I made a mistake in the video at 6:27. The chart displays a MAJOR chord shape, but it says "minor" underneath...it should say "major". Sorry about that!
Its a relief to find a guy who forgoes the mystical guitar nonsense and goes at this like a practical music mechanic. There are heaps of tips out there but its hard to find an actual road map so to speak. Wondering through the weeds carrying around a bunch of music theory figuring out where the hell Im actually supposed to go with it.
This is solid advice about learning complete songs. Don't be like me, a riff lord. I don't know hardly any songs all the way through and I should. Yes, people want to hear songs, not riffs!
Sir you are a hero. Picked up guitar again after 20 years of not playing and the amount of knowledge in these 18 minutes would equal a month or two back in my teenage days.
A benefit to learning new songs, even if you don’t take the time to memorize them from beginning to end, is that you can pick out pieces to incorporate into your practice routine. It’s a whole lot more fun to practice things like hammer ons, pull offs, vibrato, tremolo, etc if you’re taking a couple of bars from a real song.
What sets this lesson apart is its ability to strike a perfect balance between technical information and practical advice. Brian Kelly breaks down primary concepts into digestible chunks, making it easier for all students to absorb and implement them in their own guitar journey. The inclusion of clear examples and illustrations further enhances the article's effectiveness as a learning resource.
Thanks for these 5 tips, Brian. Although I’ve learned the Pentatonic scale, I can’t say I can fluently play 3 songs from beginning to end. Will go back to step 1 and learn 3 songs. 👍
I started taking in person guitar lessons recently and I still come to this channel. There’s so much good material to learn. Thank you Brian - your instructions are always spot on. Your explanations make learning guitar so much more palatable. 🤘
Notes on 6th and 5th strings unlock what i call "AE-system" (like, "CAGED" without" CGD"). With A and E shapes and barré you can already play any chord. Personally i find it helpful to know the scale formula: T-T-H-T-T-T-H and find the intervals on the fretboard, i.e. fourth, fifth, octave, minor/major 3rd etc., relative to the root note found on any string. Then you will "see" and recognize how the chords are built.
Dear Brian. Dank you for the very valuable suggestions. As an intermediate player, I found your suggestion playing only 2 songs in the beginning most valuable. What I also found out is playing it slower when having difficulties with speed, as you might intuitively try erroneously to play it faster. Play first slower if you run into speed problems and only after managing it, increase the speed gradually 🤭😋🥰. You are my favorite teacher for music theory. I love the way you teach very much. You are the „Marty Schwartz“ for music theory 🤓
Amazing how the engineer's approach to music. Always with pattern, simple, easy to memorize and we can track the progress. Thank you very much Brian. Cheers from Indonesia.
You have a really good way of teaching to make this difficult concept easier to understand. I feel like I may have some ideas to help my climb that giant guitar wall I've been on for so long. Thanks for this video.
There are so many great guitar teachers on the internet, but nobody makes it clearer than you. I have learned tons of theory watching your channel, which has completely let me experiment with my guitar even more.
Yeah, as always good info here. As a player for a year now, i can confirm these things from the video. Start with songs, get to know the caged (barre cords) system and do 2 pentatonic boxes to start with a backing track. Learning the 2 strings is a very good heads upfor me, as you explain how beneficial this will be.
This is excellent Brian. Like every good teacher, you break down concepts into their simplest form (I love the 98.3% of guitarists only play two scales 😂😂) The scale improv demo at 14:25 is crystal clear. As a word of encouragement to beginner guitarists, it’s so much easier to learn nowadays. Back in the day I stumbled into scales and basic chords through reading Bert Weedon’s ‘Play in a Day’ (c) 1959! No vids or musical accompaniment to play along with. That came along a decade later.
Wow, Brian, this is a GREAT lesson! It will take me a while to unravel it all and put into practice but there is real gold in this lesson that will help develop my playing! Thank you!
