Few guitarists have influenced acoustic playing as much as James Taylor. His beautifully crafted fingerstyle arrangements, rich chord voicings and unmistakable groove have inspired generations of players—and in this first session of Acoustic Heroes, we’ll show you exactly what makes his style so special.
Using two of his best-loved classics, Fire and Rain and Carolina In My Mind, we’ll break down the techniques that define Taylor’s playing. You’ll learn how his unique fingerpicking patterns create a flowing rhythm, how he blends melody and accompaniment effortlessly, and how subtle bass movement and syncopation bring his songs to life.
Rather than simply teaching you two songs, we’ll uncover the musical ideas behind them so you can apply James Taylor’s signature style to your own playing. By the end of the session you’ll not only be playing these timeless classics with greater confidence, but you’ll also have a whole new set of fingerstyle tools to use in countless other songs.
Whether you’re new to fingerpicking or looking to add more feel, finesse and musicality to your acoustic playing, this is the perfect place to start.
This is a wonderful fingerpicking tune with lots of things to use and apply in the other songs you play. It uses strong fingerstyle techniques with syncopation galore, especially with James Taylor’s unique placement of pushed bass notes. Mixing in fingerstyle with strumming, James Taylor created one of his most famous songs. The sliding 6ths are a signature embellishment that created one of the most iconic acoustic guitar intros of all time.
A fantastic melody for the singers amongst you, keeps the attention of the listener and it makes for a fantastic singalong song – certainly one for the repertoire!
Standard chords mixed in with slash/passing chords, double stops, triads, alternating bass, etc.; they’re all in there.
In this song you’ll learn the iconic picking patterns, flowing bass lines and rich chord voicings that give Carolina In My Mind its unmistakable sound.
More than just learning the song, you’ll gain valuable fingerpicking skills and musical ideas that you can apply to countless other acoustic arrangements.
To save money and get 8 great songs check out the full series here!!
This online course is aimed at Late Beginner to Intermediate.
It’s really for acoustic guitars but electric guitars are fine. Fingerpicking experience would be best.
This online course includes:
• You can purchase all four lessons as one series for £80 saving £20.
• Purchase lessons individually at £20 per lesson.
By default, you’ll start every session with complete anonymity i.e. with your mic muted and your camera switched off. You have total control of these at your end.
You can ask questions at any time:
It’s all very friendly and there isn’t such a thing as a daft question – they usually lead to deep, interesting streams of very relevant stuff!
If you want to come along but can’t make the sessions just book in and you’ll receive the full materials and lesson video.
BUT this shouldn’t put you off booking in as you’ll receive the full materials including the video of the complete live session.
Start slowly – if you decide to book just one session but then become interested in other sessions just buy them on the website.