I started (serious) studying guitar at age 17. It was the only thing in my life i was really sure about. Two weeks before the entrance examination i got sick and had to rush into the hospital. I had to stay there for one month and on release, the diagnosis was a disaster (myelitis with a possibility of multiple sclerosis) - that meant, at any time in the future, in my 20ties or 30ties, i could loose the ability of movement and would end in paralysis. Altrought i couldnt study anymore (my shoulder was really damaged and i lost a lot of sensitivity in my fingers), i never stopped learning, went back to drums and later piano, til i was able to get my grip back. Now i teach (just the children in the town and some friends). Thanks to youtube teachers nowadays i am still constantly learning more and more, knowledge i wouldn't had access to otherwise. Moral of the story: Life is merciless and sometimes devastating. And 99% of us won't be "huge musicians", just people who make and teach music. But thats ok. Like almost everyone, in my youth I dreamed of a great musician career. Today, i'm just happy to be able to make music and i love it to be the boring guy in a small village teaching music to annoying little kids.
99.99% won't be, but you have changed many lives, as being able to play music can be magical. I can't imagine not being able to play guitar, I can play Hendrix, Page, Beck, etc. whenever I want, and still learn all the time.
my dad had a similar situation. Applied to master's school at Penn state and was rejected. got into UCLA, got his MBA. 7 years later, Penn state hired him to teach military history. His opening line to his class was, "Penn State doesn't think I'm smart enough to be a student here, but they do think I'm smart enough to be a teacher."
This experience must be more common than originally realized. I took an elective class from a college professor who advised me that my major was a complete waste of time and I would never get a job, blah blah blah. Not only did I recently retire from the supposed job I would never have, but I also was hired to teach the same class he taught (without the degree he thought I should have), and in the exact same classroom where he gave me such poor advice. Go figure.
one of the most impressive things he said, was how little his formal education got him to where he is, and how far is own curiosity and tenacity and drive and determination took him... some things you can't buy...
At some time in the last few hundred years, formal music education got lazy and lost the ability to teach how to improvise on the fly. That USED TO BE a required part of "Classical" music performance but now "Classical" is synonymous with stale museum pieces set in stone that one recites "correctly." Today the "Blues Nazis" comprised of people who've never played a gig are trying to do the same thing to that genre. It's the people who play live who keep music alive.
Both comments above are GOLD! When you read about musical education in the XVIII century, late baroque and early classical periods, you see all those pratices of learning ALL the scales, the harmonic relations and realization of figured bass in a thousand of possible combinations by ROTE, the so called "partimento" realization of cyphered harmony and even FUGUE improvisation! To make music was to CREATE music in the craftiest way possible! A promethean amount of sweat and practice! It's read in many sources that Bach could improvise complex and well rounded fugues out of almost nothing and it usually impresses the modern reader. But improvising fugues, counterpoint structured choral preludes, sonata-form movements, "basso ostinato" forms and bass realizations of figured harmony was a requirement for ALL professional musicians applying for ANY position in those times! The average professional could think in a second about MANY possible solutions to the SIMPLEST melodic line they found in their ways! Beethoven, a musician trained in those parameters, was a GREAT master of music structure engineering, parting from trivial themes and figures, like the famous four note figure (for the 5th symphony and many other works from the same period) or the Diabelli Waltz, and building from them really complex and intellectually challenging works! He was the ripest fruit of the "improvising craft" way of music training from the XVIII hundreds!
Man I really needed to hear this story. I been depressed and feeling sorry for myself and this made me realize I've just been lazy and in my own head thinking negatively.
I talk to you as a man who has suffered for many years with depression, ptsd, and psychosis. It's not always possible to make your brain start thinking positively, and if you have depression, without help it's almost impossible. There's a difference between being lazy and having depression. One of them is your fault.
sticky7435 Hey sticky, I can relate to what you’re saying - totally. I’m 52 & music kept me going thru very dark times. The only way around this is to do the most & best you can on your ‘good’ days. This should, in turn, give you more good days. It’s a cycle - take charge. Sleep & eat well. All the very best. 🤗
Dear Rick, when I was 9 years old, I wanted to play the piano more than anything in the world. I loved Grieg and dreamed of being able to play his concertos. Someone donated an old piano to me and had it delivered outside our house. My parents let it sit there for weeks until it got taken away. My grandmother took me to ballet class, and they said I could borrow a pair of shoes until my parents got me a pair. They never did, and I had to leave. I gave up on believing I could do anything I loved. So I listened to your video with tears streaming down my face for your honesty and bravery. I know this video is a year old, and probably things are better, but I want to support you by becoming a subscriber. You have brought back the songs I loved in my youth and given so much happiness to me. Thank you, and all my best to you and your family.
I sacrificed my whole youth and most of my adult life honing my skills and becoming and entertainer. I have skills. I have fresh new great music that the few fans I've showed love and wonder why I don't play live. I get ignored by every musician and band i work for all these decades so I just gave up. I feel you and even more sorrow for you and my heart hurts for you. I truly wish I could buy you what you wanted,but,I can't and it hurts me to know I can't help you. I feel for you so much that to be honest,your story brought me to tears and broke my heart which I haven't felt for so long. I'm so sorry dear fellow musician.
