@@nckwlch That's the channel name on RUclips, "Chords of Orion." He does ambient guitar tutorials, and he's just absolutely amazing. Not only is his music the sonic equivalent of Bob Ross' paintings, his voice is very similar, and his attitude towards life and teaching is the same.
One thing I heard once that stuck with me is this: practice doesn’t sound good. If it sounds good, you’re not struggling. If you’re not struggling, you’re not learning.
But also, my band teacher would always says “practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes permanent”. So practicing correctly is imperative so you don’t practice things wrong over and over and build bad habits.
One thing that helps me keep my motivation going is to practice small sections at a time. If I'm trying to learn a specific song, I'll master one or two "phrases" at a time, and then tie it together until I can play the whole song front to back. Works for me. I don't get overwhelmed with the whole song and it's exhilarating to play a phrase perfectly, and even more so to connect it to the next one. Eventually you learn the whole song.
@@oneohsix106 I learned in dancing that we should give our best in practice because thats going to mirror the actual performance. I can use that in playing guitar as well
@@SandyParsley682 To add on to what you are saying. Trying to learn a whole song in an hour is not a good thing because you will take shortcuts, they are unavoidable. Very short or repetetive songs do not really apply to this but generally speaking, pieces are the way to go. It midigates shortcuts and overall allows your playing/practicing to be thighter and more effective.
"I wanted to see him enjoy his guitar. I was in no way judging, I never do that and if you're a musician you should never do that, just enjoy music." "I bought two pieces of gear that made me a better player, my first acoustic and my first electric." Paul Davids is the best guitar teacher on the planet, and I think probably one of the best human beings.
Fun fact. We all have the power to change the world. Your post made my day just a little better. I hope your days are filled with many delicious pizzas and all the toppings.
Summary man was not there, so I've come.. Here it is 1. Noodling instead of practicing 2. Listen to the guitar 3. Care about tone 4. Artistic expressions 5. Caring toooo much 6. I need to have that Oneee gear! 7. Hitting the plateau 8. Music theory as a rule Thank me later, Byee
I hate metronomes and always have. But when I started practicing using drum machines I never looked back. Not only are synth drums far more enjoyable to practice to than metronomes, but you have tremendous freedom to give yourself prompts for more complex rhythms, and they'll teach you more about music theory to boot.
@Idea Headed I mean, I think the metronome is an archaic way to accomplish it, but playing phrases super slowly but with enforced rhythm is hugely beneficial. We certainly shouldn't be playing *at full speed* until we can play it perfectly over and over again, but that's not the only reason to use a metronome or drum machine.
I tend to play along with backing tracks and songs literally every song to me is a backing track, I just ignore singing if it has it in it and still use it.
Personally the one piece of gear that has absolutely made me a better player was a looper. If i get bored playing something I can make a simple loop and play for hours by myself
"Tone is in the fingers" , "practice trumps gear" and "not being so critical of your own playing / enjoy what you're playing" .. absolutely resonated with that!! Thanks Paul, great vid.
I purchased my first guitar at 14 a bright red Vox. I am 70 this year still playing live music in a duo. The best advise I have is play with your friends, learn the songs you love, both chords and solos. Learn a bunch of songs and form a band. You then play at friends parties, school end of year, any gig you can get cause playing live makes you better. Most popular songs can be learnt pretty quickly, practice them till your finger memory knows them automatically. Then you will really enjoy the fun of playing live.
Regarding #6... I recently bought a new acoustic for $350 because my first and only other guitar was a cheap $100 guitar that was very difficult to play. The playability of my new guitar is so much better that I can play songs fairly easily that were nearly impossible on my last guitar.
0:39 1 - Noodling vs practice - no timing, no vision, no concept, no challenge. Practice means challenging yourself, exploring and going beyond boundaries, repeating and improving 1:50 2 - listen to the guitar 3:05 3 - Care about tone 4:00 4 - artistic expression 4:58 5 - caring too much 6:09 6 - I need to have it 7:28 7 - hitting the plateau 8:59 8 - music theory as a rule
I'm definitely guilty of the noodling not practicing, for roughly a year I would pretty much just noodle and wouldn't learn all that much (this also lead to me feeling like i was stuck on a plateau for ages) but now over the past couple months Ive started putting much more effort into learning and now I can make a much spicier pot of noodles
@@raineslucas333 Recently Ive been trying to learn Polyphia songs which should keep me learning for the next 20 years or so. Also learning to recognise what i suck at
Me as well. There are so many different 'guitar instructors' out there and each saying something different and each one declaring that there's and only there's is the right way and it will only cost you this much to make you the best of the best. It's do damn confusing.
One of my favorite RUclips guitar instructors, Jens Larsen, said that not getting focused is an important mistake. He recommended to stop watching too many of his videos.
Being a huge Zeppelin fan and I think I'm like intermediate at least, but reading that makes me feel better somehow! Thanks for that. If I'm asked "Who's your favorite band?" I say Zeppelin but I have eclectic tastes. Frank Sinatra was asked his favorite song and he said something like "That would be like asking me if I preferred Steak or Vanilla ice cream...I like them both, it depends on my mood"...
This is such a beautifully accurate video. I need to watch this today. I’ve been playing for over 15 years and I’ve never used a metronome, learned about keys, how to read music, what tone is, even much about music theory in general. I have such a small understanding of the notes and such that I’m finally feeling like it’s limiting me. I love that this art is ever growing and I’ll never know it all. I’m considered pro to a lot of people but I feel so amateur when I see others play. Perspective is so important lol.
Also be encouraged today to learn by book to sight read. Go slow I love it. Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 or 2. It can be a good feeling to finish your songs by reading the notes...like a kid does. Plus you get to go forward and get to the next level faster than you expected. Blessings to🌍
You are just like ME!! Hahahahaha Just this month Ive been focusing on all these aspects of guitar playing, and I finally feel like I'm growing musically 🥲
@@briancvrrbsthe algorithm finally found us. I've been practicing scales and actually learning the fretboard and it feels amazing. I felt like the original comment was actually my comment at first lol
coming from a similar background but as a classical player new to electric it's funny how people think you're a pro but you could also "know" so little
Recently, I have been learning and memorizing common/basic songs instead of noodling around. I feel that there’s a sense of progress that way rather than playing the same riffs/routine over and over again. It is also more practical since I can use it outside in case someone might asked me to play something.
#1 Bad Habit of mine is honestly comparing myself to other Guitarists I look up to. It's not necessarily bad, but it is unhealthy to really compare to another that is in a different or other style of playing. It's comparing apples and oranges
Comparison is a thief of joy. I can't tell you how man times I wanted to see how a guitar sounds at a guitar shop but didn't because there were better players there.
Number 5 was huge for me. I find myself handicapping myself by judging myself too hard or comparing to others. The most beautiful thing about music and expression through guitar is everyone is different and has different influences, life experiences and styles. Thanks for hitting on that
Wow.. I started playing guitar when I was 4 (I’m 29 now) with no real formal training, I can play just about anything with a bit of practice. But my lack of training has caused me to second guess my abilities for years and feel like I’m not as good as I should be.. This video has made me feel like I can now actually call myself an accomplished guitar player because I live by all the rules you just stated without ever being taught them. You can obviously always learn more, but now I feel like I’ve gotten somewhere!! Thanks Paul. Appreciate that!! Take care!
I relate a lot to this. Around the same age and been struggling all my life with being very insecure and it has lead to never getting to know other musicians and ive avoided properly recording music i make other than just short voice memos on my phone for the ideas i come up with, and before that i used to just throw everyting away and forget it. Ive always felt ashamed to even call myself a musician and i feel like im wasting my ability because i can play almost anything basically. I have this perfectionism problem that kinda keeps me stuck.. Ive realized that i feel like playing music is pretty pointless if i just keep it to myself and i have to start sharing what i do with the world if i ever want to feel fulfilled. Ive shifted my focus at least on why i even play guitar and that has started to change things and i enjoy it more now rather than it being primarily an obsession. But i always have this feeling like im so behind and it's so easy for me to just practice more when i feel like that instead of producing music. I uploaded my first ever cover of a solo recently (another account), which was a big step for me, so i try to give myself credit for it but im really struggling..
@@menamgamg I hear that, man! Artists in general are always their own toughest critics, but in a way, that's our struggle and it results in us always pushing ourselves to do better things. in the words of Jedi Master Yoda, "The greatest teacher failure is..." Keep rockin!
@@marcd5353 Finding how to push yourself in a healthy way is the hard part i guess. The only option i ever saw was brute force and obsession. I think about if i had known other musicians or artists when i grew up then probably i would have realized certain things much earlier and not felt so lost for so long.. But i also had these insane amibtions with technique and maybe the only way to get there is being a tyrant towards yourself lol, i don't know. And yeah, for real, the words of Yoda have helped me many times :D
You're actually the most validating and not overly motivated guitarist on RUclips. At least as far as I am concerned. Thank you not for teaching but for talking to your audience all the time!
