I am the tour manager/FOH for Stone Sour. R.J. did an amazing job with the limited time he was given. Fantastic playing and spot on performance each show! Well done R.J.!
And people think that you can just walk up on stage an make it happen "effortlessly." To make it look effortless requires a LOT of effort. Thanks for your tips. I did learn a few things.
As a drummer people always assume I can play songs without even hearing them. Drives me nuts. I want recordings as far in advance as possible. The really most important things to me are the way songs start, any starts and stops in the song, and how the song ends. It's hard to wing those things without hearing stuff ahead of time!
This...is...gold. thank you... I have ADHD on top of other memory issues. This is phenomenal and maybe my memory isn't as bad ...I didn't know the professionals go through these depths to commit things to memory. Thanks 🙏
This really strikes deep in gaining some understanding of how much a top pro musician needs to know, and how little time they have to prepare. My own guitar playing is very limited in comparison to R.J., yet many ideas here for how to move forward to the next level. Thanks so much for a glimpse into things us mere-mortals rarely see.
It was super awesome getting to see you with Stone Sour at the last show in Indianapolis!! When you came out with them I was like hey I know who that guy is! Lol
Hope you guys enjoy this video! I totally forgot to mention that I used the Digitech Drop pedal on the country showcase, it's perfect for "tuning" down to Eb, and keeps me from bringing extra guitars. Also, "sig lick" is short for "signature lick"
I recently purchased the Digitech Drop pedal on your recommendation. Eliminating 1 guitar. Even the doubters in my band 2 bands reluctantly gave me the thumbs up. I usually need to bring 4 guitars. Two open tunings for slide..Now I’m down to 3. Thanks again. I admire your practical approach. Common sense and hard work = Success!
Really interesting video RJ, A question: did you consider at any point doing the Stone Sour gig with the pedal? Or did you feel that you really needed the real downtuned guitars?
Great question, I actually did consider using the pedal after I started practicing with it, it worked so well. But some of the guitars I borrowed on the road were already set up with heavier strings and tuned down, so i figured I should just get used to those.
Never heard of you, I have no idea who you are. Your video came up as a suggestion in my feed. I’ve got to say, great job! Fantastic video of a professional guitarist’s world. Thank you ever so much for sharing.
That's almost like the way I do it. Got called the other day 2 days before a 3 hour gig. Had to really cram for it. I actually like doing it that way without rehearsing. Keeps you on your toes and the spontaneous part of it is great. Most the musicians I play with don't like rehearsing, as it takes the spirit out of the song.
As a pro musician for over 50 years I love your videos as they are spot on ,and a great guide to helping anybody who are taking this hard road for a career ! one of your other videos made me laugh when you where on the tour bus going to a gig a long way of , you forgot to mention , the farts / no washing facilites / body sweat after gigs , and the long hours of boredom but your on the money , mentioning money , with the hours put into traveling / exspences , you find ,having a drink with mates at home , who are auto technitions etc , with pensions /payed holidays , gauranted pay per hour , they earn more than you ! but its only when your on the road we come alive ! one of my mates , played in a band called Simon dupree and the big sound , in 1965 ,they where on £25 a week , and had a certain reg dwight ( later elton john ) on organ,you have to learn your trade ! by the way after the band split he went to USA , and found / promoted a band called bon jovi etc and passed on his experiances like you , and !!! cheers mate a great share .ritchie
This was fascinating. I am not a musician but after attending several concerts this summer, was curious about how bands learn songs and recall each note for each song. Thanks!
Fantastic advice RJ for someone like myself who doesn't have a lot of experience, having many jams with my friends and just winging it, it became very frustrating and unproductive and it was only until I made an effort to organize and learn complete songs that I felt I was progressing in a positive direction, your advice and tips will help even more thanks.
I'm a fairly competent bassist, I've filled in for friends when their regular guy is sick or on vacation or something. I obviously used the "listen repeatedly until memorized, then play over and over" technique, but never thought to create my own shorthand tabs. Most of the bands are riff based, but some are more blues oriented, so that'll definitely come in handy when it comes up again. Thanks for the idea!
