Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Before guitar became the focus, Robben Ford was already surrounded by melody.
He grew up hearing church music and the sound of people singing together. His father sang bass, and Robben would copy him, which led to an early interest in playing bass before he eventually moved to guitar.
At home, his mother kept the local Ukiah radio station on. Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, 101 Strings, and performances on The Ed Sullivan Show all became part of what he absorbed.
Church gave him harmony and energy. Radio gave him melody. Both stayed with him.
This clip comes from Robben Ford’s Play With Fire course on TrueFire.
Explore more lessons from Robben Ford:
truefire.com/educators/robben-ford/e3776?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social_organic&utm_campaign=tf_shortform_202608&utm_content=tf-robbenford-robbenearly-260831
What music did you hear growing up that still shows up in your playing?
#RobbenFord #GuitarInfluences #MusicalRoots #BluesGuitar #JazzGuitar #TrueFire #Shorts
Before guitar became the focus, Robben Ford was already surrounded by melody.
He grew up hearing church music and the sound of people singing together. His father sang bass, and Robben would copy him, which led to an early interest in playing bass before he eventually moved to guitar.
At home, his mother kept the local Ukiah radio station on. Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Doris Day, 101 Strings, and performances on The Ed Sullivan Show all became part of what he absorbed.
Church gave him harmony and energy. Radio gave him melody. Both stayed with him.
This clip comes from Robben Ford’s Play With Fire course on TrueFire.
Explore more lessons from Robben Ford:
truefire.com/educators/robben-ford/e3776?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social_organic&utm_campaign=tf_shortform_202608&utm_content=tf-robbenford-robbenearly-260831
What music did you hear growing up that still shows up in your playing?
#RobbenFord #GuitarInfluences #MusicalRoots #BluesGuitar #JazzGuitar #TrueFire #Shorts
