New subscriber here. I just wanted to say thank you so much for making these and helping others to become better players. You’re one of the best teachers I’ve found on RUclips and you’re doing great work!
@BERNTH Greetings from Western NY! Love the channel! Have you made, or are you thinking about making, a video that addresses discipline and how to stay focused? I think it's safe to say that when practicing, it's easy to slip out from between the lines and end up noodling, etc.
I’ve been watching these videos for over two years. I appreciate the time and effort you put in to helping guitarists. My playing has improved immensely daily practices is where it’s at, it’s vitamin G for me and don’t start my day until I’ve had my dose of practice. You Rock Bernth!! 🤘🏽
First and eternal mistake for me is not to know why I am actually taking the guitar. Not having a most concrete plan about what I want to practice and to know what and why I want to achieve something for the road, which bernth mentions quite often as well, is what lets it all become so hard for me. Unfortunatelly does even knowing that not really help. So those to whom this is easy, because it's natural for them to work respectively learn like this, are the lucky bastards. I would agree to that, but hey, no hard feelings, right? :D
@@mindtraveller100 I read a comment here that said .. in 50 years I’ll play as good , cause I’m lazy .. it just doesn’t work like that .. I can read all the books , watch all the videos , but until I put in the time to practice .. it’s just words on a page .
One of the best advice I got was to never practice the wrong way. For example if you find your self playing a riff wrong over and over, just stop. Slow down. Do it correctly. It's muscle memory
Muscle memory doesn't exist. It's all in your head. Muscle memory is a term invented to replace repetition and strengthening. Slowing to learn is wrapping the mind around the issue. This technique video is an example of ways a guitarist can learn to not allow their body to hamper the mind, allowing focus.
@@shanemartin2215Bro just said muscle memory doesn't exist as if talking, using our hands, walking, or learning basically any basic skill isn't an example of muscle memory lol. When you're able to do something that used to take you consciously applying effort, but now you can do it without thinking too hard about it- That is definitely muscle memory.
Hello Bernth , I am 62 years old , been playing guitar for 50 years and You’re proving a theory of mine which is you never realize that technique and rhythm continue on, it is not finite. It pleases me to see how you are covering everything with your YT videos. I would say good luck but it’s not needed . Take care , your channel is now My Saturday afternoon with coffee ! Thanks
I have been a Siberian potato farmer for the last 57 years, often practicing my squire Stratocaster for 3 mins in the last bits of daylight that shine Through my mud stained sheets that cover my windows. With the help of your videos I can now play the theme song to the golden girls using my remaining 2 fingers that I did not lose to frostbite. Thank you I will now start my next life mission and learn the intro to love boat.
Once you know your neck,I think it's good to let speed come with muscle memorySo called shredders are many times clueless when it comes to improve.phrasing and emoting is best.speed comes with it.just shredding beats secondly if you need sleep. The guy in the video is talking about these things,where he couldn't play with his band great job overall !!!
I think another mistake is not challenging yourself too. I struggled not learning one song for a month or two because I thought it was too difficult for me to play, but really it just took memorizing the notes and practicing it enough to muscle memory.
There was a few techniques that I was learning from these guitarist: Doug Aldrich - the only technique he said to learn and practise every day was the vibrato. Paul Gilbert - getting the note near the tip of your fingers. Carlos Santana - you need to put your soul and feel in every note/string you hit. Yngwie Malmsteen - when you do your leads, it’s just your thumb and index finger holding the pick that moves. I stick to these advices and it kinda make sense. But what I’m amaze is Doug Aldrich’s thumb which is always missing during his lead playing. 😂
@faldyhans82 wow man, you have a great list there. Paul Gilbert - about the note at the tip of your fingers... SO VITAL. that's why guitarists shouldn't try and look like hardcore metalheads by having the strap down to their knees. All it does is make everything more difficult to play. I have some stuff to share with you i've taught for 28 years.. head to facebook small dog productions and drop me a message, i'd be happy to share what I thought was just normal. it involves all 5 digits on both hands. and with hybrid picking (pick between thumb and forefinger, making you rely more on your pinkies)
Your actual first mistake is thinking your first mistake was thinking you could play the Damn thing. You can play. It just takes a certain level of passion. If you don’t want it bad enough, then you are right, you won’t be able to play. It doesn’t mean you can’t though.
When I first started learning how to play, my biggest mistake was thinking because everyone in my family taught themselves how to play guitar that it was going to be easy for me. That was a huge mistake. I talked with my brother and found that it took a good year to get to the point where he was able to randomly play a few basic songs. My daughter took longer. I'm not sure how long it took my father. He always played in bands as long as I can remember. That being said, I am going on 3 years now. I can play quite a few songs now, but I find myself still finding places to learn something. You never know what you don't know until you start checking out things people are teaching. Nice video, thanks!
Yeah, I think it took me at least a good year before I could strum together a few basic chords. But I don't think I practiced every day, and probably didn't do "perfect practice". I did play around with it a significant amount though, and tried learning various song licks so that I wouldn't get burnt out on practicing the same thing over and over.
This made me realize that my past experience with the piano and music theory(and consequently, the ear training that comes with it) helped me learn the basic stuff in two weeks instead of a year. Knowing one instrument helps with the others.
I don't play metal, but I recently started dabbling with the mandolin and discovered I have a horrible hand synchronicity issue, and once I realized it, it became obvious it's been affecting my playing across all instruments. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and never realized it.
Hand synchronicity is a huge issue for me as well, been playing for years now (though I mostly stopped over the last few) but I am left handed and learned to play right handed so my right hand struggled to sync to the left and still does sometimes.
You specifically identified several of the obstacles I'm running into trying to learn guitar at the age of 52. But you have given me hope! I will go over these points in my next practice session! Thank you!!
I’m 62 and looking to break a lot of old habits,I subscribed because I find your tutorials concise, to the point and on subject. My playing is improving with every video and well suited to my impatient attention span. Thank you for these efforts.
I've been playing guitar for years, and I always thought I should be putting my fingers dead *center* of the frets! Now it sounds so much better- especially on higher notes
I'm a self-taught guitarist, started playing in the late 90s. In the early 2000s, I acquired an old, 50s Mel Bay book with every scale and arpeggio...a really, invaluable book that I still own. Anyway, that book also had a section on technique, both picking and fretting technique. It's how I learned a lot of technique and my basic music skills. One thing I learned was that you should keep your thumb, centered on the neck, in between the ring and middle finger - that way provides a proper grip that isn't going to damage your wrist and also allows you to pivot to the left or right with your fretting hand, allowing you to play "in position" but still be able to stretch to the next position. Proper thumb placement and holding the neck, properly, hand-wise and having the guitar, positioned with an upward angle, will make it much easier to play. It's why the classical guys hold their guitars the way they do. Proper technique will not only make you a better player and better enjoy, playing, but it will also allow you to continue to play and not end up with a messed up wrist or tennis elbow from over tensing it. I'd love to make a video like this, as I have a lot of tips to share. Alas, life's not perfect and my guitars are in disrepair... can't seem to get my shit together :[
Don't be so hard on yourself. You got it together in your mind to write a detailed comment. Chinese proverb "a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step" Go for it!
