Allan was so humble about what he was doing, even to the point of having a lot of self-doubt. Because what he was doing was so revolutionary that he was out there on a limb almost all the time. And he wondered if people would like it or think he was nuts. Apparently he got quite nervous before gigs because of this doubt. Astonishing.

Fell in love with Allan Holdsworth on his "Metal Fatigue" album (1985). Just a brilliant player, completely unique, another inspiration that is missed by so many.

Great lesson. What many people forget (and you highlight really well in this lesson) is the touch and feel Allan had. His phrasing, sense of melody and time were impeccable. He was in another league.

Allan re-invented guitar playing, really one of a kind, I still listen to almost all his records.

grew up in the same town as Allen ,, first time i met him he was working in a local music store then a few yrs later we lived in the same apartment complex ,, always very humble and very kind to everyone ,, at one point we all actually rehearsed at the same studio in orange county ,, he'd go on these amazing tours with who ever and then you'd see him in the grocery store buying eggs like everyone else the amazing part is he'd always be the first guy to come over and say hello and shake your hand ,, legend beyond words

More youtubers should be like you. You don't show off, and you talk in a natural way. It's hard to explain. Great video

He was one of a kind. Never satisfied and always searching. He formed his approach as a way to get out the music within his mind. With Allan, technique was always subservient to the musical concepts. That's why he was so great. It's not just mind boggling technique. Its mind boggling music!

Cool lesson. Holdsworth was light years ahead of everyone. Aside from his single note runs, his harmony was amazing and beautiful.

In the 1970's Allan Holdsworth was every bodies guitar hero. He is and was utterly unique. Wide interval notes, Sus 4 and minor 11 and an indescribable tone. Essentially cranking your bass EQ and going from there. THat Soft MAchine stuff is fantastic.

Thank you, great lesson. I'm a 63 year old LOOONG time A.H. listener and fan. Those early days when he was blistering the frets with Gong, Soft Machine, Tony Williams, was when I first discovered him. It changed my life literally. You do a great job of breaking down these riffs and licks thank you very much, keep them coming!!

What truly blows my mind about Allan's playing in that Montreaux video is that he's doing doing it with next to no distortion, and it's clear and clean as a bell. You listen to his playing, and it's just as technical, and full of notes, but very pentatonic. You see the progression from that to the total outer space harmony that he'd become known for later. I wish there was more early footage of him playing. No one was playing like that back then.

Great lesson about one of guitar's greatest players.

Dude you are fabulous. Such an Allan fan. It’s beautiful to watch someone break it down so respectfully and skillfully. Thank you. Subscribed.

DAVID !! Thank you !! You nailed Holdsworth on this. Truly ... he was the best. I grew up in Cleveland Ohio and had the opportunity to meet him and Chad Wackerman after a show one night promoting the album Sand. The nicest dudes . My heart was sad when I heard about his passing. Hey .. The Red Album .. I.O.U. was my favorite . Keep up the great work brother .

Thanks for the lesson on Alan H. He's work with Jean-Luc Ponty is awesome. Trading licks with Daryl Struemer on Enigmatic Ocean is wonderful.

You’ve outdone yourself 🍺’ski. I love his playing with Soft Machine! Brilliant lesson. On an aside note a very humble man. I seen him @ the Tralfamadore Cafe in Buffalo. After his performance I met him @ the bar & offered to buy him a beer. He apologized for his performance & bought me a pint because he said he indulged too much the night before in Cleveland. I literally spit my beer out & said you’ve got to be kidding me. It was an incredible performance but I guess not up to his standards. Great nice man & idk if they’ll ever be another quite like him. RIP Allan

This really made my day - Allan Holdsworth is my favorite musician! His earlier material is much more accessible, and I bet some of his earlier chord work would be illuminating. I have one of his prototype guitars (he gave it up as it was too heavy for his taste), so I can try these licks on it!

BRO you rock, way to go I got turned on to allen by a sax player back in the 70's . Also got turned on to Joe Burger who had board tapes of soft machine. My name is Wayne Frost I played bass with seacloud, & mighty sphincter. Nice to meet you love the tone your getting on your strat.

Great lesson dave Allan was a beautiful monster on the instrument

Love your teaching! I’ve listened to Allan since my dad took me to see UK in 78 I think. I would contend that he opened the door for no one, but existed in another universe technically, harmonically, creatively. As an example, in studying his lines I was struck that some sound “wrong” or nonsensical at slow tempo but sound otherworldly played at his tempo. As if it’s not the notes but the sound that is being formed 😊

I saw Hendrix in 68 in Ottawa,and the warmup band was the Soft Machine.I was still very young when it came to that kind of music,and I'm not quite sure if Allen was in that line up.I was completely unaware clueless to this kind of music,and wish I could go back in time,not only to see who I was watching,but to be able to appreciate them. I always thought his contribution in the band UK was the epitome of fusion R.I P. Allen,you have left a hole no one can ever fill.

That last lick is a face melter! Allan was shredding about 10 yrs before shredding hit the radar! Wow!

noble act to bring us closer to Allen Holdsworth! Thank you!