There have been times where, as a performing musician, I’ve been frustrated (from a little to a lot) by people who have said to me, “it must be wonderful to have such a god-given talent, to be able to play and sing so well... and how great it must be to make a living working only a few hours a day!” Most of the time, I politely thank them, but a part of me always bristles at those kinds of comments, because these people - who mean well - have no earthly idea of just how hard pro musicians work to get where they are. They can’t conceive of how we’ve all worked our asses off, to reach a level of being just acceptably “good”. The sacrifices, the discipline, the feast or famine months, the years spent on the road playing gigs, driving through the worst weather imaginable to get to the gig, showing up for load-in at noon to do a show that night at 9, and then loading out at 2 a.m., driving the rest of the night to get to the next city... I’m not suggesting that there isn’t such a thing as having a “natural” talent for certain things, and music wouldn’t be an exception to that. Some are born with a natural sense of pitch and rhythm. But mostly, it all comes down to hard work, dedication, and practice, practice, practice... and not for months, but for YEARS that determines your skill. It’s having your friends stop by on a Friday evening when you’re 18, while you’re practicing your instrument, trying to get an exercise right, playing it over and over, while they’re urging you to go out with them that evening, and saying, “Sorry guys, I’m gonna pass, I need to practice.” It’s sacrificing personal relationships, because you aren’t ever home, working for months out on the road; it’s going through times when you can’t afford to eat; it’s searching out those other musicians who are far better than you, just so you can learn something from them; and it’s times where you’re forced to take any gig that comes your way... and ultimately, it’s making a conscious decision to commit yourself fully to an occupation that most non-musicians (I refer to them as “civilians”) look upon as being “lazy” and “easy”... Over the 4-plus decades that I’ve been a working musician, I’ve found that it’s not talent (or at least not talent alone) that makes you a good musician... it’s the level of commitment you decide to dedicate yourself to. IMHO, of course.
Most ultimately successful bands had very humble beginnings where they eeked out a living until they produced something brilliant and/or get noticed by the right person. It's usually the absolute commitment you speak of; they simply refuse to give up because it's the only thing they want to do. Stories of bands like Iron Maiden and Aerosmith are good examples. (sharing a studio apartment together or living in their cars while performing as bar-bands right out of high school). I played in bars for a year after high school, but I couldn't support myself, so I accepted reality and went to college.
To be fair while you can learn to play a instrument , you may not be great and just average.....it is very difficult to sing well. You are either born with a great singing voice or you can't hold a tune. A lucky few can use their vocal strangeness and become successful.
@@Bradgilliswhammyman Musical skills are innate, it just takes practice. It's the unlucky few who may have physical or cognitive disabilities. But musicians are just being human, I've spent thirty years of my life thinking I had no talent and... well I still have no talent, but I play and somehow they cheer...
Totally relate to this!! People so often seem to think that you just turn up, plug in and play!! They don't see the hours of practice and rehearsal that you put in so as to make sure that you're a memorable part of their night. They don't see the many huddles that two guitar players go off into in order to try and work out harmony passages etc. And (speaking as a bass player) they don't see the infuriating frustration of having to try and work with an ostentatious drummer who suddenly doesn't appear to speak or understand English when you say things like, "No, leave a bar and half of space there"! And I know we don't do this for the money, God knows we don't do this for the money!! But the number of times people think they can negotiate you down to peanuts because again, they seem to think that you just turn up, plug in and play!!
@@Vortigan07 The same story goes for many people working in health care. (except that they don't need to practice that much, they just need a practice) I'm not supernatural gifted as a musician nor as a medic, I'm working my butt off to do what I love: Both! And yes: sex and drugs and rock and roll: so funny- how comes you'll always end up empty handed? Plug it in, or give me a diagnosis....
During the 90's, I was in my thirties and basically a bum. I went from living in a tent, to a van, to a bus and worked seasonally picking fruit, tree-planting, tree-spacing, etc. in British-Columbia. I met my wife at 37, got a steady job for a few years and went back to school at 40, working nights the first year before becoming a research assistant which saved my life as by this time I had three young children at home and would have a total of 4 kids, five years old and younger, by the time I got my law degree. Fast forward to 2018, the modest house we bought while I was in school is bought and paid for and our 4 kids are all sight-reading multi-instrumentalists...I am an average joe who had the good fortune to meet a good woman and enough sense to stop, although belatedly, self-destructing before it killed me. So, it is never too late as long as you believe in yourself, aren't afraid of a lot of hard work and sacrifice and have someone in your corner rooting for you. As a final note, I started playing guitar seriously about 2 years ago and cannot believe the amount of time and dedication it has taken me to play at a "campfire" level: I have never been more in awe of serious musicians than I am today and am amazed at the level of dedication required by even very talented and gifted people to become well-rounded musicians. Thanks for the inspirational rant, Rick.
I taught myself guitar at 40 years of age. With a wife 2 kids and 2 jobs I didn’t have hours to practice so I’m not a high level musician but as a self taught hack I’ve done fairly well. I so admire high level musicians like Rick, love his insight and understanding .