@Rob Mikels I'm 66 and just getting back into playing after DECADES of not playing. My own journey will start when the new bridge and piezo arrives for the nice Tak acoustic I bought used. The buzziness around the 12th fret had me questioning the sanity of picking up the guitar at all. I was despondent. Then I looked at the guitar very closely and I found that the previous owner did some dumb stuff to screw with the action, and for some reason the 14th fret was a tiny bit high. I also ordered a Spark practice amp. I'm optimistic that I can reach the modest goals that I've set, because I escaped the self defeating negativity. I'm glad you're moving forward. I'm humbled that my response to your post was helpful. Best of luck.
Been teaching myself for almost a decade now and still learning a lot o: I see everyone talk about how proper wrist/posture is important, but no one seems to go into the practical details. Thank you for clearing some of that up for me!
I had the same problem as you. My pinky would go crazy whenever i tried playing fast leads. I got it under control by doing Paul Gilbert/Buckethead's simple picking pattern. e 15p12 14 15 14p12. Keep your index finger on the 12th fret, use your pinky on the 15th fret and your ring finger on the 14th. You don't have to do it fast or anything. Practice it consistently. Speed comes later.
My pinky was broken when I was young and now has a bit weird angle sometimes... Unfortunately, on the wrong direction (toward the inside of the hand). Maybe I need to break it again XD
I’ve been playing guitar for almost 17 years and I can confidently say this dude has some of the best advice and solutions to learning challenges I have ever seen. Thank you for being such a good resource for all guitarists, beginner and expert alike! That first exercise is a rough one as is 😂 I used to practice weird things like that earlier in my learning to get my muscle memory down and it helps, but oof is it rough when you’re first starting to do them. I’m definitely gonna start doing these exercises more often again cause they are really great.
Hi Bernth! I'm 63 years old, been a wannabe guitarist all my life. Started learning "properly" (or with self discipline, that's the challenge still) about 18 months ago. I expect to become at best a competent beginner by the time I retire, but after that the sky will be the limit! 😉 I found new inspiration by looking at your videos now - they were a little intimidating a year ago. I really like your attitude! Thanx for doing what you're doing, Ind keep doing it!🎸🔊🎶🖤🤘💪👍
Man, this was so amazing and informative. You're not just a great players with fantastic knowledge, you communicate it 1000 times better in one free RUclips video than many VOD/DVDs I paid for in the past. Totally will be supporting the patreon
I am happy toshare my tips that nobody else in the world seems to do. maybe 0.0001%? I just thought it was normal. send me a FB message at small dog productions. I'll send you back my list of bad guitar habits plus exercises that involve all 5 digits on both hands. invented this technique 28 years ago or more.
My worst practice technique is sitting there for so long my ass goes numb! I get so distracted when playing. When I pick up the guitar, everything else completely disappears. The feeling while playing is like no other.
So your ass feels better when you play guitar? While sitting? Wow. My ass hurts all the time, and I never thought of that. You may have a cure for everyone who has "rectalomaniacism"
I agree, he's a real cool guy! Really like how explains things not to do, and then shows you those same things. Then he blows you away playing the same piece with proper form and technique. You don't play like this monster guitarist without putting in countless hours and days into mastering your instrument. Bernth is a beast!
Man, I really like this ideia of put together some exercises of your older videos to resolve specific problems. It helps us navigate through your lessons by always bringing them back. Thank you! Definitely one of the best channels about technique
I have just started on my guitar journey (1 month!) and noticed I'm immediately having issues with wrist angle and thumb placement as described perfectly in this video. Thank you so much for the guidance. New subscriber here, keep up the great work and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Good advice. One wraps the thumb for bluesy licks and bends, and repositions it behind the neck for other phrases. Transitioning between both effortlessly is an absolute.
I am primarily a bassist but I had to teach myself basic guitar to write for my former band, so I like to know stuff like this. It's invaluable from a writing or production standpoint to know when someone in your group is faking it or phoning it in.
Creating helpful and meaningful free content is the best way to attract people to his patreon. I'd be paying myself if I didn't live in Brazil. As much as I'd like, 15 bucks is 80+ bucks in our currency here, which makes it really hard for me.
Really it's charitable for those of us who can't afford to take lessons. Nor have time. I work 12 and 16 hour shifts 4 and 5 days a week. Ty for these free lessons for us the many poor.
As an experienced guitarist, I think this is a great video to teach beginners and intermediate players to fix mistakes they might not know they are making. Great video man!
A cue that I’ve found interesting is to keep your thumb strong, not tense or relaxed, but strong - and the rest of your fingers loose and relaxed. It makes your fingers move closer to the strings and allows your fretting fingers to flow without being weak and bumming notes
You've officially reached the next level of guitarist... You've not only perfected the art yourself, but now you've jumped in my mind and put a video out of all the problems plaguing my playing. All Hail The BERNTH!
I agree. Very different approach to most guitarists on the planet, yet weirdly, it doesn't seem unfamiliar to me at all, as I thought that stuff was normal when I first started learning.
I have been playing steadily with lots of practice and some regular gigs for almost 50 years. I don't play any of the tyles you have exhibited so far in the video sI watched, but I have learned something in every segment you tech. You are skilled as a guitar player and more importantly as a teacher. Your instruction lends itself to any style of player IMO. Well done!
I've known how to play for over a decade but have never had a real class. Like u I got to a point where passion and progress stagnated and life pulled me away. Just sat down and watched a number of your videos and in 1 practice session sat down and applied the technique lessons I heard from you and went from piss pouring unforgiven to playing the majority of Layla in like 2 hours. Thank God for people like you homie...can't thank you enough.
I have never had a single guitar student who did not at one point or another say "but it's because my hand is too small/fingers weirdly shaped" ... it's like a learners meme ...
@@lootbox9465 Yes - and don't get me wrong, I sympathise we all do it. We should just cultivate our awareness of the fact that whenever people are in a position where they're feeling exposed, uncomfortable, inadequate and it feeds self doubts or even anxiety and fear - there is a need to put things neatly in a box with an orderly narrative attached to it that explains things. So the brain jumps to the nearest known or seemingly obvious thing. I happen to also be a dive instructor. In diving all the natural uncertainty and anxiety about doing this somewhat unnatural thing seems to popularly congregate around the concept of having sinus troubles or trouble equalising. Mind you for lots of people this is what actually occurs, but for many it becomes a way of expressing general discomfort that it can be hard to put into words - and certainly it can seem more "worthy" than simply feeling afraid and inadequate. But there is an astound amount of talk about it during courses and after that it's rarely ever talked about again - partly because people learn to equalise properly but also in large part because they grow beyond the initial feelings of frustration and anxiety etc. And just like with guitar fingers a lot of them assume that something is probably weirdly physiologically unique about their various inner airspaces...
@@shishmohammad929 Probably said it myself, I'd have to ask my dad he sort of got me started. Actually now I think of it he would always just say "but Segovia had small, fat fingers" and that kinda would be the end of it. There was no internet at the time, so I had to ride my wee bicycle down to the local library to have them reserve a book about this Segovia character, just to understand what he was even talking about ...
@wynottalklikeapirat MAN! I know what you mean. It's a stupid BS excuse for not practicing, and I have heard it, over a 28 year teaching career, so many times I can't even GUESStimate. Well said man.
My thumb is fused so I cannot roll it over the top of the fretboard to fret the low e string,, I use my thumb as a back of the neck brace only. I am not complaining, it is what it is, when I was young I had the ability, my playing was much better a quicker then, but things happen. I am still very blessed.
this is so great because i taught myself so i don’t really know where i’m going wrong and how to fix it because i don’t have a teacher to identify my mistakes
i thought you will cover string muting which im struggling and im pretty sure lot of other players are too can you please cover some different way to mute the string :) love this video too
Ill do that.. Adam Jones from Tool has some excellent practices/exercises like the song "Jambi"... etc.. but if you want some very very useful simple 5 tips, go to my facebook page small dog productions. I'll post something if I get enough people at the same time. I am so sick of teaching after 28 years that I just want to give away all my technical secrets and just want to share them with people.
