Brandon basically just summed up how to effectively practice not just for any instrument (as well as singing), but literally any skill that humans can learn, ever. Bravo to you, Brandon.
Hey man, if you can practice sex at 120 bpm with 16th notes, with over 9,000 repetitions, I think the women in our world would be pretty happy, in the bedroom. Jk, remember guys, we gotta slow it down too.
I had given up on the guitar permanently a literal half hour ago. Your video has encouraged me to try it again tomorrow, i never thought 'inspirational' content would actually inspire me. Thank you.
This is how I've been practicing for a long time. I promise you if you slow down and diligently follow this advice you'll be amazed how quickly you'll make progress.
I hope people appreciate and see the difference between a guitar lesson from someone with a degree in music studies and someone who just explains some frets and tabs on TH-cam. Your videos are so good and hope it reaches out to as many people as possible who want to learn guitar. Your explanations were the same ones that I received when studying classical guitar, and that was about 15 years ago. Happy to see that these practices are still used!
I definitely do! His explanations of why he takes the approach that he does makes things so clear and resonates with me on a deeper level, so many channels will just throw the exercise at you without explaining the approach. I would be humbled to be taught by this guy, I'm completely self taught for 15 years and after watching this video... I realise why I made so much progress in the first few years of me playing versus the last ten years or so. Amazing communication skills on this man
me before the photo : Well this dude has always been on classic music stuff. *Brandon showing a picture of him at 17* me after the photo : Well, he definitely is more awesome than i expected.
As a electric guitar player, I smiled when you mentioned sweep picking obssession at the age of 17. Story of my life. I will start practicing classical guitar when I finally get an acoustic.
This video is not only really well made and informative but there is something about Brandon's demeanor that really makes this video feel so encouraging and gentle. Thank you so much for making this!
heres how i learn guitar: hear a song>learn the song>practice 5 hrs a day>eventually play it well>put the guitar down until next year>forget the song>rinse repeat
So thankful I found this channel. Picked up my first guitar 12 years ago, was a serious metal-head. Then came the rock music my father loved, next came the blues. I’ve recently picked up the Nylon String guitar and I have never been more in love.
Here's his points: 1 - Slow down You will hear your mistakes better, and will learn to play without them, quicker. 2 - Use metronome/drum machine "Anchor" yourself in a rhythm, just like you "anchor" your instrument in a certain tuning. 3 - Using metronome, play as slow as you need to play it well and comfortable. Speed up gradually, and you'll learn to play fast quicker (as weird as it sounds). 3.2 - Separate "practice" from "performance" When practicing, work slow on parts where you make mistakes. When performing, skip mistakes even if you make them. People listen to a whole piece and not to mistakes 4 - Set yourself goals that you can achieve in one practice session You won't feel as unaccomplished if you set small goals and progress on them fast. 5 - Introduce some structure to your practices. When you're up to commitment, make a journal and log your practices - what did you do, for how long, and what needs some work.
My 1st year university Music 100 course - we had to spend the first three months clapping to a metronome @ 60bpm for 3 full minutes. Every time we were on the beat the sound of the metronome disappeared into the clap. Idea was not to hear the metronome at all and you had "started" to demonstrate control over a basic element of music ... time. This video brought that memory back. Thanks!
Great advice - for all instruments. My trumpet teacher used to say “Practice doesn’t make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. Imperfect practice only re-enforces mistakes.” I would add one other tip. That is to isolate as well as slow down. Sometimes a mistake is more than one problem. By breaking down what appears at first to be a single mistake into all its parts we can really fix it. So, by ignoring all other problems for a while and focussing on another one, we allow our brains and bodies a chance to fix the one we’re focusing on much more effectively without being overwhelmed by too much at once. Eg. wrong notes, wrong timing or bad dynamics, fingering, technique,interpretation etc. Always initially focus on one thing only and fix that without worrying about others. And I mean not just one rough spot. Usually a mistake or single rough spot has multiple problems. Isolate each issue. Repeat with each problem and make your final focus be the putting of all the fixed problems together, to “iron out” the mistake. This is often harder than you might imagine and usually requires a drop in tempo on the first few attempts, but by isolating issues we can fix them much quicker than trying to fix everything wrong with say 1 bad bar, or a sloppy scale run. Chances are there are almost alway 2 or 3 smaller things going wrong - often even more. It’s also great for our mind and ear to learn the discipline of identifying the problems. If we can’t break things down and identify what’s wrong, it’s really hard (and slow) trying to fix them. And likewise, we can improve much quicker and effectively if we can identify problems and break them down into their smallest parts.
I love how passionate he is about guitar and music. He is such a nice guy and I just love to hear him speak. His calm voice and speaking flow really are something special!
