British guitarist analyses Elvis Presley's guitar playing. Could he play?

Tonight I'm looking at Elvis Presley to answer a question I've been asked a lot!

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[tabonga]

Fact - It is absolutely impossible to look more cool than Elvis did on the '68 Comeback Special.

[michaelhill]

Bless you dude for not picking him apart but, explaining his playing. Good man you!

[dannyboy]

THANK YOU!!! Elvis NEVER claimed to be a guitarist or pianist, but he did use these instruments a lot. He was ultimately a performer (the greatest), but never tried to fake being an instrumentalist or songwriter. I resent people that downplay his talent because he was not those things. Your analysis is intelligent and much appreciated.

[skykiss]

Such a friendly positive chap the analyser here. Always building up instead of demolishing.

[macvena]

Elvis was a rhythm guitar player. Not highly skilled, but naturally good. His voice, his style, his ear allowed him to make good music. Elvis was actually a master at production. He could listen to that massive band he had in the 70s and hear a bum note. Come on. He wasn't the King for nothing. He was a badass.

[michaelleary]

Don't forget that Elvis was a formidable rhythm guitarist for years; the first Elvis band was a three-piece, with Elvis on rhythm guitar and vocals, Scotty Moore on lead guitar and the bass player Bill Black - NO DRUMS, so Elvis had to be the rhythm guitarist playing with a strong heavily percussive style to augment the band sound with chords, fills, AND a percussive sound with a very steady beat; that took skill and great timing, and he had to do it while also being The lead vocalist. The later addition of a drummer allowed Elvis Presley to focus more on being the frontman and rely less on playing the guitar extensively on every song for every gig.

[GS-xtfu]

As Eddie Murphy said, Elvis could sing a song about lemonade and it would sound cool.

[cindymx]

Aside from everything else, Elvis had that IT thing. He was and is special, for sure.

[EECO]

I've often heard it said that Elvis was better than he needed to be. Johnny Cash called him a great rhythm guitarist, and he could play other instruments as well. But his greatest instrument was always his voice.

[wolfangoamadeo]

"Before anyone did anything, ELVIS did everything". Most people don't realize that ELVIS was a full-blooded musician, not just a singer or performer, or the way he himself once put it: "you either have it or don't have it - but when you have it, you have it all over!"

[timothyprice]

It’s amazing, I’ve been to every corner of the globe asking people if they ever ever heard of “Elvis Presley” and even the poorest people in Hong Kong and Russia have heard his name and love him! He truly is the most famous and well known artist in the history of the world. There’s even a photo of the KING OF THAILAND visiting him because he was such a huge fan!

[ramonalee]

I don’t know how I even got started on these videos but I’m addicted and can’t stop watching them. You’re so knowledgeable and interesting and you seem really sweet! You’re like a music preacher, so much to say! I love it! Thank you.

[sketchartist]

Your analyses of Elvis's guitar playing is very professional and in good taste. And yes, not every solo needs to be a shred fest.

[bobbiel]

Elvis is a one of a kind. This is him at his best. Thank you so much for showing this.

[memphismaverick]

How would you rate Elvis as a guitarist?

Scotty Moore

“Fair. He had a good sense of timing and rhythm. He didn't know a whole lotta chords, but those he knew, he really could use 'em. And he'd play a little bass, a little drums...He had rhythm in his voice, he just had a natural thing about that. He could hear a song, and he knew what he could do with that song. And nobody else could do it. They're still imitating him today but they just can't do it. They just don't have whatever it is that Elvis had”.


" I remember, he was playing a D-18 Martin acoustic guitar and he was dressed in the latest teen fashion, but the thing I really noticed though, was his guitar playing. Elvis was a fabulous rhythm player. He'd start into "That’s All Right", with his own guitar, alone, and you didn't want to hear anything else.
• Johnny Cash, in "Cash, the autobiography", recalling the time he saw Presley perform, at the "Eagles Nest", in Memphis (1954)

[BrianKruger]

I learn TONS every time I tune into this show. I'm a violinist, and I just love the way Phil breaks stuff down. He's amazing.

[elvisbeavis]

Don't forget that Elvis was playing the acoustic guitar on all his early recordings. He also played Piano quite well. Maybe he wasn't the most technical of players but he had bags of feel. Phenomenal musician.

[dartman]

Elvis didn't have to do a face melting, shredding lead...my mom melted just watching him sit there!👍😎🎸🎶

[beyonder]

Elvis seems like he’s self taught. Technique Nazis always got to find something to critique. The King has one of the most iconic voices ever. Even outside of music his voice will be recognized by people who haven’t heard anything but an impression. A lot of so called great guitarist can’t say that.

[annie]

Fil you are such a honest and I believe humble person. Elvis put so much into his singing. Also so much passion especially gospel. I heard him say on a video in concert he only really knew a few chords. Such a humble being. Thanks for your analysis and honest words. Stay safe and well.