My one piece of advice to my younger self on guitar would be learn to sing what you play (and vice versa)! I’ve always disliked the sound of my voice and for a while I felt silly trying to sing/hum a melody and play it on guitar, but once I started doing that in my practice routine my improvisation and writing ability got a lot better. You learn so much from playing the melodies you sing, and it really helps to understand the fretboard as well as stop you from playing the same licks over and over again.
1, your ear. Ill be honest, I’m 59 and I still play all the time. I learned everything by ear. I honestly think guys my age have an advantage over guys your age because we had no RUclips to spoon feed us the music. We skipped the needle all over vinyl to learn songs…. Even to tune the guitar. I think it makes us better in some ways , at least a better foundation. You keep putting out the vids and just be honest like what you are doing and we will keep coming back! What I wish I had done early on is get a teacher and learned more theory. It took me years to figure out things on my own that would have taken months.. I love your channel and more than anything the honesty. Peace!
I completely agree with you. I’m 71 now I worked in the music store. It was called the Vox Room I tuned the guitars 40 to 50 a day by ear. I learned off of vinyl like you did stop and start stop and start stop and start hand wrote down the words and I always remembered them. unfortunately, last year I fell in my bathroom, broke my neck and my back. I was quadriplegic. I’m now at least up and walking, but my arms and hands really not very good and I really miss playing. I dream a lot about being really good at it because at the end, I was good, don’t ever take it for granted! We lived in a great time. The music was way better back when we were growing up. IMO
Tim , i like your Four tips . I have a # 5 that is never put your guitar away in a case , closet or under the bed . I keep my guitar on a wall hanger above my amp & pedals plugged in ready to go . It takes less than a minute to be warmed up and be playing .
Hell im 62 and have been playing for about 18 months and having a blast. I've dove into the cage system and your right best thing out there to understand the fret board. Enjoy your channel. Thanks
I’ve been playing for 25 years. When it comes down to it, everything is intervals to me. Intervals make up chords, arpeggios, all pentatonic scales, all major scales. If you know anything that intervals don’t make up, please let me know. Once I realized that, I knew the direction I needed to study in. That was only about 2 years ago sadly….. I kinda knew about intervals, but when you really listen to extremely good players talk, they KNOW their intervals like the back of their hand. Also, with the fast playing stuff, which is a work in progress for me, it’s all about getting the wrist unlocked(for me), learning about pickslanting(Troy Grady- cracking the code) and learning that tension is your enemy. A few other things for sure, but these are key for me and I know without a doubt had I learned them years ago I would be SOOOOOO MUCH MORE advanced.
21 years in and nothing felt like it “clicked” until I started to learn triads and inversions. If I could go back, I’d teach myself the bones of the caged system and how to pull major and minor chord tones from those shapes. Three years of super amateur drum playing before I picked up a guitar was a massive help in understanding pocket and rhythm. Certainly unplanned. Great stuff as always, Tim. Keep it coming.
Hey Tim...I'm just here early to watch your channel grow! I appreciate the humility and practical advice. Keep grinding with your positive attitude and success will come your way!
Thanks for the tips, Tim! I've been playing on and off a few years but this year started getting pretty deep with learning. I've been using Justin guitar's academy which is a nice structured way of learning and what songs you can jump right into playing. I also know the notes but it takes me a minute to go through it in my head and using a tuner in chromatic setting for instant feedback has been helpful with reenforcing notes I play and and playing scales correctly. I also just got a G1X four zoom effects pedal which I'm stoked about as a beginner because you can play with an array of tones and figure out what you like and add more; it plays drum backing tracks at bpm you can adjust and it's a looper at a great price. Don't be too worried about doing videos with no quality presentation, people used to love buzzfeed unsolved when they hunted ghosts with a couple cameras and low budget. Now a lot less people watch due to many reasons but a lot of them said they missed the lower presentation value of the original series that gave it its charm. Keep doing your thing!
Thank you, Tim, for sharing yourself and your knowledge and experience. It took me a long time to realize that it was much more beneficial to focus on one song (or at most, 2-3) at a time, and really get it down, rather than skipping around all the time. For example, for the pst several days, I have ben focusing almost exclusively on learning the solo to Hotel California. Not easy, but through dedication and consistency, it's coming.
Great video! The one thing I would tell myself over is to use your EARS!!! In todays digital age we tend to use our eyes. I've had older players tell me they used to put stacks of quarters on the stylus of record players to slow down the track so they could hear the notes.
I have been gigging for about 4 years in my local circuit now. I wish I would have know the importance of playing less and just playing my parts and good rhythm for other people when they are taking a lead!! Great video man, love seeing a working player talk about these things like this!!!
Yet another "old goat" at 68 here, but wanted to let you know that I genuinely enjoy watching your videos and getting your perspectives on "the business". I was self taught and FOR YEARS had "delusions of adequacy". But here, late in life, I realize that I missed a LOT of the basic rudiments that you pick up in those dumb lessons!!!! So that's what I am doing. I'm really burning the midnight oil working on alternate picking ... as my right/left hand synchronization is HORRID!!!! Anyway, I am really enjoying what you are putting out here. Bob
I’m really enjoying your content and love the way you’re just hitting record. Your 1st tip: use your hear. This hits home for me. I have decent dexterity but a terrible ear. So when our band wants to work up a new song, I always go straight to RUclips or (shoutout) Sixstring country app. I really need to take your advice to heart. Keep it up man and thank you! Last comment, I loved the walk through downtown Nashville vid! Nashville is so much fun to me and that vid just reminded of what a cool city it is. Looking forward to visiting again soon!