Got turned on to Holdsworth by Alain Johannes, who I went to high school with. I picked up the album UK and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. From there it was on to Soft Machine, Tony Williams Lifetime, Bill Bruford, IOU and on. To me he was one of the most expressive and lyrical “outside” guitar players. His solos still completely enthrall me to this day whenever I listen to them. Thanks for this video!

Amazing Lesson. Thank you. He lived not too far from where I am based. Hugely inspiring player who I miss dearly. 👍

All time favorite guitar player. Having already been a huge fan and player of guitar myself, by the time I found Holdsworth, I thought I had heard it all, Satriani, vai, Becker, Gilbert, buckethead, thordendal, Shawn Lane, and when I finally found Holdsworth it was such a moving, life changing experience. I was immediately obssessed and in love with his Tone! The fact that he has this unmistakable tone along with the craziest lines and sense of harmony you ever heard, it’s just an amazing treat. I feel lucky and blessed to care about his music, I feel bad for those who have never heard of him. RIP the master

Thank you Dave. You are an awesome teacher.

I've been a devotee of McLaughlin and Al Di Meola for 20 years. Never got into Holdsworth. I guess I should. Luv and Peace.

You picked the right live video. I’ve watched that Soft Machine concert so many times. Absolutely intimidating.

Thanks for sharing...

Great job Dave, as always. Holdsworth was an absolute monster, no doubt about it. If I'm not mistaken, that cool SG Custom that he played during his stint with Soft Machine was originally owned by another sadly forgotten English rock/fusion pioneer by the name of Ollie Halsall, and it's very interesting to see him play something other than the Strats and Carvin/Kiesels. Maybe some other viewers might be able to add more info on the SG.

Agree with your closing comments, well stated. Thank You for the great content.

Amazing player! Love what he did on the Bruford album "One of a Kind"

Credit to you for this great lesson I keep comming back to get inspiration👍

I love Allan's 70's Fusion/Prog career, please do more of these.

Nicely explained: searching for sounds after you’ve become accustomed to a “new” lick.

Thank you, this concert is just amazing. One song disapeared 2 years ago for copyright issues, but I downloaded it before thanks Mr God. Best live performance from this particular year without a doubt. Spaceshifting guitar playing on an SG… Just incredible. Thank you for reviving this unique music moment.

Thanks for posting, very instructive.

The Soft Machine "Bundles" album is such a great Holdsworth performance. The Steven Wilson remix is great, too.

1974! The year I was born and I'm 45. What a forerunner and ahead of his time was Allan, Indeed!

Thanks! More Holdsworth please, especially licks that work in basic rock context.

Thank you for the insight. One of the most attainable Holdsworth lessons I've seen. I was one of the what the hell is this guys... Now I can't go back ! You play beautifully also.

Beautiful music and very out there at times. Sand album... phew!

Thanks for a great analysis of these phrases; nice tone on your rig too!

Thank you!

Dude that was amazing! 30 years a Holdsworth fan! Hazard Profile a huge favorite..... so happy to see Alan’s genius explained.... just awesome Bro!

Thanks. Now, looking forward to the daily Holdsworth breakdown 😉

Yeah. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I got to hang a bit with the Master in the late 80's. It was an honor.

Thanks for the lesson lizard hand

I was a teen when I first heard him. It was the Road Games album (shortly followed by IOU & Metal Fatigue). I was hooked for life. All my friends and family thought I was nuts, but to me it was special.

Great lesson sir.

Great lesson

Walked from the 30th Street Station to my fiends house off Lombard while on a 15 day leave in 1977. A long walk. Smoking an Old Gold I stopped in a new and used record store. Siting there was a used copy of the first Tempest album. Bought it for 2 bucks. Great album, great guitar (and violin) work from Allan.

Great lesson mate. I agree that his early playing was like 'Holdsworth junior'. However it was still light years ahead of it's time.

Really enjoying your enthusiam mate cheers

I've seen videos of Soft Machine LIVE with Allan playing a Gibson SG. Oh, there it is!!!!!

thank you for this. love that you bring these incredible "nuggets" of creativity and analysis to us. also, the history component brings a whole different dimension to the lessons. as a long time student of music and guitar, it's always been my desire to understand the inspiration behind an artists, music, style, "identity". I can tell that is something that motivates you as well. Bravo!

Great Choice. Holdsworth was the master. Oddly enough he wanted to be a sax player, and he carried this vision and concept to his guitar playin'. You should check his 1969 debut band Igginbottom's Wrench. Please do a Pat Thrall video.

Great lesson!

beautiful job, Dave

He played a show at a surprisingly small club in Rochester, NY called the lovin cup about 10 years ago. So small that me and my buddy were able to shake ihis hand after the show, and have a small chat. He was shocked at the booking, said he wasnt actually ready to be playing directly in front of people without and sort of stage. He actually and gladly let me and my buddy carry his amps out to his Van. Yes, him and his bassist drove away in a gear packed mini van heading over to Buffalo!

Great lesson Dave 👍

You are a very good guitar teacher. Inspired.

