6 HUGE Guitar Lessons from Townes Van Zandt ★ Acoustic Tuesday 187

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Күн бұрын

Are you ready to learn some of the most important singer-songwriter lessons from the legendary Townes Van Zandt?
In this video, you'll have the opportunity to see 6 vital lessons for anyone who wants to play guitar or write music. So many of these lessons have to do with the "meta" side of playing, rather than the technique.
★ Learn more about starting your Guitar Journey: tonypolecastro.com/
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Whether you've heard of Townes Van Zandt or not, this episode will open you up to new possibilities on your guitar journey. I'll feature archival interviews with Townes and a whole host of other characters.
By the end of this video, you'll be filled with inspiration and ideas for your own guitar journey.
Besides taking a deep-dive into Townes Van Zandt's career, you'll also get the chance to hear about a Tony's Acoustic Challenge Family member who is rocking their guitar routine day-in and day-out.
Last but not lease, you'll get your weekly dose of acoustic guitar news you can use!
#townesvanzandt #singersongwriterlesson
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - #6 Inspiration
03:09 - #5 Open to the Muse
04:28 - #4 Space
05:30 - #3 Work Ethic
06:42 - #2 Immersion
07:32 - #1 Speak the Truth
09:28 - TAC Family Story
13:05 - Guitarsenals & Comments
23:57 - Guitar Cable Guy
24:52 - ‪@MandolinOrangeMusic‬
28:02 - Mercier Guitars Zombie Inlay

Пікірлер: 98

@ryanbarnes4158 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite lyric: "If you go searching for rhyme or for reason, you won't have the time it takes just for talkin". To me it just expresses so simply and beautifully to slow down and just get to know people and tell stories.

@wheelmanstan 2 жыл бұрын

One I like is, "feelin' too low down to lie", but man does he have a lot

@tev888able 3 жыл бұрын

I think Poncho and Lefty is one of the finest songs ever written. Strangely, “Poncho needs your prayers it’s true , but save a few for Lefty too” has always hit me hard

@kendanf 3 жыл бұрын

To live is to fly is probably the most complete song I have ever heard. Favorite lyric is: “Everything is not enough, and nothing is too much to bear”

@peezysmith5245 3 жыл бұрын

Townes is my favorite artist of all time, and helped me out in a dark part of my life. I have always based my picking off of him and remember endlessly watching heartworn highways clips to learn how to travispick. Thanks For this one Tony!

@michaellaverty1844 3 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate to meet Townes twice. Once with Guy Clark and once Solo. Both times he appeared sober and at peace. The last time as in 1992. His Daughter Katie Bell had just been born. He said he hadn’t had very much sleep. He saw I had a songbook of his and I asked him to sign it. He joked saying that if he forgot any of the words he could count on me and my brother Gerry to help him out. I don’t think he opened his eyes once while he was playing. The time with Guy Clark. Let’s just say Guy as feeling no pain. His first words to the audience was, we’re from Texas and we don’t take shit from no one. Townes just smiled and shook his head. So thankful I had the opportunity to hear him live and meet him. I still have the songbook.

@ronash465 3 жыл бұрын

favorite lyric - the dust that Pancho bit down south, ended up in Lefty's mouth.

@HootNightowl 3 жыл бұрын

Ya beat me to it.😁

@johnfauss1562 3 жыл бұрын

So many fantastic lyrics from TVZ. I could choose from a dozen songs, but here is a verse from Snowin' on Raton: Bid the years good-bye you cannot still them You cannot turn the circles of the sun You cannot count the miles until you feel them And you cannot hold a lover that is gone Thanks for doing a talk about Townes. Cheers!

@DaGSlM2015 2 жыл бұрын

“Her ways were free and it seemed to me, that sunshine walked beside her” Best lines ever to describe a beautiful woman!

@joshua3732 3 жыл бұрын

Tony, I have been watching Acoustic Tuesday for around 4 years now. I rarely comment, but I wanted to just say how much I look forward to and enjoy the show. Thank you for putting this out each week.

@tresblack4739 3 жыл бұрын

Personal fave: Tecumseh Valley. And everything else LOL!

@dylanrohr1272 3 жыл бұрын

too hard to pick one, but this is the first one I thought of: "Well, to live's to fly All low and high So shake the dust off of your wings And the sleep out of your eyes"

@apeman5911 3 жыл бұрын

A verse from Rex's Blues: "Legs to walk and thoughts to fly Eyes to laugh and lips to cry A restless tongue to classify All born to grow and grown to die" It doesn't get much better than that.

