What many don't know is this man recorded some of the most well-known and mind-blowing COUNTRY guitar ever. In the '90s he and Brent Mason ruled Nashville. Yeah, this rocker can set a telecaster on fire!
during the '80s he was a worthy competitor to Steve Lukather who can easily play smooth jazz, soul, r&b and hard rock. I think their only difference is Dann Huff also has a career in Contemporary Christian Music.
"How to be a session player 101" with your instructor Dann Huff. There may have been other guitarists who did videos like this (rather than the typical Hot Licks/REH videos), but he explains things in a way that guitarists can easily understand. This is how you get consistent work for 40 years. Dann is the best.
Todays music scene is unrecognizable ! Dann Huff and his contemporaries Luke and 51:57 Landau etc were the main players in the 80s session scene and you can see why this level of talent is incredible and so enjoyable to witness!
I think Dann Huff might be the reason I play guitar. This sound is burned into my subconscious, and is my favorite type of playing. my earliest memories of guitar sound like this, and it's the style that represents "guitar playing" in my mind
I called up Dann when I was a young teenager and he was super cool. Gave me a lot of great encouragement & advice as a guitar player who was interested in session work. He was getting into producing country then maybe right before he did the first big Faith Hill record. They were really crafting a new sound then so he was trying to find a session he could bring me on that wasn't high profile like that but he was so busy doing those. I ended up sitting in on other sessions with colleagues of his who were other leading session players and it was a huge eye opener to see how it all comes together, how quickly they work, and the need to know your tools and be creative.
This is what happens when you combine hard work learning his instrument and having a great ear that is extremely melodic. Top that off with someone who was raised right, has a firm foundation, didn't fall into the typical 'rock star' mentality and is extremely humble. Good man over all...now if I could just get him to lay something down on one of my tunes LOL
How come I jave only come across this wonderful guitarist only yesterday, on Yiu Tube. Didn't know sb like him existed, only heard Satriani, Vai, Bettencourt and such staff. He is definitely not worse, if not better than those guys. Definitely plays with more pure melody and a lot of sense in his music, making his 'virtuosic' sounds purposeful, they've got aim, not just technique!Thumbs up!Definitely!
Great playing and awesome lessons about recording approach for guitar (considering it's like 1989). Remember this video is from around 1989-90. The technology for shooting video and doing this was very primitive from what's available today. Of course that didn't mean the gear to shoot stuff like this was cheap. Quite the contrary, cameras and studio gear were $1,000's and $10,000's and even $100,000's at that point. Back when a local band making $100/night was doing well. I know, I was there in that world. Way beyond anything an average musician, videographer, or photographer would have just sittin' around at home. Dann is the real deal!! Grant it, some of the pop music by this time was going down-hill production and writing wise. It is what it is.. Dann can hold his own!
He's must be well known as a studio musician. Someone who is known, and respected by the artist themselves, just unheard of by the masses and crowd participants.
I got the GIANT debut when it came out, and as a guitar player, was completely blown away. Still am. Apart from the playing, of course the songs rock big time.
There is a gold mine here if you're ready for it. Practice those wide ranging dynamics in his rhythm playing. He plays real soft then POW! He smacks the strings real hard -- then back to soft again. Gives it life! Also, everything he's saying about layering clean and dirty guitars still applies to today. And, although he doesn't mention it, notice how he switches pickups when layering the different parts. And, lastly notice he's doing a shuffle rhythm on those clean R&B parts in the middle of the video. He doesn't mention "shuffle" either but that is what it is. Practice those, too, mixing the chords with the single lines all with a shuffle rhythm.
Thee absolute best guitarist in the world, insane country picker, Western swing, Rock, you name it....producer, hit maker, it’s beyond words I can describe.
That's awesome! I just only knew he was in Giant and taught at MIT with Jennifer Batton. I thought I heard that he did a lot of side projects for TV shows theme songs as well. But, he has some of the best guitar tones out there.
Although I had heard of him, didn’t realize how many people he’s played with and how many sessions he’s done. Truly an amazing artist. Didn’t even realize he was the guitar player for White Heart who’s album I purchased eons ago.