The ear is so important! I waited way too long to start focusing on this. There’s more to come of the downtown content too! I’m playing a gig down there next week that I’m going to vlog
Hi again. Predicting rapid growth of your channel... you are likable, humble, a good player and very natural/comfortable on camera. 4 things setting you apart from many on RUclips. The Uncle Larry for younger/newer players. Cheers from Canada 💙
What I wish I'd done in '85 when I got my first bass, was play. Basically combining a couple of your 4. PLAY. Play alone. Play along to the radio, or on whatever you youngins play your music these days (I ruined so many cassettes back in the day learning songs with my play - stop - rewind - stop - play and repeat method). Play with others. Playing will help improve your ear and your time, especially playing with others as their time is often variable and makes you work to get a good groove together. I really wish I played more with others. Also, the video format and quality are great. They're more personable and you feel more like a buddy who plays guitar and we're learning together rather than a typical teacher/student dynamic with you telling me what to do and I robotically do it. Though more guitar based (and I'm strictly a bassist), I look forward to seeing your videos and the info you share. Thank you!
Excellent video. Love the grove...it's killer. Wish I knew the CAGED system early In life. Been working on bluegrass stuff for the past few years and just really getting some of the CAGED system now....lots of work and limitless if you go for it.
Hey Tim, I recently came across your channel last week and after watching quite a few, I came to really like them. I think one of the main reasons Bukovac's "Homeskoolin" channel is so popular besides his crazy skills is he is a genuinely nice and down to earth person and I feel you are as well. For what it's worth, I don't get that vibe from many people in the world, but you definitely have it, as well as great guitar skills; so I really think your channel as well as yourself will really be successful and go far. All the best brother!
Yea, I noticed John Mayer always tapping his foot in his Instragram videos, so I built a little tambo wooden box for my studio. Also... a pro metronome tip I learned. Set your tempo to half of what you want to play at... and then make those clicks the backbeat... 2 & 4 where a snare would be. It was difficult as first, but feels real good when you can dance around it.
Hello Tim. I am really enjoying your videos and really appreciate the way you share your experiences while teaching guitar. Most of all it is refreshing to hear you continually stress that most of us are not the best out there but if we keeping working at it we can get closer. I play in the bars here in Vancouver on a regular basis and do quite well but I am not even close to being the best out there.
Internal metronome is a big one that a lot of performing musicians on local scenes lack. But with guitarists a lot of that comes from playing while sitting all the time and being too focused on precision of the fingerings rather than the fluidity of the transition. I began as a choral singer, so standing and breathing/moving rhythmically happened long before I picked up a guitar. But I noticed immediately that moving while playing helped to subdivide the beats. Tapping in 1/4 notes is a good place to start, but that head nod or shoulder bob with emphasis on certain beats can act like a 1/8 note for more precision (matches up well with the high hat in most upbeat songs). Also practice counting the "e and a's" of the beats from the very beginning.....basically 16th notes = "chugga chugga" when you make the train noise. your note placement will be significantly more musical and less stiff. As for as tonal tricks....develop or find your favorite/signature lick and try to incorporate it in creative ways, adding notes, omitting notes, doubling up, hammer on/offs, transitioning up and down octaves with that lick or scale. I find that helps me know where sour notes are likely to occur, and on the fly where I can be a little looser or more mindful. Bask in perfection when it happens, but don't be so obsessed with it that you lack musicality and feel overall.
Another good one. Thank you. I was one of those intimidated by CAGED system. Struggled getting nowhere for years. Couldn’t see it. Then, because I saw her perform, I signed up for Molly Miller’s CAGED course on Pickup Music, and it 4 or 5 lessons it all made sense. Still requires lots of practice but understanding the system unlocks the instrument. Best $30 investment I’ve made - no, this is not a promo.
Tasty playing Always pickup great ideas from your sharing. Digging your down to earth approach- YT needs more humble pro players like yourself sharing all aspects of their journey. I enjoy and appreciate your content and think youve got a winning approach to this platform just sharing as you have been. Thanks for spending time in the live too.
Great video! Don’t worry about your production quality, your content is awesome! I’ve played guitar for over 40 years. I wish I would have focused on the basics and ear training more early on. I memorized tons of scales and modes ect. I’m a music major and I over complicated guitar. Just get where you can jam over a 1-4-5 chord progression first, then the 3,6,7 . I rented a video once years ago of a Brian May guitar lesson. He said he never thought of scales, he thought of playing across a chord. When he said that a light went off in my brain. I Changed and improved my playing from that time on with that concept. Nashville pro session musicians are amazing and can humble the best of guitarists. However we have to remember that they do this for a living day in day out. Every guitarist should see one of them nail a song he’s never seen before on the first take. That is a good level of musicianship to strive for.
I think intervals and ear training have become very important for me at this point. I used to approach the guitar with note names instead of intervals, so if someone was playing in a key I have never worked on I could not play along. Also, the musicians around me are quite good and have very good ears, so I feel like just being able to join them with good ear training would be nice.
I went to Berklee in the late 70s. Ear training very important. One of my guitar playing friends would play his electric guitar unplugged while he was watching tv. He would be quickly figuring out any musical stuff on the program…but also on the commercials…how fast can you figure any music out? The music is changing all the time, every 15 or 30 or 60 seconds…
Great tips. I can really identify with your metronome idea right now. Over the years of listening to great guitar players the one thing I've noticed is how they play around with the concept of time. For instance you could set an atomic clock to Eric Clapton's sense time. He nails it down to the micro-second and his delivery is beautiful. Jack Pearson is so fluid listening to him play is like listening to a beautiful stream flow down from the mountain. His note and chord choices blend with his timing in a way that leaves me in a land beyond time and somewhere in the infinite. Time is a funny thing: you gotta have it but in the end you want to play with it in a way that stretches the boundary of its existence. Thanks Tim, these are fun ideas to explore.
My advice is for the younger generation. If you have any interest in guitar, give it every bit attention you can while you’re young. Your free time gets shorter and shorter as you get older. At least for those that want a family. Give your passion the attention it deserves when you have the time and you will be light years ahead when you’re older.