Niiiice Dude.....if I had only had this in the 80s when I was living next to my record player and copping his stuff. Secrets,Metal Fatigue and IOU were the records I transcribed...took me a good half year of intense woodshedding along with the inevitable „don‘t you know any nice music“-lines from my parents who were sometimes incensed about the strange noises coming out of my kiddie bedroom....

Awesome video sir, thanks

The band UK was the first time I heard him. Not only did he have the craziest style I had heard, his tone was a One of a Kind! RIP Allen.

My brother gave me the Bundles album on my 14th birthday in 1974. It took me a while to totally appreciate it but in a few months I would lie on my back, headphones on and spin that LP. We would listen to the Tony Williams albums and Gong. He was our guitar god, even more so than FZ or Steve Howe. He had a great tone and in the early days it was not as cram packed with notes. I was fortunate enough to see him many times, including a Rising Star concert in Seattle as the guitarist for UK - i sat in the front row and drooled.

I was five in 1974. First heard the man, winter term, January 1987... Been obsessed ever since. Very refreshing breakdown, style and playing... Many thanks. Subscribed. Kindly, Daniel

Enjoyable guitar & history lesson about a musician/guitarist I've heard of for decades but haven't focused on listening to his performances. This video has changed that for me and I'm hoping you'll have other esoteric tidbits of licks and riffs from players back in the day.

Great Lesson. Allan Holdsworth. Thanks for expanding my guitar player influence. My previous knowledge of guitarist seems minuscule every time you feature someone I should have known but don't. Thanks Dave!

Your best lesson yet. Thank you.

Ah my early teens soft machine and his playing on bruford, golden era Keep well from England

That’s you? In the rag? Cool. Crazy riffs & phrases.

Great stuff David. I got into Holdsworth via Metal Fatigue, and explored from there. He gave me my love of weird chord voicings and songs that use modes. I now always end up writing stuff that I find hard to play, partly because I don’t want it to sound dull or derivative (although obviously my influences will show through) and partly because it’s fun!

I love your lessons, and have watched most of them. Your playing on this lesson is incredible. thank you for doing these.

It's kind of weird I have been playing in bands of and on through the years playing blues & rock standards etc,first stumbled on A/H in early 70's in a band called Tempest,was just starting out,tried to emulate his work,"not a bloody chance" .The lines on The album Gorgon stand up to the test of time ,is still fresh today.what ime getting at is thruogh watching your video didn't realize how much it's influenced my approach a real eye opener, and re-inspiring thank you so much ,gotta get on the road again! His work will live on

Wow . Sick lesson

thanks Dave! that was great!

The first Album I ever heard with Holdsworth was "Bundles" by Soft Machine I was a Hendrix kid and couldn't cope and gave it back to my friend. A year later and after listening to a lot of Bill Connors and Al Di meola it was time! I met him on 4 occasions too.

Awesome video!

My favorite Holdsworth is 1970s Holdsworth. Just the right amount of aggression, and I preferred his tone back then, too. One thing I don't see discussed much, is that he seemed to pick quite a bit back in the Soft Machine days. I think people don't notice it as much, because he didn't dampen the notes the way DiMeola does, and he played so softly.

Great choice. Love me some Holdsworth. My personal faves are his work on Bruford’s ‘Feels good to me’ and on his own ‘Road Games’. As you intimated, his later stuff was less accessible. I certainly found it so.

Great licks dude! Thanks a lot 🤘🏼

Had a few drinks with Allan over the years , legend

Loved it. Subscribed. Will definitely be back for more, Teach.

Awesome! Love that performance and never thought I’d run across a lesson for it.

Glad i saw him six times. 1st time 1979 with nucleus. Mind blown.

That was awesome! Seems like you have covered everyone. I got turned on to Holdsworth later in life. Brilliant player. All the best Dave! Love your lessons and stories 🤘

Awesome, now can we hope to see a video on Ollie Halsall?!

The Montreux 74 video isn't on YT anymore, but I found it today on Facebook on a public page.

Dude, thank you so much for your videos, I just discovered the band UK and gotten into Allan's playing style, it really inspired me to learn something in that style, super cool!!

Hey David! Really love this channel! Good work! Subscribed!

This is a good video - i like it

I really dig 70s music instrumentation. The world before midi was real. Great spotlight on the licks. I am going to attempt the last one for sure.

You have the flow. Bend like willow lick by brook. Great stop on the soul train to my roots. I'm a huge Jeff Lorbwr fan, and he wanted an electric flute which became his sound. Kenny G was a Brooklyn scraper in college playing in tiny bars and clubs. Jazz Fusion blew out of the void from Southern Rocks grand demise. These players were to become The Steely Dans. Great connections!

Really great licks loved the last one particularly 👍

Allan was one of the best ever! I saw him with Tempest here in Sweden 1973 or 74!

Great stuff Dave.

Great channel and great lesson. Good education. One small suggestion and it's only that. Perhaps consider starting each section with the lick demo followed by the analysis. Minor point though and I know this vid is 2 years old. Thanks for the hard work you put in on these lessons.

Just discovered your channel and subbed immediately! Great stuff ...thx