So much great info in this video from a true legend Dan Huff. Best part to me were the "Jangle" elements Dan used so brilliantly in Giant. 16:50 is pure audio bliss.
Dann Huff, his brother David Huff along with Gordon Kennedy, Tommy Simms, Chris McHugh, Gary Lunn, Mike Brignardello, Shane Keister, Robby Buchanan, Keith Thomas & a few other fellas, were indeed, "THE WRECKING CREW" of the 1980's/early 90's...hands down! TOTALLY...hands down! BCRadio
The Wrecking Crew of Contemporary Christian Music. Add Jimmie Lee Sloas, Mark Douthit, John Goin, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry McPherson, Mark Hammond, Tom Hemby and Michael Omartian...
@@williamwalsh6282 Indeed again; Thompson's name slipped my mind; a truly great guitarist...Michael and still a host of others, should be included in this version of "The Wrecking Crew". BCRadio
@@BolsaChicaRadio no prob… Dan is fantastic, believe it or not I’m just learning about him. Another guy who was in Boston when MT was Jeff Golub, really great. He passed away a couple of years ago. He did a lot of stuff with different people but wasn’t a real session guy like Michael and Dan. He was Rod Stewart guitar player for 7 or 8 years. When he left he did the smooth jazz thing but funky, rocky, soulful stuff. Thank you for the video
I never cared to even PLAY electric guitar,UNTIL I heard Dann Huff!I became an INSTANT Air guitar player cuz of DH!Whiteheart's first album,Wow!WH Vital Signs,Wow Wow!!And then SO many great session recordings!Countless.Legend!Thank you Dann Huff.
I agree but the first album came out late 1989 and 2 years later Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam killed off the 2 solo glam rock bands. This band shouldn’t be included in the glam rock scene but power chords with lots of chorus died late 1991. Dan went on to make records for lots of bands. He’s one helluva producer today.
Follow him for more than 4 decades, even liked the stuff he did with Faith Hill. Watch ‚when the lights go down‘ there is also michael thompson, another string master
By far the most underrated guitarist but man he’s one helluva studio producer. Giant started to late but their first album is a banger. Just the intro alone with Dan ripping before the band jumps in is insane. This is a great video.
I love GIANT and I'm so sad about Dann and Alan leaved the band... but dream to listening another "Last Of The Runaways" or "Time To Burn"... Hope this come true (soon or later). Thanks Dann for your beautiful and powerful music
@@somethingserious3683 yes i will, and thank you sir for exhibiting good manners. ok here goes = some guys plug their guitar straight into their amplifier, like the AC/DC guys and the Van Halen guy. it is just a guitar and an amplifier. other guys, like this guy on this video, and most guitars on the pop radio guys will plug their guitar into a reverb, a compressor, sometimes an echo, any number of electronic pedals that manipulate the sound of the guitar. neither is better and neither is worse. it's all good.
More players need to watch this and listen to how he crafts his tone. So much fizzy, buzzsaw vibe with no groove/feel out there these days. As Dann says, a major part of a good heavy rock tone comes from the "attitude" and the way it's played.
Wow I really enjoyed that. I can’t believe I have never heard of giant before. what a powerhouse band. I looked up Dann Huff because a lot of guitarist on CZcams have been talking about him and his legendary status. Really glad I came across this. Thank you for posting it
Sure wish I knew this existed when I was first recording in the early 90’s. Wasn’t playing music anything like this but all the ideas presented are great for any genre.
If I had to pick only one guitar play that can absolutely do it all....Dann Huff! His compositional skills and his ability to play whatever comes at him is incredible!
What he opines about @ 22:55... solos that glide over each other... comes out of nowhere... leads back to melodic... this is why DH (for me) is reminiscent of EVH, SRV, Satriani, Gilmour, Page, Buck Dharma, Vai, Perry, Firkins, Batten, Greg and Steve Howe... speaking from the heart. It's not all stupid metrical. They FLOAT. Ha ha Stephen King... FLOAT FLOAT FLOAT
"I don't use much Chorus these days; I think I used it all up in the 80's" - Dann Huff
I'm amazed how even when he used chorus, it was so tasteful, never sounded gross like some at the time
Never heard of this guy and grew up in 80s loving all guitar heroes. How is that possible
Dann Huff ist the most underrated guitarist of all time.