I have watched a few of your videos now and I can remain silent no longer! Your skill and technique is impeccable, couple that with your very chilled yet articulate delivery...you sir are such an inspiration And blessing to all guitarists alike. Please, please keep making amazing content 🙏
Wow Bernth, I am really impressed with the progress you've made since 2017. I've always kept an eye out for what you've been doing over the years and I'll definitely say youre playing is world level. Congrats on your progress ! ! You've put the time in and it has now gotten you to a level above I'd say 95% of all others. I do have a cautionary tale I'll share with you and has prevented me from doing the Patreon. Most of the examples you share on your videos show blazing fingers and not tempos that are a lot slower for my level. Now it's been a while since I been back to the videos, but now that I've noticed your progress, I'm more interested in what your doing. Can you feel what I'm saying ? ? I don't know if your reluctant to share too much on You Tube (and I can understand that) but if I can't feel the power of the exercise at my level, than I don't see much reason for paying Patreon for the speedy blazing pyrotechnics that everybody seems to target. Thanks.
@@Brikkyy13 Neh...doubt it. My fingers are just plain not nearly as nimble as they once were. I'm 65 and the speed is just not there and probably can't ever be. I always said it won't happen to me....but I'm 65 and still rockin...but the skill isn't as good as it once was. I AM in a band in Cody Wyoming and we do have a good following so I'm happy to be where I am. But thanks for the kind encouragement! rock on.
Don’t let age keep you down guys and gals. Shredding isn’t all about speed, you guys have been around the block enough times so I’m sure you realise that. I saw Queen right before covid hit, Brian May obviously couldn’t play anywhere near as fast as he used to but he could still shred better than most other guitarists out there. Eddie Van Halen also once said something along the lines of “I don’t play that fast, it’s all smoke and mirrors” and after learning a few of his tapping licks I’m inclined to believe it. There’s more than one way to skin a cat and shred a guitar!
@@scourge34 I hear ya man. I just plain do not have the dexterity I used to have. I'v e learned so much from youtube and decent lessons but the fingers just aint gonna keep up. That's ok...I'm still rockin at 65 so I'm totally happy. I can hit some tasty licks for blues but the serious rock shreds aint in the stars. Not disappointed...Ron Fischer really didn't play super fast but his licks were awesome...same with Neil Girado....both seriously great rockers...have no problem aspiring to be like them over anyone. Taste is better than speed to me.
@@scourge34 You and me both...not at all giving up...just can't put the expectations ahead of reality. Don't have to go 800mph to be good....tasty licks win over speed for me. BB King wasn't a shredder....sure got a lot of people to look at him
Great video man, I play with a few friends around town who are starting to get more serious about learning guitar- this video is absolutely perfect to share with them
@Akok Longkumer its okay..different people may hv different perspective... but, can you recommend me any good teacher guitarist that give decent lesson practice and tips, i glad if you provide link also...don't forget it should be free like what Bernth does on his channel 🙂
YES very awesome indeed... just maybe a bit too close to my standard because it seems both of us have similar ways of playing. It's great to see this video.
Your skill level is mind bending. I try some of what you teach and find myself thinking “ No Way”, “Not in a million years” ! BUT…repetition and good technique and eventually some noticeable ability creeps into the picture. Bernth I don’t expect to ever reach your level or anything close but learning the different techniques opens up a greater understanding and appreciation for the art of being a musician. Thank you Bernth for sharing!
I can literally say I have more confident now after watching this video. I'm a newly inspired musician been playing for a few days. And the fact I caught my mistakes early will definitely help. And now i know what I gotta do to practice/work on. Thanks!
This dude ! Each time I visit this Chanel I pick up small changes which turn out to be mind-blowing . Thanks man , you really help me with improving my technique !
My thumb bends backwards and makes a perfect "plate" to slide along the back of the neck. I used to think it was just natural and everyone did it, then I learned it's a special double-jointed type thing...yay lucky me :)
Be careful with this type of thumb. I have the same thing and have developed terrible arthritis in that thumb because it bends backwards and crushes the cartilage. It didn't start hurting until after many, many years of playing. I've had surgery on it to tighten the joint and it no longer bends backwards and much less pain now. Beware!
As always, great lesson Bernth. Clear and friendly. Aside the fact that you are a phenomenal guitarist. Thank you for helping us get better at our instrument 🎸
Dude I love your videos. I have gotten kinda stale and plateaued in my writing and live playing so I’ve been going back a refreshing or just flat out relearning parts of the guitar and some of your videos hit the spot.
I just got my first guitar about a week ago and I'm learning but WOW what you can do with a guitar is INSANE I'll be sure to check out more videos of yours in the future! you ROCK!
@@ErebosGR well atleast I got one shitty guitar. It has very bad built quality of neck. It's been 4-5 year and finally getting Schecter in next few months.
We’ve all fallen into this pattern .. “ if I could just get the perfect guitar , I’ll be a better musician “ .. I still use my original c40 daily after 25 years .. it’s old and battered , but it still stays in key .
Yes! I've been teaching exactly this (about the thumb) since 1991, totally contradicting my classical guitar teacher in college, who said that the thumb should NEVER appear from behind the fretboard. Thank you, thank you! Sharing on FB!
I don't usually trust shredders, but these information are really useful and real and think will help me play better, as I suffer with a lot of the problems described. Thanks!
It's ALWAYS the guy with the really long fingers that says "that doesn't matter" 😅. It matters! But even kids can overcome this. What is truly hard to overcome, is if your pinky is short compared to the rest of your fingers. Then, you end up doing the wrong 'wrist angle' to compensate. In natural position, it's an entire string lower. Don't let anyone tell you that's not a real issue, it absolutely is. It's common and you often see guitarists like Slash not use their pinky.
I have average male hands, but my pinky is extremely short compared to the other fingers. Come across multiple stretches that I physically can't do, even when using my right hand to stretch my left hand fingers to the maximum... Stretches in leads and solos can be worked around with tapping though, or simply playing the high note on the next string instead. If anyting, having short fingers will force you to get more creative in how you approach certain intervals. Chords are a completely different story though. There are many voicings that are simply impossible to play, and you end up having to do a different voicing, or omitting the "furthest" note, which is ofc usually the most important one.
@@Melodeath00 Exactly! It's very real but you had a great attitude and approach. I don't think he meant anything negative in the video, just not something he deals with. But people who do, they need to know it's not just them and there's still ways around it or different techniques. Not always easy but like you said, creativity.
I'm fairly new to playing an electric guitar and my overall guitar skills are slightly better than a beginner cos I'm actually a pianist . You covered a number of good topics which i find helpful and believe they'll get me far in my guitar playing journey. Great work man. Thank you!
This man is a god sent guitar teacher. And he has a big heart to let out these tutorials for free on youtube. I hope life treats you the best that can be. Thank you Bernth.
Is it a problem that my thumb doesn't rest behind my middle finger and instead sits to the side of my index finger at about a 45 degree angle towards the headstock?
