I had a request recently for a little bit of Jerry Reed. Since much of the blues and country music can go hand in hand when it comes to the guitar, I figured I wouldn’t be too far off base releasing a post with Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins and my good friend Arnie Newman. One of the classic duets from Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins was a little ditty called “Jerry’s Breakdown.” It’s a pretty advanced finger picking tune on it’s own, but these two play flawlessly together. And fortunately, my good friend and fellow guitarist Arnie Newman spent the time getting both Jerry’s part and Chet’s solo under his fingers to share with all of us here in Internet land. For today’s post, I thought you would dig seeing the classic guitar duo’s performance of the tune, then see the tune played close-up by Arnie. Both performances were pretty stellar so I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins appeared often together on the old TV show “Pop Goes The Country” in the 1970s. Check out one of the original performances from the duet playing Jerry Reed’s classic “Jerry’s Breakdown” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE.
My good buddy and fellow guitarist Arnie Newman recorded a great version of both guitar parts with the camera close-up on his fingers. Some of you that met Arnie at Blues Guitar Unleashed Live 2013 can attest to his skills on the guitar. Check out his performance of the tune at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFwnE3ilWzA.
I hope you enjoyed hearing this great finger picking tune from the original masters, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins, and one of their faithful students Arnie Newman. There’s more coming your way at Blues Guitar Unleashed, so stay tuned.
Thanks,
Griff
70 replies to "Some Classic Finger picking From Jerry Reed, Chet Alkins And Arnie Newman"
Griff,
Ever hear of Corey Dennison? One of the best guitarist i have ever heard.
Chet Atkins, many many years ago used a finger picker in his band named Tommy Crook. As a matter of fact Chet at one time called Tommy the best finger picker alive. Tommy played with most of the greats of the 50′, 60’s and 70’s. Tommy is still very much alive but has retired from playing more than once or twice a year. Usually at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, annual Guitar Summit. I was lucky enough 18 months ago to talk Tommy into playing on my album, if even for just one song. This link will give you an idea of just how good Tommy was and still is. If you like finger picking you’ll enjoy the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlBUuOM8G1o
Thank you so much!!! Thank you for sharing your expertise, inspiring so many to attain the thrill of playing and providing enjoyment to those who hear. It is so uplifting to hear polished professionals play and see their awesome skills displayed.
I am now 71. I learned the bass during the 1960’s and truly enjoyed every minute I played. Wow, if we only would have had tools like this back then!
It doesn’t get any better than these two!
If you say “I could never play that” you are absolutely right!”
Keep sticking all that negative stuff in your own mind and your mind will do what you tell it to do!!!
Why not try telling yourself that with time you will learn to do it? A positive thought never hurt anyone! And stay the hell away from negative thoughts and negative people! They are of no use!
Have a great time improving every day!! And slow the heck down!! You’ll get faster over time but first you have to learn the lick!
You’re right Walt, although I’m a long way from playing like that I know have a good idea of what he is doing and it all doesn’t seem so unattainable. Keep practicing!
That was fantabulous…great stuff!! Thank you.
Wow 🙂
Thanks Teach!! That was awesome! Inspiration at its finest 🙂
GRIFF,
THAT WAS FABULOUS AND THEY MAKE IT LOOK SO EASY. IT IS HOWEVER, ANYTHING BUT! IF ANYBODY CAN SIMPLIFY IT FOR US IT’S YOU!
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHERE YOU’RE GOING WITH THIS!!!
THANKS GRIFF FOR HELPING THOSE OF US WHO PLAY GUITAR – PLAY BETTER!
OLD SCHOOL & STILL ROCKIN’ – GARY
Griff.
Thanks for the Valentine video, Really a treat to watch. They made it look soo easy, and they had a blast performing. Outstanding.!!
A lot people were never exposed to Jerry Reed
What a picker ! Of course Chet was, and still is a legend !
Thanks for the advice on finger picks guys, I can FP but about gave it up
because of the pick issues.
What a video ….thanks Griff
Thanks griff love chet and jerry, and arnie sure can play that tune, would like you to do one of chets called , just fiddling around, its a great catchy little tune, just a thought, cheers, and thanks griff.