I worked with 3 people that were very good guitarists, two rhythm players, and a lead player. It just never clicked with me. I practiced until my calluses had calluses, lol. I really have a deep respect for anyone that can play even moderately well (I knew a 15 year old kid that could pick up a song from the radio in like 10 to 20 minutes the same song I struggled with for like a week of 2 hour sessions a day) I am mostly tone deaf and really can not tell if a note is too high or too low when I get close to it. Feel blessed if you can do this. I now work on gear as a tube amp tech, I love the gear and that I am good at! We all have our place I guess.
nobody is born with the ability to play an instrument ... some people have an affinity with a given instrument ... i can do strings .. i cant do woods or brass .. i started on brass ... fail ... woods ... fail ... meanwhile i was toying with strings all the time and liking it and now 40 years later im at the other end of my career as a bass player and just bought myself an upright bass to have fun with
I’m almost fifty and for the last three years I’ve been changing my workflow decisions, shedding my preconceptions about my own abilities, staying out of the “no” zone, and making the best art of my life.
63 years old on the downswing of my career. My whole life I kept saying to myself, one of these days your going to learn guitar (speaking to myself is common these days). There's only one reason I didn't learn, me! I was a talker. Pretty cliche. Last year I finally bought an acoustical and electric guitar. Every day since, I have picked up one or the other or both. Today, I am still a beginner, have no visions of grandeur but can say, I can play guitar. Watching your videos over the last several months has amped me up even more and am now enjoying when I play. Thank you for your enthusiasm and unending knowledge about music and the music business. It has helped re-kindle a beautiful fire. Take care and keep sharing.
Francis Murdock Playing guitar takes a lifetime to learn. Picking it up at 63 just means that it takes a whole lot less time to learn compared with somebody who started in their teens! Live the dream.
I'm 50. This an inspiration to me. I took care of my Dad 24/7 from 2008 til he passed on New Year's Eve. So, I put off my goals in life. I am going to start a business. I started a hobby website. And, I want to make music to put on TH-cam. I may vlog too. But, after watching you, I feel my age will not get in my way.
A guy who would take care of his dad for 10 years is sensitive, strong and has enough HEART to absolutely succeed at expressing the music inside and get it across to the people he cares about. Thanks for honoring us with your story.
Im 49, getting back into drumming and this time seriously, after disrespecting my talent for 25 years, and finding every time I practice or get involved with drums and music that i ABSOLUTELY have needed this, and I'm going the right way. You're stronger for your efforts with your dad, more blessed and capable of finding your music inside and getting it out. You have another 20-something years to do music, dream big because you CAN. I think you can do anything you can dream; there's a way if it came into your head and heart.
Rick - subbed the second I heard "well screw it, let them demonetize it -- this is the stuff that needs to be taught on here, and I don't care. I'm going to take a chance..." -- I completely agree, and look forward to helping support your efforts here through the methods you've made available.
I only started studying music production in February 2018. 7 days per week, 8 to 16 hours per day. It's going very well and I appreciate the helpful vids on TH-cam. I am 48 years old.
I grew up in Rick's town and went to school with one of his older brothers. They lived in a little house right near American Can Co. The man speaks the truth..
Not according to the social justice warriors out there. I say this not to be snyde....there's a real loss taking place with the current rejection of "old, white, CIS men" in the service of "diversity and inclusion" narratives. There is a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience that will quietly be lost if we allow this rejection of once-revered valuables to be sidelined by intersectional SJW's and feminists. Consider this a warning. ⚠️
@@CapriciousBlackBox Your point is interesting because Rick is complaining about a fellow "old, white, CIS" man making excuses and acting like a little bitch. It's spelled "snide" btw.
I love hearing stories like this. Mr. Beato truly deserves the success he's had in his life. More young people early in their career should watch this.
Spot on! Rick Beato not getting into music college is utterly unimaginable looking at him now, but it shows how relentlessly hard he has worked on his knowledge and skills over the years out of sheer passion for music. Winners always come out on top! Bring on the Beato Club and the end of the incredible greed and selfishness exhibited by the blockers! I'd love to see a video of Rick ranting at the UMG fat cats and going nuts haha!!! :-)
Yes thank you, if you think you have to master every technique and understand every bit of theory you won’t get anywhere, learn as you go and just try to make Music!
We can also include simple Confidence, not braggadocio or arrogant Trumpian bullshitting but genuine quiet confidence, the kind that comes with the courage and wisdom to humble yourself to the Learning Process.
I started proper lessons in 1977. I was on stage for the first time in 1980. Gigged from then until 1991. Then back at it in 1995. During the 80s me and my bandmates gigged almost every weekend. 4 sets a night. Great club circuit. All those clubs are gone. I feel bad for young guys getting the chance to play. The clubs just arent there. Thats how you get good -playing in front of people. On the side I was playing weddings, bar mitzvahs etc....Play live any chance you get.
For yucks I checked here in Phoenix to see how many places are still in business from late 1970's. From "Clubs" to neighborhood bars and taverns 75% are gone and the remaining places that had live music had converted to "sports bar's" decades ago. The only places in North and west Phoenix offering live music today are universally mexican specializing in mariachi or ranchero music.
Dude, I’ve been playing guitar badly since I was 16. Now at 42 I’ve starter learning the bass. I still suck but I jam once a week with some of the kids I teach at school. They’re so talented and play better than I ever will, but they love jamming with me and it’s the highlight of my week. Moral of the story, just play.
Someone in live chat said "Rick was a late developer". I disagree. Hearing this I'm convinced that Rick is a "Constant Developer"... always learning, growing, and pressing forward with no excuses.