Outstanding lesson. I appreciate your efforts to slowly and carefully place your fingers on the fretboard as you demonstrate what you’re teaching. And, of course the on screen fretboard diagrams help too. I find that I snapshotting those with my iPad. Thank you
Great work as always, Brian! I admire your tenacity, persistence, and willingness to share your guitar/music wisdom. I learn something(s) every time I watch your videos.
Great video, Bryan! I have been playing for decades… But I greatly appreciate you, breaking it down the way that you do. It helps me come back fundamentals and revisit them.
There’s so much information available today, but Brian gives you a great roadmap to improve efficiently. Learning songs first will certainly keep a beginner from losing interest. Thanks for the great instruction!
Oh my gosh!! If only I had this video in 1993!!!!! I would have had the roadmap to progress so much faster. I probably would not have laid the guitar down for so many years. Even now, I have work to do… which is, add the 3rd and 6th. Thank you!!
Thanks Brian. Your teaching style is so understandable and useful. I knew all of this stuff but I still got something from watching your video! One of, if not THE best guitar teacher on RUclips!
I appreciate you putting out another useful video and all the content on your zombie guitar course site is great for when I want to upgrade my Improv and theory.
So, I have a question, because I consider you a most practical guitar teacher. I'm just not sure it is appropriate to ask here. Suppose you were in your 50s and somehow forgot most of what you knew, having to start over. You set a goal of getting to the stage again before you're too old to enjoy it--or dead. Which genre of music/method would you use? I think Jazz is out. Mel Bay is out, haha. What gives you the best odds? (Obviously, I'm in this situation, having gone through some tough circumstances.)
Great video Brian. It's way too easy as a beginner to be beguiled by exotic scales and complex chords. Nail the basics first, like you say, to the point were you don't even need to think about them, and work from there. Thanks
Brian, thanks for this. It’s really helpful. Are the backing tracks you used available for downloading? If not, what are the progressions? Downloading is definitely preferable to using the living room as a recording studio.
Good advice. What about learning G and C shape scales first. Then you have a box on both 6th and 5th string. I don't know what to do with the A shape box... don't find it very useful. And what about playing scales using arpeggios?.
I teach the CAGED system much differently than that. What you are calling G and C scale shapes, I instead simply call "pentatonic position #1 and #4". That is "layer 1". CAGED is a "layer 2" system, which can be used for arpeggios and/or chord tone targeting. This is great stuff, but definitely not suited for an absolute beginner (just my opinion), which is why I didn't get into that stuff here!
Hey! Yes definitely. There's a short walkthrough video on the front page of the site. Check that out for an idea of what it looks like on the inside! www.zombieguitar.com
Brian, when you say learn 3 songs, do you mean commit to memory, or play with the music in front of you? Would you play the three songs over and over till you get them, or do one at a time?
I don't think you necessarily need to commit it to memory unless you're playing live. I just mean to be able to play the song all the way through at track speed!
That's what I did. However eventually you will also probably want to know which notes are the 5 pentatonic notes...so whether you do diatonic first, or pentatonic first... eventually you will want to know both!
@@zombieguitar Thanks for the quick reply! Is it a matter of knowing which scale to apply for a different sound or playing style??? Ive heard that the pentatonic is more of a classic soulful sound vs the diatonic. Although, I feel like having access to all 7 vs 5 notes in a key makes for more options.
Yes, but only if you are actually interested in actually learning the guitar. If you are only interested in songs, then just stick to RUclips. While there are some song lessons on Zombie Guitar, the majority of the content is about teaching you to be able to jam with other musicians, write your own music, figure out songs by ear, etc. if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. Thank you!
THIS IS SUCH GREAT INFO! Maaan, lemme yell ya ~ Just finding out the importance of just learning the E & A strings, literally made my eyes a little itchy.🥲🤣 Especially, when you laid out the reasons WHY those two are the most important. Because I actually spent a lot of time & effort learning those two, but I struggled with the others & just lost interest in learning the whole fretboard at once. Happily, I did learn E & A before I decided to move past it. I feel sooo encouraged right now, just knowing I’m still on the right track, because of YOU! As a beginner, I’ve been practicing a long time, but frustrated because I often feel I’m not progressing fast enough. Thanks to you, I finally feel like I’ve accomplished something super important. I’m going to work all 5 of these. Then, I’lll be amazing. 😬 THANK YOU SO MUCH!❤️😁
I made a mistake in the video at 6:27. The chart displays a MAJOR chord shape, but it says "minor" underneath...it should say "major". Sorry about that!