Great stuff RJ. I too was knocked sideways at the Stone Sour thing. V cool. I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of those RUclips tutorial dudes finding out you used their lessons to go out and do the actual SS gig though :)
there is another dude, "Papa Stache" that teaches online. You've probably heard of him. Anyway, he/someone posted a video of Brad Paisley re-learning one of HIS own songs from "papa Stache's" RUclips instructional video. Just goes to show that no one is above a little help sometimes. lol rock on!
Amazing, im a guitar playing im ok... i can learn any song with some practice but nothing on this level. hired gun guitar players are on a different level. great video.
Great video and works great for amateur musicians too who just want to fill in on some gigs/not deal with the hassle of running your own band (like me!). Showing up for an audition with great charts that you've actually practiced and not just jotted down one time is a great way to lock down that spot in the band!
Ahhh yes. Step 1 listen over and over again to the new song. I call this 'burn in' within my process. Fairly soon the song takes on an almost muscle memory-type of phenomenon. RJ --do you sing any vocal leads or harmonies? Any tips for memorizing lyrics? I'm terrible at this but getting better the more I sing. Thanks for your excellent post!
"Burn in" is exactly the right term. I'm horrible at memorizing lyrics but I have sung a few gigs. I think it's more about repetition with lyric memorization.
Thanks for the info, Ron. I had to do the same thing when a group of Nashville unknowns were showcasing in Upstate, NY. We (the country band I was in) learned 2 of each of their songs. Each did a classic country cover and an original. They came to our place for one rehearsal, but before that, we had to learn all of their stuff by playing them together and individually. They sent a representative to check on us and their keyboard player came for two rehearsals. Since we had no women in our band and we were showcasing only women, I had to sing all 20 songs because I was the only one in the band who could sing them in their keys. :D Yeah, that was fun singing Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and of course all of the originals as well. We wound up doing 4 shows (2 days, 2 shows per day). I had a blast doing that.
R.J., you're an awesome player and very professional, watched your stuff for Eastwood for a while and I usually get something out of every video you do. Your song learning technique & gig prep is spot on, and it's basically the same process I've stumbled into over the last few years (sans the Nashville Number system-guess I need to pick that up too), wish you'd made this video 5 years ago. Keep up the good work.
Fantastic video. A ton of useful tips and tricks. I can't even imagine doing what you did- and in such a short time span! I get really intimidated when learning a new set list; I always want to learn my parts note for note (as recorded in the studio version). But I finally realized that most bands don't even play their own songs exactly the same as they did on the studio album. I know it sounds obvious, but that was a big deal for me when I realized this simple thing! Now I feel much less stressed and anxious about learning new songs for performance. Your video here was stellar, and I learned a ton of useful stuff.
Sometimes I like to learn everything note for note, but or course it depends on the gig. A lot of times i learn a solo note for note and put my own "brand" on it - sliding or bending into notes, adding extra notes, etc.
Hi RJ, the more I watch your videos, the more I realize that you and Pete Thorn are by far my favorite guitar YTBers! And I wanted to thank you because you're not speaking too fast, and you're really easy to understand for non English speaking people like me (Frenchie 😉😊) , so, don't change anything! 💜
Great real world explanation of how you get things done to prepare for gigs. It answered a lot of questions that were already rolling areund in my head.
Quality stuff once again, RJ - the fact you got to play live for Stone Sour is just insane! I remember going to see them way back in 2002 here in Birmingham, England (it was my first ever concert and I was about 12 or 13). Fantastic advice and I'll be putting all of this to use over the coming months as I gear up for a big show in November!
I may not be such a great guitar player but practicing while standing up really helps for me. I even throw the strap over my shoulder as a kind of reminder to try and get the guitar closer to a standing position when I am sitting down.
I’m surprised and impressed that you filled in for stone sour!! I associate you more with the jazzy/surf/avant-garde style guitar that you use in your Eastwood/airline demos. Very cool.
I just really want to thank you, RJ. I’ve been playing for a long time, but making charts like you suggested really is helping me learn songs for this weekend at church. The 1Chart App is great.
