Well, you speak for millions. I agree with so much of what you said though. For example, don't compare yourself with others. No matter who you are, there is someone more able than you, at least in a particular domain. And also don't compare yourself with where you want to be. Goals are good but can be to your detriment if they prevent you from enjoying where you are and what you are doing at the moment. On the GuitarTricks forum, Deb48 posted this quote from Kurt Vonnegut which I believe is also relevant. By Kurt Vonnegut: “When I was 15, I spent a month working on an archeological dig. I was talking to one of the archeologists one day during our lunch break and he asked those kinds of “getting to know you” questions you ask young people: Do you play sports? What’s your favorite subject? And I told him, no I don’t play any sports. I do theater, I’m in choir, I play the violin and piano, I used to take art classes. And he went WOW. That’s amazing! And I said, “Oh no, but I’m not any good at ANY of them.” And he said something then that I will never forget and which absolutely blew my mind because no one had ever said anything like it to me before: “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them. I think you’ve got all these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that all teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them.” And that honestly changed my life. Because I went from a failure, someone who hadn’t been talented enough at anything to excel, to someone who did things because I enjoyed them. I had been raised in such an achievement-oriented environment, so inundated with the myth of Talent, that I thought it was only worth doing things if you could “Win” at them.”
Finally someone who I can relate to! I started my guitar journey 2 years ago, and I’m not even close to your level! But I’m not giving up. (I’ll be 55 next month lol). Glad to have found you on here! I look forward to more inspirational videos in the future. I’m binge watching your older videos now. Thanks!✌️
Thanks, I wasn't sure about releasing this video but it seems a lot of people have similar feelings. I will be doing some more motivational videos in the future 👍
Something I’ve finally learnt is that every guitar player should get themselves a decent acoustic even if they prefer electric. That way you can pick it up at any time and just practice when you get a chance. Another thing is that if you get a sticking point in a song, SLOW DOWN and just practice that bit over and over again until you can do it. If you try to play the whole thing and keep messing up at that point you will get good at messing up that same bit.
I think it’s very important to fall in love with the process of learning. I mean, slowing down things, repeat them over, feeling overjoyed when a little something is achieved. Also... I’ve been “playing” more or less seriously for 7 years now , when I bought my first electric guitar. But I was so tense and focused on obtaining big goals fast that everything seemed a nightmare from time to time. I even got private lessons for 2 years (!) but never felt that click and I felt discouraged. There have been times when I totally abandoned the whole guitar thing, thinking that I’m not cut for it. Then... abandoning the idea of learning things to be the best and embracing the joy of making nice sounds with my guitar,the joy of learning, I felt much better. Guess what? Now I’m really starting to understand things, sounding better, enjoying guitar as never before. Yes, 7 years were necessary :) but I think I got even a lesson life from all of this. Never give up, relax, be yourself :)
Thanks for this it really confirms something I learned yesterday on my first lesson. That to learn songs you have to break them down in to chunks and then as you say practice them slowly over and over again. That is the way!
Guitar is hard. I picked up bass at 13 and guitar at 16. It just takes practice, but now I am learning piano and it's making music fun again. What helps me is just jamming and having fun with friends, learning new songs, then practicing singing or piano and switching around. I am hard on myself to keep progressing, but like you said, it's better to step back and look at the big picture and appreciate where we are at this point on our progression.
Your timing is impeccable, I sat in my guitar room over the weekend and thought exactly the same. In fact I thought ‘I’m shit’ and maybe I am but I’m not half as shit as I was 6 months ago. I keep chopping from riffs, to chords to theory and can’t see any improvement. But you hit the nail on the head when you said that as you progress the progress is less obvious to see. Thank you buddy 🇬🇧
I’m only 6 months into my guitar journey and I’m barely able to play a coherent tune but I still really enjoy picking up the guitar and practice anything, from scales to learning basic songs.
I've been playing for 7 years or so and cant play a single song completely. The finger skills are there, I can learn a riff or 4-6 fingerstyle bars in 10-30 minutes, but just cant remember a complete song.
I know the feeling .I did not start till i was 55 . I am 61 now, But the route i have took is playing along to jam tracks .learning a song note note is not for me .But for example a jam track in a minor i can play along too . Remember there are no rules when playing . I remember when i first started some guitar teacher said to place your thumb behind the neck . I nearly gave up.
Try the backing jam track version . If you know a little of the pentatonic scales it is a lot easier . You don’t have to play a carbon copy of the song . It’s about getting the feeling of the song . Think of your favourite songs and look for the jamtrack version. Believe me it does work . Now I can play along to songs with vocals too. I am nearly 62 seven years a beginner still .
Just found your channel. It's great!! I have reached my 1 year anniversary of playing guitar 2 days ago, im 36 years old. One thing I've learned is it's truly muscle memory. Its repetition. It may take a thousand times to get a lick to where you can play it without looking or thinking. Once you get there, it may take another thousand to get it to sound good with your fingers in sync. And to keep it that way, you should play it atleast a few times a week through. It's a lot of work. Like learning a language or writing. Eventually you don't even think, it just comes out. The hard thing is not getting discouraged. There have been times when I actually decreased in progression and I got worse. So frustrating. But its part of it. Power through it. My father has been playing over 50 years now. He keeps telling to be relentless. Stopping is not one of the options, just keep going even when you feel you completely suck. You will make it.
I have been playing for almost five years (I started playing in February 2016). Don’t worry about hit plateaus or getting stuck, because it happens to all guitar players of all levels. What I found helpful, is that I copy videos of other players playing songs that I’ve learnt, so if I forget how to play a song, I simply go back to the lesson to refresh my memory. When learning how to play a song, take it slow, and break it up into small pieces. Keep at it, you’ll get there. Great video.
Only joined your posts this week. Enjoy hearing about your journey. I am 75 and picked up the guitar almost 2 years ago . Could play the trumpet a bit but never played a string instrument- actually never even knew what a chord is… A while ago I bought a ukulele and was hooked! It’s much much easier than guitar to at least play songs. I was then talked into trying the guitar. I agree it is a mental and physical challenge that requires a lot of dedication. I can play a few songs- very few of it will be appreciated by others, but I’m enjoying the journey. By the way- others will happily listen to you if you play the ukulele- no matter how badly. Not the same with guitar . I even battle to get a family member listen to me when I think I’m playing something reasonably decent on the guitar. It’s very depressing.But as one of your followers mentioned , you are playing for your own enjoyment- it really is therapeutic!
I appreciate your candor! I'm 37 and just started my guitar journey a couple of weeks ago. I think it's good to be mindful of the hurdles that are undoubtedly ahead. Good luck with your progress!
I taught myself. From 2018. No lessons. Just a looper and passion. I'm sure now at 2.5 years many will say I suck. Or I need lessons. But I spent nearly 30 years drumming and keys. Guitar is a whole different beast. It's not easy man. But I love it. I am passionate about it. That's the main ingredient most teachers online won't tell us....Passion is key.
Keep a practice log. It helps you quantify that you're getting better even when you don't feel it. Practice a new technique for a week or 2 and compare it to day one and you'll get a rush. You must switch your brain from thinking days of practice to weeks and months of practice.
You have some great tips in this video for breaking through the plateaus and recommitting. Personally I found a huge step change in motivation and subsequently results in 3 ways. 1) singing and playing is a lot more fun for me than just instrumental 2) Record your self and play thorough the whole song, benchmark yourself to older performances every month or so. If you have a Mac use Garageband and fire up some drums for your song to play along with 3) set a goal when things open up to go and perform at an open mic. Most are a very supportive environment and you will also meet people you can play with. I'm 71 so I am trying to make the most progress in the time available. Hang in there!
Keep you’re chin up man. I’m 27 and I’ve been playing for 15 years and let me tell you... I’ve had several breaks. After 15 years I still have times where I feel stagnant, but when I look at what I’m able to do and compare to where I was when I started I’m a master compared to then. Everything is starting to piece together. A problem that us guitarists have is that we’re never satisfied. You’ve improved drastically and will continue to do so. I’m also a golfer and golf is the same way. You hit plateaus allllll the time but just take a little break, dust off, and then chase those achievable goals. You’re doing great.
Thanks man, I have commented before because we are in the same boat, mid-forties. Here is my reasoning.... Starting late in life is tough, mainly because we aren't teenagers who have time and friends to hang out with and play together and mess up together! I think music is meant to be played in community, but since we are middle aged men, the pool is less to find other guys who want to hang out and play music / guitar together, and with someone who is a beginner, (they have work and families also!) it simply just makes it tougher! Covid isolates us even more, so it is just tough to get with people. All that to say, I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! Hang in there!
I'm in the UK and the Covid thing stopped my jam sessions with my other middle-aged colleagues, been really down about it and like yourself my practice has hit a brick wall. Then bang! Along you come with another video (as if by magic) and I'm thinking "Yeah, it's not easy but nothing worth having ever is, also our band will get back to playing together again one day so forge on and keep at it. Thank's Luke, you really are an inspiration.
Sorry to hear that Alan and I know they are rolling out the vaccines there but it will be a while. Hopefully not too long before you can get together again.
I’ve owned guitars for 30 years. Used to think buying a new one would make me better, nope. It takes hard work and practice and PATIENCE. Unfortunately I let them sit for about 10 years without picking up. Now that I’m older and looking forward to retirement, I’ve started again, for about the last 2 years. I get frustrated but not as much the older I am, also it’s a journey that you can always get better at(we will never truly master, but get close). Thanks for the video, obviously we all feel this way from time to time! ROCK ON!!!
So true. You speak truth. If it was easy everyone would do it. But hard work pays off. One other thing is. Don't start off with difficult songs. That was my problem.
I often go weeks stuck in a rut with no progress , and then bam ! Almost overnight something just clicks and i suddenly see improvement... Its kinda weird, like my brain finally allowed access or something
I’m around the same stage and really I only do it for me. If I can play along to a song and it sounds half decent I’m happy, yes I’ve bashed the strings in frustration and Slash hasn’t got nothing to worry about but I enjoy it for me. I play upstairs away from my wife and was getting a bit frustrated she came up the stairs just as I was playing along to Shallow from A star is born, she stood there with nearly a year in her eye and said ‘that was brilliant’ That was enough for me, made me feel a million dollars. It’s tiny things that can keep you going.
I've been playing for 40 years Luke and still get times when I want to give it all up, feeling that I can't play and I don't know anything. I've followed your progress and think you've done amazingly well, thanks for your videos and keep up the good work.
Sup guys, I came here looking for inspiration. I have kids, a business, boat, golf cart. I played guitar when I was 15-18. Never took it very serious but got some good foundations. Played a breif 6 month streak at 25. I’m now 36 and been playing 3 months strait. Making good progress and at another level than I ever was. But I will say 1 hr a day won’t cut it. I would strive for 2-4 hours a day. Even if you average 2-4. Some days I only get 30 minutes. Weekends I catch up. I’m staying away from other hobbies like a plague, and I’m hiring people to do house work and boat work so I have my time. Hope this helps people that can relate Almost forgot to mention the biggest hinderance of my progression was not having a proper guitar (I play acoustic) setup. Action must be very low and super light strings - this will reduce tension. You can play louder and harder later
One thing you mentioned that discouraged you: Those songs you worked so hard to play, you couldn't play any more. I can't play very many songs, but one thing I absolutely force myself to do is to play through each song I know at least once per week - not always with the aim of improving, but rather with the aim of just remembering. I just figure it's worth putting some effort into retaining stuff in memory. I doubt even the professionals can retain every song they ever played, but at 18 months your repertoire will be of a managable size I guess.
That is a good idea but yes there are quite a few songs that I have learned. Now you mention it, I remember Justin saying something along the lines of keeping 10 core songs that you can play all the way through and practicing them once a week. Thanks for the reminder.
@@MidlifeGuitar playing them at least once a week is important so you won't forget them. Even guitar players who plays for decades will get rusty if they stop playing for 1 week.
This is what I do too. My memory is pretty bad and I worried that eventually i would forget what I learned. I used to run through them daily but I was getting bored playing them everyday , besides having to practice my routine. Now I just play through them once a week to make sure I don't forget them.
I’ve been playing guitar for 36 years. As you go on there is no way you can play everything you’ve learned once a week. It would be so time consuming you would never learn new songs or skills. Rather, keep a list of all the songs you learn and run through them at times. If you feel weak at playing a song relearn that one and play it once or more a week for a while. It’s like maintenance. You need to understand relearning a song is so,so,so, easier then learning it the first time. All the skill and memory is still there. Just need to wake it up. Hope this helps you and others. 😀
I feel like learning songs all the way through is more of a process of, learning the notes slowly, getting to that one riff that stumps you, learning the notes slowly, acknowledging your technical deficiency, making a few exercises that really emphasise that lack, writing riffs that really lean into that inability then coming back to it after a few months of practise. I've had that phase of banging my head against the wall, repeating a lick over and over and not getting anywhere and it's demotivating. If you make something your own and come back to it I find it can really show you how much you are progressing. Apologies for the long comment but found that's proper helped me out.