Its a relief to find a guy who forgoes the mystical guitar nonsense and goes at this like a practical music mechanic. There are heaps of tips out there but its hard to find an actual road map so to speak. Wondering through the weeds carrying around a bunch of music theory figuring out where the hell Im actually supposed to go with it.
This is solid advice about learning complete songs. Don't be like me, a riff lord. I don't know hardly any songs all the way through and I should. Yes, people want to hear songs, not riffs!
Sir you are a hero. Picked up guitar again after 20 years of not playing and the amount of knowledge in these 18 minutes would equal a month or two back in my teenage days.
A benefit to learning new songs, even if you don’t take the time to memorize them from beginning to end, is that you can pick out pieces to incorporate into your practice routine. It’s a whole lot more fun to practice things like hammer ons, pull offs, vibrato, tremolo, etc if you’re taking a couple of bars from a real song.
What sets this lesson apart is its ability to strike a perfect balance between technical information and practical advice. Brian Kelly breaks down primary concepts into digestible chunks, making it easier for all students to absorb and implement them in their own guitar journey. The inclusion of clear examples and illustrations further enhances the article's effectiveness as a learning resource.
Thanks Phil! As always, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave these positive comments. Thank you 😀
Thanks for these 5 tips, Brian. Although I’ve learned the Pentatonic scale, I can’t say I can fluently play 3 songs from beginning to end. Will go back to step 1 and learn 3 songs. 👍
I started taking in person guitar lessons recently and I still come to this channel. There’s so much good material to learn. Thank you Brian - your instructions are always spot on. Your explanations make learning guitar so much more palatable. 🤘
Spend the $19 a month and go over and purchase his zombie guitar course. I promise you. Solid investment.
I've been playing 40+ years and I watch Brian's channel faithfully - I continue to learn from Brian more than anything !
Notes on 6th and 5th strings unlock what i call "AE-system" (like, "CAGED" without" CGD"). With A and E shapes and barré you can already play any chord.
Personally i find it helpful to know the scale formula: T-T-H-T-T-T-H and find the intervals on the fretboard, i.e. fourth, fifth, octave, minor/major 3rd etc., relative to the root note found on any string. Then you will "see" and recognize how the chords are built.
Dear Brian. Dank you for the very valuable suggestions. As an intermediate player, I found your suggestion playing only 2 songs in the beginning most valuable. What I also found out is playing it slower when having difficulties with speed, as you might intuitively try erroneously to play it faster. Play first slower if you run into speed problems and only after managing it, increase the speed gradually 🤭😋🥰. You are my favorite teacher for music theory. I love the way you teach very much. You are the „Marty Schwartz“ for music theory 🤓
Thanks Richard! I really appreciate the words man. This comment just made my day!! 😀🎸
Best teacher ever., Thank you for making things clear and not holding back info.
I am so impressed nobody explains it as clear and simple as you do. It has helped my understanding of the guitar tremendously!
Amazing how the engineer's approach to music. Always with pattern, simple, easy to memorize and we can track the progress. Thank you very much Brian. Cheers from Indonesia.
A Masterpiece …Always - thanks Brian Sir 🙏🎸😍
You have a really good way of teaching to make this difficult concept easier to understand. I feel like I may have some ideas to help my climb that giant guitar wall I've been on for so long. Thanks for this video.
There are so many great guitar teachers on the internet, but nobody makes it clearer than you.
I have learned tons of theory watching your channel, which has completely let me experiment with my guitar even more.
Yeah, as always good info here. As a player for a year now, i can confirm these things from the video. Start with songs, get to know the caged (barre cords) system and do 2 pentatonic boxes to start with a backing track. Learning the 2 strings is a very good heads upfor me, as you explain how beneficial this will be.