Kristian Kumanov You are so right! That’s why they nickname him “The Hitman!” Great guitarist!!😌🎸👍🏾
He and Lincoln Brewster. Two fantastic guitarists!!!
And Dann's brother David is a great drummer as well.
Kristian Kumanov a great songwriter and arranger too
Underrated? Lol He is Famous and big before-present.. where have you been ? Lol
This guy was one of the most recorded sessions guitar player in the 80’s-90s
Overlaps with that one other guy that has ever more.
@@SSVplus Steve Lukather?
Lukather praises Dan
@@tonymarinelli7304 Of course he does. He sent him sessions he couldn't take anymore.
@@SSVplus Michael T…
What many don't know is this man recorded some of the most well-known and mind-blowing COUNTRY guitar ever. In the '90s he and Brent Mason ruled Nashville. Yeah, this rocker can set a telecaster on fire!
His solo in Clint Black’s Summer’s Comin is one of the greatest of all time.
Patrick Miller I’m learning that. The fast line is ridiculous. Any guitarist will know how rapid that part is.
@@PMiller3425 damn, thanks for the suggestion.
during the '80s he was a worthy competitor to Steve Lukather who can easily play smooth jazz, soul, r&b and hard rock. I think their only difference is Dann Huff also has a career in Contemporary Christian Music.
Listen to Born in the Dark by Doug Stone that song has a terrific solo by Huff
"How to be a session player 101" with your instructor Dann Huff.
There may have been other guitarists who did videos like this (rather than the typical Hot Licks/REH videos), but he explains things in a way that guitarists can easily understand. This is how you get consistent work for 40 years.
Dann is the best.
Dann Huff....tone, licks, phrasing, he's got it all. What a mighty geetar hero.
Todays music scene is unrecognizable ! Dann Huff and his contemporaries Luke and 51:57 Landau etc were the main players in the 80s session scene and you can see why this level of talent is incredible and so enjoyable to witness!
I think Dann Huff might be the reason I play guitar. This sound is burned into my subconscious, and is my favorite type of playing. my earliest memories of guitar sound like this, and it's the style that represents "guitar playing" in my mind
#metoo....exact words you juzt said it very well!
Dann Huff is definitley one of the all time great musicians of our time!
I called up Dann when I was a young teenager and he was super cool. Gave me a lot of great encouragement & advice as a guitar player who was interested in session work. He was getting into producing country then maybe right before he did the first big Faith Hill record. They were really crafting a new sound then so he was trying to find a session he could bring me on that wasn't high profile like that but he was so busy doing those. I ended up sitting in on other sessions with colleagues of his who were other leading session players and it was a huge eye opener to see how it all comes together, how quickly they work, and the need to know your tools and be creative.
Dann's layering and texture that he adds to his songs is truly amazing. The more I watch him the more I am inspired to hone my skills.
Definitely that 80s sound. Good deal 👍👌💯. Reminds me of Sammy Hagar
This is what happens when you combine hard work learning his instrument and having a great ear that is extremely melodic. Top that off with someone who was raised right, has a firm foundation, didn't fall into the typical 'rock star' mentality and is extremely humble. Good man over all...now if I could just get him to lay something down on one of my tunes LOL
I love his guitar solo in Here I Go Again radio-mix version
he is a true monster.. technic beyond belief.. an isane sense of melody
Old video ... but still today after practicing thousands of hours ... ... this guy just blows me away ... Amazing
few can come close to this MONSTAHHHHHHHH
How come I jave only come across this wonderful guitarist only yesterday, on Yiu Tube. Didn't know sb like him existed, only heard Satriani, Vai, Bettencourt and such staff. He is definitely not worse, if not better than those guys. Definitely plays with more pure melody and a lot of sense in his music, making his 'virtuosic' sounds purposeful, they've got aim, not just technique!Thumbs up!Definitely!