I thik hes motivated, he just doesnt "beat you over the head" with his knowledge, which is extensive. I watch them all, this fellow is my favorite. IM guilty of noodling too. BAD HABIT!! BAck in the 60s I used to go in music stores and play the one classsical piece i could play. (Malaguenia) Peoplethought I was an expert. Too bad I still play it, and no better!!
I’ve found that when playing with a friend, you can learn a lot and be inspired by their playing style. I hit the plateau, but went to jam with a friend for the first time in years and it helped me clear my slump.
"Stop using tabs" *every guitar player has left the chat* Edit: Every classical sheet using guitar under this comment can just take their opinions and leave. I made a joke I've been playing for 15 years but tabs. Tabs are amazing. They help new guitar players learn! And it motivates them! The people who know sheet music and learn by ear you didnt just pick it up and learn that in a day it took time. And motivation just like new guitarists and musicians take time and motivation to learn tabs and then move to learning by ear if you are judging these new players for using tabs instead of immediately being an expert you're a tumor in music that needs to be removed from the community of musicians. No one wants your aggressive, selfish, and useless opinion. Edit 2: thanks for the likes! ❤
I've been playing guitar for about 20 years. I was at a plateau and have been for so long, but after 1 month on patreon, I've improved so much. I hear myself play, and I'm absolutely blown away. Paul, you've helped reignite that fire in me. Thank you for doing what you do, and bringing up the next generation of guitarists. You're truly a master.
hi Paul: I'm a street busker in your hometown Rotterdam. One thing you forget to mention is relate to your audience. During my performances I have so much fun with my audience, triggering them with funny moves and gestures, which results in great interaction. Actually I'm addicted to it. The guitar is a tool for freedom of expression! Anyway, thanx for the great Chanel you've created and I wish you the best. Hope to meet you one of these day. Musical Greetzzz!
Paul being the professional and absolute monster of a musician that he is, and putting all these lessons, tips, techniques, and theory explanations/cool little things up for free despite having this new course and other material that he produces that is paid, is really helpful and awesome and so encouraging. It makes me excited to teach others once I get to a higher level and motivates me to practice so that I can share the beauty of music with others who want to be passionate about it. Thanks Paul for everything you do!
"You develop a style when you fail to sound like someone you want to sound like." - John Mayer PS: Chin up, mate. Don't give up your passion, you'll find your own style sooner or later.
@therainman777 It's safe to say the first musician was "original." But even the person in your experiment would likely be taking aural cues from the birds, the waves, the wind, etc... He'd trip and hit his head on a palm tree, and the beautiful percussive thud would register through the pain. He'd want to "imitate" it, and... one thing would lead to another. Although I don't think there are a lot of people walking around today never hearing music, I'll leave it as an open question based on your thought experiment. Certainly, from what I've observed of life, great artists seem to go through the realm of imitation before they fully manifest their genius.
I want to add two items to the "List of required equipment/gear" you mentioned that will make a person a better musician: A tuner and a metronome. And neither have to break the bank. I use an app I found on the Android store for my metronome (and paid to disable ads.) I didn't trust the mike on my cell phone to be tonally accurate, so I got a decent, but inexpensive, tuner. (Korg AW-LT100T It's listed as a brass tuner, but may work for guitar and strings. That said, there are ones made specifically for Strings and guitars.) The reasons why these two pieces of gear should be in every musicians "fuzzy toolbox" is simple: - Having a metronome and PRACTICING WITH A METRONOME helps build up the musician's internal metronome. Doesn't matter the genre of music, and it doesn't matter if playing solo or part of an ensemble, being able to keep a stable beat and changing that beat in your head as you go is a very important skill for all musicians. - Always tune your instrument before every practice session and performance. Instruments go in and out of tune for a dozen of reasons, and having a tuned instrument is good in general. But, as you practice and hone your skills, you will develop an ear for what the correct sound for a given note it. Sounds odd that an instrument in tune should always play in tune, but with few exceptions (like piano) the musician can bend or change the pitch of the note while playing. Now, this WON'T help you to develop perfect pitch. There's no way to do that, and you don't want perfect pitch. But you want to be able to tell when you're playing in tune. (And you also want to be able to tell when your instrument goes out of tune because it was really cold when you started playing it, and now it's warmed up physically as you warmed up yourself. Not as much problem with guitars, but oh boy it's a problem on brass.)
Inspirational. Puts technical ability in full context . Plus some great , simple hints and tips , whatever level you're at . Thanks Paul. Best guitar training videos I've found on RUclips yet and I've watched a few (hundred ). This is about playing music , not just playing the guitar.
"You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just use the wheel to get to new locations..." Yes, exactly. I think music theory is very like playing the guitar itself. You can get something out of the guitar from the first moment you put one in your lap, and you can take your playing skills up to any level beyond that, depending on your desires. And so a tiny bit of music theory will take you a little way in figuring out what makes the things you like in music sound the way they do. And the more you learn about why the things you like work, the more you can make those things work for you.
That s it man , i play since my 18 it s been ten years only last year i started with music theory , til then i just played what feels right and i had try to create various own skills cause i thinked if i learn in a different way i become a unique guitarist and i just want to play for me and some day for my sons and grandsons if i m lucky . But now with music theory i m starting to learn why i liked the things i play(create)
@@creamwobbly when he was talking about reinventing the wheel he would have been talking about trying to build up the whole of music theory from scratch. Learning music theory and aping others is a way to "use the wheel to get to new locations". If each engineer had to discover/invent algebra, trigonometry and calculus individually then we'd be a lot further behind where we are
It's absolutely essential to learn the diatonic scale. I always saw it as theory so i never bothered to really learn it because many famous musicians say they don't know theory. But it really just is a part of learning to play the guitar because if you don't know the layout of the fretboard, you're basically driving around blindfolded.
@@Hodji91 Wow this is exactly me as well. Istarted with learning the caged system and then linking it together with the diatonic and pentatonic scales and chords etc, i finally feel like im starting to really understand the instrument. I've always felt like a beginner even though i played for about 10 years. Having great technique just made me feel even worse beause i couldn't do anything with it xD What "theory" have you started exploring that has helped you ? :)
Paul definitely puts his $ where his Mouth (or Martin) is. Every time I see him play on any VIdeo, many with different Guitars, he makes them sound incredible. Whether its a $149 Acoustic compared to a $4,999 Acoustic, BOTH sound fantastic when he plays them. So not surprised "better Equipment" will not make a better Player would make the List. HOWEVER, if we're talking about INSPIRATION to Practice, an Acoustic you've saved up years for, and Love, definitely effects my desire to Play. So therefore, the High Repetition of Practice (Discipline) definitely has impact on one's overall Playing.
6:10 Before trying to learn the guitar, when I was young, I was big into skiing. I started learning to race and did some race clinics. My school didn't have a team. I was in my mid 20s. I had a coach whom I said to, "I need these [certain race skiis]." And he, patiently, and correctively said, "how about you maximize the potential of the ones you are on first." It stung, a little, but as I grew I understand that it was correct. Expensive equipment doesn't make you better at anything, and playing guitar is the same thing.
I consider myself intermediate ( a bit self implied ). However my biggest thing is just jamming and being able to play along with others. I haven't the first clue on how you do it. I've played by myself for a long while and think I do ok but put me in a jammin situation and I may well as never picked a guitar up as I can't play along. Noob... Is me lol..
Can be a bit frustrating, but when I’m feeling insecure about my playing, I find some folks who are at or below my level who really just like to play for fun, and are not that serious about it. It seems to take the edge off, and everybody’s ego is not sticking out there in the room. Some towns have blue grass picking nights, And that has been a very social and welcoming introduction to playing with others for me.
A guy like Paco De Lucía played flamenco like no other... But he didnt know how to improvise. He learned it, being pretty old, by playing with other players. Is a skill you learn and develop, play with folks who look at You and each other when playing. The worst bandmate is the one who doesnt see the rest
I can only recommend the course. I have been a good beginner for a long time and this course is pushing me really to the next level, bringing a clear structure and framework and what and how I should practice. I cannot wait to see myself when I finish. Thx Paul for your work
All 8 of these are spot on! If I may add a couple? To go along with the tone advice, BE IN TUNE. Tune the guitar before each song even if you don't think it needs it. To go along with listen to the song... So many times I would think I heard one thing but when I listened again I was wrong. And about caring too much... It's YOUR music. Play it like no one is listening except YOU. You are doing this for your pleasure not someone else. And finally NEVER quit on your music. It's the one place you can go to escape this crazy world.