Those that find an early path that's rather easy may be cheated out on a lot more that life may have otherwise offered them. Rick didn't take a long time to find his path, his path was this whole journey to here. none of his history was wasted. It all lead to him becoming who he is and what he has to offer us all now. Yes, this is also yet another chapter in his story, The TH-cam years. At least that's how I perceive things.
I agree with some of this but honestly becoming famous is extremely difficult and requires a lot of luck. You need to be at the right place, the right time and society has to be ready for your music. Not talking about cover bands, I"m talking about becoming famous for original music.
Your testimony just inspired me,as a singer songwriter, who got saved. Now the Lord has called me to lead worship. So there it is. Forgetting all my secular songs ,and playing only in the spirit (improv).to you secular guys. I'm ready after hearing you rick. I'm 56. So it's not to late✝️
Your stories like this give us underlings hope. Someone with your musical intelligence was beaten down repeatedly, but you stuck to it! This inspires me!
19:20 "Who'll watch my channel at 54?" I do. I don't play an instrument, I'm not in the music business, and I still find your videos to be very interesting.
Screw excuses I finally got an ssl 4056 g+ console 64 channel. I never knew how I was gonna make it happen but I said however long whatever it takes and it’s finally happens it will be my mixing console and drum recording unit. I have a full pro tools setup with great pre’s and mics plus I just got my ns 10s. To sum up the only way you get what you want is hard work there are no short cuts.! If you are a doer you too busy to talk.
I just put on my channel I totally can understand. I’ve been producing for15 years. I just decided to put one up and do a somewhat similar approach talk about how to record and mix and be able to show people in my ssl 4056 and also put up videos of me playing songs doing all the instruments and vocals and using pro tools and so on
Anyone can play 3 chords, what's the big deal about Johny Ramone? The Ramones are so fkn' boring , even a child could come up with their chord progressions, all their 1min. songs sound the same too and with nihilistic lyrics like "jenny's a punk rocker..blah blah blah" Talk about mindless repetition ad nauseam. Just WHAT is the big deal?
@@starcloud4959 Clearly you don't get it. That's ok, that happens, everyone is different. Millions bought Garth Brooks, Milli Vanilli, Ted Nugent and Scooter😃 It's the emotion, the feeling and the energy you put into music that has to Connect and stir the emotions and feelings of the listener.
I have been watching your videos religiously, thank you for being who you are Rick. The world needs more friends, dads, musicians, sons Etc. Like YOU. Thank you Rick.
You're truly one in a billion Rick. Much respect to you and your perseverance to succeed through the muck and foggy darkness of the music industry. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. You change lives.
"If you put your mind to something, you can be successful" - that is the thing that so many universities fail to actually teach. If you are lucky, as a student, you develop a relationship with a teacher who can serve as a mentor and teach the wisdom necessary to make it to a career in music. The technical skills are, at best, half of the requirement. My story wasn't too dissimilar from yours. I had plenty of technical talent at age 18, relative to my peers, and didn't have trouble getting into a music program, but I lacked people skills and never really connected with any teachers or fellow students. As my taste in music broadened as a result of my education, I was exposed to more and more musicians who were enormously more skilled than I was, and I started to experience peers who were comparable or better players than me. Without a mentor, I had no one to tell me that what I needed to do was practice and play and get exposure to as many forms and players as possible, rather than comparing myself unfavourably to players who had put in more time on stage than I had spent alive. Instead of being inspired by those better, more experienced, players, I was intimidated by them and I ended up walking away for the better part of 20 years. When I finally came back to music, I was still pretty talented relative to peers of similar experience and education level, and I was able to learn quickly and get much better than I had ever been in my early 20s. Had someone only explained to me at that age, in terms I could understand at the time, that the difference between where I was and where I wanted to be wasn't talent, it was hard work and skill, I'd have persisted. Weirdly, I gave it up for something I was much less naturally talented at, but I think that's why I was able to learn the value of hard work in that context. I kicked ass in my career, but largely because I quickly learned that I had to do work and practice in order to excel at it. I had no belief in my own innate talent, so I put in real work in order to excel. Music had never seemed like work, so I never understand that was how to get better at it. All of my knowledge and most of my skill had been so easy to acquire that I never had to learn how to properly practice or even listen. The plateau I had reached at age 20 was the plateau that occurs at the edge of natural talent, when work and practice has to take over in order to retain momentum. I failed that test and gave up a potential career in music, as a result. Maybe I'll find my way to something resembling a music career in middle age, and I've certainly found my way to the enjoyment of music performance and composition, but an empathetic teacher in the right place when I was withdrawing from school could have gone a long way to helping me realize my original musical dreams. Instead of responding to excuses with anger or shaming, focus on teaching why those excuses or ONLY excuses. Teach how to learn instead of just teaching what needs to be learned. Teachers who laugh a kid out of an audition, instead of providing them guidance and assistance in order to make it through next time, really have no business being teachers at all.
Wow. Thank you so much for your story - taking the time to write it down. It means something to me. I am currently 29. I wanted to pursue music in high school and beyond, but everybody told me it wasn't a career. It crippled my spirit and I lost any sense of direction in life. I ended up in the trades and have been learning the value of hard work and dedication to consistently bettering oneself because of it. If only I had the mental fortitude to pursue it harder when I was younger. Could have gotten a scholarship. I have certainly fallen into the trap of comparing oneself to greater players instead of learning from them and I still do it. Social media almost seems to encourage it - one reason I steer clear.