Your point about listening and knowing a song in your head is spot on. I don't know how many time I just dived in to started playing along with a song only to find out later that I missed so much.
Great video! I'm an aspiring pro musician and this gave me some valuable insight. It's awesome to see that pro musicians aren't above looking up tutorials on youtube to learn songs. I've been working hard on learning things by ear and figuring them out on my own. I guess as a pro you just need to learn the songs by any means necessary. Again great video!
I know you can gig and I know your the type of musician I heard Carlos Santana said he was going to get together you should cheack in to it and when you prepared for 2 different gigs and different style that blew me away I'm not that great I know my stuff but when I did play 3 cords and made up songs and was drunk or hi. But I don't do that no more 25 years now but I still wanted to play quit for a long time playing started and had major progress were I want to do my first gig with over hundreds of people in are small town reunion which happens every year one live band on friday the other band in a bar and we closed down are bar and retired im 58 years old I prayed and asked God if I could become a great musician I belive he answered my prayer because now I can improvise using you tube backing tracts and not sound scalely. but I have all these song and need to sort it all together it's like I'm only noodling. thank you...Roland J Gutierrez from Magdalena New Mexico usa. P. S. I had caught the covid 19 with pneumonia and it has set me back from being ready by July 2021.
Oraley RJ. This info was GOLD! It’s great to look inside another musicians head in terms of gig prep. Thank you bro. Keep rocking dogg! Puro Kung fu magoo
Awesome video. I don’t organize my music as well yet (still using chords/tab mix), but the parts about listening to the music first and using different tab sites/tutorials was spot on. I love playing in a variety of bands but sometimes it requires learning fast! Good tips.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to do videos like this one and the touring vlogs- great to hear how a professional approaches it all. Always informative and useful; you are a total class act, RJ.
Awesome video, as usual. This shows that just being a talented guitar player isn't enough to get where you are, so good for you. Hard work and preparation before getting to be onstage and had banging away. I always look forward to your videos.
Oh man I do that copy-and-paste of tab licks right next to the lyrics/chords as well, haha. Such a great way to cheat and look it up if you need it for practice.
Brilliant system you have created for getting your shit together for gigs, bro. Mad props to you. I learned a few things including the new software. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Such a useful topic to cover, and covered so well. I’m not half the musician you are, but could completely relate to the thoroughness and rigour that goes into preparing for a gig. Some really great tips. Thanks very much for putting this together.
Really interesting seeing a pros insights on charting out songs. I don’t play out much but I try to learn songs in a similar manner. Even with riff based songs I break them down into parts and memorize the order of the different riffs because when it comes down to it music is just patterns.
Excellent video- excellent advice! I"m prepping for a gig with some new music and a new band myself- this is really helpful. I think the most important part- that I'm not doing enough of- is to really listen to the material for several days before hand and really memorize the tunes in my head well before I pick up a guitar. My only question for you is: is it difficult for you to do that if you don't love the music? Or is it a job and listening makes you like music you wouldn't necessarily love otherwise? GREAT video advise from a pro- thanks man!
Cool breakdown, RJ. Mahalo for taking the time to map out the process.. # system is the only way for me to think about tunes.. like phone #'s 🎵🎶🎵🤘🤘 Aloha
Something else that’s very important for learning this much material in a short time is getting good sleep. Trying to commit 30-40 songs to memory with sleep deprived brain fog is going to make your job much harder.
Thankyou for posting this video, I'm a bassist & a local band want me to learn there set list in the same amount of time you had. All tips gratefully received 👍🎸
Thanks for your informative videos. What I get from you is how to focus and dedication and how it applies to anything in life. a part - time musician living vicariously thru you...new sub here
Digitech is the best pedal manufacturer for changing pitch on the fly.. no matter up or down, when you get it dialed in -- they sound amazing. Awesome video R.J. I'm watching all of them!
Brother your routines are as sharp and clean as that haircut. I actually got pumped any time I ended up having the same routine as yours. Now all I need are gigs like yours 🤘
Great video ! I usually spend a few days just listening to the songs over and over, writing down and trying to memorize them before i grab the guitar or the drums.