The best comment I've ever heard came from a bass player who I was jamming with for the first time. After we were done he came up to me and said, "Please don't take this wrong, but I can't believe you play the way you do and you're not a prick about it". I don't think I've ever been payed a higher complement, before or since!!! It's not that I'm any kind of virtuoso by any means. I'm just extremely grateful to have the ability I have that allows me to create something beautiful out of "thin air"!!!
Dude you’re seriously such a good teacher and do an amazing job at explaining why and how we can break the “rules” of music etc. Thank you for helping me get my love of playing back!
My Father was a professional and whenever we attempted to play together, I was petrified and it showed. Despite his assurances that he wouldn't judge me, I never got past it and I think it reflected in my playing. I was mostly self taught and I'm pretty sure I managed to pick up every bad habit there is.
Paul the warm feeling you transcend when you speak of the things we love most music, it's always welcome, In fact that's what draws me us to Music. Which brings me to Gear, it's easy to strike up a conversation about gear. My Grr always turns away when I want to talk about what I've learned, but If I say I think that telecaster is almost in the mail, shell join in quickly! lol... My first guitar, it took me months to save up and I finally got the nerve to go to the shop and ask "what's the best guitar for beginners," and the wonderful gentleman standing in front of me said without flinching, you YOU can make any guitar sound good. I was dropped on the spot to tears, I wanted so badly to play that what he said was sweet music to me... I probably ruined it when I said ok, I've got one hundred bucks. However he led me to a Silvertone acoustic, which was exactly that including tax. I've often wanted to go there and thank him,so many years ago for cementing my intent. What we really are looking for is a friend, someone who understands what it is to enjoy music. you YOU my friend have that gift, pass it on always!
Knowing your fundamentals and learning from better artists so you're not always trying to reinvent the wheel is a massively helpful piece of advice for literally every creative endeavor.
my biggest mistake was thinking i was too old to start playing. in college, everybody played in high school and before. i would never get that good. so i actually started playing this year, 20+ years after i graduated high school. no, i am not good, but does that really matter? no. i am happy enough learning how to play.
@5:31 - this really hit home for me. Maybe the most valuable piece of advice a musician can hear - Don't judge other musicians unless you're teaching, that s**t just isn't cool.
#2 is particularly true on bass. Strings will start to drone if not dampened, and to get the best punch, stop the note at the correct time. This has taken a bit of practice on my 5 string (as I was used to 4 strings). #6 has its place when playing something dissonant to sound unresolved until you finish it with something consonant. It puts people a bit on edge waiting for the resolution, but that can draw them in to the music. I'heard several of my favorite guitar players do this.
Such a dude! Really appreciate having access to videos like this. Had one guitar lesson as a teen and I left frustrated with unanswered questions. I needed help with mentality and approach but the befuddled teacher just wondered what I was doing there when he realised I'd arrived without any particular song or style in mind! You're explanations are always so fully rounded and positive I can see many a career kick-started by your videos, enriching the world, keep it up man!
Paul, Thank you for what you do and how you do it. Your light hearted approach helps make the learning so much more fun. I have been playing guitar since I was 10 years old. I’m 62 now and beginning to play again after a layoff due to health and orthopedic issues. During the past 50 years there have been periods of time away from the guitar and its always wonderful to return to it. My journey has been a mix of self teaching, formal lessons, learning informally from other guitarists, learning folk finger style playing off of Public Television when I was 12, and now utilizing apps to collect songs and instructional videos like yours on RUclips to improve my playing knowledge. In the beginning I had a sub par guitar which made playing and learning more difficult but I was passionate and hung in there. I would alway encourage anyone to get the best instrument you can afford and find someone to help you keep it in good repair ( getting yearly set ups and changing your strings regularly) and learn how to properly treat and keep your instrument. That contributed greatly to my improvement and enthusiasm for playing. You may have covered this in your course. I am new to utilizing RUclips as I have had a 5 year layoff. What I most wanted to say was thank you and that I always learn something each time I watch one of your videos. There is always something that helps me learn and improve. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us all.
"you don't need to reinvent the wheel, use it to go where you want" this sentence was worth for the entire video. thanks to say that to all of us, I think it'll change many lives and perspectives.
I cried. Not gonna lie. May be just an emotional time in my life. But music is my and most peoples escape. Thank you for being you. Appreciate you being who you love to be.
I've been playing for almost 20 years now and I never learned how to pick properly. I can do some basic patterns with all my picking fingers but more complex patterns are just played with my thumb and index finger. Probably not as rare as I think it is but I get quite excited when I see people doing it the same way I do, and am in awe of the people playing something beautiful with all thier fingers!
Adapt to whatever works for you! John Mayer only finger picks with his thumb and forefinger. And Mark Knopfler's style became famous for using his fingers instead of a plectrum! It doesn't matter how you get from A to B, just as long as you do.
I think with point 6, it should rather be said having 'decent' gear is a must have, not the best of the line always. I had an electric from Fernandez, it is good, almost 10 years, still runs, but can't keep a tuning. However, I wanted to get a new one and after 10 years, didn't buy an overly expensive one, I bought another Fernandez, but it marginally was expensive than my previous one, which was 220$ and the new one costed (guitar only) 280$, marginally expensive, however, I got it custom fitted with EMG pickups which made it touch almost 500$, but still, that's not an expensive guitar yet, it's just amazing. So, in a nutshell, I guess it needs to be decent gear and not cheap.
Thanks Paul , I couldn't agree more with all you had to say , I wish I had this advice 50 some years ago and I'm 64 now but I would have been a much better player today , my parents didn't have the money for lessons and a guitar , my dad had a Gibson L7 which is a tank and I would noodle on that till I was 15 and got my first job in a restaurant washing dishes and bought a 53 telecaster which I fell in love with when I saw this unknown who went by the name of Roy Buchanan and was blown away by his style and technique, mind you I was akready screwed up with another player by the name of Jimi Hendrix and then another came along who was named Johnny Winter, so I was all screwed wanting to play fast and grew up thinking you could play better having different guitars and that started me on my path buying a ton of guitars , I have the regret of wishing I had practiced more and bought less but I am proud of my collection , learning came from playing in garage bands paying for a lesson here and there and using a turn table over and over and playing by ear or exchanging ideas with some friends , going to shows ie professional and local watching others and copying , I believe the best is playing with others is the best , you grow better , you're timing is better , and you're inspiration grows more , at least that's how I see it , so I think I'm a ok player but I know I would have been 10× better with just that little bit of wisdom you shared , you are spot on and I hope the young players out there listen to you and not try to sound like everyone else out there ie ac/dc , EVH , get ideas but try to have you're own thing , yes Paul that was wisdom that you shared, I hope everyone was listening , thank you again and keep up the excellent job you are doing ......Gene
i noodled my first 2 years of practice away and studying music theory. However after recently working on fixing my posture, I am no long playing without a metronome and am learning some real songs.
Justin McClure I have also noodled my first 1,5 years (until today) and I’ve gotta say, I have played faster and faster tried something different every time. I think if you do it right you can be amazing by only noodling around
Music theory is so awesome,I used to play piano and i learned music theory from there and then i just shifted to guitar i knew how to play it but i did had practice and a good grip then after some practice i easily became a guitar player.
The only way to stop beeing a Noob is to practice. Neither by spending money on online courses, nor on expensive guitars. A master has failed more often, than a noob ever tried to.
As a teacher, i stress the word "Study" and refrain from the word "Practice" when approaching serious growth on the instrument. It is a simple psychological technique to infer more importance or to stress the value of time spent on the instrument. To "Practice" something infers a playing technique you have already gleaned, to "Study" infers new ground to be uncovered. Just wanted to share my thoughts! I love your videos, thanks!
I hadnt picked up my guitar in 6 months, started playing and totally bombed everything i played. I realized my fingers were stiff and so my sound was rigid. So i worked on loosening up and not putting so much pressure on the strings and on myself. And right away out pops a riff and a lick that harmonizes together. This is how I'm getting over that wall Ive been stuck on for 6 years
first 10 years of playing guitars i used an amp at all times when praccticing now im always playing unplugged and actually listening to the nuances of the guitar. cleaned up my play big time
Paul, this are one of the most worthful thoughts on playing music for me! I heard often "I wanna be/play myself" from other musicians, and they went strange paths, nobody wants to follow. Your video gives me a new, positive structure of my exercises, playing and a better mind set, to grab the guitar and the sax. For long time I neglected the basics, til I went to a blues picking seminar, and the guy/de began from the very beginning, in spite all of the attendees were experienced guitar players. I wrote a list of your eight mistakes and commented it with my GOOD experiences, that will lead me back to clearer sound, better finger techniques and more joy of playing. Thanx a lot for deep imprints and insights! Very well done to the generation/s of musicians!!! And in the end, ur a very kind person! KR, Henry (Germany)
I'm a guitarist for 24 years now and I just bought a new guitar to spark my motivation. Works fine! I also picked up techinique prectice to iron out some bad habits from the last years.