Hi Tim you have great videos and I guess the fact that you are having a good time with this stuff translates and makes it enjoyable to hang out with you. As far as fancy production videos it really isn’t necessary as far as I’m concerned, I’m just always looking for any help with guitar info. Keep it coming bro, have a great weekend!
😂 I totally did things out of order when I was younger I wanted to be a neoclassical player so I would sit for hours with a metronome doing guitar licks and exercises. My advice to my younger self would be to spend half of that time learning songs. Technique is great but so it knowing a bunch of songs so you can play live!
I've been playing Guitar since 1965 and it's 2024 now. I still learn I still practice and I'm still not a great improvisation player but you don't have to be to be good at it. Improvising I've learned is is best when you use the strings on the frets that your fingers are making the chord with. You aren't going to strike any bum notes if you do that. It may not be the most melodic sounding but it isn't going to be terrible sounding either. I do that on Banjo and Mandolin as well. It's a good place to start and then you can improve the melody from there. My friend hear is making good points to pick up on.
Good to hear I'm doing all those except for the cage system. I am fortunate to have the time to shed 1-2 hours a day. Have learned more in 6 months then the years previous. In the late 80s all I had was my ear and some tab books. Discovering youtube guitar vids for me has been a game changer. Finally out of that rut. Your vids are my favorite now Tim. Your a cool dude Keep it up bro!! Aloha from Maui🌴🎸🤘😎
My parents got me a guitar and lessons when I was about 7/8 because I wanted to be the next John Denver or Johnny Cash. Well, I started off having to learn scales and songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Amazing Grace. To hell with that! I wanted to play things I heard on the radio. On top of that, my fingers were sore from playing. Well, long story short I gave up playing for years before I finally started dedicating myself to learning. I wish I would have stuck with it because now I understand about building calluses and muscle memory etc. Now I can actually play a number of popular songs and I love it. It's like therapy for me.
I am just recently focusing on visualizing and voicing in my head the scale tones at each fingering position . . . like, the root tone and then the 3 and the 5 and b7 at their respective positions in the CAGED shapes. I string them together going up and down the fretboard . . . link the positions together. It's helping!
I learned a lot when I switched to bass for awhile... I got better at rhythm and groove, ghost notes - and theory things like the fact that the '4', '5' etc are just x number of strings down and y number of frets from the root note and you can find em quick without having to think too much about "ok if I'm in this key then the four would be.... uhhhh...". As long as you're on the first 4 strings* if you're playing the root, then the four is just one string higher, same fret - the fifth is two frets up from the four, the major third is one fret down, and the minor third is two frets down (*things shift by a fret at the B string so the pattern changes). Then you can learn which chords and patterns have root notes there and play a whole chord or pattern. If your 1 is on the low E string then when you switch to a 3/4/5/6 on the A string, play an A shape (could be minor or major depending on the key)
Thing I wish I learned earlier (and something I wish I remembered to do more often even now): When you’re playing with a band, you don’t have to play constantly through the whole song. Once in awhile just shut up for a few bars and listen to what’s going on. You don’t have to bust your chops the whole time. Try laying back for a whole verse or something, maybe add a tasty note or two here and there. Let it breathe. Dynamics. That’s what I wish I was better at.
Hi, Tim- great videos, man. Could you do one on what type of rig you use/used when playing a typical bar gig? Just trying to find my way now with pedal board/amp combo for maximum sound with minimal/necessary pieces. Thanks!!
as someone who is writing original music in a band, id say along with all this stuff in the video i would practice coming up with songs on guitar and trying to sing to them if you can at the same time. It'll help with your singing and guitar playing to play some chords and match your voice with the pitch. Then you can try to do the same thing with lead phrases. I think songwriting can be challenging but its very fun and i think anyone can do it
Love the channel. You are onto something. Clearly you have a gift. Is there ever the day when you try to learn or mimic Eric Johnson? Not in my lifetime. But still time to improve. Good stuff, Tim.
My tips starting late at age 58 I am 63 now. -learn how to hold your pick properly. -self learning would have been easier if I had some lessons earlier via Zoom or Skype. -day ONE ☝️ use a metronome, track or real song to get your rhythm / timing. -stand up to learn earlier than later, standing up us way different than sitting down. -learn one song from start to finish and use it for warm up. Mine is Wild Thing by the Troggs and I just learned the “flute” solo for that, it actually is an Ocarina wind instrument. -start or join a live practice or jam session and play often live, a beginner can participate right away. -take a few basic drum lessons, learn how drums and bass can guide you, I have a small table top electric drum kit. -take a few vocal lessons to learn how to use vocals yourself or support a vocalist. -start learning CAGED, pentatonic scales, notes on fretboard and some theory, I had no idea how structured Western music is but take this as you are ready and don’t rush, it all takes time. -practice daily and record yourself on your phone. -Moises is an app that will separate tracks from a real song, it has scrolling chords, scrolling lyrics, you can reduce or enhance tracks such as drums/vocals/bass/etc, sections of songs can be looped, metronome can be added, the key of the song can be changed, songs can be slowed down or sped up 👉this has been my best learning tool.
I think learning songs was my first love learning to play, lots of chords. I do wish I used the metronome a lot more learning scales. The last thing I would recommend to a beginner, find a good teacher to guide and play with you.
For beginners: When you go to learn something and it is DIFFICULT--don't set the guitar down without working your way through it at least once. You won't have the timing or the feel down. But just get it under your fingers. You will be surprised how quickly you can get the ball rolling just by putting the effort in and pushing through the struggle even just a little bit. Would have saved my younger self a bunch of time.
if i started guitar today i would start w nashville system and how to play major minor bar chords / maj min min system on e string you would be able to jamm right away
Also, guys if you’re new to this…. When you get to the gig and your rig sounds like crap when the band starts, yet at home it sounded like studio tone…. Welcome to the club. 😂😂😂. That’s a whole different aspect. I ain’t even going there right now. Because I for haven’t got that figured out. Haha!!
