OK… so I’m going to do something a little out of my own comfort zone for once.
When I was learning how to surf, one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to simply sit on the beach and watch the guys who knew what they were doing.
And when I was learning to play guitar as a teenager, I would take any chance I could get to go see my teacher play a gig. It didn’t happen often, but I always learned a lot from the experience.
So today I’m going to share with you some videos of my own playing on a gig I did back in March for my annual Blues Guitar Unleashed Live event.
There’s nothing specific to look for, just watch and enjoy and see if anything catches your attention 🙂
Hope you enjoy a little time watching “teach” do more than just teach… talk soon!
122 replies to "Who Is This Guy?"
Good hit teach. You should release the complete video…………?
Fantastic. Enjoyed it to the max. Thanks “teach”. I’m still learning.
Fantastic. Enjoyed it to the max..Thanks “teach”.
Very good Griff , nice full sounding band too. lnteresting vocals. lt’s good too see you in a full band scenareo. good ,and tight ,solid performance.
That is some SMOKING blues.Love it.
When are you coming to Chicago so I can see you play?
Gary
Outstanding! Thanks Griff!
WOW,WOW, WOW! I’ve taken your Acoustic Blues Course, Delta Blues, and 5 easy blues plus too many short email lessons to count. You bring it all together you could say you hear some clapton, some Jimmy and numerous Chicago Blues masters but I say you are your own master. You sound is right on…nailed it every time and who knew you could sing like that.
I am beholding for all the knowledge you share with the world and the many fans you teach and inspire every day. You are fabulous teacher and a masterful musician. Do this more often please.
At 68 I’m tryin but the voice just ain’t what it used to be…..and I was in radio and TV for 45 years. Met many of the greats, got to sit backstage, up front at a table, whatever I wanted and thought I pretty much saw it all but now there another one…you.
We live in opposite ends of the state but if you ever do a gig in the world famous Napa/Sonoma wine country please let me know…I’ll be there, you can even stay in the spare bedroom if you like. HA
bigric
Ric Haley
Hey great holler in 1 & 3 griff,
The ivories sound much nicer in 2 than
Syntho in 1
Me thinks Eric will be lookin over his
Shoulder as you gain on him
The best kind of blue to you and yours
For xmas
Whistler
Hi Griff,
We need more of your Gigs, so we can watch and learn. I would think like others here that if you were around in the 60’s the stones would have a bit more competition playing the Blues. Anyhow, I agree with my fellow Australian Steve, if you ever do a tour around Australia especially during the Blues Festival time you and your band would get great support from all of us BGU members.
As Eric Clapton says at the beginning of Sweet Home Chicago, We Need More of That….. More Griff Band Gigs to Watch & Learn.
I am proud to learn from a great teacher …. Griff Hamlin & Band.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2015 to you Griff & Family and the large Family of BGU Members and students.
Michael -Sydney Australia.
man I just gotta say that if the level of instruction you obviously enjoyed had been available to all of us who write these comments back in the 60’s & throughout your life, it’d be a blue, blue world…..of course you additionally have what it takes, thanks for sharing
I particularly hoochie koochie. Proud of my teacher. First tie I heard you sing. I am going to take the opportunity to learn this, sing after you….It was lots of fun. Thanks.
Having read through the comment, Mike probably said it best, but I can’t resist adding to it. True to your lessons, you and all the band members leave space for and listen to each other. When you break into your solos, you start out low (on the neck)and lean (few notes, lots of feeling)and end high(on the neck) and sizzlin’ hot!
I am loving the materials and plan to start posting some recordings to the Forum. Nothing makes the student really refine the lesson like listening to the first few attempts at recording the lesson only to learn how much more he/she needs to work out before it’s ready to be posted!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks again for all you do.
Like the sound you make. Seems to blend Clapton, Winwood and Bruce, and,
therefore, what a combination!
Nah, just Griff!!!
‘Agreed !!
Damn, another great guitar player who can also sing. It just ain’t fair!
As above! ‘Agreed…..
I loved when you finally cut loose after that segment with the whammy bar. It was due. But you built up to it and I know I was waiting for that moment for you to dig in that far down the neck. Great musicianship, IMO (for whatever that’s worth).
Thanks.
Love your lessons Griff. Love your band, up there with the best.
I also appreciated the dynamics in the sound, nobody over playing,lows and highs. Have to lock the dog outside to practise, she doesn’t like the guitar for some reason. Been playing for 50 years now, 15 years break, but getting back into it with your help, wish you were here 40 years ago, we all had to work it out for ourself. Just thought(as an old sound engineer myself),the sound mixer could have pumped your solos just a bit.