Damn Skippy!!!! Thanks Griff. have seen the Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins…never seen Arnie Newman……I love being turned on to something new!! Thanks again!
That’s what, in Art,they call “economy of means”It looks like Arnie is barely moving or applying any pressure to the strings.No flash or showoff.Just smooth no sweat chops
it was fortunate to watch Jerry do a live show back in the late 70’s he absolutely great on stage, really played to the audience and just had fun doing what he loved to do. I find in interesting that Jerry never seems to reach past a 4 fret stretch. I don’t doubt that he could be he sure makes a lot of music without reaching very far! Love both he and Chet picking and grinning!!!! Oh and Arnies no slouch either, 🙂 Thanks Griff.
sorry everybody elizabeth cotton was left handed but played right handed guitars and banjos check her out on u tube
i love this tyle of playing -listen to doyle dykes. my guitar training started with classical and if you read music try ‘ the classic guitar collection vol 2. right at the end of the book (maybe its free on the internet these days) there are two pieces credited to elizabeth cotton which have a rag time feel. when i get home and wilson rag. when i went for the notes it suddenly happened that i could play it – but thats not the whole story. elizabeth cotton was right handed but picked up a guitar which was strung for a left handed player – she never looked back and always played the wrong way around. what can you say about that just keep going whatever your ability or problem is go for it !!!!
Thanks for the videos Griff. Absolutely superb playing. Can’t help noticing nylon strung guitar being played with thumb-pick and fingers, a very effective style. I play classical finger-style guitar and flat-pick electric guitar. I have tried to find a suitable thumb pick so as to play electric guitar both finger-style and flat-pick style as per Chet Atkins etc but all the thumb picks I have tried so far all feel uncomfortably tight around the thumb. Any idea what make/model Arnie uses/recommends or what Chet or Jerry used? All 3 players on the videos used white coloured thumb picks. Any info would be gratefully received.
John: Try “Bumble Bee” thumb picks. It’s a (new?) soft plastic grip design with an adjustable pick. Don’t know where you are, but I found them at McAbe’s in Santa Monica. They’re also available on line.
Ron
Try Herco “Bug-A-Blue” #HE 115 FLEX 52 Medium Blue Nylon.
I quit flatpicks in the 70’s when I met a teacher who showed me the Chet way and these picks.
I was a huge Johnny Winter fan before that, but never tried a thumb pick, except for those big thick Nationals or Dunlops which cut off the circulation to my thumb. Painful.
I’ve been using Herco’s ever since on every kind of guitar.
Thumbpickin’ is really cool, and everyone else flat picks so it has worked out good for me.
The only way to hit five strings at once, no matter how fast a flat picker you are. Piano guitar!
Ernie ball used to make ones as thin as flat picks, but because they were plastic, they tended to break at the bend.
The Herco’s are nylon, comfy, and wear out before they break. Try Elderly Instruments. I order them there because when I ask at guitar shops around NYC, they look at me like I’ve got three heads.
I play a couple cover tune in fingerstyle.
Hopefully i can pick up a few more.And write a few of my own
Real talent! Chet even throws in some sweep picking. He was so good. Jerry was up there too. Thanks Griff.
Banjo style of picking it is! Impressed with how they move up & down the scale, from 1 box to another. That’s the secret to playing a killer solo!
Finger plucking good. I like same with a more European flavor. When I see this stuff I see my pick as like a crutch or limitation. Thanks for posting.
That is some good stuff. I`m a right handed guy who plays left hand due to a birth defect on my left hand which would be my fret hand if I played righty but since I have very short fingers on that hand and glad I have them but makes very hard to finger pick so I use a pick and do as well as I can I have fun and get better every day !!
Scott
Thanks as always Griff. Wonderful!! You have primed the pump so we expect some fingerpicking lessons very,very soon. Regards.
