Yup… I’m older today. I’ve hit the big 4-3… kind of underwhelming. It’s not 40, it’s not 50, it’s not even 45.
I think I’ll skip it this year 🙂
But hey, you remember my “fake it until you make it” article? Well today’s video is a little more of that but with feeling!
Enjoy and DO THIS (by yourself probably 🙂
154 replies to "The Big 43…"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Griff. I remember 43… it was a mere 30 years ago. Those were some of the best 30 years of my life. Hope you’ll find the same!
Happy Birthday Griff! I hope that you have your affairs in order, it is all downhill from this day forward. First will come the periodic micro-strokes, paralyzing small, but noticeable muscle groups. Next the nearly fatal heart attack! But you will survive these minor inconveniences. Only to learn that you have cancer and it is spreading throughout your Lymphatic glands! Regardless of all of these difficulties, you will persevere! Then you will meet the IRS!
Best regards,
Barry
Keep up with the good work. HBD to you.Age is but a number, Stay healthy and safe.
Man, did I need to see this lesson. Thank you for repeating it.
Thanks so much for that Griff. I have been following you for years & not sure if I saw this when you put it up a couple of years ago. But it is now that I really needed this & haven’t seen it explained like this before. I will certainly be doing all my practice this way from now on.
A very valuable lesson for me at my stage of my guitar journey.
Stan
Cairns, Australia
Happy Birthday ??. This Blog addresses just what I’ve been struggling with. Thank you for the simplicity of “talk to me like I’m a 2yo”. Except I’m 69 anyway it works. Keep up the good work
Happy ‘B’ Day Good Stuff Counting out loud = Brain lock
Instead of tapping my foot, I tried snapping my fingers…didn’t work so good!
It’s my 53rd bday!!
Griff…I really liked this video,you seem to know what I need.I am enjoying my courses and your e-mails.Thank you for connecting.Gene
thanks for this and all the others. Great.
Hey
Happy Birthday!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY , great lesson,thanks
Sorry I got your birthday wrong! What i should have said was “Seasons Greetings” as it will soon be Xmas, & very best wishes for 2017.
Regards, Harry from Southampton UK
Hi Griff,
Happy 43rd birthday mate! Hope u have a great day? Love all the video lessons, keep up the good work!
Very best regards,
Harry J from the British south coast.
Hello Griff, wishing you a very nice birthday, a nice day, and a lot of more years to go!!
Ps. thanks for the lessons, it helps me to play better blues guitar
thank god u got onto ” feel” I have a really good live teacher and now griff ( best of both worlds) my live teacher has been getting me to feel the beat rythm etc etc and after a couple years of being taught to count I was starting to think uh oh is this guy really that good griff would not approve of not counting, but I am getting the hang of it , to suddenly go from counting to feel is such an exciting prospect it just opens up the whole music world to unseen potential and another tip I write down all your little riffs and learn them maybe not bend for bend or hammer for hammer but I kno them and when improving I do my own thing with them , it’s a great way to build up your library of licks love your generosity of spirit
This special blog is certainly breathtaking and entertaining. I have found helluva usable tips out of this blog. I’d adore to visit it each after in a while. Thanks a bunch!
happy Birthday!
Thank you so much.
This is one of the most important lesson that I ever had.
Your the best!
JY
For hottest news you have to pay a visit web and on the web I found this website as a finest web site for most up-to-date updates.
Thanks Griff! I Hope You Had A GREAT ONE!!!
The lesson reminded me that your whole body and mind become one with the instrument; ie the Instruments becomes an extension of your soul.
Side note: Saw the Tubes the other night and was a Great Show. 1st 2 tunes were Sinatra and dressed for the occasion. Fee is what 70 ish and Sang All Spot on and still pulled off the shock rock thing. I suggest all readers try to see them. World Class Show.
Thanx Again Griff,
Wade
happy belated b-day good lesson Griff
Happy Birthday, I’ve got 20 years on you and still wanting to learn more, your a great teacher, keep up the great work!