When I hit the "plateau" I just grab a new piece of music to learn. You will be surprised how fast that gets you unstuck. By learning a new song, you ARE progressing and you feel your growth as a player. It works and your repertoir grows too. =)
Great honesty btw.👍I used to compare my guitar playing to others especially around the live music venues.This is because of how competitive live music can be sometimes.I used the advice you gave on listening to interviews of professional musicians a few yaers back and found thay have all experienced the same in some way or another.This has only helped me understand that we should just accept that there are many different styles of music and carry on with our practice.
3:20 I was at my lesson yesterday, my instructor is having me do Day Tripper, by The Beattles. I started practicing the riff, and it sounded okay. But then I switched from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup and my instructor goes "that sounds just like them now."
Paul over here dropping straight facts. Especially resonate with the comment on gear. Gear obsession can be an ugly thing if your intention is to improve. Remember fam, guitar is not a pay to play skill. Sure you need to put a little money in to start, but getting good is as free as having time, or internet access.
I just walk into guitar center on the weekends and stand there for two minutes and walk right back out the door saying to myself "I'm actually doing just fine."
tossedpenny i dont live near any music shops. Closest one is hour and a half away. When i go to guitar center i have no intention buying anything more than picks and maybe strings, but i will play them guitars there all day long lol
You have a really calm, pleasant way of communicating. It's so refreshing and relaxed in this age where people are all keyed up about the cares of the world. Thank you for this calm, quiet little space...
One piece of gear that you can buy to improve that I strongly recommend is a loop pedal. Lots of aspects in practicing like rhythm, Tempo, Leads, Improv, etc...
A bad habit I’ve had was I would only pick down strokes. When I learned songs with more complex picking patterns, I wasn’t able to play them as fast and smoothly. I’ve been working to correct this for a while now and it’s getting better.
Great channel, great dude, great tips. This is the first time ever I'm actually considering following somebody on Patreon. As for the video, I have a little comment on point number 6, and it's that personally (and I'd wager a lot, if not most/all players) do need to make at least a few unnecessary purchases :P getting that guitar you've always dreamed of or just something that looks better than what you have will help to keep you motivated. It's not all about the practice and the tone and how things sound, you may have a lot of potential playing the guitar but if what you're holding isn't inspiring you or motivating you, you're probably not gonna pick it up often enough. I find myself a victim of that and I've always desperately wanted a proper Gibson Les Paul guitar, not really for the tone because nowadays you can add strings to a shovel and make it sound great, but the looks, the feel of it. I'm not sure if I'll ever have/save enough money to finally get myself one, but if I ever do, I'm definitely buying it, despite the fact I totally agree on point number 6. Keep it up Paul! Always very relaxing to listen to your stuff! *EDIT*: Oh, also, point number 8 reads 6 when it shows up in the video. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but there you go o/
I agree that having the finest gear won’t actually make you play better. Though, I realized changing some equipments inspired me and simply gave me some new ideas to play with. Like some fresh air when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. In that way, I was eventually playing « better ». You still gotta limit yourself, for sure.
My number one problem right here. I dont have a good space for practice, so I usually just uncase and sit down. Jam a bit, feel disheartened, put it away. Only time I really dig in is when I'm in a group setting, which is obviously less than ideal.
hehe.. so plugging the guitar in is the problem? I tend to agree .. maybe too much emphasis on gear and efx ... but i'm acoustic all the way so I'm the wrong person to ask! i really like the concept of the guitar and me on the top of a mountain.. mostly alone!
@@undrellx That sounds amazing, and I play some acoustic. My vice is playing electric guitar and bass unplugged, solo, practicing songs that need amplification and effects! Not exactly honing the true skill that way.
@@fcleffox thanks for ur reply..to be honest i'm actually scared of the amplification! But there's room for us all in guitarworld... happy playing.. cheers undrell
Paul Gilbert is an amazing musician, and can shred like crazy. His best advice for me is learn blues, you'll learn more from blues and jazz than learn g just metal
This guy really is the Bob Ross of guitar. Watching him always relaxes me....
I get where you're coming from, but if you want the Bob Ross of guitar, check out Chords of Orion.
Who he?
@@nckwlch That's the channel name on RUclips, "Chords of Orion." He does ambient guitar tutorials, and he's just absolutely amazing. Not only is his music the sonic equivalent of Bob Ross' paintings, his voice is very similar, and his attitude towards life and teaching is the same.
Eric Haugen is the Bob Ross of guitar. No lie. Check him out
He makes me feel like he’s hugging me and saying “it’s okay, I’ll get you through your shitty guitar playing”
One thing I heard once that stuck with me is this: practice doesn’t sound good. If it sounds good, you’re not struggling. If you’re not struggling, you’re not learning.
Thank you, i started yesterday and your comment made me feel like I'm learning and it's ok.
But also, my band teacher would always says “practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes permanent”. So practicing correctly is imperative so you don’t practice things wrong over and over and build bad habits.
One thing that helps me keep my motivation going is to practice small sections at a time. If I'm trying to learn a specific song, I'll master one or two "phrases" at a time, and then tie it together until I can play the whole song front to back. Works for me. I don't get overwhelmed with the whole song and it's exhilarating to play a phrase perfectly, and even more so to connect it to the next one. Eventually you learn the whole song.
@@oneohsix106 I learned in dancing that we should give our best in practice because thats going to mirror the actual performance. I can use that in playing guitar as well
@@SandyParsley682 To add on to what you are saying. Trying to learn a whole song in an hour is not a good thing because you will take shortcuts, they are unavoidable. Very short or repetetive songs do not really apply to this but generally speaking, pieces are the way to go. It midigates shortcuts and overall allows your playing/practicing to be thighter and more effective.
"You don't need to reinvent the wheel, You just need to use the wheel to get to new locations"
That was brilliant!
Dont wet yourself
Yes, like to the song's perfection. Theory is just the language to analyze and communicate the desired result.
Yer i liked that one too!!
Like my match teacher used to say "You dont need to create new tricks, you just need to learn them, like monkeys do ar circus"...
Tell that to Steve Vai 😅
"I wanted to see him enjoy his guitar. I was in no way judging, I never do that and if you're a musician you should never do that, just enjoy music."
"I bought two pieces of gear that made me a better player, my first acoustic and my first electric."
Paul Davids is the best guitar teacher on the planet, and I think probably one of the best human beings.
@therainman777 I ate a whole pizza today. This guy LITERALLY changes the world.
@@foxstarproductions A large? Because that is an impressive feat unto itself.
@@kyleolin3566 always. With stuffed cheese crust
Fun fact. We all have the power to change the world. Your post made my day just a little better. I hope your days are filled with many delicious pizzas and all the toppings.
@@foxstarproductions i just wanna let you know 7 months in that you’re taste in pizza is amazing
Summary man was not there, so I've come.. Here it is
1. Noodling instead of practicing
2. Listen to the guitar
3. Care about tone
4. Artistic expressions
5. Caring toooo much
6. I need to have that Oneee gear!
7. Hitting the plateau
8. Music theory as a rule
Thank me later, Byee
no, it is 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,6 :P
Thnx dood
Posted, before I read yours.
Not the hero youtube comments section needs, but the hero youtube comments section deserves.
I am later, so time to say thanks :D
“Or turn the metronome on even.” Let’s not get carried away, Paul!
I just snorted reading this 🤣
I hate metronomes and always have. But when I started practicing using drum machines I never looked back. Not only are synth drums far more enjoyable to practice to than metronomes, but you have tremendous freedom to give yourself prompts for more complex rhythms, and they'll teach you more about music theory to boot.
@Idea Headed I mean, I think the metronome is an archaic way to accomplish it, but playing phrases super slowly but with enforced rhythm is hugely beneficial.
We certainly shouldn't be playing *at full speed* until we can play it perfectly over and over again, but that's not the only reason to use a metronome or drum machine.
ARGGG so I picked up my metronone again a few days ago.... I hate it but it helps....
I tend to play along with backing tracks and songs literally every song to me is a backing track, I just ignore singing if it has it in it and still use it.
Personally the one piece of gear that has absolutely made me a better player was a looper. If i get bored playing something I can make a simple loop and play for hours by myself
Whats a good looper to start with ?
Tc electronic ditto
The next thing I will invest in, definitely.
Good point.
Best thing I ever did too start improving! The TC looper is simple yet effective.
"Tone is in the fingers" , "practice trumps gear" and "not being so critical of your own playing / enjoy what you're playing" .. absolutely resonated with that!! Thanks Paul, great vid.