Thank you for all the tips. Ive been playing for many years but always looking for tips. I have a gig in 3 weeks at a festival and have to learn 14 songs. By comparison to what you just did is nothing😜😂 Thank you again and congrats on all of your success.
Yep. It's very easy to keep playing the shapes that feel comfortable in your hands. I try to think about the note I want to hear and play that even if it feels physically awkward.
Dude - these videos are awesome. And you let out my/our main secrets - the Slowdowner program and a 12 year old kid on RUclips lol. Although I've played professionally all my life (now retired) and not on your level in bar cover bands, your approach is identical to mine - including the Slowdowner program. I'll figure out trickier parts by watching someone do it on RUclips, then fixing/adapting it (never take someone else's playing of a song or tab as gospel). I'm still using the Guitar Port Line 6 used to sell with Gearbox software because through a computer with headphones provides clarity and avoids shots to the head from our significant others by playing one lick over and over. I can't believe I started doing this crap when all we had were record players and you had to drop a needle over and over on a record. Again, very well done and you got a new subscriber.
I used to use the Guitar Port all the time! It was so convenient and i really liked the interface. Someone recently hipped me to a software called Transcribe! , which i'm testing out, but it looks promising, maybe a bit better than Amazing Slow Downer.
Excellent video per usual. Thanks R.J. Love your videos. I'm not where I want to be yet on Guitar but in time (a lot of time) I know I will get there. It is part of a musical life journey. I know that sounds corny but music is something I will enjoy and play the rest of my life, Lord Willing. Thanks again for sharing your passion and talents.
Perfect advice. Great video. Sometimes I have to chart out tunes for our entire (cover) band - annoying. Glad to see I'm on the right path. Spotify and iTunes playlists are great. So are the "RUclips to MP3" and "SetlistMaker" apps.
I am the tour manager/FOH for Stone Sour. R.J. did an amazing job with the limited time he was given. Fantastic playing and spot on performance each show! Well done R.J.!
Hey man!! Happy New Year! Thank you guys for the opportunity, to quote "Dirty Dancing"....I Had The Time Of My Life! lol - Take care man!
Very cool to give props Stephen! That is what this industry needs when it is deserved.
I was curious if you were learning material for a band with two guitars how you distinguish which parts to learn?
Thats awesome!!! Thank you for what you do to make a gig happen and for us fans to have a great time to forgot our problems for a little bit!!
So, RJ, did you play with Jim Root, or fill in for him?
And people think that you can just walk up on stage an make it happen "effortlessly." To make it look effortless requires a LOT of effort. Thanks for your tips. I did learn a few things.
As a drummer people always assume I can play songs without even hearing them. Drives me nuts. I want recordings as far in advance as possible. The really most important things to me are the way songs start, any starts and stops in the song, and how the song ends. It's hard to wing those things without hearing stuff ahead of time!
I've never tried to learn 32 songs in a week... but I've been trying to learn The Clap (Steve Howe) for 32 years.
Wow I totally didn't expect that second gig to be Stone Sour. That's awesome!
This...is...gold. thank you... I have ADHD on top of other memory issues. This is phenomenal and maybe my memory isn't as bad ...I didn't know the professionals go through these depths to commit things to memory. Thanks 🙏
This really strikes deep in gaining some understanding of how much a top pro musician needs to know, and how little time they have to prepare. My own guitar playing is very limited in comparison to R.J., yet many ideas here for how to move forward to the next level. Thanks so much for a glimpse into things us mere-mortals rarely see.
For the young musician, who wants to get his gigs up and running, this video is like a mini "how to" bible..
It was super awesome getting to see you with Stone Sour at the last show in Indianapolis!! When you came out with them I was like hey I know who that guy is! Lol
I hate that kind of music, this guy is a real hero to get himself motivated enough to play that garbage, I could not motivate myself to do that.