I dont knpw what im studing
Any more but i love it
Wistler
Thanks Griff. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday Griff, from the UK, seems like all of us oldies on here are wishing we too were back at that wonderful age. Make the most of it youngster and keep us young at heart with your helpful tuition lessons. ( tip for you…if you smoke in bed,,slow down, you’re doing it too fast. ) See, Timing is so important.!!!
Happy Birthday Griff hope you have many more enjoy your lessons.
Happy birthday bro…….ahh to be 43 again. enjoy it while you got
thanks again for your generosity in sharing your talent and knowledge with us and for all the time it must take to put your videos together which you so willingly share we us.
happy birthday Griff. love all that you do for us wenta bes.
happy birthday Griff , and keep pikkn
Happy Bday.
Yes received the cheat sheet Thanks
happy birthday griff, and keep pikkn
Happy Birthday to the master teacher.
All the best Griff.
Happy birthday Griff!
Happy B Day Griff enjoy your video’s keep em coming
Happy Birthday , Griff , wish I was ONLY 43 . Prime baby u in your prime. Thanks for all the great lessons
Hey Griff. Happy belated birthday! I am a year older too… mine is Oct 09. I’ve been 43 before… not so bad if you turn it around.. 34! I turned 64, so I’m turning mine around… 46. Have a great day and thanks for all the lessons. I really learn a lot from your videos.
Griff
Happy belated Birthday! Everyone should thank you for this great timing lesson! If I can get the timing down, anyone can. Keep practicing & the timing will come. I listen to a lot of Rocking Roll songs when I’m driving my Big Rig. Stomping out the Beats out in songs will really help you too! I can play song & immediately big up the Beat! Keep practicing everyone, & you will get better at everything. The worse thing you can do is stop playing your Guitar. Griff your only 13 years younger then me. Keep the pointers coming because they help us so much become better Guitar Players
Jeffrey
Hi Griff and Happy Birthday to you. Thanks for all the instructional lessons that you provide. I have purchased 70% of your lessons and I am looking forward to some Christmas Specials so as to purchased the remaining 30% of your lessons.
Regards,
Art
Happy Birthday Griff. Keep up the great instructional lessons. I’ve purchased 70 % of your lessons and I am looking forward to some Christmas specials so as to purchase the remaining 30%.
Regards,
Art
HAPPY B-DAY GRIFF!
Been play’n for 40+ years & still appreciate tips on timing.
It cannot be over emphasized if you want a great groovin sound.
Thanks for all the lessons & tips. Keep on goin for another
43 my friend.
PC
Been playing music in one form or fashion since I was in 5th grade. This is a great, great lesson. Even now the “16th notes are not the same as eighth notes played twice as fast” is a bit of musical wisdom that shouldn’t be overlooked. “It sounds downright frantic.” Funny. Great stuff.
been plying for 40 years played profesionaly for half yhat. in all my years i havenat been able to tap my foot to the beat. i even got hammered by Kim Fally our producer (Joan Jets). learn to tap your foot. well it just comes natural. i have my own inner metranome. when playing in a band i would listen to the bass player and watch the rthym guitar player’s hand. thats if i was not tight on the song. happy B_day. thanks for the instructions. maybe i’ll play the Rising sun and try tapping my foot. i have a great blues version i know.
Thanks for the lesson.
I’m a beginner and currently practicing with the Moab Community Dance Band. We do Contra dances once a month. I’ve been working on the rhythm section for Jigs and Reels. Your birthday lesson further emphasizes the importance of timing.
Thank you so much.
Tom G.
HBD–old guy, its all downhill from here…..Thanks for your musical guidance, you are an inspiration to me and many others…..Mike
HBD- old man, its all downhill from here. You’re an inspiration to me and many others, thanks for your musical guidance…..Mike
Happy 43 Griff. I just wish I was 43 again. Well, maybe not. Long story. I’ll skip it here.
Happy Birthday Griff!!! Thanks for all the tips and lessons.
Now I have to go and practice my triplits….
Al F
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFF, and an unforgetable day with your family!