I was worried about my fingers not being within 90° of the freat board, and issue with the thumb and ring finger as well...so to correct that problem, just swing your elbow away from your body..at some piont the problem comes back but in reverse...this will help you find that sweet spot...until your body is adapted to the mussel memory....👍
Honestly, if you feel that it’s holding you back, then I would focus on fixing it. If it’s not then I wouldn’t worry about it. Everyone will have different hand size, range of motion, hand and finger shape, etc. In my opinion, the best thing you can do is take the standard perfect technique and then adjust that standard technique to fit your body. For example, I’ve played contact sports my whole life and currently work in commercial construction. My hands and fingers aren’t shaped the same as they were 10+ years ago due to various hand injuries over the years. My picking hand wrist has a very limited side to side range of motion compared to when I started playing and my fingers have weird curves and twists to them now yet to this day, I still notice steady progression in my playing abilities because I had to constantly adjust the way I play. Basically the point to my rambling is that you should take advice from the pros and tweak it however you need to to make it work for you. You’ll drive yourself insane trying to go down the check list and do everything exactly how someone else does it.
Well, seriously, the best place to sit is the TOILET!!! not joking. The bathroom has awesome ambience too. Also, it is the PERFECT height. You need a LEFT-HANDED toilet though. If the paper is on the right, guitar may rest on it, causing the neck to tilt DOWN. Which is ALWAYS BAD.
You have the absolute best lessons ,for intermediate guitarists to improve,on the whole internet. I have played for 42 years and you ha e zeroed in on many mistakes and handicaps of my skill set. From the bottom of my heart I thank you . Now maybe I can give my Steve Vai white Jem a little more respect. That guitar you have, is it custom or can we all buy one?
This video changed my life! I had given up guitar playing for many years. This video was the first thing I found when I restarted, but I immediately disliked this guy for showing off what I guessed was a million hours worth of practice before giving what I thought would be more crap for my brain that won't help. Boy was I wrong!! The first tip about left thumb had to be for noobs, right? But I checked and it turned out my thumb was often floating uselessly. Then I practiced exercise 6 for a few days, and suddenly I could play both incredibly fast and accurate for the first time in my life! So we don't need a million hours! Since then, a few more videos and now I can play melodically along with the chords and I can't believe it's me playing. Wow, the confidence has leaked into my personal life, no longer feeling like there must be something wrong with me musically. Thank you so much!!
Get your tabs, guitar pro files, backing tracks, and more for all these exercises here: www.patreon.com/bernth - happy practicing my friends! :)
New subscriber here.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for making these and helping others to become better players.
You’re one of the best teachers I’ve found on RUclips and you’re doing great work!
@UC28ASFph7GoXsINsoU4SvRQ Thanks for the kind feedback Christopher! :)
@BERNTH Greetings from Western NY! Love the channel! Have you made, or are you thinking about making, a video that addresses discipline and how to stay focused? I think it's safe to say that when practicing, it's easy to slip out from between the lines and end up noodling, etc.
You read my mind Tim! Filmed something like this yesterday, coming to the channel next week 🙂🤘
I’ve been watching these videos for over two years. I appreciate the time and effort you put in to helping guitarists. My playing has improved immensely daily practices is where it’s at, it’s vitamin G for me and don’t start my day until I’ve had my dose of practice. You Rock Bernth!! 🤘🏽
Opening the guitar case and taking the guitar out is usually my first mistake.
That is my second mistake.
First was buying the guitar...
@@mindtraveller100 My third mistake is - after done these first two mistakes - not have burnt the guitar complete with the case yet ...
😂😂😂😂
Actually the first mistake was taking out the credit card from my crying wallet then proceeding to order the guitar.....
First and eternal mistake for me is not to know why I am actually taking the guitar. Not having a most concrete plan about what I want to practice and to know what and why I want to achieve something for the road, which bernth mentions quite often as well, is what lets it all become so hard for me. Unfortunatelly does even knowing that not really help. So those to whom this is easy, because it's natural for them to work respectively learn like this, are the lucky bastards. I would agree to that, but hey, no hard feelings, right? :D
To refer to later:
Thumb technique: 2:46
Wrist technique: 4:37
Wrist angle: 6:46
Finger Position: 8: 51
Vibrato / String Bending: 9:43
Hand Synch: 10:52
Tango Mike
8:51
MVP timestamps
👍
Did you refer to this later?
I learned all this over 18 years, you are learning it in 13 min. Lucky bastards.
Seeing is one thing .. 1000s of hours of practice is on an entirely different level .. guitar is a life skill , in my opinion .
Hahaha, same.
@@ionageman You can´t practice what you can´t do...
You can play guitar, right? I don´t. Never will. Who is the lucky bastard?
@@mindtraveller100 I read a comment here that said .. in 50 years I’ll play as good , cause I’m lazy .. it just doesn’t work like that .. I can read all the books , watch all the videos , but until I put in the time to practice .. it’s just words on a page .
One of the best advice I got was to never practice the wrong way. For example if you find your self playing a riff wrong over and over, just stop. Slow down. Do it correctly. It's muscle memory
Muscle memory doesn't exist. It's all in your head. Muscle memory is a term invented to replace repetition and strengthening. Slowing to learn is wrapping the mind around the issue. This technique video is an example of ways a guitarist can learn to not allow their body to hamper the mind, allowing focus.
If you learn it wrong the first time around, then you end up learning it twice when you want to play it correctly.
@@shanemartin2215 Muscle memory obviously does exist. It's actually motor memory since it's your brain remembering how to perform certain movements
ah yes stop messing up and do it perfectly. very nice advice
@@shanemartin2215Bro just said muscle memory doesn't exist as if talking, using our hands, walking, or learning basically any basic skill isn't an example of muscle memory lol.
When you're able to do something that used to take you consciously applying effort, but now you can do it without thinking too hard about it- That is definitely muscle memory.
Been learning guitar for a month now & I am slowly appreciating the skills of these guitarists! Makes me appreciate music more too.
How.is.the progress now in ur guitar lessons
@@natsnethaile6548 he went on to become the lead guitarist for metallica
@@horseliver338 did you heard the news? He got kicked out of the band
@@horseliver338 he was so good with the guitar that they called him to replace Lars
@@natsnethaile6548 after getting kicked out of Metallica he went on to create a little known band called megadeth
Grabbing my guitar now. You pretty much pointed out most of my problems in this video
I hope this helps, have fun practicing Kevin :)
@@Bernthguitar dude totally helps alot man. Thanks a bunch. Do you speak any other languages than english?.
@@michaelrayle3467 Deutsch 😉
Die österreichische Version 😜
@@Bernthguitar thank you for this video. i spotted alot of my own mistakes here too.
SAME!
Hello Bernth , I am 62 years old , been playing guitar for 50 years and You’re proving a theory of mine which is you never realize that technique and rhythm continue on, it is not finite. It pleases me to see how you are covering everything with your YT videos. I would say good luck but it’s not needed . Take care , your channel is now My Saturday afternoon with coffee ! Thanks
This is like the ultimate comment! To know someone has organically dedicated a block of their life to watching your videos...amazing. :D
Wow 😮
I have been a Siberian potato farmer for the last 57 years, often practicing my squire Stratocaster for 3 mins in the last bits of daylight that shine Through my mud stained sheets that cover my windows. With the help of your videos I can now play the theme song to the golden girls using my remaining 2 fingers that I did not lose to frostbite. Thank you I will now start my next life mission and learn the intro to love boat.
😂😂😂😂
i can’t tell if this is serious or not
This is a legendary comment.
@@roblue5470 same bro
So relatable!