Hope you guys enjoy this video! I totally forgot to mention that I used the Digitech Drop pedal on the country showcase, it's perfect for "tuning" down to Eb, and keeps me from bringing extra guitars. Also, "sig lick" is short for "signature lick"
Very helpfull! I use Forescore and its working good...Can you explaine your symboles système for rythme?
I recently purchased the Digitech Drop pedal on your recommendation. Eliminating 1 guitar. Even the doubters in my band 2 bands reluctantly gave me the thumbs up. I usually need to bring 4 guitars. Two open tunings for slide..Now I’m down to 3. Thanks again. I admire your practical approach. Common sense and hard work = Success!
Really interesting video RJ, A question: did you consider at any point doing the Stone Sour gig with the pedal? Or did you feel that you really needed the real downtuned guitars?
Great question, I actually did consider using the pedal after I started practicing with it, it worked so well. But some of the guitars I borrowed on the road were already set up with heavier strings and tuned down, so i figured I should just get used to those.
Check out this video: ruclips.net/video/_NyY7TFVNOg/видео.html
My favorite RUclipsr. One of my favorite guitarists.
Never heard of you, I have no idea who you are. Your video came up as a suggestion in my feed. I’ve got to say, great job! Fantastic video of a professional guitarist’s world. Thank you ever so much for sharing.
That's almost like the way I do it. Got called the other day 2 days before a 3 hour gig. Had to really cram for it. I actually like doing it that way without rehearsing. Keeps you on your toes and the spontaneous part of it is great. Most the musicians I play with don't like rehearsing, as it takes the spirit out of the song.
It's such a privilege for us to have access to this type of info on the internet, from a touring professional guitarist! Amazing, thanks R.J.!
As a pro musician for over 50 years I love your videos as they are spot on ,and a great guide to helping anybody who are taking this hard road for a career ! one of your other videos made me laugh when you where on the tour bus going to a gig a long way of , you forgot to mention , the farts / no washing facilites / body sweat after gigs , and the long hours of boredom but your on the money , mentioning money , with the hours put into traveling / exspences , you find ,having a drink with mates at home , who are auto technitions etc , with pensions /payed holidays , gauranted pay per hour , they earn more than you ! but its only when your on the road we come alive ! one of my mates , played in a band called Simon dupree and the big sound , in 1965 ,they where on £25 a week , and had a certain reg dwight ( later elton john ) on organ,you have to learn your trade ! by the way after the band split he went to USA , and found / promoted a band called bon jovi etc and passed on his experiances like you , and !!! cheers mate a great share .ritchie
This was fascinating. I am not a musician but after attending several concerts this summer, was curious about how bands learn songs and recall each note for each song. Thanks!
Fantastic advice RJ for someone like myself who doesn't have a lot of experience, having many jams with my friends and just winging it, it became very frustrating and unproductive and it was only until I made an effort to organize and learn complete songs that I felt I was progressing in a positive direction, your advice and tips will help even more thanks.
I'm just turning 39 I thought I was too old to sing again but you've inspired me to keep going.
I'm a fairly competent bassist, I've filled in for friends when their regular guy is sick or on vacation or something. I obviously used the "listen repeatedly until memorized, then play over and over" technique, but never thought to create my own shorthand tabs. Most of the bands are riff based, but some are more blues oriented, so that'll definitely come in handy when it comes up again. Thanks for the idea!
Great stuff RJ. I too was knocked sideways at the Stone Sour thing. V cool.
I can’t help but chuckle at the thought of those RUclips tutorial dudes finding out you used their lessons to go out and do the actual SS gig though :)
there is another dude, "Papa Stache" that teaches online. You've probably heard of him. Anyway, he/someone posted a video of Brad Paisley re-learning one of HIS own songs from "papa Stache's" RUclips instructional video. Just goes to show that no one is above a little help sometimes. lol rock on!
Hahaha, that's a fuñny thought!
Insightful. I always wondered how pros learned songs so fast.
super cool and such a high level of expertise props to you man .
Amazing, im a guitar playing im ok... i can learn any song with some practice but nothing on this level. hired gun guitar players are on a different level. great video.