Thank you for this video. I am at the six month mark and sometimes I feel like I am not going anywhere but I keep pushing though. I have a guitar teacher that I work with online once a week and I am working on a simple song “silver bells” I am also keep learning music theory it is going slow but I just keep at it. I am 52. years old and I know that I am starting late in life and sometimes I feel I am playing catch-up all the time. I have to constantly remind myself it is not a sprint but a Marathon and I am not racing anyone but myself. Your videos help me a lot so please keeping going forward and I promise you I will as well
For what it is worth I have just checked back in on your channel for the first time in 6 months or so and to me it looks like you have made some good progress. There is no doubt in my mind you are well beyond where I would expect someone with 18 months playing under their belt to be. Keep it up!
I think one of the scenarios that we don't think about is that most of these guitar players that we revere so much wrote their own material. And what we're trying to do is learn what they wrote. Maybe when it comes to guitar playing we should emphasize playing our own material, and see where it takes us. In other words, we should learn to write our own songs. To create our own chord progressions and guitar solos. We struggle to learn other people's songs because we start playing to their musical cadence instead of our own. For example; U2 learn how to play their instruments by writing their own material. They later learned how to play other people's songs because they learn to play that way. It's probably better to learn your own chord progressions and then turn them into something that interests you. That way you'll learn your way around the neck that much quicker. What does everyone else think?
Hi Luke, I just found your channel and im looking forward to watching you progress... My name is Dennis and I started playing guitar at 44 years old in 2011, when i started My wife bought me a cd video set and i was on my way. After about a year i felt like i was in a rut and learning bad habits, so i went out into the world and found a guitar teacher! To me that was the best thing i eve did! With the basics down my teacher could focus on songs and performing instead of just milling around finding things to learn. Also he made me acountable for what i needed to play... i also had a friend that played who i worked together with, pre covid he would bring in his guitar and we would jam at lunch or go hang out at our houses and play.. Anyway i think the next step for you is to find someone to jam with either online or when there is a chance to meet up in your area, either way i think it will help in your playing. It is nerve racking and scary to play with others but you can do it, even if you just strum chords, im sure youre are not as bad as you think, i know im not but ask me and i will say i am... We all have been there and i have too but you have to get back to playng its whorth it, i promise you. As a older starting player myself i know the problems and issues personally, i could write a book about it.. Love the S-6 also that was my first guitar. This is a great idea for a channel for older players, as i have felt alone and an outsider for many years even though i have have friends to play with and a guitar teacher that makes me play in public (im on my 3rd teacher in 9 years) Anyway goodluck and if i can help let me know.. Dennis P.S. I think its been to long since you posted a video with you playing, i want to see your progress now... one more question and i havent watched all your videos but why havent i seen a metronome while your playing? Just asking for a friend!
This is common for all learning. And exercise. Start lifting weights, and you'll gain muscle fast initially, see your body transform pretty fast if you just keep at it and put the hours in. Then you plataeu. And you quit. Only, I didn't. I kept at it and did my 4-6 sessions at the gym, and have been doing so for going on 5 years now, and my body still changes. It just takes more time. It's the same with what you're doing. If you keep finding ways of challenging yourself with new stuff, you WILL get better. Yeah, you might have to be a bit more focused at times, change things up, try a new routine, but you are improving And keep at it and you WILL get better. I mean you obviously have made lots of progress over these 18 months. I am starting out. Playing at home, learning new stuff each day, and I have just bought myself 12 lessons in order to help with structuring my learning and getting som real life feedback from an expert teacher. Just keep at it!
Yep and the biggest thing is you don't notice the changes. Like going to the gym. After a while you won't even notice. Then someone who hasn't seen you for a while will say, "Man, you've been going to the gym a lot? You look great!" Then you realize you just can't see your progress. Re guitar, I think we just forget where we were because we are used to the gradual improvement. I remember starting out and being so frustrated w/ my upstrokes not being smooth then somehow they just smoothed out. I don't remember ever thinking that I was improving, I just remember one day thinking "Wow, you somehow don't have that problem anymore" hah That's been the key for me with guitar. Don't stress too much and just put the time in. One day you won't even notice that thing you just couldn't get is not a problem.
@@RogerThat902 yeah, I've been off and on with the guitar for years, but never learnt properly. Now I decided to get serious, got my first electric and started practicing daily for at least 20 minutes (I often just get into it and practice for hours). And in a couple of weeks I've learnt so much. And what felt impossible yesterday, worked this morning after som sleep and time away. Just a matter of keeping at it once the curve straightens out a bit.
Thanks that makes a lot of sense, and no way am I qutting now. I start with a teacher next week so can't wait to mix it up and hopefully get some 'gains' 👍
@@MidlifeGuitar I've played since I was 8 (now 54) and have had my share of plateaus. To some extent its inevitable and as someone above said, at the beginning you learn so fast that when the pace slows down it feels like plateauing even it is actually more normal pace of learning. That being said, you can notice progress almost on daily basis provided you practice systematically. I think many of non-professional guitar players do not like to practice systematically because it may feel like a job, not a hobby. But it doesn't have to be that way. You said you have tried splitting songs to smaller pieces and practice those one by one. Right move. You're half way there already. Split up difficult parts to smallest possible chunk (locate the most problematic part) and make it a loop you can repeat with metronome. For example in a chord progression, choose two chords and repeat the change between the two again and again until its flawless. Then crank up the metronome by some small amount (1 - 5 bpm, depending..) and repeat until you can do it at the speed the song requires. If you want to become really consistent in your playing, learn to play at least 10-20% faster than the song requires. For me, flawless means: everything sounds good and clean (no extra noises, strings I am not using are damped), timing is spot on, I am not using much force (in fretting) so I've no tensions in my hands/arms. My right hand is anchored and relaxed, and over all playing feels light and easy. I am not pushing it at my limits. Also, I aim for consistent feel in my fretting hand. If for example fretting a chord feels like one (or some) of my fingers is just a tiny tiny bit off, its not flawless enough. I slow down and practice until it feels just right. By practicing this way, everything I learn I learn well. What I learn becomes a solid base on which I can build on with confidence. By using metronome and my flawlessness criteria, I can notice progress almost on daily basis. And that makes practicing feel almost like a fun and rewarding game rather than dull and boring work. Anyway, that's what suits me and I am not saying everybody could or should do it the same way. Just wanted to give my two cents in case someone finds that useful. Oh by the way, beginners often ask what to do when they make a mistake - stop and play the part again or ignore the mistake and continue as if it never happened. I'd say neither. Instead they should slow down and practice in a speed they can play it without mistakes. That's the fastest way to "program" the right moves to your muscle memory. By making mistakes you only learn to make mistakes.
I started my journey on December 14, 2020, so I'm about 18 months behind you. It's so great to have someone else's progress to judge mine against. I'm practicing an hour a day and following Justin's beginner course. But I'm also taking weekly lessons. I am amazed that you played "Blackbird" as early as you did in your journey. From where I am, that seems nearly impossible. I have no advice for you, but I hope you keep at it and keep making progress. Best of luck, and thanks for the inspiration.
Hi first time I have seen your channel and a great video. Totally get what you mean, 10 months into learning lead, oh man. Hope my on it take helps. We assume we are learning music, we are not! Firstly we are teaching our fingers, then our brain. Then once we have done all that we begin to practice practice what we’ve learnt. Hopefully if you made it that far, you eventually have music. The gap between playing and music is filled with all the, finger learning, brain learning and miles of repetition and that’s the challenge that nobody tells you. It’s hard but worth the wait.
Thanks for that - appreciate the honesty. Your encouragement and tips mean so much more because you acknowledge the difficulty in staying motivated and admit you also have been having difficulties. Only been at it for 6 months, 2 hours a day, and it's super hard sometimes to see that any progress is being made and wondering why I'm sticking with it and if I'll ever be able to play a song from start to finish or if I'll ever hit a clean D chord 10 times in a row. Just watching this gave me the feeling of not being able to wait until tonight's practice session. Cheers!
Great motivation mate! After a injury with my foot I had to stop with sports so I decide to try one of the things Ive always wanted to do, playing guitar! First few months were indeed really hard, but with enough dedication and a guideline you can make it!!
One of those old guitar players revisiting the hobby after not taking it seriously for the better part of a decade here. I just got back into it heavily, and I'll say that what has helped me is two things, really: One, that I am picking songs that have a nostalgic tug at the heartstrings. This really helps me transcend trying to play it perfectly and more stringing the notes together to trigger that nostalgic response. And when it comes together -- even for a moment -- it gives you a great rush. And two: experiment with equipment and other areas of guitar beyond the technical playing. I started playing guitar in the early 90s (I'm your age now) and never had the means to really find new sounds. Now, in revisiting it, I'm gaining so much enjoyment over buying cheap pedals, learning how they chain together, and how to produce sounds that I couldn't by just strumming a guitar. This makes me feel accomplished as a musician because it pushes me more toward the world of sound engineering and recording--and learning all the technical elements of how stuff works.
This is perfect motivation for people like me as well- I recently hit a massive plateau but i've kept going. I was playing for 1 year with incorrect picking technique. I'm going to be honest, playing with the proper technique has made guitar much easier and made my playing better recently, and I intend to retrain my hand completely. I'm not good after 1 year of playing but I'm determined to get better, and having people such as you to motivate students like me is worth a lot. I wish you the best of luck in your journey Luke, keep going!
I'm at the six month point, and I still can't do chord changes nor can I play a single song. I think about giving up every day, only just a little bit less than I think about carrying on. I end most practices feeling like I'll never pick up the guitar again. But I've always gone back. I've missed only two days practicing since I began. I can't really say what's keeping me going other than stubborness, and perhaps the idea of finally being able to play something being a fulfilling experience.
Hello I am nearly 62. I have been playing for 7 years . I know what you are going through. Don’t beat yourself up . You mentioned RHCP songs To learn a song note for note is one hell of a ask . But what you could do is jam along to the backing track version. If you know a little about pentatonic scales you can do it . What I did was play along to the track with no vocals . After a while I began to play the songs with vocals . That’s we’re ear training in comes in . For me it’s about getting the feel of the song , not a carbon copy . Believe me it does work . I am jamming to songs not air guitar any more . Hope this helps . Neal.
I’m feeling demoralised at the moment even though I’ve been playing nearly forty years. I think my biggest mistake has been trying to learn too many things instead of concentrating on perfecting a few.
I can relate. I plateaued for a good while when it came to learning barre chords. I spent probably 8 months practicing just them and little else until I felt comfortable. Took me forever to get them down. But I do have them down now very comfortably.
Just wanted to say thank you for your channel. I am 43 and also picked it up during covid. I was using Fender play, but I am so thankful for your review of Justin Guitar. I got the lifetime theory course from Justing and am slowly still going through the main course and it is exactly what I needed and it was because of your recommendation. My journey is similar to yours and I love playing and learning.
I’m currently learning the violin and am actually contemplating retaking the guitar where I had left it alongside my violin because of how easy and relaxing it is to learn compared to the violin. It takes a week to have fun on a guitar and it takes 5 years to have fun on a violin 😭 I’m in my first year of violin, and i have wills to quit but I won’t. Learning an instrument is hard, but it’s so worth it on the long run !! Really appreciate your channel and energy by the way :)
I know exactly what you're talking about. The learning process creates a love/hate relationship with your instrument. I'm a piper (bagpipes) and I painfully recall the long periods of time when seemingly no progress is happening. In fact, I seemed to go backward and get worse at times. I also vividly remember the instant in time when something amazing happened...something clicked. The moment when I no longer needed to think about my finger placements. Muscle memory kicked in and I became a musician. Now, I only need to think about a note and my fingers just automatically go where they need to be. It's like they ave a mind of their own. I also couldn't meaningfully read sheet music for years and years. I noticed the instant that "click" occurred between my brain and fingers, I could also magically read the sheet music and my fingers go where they need to. It was exhilarating. It's as though a new channel opens up in your brain and you no longer need to think about what your hands are doing and can concentrate on the important things like timing, tempo and embellishments. You can truly hear the other instruments playing and really get in time with them or create harmony. It's a long, frustrating plateau but I encourage aspiring musicians to fight through it. I just bought a Fender Telecaster at 58 and am learning. It's coming along quickly and I believe the muscle memory from my piping translates over to other instruments because learning chords is progressing quite fast. I really don't need to think about contorting my fingers into those awkward unnatural positions on the fretboard. They just go there once I spend the time to learn the shapes and practice a bit. I hear the drop-out rate in new guitarists is over 90%. It's even higher in piping. It's a difficult instrument to master so cut yourself some slack. I say stay the course. Be one of the 10%ers cuz quitters never accomplish anything meaningful. What if Eddie Van Halen or Hendrix got frustrated and gave up when it got hard? Can you imagine a world where they never existed?