14:54 oh my GOD!! what a sick lick maaaan!
Great playing and awesome lessons about recording approach for guitar (considering it's like 1989). Remember this video is from around 1989-90. The technology for shooting video and doing this was very primitive from what's available today. Of course that didn't mean the gear to shoot stuff like this was cheap. Quite the contrary, cameras and studio gear were $1,000's and $10,000's and even $100,000's at that point. Back when a local band making $100/night was doing well. I know, I was there in that world. Way beyond anything an average musician, videographer, or photographer would have just sittin' around at home. Dann is the real deal!! Grant it, some of the pop music by this time was going down-hill production and writing wise. It is what it is.. Dann can hold his own!
He's must be well known as a studio musician. Someone who is known, and respected by the artist themselves, just unheard of by the masses and crowd participants.
Finally I know why I have no talent. This guy has it all. Great singer, songwriter and guitar player
Damn...! you're absolutly right, he's a real fantastic guitarist, his tone, his phrase so good👍🤟
greatest studio player of all time
I got the GIANT debut when it came out, and as a guitar player, was completely blown away. Still am. Apart from the playing, of course the songs rock big time.
This video is pure gold
Mr. Dan Huff is a MASTER!!!!! I love the way he plays.
There is a gold mine here if you're ready for it. Practice those wide ranging dynamics in his rhythm playing. He plays real soft then POW! He smacks the strings real hard -- then back to soft again. Gives it life! Also, everything he's saying about layering clean and dirty guitars still applies to today. And, although he doesn't mention it, notice how he switches pickups when layering the different parts. And, lastly notice he's doing a shuffle rhythm on those clean R&B parts in the middle of the video. He doesn't mention "shuffle" either but that is what it is. Practice those, too, mixing the chords with the single lines all with a shuffle rhythm.
Thee absolute best guitarist in the world, insane country picker, Western swing, Rock, you name it....producer, hit maker, it’s beyond words I can describe.
He played the guitar on Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again 1987 Radio Mix" (the faster version).
Used a Marshall JMP-1 preamp for the Whitesnake tune and he played all the guitar tracks on Jewel's Standing Still single
That's awesome! I just only knew he was in Giant and taught at MIT with Jennifer Batton. I thought I heard that he did a lot of side projects for TV shows theme songs as well. But, he has some of the best guitar tones out there.
Don’t forget that amazing tri chorus
Dan is incredible! Tasty but has the skill to slice you up in a second!
When I got the first GIANT cd when it first came out I was not only blown away by Dans guitar work but I was also floored by his Amazing vocals!
How could you not blast Stay out of your vehicle Such a great tune. I can say I blast it when I am out and about
Although I had heard of him, didn’t realize how many people he’s played with and how many sessions he’s done. Truly an amazing artist. Didn’t even realize he was the guitar player for White Heart who’s album I purchased eons ago.
Woww.. Same here, always listen to Whiteheart and didn't even realize guitarist was dan huff 😅
one of the Best Rock Players on the Planet!!
'So I put a little schmo on it.' I freaking love Dan Huff.
If I could mimic somebody it would be Dan Huff. he's so versatile at any type of music genre. Literally his guitar playing Style is timeless.
This guy came up with the best piece of guitar music in Robert Tepper's No Easy Way Out, especially the little solo at the end of the song.
@aigener8 he did that?!?
So much great info in this video from a true legend Dan Huff. Best part to me were the "Jangle" elements Dan used so brilliantly in Giant. 16:50 is pure audio bliss.
7:03 “Damn, who the hell played that intro?!” You know you’ve mastered your instrument when your own playing melts your face off 😂😂😂
Dann Huff, his brother David Huff along with Gordon Kennedy, Tommy Simms, Chris McHugh, Gary Lunn, Mike Brignardello, Shane Keister, Robby Buchanan, Keith Thomas & a few other fellas, were indeed, "THE WRECKING CREW" of the 1980's/early 90's...hands down! TOTALLY...hands down!