I purchased my first guitar at 14 a bright red Vox. I am 70 this year still playing live music in a duo. The best advise I have is play with your friends, learn the songs you love, both chords and solos. Learn a bunch of songs and form a band. You then play at friends parties, school end of year, any gig you can get cause playing live makes you better. Most popular songs can be learnt pretty quickly, practice them till your finger memory knows them automatically. Then you will really enjoy the fun of playing live.
Regarding #6... I recently bought a new acoustic for $350 because my first and only other guitar was a cheap $100 guitar that was very difficult to play. The playability of my new guitar is so much better that I can play songs fairly easily that were nearly impossible on my last guitar.
Nothing worse than a cheap acoustic.
No such thing as the best guitar, only the worst one.
Hello kitty guitars??
0:39 1 - Noodling vs practice - no timing, no vision, no concept, no challenge. Practice means challenging yourself, exploring and going beyond boundaries, repeating and improving 1:50 2 - listen to the guitar 3:05 3 - Care about tone 4:00 4 - artistic expression 4:58 5 - caring too much 6:09 6 - I need to have it 7:28 7 - hitting the plateau 8:59 8 - music theory as a rule
10:61 pay to win
I'm definitely guilty of the noodling not practicing, for roughly a year I would pretty much just noodle and wouldn't learn all that much (this also lead to me feeling like i was stuck on a plateau for ages) but now over the past couple months Ive started putting much more effort into learning and now I can make a much spicier pot of noodles
Bee what things have you started doing
@@raineslucas333 Probably add red chili pepper flakes to the broth
@@raineslucas333 Recently Ive been trying to learn Polyphia songs which should keep me learning for the next 20 years or so. Also learning to recognise what i suck at
@@bee5616 I want to learn new songs but when I get to starting to play the notes and chords I feel intimidated and give up, any advice?
@@starlinyn9292 even whe you get intimidated, keep practice. its natural because practice means challenge
I clicked the like button with so much feel David Gilmour is proud
Did you click it four half-steps up for about 3.5 measures though
“There are no wrong notes in jazz: only notes in the wrong places,”
[Miles Davis]
Jazz also has drums that sound like a man building a shed.
The last bit about how theory can be used to label things we love in order to communicate with other players is so important
“When the intellectual part of guitar playing overrides the spiritual, you don’t get to extreme heights.”
- John Frusciante 👌💛
Like Malmsteen.. lol
Tako je brate moj Balkanski😁
Robert Fripp begs to differ.
ivankriletic welcome back Johnny
buuut you have to have a strong intelectual part to for your spirit to work with.... I learned this the hard way
"It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to..." Jean-Luc Godard. Thanks Paul!
I never expected anybody to quote the "Nouvelle Vague" king in the RUclips comment section. Just nailed it !
My first thought was "I don't remember that line from Star Trek, but it sounds right"
@@NedJeffery Ha! lol...
@@NedJeffery damn, same here, despite I studied on filmschool :D
9. Stop watching so many RUclips guitar videos, and spend more time practising and learning. 🙄
This is one I'm guilty of.
*WATCHING RUclips is going to be the DOWNFALL of WESTERN CIVILIZATION!!*
Me as well. There are so many different 'guitar instructors' out there and each saying something different and each one declaring that there's and only there's is the right way and it will only cost you this much to make you the best of the best. It's do damn confusing.
I'm very guilty of this as well specially when people are self learning just like me
One of my favorite RUclips guitar instructors, Jens Larsen, said that not getting focused is an important mistake. He recommended to stop watching too many of his videos.
I blame Paul Davids and his fellow RUclips music teachers.
"I'm not a natural musician. I have to work very hard to get anything out." Jimmy Page, Total Guitar magazine, 1996.
Thanks! Could I find that somewhere?
@@PaulDavids jimmy page, total guitar magazine 1996!
Being a huge Zeppelin fan and I think I'm like intermediate at least, but reading that makes me feel better somehow! Thanks for that. If I'm asked "Who's your favorite band?" I say Zeppelin but I have eclectic tastes. Frank Sinatra was asked his favorite song and he said something like "That would be like asking me if I preferred Steak or Vanilla ice cream...I like them both, it depends on my mood"...
Nobody's a natural at anything. They either begin sooner and/or have a better practice structure/schedule.
Jimmy Paige could read and COMPOSE music before he turned 18.
This is such a beautifully accurate video. I need to watch this today. I’ve been playing for over 15 years and I’ve never used a metronome, learned about keys, how to read music, what tone is, even much about music theory in general. I have such a small understanding of the notes and such that I’m finally feeling like it’s limiting me. I love that this art is ever growing and I’ll never know it all. I’m considered pro to a lot of people but I feel so amateur when I see others play. Perspective is so important lol.
Also be encouraged today to learn by book to sight read. Go slow I love it. Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 or 2. It can be a good feeling to finish your songs by reading the notes...like a kid does. Plus you get to go forward and get to the next level faster than you expected. Blessings to🌍
You are just like ME!! Hahahahaha Just this month Ive been focusing on all these aspects of guitar playing, and I finally feel like I'm growing musically 🥲
@@briancvrrbsthe algorithm finally found us. I've been practicing scales and actually learning the fretboard and it feels amazing. I felt like the original comment was actually my comment at first lol
Its because people that dont play guitar have different perspectives yeah i know you know but you know ight
coming from a similar background but as a classical player new to electric it's funny how people think you're a pro but you could also "know" so little
'The key to doing something correctly is doing it right and not doing it wrong'. Truly prophetic
Recently, I have been learning and memorizing common/basic songs instead of noodling around. I feel that there’s a sense of progress that way rather than playing the same riffs/routine over and over again. It is also more practical since I can use it outside in case someone might asked me to play something.
#1 Bad Habit of mine is honestly comparing myself to other Guitarists I look up to. It's not necessarily bad, but it is unhealthy to really compare to another that is in a different or other style of playing. It's comparing apples and oranges
Why can’t you compare apples and oranges? They’re both fruit.
So true ...
Comparison is a thief of joy. I can't tell you how man times I wanted to see how a guitar sounds at a guitar shop but didn't because there were better players there.
@@Thatblackz28 lol its just a saying.
yeah he just said. challenging yourself is a good thing. try to play like them in different styles. whatever
Number 5 was huge for me. I find myself handicapping myself by judging myself too hard or comparing to others. The most beautiful thing about music and expression through guitar is everyone is different and has different influences, life experiences and styles. Thanks for hitting on that
Wow.. I started playing guitar when I was 4 (I’m 29 now) with no real formal training, I can play just about anything with a bit of practice. But my lack of training has caused me to second guess my abilities for years and feel like I’m not as good as I should be.. This video has made me feel like I can now actually call myself an accomplished guitar player because I live by all the rules you just stated without ever being taught them. You can obviously always learn more, but now I feel like I’ve gotten somewhere!! Thanks Paul. Appreciate that!! Take care!
dude that’s pretty awesome actually, good for you brother
@@jeanlucdecoster appreciate that! It is pretty cool.
I relate a lot to this. Around the same age and been struggling all my life with being very insecure and it has lead to never getting to know other musicians and ive avoided properly recording music i make other than just short voice memos on my phone for the ideas i come up with, and before that i used to just throw everyting away and forget it. Ive always felt ashamed to even call myself a musician and i feel like im wasting my ability because i can play almost anything basically.
I have this perfectionism problem that kinda keeps me stuck.. Ive realized that i feel like playing music is pretty pointless if i just keep it to myself and i have to start sharing what i do with the world if i ever want to feel fulfilled.
Ive shifted my focus at least on why i even play guitar and that has started to change things and i enjoy it more now rather than it being primarily an obsession. But i always have this feeling like im so behind and it's so easy for me to just practice more when i feel like that instead of producing music. I uploaded my first ever cover of a solo recently (another account), which was a big step for me, so i try to give myself credit for it but im really struggling..
@@menamgamg I hear that, man! Artists in general are always their own toughest critics, but in a way, that's our struggle and it results in us always pushing ourselves to do better things. in the words of Jedi Master Yoda, "The greatest teacher failure is..." Keep rockin!
@@marcd5353 Finding how to push yourself in a healthy way is the hard part i guess. The only option i ever saw was brute force and obsession. I think about if i had known other musicians or artists when i grew up then probably i would have realized certain things much earlier and not felt so lost for so long.. But i also had these insane amibtions with technique and maybe the only way to get there is being a tyrant towards yourself lol, i don't know.
And yeah, for real, the words of Yoda have helped me many times :D
You're actually the most validating and not overly motivated guitarist on RUclips. At least as far as I am concerned. Thank you not for teaching but for talking to your audience all the time!
I thik hes motivated, he just doesnt "beat you over the head" with his knowledge, which is extensive. I watch them all, this fellow is my favorite. IM guilty of noodling too. BAD HABIT!! BAck in the 60s I used to go in music stores and play the one classsical piece i could play. (Malaguenia) Peoplethought I was an expert. Too bad I still play it, and no better!!