I like the format as it is Tim, keep doing it. As a 69 year old, I wish I had started much younger. Your tip on if you can only manage 10-15 minutes a day is spot on especially when you have work and family responsibilities etc. One more thing, getting my pinky involved sooner in my technique, that separation from my ring finger is a challenge for me.
A guy taught me the pentatonic minor scale boxes. And how they all fit together. He played a shuffle in A. He said, “play the scale over what I am playing”. I was tuned in with my ear. And played. BAM!!!! I was jamming. That was my addiction.
I wish I learned the fret board and basic theory. Also, you are spot on with the time piece. I just started playing with a metronome/ beat buddy. Man is it hard. I have played my whole life, but really got engaged again during the pandemic. Your lessons are some of the clearest on you tube.
Absolutely the CAGED system. I’ve played for forty years and I spent half of those mystified at players who could play rhythm somewhere other than the first fret area or the 12th fret. The idea that I could use the chord shapes I already know but move those up the fretboard was revolutionary. Seems obvious if you know it but it isn’t. Those chord shapes you already know are enough to unlock the entire board. My playing exploded in quality once I started figuring it out.
Emerson said " A man is what he thinks about all day" I think this might be true for the great players out there. They are always improving their knowledge and skills, even when they don't have the guitar in their hands. Thanks Tim for sharing your experience.
Tim! I love the honest, no frills approach to RUclips that you’re doing. Just great genuine advice from your own experience. Loving it man, keep it up!
I just found your channel a few days ago and subscribed. I am instantly a fan of your process, idea's and most of all your authenticity. Stay humble. You're killing it! Great playing too!
Your videos are so refreshing, brother. These are all great tips, too. (Especially learn stuff by ear as much as you can…like you, I wish I had focused more on that many years ago)
If I'm ever asked to recommend another guitar player for gig, I'll recommend someone who owns the appropriate instrument or instruments, the strings are fresh, and the instruments are in perfect intonation. Someone who can play in tune, in time, and has great tone is more valuable than someone who's flashy and who might have virtuosic technique. Bent notes have to be in tune. And although this is not aways the case, reading music notation is sometimes essential. Guitar players can often find paying gigs playing musical theater productions, even at universities, high schools, and regional productions. You have to read page after page of traditional music notation and follow a conductor.
Someone here replied to someone….learn a little piano/keyboard…….I completely agree….even the cheapest keyboard you can find…..Suddenly music theory will become obvious. The way keys are laid out helps The way they repeat at each octave. It’s easier to visualise scale degrees and understand them. Understanding of chords develops much quicker. Basically, the building blocks of music are to be found and easier understood on the piano with its linear progression and white and black keys. And you can learn Van Helen jump in 5 minutes….
Totally love all your content man! I’ve played acoustic for a long time, not well, just basic stuff, but I want to start playing some electric. And just not even sure where best to start. If any experienced players here have any suggestions? Mostly just to do some demos for my own stuff. Appreciate it!
Agreed: play along with songs, backing tracks, metronome, etc. But also play WITH real people if you can, too. I know people that blow me out of the water skill-wise, but absolutely failed in a band setting because they didn’t develop that timing, listening to other band members, what the song needs in that moment, things like that.
Great videos!!! Digging your channel. Where’s the G & L Tele? One tip I liked from Uncle Larry is to play in the dark or with your eyes closed, that helps with the ear training.
Timing is my biggest weakness (…that and posture). But I’ve know this forever. I also say that the day I learned about syncopation (…when I was a teenager) was the last day I was a decent rhythm guitar player. A few months ago, I did an intermediate level blues course when I was on a trip and the one weakness I realized I had was timing (…and posture).
Been playing 35 years and learned how to read music, modes, etc. I will be honest I use my ear 75% of the time with a loose reference to the key I am playing in. Especially do this more when playing live with my band. Your ear is your best tool for sure!
Wish I had learned the CAGED system sooner and how to see intervals on the fretboard. Wish i had focused more on phrasing and how to use what i consider advanced phrasing like how to use nested tuplets and syncopation. Still trying to see the fretboard layout like that of a piano and connect the whole thing. Still having fun trying to figure the whole thing out
My one piece of advice to my younger self on guitar would be learn to sing what you play (and vice versa)! I’ve always disliked the sound of my voice and for a while I felt silly trying to sing/hum a melody and play it on guitar, but once I started doing that in my practice routine my improvisation and writing ability got a lot better. You learn so much from playing the melodies you sing, and it really helps to understand the fretboard as well as stop you from playing the same licks over and over again.
I come up with a lot of motifs this way that I build songs around
Singing is many times how I learn how to play a song on guitar. So thats a solid tip.
Truth shall set you free
I like your vids. You never quit learning. I started guitar 1961, now I'm 73 years old. Still praying love it.
I’m 60. Way to go buddy
Metronome was the BEST thing I ever incorporated in to my playing
72 yrs and I say keep your rythmn timing solid and keep going back to it.Thank you,Tim.I live in Hawaii and dig your videos.Aloha!
1, your ear. Ill be honest, I’m 59 and I still play all the time. I learned everything by ear. I honestly think guys my age have an advantage over guys your age because we had no RUclips to spoon feed us the music. We skipped the needle all over vinyl to learn songs…. Even to tune the guitar. I think it makes us better in some ways , at least a better foundation. You keep putting out the vids and just be honest like what you are doing and we will keep coming back! What I wish I had done early on is get a teacher and learned more theory. It took me years to figure out things on my own that would have taken months.. I love your channel and more than anything the honesty. Peace!
I completely agree with you. I’m 71 now I worked in the music store. It was called the Vox Room I tuned the guitars 40 to 50 a day by ear. I learned off of vinyl like you did stop and start stop and start stop and start hand wrote down the words and I always remembered them. unfortunately, last year I fell in my bathroom, broke my neck and my back. I was quadriplegic. I’m now at least up and walking, but my arms and hands really not very good and I really miss playing. I dream a lot about being really good at it because at the end, I was good, don’t ever take it for granted! We lived in a great time. The music was way better back when we were growing up. IMO
Enjoying your stuff Tim. You have a great way of being conversational, chill, and informative. I love it.
