I appreciate that you walk through the chord changes with the intent of teaching guitarist with moderate skills instead of beginners that need the information of what strings and which fret to place every finger. Thank You!
Even the fire tower is gone now . I was born in 72, so you remember more of the good stuff than I got to see, but I'm so glad I didn't grow up in this era. Thanks for reminding me of better times.
Elton John's songs adapt nicely to guitar. Among them are Candle in the Wind, Daniel, Your Song and now I know Rocketman Thanks for showing this to us.
Gran cancion, gran interpretación, bien explicado como siempre Sr. James James gracias por existir y por regalarnos estos grandes temas para los amantes de la guitarra...un saludo desde España...........G E N I O !!!!!!!!! ......Great song, great interpretation, well explained as always Mr. James James thank you for existing and for giving us these great songs for guitar lovers ... greetings from Spain ........... GENIO !! !!!!!!!
I know your still looking at comments. I am new to guitar and an old fart at 60 years old. I am trying to learn this song. It amazes me that I could watch 5 other folks provide a lesson and then I will come and see what your cut is. Then and then you change it up, using your own arrangement and "ear" like the comment below and be so spot on. What a great gift and thanks again for sharing all of your talent with the community and not taking your two channels down. Thanks! Hope your upcoming summer is fun!
Your extraordinaire ability on arrangements of the songs that you perform and your enviable technique on the guitar make the sound very close to the original records, even when they are played on the piano. You are a very good and efficient teacher, as well. I've learned how to play many beautiful songs from you. I'm really grateful to you. Thanks a lot, James
Old enough to remember, seeing Elton John in concert for the madman across the water album and honky Château you brought back some great memories there and you did it justice. Thank you.
Having hard time with the triplets. 58 , used to be simple , not any more ! Your an awesome teacher. Keep it up and hope to get to meet you someday! I certainly owe you !
bloody terrific tuition JJ ,fantastic result .All those clear simple tips wow thx man, been listening to that since i was 18 ,now 63 and can play and sing it
Your ear is the best....Thanks...mine gave out in the 70's from Marshalls and Ampegs.....HaHa...That's why I get ALL my lessons from you....No BS....You just tutor players your take on these songs....AND they are allways right on....My go to guy!
I think, if I'm remembering it correctly, that the acoustic guitar comes in in the second part of the first verse, and that it is mostly whole note strums until the chorus. It's very prominent in the chorus, though.
Excellent job of course, always great and insightful. You always leave something out making us feel smart when we chime in on the comments. Of course there is guitar in this one... and a pretty cool slide guitar effect. Give it a listen you'll have a laugh. Thanks for the post. Always great to hang out with you on CZcams!!
Dude it is great to see you back on the Tube. You helped me so much with guitar many yrs ago.So much that i made a career out of it. Gotta give thanks where thanks is due.If not for covid i,d still be out there playing and singing.Thank you James.You have done a great job with this song also. I am still watching and learning from you.Fantastic please keep up the great work. Forever grateful.
Thank for showing about the songs chords and thank for teaching how to play the different songs you are a gennious and dont stop to do it god blees you
I've been playing this on piano for years, and you're right there is a piano that is mixed in, especially during the chorus. It almost sounds like a 12 string acoustic to my ears. It is said that there is no guitar on the song except for the slide guitar which is easy to hear.
Brilliant! Thanks for this. I was struggling with the voicings of this song. I was detuning my guitar down a whole tone (two frets) and playing it in Am
Well isn't this a coincidence...Literally last evening May 6 2021, about 8:30PM MST(Daylight Savings) I was sing along to this song, and thinking I should work about an acoustic guitar version to ad to my 100+ Songs list. Listening on a car radio so no 'monitoring/spying'. I come on youtube for the first time today and here is this recommendation.....wait is gets even better.... From the thumbnail, I instantly recognize that Guitar, because it is my guitar: Guild D-55. I bought mine with money save from summer jobs, 1981. OK on tot he lesson.
“ I read Davey Johnston was not even a rock guitarist in the beginning...he only played acoustic folk music...not sure what that is on the chorus( elec. slide gtr.)?”
I highly recommend checking out My Morning Jacket's rendition. They do a beautiful, stunning and atmospheric yet faithful rendition of this classic. The arrangement/phrasing is extremely similar to Mr. James James. Also I agree C is a C add 9 or what I like to call, Noel Gallagher C.
Love it. Also uncanny how Elton’s chord progressions are so similar to a lot of Oasis tunes. I know you have often said that your right hand technique is just natural, but the double time strumming really adds to the feel. If you have any hints on that Townsend-Esque strum I’d be super interested.
Jimmy James, thanks for sharing your fine “ear” with those of us not so blessed. That is a fantastic arraignment. Millions de gracias
Wow, James, great job capturing the transitional chords that he does on piano! This is one I gotta learn. For those campfires.
