I gotta say goodbye to Rick Beato

**Jim Soloway** · 06-09-2026, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by TF

It wasn't that long ago that YouTube music guy Rick Beato interviewed jazz players. John Scofield and Mike Stern each got an hour interview on his channel. The partially disabled Keith Jarrett appeared on Beato's channel, and there have been others - classical musicians too.

I expected he'd comment on Miles Davis' birth centennial, and of course on the death of the legend Sonny Rollins. But nothing - zero - on his channel about these big events. There was, however, a lotta stuff about the band Rush.

I think Beato and his consultants have realized that the YouTube dollars are not there for jazz content. "Nice knowing you, Rick!..." I say, as I unsubscribe.

I don't understand this. The return of Rush with a new drummer is a very big deal to a lot of people, so it's hardly a surprise that he would dedicate an episode to them. Beato's channel covers a lot of musical range. It's never been specifically a jazz channel but he continues to host episodes focusing on jazz musicians. In recent months he's had Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ulf Wakenius, and Hiromi. Why dismiss him entirely? It costs nothing to subscribe to his channel so you don't lose anything if you don't watch episodes that don't appeal to you. There's really no cause for outrage. Enjoy the episodes that have content you enjoy and just ignore the rest.

**Christian Miller** · 06-09-2026, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I don't understand this. The return of Rush with a new drummer is a very big deal to a lot of people, so it's hardly a surprise that he would dedicate an episode to them. Beato's channel covers a lot of musical range. It's never been specifically a jazz channel but he continues to host episodes focusing on jazz musicians. In recent months he's had Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ulf Wakenius, and Hiromi. Why dismiss him entirely? It costs nothing to subscribe to his channel so you don't lose anything if you don't watch episodes that don't appeal to you. There's really no cause for outrage. Enjoy the episodes that have content you enjoy and just ignore the rest.

I expect Kurt and Brad were watching being big Rush fans (can’t stand them myself.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Jim Soloway** · 06-09-2026, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

I expect Kurt and Brad were watching being big Rush fans (can’t stand them myself.)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm a great believer in the power of the Venn Diagram. I don't have to have a 100% overlap just have to focus on the area of the diagram where the two sets intersect. My taste doesn't intersect with a lot of what Beato presents so I don't watch Beato a lot. On the other hand, I think his 70 minute interview with Hiromi is magnificent and where else am I going to get the kind of depth and freedom that he gave her in that episode? That's the intersect of the two sets and there is happiness in focusing on that and ignoring the areas of the graph in which the sets are exclusive of one another.

**Rob MacKillop** · 06-09-2026, 03:37 PM

Seriously, is Vann Diagram the American for Venn diagram?

**Jim Soloway** · 06-09-2026, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Seriously, is Vann Diagram the American for Venn diagram?

I'm Canadian

but no that's the fat finger on a cell phone version of a Venn Diagram. I'm definitely not good at data entry on a phone but the concept is still valid. A common phenomenon on the Internet is that many people seem to focus so exclusively on the negative that they become willing to discard the positive.

**Rob MacKillop** · 06-09-2026, 04:05 PM

Sorry for both gross insults, Jim!

**Jim Soloway** · 06-09-2026, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

Sorry for both gross insults, Jim!

You only have to apologise for one. I know my finger typing sucks.

**garybaldy** · 06-09-2026, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by joe2758

I saw one segment where he was talking about how ridiculously over complicated and difficult jazz is.

His example was "look, here is the first jazz tune I learned"

Played the head to Donna Lee as best he could (with a couple breaks in between)

Then he said "not only that, then you have to learn the chords!" then he played some chord arrangement on every beat with passing chords.

He knows that is not the entry point, but he was intentionally misleading to non jazz players to make his point

Please could you provide a link for this video? I've had a bit of a look. I found a long vid where he analyses the chords of Donna Lee/ Back Home in Indiana and plays a Danelectro - nice sound. (may be that's the one and I missed the head?)
FWIW I've known and played 'Indiana' since 1970. For many years I never knew it was Donna Lee and never had the chords explained to me. We just played the song.
Thanks

**joe2758** · 06-09-2026, 05:14 PM

I think it was called "how the lick killed jazz"

**Skip Ellis** · 06-09-2026, 11:10 PM

I just never liked the guy for some reason - I've watched a couple of his videos but he never came across as 'real'. Maybe it's just me.

**GuyBoden** · 06-10-2026, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by joe2758

I think it was called "how the lick killed jazz"

Maybe this?

**Litterick** · 06-10-2026, 08:39 AM

Yes, he is an entertainer. His latest is a very entertaining rant about Fender.

1:51 Now, this Strat I bought in a music store here used. This started out as an American Standard Strat. The body is still an American Standard Strat, but the guitar that I bought that I paid $900 for had a really terrible neck on it. So, what did I do? I took the neck off and I had a neck made that's not a Fender neck. This is not a Fender neck on it. As a matter of fact, many new Fender guitars are not good.

So many questions. Did he try the guitar before he bought it? What was wrong with the neck? Why didn't he return the guitar to the store for a refund? Why is it all about him? Why does this passage remind me of Donald J. Trump?

**MiniMerckx.22** · 06-10-2026, 10:12 AM

Wow this thread has really opened my eyes to fact that this forum has some thoughtful, intelligent, articulate and generously sharing souls along with some overly coddled spoiled and truly ignorant dopes.
WTF, you can't wait until someone says something that offends your little bubble of a mind so you bitch when they don't say what you want them to say? Call mom and dad and ask them to explain to you how the world works. Go ahead and mention to them that they're negligent for not telling you before for finished (I'm assuming) 6th grade. Then come back here and tell us all what you have accomplished in the 10 years concurrent with Mr Beato building his 5.67 million subscribers channel.
Obviously I'm joking. Don't come back.