Tim , i like your Four tips . I have a # 5 that is never put your guitar away in a case , closet or under the bed . I keep my guitar on a wall hanger above my amp & pedals plugged in ready to go . It takes less than a minute to be warmed up and be playing .
Jamming with others was a big one for me. It made a huge improvement in my motivation, my playing, and my confidence.
Hell im 62 and have been playing for about 18 months and having a blast. I've dove into the cage system and your right best thing out there to understand the fret board. Enjoy your channel. Thanks
Also I think you should do a lesson on the 12 bars. The 145 progression
Awesome to hear this! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!
I’ve been playing for 25 years. When it comes down to it, everything is intervals to me. Intervals make up chords, arpeggios, all pentatonic scales, all major scales. If you know anything that intervals don’t make up, please let me know. Once I realized that, I knew the direction I needed to study in. That was only about 2 years ago sadly….. I kinda knew about intervals, but when you really listen to extremely good players talk, they KNOW their intervals like the back of their hand. Also, with the fast playing stuff, which is a work in progress for me, it’s all about getting the wrist unlocked(for me), learning about pickslanting(Troy Grady- cracking the code) and learning that tension is your enemy. A few other things for sure, but these are key for me and I know without a doubt had I learned them years ago I would be SOOOOOO MUCH MORE advanced.
Thanks Tim for letting us live vicariously through you !! This is so fun ! Have a safe trip !
21 years in and nothing felt like it “clicked” until I started to learn triads and inversions. If I could go back, I’d teach myself the bones of the caged system and how to pull major and minor chord tones from those shapes.
Three years of super amateur drum playing before I picked up a guitar was a massive help in understanding pocket and rhythm. Certainly unplanned.
Great stuff as always, Tim. Keep it coming.
Hey Tim...I'm just here early to watch your channel grow! I appreciate the humility and practical advice. Keep grinding with your positive attitude and success will come your way!
Thanks for the tips, Tim! I've been playing on and off a few years but this year started getting pretty deep with learning. I've been using Justin guitar's academy which is a nice structured way of learning and what songs you can jump right into playing. I also know the notes but it takes me a minute to go through it in my head and using a tuner in chromatic setting for instant feedback has been helpful with reenforcing notes I play and and playing scales correctly.
I also just got a G1X four zoom effects pedal which I'm stoked about as a beginner because you can play with an array of tones and figure out what you like and add more; it plays drum backing tracks at bpm you can adjust and it's a looper at a great price.
Don't be too worried about doing videos with no quality presentation, people used to love buzzfeed unsolved when they hunted ghosts with a couple cameras and low budget. Now a lot less people watch due to many reasons but a lot of them said they missed the lower presentation value of the original series that gave it its charm. Keep doing your thing!
Thank you, Tim, for sharing yourself and your knowledge and experience. It took me a long time to realize that it was much more beneficial to focus on one song (or at most, 2-3) at a time, and really get it down, rather than skipping around all the time. For example, for the pst several days, I have ben focusing almost exclusively on learning the solo to Hotel California. Not easy, but through dedication and consistency, it's coming.
I absolutely agree with that, just slowly have to work at it and then all the sudden you’ve got it down!
Great video! The one thing I would tell myself over is to use your EARS!!! In todays digital age we tend to use our eyes. I've had older players tell me they used to put stacks of quarters on the stylus of record players to slow down the track so they could hear the notes.
I have been gigging for about 4 years in my local circuit now. I wish I would have know the importance of playing less and just playing my parts and good rhythm for other people when they are taking a lead!! Great video man, love seeing a working player talk about these things like this!!!
Yet another "old goat" at 68 here, but wanted to let you know that I genuinely enjoy watching your videos and getting your perspectives on "the business". I was self taught and FOR YEARS had "delusions of adequacy". But here, late in life, I realize that I missed a LOT of the basic rudiments that you pick up in those dumb lessons!!!! So that's what I am doing. I'm really burning the midnight oil working on alternate picking ... as my right/left hand synchronization is HORRID!!!! Anyway, I am really enjoying what you are putting out here.
Bob
I’m really enjoying your content and love the way you’re just hitting record.
Your 1st tip: use your hear. This hits home for me. I have decent dexterity but a terrible ear. So when our band wants to work up a new song, I always go straight to RUclips or (shoutout) Sixstring country app.
I really need to take your advice to heart.
Keep it up man and thank you!
Last comment, I loved the walk through downtown Nashville vid! Nashville is so much fun to me and that vid just reminded of what a cool city it is. Looking forward to visiting again soon!
The ear is so important! I waited way too long to start focusing on this. There’s more to come of the downtown content too! I’m playing a gig down there next week that I’m going to vlog
Hi again. Predicting rapid growth of your channel...
you are likable, humble, a good player and very natural/comfortable on camera. 4 things setting you apart from many on RUclips. The Uncle Larry for younger/newer players. Cheers from Canada 💙
What I wish I'd done in '85 when I got my first bass, was play. Basically combining a couple of your 4. PLAY. Play alone. Play along to the radio, or on whatever you youngins play your music these days (I ruined so many cassettes back in the day learning songs with my play - stop - rewind - stop - play and repeat method). Play with others. Playing will help improve your ear and your time, especially playing with others as their time is often variable and makes you work to get a good groove together. I really wish I played more with others.
Also, the video format and quality are great. They're more personable and you feel more like a buddy who plays guitar and we're learning together rather than a typical teacher/student dynamic with you telling me what to do and I robotically do it. Though more guitar based (and I'm strictly a bassist), I look forward to seeing your videos and the info you share. Thank you!
Great advice. After4 20 years of noodling I have finally started doing this stuff and the difference is huge.