Great band, please tell me if you come to Aus, I will be there with friends.
…..
awesome Teach ! great to see my mentor in action. I think I’ve only ever heard you sing in one video. Great surprise- Thanks for all you do Griff 🙂
Hi Griff. WOW WOW WOW!!! I really love your lessons, I’m currently on lesson 5 of BGU. But this put the lessons in a completely different perspective. I live in the UK and will probably never have the chance to see you live. These videos were great, your right up there with the greats. I had goose bumps just listening. FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD if I’m only 1% as good as you I know I will have achieved something. More videos please. I feel inspired to do more.
That is SO cool to see what you teach put into action. Thanks, and Merry Christmas.
That’s what I’m talkin bout….Goose bump good!
Great stuff Griff! Nice Eric Clapton sound and you make it your own.. If you’re not selling CD’s you should be.Let me know.
Griff – great stuff. You should have put this out long ago. If you did I missed it. I was watching/listening to your rhythm playing during the keyboard solos and while singing. Same stuff you’re teaching us. Nice videos and a fine band. Thanks.
Griff: great stuff—watched em all many times to pick up the riffs—I love instructors who can do and not just teach.
Thanks
Great Christmas present
Would love to see more.
Doc Tim
Griff,its great to have you as my guitar teacher.Have a great christmas and new year.
Isn’t it great making a good living by doing what you love most?
Congrats!
Walt
Hey Griff, nice one. I’ve been playing now for over 30 years , in fact that’s how I met my wife, but after I got married and then kids the guitar moved further down my list! But in the last few months after listening to you, and talking to a few friends I thought, I’m goin to pick up where I left off. So sold my Fender acoustic and bought a new Gretsch projet and amp and WOW! I’m in there again. Thanks so much your an inspiration, it’s like being reborn! Love your latest gig vids, keep up the good work.
Hey Griff,love these videos its good to see the teach in action. This is the first time that I have seen you play live, definitely got to go see you at a live show, am sure all of us your students are inspired by you.keep on jamming!!!
Outstanding Griff! I was/am a lot more than impressed man! Not surprised though….!
TOTALLY. OUTRAGEOUSLY OUTRAGEOUS. !!!!!!! Proud to show friends who’s teaching me. I may not write in ofen but my heart and soul are with U teach. !!! Peace, Robby
Griff, you rock!
Wow I had no idea you had such a good voice.
Love the band and the horns were a nice touch.
Hey Griff. It was great to see the licks you teach us in BLUES GUITAR UNLEASHED in live action. You were awesome as usual and the Band was great also. Enjoyed it very much. Thanks for all you do.
Larry
…beautiful and well done…thank you and happy holidays…:)
A real Xstmas gift..Thanks Griff
the only thing better would to be there in person… really enjoyed the show. some day I will make the show. Thanks Griff..A real inspiration for your followers…….
Now I can send these videos to my friends and proudly say “THIS is the guy that’s teaching ME to play the blues!”.
Griff – Great work you guys do! Somebody said it takes 3000 hours to learn guitar, I am probably about 600 hours in. You always inspire. I noticed that it look like the Fender you are playing has bass fret bars installed. If so, how do you like playing with them? I have been thinking about getting mine fitted. Sorry I could not catch you the last time you were in Texas. Maybe soon!
Really nice Christmas present; thanks!!! Nice to see the teacher in his element instead of just ours ( the students). Great job, enjoyed it a lot!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU & YOURS; KEEP THE LESSONS COMMING!!
Loved it Griff. Great rhythm as well as excellent lead work. Loved the horn section, drums and keyboards as well. The whole band was inspirational!
Dats da stuff I’m Talkin Bout! I used to teach Judo and always talked about competion while teaching. Then when we would go to a tournament the gang would see me walk the walk, and they learned a helluva lot from that. Good on you Griff!
way to go griff
Griff, this is the first time I realized that you have such a good voice. And, of course, the band is superb, especially that lead guitar player. 🙂
Great fun! Thank you Griff
Hey Griff,
It was never in any doubt that you could practice what you preach! You really are ‘The man’. Please keep up the great work & I wish you, Laura & your family a lovely Christmas break.
Bob (uk)
Wow that began to scare me, Griff Band at the top. Great Post. Happy Holidays.