Just found your channel, good stuff, thanks! I am approaching 62 and have now been playing just over 5 years. I have some physical problems (Bad back, arthritic fingers, blind spots in one eye to name a few) which limit how long and how well I can play but I have been so grateful for my guitar recently: 2 years ago I found I had Prostate cancer, and more recently with lockdown, God knows how I'd have got through without my guitar to distract me. I was lucky that I found Justinguitar and started with that, then found a local school, and in my beginner class met a guy who wanted to play together: obviously not possible just now but if you can find a guitar buddy and can push/help each other it makes a huge difference. Secondly, I started doing Rockschool grades- if I ever think I'm not making progress I can look back at where I was a year ago and it's obvious I can do things now that I couldn't do then: this year has often felt like I made no progress, but I realise I can now do exam pieces at full speed that I was slowing down to 65% a year ago. Started with grade 2 in 2017 and didn't even know where to start learning the songs and I'm now hoping to do grade 5 as soon as exams start again.
You have made a ton of progress! You've also learned to shoot and write high quality content. I'd argue that it's some of the best on RUclips. I crossed my two year bridge last month and was feeling the same way. I've been stagnant with my guitar playing. New year's resolution is to dig in and practice an hour a day. Great video as always.
Love the channel and you have inspired me to give it a go! Going to take some time off and do something for myself and someday hope to just hang out and play with the kid. Lots of catching up to do as she is pretty good, studies in school for it, writes her own stuff, gigs in Nash, she is all in. I think my embrace the suck attitude will serve me well given your experience LOL cheers and keep the channel going.
I’ve been playing for about 2 years now but recently began on electric because I’ve played on my classic until a string snapped. I’m not a pro or a beginner. I fell that I’m kinda in the middle of good. It takes time. Songs that seems simple to play may be harder than you think to make it sound good. Most of the songs you learning is from guitarist that have played at least 5-10 years. Never stop learning!
Don't give up, work on just playing the guitar and improvising rather than trying to overload your mind with knowing songs etc. Try and go down a completely different route and learn classical guitar. There is loads of classical repertoire that can make you feel like you're progressing very fast. lots of people think that learning guitar comes easy and fast but it doesn't it requires diligent practice, patience and exploration. The best way to do it is to record yourself as much as you can when you practice and when you look back you will feel great.
Thank you. I started my guitar journey in 2019 I July when I bought my first electric. Now I’m also feeling that I am not coming anywhere with my development as a guitar player. But I will carry on and it feels better when I hear that it is just a overcoming faze. I love the instrument and really want to learn more. But I have no really goal and jumps on different things like learning the fretboard, learning chords and tabulation in a crazy mix...my wish is that once a week I could go to a guitar teacher that gives me things to practice on and then in between go and play a backing tracks or something like that. I have looked after private lessons but I think it is really expensive. But somehow I will progress! I will not quit the guitar. Thanks for the word and thank you for your thoughts about this. 👍👍
Hi Luke, great videos. It happens that we both started at about the same time so it's been interesting watching your progress. You are way ahead of me but I'm older than you so that's my excuse. I tend not to vary my practice much; I've been learning only 4 songs for the past 6/7 months but I think it's good to be able to work on the small things e.g. steady rhythm, consistency of strumming, fluent chord changes etc. I have also founf that singing and playing adds another dimension. Keep up the good work. Ben
Glad its not just me feeling the same way, i started when you did and have been following your journey. I was just thinking the other day that you'd be miles ahead of me now with my recent plateau. Even changing my practise routine i still don't feel like i'm making any progress the last few months. Ive even thought about giving it up altogether. Completely understand your frustration but do know you're not alone.. At the moment I'm just learning songs i actually like to keep myself motivated. As long as we keep playing i'm sure we'll move past this rut soon enough, I'm trying not to compare myself to anyone and just walk through this journey at my own pace.
Thanks, from the response this video has received I think we are not alone. There are a lot of people who feel this way and it is likely a big reason why many people quit at some point in their journey. I am definitely not though and I'm glad to hear you aren't either. We can get there!
@midlife Guitar For me it was actually buying a focusrite and putting together covers with good backing tracks. It helped me focus and have some type of deliverable that was showing me my progress. A little gratification goes a long way.
Finding a competent teacher that will work on your gaps will do wonders for you. Most often, you aren't aware of what you are doing incorrectly and is most likely the source of what's holding back your progression as a musician. There are plenty of big-time players right now that are grounded due to COVID-19 and are teaching online. You would also be surprised how grounded and humble they are. They all know and empathize with the struggles you are having. You have to get constructive feedback from someone who is competent, this is where just one-way video tutorials fall short.
Same exact thing going on for me over here in the States... *theoretically* the pandemic fiasco (and other craziness here) has afforded me a bit more free time for guitar due to less time on the road for work... but the reality is that it feels like one more soul sapping chore that adds to general exhaustion... I'd say the exact opposite of its intent. But it's also this weird loop too because I keep coming back to it since *there's just not a lot of other things to do* hahaha... so I am in an every few days cycle of enjoying it / feeling sort of inspired and absolutely dreading continuing to muck things up... I've been playing about 8 years - dragging myself up from absolutely no musical experience whatsoever... I try to keep things in perspective as to the amazing things I *can* do now... but they aren't anything coherent that could really constitute a song or proficiency... flashes in the dark at times - but generally just overall pretty overwhelming and discouraging, to be honest... I'm searching for the sound but I'm not sure that at some stage there isn't just a point where you either have something in you that dials it in or you just don't... I'm trying to figure out my personal criteria for making that call and moving on...
Luke, I've been telling myself for two months not to compare my playing with yours, but it's difficult when you play so well. I avoid watching Jeff Beck, Jaco and SRV to avoid further frustration. Your pep talks really are helpful to us covid strummers. Thanks.
I make an mp3 of playlist of songs I know and what to really cement in my repertoire and I make sure I play along to those song once a week or so. My practice schedule: Warm up (this includes things like finger strength/speed exercises played along to a metronome Fretboard memorise Scales Lead technique / Rhythm technique Learn a song Play a song I already know Improvise
Picking is like golf to me. It can never be perfected. It can only be played and (sometimes) enjoyed. Enjoy every plateau because it took many hours of work and effort to get there. Even the best climbers take rests on the way up Everest. The passion to play and improve, and the love of music have been the keys for me over the last 35 years. That always keeps me coming back.
Good video. Right now I'm frustrated with not being able to play under the bridge, 😂 the one in the begining of this video. I tried 6 months ago, gave up, studied and practiced more exercises, now trying again. So I play something easy like Dark Necessities and then back to the hard ones.
I know then exact feeling.. I’ve also got to that point where you think what now? When in fact there is so much more to learn about the guitar. I have a lot of songs I have learnt on my phone, either in my notes or my Guitar Tab Pro app. I have learnt them and can play them but cannot memorise them. I play them through each week. It switches me off from the daily pressures of Covid, kids and working from home! lol. What I have now done also is learning new chords. I have printed a chord chart, highlighted all the ones I have learned and I’m now working on the ones I haven’t learnt so I can play new songs by my favourites bands. Not random chords but chords I need to learn and memorise to play my favourite songs, that way you remember them more. I find the acoustic to be less of an obstacle and you can just pick it up and strum unlike the electric. Anyway, hope this helps, keep doing what your doing :) EDIT - Forgot to say... another technique I have added to my learning is to learn all the acoustic and electric solos in a song. One I recommend is Pink Floyd - Mother.. very easy chord progression only G, C, D and F but with an excellent solo halfway through. Floyd may not be for you but I found this enjoyable. I’m nearly there with the solo, just need to speed it up! :)
I know how you feel. I started playing in late 2019, and I've also forgot most of the tunes I've tried to learn over the year. I have not followed a guitar course online, but when ever I hear something in a song I want to learn. That's what I'll start learning (search: How to play......) Because what makes me pick up the guitar and play, is to play something I like. Now, because I have very thick fingers, I couldn't play chords at first, and I still can't play chords on some guitars. But after replacing the nut with a nut, I've made myself with wider string spacing, on some of my guitars, I have finally in the last couple of months begun to learn chords. Pretty much the whole first year I only played lead guitar, and that eventually led me into chords. But I'm still a beginner, and if you want to follow me on my journey, head over to my channel.
It happens to everyone. Ive technically been on a plateau for years, cause i always play the same stuff. But most of the time it does not bother me because im at a level which is not very high admittedly but high enough to write the songs i want to write. which was my goal in the first place. Writing songs, playing with other people and sharing music is much more inspiring to me than working on technique. Playing with other people in particular is very beneficial. For example i never bothered to sit down working through scales with a metronome. But i got into recording lately and now im working on my timing this way while working on a song instead of forcing it. Do what you enjoy doing. Doesnt mean its not a good thing to practice technique. But sometimes i think people can get lost and forget that this is about making music with and/or for other people. Dont wait with that until youve perfected everything.
I’ve been regularly going into battle with my guitars for decades Luke! Even though it can seem like war sometimes, it isn’t. It’s just the price of admission to the hallowed halls of our guitar gods that inspire us. As you said, if it was easy everyone would be an accomplished musician. It’s the reason why there are so many drummers, 😂. Set yourself realistic goals and don’t forget your fundamentals. It’s that foundation which everything else is built upon. Even though I ran out of talent myself years ago, (i still contemplate selling all my gear when I come across people who could make a stringed shovel sound great), it’s all about levels and knowing where your level is at any given time. Keep at it, but don’t be afraid to walk away from the instrument for a while if it means you stay hungry to try and master it. I like to think by turning my back on my guitars now and again I teach them who’s master. But not for to long!. (Was going to make a cheeky reference to a guitar being like a woman but would of probably got slaughtered for it Lol.) Practicing technique is a good thing but don’t forget the reason why you picked the guitar up in the first place, to create music, however simple the song is. It would be like attending football training twice a week but never playing the game at the weekend. Not even as a simple kick around with a few friends at your local park. What’s the point. Good luck on your journey. I got a feeling a lot of people will be taking it with you, especially during this bloody Pandemic.
Well said, I think my goals have fallen off the rails and I have been too focused on just learning difficult songs rather than mixing it up and having fun with it.
Hello,hello,im 46 and 5 mths ago new nothing about guitar,iv always wanted to learn so as i said 5 mths ago got a steel string acousic,and i felt silly even when i first held it,coz iv never held a guitar before,but now,(not gonna say im opening for U2)but now i can play a couple of songs and bits and pieces,but you have made brilliant progress,its mad,i didnt think it would be as hard,but good fun,me fingers are alright toughened up,but yeah its great,i do pick me guitar up strum a few chords and put it back down,like i didnt even know how many strings were on a guitar,never mind EADGBE,but yeah you have done well,nice 1
I originally started trying to learn to play guitar in December 2019. I quit trying in March 2020. Time went by and I would constantly see my guitar sitting there untouched. I had some medical issues that led to some surgeries in the summer and fall of 2020...with time on my hands I rethought my giving up on guitar. I decided to pick it back up in late September. I promised myself I would give it at least 15 minutes a day and try to not skip more than 2 days a week. Since that time I have only skipped a total of 6 days most of which were around the holidays. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m closer today than I was yesterday. I get frustrated and think I’m never going to get this when learning a technique or song, but I make myself try again and then all of a sudden I get it! I’m sure this will continue through my journey. However, one thing is for sure...if I stop trying I am guaranteed not to get it, but if I push forward it’s guaranteed I have a chance of getting it! I know this much I’ve always wanted to learn since I was very young and my parents would not let me (they made me take piano instead). I now at the age of 49 do not have anyone saying I can’t do it. So I’m not about to give up on myself this time. The thing that has helped me the most is if I’m having trouble with something to the point of wanting to give up, I will switch to learning something different then come back to what was giving me trouble a few days earlier and it normally clicks when I try again. Learning at home by videos is not always the easiest way (which is what I’m doing) as you have no one to give you feedback. So just be easier on yourself and remember why you started in the first place. If any of us quit, we are actually quitting on ourselves and you are guaranteed not to learn the guitar! Oh and usually that 15 minutes a day I promised myself usually turns into 1-2 hours because I get so caught up in what I’m learning!
@@SVR1968 yes definitely! I have found some good teachers on RUclips and I am absolutely loving my time learning. I would love to do in person lesson, however at the moment with COVID most people are not doing them. So I will continue on RUclips and maybe soon I can get at least a few in person lessons. Thank you for the advice and encouragement!
This is a great vid and from a teacher point of view I hear a lot of what you have explained in your experiences. Just going back and re-learning some more basic stuff can really help get the motivation up again. You'll see improvements from you tried before and you can then work on other things like timing and work on tone/sound. My whole channel is dedicated to the early beginner to intermediate and I'm always trying to make things as easy as possible to have that feeling of WINNING. Which is like you say sometimes difficult.
watched your video a few times. Totally understandable. I am not playing a year now and I am more than happy with my progress. But I don't really play too many songs. I did the Justin beginners course and I am keen to see the intermediate stuff that he is actually preparing. I started to lay through some more complex songs but this has never been my motivation. So towards the end of Justins course I have discovered the BLUES. This is my thing. I am working thorough some of the basic blues courses with TRUEFIRE. This gives me structure and all is divided in manageable steps. Rather than playing trough songs I have started to play with backing tracks and started to improvise, this is so much fun. I still practice chord progressions and some songs, but the blues really got me hooked. I realy hope that you will keep going, I like watching our vides.