Great video and works great for amateur musicians too who just want to fill in on some gigs/not deal with the hassle of running your own band (like me!). Showing up for an audition with great charts that you've actually practiced and not just jotted down one time is a great way to lock down that spot in the band!
Ahhh yes. Step 1 listen over and over again to the new song. I call this 'burn in' within my process. Fairly soon the song takes on an almost muscle memory-type of phenomenon. RJ --do you sing any vocal leads or harmonies? Any tips for memorizing lyrics? I'm terrible at this but getting better the more I sing. Thanks for your excellent post!
"Burn in" is exactly the right term. I'm horrible at memorizing lyrics but I have sung a few gigs. I think it's more about repetition with lyric memorization.
Thanks for the info, Ron. I had to do the same thing when a group of Nashville unknowns were showcasing in Upstate, NY. We (the country band I was in) learned 2 of each of their songs. Each did a classic country cover and an original. They came to our place for one rehearsal, but before that, we had to learn all of their stuff by playing them together and individually. They sent a representative to check on us and their keyboard player came for two rehearsals. Since we had no women in our band and we were showcasing only women, I had to sing all 20 songs because I was the only one in the band who could sing them in their keys. :D Yeah, that was fun singing Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and of course all of the originals as well. We wound up doing 4 shows (2 days, 2 shows per day). I had a blast doing that.
This guy is a real pro. Dig it.
R.J., you're an awesome player and very professional, watched your stuff for Eastwood for a while and I usually get something out of every video you do. Your song learning technique & gig prep is spot on, and it's basically the same process I've stumbled into over the last few years (sans the Nashville Number system-guess I need to pick that up too), wish you'd made this video 5 years ago. Keep up the good work.
Fantastic video. A ton of useful tips and tricks. I can't even imagine doing what you did- and in such a short time span! I get really intimidated when learning a new set list; I always want to learn my parts note for note (as recorded in the studio version). But I finally realized that most bands don't even play their own songs exactly the same as they did on the studio album. I know it sounds obvious, but that was a big deal for me when I realized this simple thing! Now I feel much less stressed and anxious about learning new songs for performance.
Your video here was stellar, and I learned a ton of useful stuff.
Sometimes I like to learn everything note for note, but or course it depends on the gig. A lot of times i learn a solo note for note and put my own "brand" on it - sliding or bending into notes, adding extra notes, etc.
Hi RJ, the more I watch your videos, the more I realize that you and Pete Thorn are by far my favorite guitar YTBers! And I wanted to thank you because you're not speaking too fast, and you're really easy to understand for non English speaking people like me (Frenchie 😉😊) , so, don't change anything! 💜
Great real world explanation of how you get things done to prepare for gigs. It answered a lot of questions that were already rolling areund in my head.
Quality stuff once again, RJ - the fact you got to play live for Stone Sour is just insane! I remember going to see them way back in 2002 here in Birmingham, England (it was my first ever concert and I was about 12 or 13). Fantastic advice and I'll be putting all of this to use over the coming months as I gear up for a big show in November!
I may not be such a great guitar player but practicing while standing up really helps for me. I even throw the strap over my shoulder as a kind of reminder to try and get the guitar closer to a standing position when I am sitting down.
Cool. Great to see how versatility can pay off and keep one's self busy. Enjoy your posts.
I can recommend a Boss E band tool to practise songs. You can plug in the guitar, find fx, slow down and change pitch.
Now, you are best experience guitar youtuber can play live on my list
I’m surprised and impressed that you filled in for stone sour!! I associate you more with the jazzy/surf/avant-garde style guitar that you use in your Eastwood/airline demos. Very cool.
RJ you are a real inspiring pro music man, thanks for the tips on stuff.
Good tip about standing up. I'm half tempted to hire a room just to practice by myself.
Wow, this is a great video on how to learn allot of songs quick, but you have to be a great player with a great mind and memory. Well done Sir.
I just really want to thank you, RJ. I’ve been playing for a long time, but making charts like you suggested really is helping me learn songs for this weekend at church. The 1Chart App is great.
Sir you are awesome. Thanks for sharing You music experience. I am beginner and find your tips very helpful and trustworthy.
