Criminally Under-Rated Guitar Hero | Terry Kath | How to Play 25 or 6 to 4 | Chicago | Lesson | TABS

What a song, what a solo, what a band, what a PLAYER!!
Terry Kath is so hugely under-rated and I've never understood why.
Even though I've loved that solo as well as other early Chicago, and even though I've fetished guitar and guitar players and guitar magazines since the early 80s, I didn't even know his name until the last few years. It's like we love to look back at Mick Ronson, Robert Fripp, Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Tony Iommi, Randy, Frehley, George Harrison, SRV, Muddy, Chuck, Keef... The list goes on and on. But when did you last see an article (or hear a podcast) on Terry Kath??
He was just way beyond. WAY beyond.

Anyways, thought I'd try to kill two birds with one stone and teach you not just how to play the immense guitar solo from 25 or 6 to 4, but also teach you how to love Terry Kath and marvel at his wizardry!
I also covered all the scales Terry used in this outing:
Pentatonic, Dorian, Minor, Harmonic Minor, as well as Terry's favoured shapes and techniques.
Played this on TJ's new @OfficialEpiphone Dot. Plays like a dream, man!

Yes, I know, it sounds nothing like Terry's tone, but I just plugged the 'Dot' into a Logic Pro preset (Double Driven) and loved what I heard. So, that's what you're getting this week.

Apologies for the rude interruption during the performance of the solo at around 30 secs. YouTube's bot claimed that I had used the 2016 remix of the original - which I most definitely had not. It's just me strumming my @matonguitars EM325C for the backing, and I didn't even try to emulate Terry's great tone - for the precise reason that I keep getting blocked because my covers are too close to the originals.

#TerryKath #Chicago #25or6to4 #Tutorial

[laurenval]

YOU ROCK! Terry deserves to be admired for the rest of time!!

[rickfromberlin]

First song I learned bar chords with in High School in the 70s. Must’ve played it forever. Great memories. Time to finally learn the solo 😅.Thanks for paying tribute to Terri Kath and your time putting this together. Love early Chicago.

[nickf]

And the really interesting part is Terry didn't read music, and tabs didn't exist back then. And, the song was recorded late 1969, he was 23 years old at the time. This solo is a musical composition he played from his gut. He could play this type of lead improv for upwards of 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

[thomaspaciello]

My favorite solo of all time (and I'm old). Plus he has 3 or 4 mini solos throughout the rest of the song.

[jacktoddy]

Not only do I enjoy the content of your channel - I like your personality which makes me happy - always keep on truckin'.

[harrykadaras]

That solo hit me like a freight train when I heard it back then. I started on guitar and I was listening to Hendrix, Clapton, Page Beck, etc. And knew all their solos, which when I got further along in skill realized were all pretty simply constructed. Then I was walking down the beach carrying my transistor radio and 25 or 6 to 4 came along. I was flattened. This playing was at another level. I could hear the minor scales, and the speed at which he was playing. Its a bad azz solo and it even holds up to today as a top solo. I kept asking who Chicago's guitarist was, and nobody knew - I had to spend big money on their albums. Man, I wore that record out! He was my favotlrite, and the other "guitar-gods" paled in comparison to this new player...this is a great break down btw!

[llocr]

Thank you very much for the hard work I am very happy that more and more people recognize one of the great musicians whose greatness has not been properly recognized

[timelesspoprocksoul]

Amazing work, Danny. I appreciate not only your breakdown of the solo, but your testimony for Terry's abilities as well. You're right - in an era of so many great and historically significant players, Terry Kath was WAY beyond. 
How many players of his time (or any other time, for that matter) could so masterfully combine so many diverse styles and influences, including jazz? You can count them on a couple fingers, at most.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have seen Terry in concert with Chicago 5 times back in the day, the last time just 2 months before he passed. There are so many great TK guitar performances on those first 11 Chicago albums (let me know if you want the full list, lol) and let's not forget what a badass, soulful vocalist he was, too.

The only thing I'd add to your analysis is that, while you're correct that Terry was a big guy with big hands, he did in fact use his 4th/pinky finger a lot, especially when he started cooking on the faster parts of his solos.

Thanks again, Danny. for helping keep the Terry Kath legacy alive!

[laurenval]

I remember as à clarinet player in school we played Chicago songs. It was so awesome 👌!!!!

[stevehamby]

I appreciate you bringing Terrys solo to light. Was a self taught drummer was in a cover band around my town. Always loved good guitarists. Loved all the greats including Toy Caldwell, Jeff Healy etc. Heard other versions of this after this night you broke down. BUT TERRY KATH IN 1970 NIGHT AT TANGLWOOD…WOW

[randycrooks]

Thanks Danny. Terry Kath has been my #1 influence since the CTA album. Love the way you break down the solo. Just subscribed. I will be checking out your content. I have been looking for someone who has broken down Terry's stuff...

[philm.]

I will only post this comment on this video, but my thoughts can be applied to all of your videos. Wow! What an incredible musician. To play anything by Terry Kath is beyond impressive. To think Elliot Easton may have wanted to play a C, but played a B, is a testament to Danny's incredible ear. A few guitarists are this gifted. The praise will end here, but the enjoyment of these lessons will last forever. Thanks for sharing your talents.

[rylieriley]

I'm happy to hear more and more people talking about Terry Kath. He was a monster player and should always be considered up there with the greatest guitarists.

[larrygoodman]

Fabulous job! Thanks for teaching us this phenomenal Terry Kath solo as well as breaking it down musically.

[randycrooks]

Hey Danny, thanks for responding back. I would love to see you break down South California Purples from CTA and Sing a Mean Tune Kid from Chicago III. They showcase Terry's playing also. By the way I am up to the 3rd section of the 25 or 6 to 4 thanks to you.

[elevensbest]

Mate! This Yank watched Terry and band burn this down as their final number on September 8, 1975 in Portland, OR and has never been the same. This video is staggeringly accurate, clear, understandable ans sorely needed to keep Terry’s legacy alive. Thanks for all the hours you (obviously) put into it. This Kath fanatic will be forever grateful. Cheers! Tim

[JaysonAnderson-wn]

Thanks Love your take and presentation. Terry has always been admired by me.

[bluecollar]

Thanks for the video. Glad to hear other people appreciate Terry Kath. His playing gives me goose bumps!

[karimdeane]

Absolutely love your videos! But this one is special because i grew up idolizing cTerry Keith! & your kid is so adorable!!!! Thanks Man!

[alkaguitar]

This was an absolute joy to watch. Thank for taking the time to put this together. One of my all time favorite songs and solos