I’ve found that when playing with a friend, you can learn a lot and be inspired by their playing style. I hit the plateau, but went to jam with a friend for the first time in years and it helped me clear my slump.
"Stop using tabs"
*every guitar player has left the chat*
Edit: Every classical sheet using guitar under this comment can just take their opinions and leave. I made a joke I've been playing for 15 years but tabs. Tabs are amazing. They help new guitar players learn! And it motivates them! The people who know sheet music and learn by ear you didnt just pick it up and learn that in a day it took time. And motivation just like new guitarists and musicians take time and motivation to learn tabs and then move to learning by ear if you are judging these new players for using tabs instead of immediately being an expert you're a tumor in music that needs to be removed from the community of musicians. No one wants your aggressive, selfish, and useless opinion.
Edit 2: thanks for the likes! ❤
Not me. I really second that advice. Glad I had no internet when I was starting out.
mh,,no
Not even close dude. You should stop doing that
what to use instead ?
@@ardlkulekci8931 uhm... your ears? How do you think musicians learned songs before the internet?
I've been playing guitar for about 20 years. I was at a plateau and have been for so long, but after 1 month on patreon, I've improved so much. I hear myself play, and I'm absolutely blown away. Paul, you've helped reignite that fire in me. Thank you for doing what you do, and bringing up the next generation of guitarists. You're truly a master.
This guy is really so cool. Knowledgeable, passionate, kind. I love his philosophy
You can tell he really loves what he does!
hi Paul: I'm a street busker in your hometown Rotterdam. One thing you forget to mention is relate to your audience. During my performances I have so much fun with my audience, triggering them with funny moves and gestures, which results in great interaction. Actually I'm addicted to it. The guitar is a tool for freedom of expression! Anyway, thanx for the great Chanel you've created and I wish you the best. Hope to meet you one of these day. Musical Greetzzz!
Michiel Waterman hollanddddd🇱🇺🇱🇺🇱🇺🇱🇺nederland
Hey! I know you Michiel! I love the way you interact with the audience and also having fun with combining the harmonica!
@@Skade_Outdoor Hi Stefan, it's always a pleasure! Musical Greetzzz!
Wow wish i could say the same!
@@yoavhanuka2772 Hi Yoav, it took me 10 years to liberate myself and find that freedom. Play, swing and let the notes ring! Musical Greetzzz!
Paul being the professional and absolute monster of a musician that he is, and putting all these lessons, tips, techniques, and theory explanations/cool little things up for free despite having this new course and other material that he produces that is paid, is really helpful and awesome and so encouraging. It makes me excited to teach others once I get to a higher level and motivates me to practice so that I can share the beauty of music with others who want to be passionate about it. Thanks Paul for everything you do!
"You develop a style when you fail to sound like someone you want to sound like."
- John Mayer
PS: Chin up, mate. Don't give up your passion, you'll find your own style sooner or later.
One of life's great ironies is that the only way to become original is by first copying others.
@therainman777 It's from Orhan Pamuk. I agree with him.
@therainman777 It's safe to say the first musician was "original." But even the person in your experiment would likely be taking aural cues from the birds, the waves, the wind, etc... He'd trip and hit his head on a palm tree, and the beautiful percussive thud would register through the pain. He'd want to "imitate" it, and... one thing would lead to another.
Although I don't think there are a lot of people walking around today never hearing music, I'll leave it as an open question based on your thought experiment. Certainly, from what I've observed of life, great artists seem to go through the realm of imitation before they fully manifest their genius.
I want to add two items to the "List of required equipment/gear" you mentioned that will make a person a better musician: A tuner and a metronome. And neither have to break the bank. I use an app I found on the Android store for my metronome (and paid to disable ads.) I didn't trust the mike on my cell phone to be tonally accurate, so I got a decent, but inexpensive, tuner. (Korg AW-LT100T It's listed as a brass tuner, but may work for guitar and strings. That said, there are ones made specifically for Strings and guitars.) The reasons why these two pieces of gear should be in every musicians "fuzzy toolbox" is simple:
- Having a metronome and PRACTICING WITH A METRONOME helps build up the musician's internal metronome. Doesn't matter the genre of music, and it doesn't matter if playing solo or part of an ensemble, being able to keep a stable beat and changing that beat in your head as you go is a very important skill for all musicians.
- Always tune your instrument before every practice session and performance. Instruments go in and out of tune for a dozen of reasons, and having a tuned instrument is good in general. But, as you practice and hone your skills, you will develop an ear for what the correct sound for a given note it. Sounds odd that an instrument in tune should always play in tune, but with few exceptions (like piano) the musician can bend or change the pitch of the note while playing. Now, this WON'T help you to develop perfect pitch. There's no way to do that, and you don't want perfect pitch. But you want to be able to tell when you're playing in tune. (And you also want to be able to tell when your instrument goes out of tune because it was really cold when you started playing it, and now it's warmed up physically as you warmed up yourself. Not as much problem with guitars, but oh boy it's a problem on brass.)
The noodling one is tough for me. On one hand; I get what you’re saying. On the other, if you’re having fun and playing it’s time well spent.
Inspirational. Puts technical ability in full context . Plus some great , simple hints and tips , whatever level you're at . Thanks Paul. Best guitar training videos I've found on RUclips yet and I've watched a few (hundred ). This is about playing music , not just playing the guitar.
"You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just use the wheel to get to new locations..." Yes, exactly. I think music theory is very like playing the guitar itself. You can get something out of the guitar from the first moment you put one in your lap, and you can take your playing skills up to any level beyond that, depending on your desires.
And so a tiny bit of music theory will take you a little way in figuring out what makes the things you like in music sound the way they do. And the more you learn about why the things you like work, the more you can make those things work for you.
Best quote of the day
That s it man , i play since my 18 it s been ten years only last year i started with music theory , til then i just played what feels right and i had try to create various own skills cause i thinked if i learn in a different way i become a unique guitarist and i just want to play for me and some day for my sons and grandsons if i m lucky . But now with music theory i m starting to learn why i liked the things i play(create)
@@creamwobbly when he was talking about reinventing the wheel he would have been talking about trying to build up the whole of music theory from scratch. Learning music theory and aping others is a way to "use the wheel to get to new locations". If each engineer had to discover/invent algebra, trigonometry and calculus individually then we'd be a lot further behind where we are
It's absolutely essential to learn the diatonic scale. I always saw it as theory so i never bothered to really learn it because many famous musicians say they don't know theory. But it really just is a part of learning to play the guitar because if you don't know the layout of the fretboard, you're basically driving around blindfolded.
@@Hodji91 Wow this is exactly me as well. Istarted with learning the caged system and then linking it together with the diatonic and pentatonic scales and chords etc, i finally feel like im starting to really understand the instrument. I've always felt like a beginner even though i played for about 10 years. Having great technique just made me feel even worse beause i couldn't do anything with it xD
What "theory" have you started exploring that has helped you ? :)
I like this guy’s energy, listening to him talk is very soothing.
Paul definitely puts his $ where his Mouth (or Martin) is. Every time I see him play on any VIdeo, many with different Guitars, he makes them sound incredible. Whether its a $149 Acoustic compared to a $4,999 Acoustic, BOTH sound fantastic when he plays them. So not surprised "better Equipment" will not make a better Player would make the List.
HOWEVER, if we're talking about INSPIRATION to Practice, an Acoustic you've saved up years for, and Love, definitely effects my desire to Play. So therefore, the High Repetition of Practice (Discipline) definitely has impact on one's overall Playing.
6:10 Before trying to learn the guitar, when I was young, I was big into skiing. I started learning to race and did some race clinics. My school didn't have a team. I was in my mid 20s. I had a coach whom I said to, "I need these [certain race skiis]." And he, patiently, and correctively said, "how about you maximize the potential of the ones you are on first." It stung, a little, but as I grew I understand that it was correct. Expensive equipment doesn't make you better at anything, and playing guitar is the same thing.
Doing things wrong sometimes makes the artist unique, EVH, Hendrix, etc. all have bad habits. Not everyone has to be Robert Fripp to be successful.
Yes, but everyone is not Hendrix... these guys were/are in a league of their own.
What did Hendrix do wrong?🤔
@@jdl2180 I’m not sure but I think he means the way jimi puts his thumb on top of the neck which is technically a bad technique
Yes, but you have to know the rules before you break them
Fripp has his own bad habits. His guitar isn’t even tuned correctly.
I consider myself intermediate ( a bit self implied ). However my biggest thing is just jamming and being able to play along with others. I haven't the first clue on how you do it. I've played by myself for a long while and think I do ok but put me in a jammin situation and I may well as never picked a guitar up as I can't play along. Noob... Is me lol..
get Pauls guitar next level lesson intermediate.... you will understand, I did honest.
sorry next level playing ...