Maaaan you are versatile. From country to head banging in two weeks. Awesome!!!
Your point about listening and knowing a song in your head is spot on. I don't know how many time I just dived in to started playing along with a song only to find out later that I missed so much.
Great video! I'm an aspiring pro musician and this gave me some valuable insight. It's awesome to see that pro musicians aren't above looking up tutorials on youtube to learn songs. I've been working hard on learning things by ear and figuring them out on my own. I guess as a pro you just need to learn the songs by any means necessary. Again great video!
Great communicator!
He doesn't waffle on, but speaks accurately.
I know you can gig and I know your the type of musician I heard Carlos Santana said he was going to get together you should cheack in to it and when you prepared for 2 different gigs and different style that blew me away I'm not that great I know my stuff but when I did play 3 cords and made up songs and was drunk or hi. But I don't do that no more 25 years now but I still wanted to play quit for a long time playing started and had major progress were I want to do my first gig with over hundreds of people in are small town reunion which happens every year one live band on friday the other band in a bar and we closed down are bar and retired im 58 years old I prayed and asked God if I could become a great musician I belive he answered my prayer because now I can improvise using you tube backing tracts and not sound scalely. but I have all these song and need to sort it all together it's like I'm only noodling. thank you...Roland J Gutierrez from Magdalena New Mexico usa. P. S. I had caught the covid 19 with pneumonia and it has set me back from being ready by July 2021.
Country to Stone Sour. Amazing, I watched the vids from SS..That looked like a lot of fun
Oraley RJ. This info was GOLD! It’s great to look inside another musicians head in terms of gig prep. Thank you bro. Keep rocking dogg! Puro Kung fu magoo
Awesome RJ! More proof of you high PRO ability.
Awesome video. I don’t organize my music as well yet (still using chords/tab mix), but the parts about listening to the music first and using different tab sites/tutorials was spot on. I love playing in a variety of bands but sometimes it requires learning fast! Good tips.
Thanks man. Your tips worked.
This is the business! Great breakdown. That’s hard work friends.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to do videos like this one and the touring vlogs- great to hear how a professional approaches it all. Always informative and useful; you are a total class act, RJ.
Awesome video, as usual. This shows that just being a talented guitar player isn't enough to get where you are, so good for you. Hard work and preparation before getting to be onstage and had banging away. I always look forward to your videos.
Oh man I do that copy-and-paste of tab licks right next to the lyrics/chords as well, haha. Such a great way to cheat and look it up if you need it for practice.
I love your videos. It's awesome that you can cover such a wide range of stuff!
Brilliant system you have created for getting your shit together for gigs, bro. Mad props to you. I learned a few things including the new software. Thanks and keep up the great work!
Such a useful topic to cover, and covered so well. I’m not half the musician you are, but could completely relate to the thoroughness and rigour that goes into preparing for a gig. Some really great tips. Thanks very much for putting this together.
Very good advice from someone who seems to know what their talking about
Dude u are a power house bad ass. That was a professor like approach to attacking these songs. I’m already using these tips. Thank u.
Thanks for watching Spaceboy!
Respect to a fellow Vibrolux player. The best small-to-mid gig Fender amp there is.
those tab apps tips are an awesome tip. thanks.
Wicked R.j. good tips. Great to have you back
Really interesting seeing a pros insights on charting out songs. I don’t play out much but I try to learn songs in a similar manner. Even with riff based songs I break them down into parts and memorize the order of the different riffs because when it comes down to it music is just patterns.
Excellent video and tips. Makes what I need to get in order seem so small.
Amazing video! Thank you so much, man!
I m impressed .... thanks for sharing
I had no idea you played with StoneSour! Awesome
Really a pro man, this shows it!
Excellent video- excellent advice! I"m prepping for a gig with some new music and a new band myself- this is really helpful. I think the most important part- that I'm not doing enough of- is to really listen to the material for several days before hand and really memorize the tunes in my head well before I pick up a guitar. My only question for you is: is it difficult for you to do that if you don't love the music? Or is it a job and listening makes you like music you wouldn't necessarily love otherwise? GREAT video advise from a pro- thanks man!