Being self-taught and casually playing for a few years now, I noticed improvements from those exercises in minutes 🤯
Stop the cap
🧢🧢🧢🧢
Once you know your neck,I think it's good to let speed come with muscle memorySo called shredders are many times clueless when it comes to improve.phrasing and emoting is best.speed comes with it.just shredding beats secondly if you need sleep. The guy in the video is talking about these things,where he couldn't play with his band great job overall !!!
I think another mistake is not challenging yourself too. I struggled not learning one song for a month or two because I thought it was too difficult for me to play, but really it just took memorizing the notes and practicing it enough to muscle memory.
Agreed
There was a few techniques that I was learning from these guitarist:
Doug Aldrich - the only technique he said to learn and practise every day was the vibrato.
Paul Gilbert - getting the note near the tip of your fingers.
Carlos Santana - you need to put your soul and feel in every note/string you hit.
Yngwie Malmsteen - when you do your leads, it’s just your thumb and index finger holding the pick that moves.
I stick to these advices and it kinda make sense. But what I’m amaze is Doug Aldrich’s thumb which is always missing during his lead playing. 😂
@faldyhans82 wow man, you have a great list there. Paul Gilbert - about the note at the tip of your fingers... SO VITAL. that's why guitarists shouldn't try and look like hardcore metalheads by having the strap down to their knees. All it does is make everything more difficult to play. I have some stuff to share with you i've taught for 28 years.. head to facebook small dog productions and drop me a message, i'd be happy to share what I thought was just normal. it involves all 5 digits on both hands. and with hybrid picking (pick between thumb and forefinger, making you rely more on your pinkies)
My first mistake was thinking I could play the Damn thing.
You got this! Keep it up!
Your actual first mistake is thinking your first mistake was thinking you could play the Damn thing. You can play. It just takes a certain level of passion. If you don’t want it bad enough, then you are right, you won’t be able to play. It doesn’t mean you can’t though.
You can, it just takes time and effort to be efficient with it like most things in life
LMAOOOO
If you don’t give up, you’ll keep getting better, simple as that.
1 exercise: yeah, i can do that
2 exercise: WELL, THAT ESCALETED QUICKLY
Or if I maybe be so bold, eSCALEated quickly
I think im gonna start with the last exercise. Wish me luck 😂
I can't play 1st and 4th exersises, cause my pinky finger is curved and it muting nearest string
most of his Practice Guides is just doing spiders up, down and across the fret board. Just focusing of different things.
3 stage god mode.
When I first started learning how to play, my biggest mistake was thinking because everyone in my family taught themselves how to play guitar that it was going to be easy for me. That was a huge mistake. I talked with my brother and found that it took a good year to get to the point where he was able to randomly play a few basic songs. My daughter took longer. I'm not sure how long it took my father. He always played in bands as long as I can remember. That being said, I am going on 3 years now. I can play quite a few songs now, but I find myself still finding places to learn something. You never know what you don't know until you start checking out things people are teaching. Nice video, thanks!
Yeah, I think it took me at least a good year before I could strum together a few basic chords.
But I don't think I practiced every day, and probably didn't do "perfect practice". I did play around with it a significant amount though, and tried learning various song licks so that I wouldn't get burnt out on practicing the same thing over and over.
This made me realize that my past experience with the piano and music theory(and consequently, the ear training that comes with it) helped me learn the basic stuff in two weeks instead of a year.
Knowing one instrument helps with the others.
Everyone who plays guitar is always learning to play guitar, no matter your skill level
@@NEFFxsaVaGe True that.
I stayed 10 years without playing guitar and now that I want to get back playing again, this channel is helping me so much to remember import things
I don't play metal, but I recently started dabbling with the mandolin and discovered I have a horrible hand synchronicity issue, and once I realized it, it became obvious it's been affecting my playing across all instruments. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and never realized it.
How are you resolving it?
Hand synchronicity is a huge issue for me as well, been playing for years now (though I mostly stopped over the last few) but I am left handed and learned to play right handed so my right hand struggled to sync to the left and still does sometimes.
This is really great stuff, delivered with no BS or arrogance. Will help thousands!
@ K DeFo yes, I agree. no BS or arrogance. I really appreciate that about people who give good advice.
Show off😂
You specifically identified several of the obstacles I'm running into trying to learn guitar at the age of 52.
But you have given me hope! I will go over these points in my next practice session! Thank you!!
And I thought that I was old by picking it up again after 15years at 34
I’m 62 and looking to break a lot of old habits,I subscribed because I find your tutorials concise, to the point and on subject. My playing is improving with every video and well suited to my impatient attention span. Thank you for these efforts.
I've been playing guitar for years, and I always thought I should be putting my fingers dead *center* of the frets! Now it sounds so much better- especially on higher notes
I'm a self-taught guitarist, started playing in the late 90s. In the early 2000s, I acquired an old, 50s Mel Bay book with every scale and arpeggio...a really, invaluable book that I still own. Anyway, that book also had a section on technique, both picking and fretting technique. It's how I learned a lot of technique and my basic music skills.
One thing I learned was that you should keep your thumb, centered on the neck, in between the ring and middle finger - that way provides a proper grip that isn't going to damage your wrist and also allows you to pivot to the left or right with your fretting hand, allowing you to play "in position" but still be able to stretch to the next position. Proper thumb placement and holding the neck, properly, hand-wise and having the guitar, positioned with an upward angle, will make it much easier to play. It's why the classical guys hold their guitars the way they do.
Proper technique will not only make you a better player and better enjoy, playing, but it will also allow you to continue to play and not end up with a messed up wrist or tennis elbow from over tensing it. I'd love to make a video like this, as I have a lot of tips to share. Alas, life's not perfect and my guitars are in disrepair... can't seem to get my shit together :[
Don't be so hard on yourself. You got it together in your mind to write a detailed comment. Chinese proverb "a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step" Go for it!
Hey dude, I'd love to watch a video on your tips if you made them, even if they weren't perfect video-wise. Give it a try!
those videos ideas sound awesome! gonna sub to check that out🤘🏽
@Rob Mikels I'm 66 and just getting back into playing after DECADES of not playing. My own journey will start when the new bridge and piezo arrives for the nice Tak acoustic I bought used. The buzziness around the 12th fret had me questioning the sanity of picking up the guitar at all. I was despondent. Then I looked at the guitar very closely and I found that the previous owner did some dumb stuff to screw with the action, and for some reason the 14th fret was a tiny bit high. I also ordered a Spark practice amp. I'm optimistic that I can reach the modest goals that I've set, because I escaped the self defeating negativity.
I'm glad you're moving forward. I'm humbled that my response to your post was helpful. Best of luck.
Make the video, mate. It will be enjoyable for you, and rewarding to share your knowledge.
Been teaching myself for almost a decade now and still learning a lot o:
I see everyone talk about how proper wrist/posture is important, but no one seems to go into the practical details. Thank you for clearing some of that up for me!
My pinky does seem to have a mind of its own
Same for all of us. Solution: Get it under control by practising patterns.
@@diggie9598 what kind of patterns do you mean?
I had the same problem as you. My pinky would go crazy whenever i tried playing fast leads. I got it under control by doing Paul Gilbert/Buckethead's simple picking pattern.
e 15p12 14 15 14p12.
Keep your index finger on the 12th fret, use your pinky on the 15th fret and your ring finger on the 14th. You don't have to do it fast or anything. Practice it consistently. Speed comes later.
My pinky doesn't have a mind at all...