Excellent video. Love the grove...it's killer. Wish I knew the CAGED system early In life. Been working on bluegrass stuff for the past few years and just really getting some of the CAGED system now....lots of work and limitless if you go for it.
Hey Tim, I recently came across your channel last week and after watching quite a few, I came to really like them. I think one of the main reasons Bukovac's "Homeskoolin" channel is so popular besides his crazy skills is he is a genuinely nice and down to earth person and I feel you are as well. For what it's worth, I don't get that vibe from many people in the world, but you definitely have it, as well as great guitar skills; so I really think your channel as well as yourself will really be successful and go far. All the best brother!
Learning every note on the fretboard is helpful. Love your videos, keep following your intuition!
Yea, I noticed John Mayer always tapping his foot in his Instragram videos, so I built a little tambo wooden box for my studio. Also... a pro metronome tip I learned. Set your tempo to half of what you want to play at... and then make those clicks the backbeat... 2 & 4 where a snare would be. It was difficult as first, but feels real good when you can dance around it.
Hello Tim. I am really enjoying your videos and really appreciate the way you share your experiences while teaching guitar. Most of all it is refreshing to hear you continually stress that most of us are not the best out there but if we keeping working at it we can get closer. I play in the bars here in Vancouver on a regular basis and do quite well but I am not even close to being the best out there.
Scott Paul Johnson has a really great bunch of yt svideos on the caged system.
Tim,you’re doing a good job in presenting music info on your Videos 🎶👍
Internal metronome is a big one that a lot of performing musicians on local scenes lack. But with guitarists a lot of that comes from playing while sitting all the time and being too focused on precision of the fingerings rather than the fluidity of the transition. I began as a choral singer, so standing and breathing/moving rhythmically happened long before I picked up a guitar. But I noticed immediately that moving while playing helped to subdivide the beats. Tapping in 1/4 notes is a good place to start, but that head nod or shoulder bob with emphasis on certain beats can act like a 1/8 note for more precision (matches up well with the high hat in most upbeat songs). Also practice counting the "e and a's" of the beats from the very beginning.....basically 16th notes = "chugga chugga" when you make the train noise. your note placement will be significantly more musical and less stiff. As for as tonal tricks....develop or find your favorite/signature lick and try to incorporate it in creative ways, adding notes, omitting notes, doubling up, hammer on/offs, transitioning up and down octaves with that lick or scale. I find that helps me know where sour notes are likely to occur, and on the fly where I can be a little looser or more mindful. Bask in perfection when it happens, but don't be so obsessed with it that you lack musicality and feel overall.
I like those quality videos is more realistic and they way you share your experiences through music is legit ! Keep goin I’m a fan
Another good one. Thank you. I was one of those intimidated by CAGED system. Struggled getting nowhere for years. Couldn’t see it. Then, because I saw her perform, I signed up for Molly Miller’s CAGED course on Pickup Music, and it 4 or 5 lessons it all made sense. Still requires lots of practice but understanding the system unlocks the instrument. Best $30 investment I’ve made - no, this is not a promo.
Tasty playing
Always pickup great ideas from your sharing. Digging your down to earth approach- YT needs more humble pro players like yourself sharing all aspects of their journey. I enjoy and appreciate your content and think youve got a winning approach to this platform just sharing as you have been. Thanks for spending time in the live too.
I enjoy your videos, young sir. I really appreciate your enthusiasm and humility. Keep up the good work!
Great video! Don’t worry about your production quality, your content is awesome!
I’ve played guitar for over 40 years. I wish I would have focused on the basics and ear training more early on. I memorized tons of scales and modes ect.
I’m a music major and I over complicated guitar. Just get where you can jam over a 1-4-5 chord progression first, then the 3,6,7 .
I rented a video once years ago of a Brian May guitar lesson. He said he never thought of scales, he thought of playing across a chord. When he said that a light went off in my brain. I Changed and improved my playing from that time on with that concept.
Nashville pro session musicians are amazing and can humble the best of guitarists. However we have to remember that they do this for a living day in day out. Every guitarist should see one of them nail a song he’s never seen before on the first take. That is a good level of musicianship to strive for.
Keep it raw!
I think intervals and ear training have become very important for me at this point. I used to approach the guitar with note names instead of intervals, so if someone was playing in a key I have never worked on I could not play along. Also, the musicians around me are quite good and have very good ears, so I feel like just being able to join them with good ear training would be nice.
I went to Berklee in the late 70s. Ear training very important. One of my guitar playing friends would play his electric guitar unplugged while he was watching tv. He would be quickly figuring out any musical stuff on the program…but also on the commercials…how fast can you figure any music out? The music is changing all the time, every 15 or 30 or 60 seconds…
Great tips. I can really identify with your metronome idea right now. Over the years of listening to great guitar players the one thing I've noticed is how they play around with the concept of time. For instance you could set an atomic clock to Eric Clapton's sense time. He nails it down to the micro-second and his delivery is beautiful. Jack Pearson is so fluid listening to him play is like listening to a beautiful stream flow down from the mountain. His note and chord choices blend with his timing in a way that leaves me in a land beyond time and somewhere in the infinite. Time is a funny thing: you gotta have it but in the end you want to play with it in a way that stretches the boundary of its existence. Thanks Tim, these are fun ideas to explore.
You are doing just fine buddy. Keep working the channel and it will force you to become a more overall guitarist!
My advice is for the younger generation. If you have any interest in guitar, give it every bit attention you can while you’re young. Your free time gets shorter and shorter as you get older. At least for those that want a family. Give your passion the attention it deserves when you have the time and you will be light years ahead when you’re older.
Hi Tim you have great videos and I guess the fact that you are having a good time with this stuff translates and makes it enjoyable to hang out with you. As far as fancy production videos it really isn’t necessary as far as I’m concerned, I’m just always looking for any help with guitar info. Keep it coming bro, have a great weekend!