Can be a bit frustrating, but when I’m feeling insecure about my playing, I find some folks who are at or below my level who really just like to play for fun, and are not that serious about it. It seems to take the edge off, and everybody’s ego is not sticking out there in the room. Some towns have blue grass picking nights, And that has been a very social and welcoming introduction to playing with others for me.
Learn to play in every keys and keep jamming. Eventually you'll be able to hear better and transpose faster
A guy like Paco De Lucía played flamenco like no other... But he didnt know how to improvise. He learned it, being pretty old, by playing with other players. Is a skill you learn and develop, play with folks who look at You and each other when playing. The worst bandmate is the one who doesnt see the rest
I can only recommend the course. I have been a good beginner for a long time and this course is pushing me really to the next level, bringing a clear structure and framework and what and how I should practice. I cannot wait to see myself when I finish. Thx Paul for your work
All 8 of these are spot on! If I may add a couple? To go along with the tone advice, BE IN TUNE. Tune the guitar before each song even if you don't think it needs it. To go along with listen to the song... So many times I would think I heard one thing but when I listened again I was wrong. And about caring too much... It's YOUR music. Play it like no one is listening except YOU. You are doing this for your pleasure not someone else. And finally NEVER quit on your music. It's the one place you can go to escape this crazy world.
The best comment I've ever heard came from a bass player who I was jamming with for the first time. After we were done he came up to me and said, "Please don't take this wrong, but I can't believe you play the way you do and you're not a prick about it".
I don't think I've ever been payed a higher complement, before or since!!!
It's not that I'm any kind of virtuoso by any means. I'm just extremely grateful to have the ability I have that allows me to create something beautiful out of "thin air"!!!
Dude you’re seriously such a good teacher and do an amazing job at explaining why and how we can break the “rules” of music etc. Thank you for helping me get my love of playing back!
My Father was a professional and whenever we attempted to play together, I was petrified and it showed.
Despite his assurances that he wouldn't judge me, I never got past it and I think it reflected in my playing.
I was mostly self taught and I'm pretty sure I managed to pick up every bad habit there is.
" playing guitar must be fun, and if you feel stuck and frustrated, just rest a bit but don't quit ! ".
that's the thing i tell myself
Tell yourself that if you struggle, it´s because it´s new, rather than difficult
I love the way he speaks. It's almost like poetry. So, humble he seems.
Paul the warm feeling you transcend when you speak of the things we love most music, it's always welcome, In fact that's what draws me us to Music. Which brings me to Gear, it's easy to strike up a conversation about gear. My Grr always turns away when I want to talk about what I've learned, but If I say I think that telecaster is almost in the mail, shell join in quickly! lol...
My first guitar, it took me months to save up and I finally got the nerve to go to the shop and ask "what's the best guitar for beginners," and the wonderful gentleman standing in front of me said without flinching, you YOU can make any guitar sound good. I was dropped on the spot to tears, I wanted so badly to play that what he said was sweet music to me... I probably ruined it when I said ok, I've got one hundred bucks. However he led me to a Silvertone acoustic, which was exactly that including tax. I've often wanted to go there and thank him,so many years ago for cementing my intent. What we really are looking for is a friend, someone who understands what it is to enjoy music. you YOU my friend have that gift, pass it on always!
Knowing your fundamentals and learning from better artists so you're not always trying to reinvent the wheel is a massively helpful piece of advice for literally every creative endeavor.
Oh Paul Davids. You're such an encouraging and kind individual. I appreciate you and your approach to helping others. I wish you continued success!
my biggest mistake was thinking i was too old to start playing. in college, everybody played in high school and before. i would never get that good. so i actually started playing this year, 20+ years after i graduated high school. no, i am not good, but does that really matter? no. i am happy enough learning how to play.
@5:31 - this really hit home for me. Maybe the most valuable piece of advice a musician can hear - Don't judge other musicians unless you're teaching, that s**t just isn't cool.
#2 is particularly true on bass. Strings will start to drone if not dampened, and to get the best punch, stop the note at the correct time. This has taken a bit of practice on my 5 string (as I was used to 4 strings). #6 has its place when playing something dissonant to sound unresolved until you finish it with something consonant. It puts people a bit on edge waiting for the resolution, but that can draw them in to the music. I'heard several of my favorite guitar players do this.
Such a dude! Really appreciate having access to videos like this. Had one guitar lesson as a teen and I left frustrated with unanswered questions. I needed help with mentality and approach but the befuddled teacher just wondered what I was doing there when he realised I'd arrived without any particular song or style in mind!
You're explanations are always so fully rounded and positive I can see many a career kick-started by your videos, enriching the world, keep it up man!
Paul, Thank you for what you do and how you do it. Your light hearted approach helps make the learning so much more fun.
I have been playing guitar since I was 10 years old. I’m 62 now and beginning to play again after a layoff due to health and orthopedic issues. During the past 50 years there have been periods of time away from the guitar and its always wonderful to return to it. My journey has been a mix of self teaching, formal lessons, learning informally from other guitarists, learning folk finger style playing off of Public Television when I was 12, and now utilizing apps to collect songs and instructional videos like yours on RUclips to improve my playing knowledge.
In the beginning I had a sub par guitar which made playing and learning more difficult but I was passionate and hung in there.
I would alway encourage anyone to get the best instrument you can afford and find someone to help you keep it in good repair ( getting yearly set ups and changing your strings regularly) and learn how to properly treat and keep your instrument. That contributed greatly to my improvement and enthusiasm for playing.
You may have covered this in your course. I am new to utilizing RUclips as I have had a 5 year layoff.
What I most wanted to say was thank you and that I always learn something each time I watch one of your videos. There is always something that helps me learn and improve. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us all.
“ Sometimes what you don’t hear is more important than what you do hear”
👍
"you don't need to reinvent the wheel, use it to go where you want" this sentence was worth for the entire video. thanks to say that to all of us, I think it'll change many lives and perspectives.
"Use the wheel to go to new locations" is the best piece of advice ever. Bravo sir :)
I cried. Not gonna lie. May be just an emotional time in my life. But music is my and most peoples escape. Thank you for being you. Appreciate you being who you love to be.
Hahah gay
@@YungPariah lmfao
I've been playing for almost 20 years now and I never learned how to pick properly. I can do some basic patterns with all my picking fingers but more complex patterns are just played with my thumb and index finger. Probably not as rare as I think it is but I get quite excited when I see people doing it the same way I do, and am in awe of the people playing something beautiful with all thier fingers!
Adapt to whatever works for you! John Mayer only finger picks with his thumb and forefinger.
And Mark Knopfler's style became famous for using his fingers instead of a plectrum!
It doesn't matter how you get from A to B, just as long as you do.
All fingers is kind of crazy, I never see people use their pinky for picking
I think with point 6, it should rather be said having 'decent' gear is a must have, not the best of the line always. I had an electric from Fernandez, it is good, almost 10 years, still runs, but can't keep a tuning. However, I wanted to get a new one and after 10 years, didn't buy an overly expensive one, I bought another Fernandez, but it marginally was expensive than my previous one, which was 220$ and the new one costed (guitar only) 280$, marginally expensive, however, I got it custom fitted with EMG pickups which made it touch almost 500$, but still, that's not an expensive guitar yet, it's just amazing. So, in a nutshell, I guess it needs to be decent gear and not cheap.
Thanks Paul , I couldn't agree more with all you had to say , I wish I had this advice 50 some years ago and I'm 64 now but I would have been a much better player today , my parents didn't have the money for lessons and a guitar , my dad had a Gibson L7 which is a tank and I would noodle on that till I was 15 and got my first job in a restaurant washing dishes and bought a 53 telecaster which I fell in love with when I saw this unknown who went by the name of Roy Buchanan and was blown away by his style and technique, mind you I was akready screwed up with another player by the name of Jimi Hendrix and then another came along who was named Johnny Winter, so I was all screwed wanting to play fast and grew up thinking you could play better having different guitars and that started me on my path buying a ton of guitars , I have the regret of wishing I had practiced more and bought less but I am proud of my collection , learning came from playing in garage bands paying for a lesson here and there and using a turn table over and over and playing by ear or exchanging ideas with some friends , going to shows ie professional and local watching others and copying , I believe the best is playing with others is the best , you grow better , you're timing is better , and you're inspiration grows more , at least that's how I see it , so I think I'm a ok player but I know I would have been 10× better with just that little bit of wisdom you shared , you are spot on and I hope the young players out there listen to you and not try to sound like everyone else out there ie ac/dc , EVH , get ideas but try to have you're own thing , yes Paul that was wisdom that you shared, I hope everyone was listening , thank you again and keep up the excellent job you are doing ......Gene
My biggest mistake was finding your channel only a couple of years ago, i should of found it earlier haha.