Me and you have a lot in common. We both moved from acoustic to electric, different styles. We both buy new stuff which we use as a motivation. If u look at youtubers like davidplaysguitar, that kid followed online lessons for only 3 months, after that he just kept learning songs he liked and after 2 years he bacame amazing fingerstyle player, however he then switched to electric and he sounds like a beginner againg. There is a youtuber called Gus, absolute phenomenal fingerstyle player, he followed lessons very shorts and just started to learn songs he liked. There is also a youtuber Marco Cirillo, he went to classical guitar school 4 years. After finishing that he went to academy or something for electric, he says that period was the worst of his journey because he couldnt even use a pick. Point of the story is, progress is there if u stick with a style. I dont know what i will do. I love fingerstyle, i bought guitar inspired by tommy emmanuel and sungha yung, but then i found artists like john mayer, andy timmons, genres like blues, lo-fi. I cant decide what to play. And i KNOW that im gonna suck for 10 years if i keep trying to learn both
A good thing to do when you hit a stagnation is to try and make your own song. You know enough chords at this stage. Put a chord progression together and start layering parts. It may not be the greatest song ever but it keeps you playing and gives you a good understanding of song structure and may make you learn something new because you need it for that song part. I think you can get bored by learning a song for hours/days/weeks. The problem isn’t necessarily the song it’s that you lack the technique and understanding to grasp the song in a length of time that’s not frustrating and demoralising. I mentioned it in a comment a while back but CAGED with the corresponding arpeggios and scales will make it all so much easier because when you encounter virtually any song you’ve already learned the basis of the song with CAGED etc
Thanks, that is a great idea! and also learning the CAGED system is right up the top of my list to help support the style I am interested in. So you are bang on the money there.
@@MidlifeGuitar I got my spark amp btw. Delivery time was pretty good. The Yamaha THR has been relegated to a decoration now. Even if the Yamaha was the same price or cheaper than the spark it’s still not worth getting the Yamaha im. The fact that the spark is cheaper and has an app that they could sell on its own makes it a clear winner. The app makes changing amps/tone etc so quick and easy. If you maybe have a quick 15 mins here and there (usually with headphones) it’s perfect. You can also connect it easily to your DAW to record your new hit song! I demand (lol) the next video be you making your own track
The problem with stagnation is that guitar players have boxed themselves into it and are not expanding. When I became stagnating I leanred how to play Flamenco especially Rumba Flamenca now playing any kind of chords is fun due to percussive nature of flamenco. After that I watched videos of Eastern music played on Baglama, Setar, Tar etc... and started emulating that style by tuning my guitar to Baouzuki tuning (DADDGG or DADDAA). Then I started mixing Rumba with "Bouzuki" and the sound was pretty EDM like etc... The point of my comment is to always expand your musical taste and incorporate different elements into your playing even if musical genre is not intended for guitar you can still emulate the rhythm at least. Stagnation happens when your scope of music is pretty narrow aka you want to learn x specific genre and once you learn it thats it... Playing music should be fun for you and just because you like X genre doesn't mean you like to play the said genre. I like punk and grunge but I like to play this wierd flamenco/funk fusion.
Luke we’ve talked in the beginning of your journey which was the start of mine. Your doing great mate. I have to say I started writing this at the start of your video. You nailed on the head what I was thinking which I’ve come to realize myself; why did we start playing in the first place. I think we place a lot of expectations on ourselves once we do something new. I want to come in and riff like John Maier which I still cannot, I want to pick up and play Fire and Rain just like James Taylor which still sounds horrible when I try. But like you pointed out for all the effort I step back and if I respect my progress I feel better about it. I have one song that I have kept focus on which is fairly easy and I can pick up and play it every time and that is kinda grounding. Maybe we could all pick a tune learn and play on like zoom or something, just an idea. Create a little network. Music with people who are in the same place I’ve been told are a great way to stay motivated. Cheers Luke.
Hey man, I started playing roughly around the same time you did. I'll say I've experienced everything you have. Especially the one about playing in front of people. In a one on one setting, if I'm not comfortable with that person, I struggle to play stuff I KNOW I can play well. Also, I forget about tons of songs I can play easily. I do play for my church now, and that has helped a ton. I feel like I'm better at guitar than I ever thought I'd be... And I'm not even that good lol! Learning the guitar is a great journey and I'm happy I picked it up. Side note, can you send me your camera/mic/lighting set up? Would appreciate it, thanks brother!
The main source of motivation is playing in a band. It doesn't matter what band, or what songs, at what level of sophistication of playing, but playing in a band helps us tackle music from different perspectives and solve different problems. But solo playing at home has severe limits, because we are draining ourselves to find 1) motivation, 2) time, and 3) material to play. With a band, all of it is much easier. Even if you know just 10 chords, a band can make them into 100 new songs, make up new lyrics, etc. which makes playing more interesting. If you don't have a band, then to invigorate your playing you MUST try composing own songs, using whatever knowledge of guitar you have. You must create new content (even re-arranging existing songs is some form of creativity). There is no other way: A) play in a band, or B) create own songs.
I can totally relate to this. I was so enthusiastic to play for 7 or 8 years, then for the last 6 months I'm not at all motivated and have not practiced at all. I love guitar and don't want to completely quit!!
Just learned to play by myself a few months ago and figured out I can only go so far alone, so I just started lessons with a teacher. First lesson already had more things "click" then a couple of weeks on RUclips. I love the whole process, I don't care to play in a band, I play for my own entertainment.
Mood and attitude affect a lot our playing and progress. Sometimes Its better 10 minutes of practise in the right mood and with a focused attitude than 3 hours playing and thinking "why am I even doing this?". I think It's an important point too. Let's have some fun playing , even if It doesnt sound as we wished (YET). Its something that comes from us... We are playing something ... We do that! Can you believe It? Thats enough reason not to give up. To keep learning and feeding ourselves with self made music. Not everybody has the courage to take a new instrument and learn It, or to struggle with the difficulty of just understanding something new (and so hard as music is). Let's keep fighting. Pardon my english, not my language. :) Keep doing your nice Work and I advice not to rush things. A tree needs time to grow high. Some grow faster but with time, they make it.
This is the time to get a qualified teacher who can help you figure out your next step. Even you just take a months worth, go in and tell them what's going on and that you need help and you will get pointed in the right direction! :) I went through this with piano.
I have definitely been there and slowly gave up for a good few years. I starting giving my excuses for not playing that day, which turned into a week, month, year, years. Also, I fell into the trap - I didn’t play because I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be and wasn’t as good as I didn’t play. However, in not particular order, things that helped me: 1. Listen to the songs/music that got me excited to play guitar in the first instance. Try to rekindle that spark. For me that was Slash 2. Interact with other people with the same interests 3. Try something different- for me it was learning to improvise. 4. Try something new - for me it was joining zombieguitar to help my improvise - see 3 5. Set goals, both short and long term 6. Try and learn something new, every time I pick up the guitar even if it’s just a riff 7. Play along to your favourite songs - I do this for fun but also, to keep my repertoire songs in my muscle memory 8. I do exercises from a book called basic guitar workout by David Mead. I keep a track of the BPM I did that day - so when I am feeling down and don’t see any improvement- I can look back and see what my old BPM used to be - a tangible and measurable way for me to see improvement. Phew - that went on a bit Hope it helps even a little. Ps - always hear to help.
Hi Luke what online lessons have you found most useful, I find guitar hard as many of the sites don’t really teach in a way that’s helpful. Some either are way too hard way too fast and others your playing nursery rhymes. Others you play tiny bits of songs, not full versions. The reason I think it’s so hard as I’ve yet to find that system which teaches you the mix of what you need to know with complete songs. Unless you use multiple resources this is very tricky, hence why many seem overwhelmed and quit. I have tried so many of them and not found one that I would really recommend to anyone unless of course you combine several resources. But interested to hear your opinion, I should state I’m also an adult beginner. Talking to others many share the same experience as me.
I've been playing guitar for two years and really felt the plateau at around the 18 month mark as well. The one thing that made me feel like I started progressing again was leaving the guitar pick and start studying solely finger picking. It opened a whole new world of possibilities and since then I've been feeling I'm progressing quite decently.
Great to hear! I have a focus I just don't know how to get there exactly with out some help so I have just signed up with a guitar teacher and start on Monday.
Watch your own clips from your earliest uploads! Youve made loads of progress over your time. You are only feeling bad because you are subconsciously comparing yourself to some idealised or external goals or perceptions of what is acceptable progress! Just do what you want and keep going. (Lol I was typing this when you made a similar point!)
I know the feeling. I’ve been playing 12ish years on and off. Just recently back after a whole year off. The most motivated I ever was was when I had in person lessons. Every time I hit a wall, they were there to help or even pivot to some other thing that would indirectly help. I struggle from information overload and choosing something to stick with. Jam play just had too much to wade through and became a distraction to playing. I got inspired to pick it back up after watching Michael palmisanos guitar teacher reacts videos, especially the empty promises video. Joined his guitar gate site which has a set progression and only a small number of courses for £7 a month and have learnt more in the last few months now courses 2 and 3 than the last few years. I’m really enjoying it again, hope you get there again too
I'm pleased to hear you got back on the right path. I'm actually starting lessons with a guitar teacher next week so I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes. Did you set up specific goals or talk about exactly what you wanted to do with yours? or just talk about broad ideas and let them make up a path for you?
@@MidlifeGuitar the first session we looked at where is was technically (not very far) and what goals I had. Also what music i like and what drew me to guitar. We then did a mix of theory, technique, and also learning songs so I could switch between learning and enjoying. I plan on starting lessons with a teacher once the lockdown is lifted and I hit my next wall
Has anyone felt like their "guitar journey" is in retrograde? I started learning guitar (for the 234th time) around 15 months ago. As the time progressed, I could tell there was some improvement, with some months better than others. Then came the end of November. My enthusiasm began to wane and I started feeling that my playing was getting worse! I don't want to record myself, but other RUclips guitarists/teachers suggest that it is the best way to see development, so I bit the bullet and bought a digital recorder. I just hope it doesn't add to my discouragement.
Thanks for the videos. Your doing great! I started playing 1 1/2 years ago and I am only half as far as you are. I'm 53, dominant left handed, I have limited use of my right hand(fretting hand) fingers. I have about 85% use of my fingers due to an auto accident at 17 but I am still trying to push through and still working at 2 jobs 60 hours a week. I feel like I am way behind and I have to remind myself I started doing this to have fun and not to be a rock star! Lol I just bought a left handed cheaper electric guitar but trying to figure out where to start with that as well. What would be some courses you would recommend? Thanks again!
Think I’ve mentioned before ... I’m a drummer and have been since I was young, don’t play as much these these days, but that’s OK. I took up the guitar because I always wanted to and the pandemic gave me the opportunity. I’ve been playing since last June and made swift progress but like you have hit that plateau. For me it’s OK, I don’t mind I had great fun playing when I was younger, but if I may offer you some friendly advice, that will definitely lift your game ... find some other musicians either a group of guitarists or just other musicians and play with them. Don’t worry about the polish, just enjoy playing and applying what you’ve learnt to a musical context and have fun, other musicians will definitely pull you along. As a young drummer, three of us used to get together regularly with pads work through chops, rudiments and share stuff yeah we took the pee out of each other and wanted to be the ‘best’ but it was lighthearted and it took our playing to a whole new level compared to our peers. You play well, it’s all there, but practicing stuff on your own lacks the feedback you need, and I bet you something will click .... stay with it and hang out with some musicians, I intend to when the lockdown lifts ... it takes the loneliness out of practice oh and don’t wait until you ‘think you’re good enough’ or you’ll never do it. Proper musos will encourage, nurture and support (maybe with a hint of banter!) G’luck buddy you’re ready for it .... 😊
Well, you speak for millions. I agree with so much of what you said though. For example, don't compare yourself with others. No matter who you are, there is someone more able than you, at least in a particular domain. And also don't compare yourself with where you want to be. Goals are good but can be to your detriment if they prevent you from enjoying where you are and what you are doing at the moment. On the GuitarTricks forum, Deb48 posted this quote from Kurt Vonnegut which I believe is also relevant.
By Kurt Vonnegut:
“When I was 15, I spent a month working on an archeological dig. I was talking to one of the archeologists one day during our lunch break and he asked those kinds of “getting to know you” questions you ask young people: Do you play sports? What’s your favorite subject? And I told him, no I don’t play any sports. I do theater, I’m in choir, I play the violin and piano, I used to take art classes.
And he went WOW. That’s amazing! And I said, “Oh no, but I’m not any good at ANY of them.”
And he said something then that I will never forget and which absolutely blew my mind because no one had ever said anything like it to me before: “I don’t think being good at things is the point of doing them. I think you’ve got all these wonderful experiences with different skills, and that all teaches you things and makes you an interesting person, no matter how well you do them.”
And that honestly changed my life. Because I went from a failure, someone who hadn’t been talented enough at anything to excel, to someone who did things because I enjoyed them. I had been raised in such an achievement-oriented environment, so inundated with the myth of Talent, that I thought it was only worth doing things if you could “Win” at them.”
That is an extremely relevant and insightful quote. I find it very grounding and it helps lift that expectation off your shoulders, thank you 👍
This is asinine if you're trying to do something with guitar playing, like making music.