Griff, Awesome stuff, Chet and Jerry were good, but your buddy Arnie, was awesome!!! Would Love to a break down video of his picking?? I read a lot of the comments and a lot of naysayers saying they could never play that. Well maybe not, me neither, probably, but to take away a few tricks, licks,chord variations and changes is what I try to come away with and as one of your other good buddies always says, ” Add them to Your Arsenal of Tricks and Licks, steal a few changes. Next thing you know you just figured out your next new song, incorporating a few of your new tricks. Right out of the Bag!!!
Thanks,
Griff
As I watched them perform, I had a watering mouth. Wow..
Love it! Love it! Love it! Thank you ,,that was something else, WOW.
These people?
Living proof that aliens live among us!
What’s not to love!
It’s way above my pay grade but I really enjoyed it. Tks
rdh
That was “IN-TENTS ” As Homer and Jethro said once Chet is a much better guitarist than he sounds!
That was awesome to see guys that good – keep it up THX
I have always been a chord-raker so any finger picking takes some time to get the pattern and transitions between phrases. It can be done- piece by piece- I learned Led Zep’s Bron-y-Aur, Rory Gallagher’sd Out on the Western Plain and Lindsay Buckinghams’s Never Going Back Again- each over the course of a couple months. Not weeks…months. Never going Back Again is very fast just like Jerry’s Breakdown. No doubt those country boys can play!!!
It can be done- I could see Jerry’s right hand alternating between the lowest 5 strings to the highest five strings. Lots to it for sure.
Chet and Jerry are my idols in picking style,two great mussos who play from the heart,thanks Griff for posting a great stuff,blessed them both for the talent they possessed.
I have always loved to hear Chet Atkins play. Loved hearing Jerry and Arnie play as well. Would love to be able to play like them, just not that talented. Would love some good finger picking lessons in the future Griff. Thanks for sharing with us Griff. Awesome!!!
Thanx Griff, those were awsome and brought back many memories I had a kid in my band on the ship in Viet Nam who could start playing with a new Chet Atkins record after the the first five notes . I remember Bandit , the Jerry Reed music and his saying “We’re going to pave the drive next week” i still use the saying everytime it looks likes some money is coming in. I used to love hearing Jerry play with Glen campbell. I’m afraid I will always be just a “C”,”G”, and “F” player,but I enjoy the greats
Thanks for that!!! Always admired Chet ! And Jerry is another one of those sneaky-good country boys (Roy Clark, Glen Campbell). Arnie is fantastic. He makes it look effortless.
Well kiss my grits. Now thats good pickin. Thanks!
Now your talking griff. I’ve been a fan of chet since 1964 and have 95tpercent of his vinyl record releasesi was fortunate in seeing him live in London on 2 occasions and once in Daytona beach when I was on holiday in usa. More of fingerpicking please griff thank you
I used to watch “Hee Haw” religiously, just to catch Roy Clark and Buck Owen’s “Pickin’ & A Grinin'” sessions, they were great players and this takes me right back to being a kid again, hearing this video made the memories come flooding back, as to just why I ever picked up a guitar in the first place..:)
absolutely outstanding
I have work to do!
Doesn’t get ANY better than that. Working on Jam Man right now but my years of Travis Picking…Damn muscle memory…. ;0) Pickers like that are just SSOOO over the top!
Griff , that was a treat. I remember the movie Smokie and the Bandit, when Jerry Reed played the theme song . Sounded the same with the great picking. Thanks Griff. Mike Z
I would really like some lessons like that!
Thanks again, Griff. Really terrific.
Hang on. Was that sweep picking by Chet? In 1975! I didn’t think the style was that old. Awesome guitarists.
Piece of cake! 😉
Wow.. Nothing left for me to say..