I appreciate that you walk through the chord changes with the intent of teaching guitarist with moderate skills instead of beginners that need the information of what strings and which fret to place every finger. Thank You!
Yep.... don't have to wade through the muck... I'm with ya on that!
James James you're a fantastic teacher, thank you for all the great help and inspiration 🎸👍 , from 🇨🇷
Thanks for unlocking another gem for us on guitar.
Best version I have seen . Thank you
James. I miss you brother.
Thanks, JJ. Playing it right now on my '72 D-18, same age as the song.
'72 climbing the fire tower with friends who are no longer with us. You play beautifully. Helping keep us alive. Thank you. Again.
Even the fire tower is gone now . I was born in 72, so you remember more of the good stuff than I got to see, but I'm so glad I didn't grow up in this era. Thanks for reminding me of better times.
Elton John's songs adapt nicely to guitar. Among them are Candle in the Wind, Daniel, Your Song and now I know Rocketman
Thanks for showing this to us.
@Michael Wheeler.... Madman Across the Water is great for guitar too...cheers!
Thanks - Awesome job - never thought this could be played on guitar, stellar arrangement!!!! your the Best.
Gran cancion, gran interpretación, bien explicado como siempre Sr. James James gracias por existir y por regalarnos estos grandes temas para los amantes de la guitarra...un saludo desde España...........G E N I O !!!!!!!!! ......Great song, great interpretation, well explained as always Mr. James James thank you for existing and for giving us these great songs for guitar lovers ... greetings from Spain ........... GENIO !! !!!!!!!
I know your still looking at comments. I am new to guitar and an old fart at 60 years old. I am trying to learn this song. It amazes me that I could watch 5 other folks provide a lesson and then I will come and see what your cut is. Then and then you change it up, using your own arrangement and "ear" like the comment below and be so spot on. What a great gift and thanks again for sharing all of your talent with the community and not taking your two channels down. Thanks! Hope your upcoming summer is fun!
You are a fantastic at arranging and nailing the chords and nuances of songs .Thank you for sharing your gifts.
Love that guild man....that is a sweet guitar bro
Your extraordinaire ability on arrangements of the songs that you perform and your enviable technique on the guitar make the sound very close to the original records, even when they are played on the piano. You are a very good and efficient teacher, as well. I've learned how to play many beautiful songs from you. I'm really grateful to you. Thanks a lot, James
Your guitar chording is absolutely orchestral.
Just found this Chanel. Very talented. Great right hand ! Thank you for sharing
Wow can’t wait to get stuck in to this one such a good tutorial cheers man ✌️
That is an excellent arrangement!
Not a huge Elton fan but love this song and your arrangement is great.. Thanks again James.
Nice avatar. I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of Elton John either. But I am a fan. The guy was a hit making machine in the 70's and 80's.
Old enough to remember, seeing Elton John in concert for the madman across the water album and honky Château you brought back some great memories there and you did it justice. Thank you.
I love the way you listen.
Having hard time with the triplets. 58 , used to be simple , not any more ! Your an awesome teacher. Keep it up and hope to get to meet you someday! I certainly owe you !
bloody terrific tuition JJ ,fantastic result .All those clear simple tips wow thx man, been listening to that since i was 18 ,now 63 and can play and sing it
Awesome, and thank you for sharing.. You give me confidence to work on this tune now.. Great job!
Your ear is the best....Thanks...mine gave out in the 70's from Marshalls and Ampegs.....HaHa...That's why I get ALL my lessons from you....No BS....You just tutor players your take on these songs....AND they are allways right on....My go to guy!
Another valuable contribution…… thanks again james!
Thank you - this is a brilliant channel. I pass all the million-subscriber lessons/demos because they are often wrong. You are always spot on.
Awesome!!! I’ve loved that song my whole life. Thank you for sharing. Dying to play it.
What GREAT lesson!!! Thank YOU!!!
A fine lesson for a fine song Mr J. Cheers 🥂
Mr.James .James ! Thanks for your great great lesson !! 🎸🎵👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏💖
I think, if I'm remembering it correctly, that the acoustic guitar comes in in the second part of the first verse, and that it is mostly whole note strums until the chorus. It's very prominent in the chorus, though.
Thank you so much. Your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Well done James another well explained song
I learned this years ago on piano. This will be a nice one to add to ye olde bag-o-tricks🤘🏼
Amazing, James! Beautiful play! Thank you so much for teach us with your great talent! I´m a huge fan of your work!
Like the way you transposed that song, Thankyou , watching you from Sydney Australia
You are the absolute best on CZcams. Thank you! Been watching since privettricker 10 years ago.
Great lesson. You are inspiring the way you can get the guitar to capture the essence of the song.