Finally someone who I can relate to! I started my guitar journey 2 years ago, and I’m not even close to your level! But I’m not giving up. (I’ll be 55 next month lol). Glad to have found you on here! I look forward to more inspirational videos in the future. I’m binge watching your older videos now. Thanks!✌️
Thanks, I wasn't sure about releasing this video but it seems a lot of people have similar feelings. I will be doing some more motivational videos in the future 👍
Something I’ve finally learnt is that every guitar player should get themselves a decent acoustic even if they prefer electric. That way you can pick it up at any time and just practice when you get a chance. Another thing is that if you get a sticking point in a song, SLOW DOWN and just practice that bit over and over again until you can do it. If you try to play the whole thing and keep messing up at that point you will get good at messing up that same bit.
I think it’s very important to fall in love with the process of learning. I mean, slowing down things, repeat them over, feeling overjoyed when a little something is achieved.
Also... I’ve been “playing” more or less seriously for 7 years now , when I bought my first electric guitar. But I was so tense and focused on obtaining big goals fast that everything seemed a nightmare from time to time. I even got private lessons for 2 years (!) but never felt that click and I felt discouraged.
There have been times when I totally abandoned the whole guitar thing, thinking that I’m not cut for it. Then... abandoning the idea of learning things to be the best and embracing the joy of making nice sounds with my guitar,the joy of learning, I felt much better.
Guess what? Now I’m really starting to understand things, sounding better, enjoying guitar as never before. Yes, 7 years were necessary :) but I think I got even a lesson life from all of this.
Never give up, relax, be yourself :)
Thanks for this it really confirms something I learned yesterday on my first lesson. That to learn songs you have to break them down in to chunks and then as you say practice them slowly over and over again. That is the way!
Guitar is hard. I picked up bass at 13 and guitar at 16. It just takes practice, but now I am learning piano and it's making music fun again. What helps me is just jamming and having fun with friends, learning new songs, then practicing singing or piano and switching around. I am hard on myself to keep progressing, but like you said, it's better to step back and look at the big picture and appreciate where we are at this point on our progression.
I look forward to the post pandemic surge in used guitars for sale. :)
haha 👍
Your timing is impeccable, I sat in my guitar room over the weekend and thought exactly the same. In fact I thought ‘I’m shit’ and maybe I am but I’m not half as shit as I was 6 months ago. I keep chopping from riffs, to chords to theory and can’t see any improvement. But you hit the nail on the head when you said that as you progress the progress is less obvious to see. Thank you buddy 🇬🇧
I’m only 6 months into my guitar journey and I’m barely able to play a coherent tune but I still really enjoy picking up the guitar and practice anything, from scales to learning basic songs.
I've been playing for 7 years or so and cant play a single song completely. The finger skills are there, I can learn a riff or 4-6 fingerstyle bars in 10-30 minutes, but just cant remember a complete song.
I know the feeling .I did not start till i was 55 . I am 61 now, But the route i have took is playing along to jam tracks .learning a song note note is not for me .But for example a jam track in a minor i can play along too . Remember there are no rules when playing . I remember when i first started some guitar teacher said to place your thumb behind the neck . I nearly gave up.
Try the backing jam track version . If you know a little of the pentatonic scales it is a lot easier . You don’t have to play a carbon copy of the song . It’s about getting the feeling of the song . Think of your favourite songs and look for the jamtrack version. Believe me it does work . Now I can play along to songs with vocals too. I am nearly 62 seven years a beginner still .
There's always that one movement of finger that i can't get done in 4 5 attempts and i move on to next
Thanks for sharing. How much time have you spent (very) regularly on learning the fretboard by heart, music theory and playing songs from score?
Just found your channel. It's great!! I have reached my 1 year anniversary of playing guitar 2 days ago, im 36 years old. One thing I've learned is it's truly muscle memory. Its repetition. It may take a thousand times to get a lick to where you can play it without looking or thinking. Once you get there, it may take another thousand to get it to sound good with your fingers in sync. And to keep it that way, you should play it atleast a few times a week through. It's a lot of work. Like learning a language or writing. Eventually you don't even think, it just comes out. The hard thing is not getting discouraged. There have been times when I actually decreased in progression and I got worse. So frustrating. But its part of it. Power through it. My father has been playing over 50 years now. He keeps telling to be relentless. Stopping is not one of the options, just keep going even when you feel you completely suck. You will make it.
I have been playing for almost five years (I started playing in February 2016).
Don’t worry about hit plateaus or getting stuck, because it happens to all guitar players of all levels.
What I found helpful, is that I copy videos of other players playing songs that I’ve learnt, so if I forget how to play a song, I simply go back to the lesson to refresh my memory.
When learning how to play a song, take it slow, and break it up into small pieces.
Keep at it, you’ll get there.
Great video.
Only joined your posts this week. Enjoy hearing about your journey. I am 75 and picked up the guitar almost 2 years ago . Could play the trumpet a bit but never played a string instrument- actually never even knew what a chord is…
A while ago I bought a ukulele and was hooked! It’s much much easier than guitar to at least play songs.
I was then talked into trying the guitar. I agree it is a mental and physical challenge that requires a lot of dedication.
I can play a few songs- very few of it will be appreciated by others, but I’m enjoying the journey.
By the way- others will happily listen to you if you play the ukulele- no matter how badly. Not the same with guitar . I even battle to get a family member listen to me when I think I’m playing something reasonably decent on the guitar. It’s very depressing.But as one of your followers mentioned , you are playing for your own enjoyment- it really is therapeutic!
I appreciate your candor! I'm 37 and just started my guitar journey a couple of weeks ago. I think it's good to be mindful of the hurdles that are undoubtedly ahead. Good luck with your progress!
Thanks, I look forward to hearing how you get on, good luck.
I taught myself. From 2018. No lessons. Just a looper and passion. I'm sure now at 2.5 years many will say I suck. Or I need lessons. But I spent nearly 30 years drumming and keys. Guitar is a whole different beast. It's not easy man. But I love it. I am passionate about it. That's the main ingredient most teachers online won't tell us....Passion is key.
Keep a practice log. It helps you quantify that you're getting better even when you don't feel it. Practice a new technique for a week or 2 and compare it to day one and you'll get a rush. You must switch your brain from thinking days of practice to weeks and months of practice.
I really have appreciated this channel and routinely come back to it for inspiration. How's it going now?
You have some great tips in this video for breaking through the plateaus and recommitting. Personally I found a huge step change in motivation and subsequently results in 3 ways. 1) singing and playing is a lot more fun for me than just instrumental 2) Record your self and play thorough the whole song, benchmark yourself to older performances every month or so. If you have a Mac use Garageband and fire up some drums for your song to play along with 3) set a goal when things open up to go and perform at an open mic. Most are a very supportive environment and you will also meet people you can play with. I'm 71 so I am trying to make the most progress in the time available. Hang in there!
Keep you’re chin up man. I’m 27 and I’ve been playing for 15 years and let me tell you... I’ve had several breaks. After 15 years I still have times where I feel stagnant, but when I look at what I’m able to do and compare to where I was when I started I’m a master compared to then. Everything is starting to piece together. A problem that us guitarists have is that we’re never satisfied. You’ve improved drastically and will continue to do so. I’m also a golfer and golf is the same way. You hit plateaus allllll the time but just take a little break, dust off, and then chase those achievable goals. You’re doing great.
Thanks man, I have commented before because we are in the same boat, mid-forties. Here is my reasoning.... Starting late in life is tough, mainly because we aren't teenagers who have time and friends to hang out with and play together and mess up together! I think music is meant to be played in community, but since we are middle aged men, the pool is less to find other guys who want to hang out and play music / guitar together, and with someone who is a beginner, (they have work and families also!) it simply just makes it tougher! Covid isolates us even more, so it is just tough to get with people. All that to say, I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! Hang in there!
I'm in the UK and the Covid thing stopped my jam sessions with my other middle-aged colleagues, been really down about it and like yourself my practice has hit a brick wall. Then bang! Along you come with another video (as if by magic) and I'm thinking "Yeah, it's not easy but nothing worth having ever is, also our band will get back to playing together again one day so forge on and keep at it. Thank's Luke, you really are an inspiration.
Sorry to hear that Alan and I know they are rolling out the vaccines there but it will be a while. Hopefully not too long before you can get together again.
I’ve owned guitars for 30 years. Used to think buying a new one would make me better, nope. It takes hard work and practice and PATIENCE. Unfortunately I let them sit for about 10 years without picking up. Now that I’m older and looking forward to retirement, I’ve started again, for about the last 2 years. I get frustrated but not as much the older I am, also it’s a journey that you can always get better at(we will never truly master, but get close). Thanks for the video, obviously we all feel this way from time to time! ROCK ON!!!
So true. You speak truth. If it was easy everyone would do it. But hard work pays off. One other thing is. Don't start off with difficult songs. That was my problem.
Such a _savage_ instrument to learn to play!
I often go weeks stuck in a rut with no progress , and then bam ! Almost overnight something just clicks and i suddenly see improvement...
Its kinda weird, like my brain finally allowed access or something
I’m around the same stage and really I only do it for me. If I can play along to a song and it sounds half decent I’m happy, yes I’ve bashed the strings in frustration and Slash hasn’t got nothing to worry about but I enjoy it for me. I play upstairs away from my wife and was getting a bit frustrated she came up the stairs just as I was playing along to Shallow from A star is born, she stood there with nearly a year in her eye and said ‘that was brilliant’ That was enough for me, made me feel a million dollars. It’s tiny things that can keep you going.
That's what its all about. The small things matter more. Play that song that make you happy.
You gotta start when your young, the common thong really good players have in common is that they started as a kid.
I've been playing for 40 years Luke and still get times when I want to give it all up, feeling that I can't play and I don't know anything. I've followed your progress and think you've done amazingly well, thanks for your videos and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the support, I guess it just a natural part of the process. I am keen to get cracking again now.
Your videos motivate me so much. Thank you!
Sup guys, I came here looking for inspiration. I have kids, a business, boat, golf cart.
I played guitar when I was 15-18. Never took it very serious but got some good foundations.
Played a breif 6 month streak at 25.
I’m now 36 and been playing 3 months strait.
Making good progress and at another level than I ever was. But I will say 1 hr a day won’t cut it. I would strive for 2-4 hours a day. Even if you average 2-4. Some days I only get 30 minutes. Weekends I catch up.
I’m staying away from other hobbies like a plague, and I’m hiring people to do house work and boat work so I have my time. Hope this helps people that can relate
Almost forgot to mention the biggest hinderance of my progression was not having a proper guitar (I play acoustic) setup. Action must be very low and super light strings - this will reduce tension. You can play louder and harder later
One thing you mentioned that discouraged you: Those songs you worked so hard to play, you couldn't play any more. I can't play very many songs, but one thing I absolutely force myself to do is to play through each song I know at least once per week - not always with the aim of improving, but rather with the aim of just remembering. I just figure it's worth putting some effort into retaining stuff in memory. I doubt even the professionals can retain every song they ever played, but at 18 months your repertoire will be of a managable size I guess.
That is a good idea but yes there are quite a few songs that I have learned. Now you mention it, I remember Justin saying something along the lines of keeping 10 core songs that you can play all the way through and practicing them once a week. Thanks for the reminder.
@@MidlifeGuitar playing them at least once a week is important so you won't forget them. Even guitar players who plays for decades will get rusty if they stop playing for 1 week.
This is what I do too. My memory is pretty bad and I worried that eventually i would forget what I learned. I used to run through them daily but I was getting bored playing them everyday , besides having to practice my routine. Now I just play through them once a week to make sure I don't forget them.
I’ve been playing guitar for 36 years. As you go on there is no way you can play everything you’ve learned once a week. It would be so time consuming you would never learn new songs or skills. Rather, keep a list of all the songs you learn and run through them at times. If you feel weak at playing a song relearn that one and play it once or more a week for a while. It’s like maintenance. You need to understand relearning a song is so,so,so, easier then learning it the first time. All the skill and memory is still there. Just need to wake it up. Hope this helps you and others. 😀
I feel like learning songs all the way through is more of a process of, learning the notes slowly, getting to that one riff that stumps you, learning the notes slowly, acknowledging your technical deficiency, making a few exercises that really emphasise that lack, writing riffs that really lean into that inability then coming back to it after a few months of practise.
I've had that phase of banging my head against the wall, repeating a lick over and over and not getting anywhere and it's demotivating.
If you make something your own and come back to it I find it can really show you how much you are progressing.
Apologies for the long comment but found that's proper helped me out.
im at this stage
Thank you for this video. I am at the six month mark and sometimes I feel like I am not going anywhere but I keep pushing though. I have a guitar teacher that I work with online once a week and I am working on a simple song “silver bells” I am also keep learning music theory it is going slow but I just keep at it. I am 52. years old and I know that I am starting late in life and sometimes I feel I am playing catch-up all the time. I have to constantly remind myself it is not a sprint but a Marathon and I am not racing anyone but myself. Your videos help me a lot so please keeping going forward and I promise you I will as well
I hear you regarding the depression. 4 months into learning, and I feel like it's having a positive effect on my state of mind.