BCRadio
The Wrecking Crew of Contemporary Christian Music. Add Jimmie Lee Sloas, Mark Douthit, John Goin, Hadley Hockensmith, Jerry McPherson, Mark Hammond, Tom Hemby and Michael Omartian...
@@bpabustan Indeed; very, very indeed.
BCRadio
Could we put Michael Thompson in there
@@williamwalsh6282 Indeed again; Thompson's name slipped my mind; a truly great guitarist...Michael and still a host of others, should be included in this version of "The Wrecking Crew".
BCRadio
@@BolsaChicaRadio no prob… Dan is fantastic, believe it or not I’m just learning about him. Another guy who was in Boston when MT was Jeff Golub, really great. He passed away a couple of years ago. He did a lot of stuff with different people but wasn’t a real session guy like Michael and Dan. He was Rod Stewart guitar player for 7 or 8 years. When he left he did the smooth jazz thing but funky, rocky, soulful stuff. Thank you for the video
Literally "the sound" when I think of guitar sounds I grew up with. Try to play like this myself
I never cared to even PLAY electric guitar,UNTIL I heard Dann Huff!I became an INSTANT Air guitar player cuz of DH!Whiteheart's first album,Wow!WH Vital Signs,Wow Wow!!And then SO many great session recordings!Countless.Legend!Thank you Dann Huff.
How his band Giant didn't blow up is beyond me.
Nevermind...happened
Grunge came.
It doesn't help that he sounds like the singer from Mr. Big and he shreds like PG.
I agree but the first album came out late 1989 and 2 years later Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam killed off the 2 solo glam rock bands. This band shouldn’t be included in the glam rock scene but power chords with lots of chorus died late 1991. Dan went on to make records for lots of bands. He’s one helluva producer today.
Grunge killed the metal.
From the book, "how to blow everyone away with the opening bars of your new album and new group"!
Follow him for more than 4 decades, even liked the stuff he did with Faith Hill. Watch ‚when the lights go down‘ there is also michael thompson, another string master
I studied this video back in the day....licks for days...Dann Huff is freaking awesome
By far the most underrated guitarist but man he’s one helluva studio producer. Giant started to late but their first album is a banger. Just the intro alone with Dan ripping before the band jumps in is insane. This is a great video.
Dann is a *badd-ass*. Period. Fast, smooth, clean, tasteful, great ears and fluidity. Great guitar player, but a real musician.
Dann has one the best and most versatile guitar collections I have seen
Les Paul
335
JT Tele
JT 59 Strat
JT Red HH
HSS Strat
His 63 Strat modded by Tyler.
Mike Bridnardello on the Vigier bass! Great player and great guy! Thanks for posting this!
Do we see the bass rig? it would be funny if he goes Di. in contrast to all of Huffs gear 😆
the most important guitarist of our lifetime
I love GIANT and I'm so sad about Dann and Alan leaved the band... but dream to listening another "Last Of The Runaways" or "Time To Burn"... Hope this come true (soon or later).
Thanks Dann for your beautiful and powerful music
I'm here because I just looked into who the guitarist is on Kenny Loggin's, Top Gun. Yeah, Dann Huff. So good.
Awesome didn't know.
Danger Zone, you mean?
Huff is legend.
His tone is INSANE.
his tone is a result of extensive electronic manipulation
@@jamesha175 excuse me sir could you explain what this means?
@@somethingserious3683 yes i will, and thank you sir for exhibiting good manners.
ok here goes = some guys plug their guitar straight into their amplifier, like the AC/DC guys and the Van Halen guy. it is just a guitar and an amplifier.
other guys, like this guy on this video, and most guitars on the pop radio guys will plug their guitar into a reverb, a compressor, sometimes an echo, any number of electronic pedals that manipulate the sound of the guitar.
neither is better and neither is worse.
it's all good.
@@jamesha175 so what's the best sound iyo?
@@somethingserious3683 Michael Landau
Dann: *plays his James Tyler*
Me: *looks at James Tyler guitars on eBay*
Dann: *plays his Les Paul*
Me: *looks at Les Pauls on eBay*
Dan shreds with the same effort that it takes me to brush my teeth.