Great stuff!…I think both joes (boss and sat) must have been on your student list. JImmi and stevie are smiling. Merry Christmas to all
Hi griff. Really loved your latest blog watch and learn Indeed. ,,,,,, terrific. Sty,le and. Attack. Early Clapton super dooper griff thanks for Knowing so much about your students. All our mistakes. Negative. Times you have obviously. Been. There. Loved it to bits Edward bargery. Plymouth. South. West England
An excellent guitar example of “less is more”!
good voice control Griff. my pc kept buffering through the video’s. was [painful to watch. I miss Playing in a band. my disability prevents me from standing under hot lights and the cronic fatigue. my buddy who i was in the band with and i had to quit do to my disability,they can’t hold a candle too your band. i went to the coach house and they invited me on stage to join them in a song we wrote together. nervous as heck. i played well and sang great, but after a 15 minute song and jam i was almost ready to fall off stage. YOUR THE MAN. THANKS.
Thanks Griff . Great to see and hear the Band, as well as being a Turbo Booster.
Wow! Great songs Griff. Sounds great. For going out of your comfort zone, you sure did well! Thanks for sharing! Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year! 🙂
That’s How I learned how to ski, followed a good skier down the mountain.
Now I’m following You ,, TEACH….
Thanks Griff… You look and sound Awesome.
I like how you don’t try to fill every space up with a note, how you all give each other room to play.
As you always say, timing and hitting the right note is most important.
Good singing voice too.
I watched all three videos and as one said on his comment, that there is a tinge of Eric Clapton in your voice. That aside you really have to have a love of this kind of music to play it for the amount of years that you have and do. I definitely do not have the love of this kind of blues as you do but if people enjoy your playing and singing and how the band sounds together and they have the same love of it as you do that’s all that matters. I have never had a doubt or wonderment as to you playing or how you play as the information you have passed along with blogs, videos, and courses surely shows you know what you are doing.
Great Show Griff! I hope that you show more of your shows in the future.
Great and dynamite show samples, Griff – i really enjoyed it-
Best of everything,
Dr Ed
Good music Griff, I think I will share this with my band so they can hear what some space in the music can do for your overall sound and feel. Hey man, you can sing too, very nice, really enjoyed the videos. Thanks for sharing.
Dynamite Griff – great show samples really enjoyed it.
Thanks Griff! Inspiring performance. Have a great Holiday & New Year!
Nice roll on each video, you can really shred it up across the fretboard my friend, hopefully one day soon, I’ll be rollin’ across the neck like that too. I noticed your runs are just blastin’ and straight forward, no muck, no fuss, just really good stuff and yeah, it kills me that you can really sing too, imagine my surprise, a great teacher, a great guitarist and a great singer as well, so now the big question, when is the album due?
Close the windows. Close the doors. Twist the volume up to get arrested.
This is so cool! I think this is what the adult 16 year old in us wants to be able to do and it speaks so well of Griff. When he’s teaching, he’s doing what it takes for us to learn and not blowing us out of the water with his other skills. What speaks very highly is as a performer he shares the stage. That’s a confident pro. I think we’re really lucky. And Griff, if you read this, I’m not just kissin’ up.
Now that you’ve given us a taste, please let me make a suggestion for a course. It’s safe to say a lot of us don’t really know what all the instruments do in the band and how to integrate what we’re trying to do with them. If any of them are beginners too, it’s like the cat in the fan belt or if you’re using Garage Band or Band in a Box, it can be a real tangle to get past 1-2-3-4. The first times you sit in, you forget everything, mostly because you’re scared that people will think you’re a dork. I’m older and thought I was pretty much past ego. Nope. Admit it. We want hugs too.
So how to build a band might be a course. Dealing with the stresses of performing in the beginning and understanding everyone’s job. Have your bass player, drummer, keyboardist, horn section and so on discuss with us what they do. And we can learn from each other’s first time out experiences on this forum too. So my first hint as an amateur: Play below your best level when you’re on stage until there’s less emotional stress. Your best work will spontaneously happen when you get comfortable.
Just a thought.
brilliant suggestion I too need to kno all this stuff and would purchase that course
Hoochie Koochie Daddy! You da man! Thanks for the memories! My first blues teacher let me tag along to his gigs when I was 16…kinda why I’m still playing 40 years later. So weird, this thing that’s just drawn to guitar/sounds/music. Cool band!
P.S. – you need a rhythm guitar player – me! (will play for FREE!)
Griff, I always wondered how the ear pieces work. I see you have one in. Can you explain what these do ?
Great playing by the way. It would be great to see you doing videos for all of the songs that appear on the jam tracks you put together.