Forget about the Dr’s office… All you need to do is break down the fret board into minute segments against chords… Most people don’t care or want to put that much energy into the task at hand. Brandon is spot on. It’s a mind task…. Either you care to go down the rabbit hole… or you don’t… it’s a lot of work… but it can be so rewarding and a life changer…
I don't usually make comments on TH-cam videos but had to make an exception on this occasion... Thank you so much for your clear, simple and non-patronising advice. It's given me a much-needed boost to instil focus and discipline into my guitar practice. I'll let you know how I'm doing in 3 months time!
Brandon, you're totally correct on every aspect. But for me as a self-learner was a total blast to understand how to really _focus_ on spotting mistakes. It's like a meditation. You can be really annoyed when playing same piece slow, repeat after repeat, you usually don't have visible progress, eyes and ears become "blurry". Sometimes frustration builds up. What's really helped me to stay focused is trying to play pieces differently(adding dynamic, accents etc) while playing slow. Recording yourself is another way to spot mistakes.
Speaking as a violin teacher, once I got my violin diploma (weird progress system in greece but it's the final thing you get), I was completely lost. I always had a certain piece as my goal which pushed me to study and practice but after "finishing" everything it was extremely hard for me to get any better. Small goals and hard pieces you can progress on slowly are the best thing to have to motivate you and I wish it hadn't taken me a year or more after my violin diploma to realise that.
"Expose your greates weaknesses"...The best tip for the life. It seems that always we the guitarrists try to hide our weaknesses not just for the listeners but ourselves.
I've been playing and studying for 25 years now and what he says is 100% accurate. Weakness of human nature leads to those mistakes. When noone is there to disciplne you, you'll avoid the painful stuff like isolating and fixing the parts that dont work well. Thats the exact difference between a pro and an amateur.
That and practicing 5 hours a day and playing for 3 hours after practicing. Not to mention the next day prep. change strings etc. Oh, dont forget score, or piece arrangements and composition. I've had people actually come up to me and say: wow what an easy gig you have; just play 3 hours a night. Ha! You don't know what you dont know.
I got a squier strat when i was 15. I quit after only playing power chords, learnt some nirvana songs and tried some downtuning. I moved with my parents to a other house and never played guitar again. Im turning 18 this month and i got an old western from my girlfriend a week ago. I saw your video with rob scallon and the $275.000,- guitar. And now this, its realy motivating and i think im about to buy a nylon string.
i started out learning chords, then practiced finger picking with the chords I learned, then moved onto lead guitar parts in songs for slides and vibratos, went back to finger picking and learned Big Love for speed and now moving towards classical guitar. Going on 3 years now since I first started learning guitar, practice every day but never set a time for how long. Sometime I'd pick it up for 5 minutes but most of the time nowadays I play until my finger tips hurt lmao. So glad I decided to learn an instrument, made my furlough entertaining.
That which one has learnt for oneself, goes an important proverb and shares with others, makes one immortal. In this spirit of kindness, generosity of spirit and heart, Mr. Brandon gives us the best of himself. This is truly appreciated and many thanks for sharing with us.
I've been playing for around 12 years. I also am a high school teacher for the past 27 years. A lot of your practice ideas come straight out of the school of pedagogy. This is the best video of guitar advice I've seen. Some of these things I had figured out some I had not. New players would be really wise to follow the advice given here. Very pragmatic and specific tools to improve. Just excellent. I just subscribed.
Watching you play, it's very clear to me that playing classical, and ANY finger style acoustic guitar, is way, way more technical and skilful than most electric guitar techniques.
I wish I had been taught this when I was trying to learn guitar about 40 years ago. My tutor never gave me this excellent advice. I never played anything well, and I gave up. Unfortunately now, painful fingers, thumbs and wrists prevent me from trying again. I've watched a couple of your videos and you have an excellent teaching manner. It's relaxing just to listen and watch, even if I can't apply your advice.
From a guy who can't read tabs or music and relies heavily on watching vids and rewinding back and pausing to learn chord shapes, thank you so much. Jux from Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 (South Pacific)
This is *the * method. Back in the day, I went to school for percussion. This is almost the exact method we used. The main difference is that our Instructor filled out the practice journal and served as the second voice of your inner monologue to help you spot and find a good approach for problem spots. Fast forward a few years, and I'm getting a welcome recap on these skills after picking up guitar (marimbas are proper expensive). Thank you for putting excellent methods out there for more people!
Something special that Brandon Acker has besides his magnificent playing is that vague smile in his teaching, the smile is warm and friendly giving the person watching a good feeling of confidence,
You have literally answered all of the questions that I’ve had for more than 10 years. I always knew what I was doing wrong, but I could never tell how to solve it until now. You are a true maestro!
To be honest I always have in my mind that a piano is more elegant than guitar, But you make it al seems So elegant and luxury. Thx for the motivation, I just pick up a guitar that my parent bought for me 10 years a go and I play During the lockdown with you video for 6 Month now.
Maybe best guitar teacher ever, I feel like I have made a new friend, in addition to finding a mentor and a source of much-needed inspiration! Thank you Brandon, for such well-made lessons.