@prashannadahal1624 Жыл бұрын

True

@williethewanderinggypsy 3 жыл бұрын

Favorites don’t exist for me, but several passages from Townes’ songs wash up like waves on the shores of my mind. At this moment, a breaker from down in Galveston where ol’ Rex Bell still holds court from time to time at the Old Quarter: “If I had a nickel I'd find a game If I won a dollar I'd make it rain If it rained an ocean I'd drink it dry And lay me down dissatisfied.” - from Rex’s Blues by Townes Van Zandt

@robertgeminetti2454 3 жыл бұрын

Rex's Blues is a damn near perfect song.

@bsan8650 3 жыл бұрын

Sorrow and solitude these are the precious things and the only words that are worth remembering

@popsplace0420 3 жыл бұрын

Very kind Tony. To even be mentioned in the same paragraph as Mr. Van Zandt is an honor. Thanks for the TX Guitarsenal tie in Tony. Keep on Strumming my friend!

@AdrianClement 3 жыл бұрын

Congrats Pop's! Very cool!

@BrianFromTN123 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite lyric from "Rex's Blues": "Legs to walk and thoughts to fly Eyes to laugh and lips to cry A restless tongue to classify All born to grow and grown to die"

@kaisermarxistdixie6842 2 жыл бұрын

Blaze Foley and Townes are my favorite Country/folk singers

@glennbasilii552 Жыл бұрын

I feel there's a lot of life lessons in 'To Live is to Fly' 'forget most, remember some oh but don't turn none away' 'where you been is good and gone, all you keep is the getting there (the journey)' 'it don't pay to think too much on the things you leave behind' that one is one of the very best. Another one of my favorite lyrics (because it's impossible for me to choose just one) comes from 'Rake'. 'and now the dark air is like fire on my skin, and even the moonlight is blinding....' fantastic. Townes Van Zandt is the best damn songwriter and I will stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and tell him to his face. Haha!

@Vegan2213 3 жыл бұрын

Really really great show and subject. So much to learn from Townes and the whole crazy group of friends he had. Also waaaaay to many great lyrics but my absolute favorite is “her ways were free and it seemed to me the sunshine walked beside her”. Such a great lyric and takes you to exactly where and what he is describing. Tecumseh Valley is such an amazing story and song. Bobby Bare does a great version too.

@janrandles8683 3 жыл бұрын

So enjoy your shows on Tuesday. I have no one to talk guitar with and look forward to this each week.

@scoggers1628 3 жыл бұрын

From one metalhead to another, who also really digs Townes Van Zandt, thanks for the show, Tony.

@Cole_McWilliams Жыл бұрын

In poncho and lefty, when Townes proclaims “She began to cry when you said goodbye, and sank into your dreams” rocks me to my core. Not so much because of the words, but the way Townes delivers this line. It speaks to the souls of men.

@HoldenDoesBikeStuff 3 жыл бұрын

It’s currently 1:15am… I watched this video then started listening to Townes Van Zandt 5 hours ago. Still listening and just made some coffee. Thank you for this. I’ve listened to TVZ for a long time… but I never ever gave him an honest listen and I feel like I’ve been overlooking a treasure. The inspiration this music is giving me is just immeasurable. Let’s get to work.

@RazzNasty 2 жыл бұрын

Townes wrote if I needed you in his sleep. Great story!

@timthetoolpool 3 жыл бұрын

Townes was probably one of the most influential artists that nobody has ever heard of. Makes sense that Doc inspired him as Doc has inspired so many more of us. I had no idea Doc covered If I Needed You. Dream session would be spending a night with Doc, Townes, and Blaze.

@glennhartley7772 2 жыл бұрын

From the song Marie.. dealing with the gritty reality of homelessness ....."get a job, move some old cars around. Mabey we could find a burned out van do a little settling down.....What a picture...he must have been there

@scottgeyer684 2 жыл бұрын

That jersey really makes me feel at home!

@sbolfing 3 жыл бұрын

When I was a senior at Alvin High School (just south of Houston), a group of us went to a bar in Houston that had live music. Townes Van Zandt is the only musician I remember, and the only song I remember is "Pancho and Lefty." Favorite line: "Pancho needs your prayers it's true, but save a few for Lefty too. He only did what he had to do, and now he's growing old..." (I had heard the song on the radio but did not know who Townes Van Zandt was. First time I heard it I had to just stop and listen)

@MrTBonds007 2 жыл бұрын

From To Live’s to Fly: “Where you’ve been is good and gone / what you keep’s the gettin’ there.” I want that line on my tombstone. Thanks for this episode!

@gibby230079 3 жыл бұрын

i love this channel! i look forward to guitar nerdiness every Tuesday :)

@MaTTheWish 3 жыл бұрын

"I tried to kill the pain, bought some wine and hopped a train."