My pinky was broken when I was young and now has a bit weird angle sometimes... Unfortunately, on the wrong direction (toward the inside of the hand). Maybe I need to break it again XD
I’ve been playing guitar for almost 17 years and I can confidently say this dude has some of the best advice and solutions to learning challenges I have ever seen. Thank you for being such a good resource for all guitarists, beginner and expert alike!
That first exercise is a rough one as is 😂 I used to practice weird things like that earlier in my learning to get my muscle memory down and it helps, but oof is it rough when you’re first starting to do them. I’m definitely gonna start doing these exercises more often again cause they are really great.
Hi Bernth! I'm 63 years old, been a wannabe guitarist all my life. Started learning "properly" (or with self discipline, that's the challenge still) about 18 months ago.
I expect to become at best a competent beginner by the time I retire, but after that the sky will be the limit! 😉
I found new inspiration by looking at your videos now - they were a little intimidating a year ago. I really like your attitude!
Thanx for doing what you're doing, Ind keep doing it!🎸🔊🎶🖤🤘💪👍
You can always trust the dude with earrings and messy hair and a gentle voice to always freaking RIP on an instrument, eh? Lol
“It’s not really about the size of your hands” says the guy with a pinky the length of my arm! 😂
Pinky envy... yeah, me too 😂
@@MrAxman53 Just the pinky though, right? 😉
😂
Look like a snow crab leg
Hahahahaha!
Man, this was so amazing and informative. You're not just a great players with fantastic knowledge, you communicate it 1000 times better in one free RUclips video than many VOD/DVDs I paid for in the past. Totally will be supporting the patreon
I am happy toshare my tips that nobody else in the world seems to do. maybe 0.0001%? I just thought it was normal. send me a FB message at small dog productions. I'll send you back my list of bad guitar habits plus exercises that involve all 5 digits on both hands. invented this technique 28 years ago or more.
My worst practice technique is sitting there for so long my ass goes numb! I get so distracted when playing. When I pick up the guitar, everything else completely disappears. The feeling while playing is like no other.
So your ass feels better when you play guitar? While sitting? Wow. My ass hurts all the time, and I never thought of that. You may have a cure for everyone who has "rectalomaniacism"
one thing I love about Bernth's videos is his humble nature. It feels like he is developing and learning together with his audience.
I agree, he's a real cool guy! Really like how explains things not to do, and then shows you those same things. Then he blows you away playing the same piece with proper form and technique. You don't play like this monster guitarist without putting in countless hours and days into mastering your instrument. Bernth is a beast!
The room you are in looks like hell happened to a bowling ally lol.
That made my day 😂🤘
Good one lol
Trying the whole time to figure out the dimensions and what I'm actually looking at 🤯
@@McLambo I was trying to figure out if it was a green screen with some props in front.
The most BASED comment on this video. I just imagine them having really good beer on tap too
Man, I really like this ideia of put together some exercises of your older videos to resolve specific problems. It helps us navigate through your lessons by always bringing them back. Thank you! Definitely one of the best channels about technique
I have just started on my guitar journey (1 month!) and noticed I'm immediately having issues with wrist angle and thumb placement as described perfectly in this video. Thank you so much for the guidance. New subscriber here, keep up the great work and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
As an absolute newb I really appreciate the very basics starting from what to do with the fingers. Thank you.
Good advice. One wraps the thumb for bluesy licks and bends, and repositions it behind the neck for other phrases. Transitioning between both effortlessly is an absolute.
I am primarily a bassist but I had to teach myself basic guitar to write for my former band, so I like to know stuff like this. It's invaluable from a writing or production standpoint to know when someone in your group is faking it or phoning it in.
It's criminal that his lessons are free
Thank you for the lessons man
They've helped me a lot
You have a good heart❤️
Facts, once I get ahead I'm donating to his patreon
Creating helpful and meaningful free content is the best way to attract people to his patreon. I'd be paying myself if I didn't live in Brazil. As much as I'd like, 15 bucks is 80+ bucks in our currency here, which makes it really hard for me.
If people don’t teach , then music dies .. it’s criminal how much teachers charge for a 1/2 lesson .
Really it's charitable for those of us who can't afford to take lessons. Nor have time. I work 12 and 16 hour shifts 4 and 5 days a week. Ty for these free lessons for us the many poor.
youtube is giving him money
As an experienced guitarist, I think this is a great video to teach beginners and intermediate players to fix mistakes they might not know they are making. Great video man!
A cue that I’ve found interesting is to keep your thumb strong, not tense or relaxed, but strong - and the rest of your fingers loose and relaxed. It makes your fingers move closer to the strings and allows your fretting fingers to flow without being weak and bumming notes
Mistake #4 is the one I’m struggling with the most right now but this video is probably one of the most helpful ones I’ve found on RUclips. Thanks!
You've officially reached the next level of guitarist... You've not only perfected the art yourself, but now you've jumped in my mind and put a video out of all the problems plaguing my playing. All Hail The BERNTH!
I agree. Very different approach to most guitarists on the planet, yet weirdly, it doesn't seem unfamiliar to me at all, as I thought that stuff was normal when I first started learning.
People like you keep the world turning guy! Mad respect.
This is one of the best troubleshooting videos for guitar technique I've ever seen. I immediately went and signed up for your Patreon. Bravo, Bernth!
I have been playing steadily with lots of practice and some regular gigs for almost 50 years. I don't play any of the tyles you have exhibited so far in the video sI watched, but I have learned something in every segment you tech. You are skilled as a guitar player and more importantly as a teacher. Your instruction lends itself to any style of player IMO. Well done!
I've known how to play for over a decade but have never had a real class. Like u I got to a point where passion and progress stagnated and life pulled me away. Just sat down and watched a number of your videos and in 1 practice session sat down and applied the technique lessons I heard from you and went from piss pouring unforgiven to playing the majority of Layla in like 2 hours. Thank God for people like you homie...can't thank you enough.
"the 6 worst guitar technique mistakes"... And then you proceed to name them and I'm just like... "✓, ✓, ✓, ✓, ✓ aaaand ✓." 😂
📠
Same
😂😂😂
I listed the most important ones at the top of this page before watching the video.
I'm not even good enough to have made those mistakes yet. 😅
I have never had a single guitar student who did not at one point or another say "but it's because my hand is too small/fingers weirdly shaped" ... it's like a learners meme ...
We're always looking for reasons why we can't do something aren't we?
@@lootbox9465 Yes - and don't get me wrong, I sympathise we all do it. We should just cultivate our awareness of the fact that whenever people are in a position where they're feeling exposed, uncomfortable, inadequate and it feeds self doubts or even anxiety and fear - there is a need to put things neatly in a box with an orderly narrative attached to it that explains things. So the brain jumps to the nearest known or seemingly obvious thing. I happen to also be a dive instructor. In diving all the natural uncertainty and anxiety about doing this somewhat unnatural thing seems to popularly congregate around the concept of having sinus troubles or trouble equalising. Mind you for lots of people this is what actually occurs, but for many it becomes a way of expressing general discomfort that it can be hard to put into words - and certainly it can seem more "worthy" than simply feeling afraid and inadequate. But there is an astound amount of talk about it during courses and after that it's rarely ever talked about again - partly because people learn to equalise properly but also in large part because they grow beyond the initial feelings of frustration and anxiety etc. And just like with guitar fingers a lot of them assume that something is probably weirdly physiologically unique about their various inner airspaces...
@@shishmohammad929 Probably said it myself, I'd have to ask my dad he sort of got me started.