I saw a samurai guitar video, and you gave a lesson on scales which helped me out on the ukulele. Merci beaucoup. I started the piano last year after my retirement, and I'm geeking out on music theory. What a great lesson for any musician.
Your channel has made me fall in love with my guitar and piano practice again. I can see how passionate you are about guitar and music in general and that helped me remember why I started playing music in the first place! Practicing felt like drudgery for a long time and your teaching has helped me be learn to practice really effectively so I can get the most out of it. You have helped me to be patient with myself while I'm learning something, no matter how long it takes for me to figure it out. From what I can see, you are the best guitar teacher on TH-cam and one of the best teachers I've ever had. Thank you.
Watched Rob Scallons video on classic guitars, almost fell in love with Brandon when he plays the 275 000 guitar despite being confident in my sexuality, found this video and now im practicing on my guitar after not having touched it for 2 years. Probably the best fundamental guitar lesson videos ive had the pleasure to watch! Thank you soo much!
This, and all Brandon's 'tip' videos, are so informative and inspiring eg. myth busting, warm up and so many more. Thank you for your contributions to the guitar playing community.
EXCELLENT! I always tell new students (piano, here), "You have to be stubborn. You must also be patient." I have music from the 60's with my teacher's scrawl on some pages - "Slow Down!!!" Some lessons have me walking a student through their own practice session. Good job, siir. Your videos are a pleasure.
This is very useful. The worst mistake I ever made was believing when adults around me told me that practicing consisted of mindlessly doing something over and over and over and over and it would just get better by magic. Bored me to tears. Had I known what practice really was -- solving problems, it would have been much more interesting. I usually find metronomes more interesting when I move the click around on the beat, though. Ex. putting the click on the first, second, third, then fourth 16th mote of a beat. Makes it easier to lock in for some reason.
What a great video. For such an accomplished player to explain this in detail and with such humility is so gratifying. So many musicians treat others of lesser abiltiy and experience with disregard or condescension; Brandon is not one of those.
Thank you. I've been playing on and off for over 12 years now and it's only recently that i felt the need to really step up in my commitment and to try new things. You are really helping to keep me motivated.
Your delivery and pacing is so calming. This actually makes me want to do something I find frustrating like practicing a difficult piece. Your style of presentation is perfect for what you're trying to do.
I learned basic guitar at age of 7 by my father but could not read music or afford a teacher was so hard and difficult so I learned by ear like my father then I left it by many reasons with u I recover the interest and notice that I love it thank u x being so humble and share your experience and take the time to explained and Easy way I am now on my 50s but I always love music Blessings to you !
I haven’t had to work on speed because I’ve practiced how to play a phrase cleanly at 60 bpm. If you find yourself making mistakes at 90 bpm, you’ve probably been making a few mistakes at 60. Use your phone to record yourself playing at 60 bpm. Play it back to see if the issue is with the left or right hand.
I hit that wall, for 20 years and threw my classical guitar away. But recently I am back. I am working once more on Gran Vals by Tàrrega and Bouree by Bach. This time I am also battling progressive dupuytrens in my left hand (had surgery on the right last year), although it is tough, playing guitar is good recovery work.
Without a doubt, one of the most informative and clearly articulate/detailed explanation of how to practice accordingly! Refreshingly assuring video! Thanks for your expertise and advice
Thank you for sharing these tips, Brandon. I used to play guitar many years ago, but gave it up after butchering my entrance exam for music school as a young adult in front of four staunch-looking sensors. That experience really zapped the pleasure and enthusiasm right out of me back then. ~15 years later, I still remember the feeling of defeat, driving home after the audition with my mother. My first guitar was a present from her. It’s one of the few times I forced a smile and lied out of shame and disappointment, telling my mother that the audition went well. Because of your channel, I bought a classical guitar a few months ago (Takamine H8SS) and started playing again. My enthusiasm was rekindled by TH-camrs such as yourself. Although we never met, you’re like the teacher I never had.
Man, thank you so much for all the amazing material you're uploaded. I would gladly pay for in-person lessons from you and I feel extremely lucky to be able to watch your videos for free. I often feel like the internet is slowly destroying us as human beings, but work like yours restores my faith to a very large degree. Please keep up your amazing work.
"I want to live *next* to Carnegie Hall so when people ask me for directions I can say 'practice, practice, practice, then make a left.'" - Demetri Martin
Someone who actually knows what their talking about from experience, too many "guitarists" on you tube just looking for video clicks, Brandon is s really excellent guitarist.
Wow I'm stunned! You give us such a guidance in learning how to play guitar and you do it in the best way possible. I wish you finding as much joy in creating these videos as we do while watching them :)
From me, a mathematics and computer science teacher , your teaching is utterly fabulous. I'm s beginner playing classical guitar and I wanted to say thank you.
