate about whether he played a small bodied guitar, and actually a dread with nickel strings gives a good imitation of his sound. He is pictured with a small body Guild, but that was a photo prop and belonged to the photographer who did the cover for Bryter Layter(Bit like the Robert Johnson guitar). Robert Kirby (who did the strings on that album) says Nick played almost exclusively a Martin D28, but Richard Thompson says he played a Guild. It is known he played a Martin 00028 on the later tracks of Pink Moon. He is also pictured with a Levin dread, which also has quite a dark sound (one of my oldest friends has one from exactly that period).The most reliable source of information about Nick's music is his producer, Joe Boyd, who has written about Nick and also has extensive KZread output about the recording of the albums. The best way of understanding his approach to the guitar is to get hold of the piano recordings done by his mum, Molly Drake. Amongst other things, Joe Boyd says Nick was like a machine in his playing precision, never making a mistake, never becoming irritated or distracted if many takes were required. Maybe that was his X factor. Your comment about the independence of his voice from his playing is righton the money, and strikes me as also true of Bert Jansch. They are both often imitated, but rarely imitated well.Late edit - apology to stanby 2712 who I saw mentioned some of these points

  • @LuckyDogProductions
    @LuckyDogProductions10 ай бұрын

    I never heard of NICK DRAKE till that 1997 VW Cabriolet or convertible BUG add came out.

  • @markmajewski191
    @markmajewski1913 жыл бұрын

    thanks

  • @sbolfing
    @sbolfing3 жыл бұрын

    I learned about Nick Drake from Acoustic Life (it was early on) - and was really surprised. I was in high school when Pink Moon came out - this was the type of music I loved. I've mostly listened to Pink Moon, and the one song that I keep coming back to is the shortest one: "Horn." A question - I've heard several times that Nick Drake played an old Guild M-20. I've researched that guitar (mid-60's) and it doesn't seem (on paper) like a fingerstyle guitar - 1-5/8" nut. Curious as to your thoughts

  • @janeandthecoolcats5033

    @janeandthecoolcats5033

    3 жыл бұрын

    Well with this nut width not really a fingerstyle guitar. I have a new one which has 44,5 mm - and it is a great fingerstyle instrument.

  • @guitarsteveman
    @guitarsteveman3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tony, thank you for this ... For me its Cello Song on Five Leaves left ... And I hear a dreadnought here :-)

  • @ethantanatsiwasesedza8305
    @ethantanatsiwasesedza83053 жыл бұрын

    I learnt about Nick Drake via the show.

  • @Echelay
    @Echelay2 жыл бұрын

    Lol I have never changed my strings on my acoustic. Had it for… years… it was made in 1989 and I only know of one string being changed like ever! I love the ‘dead’ sound tho so I wanna keep these strings for as long as they last :) They have a depth of tone and warmth that is just… not there on most of my other guitars with new strings

  • @suegates5
    @suegates53 жыл бұрын

    🚩You Gave Link to TABS..Kept rewinding,an missing it. I went over to Josh Turner,not much there. Respect how you brought this to use and his Dad story,which very insightful. Also..I Would LOVE HOMEWORK DURING SHOW,MAYBE..TABS, ANYTHING! ( sadly can't afford to join TAC😔

  • @tb0069
    @tb00693 жыл бұрын

    Cello Song and River Man are my 2 favorites. I've attempted to learn Nick's songs, but the tunings have always turned me away from it. Thank you for renewing my interest in trying to learn these songs again.

  • @andyshriner5443

    @andyshriner5443

    3 жыл бұрын

    It gets to be second nature after a little while. If I'm playing a lot of his music I'll start way down in BEBEBE, tune up to ECFCGC, then to something like DADF#AD if I'm playing One of These Things First, and back up to standard in a single practice session so I don't have to tune every string each time. He actually also wrote a ton in standard and other pretty easy tunings!

  • @AlecBridges

    @AlecBridges

    3 жыл бұрын

    Check out the Roadie3 guitar tuner. You can program in whatever alternate tunings you want. Makes it really easy to switch between odd tunings quickly.

  • @ralphrounds709
    @ralphrounds7093 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely the Martin single O

  • @jwukulele
    @jwukulele Жыл бұрын

    #GardenState… (coincidentally Hoboken, Guild’s original location, is also in New Jersey).

  • @chickenlickin3820
    @chickenlickin38203 жыл бұрын

    i have an old guitar mag that tells all about his playing, guitars etc. as far as i recall he had a guild small bodied mahogany guitar.

  • @johnblake6633

    @johnblake6633

    3 жыл бұрын

    Could you send me a picture of the pages in that magazine abt nick drake? Would be greatly appreciated. My email is blakejoyn@gmail.com

  • @danielle4077
    @danielle407713 сағат бұрын

    What is best guitar to purchase to sound like pink moon album?

  • @DD-eight
    @DD-eight3 жыл бұрын

    As a sign of respect toward that beautiful beard I Will listen to some Nick Drake tonight!!

  • @patrickcarr882
    @patrickcarr8823 жыл бұрын

    So I'm fairly certain that Nick played that Levin acoustic in that photo you mention or all three of his full-length records; on the last four songs (Black Eyed Dog, Hanging on a Star, etc.) were recorded on a Martin 000-28. More specifically, it was a Levin LS-18, which features a maple back and sides. Robert Kirby mentioned one time that he played a Martin D-28, but it's important to keep in mind that 1) he's trying to recall a detail from decades prior and 2) he may not be the most knowledgeable with guitars. He also may have mistaken the Levin for a D-28, which could look identical if you're not a guitar nerd. There's also a super grainy photo of him live, but looking the rosette and fret markers it looks like the Levin. Also, the recording process can seriously affect guitar tone. Things from the microphone to the preamps/console can color the guitar's sound, so that coupled with the dead strings on Nick's guitar can make a dreadnaught sound like a small-bodied acoustic.

  • @michaelmackenzie2569
    @michaelmackenzie25693 жыл бұрын

    Love that Martin but I hear the SC as Drakey.

  • @markstrain8989

    @markstrain8989

    3 жыл бұрын

    Me, too! First time hearing it, I call it the "Southern Comfort". Alas, infinitely beyond my budget.

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