For what it is worth I have just checked back in on your channel for the first time in 6 months or so and to me it looks like you have made some good progress. There is no doubt in my mind you are well beyond where I would expect someone with 18 months playing under their belt to be. Keep it up!
I think one of the scenarios that we don't think about is that most of these guitar players that we revere so much wrote their own material. And what we're trying to do is learn what they wrote. Maybe when it comes to guitar playing we should emphasize playing our own material, and see where it takes us. In other words, we should learn to write our own songs. To create our own chord progressions and guitar solos.
We struggle to learn other people's songs because we start playing to their musical cadence instead of our own. For example; U2 learn how to play their instruments by writing their own material. They later learned how to play other people's songs because they learn to play that way. It's probably better to learn your own chord progressions and then turn them into something that interests you. That way you'll learn your way around the neck that much quicker. What does everyone else think?
Hi Luke,
I just found your channel and im looking forward to watching you progress...
My name is Dennis and I started playing guitar at 44 years old in 2011, when i started My wife bought me a cd video set and i was on my way. After about a year i felt like i was in a rut and learning bad habits, so i went out into the world and found a guitar teacher! To me that was the best thing i eve did! With the basics down my teacher could focus on songs and performing instead of just milling around finding things to learn. Also he made me acountable for what i needed to play... i also had a friend that played who i worked together with, pre covid he would bring in his guitar and we would jam at lunch or go hang out at our houses and play..
Anyway i think the next step for you is to find someone to jam with either online or when there is a chance to meet up in your area, either way i think it will help in your playing. It is nerve racking and scary to play with others but you can do it, even if you just strum chords, im sure youre are not as bad as you think, i know im not but ask me and i will say i am...
We all have been there and i have too but you have to get back to playng its whorth it, i promise you. As a older starting player myself i know the problems and issues personally, i could write a book about it.. Love the S-6 also that was my first guitar.
This is a great idea for a channel for older players, as i have felt alone and an outsider for many years even though i have have friends to play with and a guitar teacher that makes me play in public (im on my 3rd teacher in 9 years)
Anyway goodluck and if i can help let me know..
Dennis
P.S. I think its been to long since you posted a video with you playing, i want to see your progress now... one more question and i havent watched all your videos but why havent i seen a metronome while your playing? Just asking for a friend!
This is common for all learning. And exercise. Start lifting weights, and you'll gain muscle fast initially, see your body transform pretty fast if you just keep at it and put the hours in. Then you plataeu. And you quit. Only, I didn't. I kept at it and did my 4-6 sessions at the gym, and have been doing so for going on 5 years now, and my body still changes. It just takes more time.
It's the same with what you're doing. If you keep finding ways of challenging yourself with new stuff, you WILL get better. Yeah, you might have to be a bit more focused at times, change things up, try a new routine, but you are improving And keep at it and you WILL get better.
I mean you obviously have made lots of progress over these 18 months. I am starting out. Playing at home, learning new stuff each day, and I have just bought myself 12 lessons in order to help with structuring my learning and getting som real life feedback from an expert teacher.
Just keep at it!
Yep and the biggest thing is you don't notice the changes. Like going to the gym. After a while you won't even notice. Then someone who hasn't seen you for a while will say, "Man, you've been going to the gym a lot? You look great!" Then you realize you just can't see your progress.
Re guitar, I think we just forget where we were because we are used to the gradual improvement. I remember starting out and being so frustrated w/ my upstrokes not being smooth then somehow they just smoothed out. I don't remember ever thinking that I was improving, I just remember one day thinking "Wow, you somehow don't have that problem anymore" hah That's been the key for me with guitar. Don't stress too much and just put the time in. One day you won't even notice that thing you just couldn't get is not a problem.
@@RogerThat902 yeah, I've been off and on with the guitar for years, but never learnt properly.
Now I decided to get serious, got my first electric and started practicing daily for at least 20 minutes (I often just get into it and practice for hours).
And in a couple of weeks I've learnt so much. And what felt impossible yesterday, worked this morning after som sleep and time away.
Just a matter of keeping at it once the curve straightens out a bit.
Thanks that makes a lot of sense, and no way am I qutting now. I start with a teacher next week so can't wait to mix it up and hopefully get some 'gains' 👍
@@MidlifeGuitar I've played since I was 8 (now 54) and have had my share of plateaus. To some extent its inevitable and as someone above said, at the beginning you learn so fast that when the pace slows down it feels like plateauing even it is actually more normal pace of learning.
That being said, you can notice progress almost on daily basis provided you practice systematically. I think many of non-professional guitar players do not like to practice systematically because it may feel like a job, not a hobby. But it doesn't have to be that way.
You said you have tried splitting songs to smaller pieces and practice those one by one. Right move. You're half way there already.
Split up difficult parts to smallest possible chunk (locate the most problematic part) and make it a loop you can repeat with metronome. For example in a chord progression, choose two chords and repeat the change between the two again and again until its flawless. Then crank up the metronome by some small amount (1 - 5 bpm, depending..) and repeat until you can do it at the speed the song requires. If you want to become really consistent in your playing, learn to play at least 10-20% faster than the song requires.
For me, flawless means: everything sounds good and clean (no extra noises, strings I am not using are damped), timing is spot on, I am not using much force (in fretting) so I've no tensions in my hands/arms. My right hand is anchored and relaxed, and over all playing feels light and easy. I am not pushing it at my limits. Also, I aim for consistent feel in my fretting hand. If for example fretting a chord feels like one (or some) of my fingers is just a tiny tiny bit off, its not flawless enough. I slow down and practice until it feels just right.
By practicing this way, everything I learn I learn well. What I learn becomes a solid base on which I can build on with confidence. By using metronome and my flawlessness criteria, I can notice progress almost on daily basis. And that makes practicing feel almost like a fun and rewarding game rather than dull and boring work.
Anyway, that's what suits me and I am not saying everybody could or should do it the same way. Just wanted to give my two cents in case someone finds that useful.
Oh by the way, beginners often ask what to do when they make a mistake - stop and play the part again or ignore the mistake and continue as if it never happened. I'd say neither. Instead they should slow down and practice in a speed they can play it without mistakes. That's the fastest way to "program" the right moves to your muscle memory. By making mistakes you only learn to make mistakes.
I started my journey on December 14, 2020, so I'm about 18 months behind you. It's so great to have someone else's progress to judge mine against. I'm practicing an hour a day and following Justin's beginner course. But I'm also taking weekly lessons. I am amazed that you played "Blackbird" as early as you did in your journey. From where I am, that seems nearly impossible. I have no advice for you, but I hope you keep at it and keep making progress. Best of luck, and thanks for the inspiration.
Hi first time I have seen your channel and a great video. Totally get what you mean, 10 months into learning lead, oh man. Hope my on it take helps. We assume we are learning music, we are not! Firstly we are teaching our fingers, then our brain. Then once we have done all that we begin to practice practice what we’ve learnt. Hopefully if you made it that far, you eventually have music. The gap between playing and music is filled with all the, finger learning, brain learning and miles of repetition and that’s the challenge that nobody tells you. It’s hard but worth the wait.
Thanks for that - appreciate the honesty. Your encouragement and tips mean so much more because you acknowledge the difficulty in staying motivated and admit you also have been having difficulties. Only been at it for 6 months, 2 hours a day, and it's super hard sometimes to see that any progress is being made and wondering why I'm sticking with it and if I'll ever be able to play a song from start to finish or if I'll ever hit a clean D chord 10 times in a row. Just watching this gave me the feeling of not being able to wait until tonight's practice session. Cheers!
Great motivation mate! After a injury with my foot I had to stop with sports so I decide to try one of the things Ive always wanted to do, playing guitar! First few months were indeed really hard, but with enough dedication and a guideline you can make it!!
One of those old guitar players revisiting the hobby after not taking it seriously for the better part of a decade here. I just got back into it heavily, and I'll say that what has helped me is two things, really:
One, that I am picking songs that have a nostalgic tug at the heartstrings. This really helps me transcend trying to play it perfectly and more stringing the notes together to trigger that nostalgic response. And when it comes together -- even for a moment -- it gives you a great rush.
And two: experiment with equipment and other areas of guitar beyond the technical playing. I started playing guitar in the early 90s (I'm your age now) and never had the means to really find new sounds. Now, in revisiting it, I'm gaining so much enjoyment over buying cheap pedals, learning how they chain together, and how to produce sounds that I couldn't by just strumming a guitar. This makes me feel accomplished as a musician because it pushes me more toward the world of sound engineering and recording--and learning all the technical elements of how stuff works.
This is perfect motivation for people like me as well- I recently hit a massive plateau but i've kept going.
I was playing for 1 year with incorrect picking technique. I'm going to be honest, playing with the proper technique has made guitar much easier and made my playing better recently, and I intend to retrain my hand completely. I'm not good after 1 year of playing but I'm determined to get better, and having people such as you to motivate students like me is worth a lot.
I wish you the best of luck in your journey Luke, keep going!
Thanks I appreciate that and its great to hear that you are pushing through. How did you discover that your picking technique was incorrect?
I'm at the six month point, and I still can't do chord changes nor can I play a single song. I think about giving up every day, only just a little bit less than I think about carrying on. I end most practices feeling like I'll never pick up the guitar again. But I've always gone back. I've missed only two days practicing since I began. I can't really say what's keeping me going other than stubborness, and perhaps the idea of finally being able to play something being a fulfilling experience.
Hello I am nearly 62. I have been playing for 7 years . I know what you are going through. Don’t beat yourself up . You mentioned RHCP songs To learn a song note for note is one hell of a ask . But what you could do is jam along to the backing track version. If you know a little about pentatonic scales you can do it . What I did was play along to the track with no vocals . After a while I began to play the songs with vocals . That’s we’re ear training in comes in . For me it’s about getting the feel of the song , not a carbon copy . Believe me it does work . I am jamming to songs not air guitar any more . Hope this helps . Neal.
I’m feeling demoralised at the moment even though I’ve been playing nearly forty years. I think my biggest mistake has been trying to learn too many things instead of concentrating on perfecting a few.
I can relate. I plateaued for a good while when it came to learning barre chords. I spent probably 8 months practicing just them and little else until I felt comfortable. Took me forever to get them down. But I do have them down now very comfortably.
Just wanted to say thank you for your channel. I am 43 and also picked it up during covid. I was using Fender play, but I am so thankful for your review of Justin Guitar. I got the lifetime theory course from Justing and am slowly still going through the main course and it is exactly what I needed and it was because of your recommendation. My journey is similar to yours and I love playing and learning.
You're welcome Cameron. I'm glad to hear it is working out for you. Look forward to hearing how your journey goes 👍
I’m currently learning the violin and am actually contemplating retaking the guitar where I had left it alongside my violin because of how easy and relaxing it is to learn compared to the violin. It takes a week to have fun on a guitar and it takes 5 years to have fun on a violin 😭
I’m in my first year of violin, and i have wills to quit but I won’t. Learning an instrument is hard, but it’s so worth it on the long run !! Really appreciate your channel and energy by the way :)
I know exactly what you're talking about. The learning process creates a love/hate relationship with your instrument. I'm a piper (bagpipes) and I painfully recall the long periods of time when seemingly no progress is happening. In fact, I seemed to go backward and get worse at times. I also vividly remember the instant in time when something amazing happened...something clicked. The moment when I no longer needed to think about my finger placements. Muscle memory kicked in and I became a musician. Now, I only need to think about a note and my fingers just automatically go where they need to be. It's like they ave a mind of their own. I also couldn't meaningfully read sheet music for years and years. I noticed the instant that "click" occurred between my brain and fingers, I could also magically read the sheet music and my fingers go where they need to. It was exhilarating. It's as though a new channel opens up in your brain and you no longer need to think about what your hands are doing and can concentrate on the important things like timing, tempo and embellishments. You can truly hear the other instruments playing and really get in time with them or create harmony. It's a long, frustrating plateau but I encourage aspiring musicians to fight through it. I just bought a Fender Telecaster at 58 and am learning. It's coming along quickly and I believe the muscle memory from my piping translates over to other instruments because learning chords is progressing quite fast. I really don't need to think about contorting my fingers into those awkward unnatural positions on the fretboard. They just go there once I spend the time to learn the shapes and practice a bit. I hear the drop-out rate in new guitarists is over 90%. It's even higher in piping. It's a difficult instrument to master so cut yourself some slack. I say stay the course. Be one of the 10%ers cuz quitters never accomplish anything meaningful. What if Eddie Van Halen or Hendrix got frustrated and gave up when it got hard? Can you imagine a world where they never existed?
Just found your channel, good stuff, thanks! I am approaching 62 and have now been playing just over 5 years. I have some physical problems (Bad back, arthritic fingers, blind spots in one eye to name a few) which limit how long and how well I can play but I have been so grateful for my guitar recently: 2 years ago I found I had Prostate cancer, and more recently with lockdown, God knows how I'd have got through without my guitar to distract me. I was lucky that I found Justinguitar and started with that, then found a local school, and in my beginner class met a guy who wanted to play together: obviously not possible just now but if you can find a guitar buddy and can push/help each other it makes a huge difference. Secondly, I started doing Rockschool grades- if I ever think I'm not making progress I can look back at where I was a year ago and it's obvious I can do things now that I couldn't do then: this year has often felt like I made no progress, but I realise I can now do exam pieces at full speed that I was slowing down to 65% a year ago. Started with grade 2 in 2017 and didn't even know where to start learning the songs and I'm now hoping to do grade 5 as soon as exams start again.