I'd never used metronome ever in my life when practicing my guitar solos but watching your vid maybe I should get metronome because I'm having hard time learning "Asturias" though I'm a electric guitarist for 5 years. This is a very helpful vid. Thank you brother 😁🙏 (already liked and subscribed 👍)
Wow! I play the mandolin, but there is no difference between guitar, mandolin, piano or violin when practicing. I've always heard that "practice makes perfect." I have only recently heard that PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (via TwoSet Violin). You have, to my ear, just described how to attain perfect practice. I'm going to follow everything you just stated. I wish I'd heard these things 6 decades ago. I might still be playing the guitar. Watching your videos has motivated me to start really practicing again. Thanks! One of the problems I have is a bit of arthritis especially in my fretting pinky which has been bent in towards my ring finger from years of use. You'll understand that when you get your bowlback fixed and start playing it. Another is building calluses on soft, mushy old fingertips. I have some Ace Brand sort of baseball tape I have cut in strips to bind my finger tips to keep the mushy pads off adjacent strings and focus the strings on just the tips. Old fingers are so annoying! I'm just now trying it. Anything you can suggest to help would be greatly appreciated, Brandon! Listening to you perform is a joy and your tips are fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and beautiful playing with us lesser mortals. Sincerely yours, Old Farty Goat 🐐
My son started karate (tang soo do) when he was 5 and is currently studying for third degree black belt. His instructor used to say "practice makes permanent," which was intended to remind the students that practicing a bad habit only serves to make it difficult, if not impossible, to correct down the road.
Brandon, I have a quite silly question but I noticed that and I need to know: why there are those underscores in the song titles you play? Like 'Prelude_BWV 1006a' and not 'Prelude BWV 1006a'? I know, I think about it too much, hah!
I think I should started incorporating Brandon's pauses into my speaking. It will create a very dramatic effect to my speech. And I will speak more clearer and have time to think of my next line.
Join my online guitar course!🎸classicalguitar-pro.com
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Brandon basically just summed up how to effectively practice not just for any instrument (as well as singing), but literally any skill that humans can learn, ever. Bravo to you, Brandon.
I'm getting my metronome ready for the next time I practice soldering :)
But what if you’re practicing to be bad at practicing?
Hey man, if you can practice sex at 120 bpm with 16th notes, with over 9,000 repetitions, I think the women in our world would be pretty happy, in the bedroom. Jk, remember guys, we gotta slow it down too.
Lawrence Seiji Abbott That’s how pornstars practice
I'm even applying this to exercise. Identifying and fixing problems is key to good form we well as taking things slow before going all out
This video is criminal for it is free high quality content
PETITION FOR BRANDON TO UPLOAD HIS ELECTRIC GUITAR SHRED VIDEOS!! WE ALL KNOW THEY EXIST BRO CMON IVE BEEN WAITING SINCE I SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR CHANNEL
HELL YEA!
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE BRANDON, we need this
lmao
Agreed, give us some heavy, distorted goodness!
Hear! Hear!
That metaphor at 1:24 about slowing down being likened to zooming in a painting.. should be taught to everybody when they first touch an instrument
I see Bradon Acker as the Bob Ross of musical art
So fantastic how clear he explain should inspire anybody that’s keen to learn guitar great job .
Or guitar jesus
Yep..."now let's add a little 13th note in this chord"
he has no ego ..that makes it easy to learn cause you feel close.
@J Carver itd a methaphot just like stapel center is makka of basketbol ! you get it no offence to relegions.with respect !
I’m currently 17 and is practicing sweep picking while watching this video, the first tip made me stop! I love this channel so much hahaha
I had given up on the guitar permanently a literal half hour ago. Your video has encouraged me to try it again tomorrow, i never thought 'inspirational' content would actually inspire me. Thank you.
why tomorrow? do it now while watching his warp up video
This is how I've been practicing for a long time. I promise you if you slow down and diligently follow this advice you'll be amazed how quickly you'll make progress.
Hope you stuck with it!
dude your room and lighting/aesthetic in your room is very clean
I hope people appreciate and see the difference between a guitar lesson from someone with a degree in music studies and someone who just explains some frets and tabs on TH-cam. Your videos are so good and hope it reaches out to as many people as possible who want to learn guitar. Your explanations were the same ones that I received when studying classical guitar, and that was about 15 years ago. Happy to see that these practices are still used!
I definitely do! His explanations of why he takes the approach that he does makes things so clear and resonates with me on a deeper level, so many channels will just throw the exercise at you without explaining the approach. I would be humbled to be taught by this guy, I'm completely self taught for 15 years and after watching this video... I realise why I made so much progress in the first few years of me playing versus the last ten years or so. Amazing communication skills on this man
Oh yes very close to the arts ,very experienced.,,. Wonderfully expresst.
🎶👍👍👍🎶👍👍👍🎶👍👍👍
Exactly. Well said.
Sadly not everyone with a music degree teaches like this. In my experience less than 50 % of the teachers with a music degree.
The gentlest, most musical vampire. ☺️
me before the photo : Well this dude has always been on classic music stuff.
*Brandon showing a picture of him at 17*
me after the photo : Well, he definitely is more awesome than i expected.