Griff, I grew up in Oak Cliff, TX (Dallas’ hot bed of musicians). I was 13 when I began watching my older brother play in numerous local bands with other soon to be famous musicians. I picked up the guitar when I was 19 but never really had any lessons, just watched my friends play and learned from there. I really never got beyond a certain point and was never good enough or confident enough to play in a band. I’m 62 now and have enjoyed your email instructional videos. I have been practicing daily now for the last 3 years and only wish I had discovered you sooner! Thank you for your instructional videos and passion to teach! Your style is nice. Vocals and playing have a heavy “Claptonesque” style. Well done! Love it!
Sounds really tight Griff fantastic many thanks.
More,more. I 2nd the motion on blues vocals. There’s a lot to learn on that topic. Put me on the list for the blues vocal’s video.
Austin City Limits, here Griff comes! My toes are tapping and I’m going to wear my cowboy boots all day to remind me of your shake stompin Blues mad skills. Thanks for the energizing gift.
Brings back old memories, thanks Griff.
Griff that was fun. I crave going out to see blues bands but there aren’t many around here, great job. I love how you leave room for others to play. I wish I could do those bursts of speed that you tastefully pull off, like my favorite player, Gary Moore. Keep on jammin.
Griff,Really enjoyed these video,s,you know what I like to hear,please try to tour to the Calgary Alberta area,and also take in Banff and Lake Louise.You would never guess this is coming from a 79 year old ear player who has never played professionally or with anyone who could read music,but I am still working on your course,wow I know the pentatonic scale ha-Len Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks Griff!Loved the band.
Hi Griff,
I’ve known for several years that you can really play guitar, but I never realized how well you can sing! Please think about putting out a course on blues style vocals. I’m not kidding!
I’m the lector at our church and have done numerous theater musicals, but there’s a major different between those venues and the blues.
Thanks Griff for everything you do to help those of us who play guitar play a little better.
Old School and Still Rockin’…Gary
I do also lector at our church, but I meant to say cantor. It must be an age thing (69) thus the reason for my signature line, Old School and Still Rockin’ – Happy Holidays Everyone
Bravo Master
Definitely a treat anytime I can watch my favorite Blues guitar instructor play live. Now I just have to get down (very soon) to see you in person. Thank you for sharing these inspiring videos Griff.
A bit of a different persona, Griff!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Good to know your not just a studio musician. Sounded awesome. You should change your look to more of a blues guitar hero rather than a school teacher. Grow your hair, wear a hat, put on funky clothing.. something.. stand out.
My wife said for Griff not to change a thing otherwise he would lose his identity!
Gary
Great to see and hear you in the groove of things…quite inspiring indeed!
I never would have thought it by listening to your voice, but I think I hear a li’l Billy Price coming through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ29M2hec40
Thanks for sharing , hey the boy can play!!! It would be great if you share any performance of I Believe. Feliz Navidad to everyone around here!!!
Great stuff Griff. You sing great ( I dont ). Your band stays in the pocket reason solid. Unfortunately guys play with argue more than play. But you guys are very good. I like your guitar. Are the picks from Suhr or the whole guitar?
Great vocals Griff! Your band is tight, it was great watching the interplay between you and the keyboard player.
One of the main things I appreciated was the way you paced each song, leaving room for your bandmates. By the time you crunched into your solos I was primed and they really grabbed me!
Yea, teach can play!! Nice job, I truly respect your talent, and know you worked your butt off to be able to perform like this. I’m really enjoying your BGU course. Fun, fun,fun keep up the good work.
Awesome stuff! It’s obvious everyone in the band love what they do. Thanks for letting us in on your world outside the teaching videos. What a great band! God Bless, thanks again, and have a great Christmas!!!
Dammit griff!!! I actually thought I was starting ta sound good!!!!! Back to the salt mine i guess
Wish you’d come east once and a while.
Griff,
I always get something from your performances. As Cowboy mentioned, the interaction with your band and particularly, your use of “little chords” and not over playing are thing I noticed in these videos.
Sure wish I lived closer (or that you guys would move to Tx) so I could catch more than one live show per year.
I agree with the comment that your singing reminds me of a young Clapton (and maybe a little like Gary Moore). It’s a nice sound from your band, and it is helpful to my learning that you are generous sharing these videos. The journey seems endless at times, but your guidance is really appreciated. I wish you and your family an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.
Nice job as always Griff…Should put out a lesson on further on up the road. Forgot how fun that song sounds..
Thanks teach! Made my morning!!
Hi Griff I think you are blood good and as a teacher not bad either, I have got many of your lessons on my iPad some I could not download but got many and I will at some stage get around to try and learn them.