Edit: I should add that I've probably watched fewer than 4 full vids, Metheny being one I completed. I do remember seeing part of one where he stated.....anytime I post a video with jazz in the title it gets much fewer views than anything else I post.

**Hep To The Jive** · 06-10-2026, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

Why dismiss him entirely? It costs nothing to subscribe to his channel so you don't lose anything if you don't watch episodes that don't appeal to you. There's really no cause for outrage. Enjoy the episodes that have content you enjoy and just ignore the rest.

That's so cruel of you to say that! If the OP did just that this thread wouldn't exist, and we wouldn't know about the OP feelings toward Rick, and Rick Beato wouldn't even had a chance to fix the situation. So stop with your common sense already, it hurts people.

TF · 06-11-2026, 09:12 AM

Thanks for your thoughtful replies to my OP. You're right, I should not get upset because Mr. Beato doesn't cover what I think he should cover.

But I still think that Sonny Rollins' death rates at least a 30 second mention on a YT channel titled "Everything Music".

**DMgolf66** · 06-11-2026, 09:59 AM

To say "Beato doesn't like Jazz, he's a rock lover Jazz poser, it's obvious". Is a stupid, lazy and uninformed statement.

**DMgolf66** · 06-11-2026, 10:05 AM

His show is like a buffet. Wander thru, if you see something you like then put it on your plate, eat it and leave the rest.

**Marty Grass** · 06-14-2026, 08:42 AM

There are many YT channels about music and guitar. Find one you like.

Beato is an accomplished musician with several instruments and is a recording engineer. On top of that, he is fluent as a host and discussant.

Here's an overview of his career. He put in the work. Rick Beato - Wikipedia

Some people are hypercritical or snobbish. If you can't find anything good to say about someone putting the time and work in, make your own YouTube channel that's better.

You know who likes him? A lot of accomplished producers, engineers, and accomplished musicians. Mary Spender, who is terrific as a teacher, writer, and performer hangs with him. Mary Spender - Wikipedia

It bothers me to see so much bitterness.

**DMgolf66** · 06-14-2026, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

There are many YT channels about music and guitar. Find one you like.

Beato is an accomplished musician with several instruments and is a recording engineer. On top of that, he is fluent as a host and discussant.

Here's an overview of his career. He put in the work. Rick Beato - Wikipedia

Some people are hypercritical or snobbish. If you can't find anything good to say about someone putting the time and work in, make your own YouTube channel that's better.

You know who likes him? A lot of accomplished producers, engineers, and accomplished musicians. Mary Spender, who is terrific as a teacher, writer, and performer hangs with him. Mary Spender - Wikipedia

It bothers me to see so much bitterness.

Very well said .

**dharma2020** · 06-15-2026, 10:20 AM

I enjoyed his interview with Josho Stephan.

Not sure if gypsy jazz content is allowed on this forum

**RLetson** · 06-15-2026, 02:57 PM

Beato looks to me like a very good interviewer--he asks intelligent, informed questions and gives his guest space to answer at length. Of course, it helps to have as smart and articulate a guest as Joscho, but from what I've seen, his basic approach is pretty much what I figured out when doing interviews and profiles in my magazine-writing days--an interview is a conversation. (Which was also Dick Cavett's technique.)

BTW, Beato is clearly enjoying the interview and the playing--and Joscho and Jungbeck are having fun, too.

**Marty Grass** · 06-15-2026, 03:59 PM

You're right about Dick Cavett. He was conversational. Joe Rogan is also. They are very different people though. Dick Cavett was a little stiffer. Both though don't seem to have a rehearsed style. The conversation flow happened.

**Christian Miller** · 06-16-2026, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by RLetson

Beato looks to me like a very good interviewer--he asks intelligent, informed questions and gives his guest space to answer at length.

I really don't think people value this enough.

I enjoy Hank Green but it was hilarious watching him interview Bernie Sanders recently, because Bernie could not get a word in edgewise. This a claim to fame haha.

YouTube is full of people who love the sound of their own voices, which rarely makes for great interview skills. Beato clearly likes the sound of his own voice, but he also has enough self awareness to dial it down when appropriate.

**supersoul** · 06-16-2026, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

YouTube is full of people who love the sound of their own voices, which rarely makes for great interview skills. Beato clearly likes the sound of his own voice, but he also has enough self awareness to dial it down when appropriate.

I just watched Beato's interview with Jimmy Webb. Beato dialed it down and just let Mr. Webb tell his stories. There was a fair amount of editing, perhaps because Jimmy Webb talks in tangents. The guy has a lot to say about songwriting and he loves to say it.

Great interview, points to Beato for asking just enough questions to keep the conversation moving.

**Navdeep_Singh** · 06-16-2026, 08:16 PM

The Benson and Metheny interviews were great, worth everyone’s time here. He also interviewed lesser knowns such as Marcusso. I enjoyed his Tony Levin interview, a lot, too. To get big rock star names on his show, he has to really dumb down the interviews (David Gilmour, Lee and Lifeson) and offer softball questions that are in their much smaller musical wheelhouse. The Gilmour interviews were particularly embarrassing, especially. He stated his Lifeson interview with a ? On the “Alex Lifeson” chord. Come on! LMAO!