LOL ME TOO
@A.H calm down KAREN and learn how to read plz
@A.H surely not but ok karen, i forgot you were always right
@@sachanataf26 what did they say? I think they deleted the comment.
Same here
As a electric guitar player, I smiled when you mentioned sweep picking obssession at the age of 17. Story of my life. I will start practicing classical guitar when I finally get an acoustic.
1:49 Metalhead Brandon is one of the things I never knew I needed to see, but now I'm glad I did.
This video is not only really well made and informative but there is something about Brandon's demeanor that really makes this video feel so encouraging and gentle. Thank you so much for making this!
heres how i learn guitar: hear a song>learn the song>practice 5 hrs a day>eventually play it well>put the guitar down until next year>forget the song>rinse repeat
I am you...
So thankful I found this channel. Picked up my first guitar 12 years ago, was a serious metal-head. Then came the rock music my father loved, next came the blues. I’ve recently picked up the Nylon String guitar and I have never been more in love.
Here's his points:
1 - Slow down
You will hear your mistakes better, and will learn to play without them, quicker.
2 - Use metronome/drum machine
"Anchor" yourself in a rhythm, just like you "anchor" your instrument in a certain tuning.
3 - Using metronome, play as slow as you need to play it well and comfortable.
Speed up gradually, and you'll learn to play fast quicker (as weird as it sounds).
3.2 - Separate "practice" from "performance"
When practicing, work slow on parts where you make mistakes.
When performing, skip mistakes even if you make them. People listen to a whole piece and not to mistakes
4 - Set yourself goals that you can achieve in one practice session
You won't feel as unaccomplished if you set small goals and progress on them fast.
5 - Introduce some structure to your practices.
When you're up to commitment, make a journal and log your practices - what did you do, for how long, and what needs some work.
BoopyTheFox thanks but no thanks I want to listen from his mouth, I want to hear his voice 😋
Thanks
Bruce Lee kept Journals of his workouts, training, filming etc.
I don't make any mistake when i practice because i don't practice 😉
Thanks a lot for the synthesis
The best guitar teacher I had told me, "Perfect practice makes perfect." He gave me so many tips like these to improve my play.
Its interesting to see sweep picking on a classical guitar.
Sweep picking is just arpeggio with distortion.
@@BoopyTheFox i think there is a huge difference since one is played with a pick
@@chriskan21 It was a joke tho
I want to see him sweep on an electric, real real bad.
@@chriskan21 He did it without a pic.
My 1st year university Music 100 course - we had to spend the first three months clapping to a metronome @ 60bpm for 3 full minutes. Every time we were on the beat the sound of the metronome disappeared into the clap. Idea was not to hear the metronome at all and you had "started" to demonstrate control over a basic element of music ... time. This video brought that memory back. Thanks!
This is my favourite guitar channel.
...practice journal. That's brilliant. I usually just... sit down and practice but this makes sense.
You're like the big brother musician I never had, thanks so much sir
Great advice - for all instruments. My trumpet teacher used to say “Practice doesn’t make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. Imperfect practice only re-enforces mistakes.”
I would add one other tip. That is to isolate as well as slow down. Sometimes a mistake is more than one problem.
By breaking down what appears at first to be a single mistake into all its parts we can really fix it. So, by ignoring all other problems for a while and focussing on another one, we allow our brains and bodies a chance to fix the one we’re focusing on much more effectively without being overwhelmed by too much at once. Eg. wrong notes, wrong timing or bad dynamics, fingering, technique,interpretation etc. Always initially focus on one thing only and fix that without worrying about others. And I mean not just one rough spot. Usually a mistake or single rough spot has multiple problems. Isolate each issue. Repeat with each problem and make your final focus be the putting of all the fixed problems together, to “iron out” the mistake. This is often harder than you might imagine and usually requires a drop in tempo on the first few attempts, but by isolating issues we can fix them much quicker than trying to fix everything wrong with say 1 bad bar, or a sloppy scale run. Chances are there are almost alway 2 or 3 smaller things going wrong - often even more.
It’s also great for our mind and ear to learn the discipline of identifying the problems. If we can’t break things down and identify what’s wrong, it’s really hard (and slow) trying to fix them. And likewise, we can improve much quicker and effectively if we can identify problems and break them down into their smallest parts.
I love how passionate he is about guitar and music. He is such a nice guy and I just love to hear him speak.
His calm voice and speaking flow really are something special!
My thoughts exactly
Forget about the Dr’s office… All you need to do is break down the fret board into minute segments against chords… Most people don’t care or want to put that much energy into the task at hand.
Brandon is spot on. It’s a mind task…. Either you care to go down the rabbit hole… or you don’t… it’s a lot of work… but it can be so rewarding and a life changer…
My guy had a wrinkly shirt prepared just for this video
Jokes on you. All my shirts are wrinkly.