@dysphoria-bn4so 3 жыл бұрын

Quite possibly his best song. Easily my favorite and most definitely changed my life

@MoonhareStudio 3 жыл бұрын

Well you can't beat metal to blow away the cobwebs, especially when you're riding your Harley. Love the zombie inlay on that guitar (plus White Zombie!).

@Matthew_mello Жыл бұрын

Favorite lyric “Stand among the ones that live in lonely indecision.” From Lungs

@pickersgrip 3 жыл бұрын

Great show Tony!!

@heymrguitarman7637 3 жыл бұрын

Still smiling from you calling me out a week or two ago 🙂. It's a great feeling when a genuine channel interaction happens. Great show, great channel.

@NewbComboz 2 жыл бұрын

Love the sweater brother

@scelest321cx 3 жыл бұрын

When you mentioned Schaumburg, Illinois 🤘🏼 not to far from where I live cheers man love your show!

@Stonehavenstudios 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome Zombie Guitar. Townes was amazing too.

@dcbandi72 3 жыл бұрын

Townes looks so sick in that first clip.

@KT-fn6me Жыл бұрын

Basically all of the lyrics to Rake, but particularly “time was like water, but I was the sea…. I wouldn't have noticed it passing.”

@ScottRandall31 3 жыл бұрын

"I'd never tell you no lies I don't believe it's wise You got pretty eyes Won't you spin me 'round"

@jaytouvelle2359 3 жыл бұрын

I have all his stuff Waiting to Die is my favorite

@mattybones1596 3 жыл бұрын

Love him great artist

@Glicksman1 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, Towns, I met you, oh, must be in the mid- '70s way the f-ck out on Long Island. You had A '65 Deluxe Reverb you were selling and I bought it, probably for $150 or so as they were going for back then. I used it on a lot of recordings and it can be heard all over the place. Thanks for a great amp, guy.

@sammaynard822 3 жыл бұрын

Can't remember if it's a lyric to a song or if it's just something he said, but I love it- "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana"- the best!

@jamesn5595 3 жыл бұрын

What is small and white and crawls up your leg? Uncle Ben's Perverted Rice! (so stupid i still crack up everytime i hear that joke from his album Live At The Quarter, lol.)

@goboslament5535 3 жыл бұрын

think thats a groucho quote.

@jamesmorrison2063 3 жыл бұрын

Coincidently, I just learned to play Poncho and Lefty. Townes Van Zandt is in the official Willie and Merle video of the song. He's one of the federales and is playing guitar near the end of the video. Check it out!

@jordanvanier2843 2 жыл бұрын

On a velvet beach far beneath the reach of those that come to pry and reach the natural man that tried to stand has fallen” fare the well Mrs carousel best song ever written

@TheMidnightModder 3 жыл бұрын

Love what you're doing for what it is, because there's no guarantee of becoming famous or wealthy. Also, don't drink 😂 - 2 great lessons from him And my favorite lyrics he wrote are from his song 'Lungs' - Fingers walk the darkness down Mind is on the midnight Gather up the gold you've found You fool, it's only moonlight. If you try to take it home Your hands will turn to butter You better leave this dream alone Try to find another. - I could explain what it means but I think it's best for each person to figure it out.

@MrRonan728 3 жыл бұрын

"Being born is going blind And bowing down a thousand times To echoes strung On pure temptation" - Nothin' Townes Van Zandt

@vwbeetle72jellybeen 3 жыл бұрын

Great show and now I know who Townes Van Zander is. Don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me, I simply didn’t know who he was. Great show, Tony! #guitargeeksunite

@21stcenturymuse27 2 жыл бұрын

Gotta love TVZ.

@JR0d117 3 жыл бұрын

Every time you said the guy's name, I kept thinking of John Claude Van Damme. Lol.

@ericbeggs7628 3 жыл бұрын

“Oh, why can't she see that to gain is only to lose? All that she offers me are her chains and I got to refuse”

@benseaton7761 2 жыл бұрын

"Everything is not enough and nothing is too much to bear"

@mintonmiller 3 жыл бұрын

the dust Poncho bit down south, ended up in Lefty's mouth.

@noahnickolson4697 3 жыл бұрын

“They found her down beneath the stairs That led to Gypsy Sally's In her hand when she died Was a note that cried Fare thee well Tecumseh valley”

@HGANGHONY 3 жыл бұрын

Townes Van Zandt was the best.

@73mhz 3 жыл бұрын

what is the thing with the hockey jersey and shoulder pads ??