Dude, you're a legend and an inspiration. Love your work!
Cool breakdown, RJ. Mahalo for taking the time to map out the process.. # system is the only way for me to think about tunes.. like phone #'s 🎵🎶🎵🤘🤘 Aloha
Excellent video. All musicians should watch this...it would save some frustration.
Something else that’s very important for learning this much material in a short time is getting good sleep. Trying to commit 30-40 songs to memory with sleep deprived brain fog is going to make your job much harder.
Thanks for the video. I’m going to have to check out those Ipad apps.
Thankyou for posting this video, I'm a bassist & a local band want me to learn there set list in the same amount of time you had. All tips gratefully received 👍🎸
Thanks for your informative videos. What I get from you is how to focus and dedication and how it applies to anything in life. a part - time musician living vicariously thru you...new sub here
Thanks for subbing!
That’s exactly how I do that. I also live and work around Nashville. Great video!
Digitech is the best pedal manufacturer for changing pitch on the fly.. no matter up or down, when you get it dialed in -- they sound amazing. Awesome video R.J. I'm watching all of them!
Brother your routines are as sharp and clean as that haircut. I actually got pumped any time I ended up having the same routine as yours. Now all I need are gigs like yours 🤘
Great video ! I usually spend a few days just listening to the songs over and over, writing down and trying to memorize them before i grab the guitar or the drums.
Thank you for all the tips. Ive been playing for many years but always looking for tips. I have a gig in 3 weeks at a festival and have to learn 14 songs. By comparison to what you just did is nothing😜😂
Thank you again and congrats on all of your success.
Thank god - another guitarist who isn't afraid of sheet music or theory!
Yep. It's very easy to keep playing the shapes that feel comfortable in your hands. I try to think about the note I want to hear and play that even if it feels physically awkward.
Wow. So grateful for all the tips. I am glad you share so much information, Thank you!!
Great job, my brotha. Hope you can perform in Vegas.
Dude - these videos are awesome. And you let out my/our main secrets - the Slowdowner program and a 12 year old kid on RUclips lol. Although I've played professionally all my life (now retired) and not on your level in bar cover bands, your approach is identical to mine - including the Slowdowner program. I'll figure out trickier parts by watching someone do it on RUclips, then fixing/adapting it (never take someone else's playing of a song or tab as gospel). I'm still using the Guitar Port Line 6 used to sell with Gearbox software because through a computer with headphones provides clarity and avoids shots to the head from our significant others by playing one lick over and over. I can't believe I started doing this crap when all we had were record players and you had to drop a needle over and over on a record. Again, very well done and you got a new subscriber.
I used to use the Guitar Port all the time! It was so convenient and i really liked the interface. Someone recently hipped me to a software called Transcribe! , which i'm testing out, but it looks promising, maybe a bit better than Amazing Slow Downer.
Excellent video per usual. Thanks R.J. Love your videos. I'm not where I want to be yet on Guitar but in time (a lot of time) I know I will get there. It is part of a musical life journey. I know that sounds corny but music is something I will enjoy and play the rest of my life, Lord Willing. Thanks again for sharing your passion and talents.
Just what I needed. Thanks man 🙏
You are more analytical then the guy I know who works at the IT department. Interesting thanks for sharing. Big fan!
Perfect advice. Great video. Sometimes I have to chart out tunes for our entire (cover) band - annoying. Glad to see I'm on the right path. Spotify and iTunes playlists are great. So are the "RUclips to MP3" and "SetlistMaker" apps.
Your a real pro Sir ! And an excellent communicator ! Wish you the best !
Thx R.J. stay well
Thanks dude, that was helpful! Very smart process
You're AWESOME mate, thanks for all your POSITIVE SYNERGY in helping us all out!!! Cheers!
Blown away that you'd need to and be able to do that in such a short time. I really like that you can jump to other genres so we'll.
Great insight and ideas, and a BIG thanks for sharing!
I'm not a guitar player, only a dreamer but respect to the dedication to the craft and being a pro
I love Forescore