I think anyone who tries to help some one is to be respected, after all you don’t have to spend so much of your time doing it you may not even make much money at it I don’t know but I think if you enjoy doing some thing and you can help people at the same time then good luck to you.
Have a great Christmas with your family and friends and if you keep doing the lessons I will continue to download them and try to play them when I get the time.
Anyone who says they don’t see the point or other crap like that they ain’t worth even bothering with.
So like I say from here in the UK have a great Christmas and new year God bless YA.
The first thing I noticed was how much you and the other players don’t play which, creates that great spatial feeling for all of you to play within. The next thing I noticed was how you play the notes matters more than which notes you are playing. The third thing I noticed is how casual and comfortable you all are and that you seem to be enjoying yourselves.
Listening to this brought a big smile to my face. Thanks for that gift man.
Really enjoyed watching and listening, you and your band can do it! When ever I make it back to California I plan on coming to watch you perform! You brought some sunshine to Pennslvania this snowy cold morning. Thanks Griff.
Great stuff Griff!!! Thx for sharing.
You said that in time you will realize what your sound scope is .If you like a certain artist and you play alot of that music you may eventually sound like that artist. After seeing this I concluded that You Griff are a dead ringer for the late great GARY MOORE . I am amazed that you Griff are the lone singer in your band . likewise i am also . A former member of my band when coming up with a name for the band . He said not to use a single band members name . Why i asked he said so it was an entire band that makes it all work . not one persons credit . its not my opion be it as it may anywho will do . Did learn some very interesting stuff from the last video you sent out . I can chew gum and play at the same time . spit the gum before singing or just cram it up in the gum man ;-o !!! oh
Thanks for this Griff. It was great to hear you play.
tight band ,shows a lot of hours together.
break a leg Griff
Enjoyed your videos. If nothing else, gave me incentive to pick up my guitar again and go through the courses I have purchased. Happy Holidays!!!
Hey Griff. The videos were awesome. You guys sound great. However, were you playing at a funeral parlor? Whats up with that crowd?
Great stuff Griff ! I love your guitar playing and.. your singing. Truely excellent.
Very entertaining Griff, I thought I was listening to a young Eric Clapton for a few minutes there. Best to ya and have a great Holiday Season.
great griff nice to see and hear you live
You can do it all … Great watching how you put together the sing and play aspects … I especially liked that fade out on the first video … Very cool …. Would that be a study in dynamics perhaps? …. Not a guitar player but learn a lot just going thru and listening to your postings and teachings …. Principles appllicable to learning any insturment …. The only thing missing in these videos wes the applause! ;)) thanks for sharing and entertaining us for a little while
Well Done Griff. that was great. you seem very relaxed on stage. I could listen to that style for quite a while. cheers
Was okay but I didn’t learn much. There were no close ups of you or your band. So I can’t say I was too impressed by the video. Sorry.
Dude, it isn’t a learning video . It’s showing the teacher walking the talk. Open up your ears:this guy knows what he’s doing…
Great stuff Griff. Love your vocals. First time I’ve really listened to the band. You guys are awesome.
It’s a great pleasure just watching ‘Teach’ playing. Nice one Griff and the rest of the band. Merry Xmas to you all
Nice to see just how it’s done you and the band did it right
A big THANKS
anytime you play, you catch my attention…lots of band interaction with Ty, Chris and Mark, including a couple of interesting stops…but I always like how you and Laura respond to each other…that lady is a hoot…and not that you guys (& one lady) ever pull each others strings…later.
cowboy
Bloody good mate eric clapton voice tones guitar mastery a good lesson for sure !!!!!!
“Well” what was that all about, so you can play a little bit, there is know need to show off, “God” you would think you were Jimi Hendrix or Some other famous guitarist or other. Man I hate it when people do that I used to tell Yanise Gerr I think that’s how you spell his name he was rubbish now look he can show off to his heart is content. Ha Ha listen too me, just kidding Griff very nice three tracks I enjoyed the videos at leased you can play what you teach I’ll end there have a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, Take Care. VERY NICE.
Great sound! A perfect demonstration on how you don’t really have to play all the time when you have a band. Great lesson, thanks!
You may have gone out of your comfort zone in making up with blog but you are definitely IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE on stage. The “communication” between the band members from the glances and other non vocals is great to watch. Thanks for sharing.
Wow……my goal to play live someday has just been boosted!!!
Thanks Griff!!
Awesome…really liked Further on up the road!
Thanks for this.not sure how I learned from it. ?? Is did you learn how to surf.lol.I’m still wet.got hit by my axe.groovy man.
Just wot the doctor ordered, cheers griff.