You have made a ton of progress! You've also learned to shoot and write high quality content. I'd argue that it's some of the best on RUclips.
I crossed my two year bridge last month and was feeling the same way. I've been stagnant with my guitar playing. New year's resolution is to dig in and practice an hour a day.
Great video as always.
Thanks, it is hard to recognize progress when you are so close to it.
Love the channel and you have inspired me to give it a go! Going to take some time off and do something for myself and someday hope to just hang out and play with the kid. Lots of catching up to do as she is pretty good, studies in school for it, writes her own stuff, gigs in Nash, she is all in. I think my embrace the suck attitude will serve me well given your experience LOL cheers and keep the channel going.
I’ve been playing for about 2 years now but recently began on electric because I’ve played on my classic until a string snapped. I’m not a pro or a beginner. I fell that I’m kinda in the middle of good. It takes time. Songs that seems simple to play may be harder than you think to make it sound good. Most of the songs you learning is from guitarist that have played at least 5-10 years. Never stop learning!
Don't give up, work on just playing the guitar and improvising rather than trying to overload your mind with knowing songs etc. Try and go down a completely different route and learn classical guitar. There is loads of classical repertoire that can make you feel like you're progressing very fast. lots of people think that learning guitar comes easy and fast but it doesn't it requires diligent practice, patience and exploration. The best way to do it is to record yourself as much as you can when you practice and when you look back you will feel great.
Thank you. I started my guitar journey in 2019 I July when I bought my first electric. Now I’m also feeling that I am not coming anywhere with my development as a guitar player. But I will carry on and it feels better when I hear that it is just a overcoming faze. I love the instrument and really want to learn more. But I have no really goal and jumps on different things like learning the fretboard, learning chords and tabulation in a crazy mix...my wish is that once a week I could go to a guitar teacher that gives me things to practice on and then in between go and play a backing tracks or something like that. I have looked after private lessons but I think it is really expensive. But somehow I will progress! I will not quit the guitar. Thanks for the word and thank you for your thoughts about this. 👍👍
Hi Luke, great videos. It happens that we both started at about the same time so it's been interesting watching your progress. You are way ahead of me but I'm older than you so that's my excuse. I tend not to vary my practice much; I've been learning only 4 songs for the past 6/7 months but I think it's good to be able to work on the small things e.g. steady rhythm, consistency of strumming, fluent chord changes etc. I have also founf that singing and playing adds another dimension. Keep up the good work. Ben
Glad its not just me feeling the same way, i started when you did and have been following your journey. I was just thinking the other day that you'd be miles ahead of me now with my recent plateau. Even changing my practise routine i still don't feel like i'm making any progress the last few months. Ive even thought about giving it up altogether. Completely understand your frustration but do know you're not alone.. At the moment I'm just learning songs i actually like to keep myself motivated. As long as we keep playing i'm sure we'll move past this rut soon enough, I'm trying not to compare myself to anyone and just walk through this journey at my own pace.
Thanks, from the response this video has received I think we are not alone. There are a lot of people who feel this way and it is likely a big reason why many people quit at some point in their journey. I am definitely not though and I'm glad to hear you aren't either. We can get there!
You haven't made any videos in a long time. I hope you didn't quit playing (or die)
Have you had a plateau that you have got through? How did you motivate yourself through it? Let me know the details below
@midlife Guitar For me it was actually buying a focusrite and putting together covers with good backing tracks. It helped me focus and have some type of deliverable that was showing me my progress. A little gratification goes a long way.
Finding a competent teacher that will work on your gaps will do wonders for you. Most often, you aren't aware of what you are doing incorrectly and is most likely the source of what's holding back your progression as a musician. There are plenty of big-time players right now that are grounded due to COVID-19 and are teaching online. You would also be surprised how grounded and humble they are. They all know and empathize with the struggles you are having. You have to get constructive feedback from someone who is competent, this is where just one-way video tutorials fall short.
You should pin these questions you ask on your videos so they stay at the top.
Buying a new guitar helped 😆
If you have a big why, then it’s easy to keep practising and playing.
Same exact thing going on for me over here in the States... *theoretically* the pandemic fiasco (and other craziness here) has afforded me a bit more free time for guitar due to less time on the road for work... but the reality is that it feels like one more soul sapping chore that adds to general exhaustion... I'd say the exact opposite of its intent. But it's also this weird loop too because I keep coming back to it since *there's just not a lot of other things to do* hahaha... so I am in an every few days cycle of enjoying it / feeling sort of inspired and absolutely dreading continuing to muck things up... I've been playing about 8 years - dragging myself up from absolutely no musical experience whatsoever... I try to keep things in perspective as to the amazing things I *can* do now... but they aren't anything coherent that could really constitute a song or proficiency... flashes in the dark at times - but generally just overall pretty overwhelming and discouraging, to be honest... I'm searching for the sound but I'm not sure that at some stage there isn't just a point where you either have something in you that dials it in or you just don't... I'm trying to figure out my personal criteria for making that call and moving on...
Luke, I've been telling myself for two months not to compare my playing with yours, but it's difficult when you play so well. I avoid watching Jeff Beck, Jaco and SRV to avoid further frustration. Your pep talks really are helpful to us covid strummers. Thanks.
Thanks Stan, glad I could help keep you motivated, I really enjoy hearing people stick with it👍
I make an mp3 of playlist of songs I know and what to really cement in my repertoire and I make sure I play along to those song once a week or so.
My practice schedule:
Warm up (this includes things like finger strength/speed exercises played along to a metronome
Fretboard memorise
Scales
Lead technique / Rhythm technique
Learn a song
Play a song I already know
Improvise
Picking is like golf to me. It can never be perfected. It can only be played and (sometimes) enjoyed. Enjoy every plateau because it took many hours of work and effort to get there. Even the best climbers take rests on the way up Everest. The passion to play and improve, and the love of music have been the keys for me over the last 35 years. That always keeps me coming back.
Good video. Right now I'm frustrated with not being able to play under the bridge, 😂 the one in the begining of this video. I tried 6 months ago, gave up, studied and practiced more exercises, now trying again. So I play something easy like Dark Necessities and then back to the hard ones.
I know then exact feeling.. I’ve also got to that point where you think what now? When in fact there is so much more to learn about the guitar. I have a lot of songs I have learnt on my phone, either in my notes or my Guitar Tab Pro app. I have learnt them and can play them but cannot memorise them. I play them through each week. It switches me off from the daily pressures of Covid, kids and working from home! lol. What I have now done also is learning new chords. I have printed a chord chart, highlighted all the ones I have learned and I’m now working on the ones I haven’t learnt so I can play new songs by my favourites bands. Not random chords but chords I need to learn and memorise to play my favourite songs, that way you remember them more. I find the acoustic to be less of an obstacle and you can just pick it up and strum unlike the electric. Anyway, hope this helps, keep doing what your doing :) EDIT - Forgot to say... another technique I have added to my learning is to learn all the acoustic and electric solos in a song. One I recommend is Pink Floyd - Mother.. very easy chord progression only G, C, D and F but with an excellent solo halfway through. Floyd may not be for you but I found this enjoyable. I’m nearly there with the solo, just need to speed it up! :)
I know how you feel. I started playing in late 2019, and I've also forgot most of the tunes I've tried to learn over the year.
I have not followed a guitar course online, but when ever I hear something in a song I want to learn. That's what I'll start learning (search: How to play......) Because what makes me pick up the guitar and play, is to play something I like.
Now, because I have very thick fingers, I couldn't play chords at first, and I still can't play chords on some guitars. But after replacing the nut with a nut, I've made myself with wider string spacing, on some of my guitars, I have finally in the last couple of months begun to learn chords. Pretty much the whole first year I only played lead guitar, and that eventually led me into chords. But I'm still a beginner, and if you want to follow me on my journey, head over to my channel.
It happens to everyone.
Ive technically been on a plateau for years, cause i always play the same stuff. But most of the time it does not bother me because im at a level which is not very high admittedly but high enough to write the songs i want to write. which was my goal in the first place. Writing songs, playing with other people and sharing music is much more inspiring to me than working on technique. Playing with other people in particular is very beneficial.
For example i never bothered to sit down working through scales with a metronome. But i got into recording lately and now im working on my timing this way while working on a song instead of forcing it. Do what you enjoy doing.
Doesnt mean its not a good thing to practice technique. But sometimes i think people can get lost and forget that this is about making music with and/or for other people. Dont wait with that until youve perfected everything.
I’ve been regularly going into battle with my guitars for decades Luke! Even though it can seem like war sometimes, it isn’t. It’s just the price of admission to the hallowed halls of our guitar gods that inspire us. As you said, if it was easy everyone would be an accomplished musician. It’s the reason why there are so many drummers, 😂.
Set yourself realistic goals and don’t forget your fundamentals. It’s that foundation which everything else is built upon. Even though I ran out of talent myself years ago, (i still contemplate selling all my gear when I come across people who could make a stringed shovel sound great), it’s all about levels and knowing where your level is at any given time.
Keep at it, but don’t be afraid to walk away from the instrument for a while if it means you stay hungry to try and master it. I like to think by turning my back on my guitars now and again I teach them who’s master. But not for to long!. (Was going to make a cheeky reference to a guitar being like a woman but would of probably got slaughtered for it Lol.)
Practicing technique is a good thing but don’t forget the reason why you picked the guitar up in the first place, to create music, however simple the song is. It would be like attending football training twice a week but never playing the game at the weekend. Not even as a simple kick around with a few friends at your local park. What’s the point.
Good luck on your journey. I got a feeling a lot of people will be taking it with you, especially during this bloody Pandemic.
Well said, I think my goals have fallen off the rails and I have been too focused on just learning difficult songs rather than mixing it up and having fun with it.
Hello,hello,im 46 and 5 mths ago new nothing about guitar,iv always wanted to learn so as i said 5 mths ago got a steel string acousic,and i felt silly even when i first held it,coz iv never held a guitar before,but now,(not gonna say im opening for U2)but now i can play a couple of songs and bits and pieces,but you have made brilliant progress,its mad,i didnt think it would be as hard,but good fun,me fingers are alright toughened up,but yeah its great,i do pick me guitar up strum a few chords and put it back down,like i didnt even know how many strings were on a guitar,never mind EADGBE,but yeah you have done well,nice 1
I originally started trying to learn to play guitar in December 2019. I quit trying in March 2020. Time went by and I would constantly see my guitar sitting there untouched. I had some medical issues that led to some surgeries in the summer and fall of 2020...with time on my hands I rethought my giving up on guitar. I decided to pick it back up in late September. I promised myself I would give it at least 15 minutes a day and try to not skip more than 2 days a week. Since that time I have only skipped a total of 6 days most of which were around the holidays. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m closer today than I was yesterday. I get frustrated and think I’m never going to get this when learning a technique or song, but I make myself try again and then all of a sudden I get it! I’m sure this will continue through my journey. However, one thing is for sure...if I stop trying I am guaranteed not to get it, but if I push forward it’s guaranteed I have a chance of getting it! I know this much I’ve always wanted to learn since I was very young and my parents would not let me (they made me take piano instead). I now at the age of 49 do not have anyone saying I can’t do it. So I’m not about to give up on myself this time. The thing that has helped me the most is if I’m having trouble with something to the point of wanting to give up, I will switch to learning something different then come back to what was giving me trouble a few days earlier and it normally clicks when I try again. Learning at home by videos is not always the easiest way (which is what I’m doing) as you have no one to give you feedback. So just be easier on yourself and remember why you started in the first place. If any of us quit, we are actually quitting on ourselves and you are guaranteed not to learn the guitar! Oh and usually that 15 minutes a day I promised myself usually turns into 1-2 hours because I get so caught up in what I’m learning!
Keep at it, and try and practice every day.
Try and find some good teachers either on RUclips or in person (If possible).
@@SVR1968 yes definitely! I have found some good teachers on RUclips and I am absolutely loving my time learning. I would love to do in person lesson, however at the moment with COVID most people are not doing them. So I will continue on RUclips and maybe soon I can get at least a few in person lessons. Thank you for the advice and encouragement!
"Alright this sounds bad, but it's gonna sound good one day. Whenever that is" We can totally relate mate haha
This is a great vid and from a teacher point of view I hear a lot of what you have explained in your experiences. Just going back and re-learning some more basic stuff can really help get the motivation up again. You'll see improvements from you tried before and you can then work on other things like timing and work on tone/sound. My whole channel is dedicated to the early beginner to intermediate and I'm always trying to make things as easy as possible to have that feeling of WINNING. Which is like you say sometimes difficult.
watched your video a few times. Totally understandable. I am not playing a year now and I am more than happy with my progress. But I don't really play too many songs. I did the Justin beginners course and I am keen to see the intermediate stuff that he is actually preparing. I started to lay through some more complex songs but this has never been my motivation.