My best wishes from Hannover, Germany
Karoly
Excellent lesson on familiarization with other styles and tempos.
HAPPY B’DAY GRIFF. U GIVE SO MANY PRESENT TO US THAT I FEEL GUILTY. THIS TIMING IS MY PROBLEM. THANKS SO MUCH. PEACE OUT. SINCERELY, DAVID
Great lesson well explained as always, thank you Griff. Have a wonderfull day!
Congrats, youngster, from a Brit fan of all your stuff who’s just made it to 68! Long may you continue to spread understanding and enjoyment.
YUP its your day do what you want . It is good to rehash everything you might learn something that was missed . Many more Bdays Griffin. Thought it was gonna b a queen lesson but you can skip that . Another one bites the dust .
Happy Birthday from Savannah, Ga. –Thanks for all the great lessons–my playing has greatly improved and I can only see it getting better with your help!
Hi Griff
Happy Birthday & best wishes from down under. As my Pappa used to say “if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” Thanks for all your emails & lessons.
Best wishes
Graeme
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I wish you many many more!
A side note: turn your birthday numbers around… thats how old I will be in a couple of weeks … still can’t play the blus ..Still trying….still studing blues unleased lessons. It keeps my finfers working and me out of the bars.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy birthday Griff – as I told me sister the other day, you are catching up to me.
Great lesson and yes it is something that I neglect but I would have benefitted from an example for the triplets. Not quite sure how to apply the beat/foot thing
Happy Birthday, Griff. I hope you have enjoyed the first 40 years because the next forty can be even better. Regards from Brisbane.
Happy Birthday Griff, I hope you have the best day ever 😀
Happy birthday from Melbourne, Griff. Have an awesome year. Great lesson too.
Regards,
Neville
hi Griff,Happy birthday 2 u and many more,you`re a great guy and i am learning so much,thanks 4 everything,have a most excellent birthday.
Happy Birthday Griff from an 86 year old man–having trouble understanding the “triplets” you say 1 is down + ??? ah up -what happens with the + ??
Aloha …
NO MORE BIRTHDAZE … you are now eligible to have A-N-N-I-V-E-R-S-A-R-I-E-S- !!!
Today is the 4th ANNIVERSARY of your 39th Birthday !!! It worked for Jack Benny for a VERY long time …
Blessings to you and your family on this very special ANNIVERSARY celebration day !!!
Yours in Kauai …
DaKineMusicMan
HAPPY 43rd BIRTHDAY!!!! Enjoy it while you can, I wish I was 43 again.
Great lesson, this is the most important part to playing the guitar.
It was years before I figured that out, still have problems sometimes and have to count out loud to get my timing straight.
Thanks Again
Happy birthday Griff, hope you enjoy the day. Thanks for all your lessons. I enjoy them all
Happy Birthday to you Griff.
For years I had trouble with my rhythm.
Counting out loud and playing has been not only difficult for me, but it was the key to my timing. I have been practicing counting out loud for a few months and it is finally sinking in. I can now count and play and tap my foot all at the same time. Now when I play I hear and feel the count in my head. It’s fantastic. It is well worth the effort to do this.
Thanks again,
Dave
Happy Happy Birthday and many more. Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep at it…
Happy birdthday Griff and thank you for all you doing for us!
Happy Birthday Griff from Perth “down-under” great lesson
Happy Birthday Griff to Quote ” It’s a long way there, It’s along way there, to where your go in.” enjoy it Thank’s for the lessions
Congratulations for successfully completing another trip around the sun. I hope you enjoy your day. And also thank you for the great videos and advice.
Happy Birthday Griff… This is by far the hardest thing for me and I believe it’s why I fail and then give in to just ‘jamming crap’… I hope this helps, as I know this is what’s keeping me from playing real music… Thanks
Mickey
Happy birthday Griff,thanks for all the great lessons and insights. Best wishes,Chris
Happy birthday, i’m 70 and I will trade with just about anyone. Thanks for the video.
