Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More ways to support the channel:
Super Thanks (see below the video screen)
Patreon: patreon.com/12footchain (tabs and chord charts on patreon)
Learn how to play The Joker, as performed by The Steve Miller Band released in 1973 on "The Joker" album. Growing up in the 80s, I (and probably many others) got to know it as part of his Greatest Hits album. The guitar work in this song is pretty simple but a great example of how just a great melody and chorus is 90% of what you need, and don't over think the arrangement. As best I can tell there are 2 acoustic guitars throughout, one that plays little accents here and there and the other one being the main driver of the verse riff doubling the bass, and then strumming through the choruses.
The lesson covers the acoustic guitar parts as well as the lead guitar which is a very tasty open E tuning slide with a few effects on there (wah wah, possibly slow leslie, and reverb/short echo) to help it stand out.
Gear used in this video (if you purchase via these links I will earn a small commission):
Yamaha Red Label FGX5 6 string Acoustic sweetwater.sjv.io/Jzjak7
Fender Stratocaster: imp.i114863.net/GjyyXm (bridge pickup)
Dunlop cry-baby WahWah imp.i114863.net/WDjQn3
Neo Instruments Ventillator II (Leslie pedal) imp.i114863.net/dogooQ (slow speed)
Boss Digital Delay DD-8 imp.i114863.net/rnKrAv (analog delay setting 2-3 faint repeats)
TC Elec. Hall of Fame Reverb: imp.i114863.net/5bdEX2
1963 Fender Bassman vol 3, treb, bass, pres, 6
Fryette Powerstation Attenuator
Also - generally recommend this great Tone Master amp from Fender, super versatile
Fender Deluxe Reverb Tone Master: imp.i114863.net/XxaayX
00:00 Demo - guitar solo
00:37 Introduction / What to expect
02:08 Lyric spotlight WTF is "pompatus"?
03:26 Drop D Standard tuning
04:34 Chord shapes you will use
04:59 Lesson - intro/verse riff (acoustic)
06:46 Lesson - chorus (acoustic)
09:55 Lesson - outro (acoustic)
10:40 Lesson - how to play in standard tuning
11:59 Electric parts - tuning, tone, technique
15:05 Lesson - guitar solo (slide)
18:05 Demo - guitar solo
18:39 Lesson - outro guitar solo (slide)
19:43 Final thoughts
Also...
WIN FREE GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/9WoMd3
DEALS ON MUSIC GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/a1dxGM
USED GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/3P19aB
More ways to support the channel:
Super Thanks (see below the video screen)
Patreon: patreon.com/12footchain (tabs and chord charts on patreon)
Learn how to play The Joker, as performed by The Steve Miller Band released in 1973 on "The Joker" album. Growing up in the 80s, I (and probably many others) got to know it as part of his Greatest Hits album. The guitar work in this song is pretty simple but a great example of how just a great melody and chorus is 90% of what you need, and don't over think the arrangement. As best I can tell there are 2 acoustic guitars throughout, one that plays little accents here and there and the other one being the main driver of the verse riff doubling the bass, and then strumming through the choruses.
The lesson covers the acoustic guitar parts as well as the lead guitar which is a very tasty open E tuning slide with a few effects on there (wah wah, possibly slow leslie, and reverb/short echo) to help it stand out.
Gear used in this video (if you purchase via these links I will earn a small commission):
Yamaha Red Label FGX5 6 string Acoustic sweetwater.sjv.io/Jzjak7
Fender Stratocaster: imp.i114863.net/GjyyXm (bridge pickup)
Dunlop cry-baby WahWah imp.i114863.net/WDjQn3
Neo Instruments Ventillator II (Leslie pedal) imp.i114863.net/dogooQ (slow speed)
Boss Digital Delay DD-8 imp.i114863.net/rnKrAv (analog delay setting 2-3 faint repeats)
TC Elec. Hall of Fame Reverb: imp.i114863.net/5bdEX2
1963 Fender Bassman vol 3, treb, bass, pres, 6
Fryette Powerstation Attenuator
Also - generally recommend this great Tone Master amp from Fender, super versatile
Fender Deluxe Reverb Tone Master: imp.i114863.net/XxaayX
00:00 Demo - guitar solo
00:37 Introduction / What to expect
02:08 Lyric spotlight WTF is "pompatus"?
03:26 Drop D Standard tuning
04:34 Chord shapes you will use
04:59 Lesson - intro/verse riff (acoustic)
06:46 Lesson - chorus (acoustic)
09:55 Lesson - outro (acoustic)
10:40 Lesson - how to play in standard tuning
11:59 Electric parts - tuning, tone, technique
15:05 Lesson - guitar solo (slide)
18:05 Demo - guitar solo
18:39 Lesson - outro guitar solo (slide)
19:43 Final thoughts
Also...
WIN FREE GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/9WoMd3
DEALS ON MUSIC GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/a1dxGM
USED GEAR:
imp.i114863.net/3P19aB