@@brandonacker You know how I know you're lying? My man Brandon always looks crisp as FUCK
Brandon Acker best possible way you could have answered this comment 😂
Of course he did. He had 300 years to prepare.
That wrinkle took years of practice
I don't usually make comments on TH-cam videos but had to make an exception on this occasion... Thank you so much for your clear, simple and non-patronising advice. It's given me a much-needed boost to instil focus and discipline into my guitar practice. I'll let you know how I'm doing in 3 months time!
I just stumbled upon this. So hows your progress?
I don't usually reply.
Brandon, you're totally correct on every aspect. But for me as a self-learner was a total blast to understand how to really _focus_ on spotting mistakes. It's like a meditation. You can be really annoyed when playing same piece slow, repeat after repeat, you usually don't have visible progress, eyes and ears become "blurry". Sometimes frustration builds up. What's really helped me to stay focused is trying to play pieces differently(adding dynamic, accents etc) while playing slow. Recording yourself is another way to spot mistakes.
Speaking as a violin teacher, once I got my violin diploma (weird progress system in greece but it's the final thing you get), I was completely lost. I always had a certain piece as my goal which pushed me to study and practice but after "finishing" everything it was extremely hard for me to get any better. Small goals and hard pieces you can progress on slowly are the best thing to have to motivate you and I wish it hadn't taken me a year or more after my violin diploma to realise that.
"Expose your greates weaknesses"...The best tip for the life. It seems that always we the guitarrists try to hide our weaknesses not just for the listeners but ourselves.
What’s to dislike?? Free lessons....really good quality as well. Brilliant info well explained!
I've been playing and studying for 25 years now and what he says is 100% accurate. Weakness of human nature leads to those mistakes. When noone is there to disciplne you, you'll avoid the painful stuff like isolating and fixing the parts that dont work well. Thats the exact difference between a pro and an amateur.
That and practicing 5 hours a day and playing for 3 hours after practicing. Not to mention the next day prep. change strings etc. Oh, dont forget score, or piece arrangements and composition.
I've had people actually come up to me and say: wow what an easy gig you have; just play 3 hours a night. Ha! You don't know what you dont know.
This guy seems to be a true gentleman and a scholar besides being an artist. Very soothing watching him.
I got a squier strat when i was 15. I quit after only playing power chords, learnt some nirvana songs and tried some downtuning. I moved with my parents to a other house and never played guitar again. Im turning 18 this month and i got an old western from my girlfriend a week ago. I saw your video with rob scallon and the $275.000,- guitar. And now this, its realy motivating and i think im about to buy a nylon string.
This definetly won't be the last video from you I have watched. You ar e a brilliant teacher and my rescue.
i started out learning chords, then practiced finger picking with the chords I learned, then moved onto lead guitar parts in songs for slides and vibratos, went back to finger picking and learned Big Love for speed and now moving towards classical guitar. Going on 3 years now since I first started learning guitar, practice every day but never set a time for how long. Sometime I'd pick it up for 5 minutes but most of the time nowadays I play until my finger tips hurt lmao. So glad I decided to learn an instrument, made my furlough entertaining.
Bro, you are easyly the best teacher on youtube...
12:06 Brandon reveals his death note, which he uses to rid of bad sounding notes.
That which one has learnt for oneself, goes an important proverb and shares with others, makes one immortal. In this spirit of kindness, generosity of spirit and heart, Mr. Brandon gives us the best of himself. This is truly appreciated and many thanks for sharing with us.
This is the best practice plan explained without rushing through it that I have yet to see. Thank you!
I appreciate that, thank you!
Some of these tips are so great that you can actually apply it in almost everything in life.
I've been playing for around 12 years. I also am a high school teacher for the past 27 years. A lot of your practice ideas come straight out of the school of pedagogy. This is the best video of guitar advice I've seen. Some of these things I had figured out some I had not. New players would be really wise to follow the advice given here. Very pragmatic and specific tools to improve. Just excellent. I just subscribed.
Watching you play, it's very clear to me that playing classical, and ANY finger style acoustic guitar, is way, way more technical and skilful than most electric guitar techniques.
I wish I had been taught this when I was trying to learn guitar about 40 years ago. My tutor never gave me this excellent advice. I never played anything well, and I gave up. Unfortunately now, painful fingers, thumbs and wrists prevent me from trying again. I've watched a couple of your videos and you have an excellent teaching manner. It's relaxing just to listen and watch, even if I can't apply your advice.
I agree. He is great to watch.
From a guy who can't read tabs or music and relies heavily on watching vids and rewinding back and pausing to learn chord shapes, thank you so much.
Jux from Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 (South Pacific)
This is *the * method. Back in the day, I went to school for percussion. This is almost the exact method we used. The main difference is that our Instructor filled out the practice journal and served as the second voice of your inner monologue to help you spot and find a good approach for problem spots. Fast forward a few years, and I'm getting a welcome recap on these skills after picking up guitar (marimbas are proper expensive). Thank you for putting excellent methods out there for more people!