Great story Rick. I went to Berkeley in '79 to audition for the music dept. after a couple years gigging on Long Island and knowing that Simon & Garfunkel were not going to get me into the major. So I, also, took some classical guitar lessons (Sor etudes, etc.) to have at least SOME kind of 'legitimate' ax as my instrument. I got through the dictation and harmony phase and when I completed the musicianship/sight-singing part, successfully, I waited, tremblingly, to be called to play my 'instrument.' But, to my surprise, their question was not, 'What do you have to play for us?' It was, 'So, do you already have a teacher, or are you going to want to study with someone here in the department?' 'Huh?' I said, or words to that effect. 'You're a singer, right?' they asked. 'I'm a singer...oh, yea...right, yea, of course, sure, yea, I'm a singer, right, that's it.' Or words to that effect. Seems they were impressed enough with my so-fa vocalizing that they decided they didn't need to hear any more. (Too bad for the money wasted on learning Bourré!) The short story: I went on to sing with the San Francisco Opera; had a vocal career of a couple decades and now work with the music publishing industry; very happy to have made it. And it just sort of fell in my lap. Moral: Amazing how clueless we are when we are young, but somehow we progress nonetheless. Keep making music, Rick!
I watched this today and could not be more pleased! I am a true believer in doing the work and not bitching, making excuses etc. work hard to be great and put yourself in a position to get the gig. I am not the greatest bass player in the world but my work ethic beats anyone I come in contact with. The hang and attitude is also super important. 54 years and still playing all the time. Rick you are always a true inspiration to me. TYVM!!!! Brian…
Great story...thanks for sharing. The reason you've been successful is that you aren't afraid to put yourself out there, do the hard work, and you're real. Keep on hitting it!👍
Wow!! This video really encouraged me as a musician and person. It just reassured me that no matter how old you are you still have time to be great and fulfill your dreams. God bless you my man!!!
I studied music with Dick Grove when I was 18. Up until that point, I practiced 10 or more hours a day. I had a roommate while at Grove that had that "music theory and practice ruins feeling" approach. I call it lazy. Wed sit and jam, and I was rapidly improving, yet he couldn't even handle a 1 4 5 progression that wasn't in E or A. I moved back to my home state. I continued to practice pretty intensively, and study the material I learned at Grove more. I concentrated on improv, chord scale relationship and Holdsworth, my hero. I began playing out. I was shocked at people's response to my playing, because to me I was just this cat that liked to play. But I was getting recognized on the streets as "the guy with the blue guitar". I was getting gigs simply by word of mouth that I could play over anything. I had many requests for lessons, so I took on some students. I recorded several CDs with bandsbi was in, getting the nickname "one take" because I would often nail things in one take. Life was way groovy. Fast forward years: My roommate in college still can't improvise, and doesn't even know basic theory. I taught myself to compose orchestral music, and began to venture down the road of scoring film and video games. Then my relationship of 10 years ended under much pain. I ended up homeless. I lost everything. I had to sell everything to live. Then just as I got my life back together, I lost the vision in my left eye, and got gangrene in my left leg. My leg was amputated at the knee. I persevered, with relentless and unstoppable forward motion. I got a.$45 dollar Rogue acoustic and my dad's friend gave me his old Washburn electric. Both are blue. They are all I have right now. I don't even have an amp. But I won't stop. I have no excuses, and whining isn't in my vocabulary. I think of my heroes that I have met, and talked to, especially Holdsworth. He told me to find my voice. My voice. Not my version of his. I practice, study and got my chops back. I have one leg, one eye, and two cheapo guitars and no amp. Yet I am happier and have a sense of purpose greater than most people I know. Why? Its because of something that I don't have, and never will: Excuses.
A.H. is one of my musician heroes too. You have revealed the secret of secrets to playing and composing well: study and practice. Your story reveals how up and down life takes us but more so how much you love music in spite of challenging circumstances.
Sometimes resentment is a powerful motivator! Good for you Rick! Love this story...and the Rant! Class of '74 and living room musician who enjoys your videos
AN AMAZING STORY RICK! I've come away with new-found respect for you. I wish I had known you years ago to inspire me with your "get up and do it " attitude. I write classical concert pieces and am almost 80 years old. God bless you Rick and much continued success and good health!
For real....I had to deal with my parents, two sisters and a brother and I was the youngest person in the house. I'm surprised I'm not an infamous serial killer that started in his own house and worked his way out into the community...
Funny americans. There're no houses with more than one bathroom here in Russia. What a whinners! For example, we live 5 people, two rooms plus kitchen, 40 sq. meters total. And we are supposed to be middleclass.
Powerful story!! Every kid who coasted to the off ramp because they heard a discouraging word needs to hear this. Pick up a habit worth pursuing and keep at it...and keep at it. Love your videos. The Beato Book is the Bible. Well organized and massive. Perfect shutin COVID reading. Thank you so much man. You’re on the right track.
This is so inspiring. I've had classical piano lessons since I was 8 yrs old. When I got older I joined the Army when I was 19 to escape drug addiction and to have enough money to buy my first Mbox and Pro Tools rig. I got chaptered out for medical and got a job at a mom and pop music store where I learned about the music industry first hand. I met a friend and started a recording studio in town. My gf at that time was moving to California so I called studios in LA asking if I could work for them, and got a job at an indie label. They moved me out and let me stay at a house for free and I helped them bring high value clientele into the studio. I'm 33 now, decided to move home to PA about a year ago and bought my first guitar. Not long after that I subscribed to your channel, Rick and have been thinking about starting a band. I literally teared up when you said Shinedown happened in your late 30's. I totally understand feeling sick of their excuses. You can do anything if you REALLY put your mind to something. Thank you so much for making a youtube channel. Thank you for this video.
