Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock song by Jethro Tull. Released on the album of the same name in 1971, this song features some memorable electric parts and lush acoustics as well as a classic 1970s guitar solo. All guitar parts including the solo are covered.
Taught by Mark Brennan in Rock Songs with Mark seriesLength: 69:09Difficulty: 2.0 of 5

Take a step back in time with Mark and learn to shred some rock n' roll classics.
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Mark Brennan teaches this classic rock song by Jethro Tull.
Length: 69:09 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
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About Mark Brennan
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Mark Brennan, born August 12th, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio, began playing guitar at the age of 10. His first influences were from the Ventures and the British Invasion, especially the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Shortly afterwards he was playing in rock bands with his brother on drums, developing his ear by learning songs straight from records. Playing in a band became a passion.
In high school, he grew to love acoustic and classical guitar. He spent time playing acoustic music, influenced by The Eagles, CSN, Dan Folgelberg, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, etc. In the 70's, he headed a very popular Cleveland band, The Brennan-Cosma Band, which played a variety of acoustic and rock music, along with originals. He also took up classicalguitar, and began developing his fingerstyle technique.
Mark is a graduate of Cleveland State University (1980), with a Bachelor of Music in Classical guitar performance. He also studied Music Composition, and took many Music Education classes. After graduation, he began his private teaching career, teaching electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, along with music theory. He taught in various studios and guitar shops throughout his career, and currently has a private practice at his home in
Fairview Park, Ohio.
In the 80's Mark took an affection to Progressive rock. With his band Polyphony, he was influenced by the music of Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, Styx, along with a set of prog rock originals.
Currently, Mark is in the regionally successful Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here. The band performs faithful renderings of the Floyd classics spanning their entire catalog, along with a strong visual stage show. Here, Mark displays his command of the David Gilmour style.
Mark is excited to be part of JamPlay.com's fine roster of teachers. He's looking forward to extending his 35 years of performing and teaching experience to the JamPlay members. His philosophy is about developing a passion for guitar and being the best musician you can be; being true to yourself and developing a personal style, and truly expressing your heart through your music.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.I was scared of this song at first, but this turns out to be an amazing exercise to practice some chord progressions! I'm an absolute beginner and I'm slowly pulling off all of the acoustic stuff.
hey mark awesome lesson always wanted to learn this song! now i have got it down, so thanks man!!! but you did mess up in the lesson breakdown and i cused you everytime i followed you into the mistake! somewhere in the fast acoustic part!!! but i got it down at the end in the song demonstration! thanks again great lesson!!
Love how you do ALL parts, including the vocal. very nice.
Love how you do ALL parts, including the vocal. very nice.
love the classic rock stuff... Wish "Time" was still up. that was an excellent lesson too...
I vividly remember one of my very first rock conserts seeing Jethro Tull in 1971. They played just about every song from the Aqualung album. Btw. the lesson info says 1977, which I recon is easy to correct. Many thanks from Björn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWkShz5BckE just done the solo parts, any comment? thanks Mark, it's a great lesson
Great job Eric! Just get it up to speed and you've got it. I encourage you to start working with left hand vibrato to color some of the notes. Nice work....you look good on youtube.
It's almost the fastest speed I can achieve now.(90% of the original). I'll try to add some vibrato, but the same problem - speed. I really appreciate your suggestions, thanks. by the way, I have other questions about daily practice of learning scales(to remember them on the fretboard), and how to speed up? Can I ask in the forum?
Hey Eric....post this question on the forum. You can get replies from any teacher and subscriber...Mark
I just put up the song demo and the backing track in mp3 format under the supplemental content tab.
Thanks Aaron!
Love your lessons Mark! Stairway was Epiq, aswell as all the Pink Floyd songs..
Hi Mark, Excellent lesson and great song. This lesson is why I am a member of Jamplay. Your classic rock lessons have always been my personal favorites. Luckily, I was able to see Tull live at Madison Square Garden when they perfomed the Aqualung album in the early seventies. Ian Andersen is one of the great rockers of our time. the band and Andersen was phenomenal in that show.
Hey Dennis....that must have been a great show. Ian Anderson is a great showman. I'd love to be able to play flute like him! Mark
Great job Mark! You really outdid yourself on this one. With this lesson, you've raised the bar so high that it's going to be tough to top it. Thanks for all your hard work.
Excellent. The best song lesson I ever saw.
Outstanding job Mark this song now makes sense and I can make it work. Thanks
I know this is a pretty bold statement, but I think this is one of the best if not the best Phase 3 lessons JamPlay has ever done! Nice work guys!
Right on Matt
Jeez... I'll have to agree with Matt... This really raises the bar. Absolute top notch production. Well done Mark and Jamplay.
Great Lesson! We need more classic Rock for Acoustic Guitar. Thanks Mark.
Wish I had this on mp3! Thanks Mark
man i wish they still had the lesson for dogs by pink floyd
Have to agree. Great lesson. Maybe some Who acoustic stuff?
wow....it's amazing..... Mark Brennan is great!! I'll try to learn this song
Mark, Thanks for the new Phase 3 lesson. It's great as usual. You provide great detail in you lessons, which make it easier to learn. I hope you have more lessons coming.
Mark, this is first class. I loved it. While you are in the mood for Tull I would suggest Minstrel in the gallery for your next project. Thank you and keep em coming. Jim
Thanks everyone! Had a great time doin this one....enjoy! Kudos to Aaron at Jamplay for the great production!
Nice! I've been waiting for this one for a long time!
Hay Mark you earned your pay on this one. And Frk’n nice Guitar.
Thanks Jamplay great to see Mark back delivering his comprehensive phase 3 lessons again. Looking forward to digging into this. Off topic - Mark could you comment on the pick up set in the Tom Anderson. I'm looking at giving my mexi strat an upgrade thought that might be a good fit. thanks
After explaining in another thread that stage 3 lessons weren't that important to me I'm going to spend tonight learning this one. ;-) Great stuff as always Mark, thanks.
Sweet! Love this song! Thanks Mark
This song rocks
Great to see some new stuff. Your the best at the song lessons. Wish they didn't have to take some of the others off.
awsome Mark, I really enjoy your lessons they are so detailed. Thanks so much. Michael
YES JETHRO TULL
nice