This is excellent Brian. Like every good teacher, you break down concepts into their simplest form (I love the 98.3% of guitarists only play two scales 😂😂) The scale improv demo at 14:25 is crystal clear. As a word of encouragement to beginner guitarists, it’s so much easier to learn nowadays. Back in the day I stumbled into scales and basic chords through reading Bert Weedon’s ‘Play in a Day’ (c) 1959! No vids or musical accompaniment to play along with. That came along a decade later.
Wow, Brian, this is a GREAT lesson! It will take me a while to unravel it all and put into practice but there is real gold in this lesson that will help develop my playing! Thank you!
Wish I learned this about 60 years ago! Great job!
Hi Brian,
A seemingly complicated process, made simple !! Many thanks.😅
Outstanding lesson. I appreciate your efforts to slowly and carefully place your fingers on the fretboard as you demonstrate what you’re teaching. And, of course the on screen fretboard diagrams help too. I find that I snapshotting those with my iPad. Thank you
Glad you liked the vid! Thanks for checking it out 😀
Great lesson, I'm well on the way of my guitar journey. Next getting down the cords, and doing my first 3 songs.
Great work as always, Brian! I admire your tenacity, persistence, and willingness to share your guitar/music wisdom. I learn something(s) every time I watch your videos.
Thanks Patrick! I appreciate you following along with my stuff 😀
Great video, Bryan! I have been playing for decades… But I greatly appreciate you, breaking it down the way that you do. It helps me come back fundamentals and revisit them.
Thanks for the basic barre chord shapes ! 😮
There’s so much information available today, but Brian gives you a great roadmap to improve efficiently. Learning songs first will certainly keep a beginner from losing interest. Thanks for the great instruction!
You make learning so much easier and clear. Thank you Brian😊
Oh my gosh!! If only I had this video in 1993!!!!! I would have had the roadmap to progress so much faster. I probably would not have laid the guitar down for so many years. Even now, I have work to do… which is, add the 3rd and 6th. Thank you!!
SOLID ADVICE BRO !!!!
Rock on ☠
Thank you for the info. Your always stellar
Thank you so much for this Brian. Your tuition is always amazing! 👍🙂🎸
Another excellent session Brian!!!!
Brian Kelly's videos are gold and gems.
Great lesson Brian, one of your best IMO. You’ve basically summed up everything one needs to learn first. Thanks!
Outstanding instruction!
Thanks Brian. Your teaching style is so understandable and useful. I knew all of this stuff but I still got something from watching your video! One of, if not THE best guitar teacher on RUclips!
Thanks for checking out the vid! I appreciate the words 😀
You're the best Brian! Great tips for the noobs. I'm one of them. I'm going to take your lesson to heart. You're an inspiration!
Thanks for this Brian, so much info in so little time. It's easily the best guitar video on YT!
Best video I’ve seen this year Brian, I’m well into 5 songs singing and playing after one year, this is great advice I will use this, Hi from Spain
Excellent! 👍
Thank you Brian, this was a very good one.
I appreciate you putting out another useful video and all the content on your zombie guitar course site is great for when I want to upgrade my Improv and theory.
Another great lesson. Thanks Brian.
Thanks Bruv!
Thanks, Brian. I will work on this. I am already digesting some of it (two pentatonic positions and extra notes)but need to work on the songs.
Very helpful video. Thank you 🙏
I haven't even watched this video yet but I'm going to do everything you suggest. Roll the film...... 😊
Haha thank you Edgar! 🎸
So, I have a question, because I consider you a most practical guitar teacher. I'm just not sure it is appropriate to ask here. Suppose you were in your 50s and somehow forgot most of what you knew, having to start over. You set a goal of getting to the stage again before you're too old to enjoy it--or dead. Which genre of music/method would you use? I think Jazz is out. Mel Bay is out, haha. What gives you the best odds? (Obviously, I'm in this situation, having gone through some tough circumstances.)