Mr. Beato understands that there is a whole world of difference between merely having to say something and truly having something to say... That point is too simple for most people to ever grasp yet Rick clearly did.
You are such an inspirational person, and a real down to earth person; I could listen to you tell stories all day long. You deserve every ounce of success that you have. Like you said, "you are either a doer, or a talker." You obviously went after what you wanted, thanks for sharing!
I love your channel. You're me!!! I'm 54 and have played and been a producer my whole life. I have a full studio and am broke and hungry. I have a guitar curriculum... I don't know what to do. You inspire me
This is why I really enjoy your positive get on with it no nonsense attitude! You've been there and lived it, up down and all around the world! Keep up the great work Rick, youve inspired me to pick up my old yamaha beginners classical guitar and practice/start reading music again!
Rick.Each "What makes this song great"is a book in itself, a whole collection available. Steve Vai has a publishing company and is your friend. Maybe he can make it happen with you.
"Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel; you can't always see light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place." -Iroh
Thank you Rick. This is very important testimony. I will share it w/my son & daughter and my HS students. (Wow, we are about the same age, and I can relate to so much of what you are saying.) Thank you for taking the time to share your talent and videos w/us!
I never heard this story before. My respect for you just went up even higher bro. I appreciated your knowledge before but after hearing what you went through over the years and your determination just speaks volumes. Thank you so much for sharing.
i love rick's quote"THE ONLY TRUTH IS ACTION"!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,basically if you have the HEART and PASSION and DESIRE regardless of what endeavor you persue.........YOU WILL NEVER NEED EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's funny how often TH-cam suggests this video to me, even though I've already watched it at least twice. Apparently TH-cam must be sick of some my excuses! 😀
Let me add that I'd love to hear a "What Makes this Song Great" about Deep Purple's "Hush". And some song from Shinedown's "Attention, Attention" album would be great, or maybe their "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)" song. There's a very cool video where someone used that song with a lot of clips from the various TV series for "Stargate". It must have taken them weeks to put together that video, and they did a good of picking clips which match what's happening in the song.
Thoroughly enjoyed the background story (first time hearing it) and the shear honesty of it. Pure unfiltered honesty. Love it. As I type this I'm a 66 year old songwriter who hasn't had one song accepted by someone in the music industry. Doesn't matter. I carry on as if I own a gold record. I'm going to write and play my guitar until I no longer can. Nice inspirational message Rick! I appreciate it.
This is one of the best motivational videos I've ever seen, not just for musicians but for anyone. Thank you for posting this. You've really done a public service by sharing your story.
Rick is my favorite youtubian GURU. Life is merciless. I am 50 and just picked up flute, alto sax, and harmonica - after I realized my father started to fade away... so now every moment counts. I also got serious about my guitar playing which I self-taught when I was a young boy. I have a MIM strat too! Thanks for sharing your life story! I will be watching this inspiring video many times in the future! Thanks Rick!
I agree and applaud you, Mr. Beato. I've been listening to you for quite a few years and this is the toughest clip I've ever watched. And it a great wake up call. Tnks for this...
I toured internationally at age 18. Lasted about five years, came close to making it big but crashed and burned HARD. I ended up with late stage alcoholism at 24. Went to jail, the works. For years I kept at music while working construction, then high end dining, then being an executive assistant in NYC. Making good money. Then..finally had a band start to break big, charting on alternative radio unsigned. Got a deal, went BROKE AF to chase it for years. In my 30s. This pandemic is the first time I’ve been off tour in 6 years. Making a living as a musician full-time. To the young ones out there: you can do it you just have to push no matter what. Now I’ve got a wife and kids and if you think it’s hard to do it in your early 20s I’ve got news for you: it gets WAY harder once you’re married and the kids come. Like WAY harder. But people are doing it. So go do it. I’m still not rich by the way, my wife makes more as a nurse!! But that is part of it. Keep pushing to be great, it’s what musicians do
Thanks to great guys like Rick and others sharing such useful information I am finally starting to get a handle on music after many years. Thank you very much.
Rick you're such a rock and inspiration. I truly mean it. Hearing about your path towards this very moment of your life and career gives me chills... as well as making me feel such a weak looser. I gave it all up too quicky, too soon. I've been a talker during my dream, and you just made me realize it.
I started (serious) studying guitar at age 17. It was the only thing in my life i was really sure about. Two weeks before the entrance examination i got sick and had to rush into the hospital. I had to stay there for one month and on release, the diagnosis was a disaster (myelitis with a possibility of multiple sclerosis) - that meant, at any time in the future, in my 20ties or 30ties, i could loose the ability of movement and would end in paralysis.
Altrought i couldnt study anymore (my shoulder was really damaged and i lost a lot of sensitivity in my fingers), i never stopped learning, went back to drums and later piano, til i was able to get my grip back. Now i teach (just the children in the town and some friends). Thanks to youtube teachers nowadays i am still constantly learning more and more, knowledge i wouldn't had access to otherwise.