Griff:
Happy birthday – hope you have another 43 at least and continue playing at the level you are today or even better!! I passed 43 more than 20 years ago and am still working to improve my playing and enjoying your videos. I learned clarinet as a very young man and my great clarinet teacher used the 1 trip let counting so I have used that. Either works fine. He also used the 1 e and a for the sixteenths.
Great input and lesson – even for us that are well experienced with this process. Thanks for being you.
Peace, John
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFF
Happy Birthday Griff. I’ll be 60 on the 27TH. Trade ya. LOL! Thanks for the lessons. Anyone can see how much you care about teaching people how to play as easy as possible, and the right way.
Hey Happy Birthday Griff. 43 pasted for me long ago and still working on playing better, but I think its on going throughout your life. If your not learning your burning.Your the best and you have opened up doors for me. I can,t THANK YOU enough
Have a great day (:
Happy Birthday Griff,
All birthdays are good! As I like to say certainly much better than the alternative. Thanks for all your help. Take care, my friend.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFF.I hope you get to do something special for yourself today .HAVE A GREAT DAY.CHEERS !!!!!
G’Day, Maaaate!
Happy Birthday from “Down Under”. Have a good one young fella!
Hey Griff,
Happy Birthday, Enjoy your day!!! Great lesson today.
Warren
Happy b. day, thanks for all your good stuff…
Hey Griff,
Happy Birthday, Enjoy you day!!!
Warren
Happy birthday, Griff. 43 is a good age; not really old. Actually, all the ages I reached since being 43 myself were good. I’m 72 and taking on learning something new: blues guitar. It’s never too late to keep the mind young and heart full of music. When 72 comes for you, you’ll look back and feel every blues lick you played where individual blessings poured out to those who took your music into their own heart. Thanks for all the terrific lessons and mentoring videos.
Happy Birthday Griff 43 years young. I’ m 66 and still learning and enjoying every lesson. Thanks Griff hava agreat day.
Dave
Hey Griff, Happy Birthday, you sure don’t look like you’re 43………but we all remember when you did……..stolen from Toby Keith to Willie Nelson on his 70th.
I would not wish more birthdays on you other than they are superior to the alternative as any 72 year old can tell you. However, your birthday seemed to bring forth lessons that are extremely meaningful. Time is a very difficult component of learning for many of us. Everyone thinks they can play a drum, for after all it is only hitting the head with a stick right? Drums are difficult because they are about time and coordination but they carry the beat of the band and without them everyone sucks. And so for the individual if they can not carry they own beat and hold time then all the rest is moot. Thanks for the lesson.
Hi! Griff, Happy Birthday! Thank you for all the lessons. Have a Wonderful Birthday and a Wonderful Year.
Best Wishes, Rhonda
Happy birthday, Griff, and thank you so much for everything.
Happy birthday to you and I hope you and your family celebrate it with a blast. I thank you for all you have posted for us to day and I really appreciate it. Again Have a wonderful birthday to you and Happy Birthday to you and many more.
Happy Birthday Griff! Have a great day. Starting to get into your great lessons.
That was a very valuable lesson. I particularly liked the last segment about 1/16. My foot is my best metronome, next is my head. To dance we use our feet…And HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Hope you have many more….
Jean
Happy birthday Griff, I hope you have many more. 43 is OK just thin k of me 83? but life is good. Enjoy.
Cheers
Einar
happy birthday all the best
Happy birthday, Griff
Happy Birthday Griff 🙂 Have a great day -all the best to you.
Happy Birthday Griff. I am now 70 like Mike Z. before me. I don’t know about him, but with me it takes little more time to pick up some of these things, but don’t fear. By the time I become twice my age I will have it all down or I will die trying.
Happy Birthday Griff!
Love your lessons. I feel like I have a personal instructor. Have a great year.
George
Griff, Happy 43rd Birthday. [ mine is the 27th but I am 70 ] I have been following your lessons for some time now . I have been going back and forth with the Beginning Blues coarse, and Acoustic Blues coarse . It seems to help me , but not sure that is the right thing to do. Thanks for your great lesson . Mike Z
Happy 43rd, Griff. You can do anything you want, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.