@robertlennon6923 3 жыл бұрын

Tony ,Another great show, but regarding Mandolin Orang name change, i found an album called haste make/Hard Headed Stranger by Watchhouse dated 2011 so which name came first

@justinray9895 3 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing you probably have but I haven't heard you mention him yet. Just wandering if you have heard and listened to BLAZE FOLEY?? if not PLEASE check him out. He is a genius and a legend. That's Tony, huge fan. Keep the great shows coming!!

@YourLovelyMan 3 жыл бұрын

Favorite Townes lyric: Opening verse of Gypsy Friday. "If a dream's enough to ease your hungry sorrows And a song's enough to blow your tears away And all you need's a rhyme to help you pass your time Meet me down the line on Gypsy Friday."

@timreagan6765 Жыл бұрын

“I’d like to lean into the wind and tell myself I’m free” - TVZ I’ll Be Here In The Morning

@joe121767 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry to be off topic but have you ever listened to Michael Hedges?

@dustinwroten353 2 жыл бұрын

"The man just grinned like it was all a game"

@agentjonburrows9595 Жыл бұрын

The blind man with his knife in hand has convinced himself that he understands

@titusfeskens6189 3 жыл бұрын

“The choice is yours to make And time is yours take Some dive into the sea Some toil upon the stone”

@jeteye97 3 жыл бұрын

Tecumseh Valley, no question. That story perfectly captured what was much more the feminine experience in the old west than are the rose colored reminiscences of a mythical greater era of hardy individualists.

@jeteye97 3 жыл бұрын

The name she gave was Caroline Daughter of a miner And her ways were free and it seemed to me The sunshine walked beside her

@timthetoolpool 3 жыл бұрын

Favorite lyric is from Silver Ships Of Andilar - "For a soldier denied his battle plain on a comrade soon must turn" Probably because the whole song is obviously based on Tolkien. 😂

@TheMax1230 3 жыл бұрын

Bid the years good-bye you cannot still them You cannot turn the circles of the sun You cannot count the miles until you feel them And you cannot hold a lover that is gone

@seanheath5349 3 жыл бұрын

Aint much of a lover its true, I'm here and gone, forever blue, but I'm sure wanting you

@robertotorres2576 2 жыл бұрын

"Being born is going blind and bowing down a thousand times."

@steventregilgas5016 3 жыл бұрын

I live in Australia here geek is not a complimentary term

@isadorealire5722 3 жыл бұрын

It isn't, or wasn't here in America either. Nerd, geek, and dork were terms used to make fun of bookish people. The terms then bece embraced by, well... geeks.

@frankswildyear 2 жыл бұрын

Now as I stumble and reel to my bed, all that I’ve done, all that I’ve said means nothing to me, I’d soon as be dead and all of this world be forgotten

@rubo8925 3 жыл бұрын

No set of lyrics has ever made me sit bolt upright and say wtf like my 1st time hearing mr mudd and Mr gold.. I instantly started writing something I was awestruck and inspired in the best way possible and that shits rare these days.. 1st finding and exploring townes catalogue all those years ago hasn't really happened since

@ZionForman 3 жыл бұрын

love TVZ. TVZ says nobody ever impressed him more than Doc Watson, I agree. here is that song he talks about kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jrF6mcqbzLXRioU.html

@jaytouvelle2359 3 жыл бұрын

Get Drunk and just out there and give it your all. Ha ha ha Blake Foley too

@nedludd3641 3 жыл бұрын

Mandolin Orange can't change names, it's just not cricket. It would be like Elton John changing his name to Reg Dwight, or The Beatles suddenly calling themselves The Quarry Men.

@dcbandi72 3 жыл бұрын

Torrifaction? Vintage? I have a 25 year old Yammy, a new Martin jr. I really just want to say that a guitar will get you through times without money better than money will get you through times without a guitar. The best guitar is the one you have. Happy picking kids! Be kind.

@ethan_douglas6989 Жыл бұрын

If you like lost you’ll end up found

@jamesn5595 3 жыл бұрын

I can't seperate people playing cosmetically aged guitars with the types of people that used to pay for artificially aged designer jeans and leather jackets. I know it is not exactly the same, and probably isn't fair, because the jeans thing just oozes douchiness.

@michaellaverty1844 3 жыл бұрын

Watchful eyes are too hard on the Soul.

@pauldenali6367 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately Townes lost that work ethic you mentioned which allowed him to shut himself in a virtual closet in his early years while songwriting. The vast majority of his great songs were written before 1974. Between then and his death on January 1st 1997 substance abuse steadily robbed his creativity. This is another lesson, albeit a darker one that is well worth learning.

@michaellaverty1844 3 жыл бұрын

Hard to watch Townes talk about Doc. Townes looks so worn out.