So towards the end of Justins course I have discovered the BLUES. This is my thing.
I am working thorough some of the basic blues courses with TRUEFIRE. This gives me structure and all is divided in manageable steps.
Rather than playing trough songs I have started to play with backing tracks and started to improvise, this is so much fun.
I still practice chord progressions and some songs, but the blues really got me hooked.
I realy hope that you will keep going, I like watching our vides.
Me and you have a lot in common. We both moved from acoustic to electric, different styles. We both buy new stuff which we use as a motivation. If u look at youtubers like davidplaysguitar, that kid followed online lessons for only 3 months, after that he just kept learning songs he liked and after 2 years he bacame amazing fingerstyle player, however he then switched to electric and he sounds like a beginner againg. There is a youtuber called Gus, absolute phenomenal fingerstyle player, he followed lessons very shorts and just started to learn songs he liked. There is also a youtuber Marco Cirillo, he went to classical guitar school 4 years. After finishing that he went to academy or something for electric, he says that period was the worst of his journey because he couldnt even use a pick. Point of the story is, progress is there if u stick with a style. I dont know what i will do. I love fingerstyle, i bought guitar inspired by tommy emmanuel and sungha yung, but then i found artists like john mayer, andy timmons, genres like blues, lo-fi. I cant decide what to play. And i KNOW that im gonna suck for 10 years if i keep trying to learn both
A good thing to do when you hit a stagnation is to try and make your own song. You know enough chords at this stage. Put a chord progression together and start layering parts.
It may not be the greatest song ever but it keeps you playing and gives you a good understanding of song structure and may make you learn something new because you need it for that song part.
I think you can get bored by learning a song for hours/days/weeks. The problem isn’t necessarily the song it’s that you lack the technique and understanding to grasp the song in a length of time that’s not frustrating and demoralising.
I mentioned it in a comment a while back but CAGED with the corresponding arpeggios and scales will make it all so much easier because when you encounter virtually any song you’ve already learned the basis of the song with CAGED etc
Thanks, that is a great idea! and also learning the CAGED system is right up the top of my list to help support the style I am interested in. So you are bang on the money there.
@@MidlifeGuitar I got my spark amp btw. Delivery time was pretty good. The Yamaha THR has been relegated to a decoration now. Even if the Yamaha was the same price or cheaper than the spark it’s still not worth getting the Yamaha im.
The fact that the spark is cheaper and has an app that they could sell on its own makes it a clear winner. The app makes changing amps/tone etc so quick and easy. If you maybe have a quick 15 mins here and there (usually with headphones) it’s perfect. You can also connect it easily to your DAW to record your new hit song!
I demand (lol) the next video be you making your own track
The problem with stagnation is that guitar players have boxed themselves into it and are not expanding.
When I became stagnating I leanred how to play Flamenco especially Rumba Flamenca now playing any kind of chords is fun due to percussive nature of flamenco. After that I watched videos of Eastern music played on Baglama, Setar, Tar etc... and started emulating that style by tuning my guitar to Baouzuki tuning (DADDGG or DADDAA). Then I started mixing Rumba with "Bouzuki" and the sound was pretty EDM like etc...
The point of my comment is to always expand your musical taste and incorporate different elements into your playing even if musical genre is not intended for guitar you can still emulate the rhythm at least. Stagnation happens when your scope of music is pretty narrow aka you want to learn x specific genre and once you learn it thats it...
Playing music should be fun for you and just because you like X genre doesn't mean you like to play the said genre. I like punk and grunge but I like to play this wierd flamenco/funk fusion.
Luke we’ve talked in the beginning of your journey which was the start of mine. Your doing great mate. I have to say I started writing this at the start of your video. You nailed on the head what I was thinking which I’ve come to realize myself; why did we start playing in the first place. I think we place a lot of expectations on ourselves once we do something new. I want to come in and riff like John Maier which I still cannot, I want to pick up and play Fire and Rain just like James Taylor which still sounds horrible when I try. But like you pointed out for all the effort I step back and if I respect my progress I feel better about it. I have one song that I have kept focus on which is fairly easy and I can pick up and play it every time and that is kinda grounding. Maybe we could all pick a tune learn and play on like zoom or something, just an idea. Create a little network. Music with people who are in the same place I’ve been told are a great way to stay motivated. Cheers Luke.
Thanks Will, that is a good idea right there, I might see if I can come up with something.
Hey man, I started playing roughly around the same time you did. I'll say I've experienced everything you have. Especially the one about playing in front of people. In a one on one setting, if I'm not comfortable with that person, I struggle to play stuff I KNOW I can play well. Also, I forget about tons of songs I can play easily. I do play for my church now, and that has helped a ton. I feel like I'm better at guitar than I ever thought I'd be... And I'm not even that good lol! Learning the guitar is a great journey and I'm happy I picked it up.
Side note, can you send me your camera/mic/lighting set up? Would appreciate it, thanks brother!
Same place.
Some rifs, some parts of songs and for long periodes only really, really slow progress.
And you are 1000 times better than I am.
This video resonates with me. Thanks!
The main source of motivation is playing in a band. It doesn't matter what band, or what songs, at what level of sophistication of playing, but playing in a band helps us tackle music from different perspectives and solve different problems. But solo playing at home has severe limits, because we are draining ourselves to find 1) motivation, 2) time, and 3) material to play. With a band, all of it is much easier. Even if you know just 10 chords, a band can make them into 100 new songs, make up new lyrics, etc. which makes playing more interesting. If you don't have a band, then to invigorate your playing you MUST try composing own songs, using whatever knowledge of guitar you have. You must create new content (even re-arranging existing songs is some form of creativity). There is no other way: A) play in a band, or B) create own songs.
I can totally relate to this. I was so enthusiastic to play for 7 or 8 years, then for the last 6 months I'm not at all motivated and have not practiced at all. I love guitar and don't want to completely quit!!
Maybe pick an easy song you love and try to slowly get back in to it? It may give you a bit of a confidence boost.
Perfectly put .play stuff that's fun(most of the time that's what people like anyway) and work on your skill little by little.
Just learned to play by myself a few months ago and figured out I can only go so far alone, so I just started lessons with a teacher. First lesson already had more things "click" then a couple of weeks on RUclips. I love the whole process, I don't care to play in a band, I play for my own entertainment.
Mood and attitude affect a lot our playing and progress. Sometimes Its better 10 minutes of practise in the right mood and with a focused attitude than 3 hours playing and thinking "why am I even doing this?". I think It's an important point too. Let's have some fun playing , even if It doesnt sound as we wished (YET). Its something that comes from us... We are playing something ... We do that! Can you believe It? Thats enough reason not to give up. To keep learning and feeding ourselves with self made music. Not everybody has the courage to take a new instrument and learn It, or to struggle with the difficulty of just understanding something new (and so hard as music is). Let's keep fighting.
Pardon my english, not my language. :)
Keep doing your nice Work and I advice not to rush things. A tree needs time to grow high. Some grow faster but with time, they make it.
I feel you, man. I’m right where you are.
This is the time to get a qualified teacher who can help you figure out your next step. Even you just take a months worth, go in and tell them what's going on and that you need help and you will get pointed in the right direction! :) I went through this with piano.
Also, It's very helpful to write a list of songs you want to try to master. Songs that you LOVE that will drive you through those rough spots. :)
amazing video, sir.
Super helpful and motivational! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I have definitely been there and slowly gave up for a good few years. I starting giving my excuses for not playing that day, which turned into a week, month, year, years.
Also, I fell into the trap - I didn’t play because I wasn’t as good as I wanted to be and wasn’t as good as I didn’t play.
However, in not particular order, things that helped me:
1. Listen to the songs/music that got me excited to play guitar in the first instance. Try to rekindle that spark. For me that was Slash
2. Interact with other people with the same interests
3. Try something different- for me it was learning to improvise.
4. Try something new - for me it was joining zombieguitar to help my improvise - see 3
5. Set goals, both short and long term
6. Try and learn something new, every time I pick up the guitar even if it’s just a riff
7. Play along to your favourite songs - I do this for fun but also, to keep my repertoire songs in my muscle memory
8. I do exercises from a book called basic guitar workout by David Mead. I keep a track of the BPM I did that day - so when I am feeling down and don’t see any improvement- I can look back and see what my old BPM used to be - a tangible and measurable way for me to see improvement.
Phew - that went on a bit
Hope it helps even a little.
Ps - always hear to help.
Ahhhhhh......Perfect timing for me....was really ready to tap out..
Hi Luke what online lessons have you found most useful, I find guitar hard as many of the sites don’t really teach in a way that’s helpful. Some either are way too hard way too fast and others your playing nursery rhymes. Others you play tiny bits of songs, not full versions. The reason I think it’s so hard as I’ve yet to find that system which teaches you the mix of what you need to know with complete songs. Unless you use multiple resources this is very tricky, hence why many seem overwhelmed and quit. I have tried so many of them and not found one that I would really recommend to anyone unless of course you combine several resources. But interested to hear your opinion, I should state I’m also an adult beginner. Talking to others many share the same experience as me.
I’m a month in and your videos have given me inspiration and the fortitude to keep practicing 🙂 .
Are you still playing Luke ?
Sup, Man. This is the first time I've ever watched one of your videos. And I must say... This hit me hard. Thank you a lot!
I've been playing guitar for two years and really felt the plateau at around the 18 month mark as well. The one thing that made me feel like I started progressing again was leaving the guitar pick and start studying solely finger picking. It opened a whole new world of possibilities and since then I've been feeling I'm progressing quite decently.
Great to hear! I have a focus I just don't know how to get there exactly with out some help so I have just signed up with a guitar teacher and start on Monday.
Watch your own clips from your earliest uploads! Youve made loads of progress over your time. You are only feeling bad because you are subconsciously comparing yourself to some idealised or external goals or perceptions of what is acceptable progress! Just do what you want and keep going. (Lol I was typing this when you made a similar point!)
I know the feeling. I’ve been playing 12ish years on and off. Just recently back after a whole year off. The most motivated I ever was was when I had in person lessons. Every time I hit a wall, they were there to help or even pivot to some other thing that would indirectly help. I struggle from information overload and choosing something to stick with. Jam play just had too much to wade through and became a distraction to playing.
I got inspired to pick it back up after watching Michael palmisanos guitar teacher reacts videos, especially the empty promises video. Joined his guitar gate site which has a set progression and only a small number of courses for £7 a month and have learnt more in the last few months now courses 2 and 3 than the last few years. I’m really enjoying it again, hope you get there again too
I'm pleased to hear you got back on the right path. I'm actually starting lessons with a guitar teacher next week so I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes. Did you set up specific goals or talk about exactly what you wanted to do with yours? or just talk about broad ideas and let them make up a path for you?
@@MidlifeGuitar the first session we looked at where is was technically (not very far) and what goals I had. Also what music i like and what drew me to guitar. We then did a mix of theory, technique, and also learning songs so I could switch between learning and enjoying. I plan on starting lessons with a teacher once the lockdown is lifted and I hit my next wall
Has anyone felt like their "guitar journey" is in retrograde? I started learning guitar (for the 234th time) around 15 months ago. As the time progressed, I could tell there was some improvement, with some months better than others. Then came the end of November. My enthusiasm began to wane and I started feeling that my playing was getting worse! I don't want to record myself, but other RUclips guitarists/teachers suggest that it is the best way to see development, so I bit the bullet and bought a digital recorder. I just hope it doesn't add to my discouragement.
Thanks for the videos. Your doing great! I started playing 1 1/2 years ago and I am only half as far as you are. I'm 53, dominant left handed, I have limited use of my right hand(fretting hand) fingers. I have about 85% use of my fingers due to an auto accident at 17 but I am still trying to push through and still working at 2 jobs 60 hours a week. I feel like I am way behind and I have to remind myself I started doing this to have fun and not to be a rock star! Lol I just bought a left handed cheaper electric guitar but trying to figure out where to start with that as well. What would be some courses you would recommend? Thanks again!
Think I’ve mentioned before ... I’m a drummer and have been since I was young, don’t play as much these these days, but that’s OK. I took up the guitar because I always wanted to and the pandemic gave me the opportunity. I’ve been playing since last June and made swift progress but like you have hit that plateau. For me it’s OK, I don’t mind I had great fun playing when I was younger, but if I may offer you some friendly advice, that will definitely lift your game ... find some other musicians either a group of guitarists or just other musicians and play with them. Don’t worry about the polish, just enjoy playing and applying what you’ve learnt to a musical context and have fun, other musicians will definitely pull you along. As a young drummer, three of us used to get together regularly with pads work through chops, rudiments and share stuff yeah we took the pee out of each other and wanted to be the ‘best’ but it was lighthearted and it took our playing to a whole new level compared to our peers. You play well, it’s all there, but practicing stuff on your own lacks the feedback you need, and I bet you something will click .... stay with it and hang out with some musicians, I intend to when the lockdown lifts ... it takes the loneliness out of practice oh and don’t wait until you ‘think you’re good enough’ or you’ll never do it. Proper musos will encourage, nurture and support (maybe with a hint of banter!) G’luck buddy you’re ready for it .... 😊