Moral of the story: Life is merciless and sometimes devastating. And 99% of us won't be "huge musicians", just people who make and teach music. But thats ok.
Like almost everyone, in my youth I dreamed of a great musician career. Today, i'm just happy to be able to make music and i love it to be the boring guy in a small village teaching music to annoying little kids.
my sas -You’re a wise man. You “get it”.
Legend
You're a hero, my friend
Oh my goodness. Great story.
99.99% won't be, but you have changed many lives, as being able to play music can be magical.
I can't imagine not being able to play guitar, I can play Hendrix, Page, Beck, etc. whenever I want, and still learn all the time.
my dad had a similar situation. Applied to master's school at Penn state and was rejected. got into UCLA, got his MBA. 7 years later, Penn state hired him to teach military history.
His opening line to his class was, "Penn State doesn't think I'm smart enough to be a student here, but they do think I'm smart enough to be a teacher."
😂😂😂😂😂👌👍
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 👍👍👍👍
That's a great line.
This experience must be more common than originally realized. I took an elective class from a college professor who advised me that my major was a complete waste of time and I would never get a job, blah blah blah. Not only did I recently retire from the supposed job I would never have, but I also was hired to teach the same class he taught (without the degree he thought I should have), and in the exact same classroom where he gave me such poor advice. Go figure.
one of the most impressive things he said, was how little his formal education got him to where he is, and how far is own curiosity and tenacity and drive and determination took him... some things you can't buy...
At some time in the last few hundred years, formal music education got lazy and lost the ability to teach how to improvise on the fly. That USED TO BE a required part of "Classical" music performance but now "Classical" is synonymous with stale museum pieces set in stone that one recites "correctly." Today the "Blues Nazis" comprised of people who've never played a gig are trying to do the same thing to that genre. It's the people who play live who keep music alive.
Both comments above are GOLD! When you read about musical education in the XVIII century, late baroque and early classical periods, you see all those pratices of learning ALL the scales, the harmonic relations and realization of figured bass in a thousand of possible combinations by ROTE, the so called "partimento" realization of cyphered harmony and even FUGUE improvisation! To make music was to CREATE music in the craftiest way possible! A promethean amount of sweat and practice!
It's read in many sources that Bach could improvise complex and well rounded fugues out of almost nothing and it usually impresses the modern reader. But improvising fugues, counterpoint structured choral preludes, sonata-form movements, "basso ostinato" forms and bass realizations of figured harmony was a requirement for ALL professional musicians applying for ANY position in those times! The average professional could think in a second about MANY possible solutions to the SIMPLEST melodic line they found in their ways! Beethoven, a musician trained in those parameters, was a GREAT master of music structure engineering, parting from trivial themes and figures, like the famous four note figure (for the 5th symphony and many other works from the same period) or the Diabelli Waltz, and building from them really complex and intellectually challenging works! He was the ripest fruit of the "improvising craft" way of music training from the XVIII hundreds!
You can’t teach drive and tenacity
Agreed
@@siegfriedstark uh 4
The more I view this channel the more I’m realizing what I’ve stumbled into. A gold mine of knowledge and experience.
Agreed Mr Rick Beato has a beautiful approach to not only music but to this whole existence.
So True
Agree, agree, agree!
You taught me Norwegian Wood in one of your videos. I played it live and sang it last week.
Big moment for me.
Thanks Rick
That really is awesome! Congrats brother!
ZosoHacker fuck yeah!
Congrats!
Kick ass brother .. great job ...
Should rename this video: What makes Rick Beato great. You are the real deal
AMEN. ONLY TRUTH IS ACTION.
Or call it what makes Rick's old complaining friend "grate" on the nerves
Man I really needed to hear this story. I been depressed and feeling sorry for myself and this made me realize I've just been lazy and in my own head thinking negatively.
Same. Lets change our lives dude. Time to kick lifes ass. Not the other way around
Same here..
Trying very hard to join in as well
I talk to you as a man who has suffered for many years with depression, ptsd, and psychosis. It's not always possible to make your brain start thinking positively, and if you have depression, without help it's almost impossible. There's a difference between being lazy and having depression. One of them is your fault.
sticky7435 Hey sticky, I can relate to what you’re saying - totally. I’m 52 & music kept me going thru very dark times. The only way around this is to do the most & best you can on your ‘good’ days. This should, in turn, give you more good days. It’s a cycle - take charge. Sleep & eat well. All the very best. 🤗
“The most unprofitable item ever manufactured is an excuse”
John Mason
Dear Rick, when I was 9 years old, I wanted to play the piano more than anything in the world. I loved Grieg and dreamed of being able to play his concertos. Someone donated an old piano to me and had it delivered outside our house. My parents let it sit there for weeks until it got taken away. My grandmother took me to ballet class, and they said I could borrow a pair of shoes until my parents got me a pair. They never did, and I had to leave. I gave up on believing I could do anything I loved. So I listened to your video with tears streaming down my face for your honesty and bravery. I know this video is a year old, and probably things are better, but I want to support you by becoming a subscriber. You have brought back the songs I loved in my youth and given so much happiness to me. Thank you, and all my best to you and your family.
Dawn Adriana Dawn, please if you are able, go get a keyboard and chase that dream!