Your lessons are great, your guitars leave me envious , and your narrative is unique. Nice job all round really.
When you hear it played just on guitar in that key it really sounds like a STONES tune
agreed!!!
Excellent job of course, always great and insightful. You always leave something out making us feel smart when we chime in on the comments. Of course there is guitar in this one... and a pretty cool slide guitar effect. Give it a listen you'll have a laugh. Thanks for the post. Always great to hang out with you on CZcams!!
Just played this for my wife. Thank you James!! Awesome lesson!
Nice Jersey ! We’re fans too.... and of course great song. Thanks for sharing your talent with us :)
Excelente tutorial James!
Muchas gracias!!!
Cool arrangement!!
Another great video. Your chords are bang-on!
Hello James, Thank you for your fantastic interpretation of this classic Elton John song. I am enjoying your version of Rocketman. .
Nice arrangement, lots a 5ths and inversions- Elton is a man of inversions!
Dude it is great to see you back on the Tube. You helped me so much with guitar many yrs ago.So much that i made a career out of it. Gotta give thanks where thanks is due.If not for covid i,d still be out there playing and singing.Thank you James.You have done a great job with this song also. I am still watching and learning from you.Fantastic please keep up the great work. Forever grateful.
You are great at those little things that can make a big difference. Thanks for all of the great videos.
Fantastic lesson. Thanks 😊
Damn, you got some ear! Well-done. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks, great share, and lovely to see it transposed to the guitar.
I must say Lessons by Rush was very well done also. Yes James a free plug from me. lol
Thank for showing about the songs chords and thank for teaching how to play the different songs you are a gennious and dont stop to do it god blees you
Damn that guitar sounds really good & your strum patterns seem right on. Thx for sharing the talent.
Nice arrangment. Best I've heard.
I've been playing this on piano for years, and you're right there is a piano that is mixed in, especially during the chorus. It almost sounds like a 12 string acoustic to my ears. It is said that there is no guitar on the song except for the slide guitar which is easy to hear.
thanks james, that was awesome,i've been wanting to learn this song.
Excellent review, a real guitar pro 👏 👍
GREAT arrangement! Thanks JJ.
Bravo! And thank you good sir!
Well done!!!! You nailed all the cool little details!
Thanks CZcams to recomend. Nice job! listen from Brasil
Brilliant! Thanks for this. I was struggling with the voicings of this song. I was detuning my guitar down a whole tone (two frets) and playing it in Am
Come back, dude. We miss you!
Love your lessons, keep it up!
NICE! this ones gonna get me to go get the guitar outa the case right away.
Superbly done, James! Thank you for this. 🙏🏽
This arrangement is great, glad I clicked
Great lesson...well explained; now all I have to do is figure out how to sing those high notes :-)
thanks james james i always wanted to play rocketman

Well isn't this a coincidence...Literally last evening May 6 2021, about 8:30PM MST(Daylight Savings) I was sing along to this song, and thinking I should work about an acoustic guitar version to ad to my 100+ Songs list. Listening on a car radio so no 'monitoring/spying'.
I come on youtube for the first time today and here is this recommendation.....wait is gets even better....
From the thumbnail, I instantly recognize that Guitar, because it is my guitar: Guild D-55. I bought mine with money save from summer jobs, 1981.
OK on tot he lesson.
Very good job 👍 nice guitar too 😎
This was so great! Thanks so much for teaching this one!!!
Thanks James, you nailed it
Nice job, your song choices gave been great!
Great arrangement James thank you!
My weekend project... learn this!
Beautiful!
James x2 You're the BEST! Thank You for being You
“ I read Davey Johnston was not even a rock guitarist in the beginning...he only played acoustic folk music...not sure what that is on the chorus( elec. slide gtr.)?”
Tks James just always wanted to work this out.
Brilliant work ⚘
I highly recommend checking out My Morning Jacket's rendition. They do a beautiful, stunning and atmospheric yet faithful rendition of this classic. The arrangement/phrasing is extremely similar to Mr. James James. Also I agree C is a C add 9 or what I like to call, Noel Gallagher C.
You rock!
Thank for your great lessons !
Dude is actually a piano player with his guitar ❤️
You are brilliant
Thank you 🎸
Awesome tutorial man, thank you!
I like the way you show regular chords, like I see them. That's kept me from using a capo.
Love it. Also uncanny how Elton’s chord progressions are so similar to a lot of Oasis tunes. I know you have often said that your right hand technique is just natural, but the double time strumming really adds to the feel. If you have any hints on that Townsend-Esque strum I’d be super interested.
i think its oasis is similar to elton john
Beautiful
Great sounding guitar
Brilliant
Excellent! I will learn it from you 😊
You are freaking me a bit, I am thinking about a song and boom, you put out a lesson on it! I AM GONNA Travis pick at least the verses!
so cool. thanks James!