Actually now I think of it he would always just say "but Segovia had small, fat fingers" and that kinda would be the end of it.
There was no internet at the time, so I had to ride my wee bicycle down to the local library to have them reserve a book about this Segovia character, just to understand what he was even talking about ...
@wynottalklikeapirat MAN! I know what you mean. It's a stupid BS excuse for not practicing, and I have heard it, over a 28 year teaching career, so many times I can't even GUESStimate. Well said man.
I can't become young again or have thick, long hair like him, but I can practice daily towards imitating his technique. This guy is awesome.
My thumb is fused so I cannot roll it over the top of the fretboard to fret the low e string,, I use my thumb as a back of the neck brace only. I am not complaining, it is what it is, when I was young I had the ability, my playing was much better a quicker then, but things happen. I am still very blessed.
Dude, solid tutorial. Just watching it makes me feel like my life isn't over... been a long time guitar player and put it down for a few years.
this is so great because i taught myself so i don’t really know where i’m going wrong and how to fix it because i don’t have a teacher to identify my mistakes
I feel called out
I also struggled with all of these and I'm still working - a never-ending journey, but a fun one :)
Me too. Jst made a similar comment elsewhere. LOL
i thought you will cover string muting which im struggling and im pretty sure lot of other players are too can you please cover some different way to mute the string :) love this video too
Ill do that.. Adam Jones from Tool has some excellent practices/exercises like the song "Jambi"... etc.. but if you want some very very useful simple 5 tips, go to my facebook page small dog productions. I'll post something if I get enough people at the same time. I am so sick of teaching after 28 years that I just want to give away all my technical secrets and just want to share them with people.
I have watched a few of your videos now and I can remain silent no longer! Your skill and technique is impeccable, couple that with your very chilled yet articulate delivery...you sir are such an inspiration And blessing to all guitarists alike. Please, please keep making amazing content 🙏
Wow Bernth, I am really impressed with the progress you've made since 2017. I've always kept an eye out for what you've been doing over the years and I'll definitely say youre playing is world level.
Congrats on your progress ! ! You've put the time in and it has now gotten you to a level above I'd say 95% of all others.
I do have a cautionary tale I'll share with you and has prevented me from doing the Patreon. Most of the examples you share on your videos show blazing fingers and not tempos that are a lot slower for my level. Now it's been a while since I been back to the videos, but now that I've noticed your progress, I'm more interested in what your doing. Can you feel what I'm saying ? ?
I don't know if your reluctant to share too much on You Tube (and I can understand that) but if I can't feel the power of the exercise at my level, than I don't see much reason for paying Patreon for the speedy blazing pyrotechnics that everybody seems to target. Thanks.
I remember being a beginner like 30 years ago and always grabbed my guitar/Bass with my thumb behind the neck
Grab it like you would anything else
That hand sync exercise is gonna be a life saver
One of your best...I'm never going to shred but this still helps my playing a lot. Thanks
Nah mate, you’re gonna shred eventually 🤘
@@Brikkyy13 Neh...doubt it. My fingers are just plain not nearly as nimble as they once were. I'm 65 and the speed is just not there and probably can't ever be. I always said it won't happen to me....but I'm 65 and still rockin...but the skill isn't as good as it once was. I AM in a band in Cody Wyoming and we do have a good following so I'm happy to be where I am. But thanks for the kind encouragement! rock on.
Don’t let age keep you down guys and gals. Shredding isn’t all about speed, you guys have been around the block enough times so I’m sure you realise that. I saw Queen right before covid hit, Brian May obviously couldn’t play anywhere near as fast as he used to but he could still shred better than most other guitarists out there. Eddie Van Halen also once said something along the lines of “I don’t play that fast, it’s all smoke and mirrors” and after learning a few of his tapping licks I’m inclined to believe it. There’s more than one way to skin a cat and shred a guitar!
@@scourge34 I hear ya man. I just plain do not have the dexterity I used to have. I'v e learned so much from youtube and decent lessons but the fingers just aint gonna keep up. That's ok...I'm still rockin at 65 so I'm totally happy. I can hit some tasty licks for blues but the serious rock shreds aint in the stars. Not disappointed...Ron Fischer really didn't play super fast but his licks were awesome...same with Neil Girado....both seriously great rockers...have no problem aspiring to be like them over anyone. Taste is better than speed to me.
@@scourge34 You and me both...not at all giving up...just can't put the expectations ahead of reality. Don't have to go 800mph to be good....tasty licks win over speed for me. BB King wasn't a shredder....sure got a lot of people to look at him
Thanks Bernth. I've been playing over 40 years and they are all tips you need to keep focusing on. Great video. Thanks
Great video man, I play with a few friends around town who are starting to get more serious about learning guitar- this video is absolutely perfect to share with them
Love the H.R Giger Ibanez! The one you have is definitely the most beautiful of them.
after playing guitar for 15+ years, i learned that i should be holding my notes closer to the metal fret.
I noticed that too
You need to see what BB KING can do with a fret .. simply beautiful .
That was one the first things i learned lol
Had the same realization a year ago after 18 years.... 😂
Yep, same here.
best guitarist teacher...
I agree, man, I agree..
Best advanced guitar teacher*
@Akok Longkumer its okay..different people may hv different perspective... but, can you recommend me any good teacher guitarist that give decent lesson practice and tips, i glad if you provide link also...don't forget it should be free like what Bernth does on his channel 🙂
YES very awesome indeed... just maybe a bit too close to my standard because it seems both of us have similar ways of playing. It's great to see this video.
Your skill level is mind bending. I try some of what you teach and find myself thinking “ No Way”, “Not in a million years” !
BUT…repetition and good technique and eventually some noticeable ability creeps into the picture.
Bernth I don’t expect to ever reach your level or anything close but learning the different techniques opens up a greater understanding and appreciation for the art of being a musician.
Thank you Bernth for sharing!
I can literally say I have more confident now after watching this video. I'm a newly inspired musician been playing for a few days. And the fact I caught my mistakes early will definitely help. And now i know what I gotta do to practice/work on. Thanks!
I learnt the importance of hand sync while learning Jackhammer by Paul Gilbert...
Just needed to hear the first sentences and I knew: Austrian.
Even when they speak a foreign language, the accent is pretty unique.
06:45 exercise makes me cry
This dude ! Each time I visit this Chanel I pick up small changes which turn out to be mind-blowing . Thanks man , you really help me with improving my technique !
The synchronisation practice is the craziest one for me even at half speed
Slow is good .
My thumb bends backwards and makes a perfect "plate" to slide along the back of the neck. I used to think it was just natural and everyone did it, then I learned it's a special double-jointed type thing...yay lucky me :)
Same. I hate to think the damage I've been doing to my left wrist by positioning the hand wrong to account for my weird thumb.
Be careful with this type of thumb. I have the same thing and have developed terrible arthritis in that thumb because it bends backwards and crushes the cartilage. It didn't start hurting until after many, many years of playing. I've had surgery on it to tighten the joint and it no longer bends backwards and much less pain now. Beware!
The exercise 2 reminds me of Guthrie Govan’s 32nd note strumming haha
I WAS WONDERING WHERE I HAD HEARD SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS EXERCISE!
I ordered my first Stratocaster not too long ago, I'm learning how to play guitar so I'm thankful that this video was made!
As always, great lesson Bernth. Clear and friendly. Aside the fact that you are a phenomenal guitarist. Thank you for helping us get better at our instrument 🎸
I'm not looking forward to practicing these but I look forward to the results for when I do practice them 😂
You absolutely need a passion to learn guitar .. because honestly perfect technique is just the beginning .