Great video Brian. It's way too easy as a beginner to be beguiled by exotic scales and complex chords. Nail the basics first, like you say, to the point were you don't even need to think about them, and work from there. Thanks
Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it 😀
❤❤❤
Thanks, Brian. Can you for a future lesson, talk about the arpeggios in the manner of Sultans of Swing or Hotel California?
Yes definitely!
GOLD :D !
I feel like I’m on the intermediate roadmap. Caged, chord tone targeting, modes, more complicated chords. Am I missing anything?
Brian, thanks for this. It’s really helpful. Are the backing tracks you used available for downloading? If not, what are the progressions? Downloading is definitely preferable to using the living room as a recording studio.
Good advice.
What about learning G and C shape scales first. Then you have a box on both 6th and 5th string.
I don't know what to do with the A shape box... don't find it very useful.
And what about playing scales using arpeggios?.
I teach the CAGED system much differently than that. What you are calling G and C scale shapes, I instead simply call "pentatonic position #1 and #4". That is "layer 1".
CAGED is a "layer 2" system, which can be used for arpeggios and/or chord tone targeting. This is great stuff, but definitely not suited for an absolute beginner (just my opinion), which is why I didn't get into that stuff here!
Do your online lessons include lessons for first-time guitar beginners?
Hey! Yes definitely. There's a short walkthrough video on the front page of the site. Check that out for an idea of what it looks like on the inside! www.zombieguitar.com
Brian, when you say learn 3 songs, do you mean commit to memory, or play with the music in front of you? Would you play the three songs over and over till you get them, or do one at a time?
I don't think you necessarily need to commit it to memory unless you're playing live. I just mean to be able to play the song all the way through at track speed!
so a major chord on the E string is the same pattern as the Minor chord on the A string?? confused
They are very similar shapes, but not exactly the same!
When you say learn three songs do you mean the rhythm/chords or the solos too?
Just pick any 3 songs. If you feel that you want to take one on that has a solo in it, then learn the solo too... challenge yourself 😁
Should I just learn and practice the diatonic scale right away, instead of the pentatonic?
That's what I did. However eventually you will also probably want to know which notes are the 5 pentatonic notes...so whether you do diatonic first, or pentatonic first... eventually you will want to know both!
@@zombieguitar Thanks for the quick reply! Is it a matter of knowing which scale to apply for a different sound or playing style??? Ive heard that the pentatonic is more of a classic soulful sound vs the diatonic. Although, I feel like having access to all 7 vs 5 notes in a key makes for more options.
Brian, your videos are missing the "$ Thanks" button :)
Is this course for beginners?
Yes, but only if you are actually interested in actually learning the guitar. If you are only interested in songs, then just stick to RUclips. While there are some song lessons on Zombie Guitar, the majority of the content is about teaching you to be able to jam with other musicians, write your own music, figure out songs by ear, etc. if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. Thank you!
Curious.... Does anyone have an example of someone not using diatonic or penatonic sorry not aure if thats how you spell it hahah
It's probably not "new scales" that you want. It's most likely going to be chord tones and/or arpeggios 😁
THIS IS SUCH GREAT INFO! Maaan, lemme yell ya ~ Just finding out the importance of just learning the E & A strings, literally made my eyes a little itchy.🥲🤣 Especially, when you laid out the reasons WHY those two are the most important. Because I actually spent a lot of time & effort learning those two, but I struggled with the others & just lost interest in learning the whole fretboard at once. Happily, I did learn E & A before I decided to move past it. I feel sooo encouraged right now, just knowing I’m still on the right track, because of YOU! As a beginner, I’ve been practicing a long time, but frustrated because I often feel I’m not progressing fast enough. Thanks to you, I finally feel like I’ve accomplished something super important. I’m going to work all 5 of these. Then, I’lll be amazing. 😬 THANK YOU SO MUCH!❤️😁
This is awesome!! This is exactly what I was hoping to achieve with this video. Thank you for watching, and thank you for the comment! 😀🎸