Happy Birthday Griff from Eastern Canada, Many more brother!
Happy B Day Griff, I just purchased
Pentatonic Scales & Technique Mastery great deal 30% off
I am working on five easy solo’s and having trouble with timing so I started writing them down in my book and that really helps me understand a lot better
I’m up there in age so learning new stuff takes me a little time
Thanks Jim
Hi Griff,
Thanks for the great lessons in Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed. Really having fun with it. Happy Birthday, AND BTW, 43 ain’t so bad……
Yep, Happy Birthday Griff. Like fine wine, you only get better (and more wrinkly – but we’ll deal with that another day!). Hope you have a fantastic day!
Happiest ever Birthday. You have been a great help in my learning to play the guitar. And I am only 79.
Happy Birthday. I hope you have a great one!! I love your lessons and teaching style.
Happy B’day, Griff! You’re a hell of a teacher! Still trying to figure out how to improve with my axe, but working on it!
Jerry
Happy Birthday, Griff. Your lessons are great! Keep on rockin’!
Ken
Have a great birthday, Griff. I can remember 43. It was 21+ years ago and I agree 100% with Paul Warner’s comment – the years do go by much quicker after 40. I still feel 20 in my head – just wish my body did too. I’m leaving for West Covina Saturday (10/11) and hope to see you at the Black Marlin next Sunday. Thanks so much for the great lessons!
Louis
Hey Griff, Have a fantastic birthday. I have had 71 of them (I Think)
Hi Griff, Thank you for all your help in gaining success in my musical ambitions. When you look in a mirror, it is a backward image that you are looking at. This means a 4-3 y.o. is actually a 3-4 y,o,. So, hang in there and again thanks. Happy Birthday, Griff
Happy Birthday! Have a great day. We think of you often and you’ll always be a youngster to us!
Happy Birthday, Griff! How sad…You’ve hit the age where you will start forgetting how old you are and can’t remember if it’s 43 or 44 or..it could be 45…and you’ll be bumping into walls and tripping over pennies, falling, using a walker, slurring your speech, crotchety and angry all the time, etc.
Try to remember to take your vitamins and avoid icy patches, steps, hills, stairs, muddy
spots, keep your driving to a minimum, keep your tri-focal glasses extra clean, don’t just stand in the middle of grocery store aisles for hours (use a list), keep your oxygen tank close at All times, don’t exceed recommended dosages of aspirin for chronic arthritis pains, just to name a few, and you will be fine.
Have a Wonderful Life!
Hi Griff, happy birthday bud. And thanks for all your lessons, it’s a fantastic journey to be on. I’m gonna take you up on your birthday offer and send for your pentatonic scales and technique mastery course. Keep up the good work and hope you have many more birthdays. Cheers.
You have a great talent for teaching. Please keep using it! HAPPYY BIRTHDAY and God Bless!
Happy Birthday !!! Sure hope you continue to have many many more.
Happy birthday to the best teacher in the known universe!!! Have a great day my brother and PLAY ON!!!
Hi, Griff Happy Birthday remember age is only a number, Thanks for being a great person . enjoy Callahan
Happy birthday young Griff and thanks for all the great tips & videos!
Happy Birthday Griff have a good one bud and many thanks for the great lessons
Happy 43rd, Griff!
Hi Griff,HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more.Ive got you by 36 YEARS. My Dr.just advised me I show signs of Parkinson,s.Its helping me with vibrato ha.Thanks for all the super tips,Len.
I remember my 43rd year well even tho it was 33 years ago. It was the year that I quit smoking and ran over 1300 miles to clear my lungs out as I had heard that it took 10 years to rid your body of smoking effects and running and breathing heavy was the only way I visualized rushing the escape from the effects. Happy Birthday griff.
JJ
Happy B’day Griff……..you young pup!!
Happy Birthday Griff and have a great day.I Enjoy your lessons very much. Thank You Cheers on your Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Buddy! I hope you have a great day! Thanks for all of the lessons!
Happy B(lues)-day Griff! Make it a great one!