😂 I totally did things out of order when I was younger I wanted to be a neoclassical player so I would sit for hours with a metronome doing guitar licks and exercises. My advice to my younger self would be to spend half of that time learning songs. Technique is great but so it knowing a bunch of songs so you can play live!
your videos are so interesting. I dont even play the guitar. Keep going, Tim
I'm glad you're enjoying them, thank you!
I've been playing Guitar since 1965 and it's 2024 now. I still learn I still practice and I'm still not a great improvisation player but you don't have to be to be good at it. Improvising I've learned is is best when you use the strings on the frets that your fingers are making the chord with. You aren't going to strike any bum notes if you do that. It may not be the most melodic sounding but it isn't going to be terrible sounding either. I do that on Banjo and Mandolin as well. It's a good place to start and then you can improve the melody from there. My friend hear is making good points to pick up on.
Great video! Cage system and Nashville #system - great tips!
Awesome! Thank you!
Love the CAGED system! Helped a light turn on for me in playing the entire fretboard.
great tips . . . simple, super practical and real
Good to hear I'm doing all those except for the cage system. I am fortunate to have the time to shed 1-2 hours a day. Have learned more in 6 months then the years previous. In the late 80s all I had was my ear and some tab books. Discovering youtube guitar vids for me has been a game changer. Finally out of that rut.
Your vids are my favorite now Tim. Your a cool dude Keep it up bro!! Aloha from Maui🌴🎸🤘😎
My parents got me a guitar and lessons when I was about 7/8 because I wanted to be the next John Denver or Johnny Cash. Well, I started off having to learn scales and songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Amazing Grace. To hell with that! I wanted to play things I heard on the radio. On top of that, my fingers were sore from playing. Well, long story short I gave up playing for years before I finally started dedicating myself to learning. I wish I would have stuck with it because now I understand about building calluses and muscle memory etc. Now I can actually play a number of popular songs and I love it. It's like therapy for me.
I am just recently focusing on visualizing and voicing in my head the scale tones at each fingering position . . . like, the root tone and then the 3 and the 5 and b7 at their respective positions in the CAGED shapes. I string them together going up and down the fretboard . . . link the positions together. It's helping!
HEY DUDE! quit putting your self down you are a much better player than you realize! For Real!
I appreciate the kind comment!
I learned a lot when I switched to bass for awhile... I got better at rhythm and groove, ghost notes - and theory things like the fact that the '4', '5' etc are just x number of strings down and y number of frets from the root note and you can find em quick without having to think too much about "ok if I'm in this key then the four would be.... uhhhh...". As long as you're on the first 4 strings* if you're playing the root, then the four is just one string higher, same fret - the fifth is two frets up from the four, the major third is one fret down, and the minor third is two frets down (*things shift by a fret at the B string so the pattern changes). Then you can learn which chords and patterns have root notes there and play a whole chord or pattern. If your 1 is on the low E string then when you switch to a 3/4/5/6 on the A string, play an A shape (could be minor or major depending on the key)
Pretty cool Kid..✌🏼
Wholly Crap Kid!!! You got almost 6000 subs really quick. (Good sign). So glad your doing well. T😎
Bout to hit 6k that’s awesome 👏 congrats cheers 🍻 keep up with the unedited content
Thing I wish I learned earlier (and something I wish I remembered to do more often even now): When you’re playing with a band, you don’t have to play constantly through the whole song. Once in awhile just shut up for a few bars and listen to what’s going on. You don’t have to bust your chops the whole time. Try laying back for a whole verse or something, maybe add a tasty note or two here and there. Let it breathe. Dynamics. That’s what I wish I was better at.
Hi, Tim- great videos, man. Could you do one on what type of rig you use/used when playing a typical bar gig? Just trying to find my way now with pedal board/amp combo for maximum sound with minimal/necessary pieces. Thanks!!
Awesome playing!
Thanks Garett!
as someone who is writing original music in a band, id say along with all this stuff in the video i would practice coming up with songs on guitar and trying to sing to them if you can at the same time. It'll help with your singing and guitar playing to play some chords and match your voice with the pitch. Then you can try to do the same thing with lead phrases. I think songwriting can be challenging but its very fun and i think anyone can do it
Love the channel. You are onto something. Clearly you have a gift. Is there ever the day when you try to learn or mimic Eric Johnson? Not in my lifetime. But still time to improve. Good stuff, Tim.
My tips starting late at age 58 I am 63 now.
-learn how to hold your pick properly.
-self learning would have been easier if I had some lessons earlier via Zoom or Skype.
-day ONE ☝️ use a metronome, track or real song to get your rhythm / timing.
-stand up to learn earlier than later, standing up us way different than sitting down.
-learn one song from start to finish and use it for warm up. Mine is Wild Thing by the Troggs and I just learned the “flute” solo for that, it actually is an Ocarina wind instrument.
-start or join a live practice or jam session and play often live, a beginner can participate right away.
-take a few basic drum lessons, learn how drums and bass can guide you, I have a small table top electric drum kit.
-take a few vocal lessons to learn how to use vocals yourself or support a vocalist.
-start learning CAGED, pentatonic scales, notes on fretboard and some theory, I had no idea how structured Western music is but take this as you are ready and don’t rush, it all takes time.
-practice daily and record yourself on your phone.
-Moises is an app that will separate tracks from a real song, it has scrolling chords, scrolling lyrics, you can reduce or enhance tracks such as drums/vocals/bass/etc, sections of songs can be looped, metronome can be added, the key of the song can be changed, songs can be slowed down or sped up 👉this has been my best learning tool.
I think learning songs was my first love learning to play, lots of chords. I do wish I used the metronome a lot more learning scales. The last thing I would recommend to a beginner, find a good teacher to guide and play with you.