Something special that Brandon Acker has besides his magnificent playing is that vague smile in his teaching, the smile is warm and friendly giving the person watching a good feeling of confidence,
This is classical guitar education for free
Wonderful advices , high quality content
Couldn’t be more grateful
These are videos are the only ones that I’ve seen that properly explains solutions and don’t just show you common problems
You have literally answered all of the questions that I’ve had for more than 10 years. I always knew what I was doing wrong, but I could never tell how to solve it until now. You are a true maestro!
My favorite guitar channel by far.
Even for non-guitarists like myself (I'm an accordionist), this video can really help for other instruments as well.
Agree.
I feel like you were personally speaking to me. I cannot thank you enough for this video. BRAVO
his voice is giving me some asmr vibes
To be honest I always have in my mind that a piano is more elegant than guitar, But you make it al seems So elegant and luxury. Thx for the motivation, I just pick up a guitar that my parent bought for me 10 years a go and I play During the lockdown with you video for 6 Month now.
Maybe best guitar teacher ever, I feel like I have made a new friend, in addition to finding a mentor and a source of much-needed inspiration! Thank you Brandon, for such well-made lessons.
I saw a samurai guitar video, and you gave a lesson on scales which helped me out on the ukulele. Merci beaucoup. I started the piano last year after my retirement, and I'm geeking out on music theory. What a great lesson for any musician.
Your channel has made me fall in love with my guitar and piano practice again. I can see how passionate you are about guitar and music in general and that helped me remember why I started playing music in the first place! Practicing felt like drudgery for a long time and your teaching has helped me be learn to practice really effectively so I can get the most out of it. You have helped me to be patient with myself while I'm learning something, no matter how long it takes for me to figure it out. From what I can see, you are the best guitar teacher on TH-cam and one of the best teachers I've ever had. Thank you.
Subscribed, because after a long time I found a speaker is speaking the way a good human being should speak.
Watched Rob Scallons video on classic guitars, almost fell in love with Brandon when he plays the 275 000 guitar despite being confident in my sexuality, found this video and now im practicing on my guitar after not having touched it for 2 years.
Probably the best fundamental guitar lesson videos ive had the pleasure to watch! Thank you soo much!
I want to cry because of how good these videos are, when TH-cam asks im cheking all the boxes
This, and all Brandon's 'tip' videos, are so informative and inspiring eg. myth busting, warm up and so many more. Thank you for your contributions to the guitar playing community.
EXCELLENT! I always tell new students (piano, here), "You have to be stubborn. You must also be patient." I have music from the 60's with my teacher's scrawl on some pages - "Slow Down!!!"
Some lessons have me walking a student through their own practice session.
Good job, siir. Your videos are a pleasure.
If you were teaching about python and Dijkstra's algorithm I'd swear up and down you were my Algorithms professor. This is gold.
This is very useful. The worst mistake I ever made was believing when adults around me told me that practicing consisted of mindlessly doing something over and over and over and over and it would just get better by magic. Bored me to tears. Had I known what practice really was -- solving problems, it would have been much more interesting.
I usually find metronomes more interesting when I move the click around on the beat, though. Ex. putting the click on the first, second, third, then fourth 16th mote of a beat. Makes it easier to lock in for some reason.
What a great video. For such an accomplished player to explain this in detail and with such humility is so gratifying.
So many musicians treat others of lesser abiltiy and experience with disregard or condescension; Brandon is not one of those.
Maybe it's the most useful video I've ever seen
Thank you. I've been playing on and off for over 12 years now and it's only recently that i felt the need to really step up in my commitment and to try new things. You are really helping to keep me motivated.
didnt notice im watching this video exactly 1 year later, i gotta say this is really helpful to me and many other guitarrist
Oh, man. I put my guitar down many years ago and I was making each and every one of these mistakes. Brandon, you're a remarkable teacher. Thanks.
@Petercross - yeah, well, I was too embarrassed to play for anyone else so I couldn't see the point.
Guitar master AND motivational speaker!
Your delivery and pacing is so calming. This actually makes me want to do something I find frustrating like practicing a difficult piece. Your style of presentation is perfect for what you're trying to do.
I learned basic guitar at age of 7 by my father but could not read music or afford a teacher was so hard and difficult so I learned by ear like my father then I left it by many reasons with u I recover the interest and notice that I love it thank u x being so humble and share your experience and take the time to explained and Easy way I am now on my 50s but I always love music Blessings to you !
"If you can play it slow, you can play it quickly."
ReDHeaDSg1 you gotta put in your 40 hours a day though, otherwise you can’t play at all.
amazing...
Sacrilegious bois are taking over all music channels.
TwoSetViolin reference
I haven’t had to work on speed because I’ve practiced how to play a phrase cleanly at 60 bpm. If you find yourself making mistakes at 90 bpm, you’ve probably been making a few mistakes at 60. Use your phone to record yourself playing at 60 bpm. Play it back to see if the issue is with the left or right hand.