Griff: How about taking on the task of showing us how its done. Perhaps start by showing the fingering pattern of the chorus. then the rest of the song in 4-5 sessions? Leave out the techno stuff as to why/how the cords are formed, etc. and just show the finger pattern and shapes. Too hard of beginners? sure, maybe start instead with the basics of what fingers to use and how to thumb pick. 3 Fingers can’t be that difficult if you show us how.
thanks
GRIFF, THAT HURT!! WHEN I WAS 12 BACK IN THE 60’S THAT’S THE FIRST GUITAR LESSON’S I TOOK WAS FLAMINCO GUITAR. I HATED IT. I ENEDED UP USING MY OWN STYLE OF FINGER PICKING AND HAD EVERY ONE TELLING ME IT WAS THE WRONG WAY. WELL IF WAS, THEN WHY WHEN EVER I PLAYED A CLUB I GOT A STANDING OVATION. IT TAKES YEARS TO DO WHAT THOSE GUYS DID IN THE VIDEO. HAVE SEEN CHET LIVE MANY TIMES BACK THEN. NOW AT 63 I KNOW MY LIMITS AND TO TRY AND LEARN THAT FINGER PICKING WOULD BE IMPOSSIBEL FOR ME. IT WAS A NICE TREAT AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORY’S.
To all you wannabe metal shredders, this is the real deal!
That is just GREAT! What i wouldn’t give to play my Country favorites with that kind of style or even close to it. What i really enjoy playing are the ole time 4/4 Country songs. “Thanks for Posting”. Dave
Griff, that was simply AWESOME!! Too bad Doc Watson wasn’t there for his version, would have been a SURPER trio! Had goose bumps through both videos! I’ve been a rhythm guy off & on for around 50 years now & I don’t embarrass myself, but loving your courses for learning lead. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Amie!! He is SUPER!!!
Thanks Griff for always keeping us up with the talent that existed there is hope for people like me yet. I was about to give up the guitar until I made contact with u thank heavens I did keep up the good work.
I see Arnie posting his lunch break videos (he works at Fender) on Facebook regularly. Always some great pickin’.
I love that!
If II ever get to play like that it will be with six fingers on each hand. Everyone needs a goal they have been it for me. Ever Since Smokey and the Bandit
That is some amazing picking. Way over my head and skill level, but I sure like watching and listening. Thanks,
Steve
When I first was learning guitar I used to watch this band and I would copy down chords they were playing for songs they did, and after a while it was relatively easy to know the chords and learn all their songs, but I wanted to expand in other ways so I would buy Chet Atkins albums and try learning his stuff by ear, and I was making great progress, but when heavy metal started making its way into our lives, and you really could feel the power of single note bends, and blistering lead patterns, my days with Chet Atkins ended abruptly. Even though I am not too crazy about that kind of guitar playing I respect their skill and longevity and these videos are glimpse into their vast playing skills.
Can anyone tell us about the guitar Arnie is playing? Looks like a cross between a classic and a tele.
That looks to be a Godin Multiac Series-ACS Guitar !!
Godin makes some very nice guitars…very good quality!
Godin is a Canadian guitar manufacturer. You should check out their website, they have some pretty neat stuff available. I AM prejudiced as I own a Godin 5th Ave Kingpin II. I love it! And Arnie sure nailed that tune!! Excellent!
That’ a great article Griff! Watching Arnie in person is something to behold! Thanks for the post!
Griff,
Great stuff. Being a good ‘ol boy from the South, I love it.
I looked at the last post. The request was for Jimmy Reed. Jimmy Reed was part of
the Chicago blues scene of the 40’s with Muddy Waters. Little Walter & Howlin Wolf.
He signed with the rival of Chess Records– Vee-Jay Records.
Keep up the good work.
Scatterbolt
yes I like… Have got some of their old vinyls stored somewhere, makes me want to dig them out!!!!
Thanks Griff……..
I grew up with these fella’s and I can tell you now that they played for fun and from the heart they love playing together. Every time I heard Chet or Jerry play Tears would come into my eyes because there hearts were in there playing and I could feel the music they were playing. It was the best this old farm boy had ever heard and when they came out with stero and head phones it was like you was in the room with them standing there watching them play.I have been trying ever since to play any thing like them but I can’t but there memory and there music will always be with me cause I was one of the Lucky one that got to see them in Nashville Grand old Opry and seen them play first hand. And that was a blessing, thanks.
It’s great to see that there are still talented people out there – Fantastic guitar picking! – And I’m sure that Chet and Jerry would love to have tried that Godin Arnie Newman has – back in the 70’s.
-cheers.
Thanks for posting this !!! Great stuff. Interesting cross section between the blues & Country. ALL great guitarists.