Wish I took more chances
Great advice!🎼😎👍
i wish i had not expected playing guitar was easy i would be a star after a couple of lessons, it takes practice
For beginners: When you go to learn something and it is DIFFICULT--don't set the guitar down without working your way through it at least once. You won't have the timing or the feel down. But just get it under your fingers. You will be surprised how quickly you can get the ball rolling just by putting the effort in and pushing through the struggle even just a little bit. Would have saved my younger self a bunch of time.
if i started guitar today i would start w nashville system and how to play major minor bar chords / maj min min system on e string you would be able to jamm right away
bro dont stop droppin i smoke a blunt n practice my scales to ur vids errynight keep goin even if it just a 15 min
hey wassup
Great content thanks for posting this!
1. Nobody but yourself is impressed by guitar solos. 2. Stand up.
Great video thanks
Thank you!
Every player has to be a drummer. Built-in time. You either have it or you don't. So many guitar players push the time.
Time is so important!
I would have started jamming with other people earlier. For me that’s when I improved the most
Scales!
Also, guys if you’re new to this…. When you get to the gig and your rig sounds like crap when the band starts, yet at home it sounded like studio tone…. Welcome to the club. 😂😂😂. That’s a whole different aspect. I ain’t even going there right now. Because I for haven’t got that figured out. Haha!!
Yeah..sing what you play helps a lot
Real question is whats your opinion on that se silver sky and would you recommend it to somebody?
Please keep it raw. Don’t need to edit the videos.
Never keep your guitar in the case.....it's the recipe to failure.
Play with other people.
Get a piano🎶
PS I fast forward through those slick hi-production intros to many RUclips guitar vids. Boring
Stay Real!
I like the format as it is Tim, keep doing it. As a 69 year old, I wish I had started much younger. Your tip on if you can only manage 10-15 minutes a day is spot on especially when you have work and family responsibilities etc. One more thing, getting my pinky involved sooner in my technique, that separation from my ring finger is a challenge for me.
A guy taught me the pentatonic minor scale boxes. And how they all fit together. He played a shuffle in A. He said, “play the scale over what I am playing”. I was tuned in with my ear. And played. BAM!!!! I was jamming.
That was my addiction.
I wish I learned the fret board and basic theory. Also, you are spot on with the time piece. I just started playing with a metronome/ beat buddy. Man is it hard. I have played my whole life, but really got engaged again during the pandemic. Your lessons are some of the clearest on you tube.
Absolutely the CAGED system. I’ve played for forty years and I spent half of those mystified at players who could play rhythm somewhere other than the first fret area or the 12th fret.
The idea that I could use the chord shapes I already know but move those up the fretboard was revolutionary. Seems obvious if you know it but it isn’t.
Those chord shapes you already know are enough to unlock the entire board. My playing exploded in quality once I started figuring it out.
Emerson said " A man is what he thinks about all day" I think this might be true for the great players out there. They are always improving their knowledge and skills, even when they don't have the guitar in their hands. Thanks Tim for sharing your experience.
That’s why I am an expert at sex 😂
Tim! I love the honest, no frills approach to RUclips that you’re doing. Just great genuine advice from your own experience. Loving it man, keep it up!
I just found your channel a few days ago and subscribed. I am instantly a fan of your process, idea's and most of all your authenticity. Stay humble. You're killing it! Great playing too!
facts smoke a blunt n practice skales every night to bro lol happy playing bro
Your videos are so refreshing, brother. These are all great tips, too. (Especially learn stuff by ear as much as you can…like you, I wish I had focused more on that many years ago)
I think a good guitar player never quits learning.
If I'm ever asked to recommend another guitar player for gig, I'll recommend someone who owns the appropriate instrument or instruments, the strings are fresh, and the instruments are in perfect intonation. Someone who can play in tune, in time, and has great tone is more valuable than someone who's flashy and who might have virtuosic technique. Bent notes have to be in tune. And although this is not aways the case, reading music notation is sometimes essential. Guitar players can often find paying gigs playing musical theater productions, even at universities, high schools, and regional productions. You have to read page after page of traditional music notation and follow a conductor.
Someone here replied to someone….learn a little piano/keyboard…….I completely agree….even the cheapest keyboard you can find…..Suddenly music theory will become obvious. The way keys are laid out helps The way they repeat at each octave. It’s easier to visualise scale degrees and understand them. Understanding of chords develops much quicker.
Basically, the building blocks of music are to be found and easier understood on the piano with its linear progression and white and black keys. And you can learn Van Helen jump in 5 minutes….
Totally love all your content man! I’ve played acoustic for a long time, not well, just basic stuff, but I want to start playing some electric. And just not even sure where best to start. If any experienced players here have any suggestions? Mostly just to do some demos for my own stuff. Appreciate it!
Agreed: play along with songs, backing tracks, metronome, etc. But also play WITH real people if you can, too. I know people that blow me out of the water skill-wise, but absolutely failed in a band setting because they didn’t develop that timing, listening to other band members, what the song needs in that moment, things like that.
Great videos!!! Digging your channel. Where’s the G & L Tele? One tip I liked from Uncle Larry is to play in the dark or with your eyes closed, that helps with the ear training.
Timing is my biggest weakness (…that and posture). But I’ve know this forever. I also say that the day I learned about syncopation (…when I was a teenager) was the last day I was a decent rhythm guitar player. A few months ago, I did an intermediate level blues course when I was on a trip and the one weakness I realized I had was timing (…and posture).
Been playing 35 years and learned how to read music, modes, etc. I will be honest I use my ear 75% of the time with a loose reference to the key I am playing in. Especially do this more when playing live with my band. Your ear is your best tool for sure!
Wish I had learned the CAGED system sooner and how to see intervals on the fretboard. Wish i had focused more on phrasing and how to use what i consider advanced phrasing like how to use nested tuplets and syncopation. Still trying to see the fretboard layout like that of a piano and connect the whole thing. Still having fun trying to figure the whole thing out
Like if your from The Bay area or watch theses vids smoking a late night blunt lol