I hit that wall, for 20 years and threw my classical guitar away. But recently I am back. I am working once more on Gran Vals by Tàrrega and Bouree by Bach. This time I am also battling progressive dupuytrens in my left hand (had surgery on the right last year), although it is tough, playing guitar is good recovery work.
Without a doubt, one of the most informative and clearly articulate/detailed explanation of how to practice accordingly! Refreshingly assuring video! Thanks for your expertise and advice
You are not only a good guitar teacher, but also an excellent English speaker!!
Thank you for sharing these tips, Brandon. I used to play guitar many years ago, but gave it up after butchering my entrance exam for music school as a young adult in front of four staunch-looking sensors. That experience really zapped the pleasure and enthusiasm right out of me back then. ~15 years later, I still remember the feeling of defeat, driving home after the audition with my mother. My first guitar was a present from her. It’s one of the few times I forced a smile and lied out of shame and disappointment, telling my mother that the audition went well. Because of your channel, I bought a classical guitar a few months ago (Takamine H8SS) and started playing again. My enthusiasm was rekindled by TH-camrs such as yourself. Although we never met, you’re like the teacher I never had.
Man, thank you so much for all the amazing material you're uploaded. I would gladly pay for in-person lessons from you and I feel extremely lucky to be able to watch your videos for free. I often feel like the internet is slowly destroying us as human beings, but work like yours restores my faith to a very large degree. Please keep up your amazing work.
I am a flamenco player, and even thoe you are a classical musician but i learned a lot from you , your lessons are amazing. 👏👏👏👍👍👍
"I want to live *next* to Carnegie Hall so when people ask me for directions I can say 'practice, practice, practice, then make a left.'" - Demetri Martin
I like that guy now
Someone who actually knows what their talking about from experience, too many "guitarists" on you tube just looking for video clicks, Brandon is s really excellent guitarist.
Wow, I never realized how much I could be improving, I surely would be adopting all these tips in my practice routine, thank you so much dude
Made me smile to see a professional having to concentrate to get the metronome timing WRONG. ..... Fabulous help video Brandon.
Wow I'm stunned! You give us such a guidance in learning how to play guitar and you do it in the best way possible. I wish you finding as much joy in creating these videos as we do while watching them :)
you 're so charismatic ...my God Thank' s for that genius lesson..
Unbelievably useful practice tips! I wish I’ve known them years ago. I also applied them to my piano playing. Thank you very much Brandon! Cheers!
1:48 Mad props for posting that photo. It took a lot of guts to do that. 👋
We need more metalhead Brandon on this channel.
From me, a mathematics and computer science teacher , your teaching is utterly fabulous. I'm s beginner playing classical guitar and I wanted to say thank you.
I'd never used metronome ever in my life when practicing my guitar solos but watching your vid maybe I should get metronome because I'm having hard time learning "Asturias" though I'm a electric guitarist for 5 years. This is a very helpful vid. Thank you brother 😁🙏 (already liked and subscribed 👍)
Wow! I play the mandolin, but there is no difference between guitar, mandolin, piano or violin when practicing. I've always heard that "practice makes perfect." I have only recently heard that PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (via TwoSet Violin). You have, to my ear, just described how to attain perfect practice. I'm going to follow everything you just stated. I wish I'd heard these things 6 decades ago. I might still be playing the guitar. Watching your videos has motivated me to start really practicing again. Thanks!
One of the problems I have is a bit of arthritis especially in my fretting pinky which has been bent in towards my ring finger from years of use. You'll understand that when you get your bowlback fixed and start playing it. Another is building calluses on soft, mushy old fingertips. I have some Ace Brand sort of baseball tape I have cut in strips to bind my finger tips to keep the mushy pads off adjacent strings and focus the strings on just the tips. Old fingers are so annoying! I'm just now trying it.
Anything you can suggest to help would be greatly appreciated, Brandon! Listening to you perform is a joy and your tips are fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and beautiful playing with us lesser mortals.
Sincerely yours,
Old Farty Goat 🐐
My son started karate (tang soo do) when he was 5 and is currently studying for third degree black belt. His instructor used to say "practice makes permanent," which was intended to remind the students that practicing a bad habit only serves to make it difficult, if not impossible, to correct down the road.
Brandon, I have a quite silly question but I noticed that and I need to know: why there are those underscores in the song titles you play? Like 'Prelude_BWV 1006a' and not 'Prelude BWV 1006a'? I know, I think about it too much, hah!
haha just a visual aid to separate the words.
This advice can double as a life lesson. Thanks.
Wow this video helped me realize a bunch of stuff I was doing wrong during my practice. Thanks for helping me improve and stay motivated :)
The way he taught is kinda therapeutic. Thank Sir Brandon! need to share this.
I think I should started incorporating Brandon's pauses into my speaking. It will create a very dramatic effect to my speech. And I will speak more clearer and have time to think of my next line.
So glad I found this, taking up guitar in your 50's is challenging. This is very helpful.