I didn't knew Lionel Messi wld play guitar ..greattttt😎
Clip your nails, nobody ever says it.
How you gonna rasgueado?
@@Jake-n8m3n only clip your left hand nails
This, there are times where I stop playing for a long time and I forget to cut my nails
OMG YA, i can not play if my nails are getting even a bit long, ( even so much as 1 mm overhang ) i just sound sloppy
@Hellseeker you said one of the most intelligent things on this entire page. have a look at my slightly long post I just did? I think you'll like it.
Dude I love your videos. I have gotten kinda stale and plateaued in my writing and live playing so I’ve been going back a refreshing or just flat out relearning parts of the guitar and some of your videos hit the spot.
I just got my first guitar about a week ago and I'm learning but WOW what you can do with a guitar is INSANE I'll be sure to check out more videos of yours in the future! you ROCK!
Do you think instead practicing these techniques I could just buy a new guitar to fix them instead?
Honestly it's better to practice on good equipment or else shitty one will definitely make barrier.
@@ErebosGR well atleast I got one shitty guitar. It has very bad built quality of neck. It's been 4-5 year and finally getting Schecter in next few months.
We’ve all fallen into this pattern .. “ if I could just get the perfect guitar , I’ll be a better musician “ .. I still use my original c40 daily after 25 years .. it’s old and battered , but it still stays in key .
I pretty much rely on my pedals to fool people into thinking I'm good. With enough quick echo repeats, I can play as fast as anybody. LMFAO
Works everytime!
This video is gold
Talk to Vernon Reid about using his whole arm to pick!
Yes! I've been teaching exactly this (about the thumb) since 1991, totally contradicting my classical guitar teacher in college, who said that the thumb should NEVER appear from behind the fretboard. Thank you, thank you! Sharing on FB!
I don't usually trust shredders, but these information are really useful and real and think will help me play better, as I suffer with a lot of the problems described. Thanks!
I play guitar like that old lady thought Charmander was Hamilton, and that’s ok
Shit, I just crawled in bed and this dude threw me the keys to the Lamborghini...
It's ALWAYS the guy with the really long fingers that says "that doesn't matter" 😅. It matters! But even kids can overcome this. What is truly hard to overcome, is if your pinky is short compared to the rest of your fingers. Then, you end up doing the wrong 'wrist angle' to compensate. In natural position, it's an entire string lower. Don't let anyone tell you that's not a real issue, it absolutely is. It's common and you often see guitarists like Slash not use their pinky.
I have average male hands, but my pinky is extremely short compared to the other fingers.
Come across multiple stretches that I physically can't do, even when using my right hand to stretch my left hand fingers to the maximum... Stretches in leads and solos can be worked around with tapping though, or simply playing the high note on the next string instead. If anyting, having short fingers will force you to get more creative in how you approach certain intervals.
Chords are a completely different story though. There are many voicings that are simply impossible to play, and you end up having to do a different voicing, or omitting the "furthest" note, which is ofc usually the most important one.
@@Melodeath00 Exactly! It's very real but you had a great attitude and approach. I don't think he meant anything negative in the video, just not something he deals with.
But people who do, they need to know it's not just them and there's still ways around it or different techniques. Not always easy but like you said, creativity.
yngwie malmsteen is one of the fastest guitar players in the world. Look how short and chubby his fingers are
I'm fairly new to playing an electric guitar and my overall guitar skills are slightly better than a beginner cos I'm actually a pianist . You covered a number of good topics which i find helpful and believe they'll get me far in my guitar playing journey. Great work man. Thank you!
This man is a god sent guitar teacher. And he has a big heart to let out these tutorials for free on youtube. I hope life treats you the best that can be. Thank you Bernth.
Is it a problem that my thumb doesn't rest behind my middle finger and instead sits to the side of my index finger at about a 45 degree angle towards the headstock?
Me too. And after playing for a long time, it's very difficult to correct and to me feels very awkward!
It's actually beneficial in easing left hand tension. When your thumb is between or closer to the middle finger, tension is increased.
I was worried about my fingers not being within 90° of the freat board, and issue with the thumb and ring finger as well...so to correct that problem, just swing your elbow away from your body..at some piont the problem comes back but in reverse...this will help you find that sweet spot...until your body is adapted to the mussel memory....👍
Honestly, if you feel that it’s holding you back, then I would focus on fixing it. If it’s not then I wouldn’t worry about it. Everyone will have different hand size, range of motion, hand and finger shape, etc. In my opinion, the best thing you can do is take the standard perfect technique and then adjust that standard technique to fit your body. For example, I’ve played contact sports my whole life and currently work in commercial construction. My hands and fingers aren’t shaped the same as they were 10+ years ago due to various hand injuries over the years. My picking hand wrist has a very limited side to side range of motion compared to when I started playing and my fingers have weird curves and twists to them now yet to this day, I still notice steady progression in my playing abilities because I had to constantly adjust the way I play. Basically the point to my rambling is that you should take advice from the pros and tweak it however you need to to make it work for you. You’ll drive yourself insane trying to go down the check list and do everything exactly how someone else does it.
Your holding the guitar wrong . Move the guitar to fit your body , not the other way round and you might wana adjust your posture
I would love to hear about posture, chair height and foot positioning!
Well, seriously, the best place to sit is the TOILET!!! not joking. The bathroom has awesome ambience too. Also, it is the PERFECT height. You need a LEFT-HANDED toilet though. If the paper is on the right, guitar may rest on it, causing the neck to tilt DOWN. Which is ALWAYS BAD.
Also, rest your right ankle on left knee so neck points upwards. Serious.
Lastly, you can practice percussion with butt while playing. Not joking. Ivr done it.
At 11:12 kirk hammett was super called out 😅🤣🤣
Yeah um kirk Hammett can easily be called out. Especially on his vibrato. I'm not saying he's a bad musician by any means.
@@Parrish_Muhoberac agreed
You have the absolute best lessons ,for intermediate guitarists to improve,on the whole internet.
I have played for 42 years and you ha e zeroed in on many mistakes and handicaps of my skill set.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you .
Now maybe I can give my Steve Vai white Jem a little more respect.
That guitar you have, is it custom or can we all buy one?
even after just changing my thumb placement my playing has improved exponentially!!! tysm!
The light of your lamps kind of looks like they are Matrioshka dolls. It'S scary af.
HAHA i was thinking the same thing!!
"Not because of size of Hands or Fingers"
My excuses: Gone, reduced to atoms...
I think it’s depend on each person, like we have different hands and fingers size
I think the same
This video changed my life! I had given up guitar playing for many years. This video was the first thing I found when I restarted, but I immediately disliked this guy for showing off what I guessed was a million hours worth of practice before giving what I thought would be more crap for my brain that won't help. Boy was I wrong!!
The first tip about left thumb had to be for noobs, right? But I checked and it turned out my thumb was often floating uselessly. Then I practiced exercise 6 for a few days, and suddenly I could play both incredibly fast and accurate for the first time in my life! So we don't need a million hours! Since then, a few more videos and now I can play melodically along with the chords and I can't believe it's me playing. Wow, the confidence has leaked into my personal life, no longer feeling like there must be something wrong with me musically. Thank you so much!!
these videos have really improved my confidence while playing guitar.
I don't even have a guitar but i watched the entire video.
Guitar center is where I go when I don't have guitar to scratch that itch, just remember this phrase: I'm still looking...
have you got one yet?