Thanks for everything you do mate.
i noodled my first 2 years of practice away and studying music theory. However after recently working on fixing my posture, I am no long playing without a metronome and am learning some real songs.
Justin McClure Same here!
Justin McClure I have also noodled my first 1,5 years (until today) and I’ve gotta say, I have played faster and faster tried something different every time. I think if you do it right you can be amazing by only noodling around
Music theory is so awesome,I used to play piano and i learned music theory from there and then i just shifted to guitar i knew how to play it but i did had practice and a good grip then after some practice i easily became a guitar player.
The only way to stop beeing a Noob is to practice. Neither by spending money on online courses, nor on expensive guitars.
A master has failed more often, than a noob ever tried to.
No
Never "practise". Just play from enjoyment, curiosity and enthusiasm. Hours will fly and you'll get better fast.
Yes, in the words of the great Confucius, "A noob will stay a noob if a noob doesn't practice until he's no longer a noob."
yeah...practice what? kind of have to look for resources to learn when you dont know what youre doing
@@---yx7ti Tbh I just watch Adam Neely and whenever I hear a term I don't understand I learn it and it's been working for me. It's how I learn theory.
"A master has failed more often, than a noob ever tried to." i'm a stealin' you that man!
As a teacher, i stress the word "Study" and refrain from the word "Practice" when approaching serious growth on the instrument. It is a simple psychological technique to infer more importance or to stress the value of time spent on the instrument. To "Practice" something infers a playing technique you have already gleaned, to "Study" infers new ground to be uncovered. Just wanted to share my thoughts! I love your videos, thanks!
I hadnt picked up my guitar in 6 months, started playing and totally bombed everything i played. I realized my fingers were stiff and so my sound was rigid. So i worked on loosening up and not putting so much pressure on the strings and on myself. And right away out pops a riff and a lick that harmonizes together. This is how I'm getting over that wall Ive been stuck on for 6 years
Love the “use the wheel” analogy
Agreed!
7:10 no cable needed, that’s how good he is
first 10 years of playing guitars i used an amp at all times when praccticing now im always playing unplugged and actually listening to the nuances of the guitar. cleaned up my play big time
Paul, this are one of the most worthful thoughts on playing music for me! I heard often "I wanna be/play myself" from other musicians, and they went strange paths, nobody wants to follow. Your video gives me a new, positive structure of my exercises, playing and a better mind set, to grab the guitar and the sax. For long time I neglected the basics, til I went to a blues picking seminar, and the guy/de began from the very beginning, in spite all of the attendees were experienced guitar players. I wrote a list of your eight mistakes and commented it with my GOOD experiences, that will lead me back to clearer sound, better finger techniques and more joy of playing. Thanx a lot for deep imprints and insights! Very well done to the generation/s of musicians!!! And in the end, ur a very kind person! KR, Henry (Germany)
I'm a guitarist for 24 years now and I just bought a new guitar to spark my motivation. Works fine! I also picked up techinique prectice to iron out some bad habits from the last years.
When I hit the "plateau" I just grab a new piece of music to learn. You will be surprised how fast that gets you unstuck. By learning a new song, you ARE progressing and you feel your growth as a player. It works and your repertoir grows too. =)
I feel like I really needed to hear one of two things you cited.
Distortion overkill when practicing (or sometimes .. playing) is also a noob mistake
Your voice is so satisfying to listen to.
He is a very practical and accomplished musician. He encourages the listener with his explanations and presentation skills. Great job.
That sweet sound of this strat setup made me melt in my chair.
Great honesty btw.👍I used to compare my guitar playing to others especially around the live music venues.This is because of how competitive live music can be sometimes.I used the advice you gave on listening to interviews of professional musicians a few yaers back and found thay have all experienced the same in some way or another.This has only helped me understand that we should just accept that there are many different styles of music and carry on with our practice.
I wonder how many guitar stars of the future are gonna cite Paul in interviews when asked how they learned
I hope to see Lil Wayne improve and say "this goes to my homie Paul"
Probably 6, because in general successful guitar players want all the credit for themselves,
3:20 I was at my lesson yesterday, my instructor is having me do Day Tripper, by The Beattles. I started practicing the riff, and it sounded okay. But then I switched from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup and my instructor goes "that sounds just like them now."
Sounds like that you are learning your gear.
Daniel Skrivan day tripper was one of the first riffs I learned
I used to play it on my broomstick when I was 8 . Still one of the baddest riffs on the planet
Paul over here dropping straight facts. Especially resonate with the comment on gear. Gear obsession can be an ugly thing if your intention is to improve. Remember fam, guitar is not a pay to play skill. Sure you need to put a little money in to start, but getting good is as free as having time, or internet access.
I needed this!
I'm so glad I've found you Paul!
And by accident, just learning a new song.
👊
"Sometimes you're just an amazing person to work with" that's IT awesome video!!
The first thing I told all my students is it's not how many years you have been playing, it's how many hours a day you practice.
I just walk into guitar center on the weekends and stand there for two minutes and walk right back out the door saying to myself "I'm actually doing just fine."
tossedpenny i dont live near any music shops. Closest one is hour and a half away. When i go to guitar center i have no intention buying anything more than picks and maybe strings, but i will play them guitars there all day long lol
You should at least play Stairway to Heaven out of tune first, really loud, then leave.
Sonebody playing Enter Sandman 10000x
@@TangoNevada ah yes the forbidden riff
You have a really calm, pleasant way of communicating. It's so refreshing and relaxed in this age where people are all keyed up about the cares of the world. Thank you for this calm, quiet little space...
One piece of gear that you can buy to improve that I strongly recommend is a loop pedal. Lots of aspects in practicing like rhythm, Tempo, Leads, Improv, etc...
A bad habit I’ve had was I would only pick down strokes. When I learned songs with more complex picking patterns, I wasn’t able to play them as fast and smoothly. I’ve been working to correct this for a while now and it’s getting better.
I'm the inverse...I play way too many upstrokes.
Piece of gear that gets you better: a metronome!
*App
@@unclepodger App?
Great channel, great dude, great tips. This is the first time ever I'm actually considering following somebody on Patreon.
As for the video, I have a little comment on point number 6, and it's that personally (and I'd wager a lot, if not most/all players) do need to make at least a few unnecessary purchases :P getting that guitar you've always dreamed of or just something that looks better than what you have will help to keep you motivated. It's not all about the practice and the tone and how things sound, you may have a lot of potential playing the guitar but if what you're holding isn't inspiring you or motivating you, you're probably not gonna pick it up often enough. I find myself a victim of that and I've always desperately wanted a proper Gibson Les Paul guitar, not really for the tone because nowadays you can add strings to a shovel and make it sound great, but the looks, the feel of it. I'm not sure if I'll ever have/save enough money to finally get myself one, but if I ever do, I'm definitely buying it, despite the fact I totally agree on point number 6.
Keep it up Paul! Always very relaxing to listen to your stuff!
*EDIT*: Oh, also, point number 8 reads 6 when it shows up in the video. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but there you go o/
I agree that having the finest gear won’t actually make you play better. Though, I realized changing some equipments inspired me and simply gave me some new ideas to play with. Like some fresh air when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. In that way, I was eventually playing « better ». You still gotta limit yourself, for sure.
Finally getting to the point im really listening to the guitar and hearing a voice or conversation when trying to solo
The Obi-Wan Kenobi of guitar!
Don't do it Anakin! I have the Major chord!
You underestimate my power chord.
EEEEEE
These are not the riffs you’re looking for
100th like
As a noob, this is a really useful video. I'll work on making sure that I address these before they become a habit.
9:Plugging it in
My number one problem right here. I dont have a good space for practice, so I usually just uncase and sit down. Jam a bit, feel disheartened, put it away. Only time I really dig in is when I'm in a group setting, which is obviously less than ideal.
hehe.. so plugging the guitar in is the problem? I tend to agree .. maybe too much emphasis on gear and efx ... but i'm acoustic all the way so I'm the wrong person to ask! i really like the concept of the guitar and me on the top of a mountain.. mostly alone!
@@undrellx That sounds amazing, and I play some acoustic. My vice is playing electric guitar and bass unplugged, solo, practicing songs that need amplification and effects! Not exactly honing the true skill that way.
@@fcleffox thanks for ur reply..to be honest i'm actually scared of the amplification! But there's room for us all in guitarworld... happy playing.. cheers undrell
Paul Gilbert is an amazing musician, and can shred like crazy. His best advice for me is learn blues, you'll learn more from blues and jazz than learn g just metal
Your speaking is so calming and really so much inspiring. It's so nice learning about bad habits in such a beautiful way
My way of getting better is me and my friend trying to one up each other
The guitarists from Lynyrd Skynyrd Allen Collins and Gary Rosington used to do this
😂True that
Could not be more true
The sosuke bosuke model, I see.