Happy Birthday Griff. Hope you enjoy your day. A little advice as I am older than you. It seems when you get older, or as you are getting older time seems to go by so much faster, and if you have a bucket list of things you’d like to get done or accomplish this year try to keep the list short because the time will go by too fast and then it gets depressing that you didn’t get done what you wanted to. Try your best to slow days down so that you can enjoy moments more thoroughly, this is important.
As for this video I think timing is such a critical part of making music sound the way it is suppose to and it requires a lot of work. I think the most important thing is getting a song completely memorized so that when you get to working on the timing and the feel of the song you’re not concerned as to what you play, but how you play it. I know once I have a song down where I know all the chords, the lead, and the general feel of the song then I can really concentrate on the timing of strums, arpeggio fills, or little bass runs and it then makes it easier to really feel the timing, and I firmly believe in metronomes. Of course if you have gotten good enough to be able to improvise all of this timing better be second nature I would imagine.
Have a great day
Happy Birthday Griff!!! Like me, you didn’t listen when people told you NOT to get old. Recently received my copy of your Blues Guitar Unleashed. Gonna learn it with my grandson. Great lessons by email. Keep up the good work!
Happy Birthday…but 43 you’re still a pup my friend..liked the video…always need to review basics…had to smile with some of the subtle bends you added in…later.
cowboy
Happy Bluesy Birthday! Thanks for the videos. The
Hi Griff…Happy birthday to you…43 eh? LOL…got a *few* years on you!
I do want to thank you for your great lessons…I’ve improved more in the last 3 months than in the past 66 yrs!!
We share a birthday,(except mine was 19 years before yours)so have a good one….your efforts greatly appreciated.
A
Happy Birthday
For me, 43 was a long time ago but each birthday is something to treasure. If you don’t have a birthday, well then you’ve probably left the world. I enjoy each and every day, especially since retirement. so, keep on truckin’ as we used to say when Iw as 43.
Dave
Happy Birthday “old man”! Wishing you many, many more….and the beat goes on.
Hi , thanks for all the MUsic great to have you there, doing then thing! Hapy B ths day!!
HB Griff..!!!
Thank you for all that you do sharing your knowledge to become a better guitar player. For me, when I receive your email ( video/blog ), I am excited to see what the lesson will be. And I am amazed that it is exactly what I am needing to see and hear. This lesson demonstration of counting and the “exaggeration” you performed was so right on. Please keep these lessons coming. Enjoy your day!!
Happy birthday Griff. Only a quarter of a century between us. Unfortunately the wrong way from my perspective :(( Inspite of my great age still improving rapidly thanks to you.
CHeers
happy birthday fella,thanks for the help (im 49 on Sunday!)-Librans rule!-I think.
Happy Birthday, Griff! Hope your day and 44th year are absolutely splendid, my friend…
Happy birthday Griff, have a good un. Thanks for another great video, off to groove 🙂 Cheers!
63 is OK too;)
Birthday greetings, Griff. You don’t look a day older than 43.
Great Job Griff and Happy Birthday
Have a great day !!
Happy birthday for sure Griff. First video I just watched…excited to start playing. I am almost 53 and want to get started. I hope I can master the guitar playing and maybe even vocals.
Best wishes,
Brian
Ps. Looks like your an outstanding teacher.
Take care
Hey Griff wishing you the most beautiful of ur day I say many more yearz once again happy 43 you will grow old n gray. I love ur teaching keep it up
Happy Birthday!!! I am having my fifty eighth birthday tomorrow the 11th! I am enjoying you emails and think your a great guy and teacher! I am just now starting to get serious with my attempts to learn the guitar. You are a great inspiration! Thanks again!
Mark
Hi Griff,
Some top tips for any short or long term guitar player, particularly important from the listeners perspective as it one of the few times I will leave any artists performance is when there timing sucks. Happy 43rd birthday and never stop teaching Yoda.
Cheers,
David
Happy Birthday Griff!!
Thanks for all the lessons.
Hi Griff.
Happy Birthday hope you have a great day.I enjoy all your lessons.
Cheers Frank.