Such a great player and I love his voice. His tone is incredible. And the fire! The Giant albums sound incredible.
One of my heroes!
Would love to write an album with him!!! 😉
More players need to watch this and listen to how he crafts his tone. So much fizzy, buzzsaw vibe with no groove/feel out there these days. As Dann says, a major part of a good heavy rock tone comes from the "attitude" and the way it's played.
That's exactly why I love Players like Ronnie Montrose, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather, etc. FEEL is everything !! Are you listening Joe Satriani ?? LOL
Wow this guy is a killer guitar player
Wow! Very cool! A blast from the past!
My dream concert is a reunion between Dan huff and Steve Farris
"It's all in the wrist, it's like...Tennis!" :)
Absolutely brilliant video. Superb player and producer
The most awesome guitar intro ever, bar none.
Dan Huff is a beast of a guitar player and 1 of my all time g.p. heroes and a fellow Nashvillian
Wow I really enjoyed that. I can’t believe I have never heard of giant before. what a powerhouse band. I looked up Dann Huff because a lot of guitarist on CZcams have been talking about him and his legendary status. Really glad I came across this. Thank you for posting it
Nashville has a stand in for Los Angeles Steve lukather….. Dan Huff 😊
Sure wish I knew this existed when I was first recording in the early 90’s. Wasn’t playing music anything like this but all the ideas presented are great for any genre.
Phenomenal guitarist and producer!
If I had to pick only one guitar play that can absolutely do it all....Dann Huff! His compositional skills and his ability to play whatever comes at him is incredible!
this guy started that Nashville standard pop sound(argument is on its way).. very underrated player...
Mutt Lange started it with Shania Twain.
In fact it was Mutt who told Dann he should be a producer.
My crappy gen don’t know what they are missing out on! The tunes, why can’t they make music like this anymore! Dann is a music god!
Dan ….you are such a bad ass guitar player…WOW !!!
Fantastic guitarist. One of my favourites
Now I see why he got to play the guitar solo on Top Gun's 'Danger Zone'.
25:38 fantastic instrumental!!!
Love this video, especially the intro.
I saw Giant open for Heart back in the early 90's in Memphis TN.
Absolute legend.
Thanks for posting! I never knew they did this instructional video. Dann’s a genius! Wish I knew about this earlier.
Awesome upload, great quality. god bless you!
Mind blown!!
très bon compositeurs !!!! super guitariste !!!!!!!!
It's amazing how many players Eddie inspired.No hate either.Just a fact.
Thanks Dan. Peter from Sweden 🇸🇪
Excellent Instructional video and wonderful guitarist! Thanks!!!!
I'm lucky I was able to meet Mike Brignardello last July. Really nice guy,
They are all super nice humble guys along with being insanely talented
A few Kee Marcello licks in the intro. Love it.
He’s a bit of mix between Luke, Gilbert and Marcello.
Great advises from a great musician!
What he opines about @ 22:55... solos that glide over each other... comes out of nowhere... leads back to melodic... this is why DH (for me) is reminiscent of EVH, SRV, Satriani, Gilmour, Page, Buck Dharma, Vai, Perry, Firkins, Batten, Greg and Steve Howe... speaking from the heart. It's not all stupid metrical. They FLOAT. Ha ha Stephen King... FLOAT FLOAT FLOAT
Oh yeah, can't 4get Paul Gilbert. I replied to my own comment. #dork
Dann the men...top 5!!!.
So glad I found this!!
Wow! I had no idea he had an instructional video
I remember his crazy solo on "Bring me a dream".
Signature tom drums at the start of Megadeth cryptic writings on trust. Nuggets said or should I say Huff said!
Production on that album was unreal
Master Class on layering Guitars..I forgot how Awesome Giant was. Damn he sounds like John Waite singing what A Monster talent..
Shit with all those ideas why is there so less material! So few giant albums 😭We want more tracks Master Huff!!
Thank you so much for sharing this video! I was a huge Giant fan. So much musical depth and writing. And of course Dan shreds that axe.
This is just fantastic.