I sacrificed my whole youth and most of my adult life honing my skills and becoming and entertainer. I have skills. I have fresh new great music that the few fans I've showed love and wonder why I don't play live. I get ignored by every musician and band i work for all these decades so I just gave up. I feel you and even more sorrow for you and my heart hurts for you. I truly wish I could buy you what you wanted,but,I can't and it hurts me to know I can't help you. I feel for you so much that to be honest,your story brought me to tears and broke my heart which I haven't felt for so long. I'm so sorry dear fellow musician.
We worked with Rick as another band. Learned a lot from this guy. He is one of the nicest and honest people you will meet.
"Kids you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is - never try" - Homer Simpson. 😂😂😂
yup don't try! dooooooooooo!!!!!!
"If something is hard, it's not worth doing". (also Homer)
Every high school senior in America needs to hear this.
You're a great storyteller. I love listening to all of your stories. Inspiring stuff.
David DiMuzio you must be easily amused. Lol
Thought that too!!!
@KC You don't know what self awareness means. WTF?
@KC You seem very argumentative for no real reason. Why do you care if people like him? Opinions are like assholes.
@@Anthraxbees It's usually people who are in a shitty headspace who randomly bring people down like that, for no real reason.
*My Favorite Excuse:* "I couldn't practice, my dog ate my guitar."
and he's very good at both!
or "My cat keeps pooping in the sound hole"
Sounds like the second part could be the name of a Frank Zappa song.
Sell the dog and buy a new guitar with the money. Or teach the dog to sing and make a fortune.
now imagine if this actually happens and you weren't home to record it.
There have been times where, as a performing musician, I’ve been frustrated (from a little to a lot) by people who have said to me, “it must be wonderful to have such a god-given talent, to be able to play and sing so well... and how great it must be to make a living working only a few hours a day!”
Most of the time, I politely thank them, but a part of me always bristles at those kinds of comments, because these people - who mean well - have no earthly idea of just how hard pro musicians work to get where they are. They can’t conceive of how we’ve all worked our asses off, to reach a level of being just acceptably “good”.
The sacrifices, the discipline, the feast or famine months, the years spent on the road playing gigs, driving through the worst weather imaginable to get to the gig, showing up for load-in at noon to do a show that night at 9, and then loading out at 2 a.m., driving the rest of the night to get to the next city...
I’m not suggesting that there isn’t such a thing as having a “natural” talent for certain things, and music wouldn’t be an exception to that. Some are born with a natural sense of pitch and rhythm.
But mostly, it all comes down to hard work, dedication, and practice, practice, practice... and not for months, but for YEARS that determines your skill.
It’s having your friends stop by on a Friday evening when you’re 18, while you’re practicing your instrument, trying to get an exercise right, playing it over and over, while they’re urging you to go out with them that evening, and saying, “Sorry guys, I’m gonna pass, I need to practice.”
It’s sacrificing personal relationships, because you aren’t ever home, working for months out on the road; it’s going through times when you can’t afford to eat; it’s searching out those other musicians who are far better than you, just so you can learn something from them; and it’s times where you’re forced to take any gig that comes your way... and ultimately, it’s making a conscious decision to commit yourself fully to an occupation that most non-musicians (I refer to them as “civilians”) look upon as being “lazy” and “easy”...
Over the 4-plus decades that I’ve been a working musician, I’ve found that it’s not talent (or at least not talent alone) that makes you a good musician... it’s the level of commitment you decide to dedicate yourself to.
IMHO, of course.
Most ultimately successful bands had very humble beginnings where they eeked out a living until they produced something brilliant and/or get noticed by the right person. It's usually the absolute commitment you speak of; they simply refuse to give up because it's the only thing they want to do. Stories of bands like Iron Maiden and Aerosmith are good examples. (sharing a studio apartment together or living in their cars while performing as bar-bands right out of high school). I played in bars for a year after high school, but I couldn't support myself, so I accepted reality and went to college.
To be fair while you can learn to play a instrument , you may not be great and just average.....it is very difficult to sing well. You are either born with a great singing voice or you can't hold a tune. A lucky few can use their vocal strangeness and become successful.
@@Bradgilliswhammyman Musical skills are innate, it just takes practice. It's the unlucky few who may have physical or cognitive disabilities. But musicians are just being human, I've spent thirty years of my life thinking I had no talent and... well I still have no talent, but I play and somehow they cheer...
Totally relate to this!! People so often seem to think that you just turn up, plug in and play!! They don't see the hours of practice and rehearsal that you put in so as to make sure that you're a memorable part of their night. They don't see the many huddles that two guitar players go off into in order to try and work out harmony passages etc. And (speaking as a bass player) they don't see the infuriating frustration of having to try and work with an ostentatious drummer who suddenly doesn't appear to speak or understand English when you say things like, "No, leave a bar and half of space there"! And I know we don't do this for the money, God knows we don't do this for the money!! But the number of times people think they can negotiate you down to peanuts because again, they seem to think that you just turn up, plug in and play!!
@@Vortigan07 The same story goes for many people working in health care. (except that they don't need to practice that much, they just need a practice) I'm not supernatural gifted as a musician nor as a medic, I'm working my butt off to do what I love: Both!
And yes: sex and drugs and rock and roll: so funny- how comes you'll always end up empty handed? Plug it in, or give me a diagnosis....
This guy has so much enthusiasm and energy. He would be a great person to have in your life
We all do.
During the 90's, I was in my thirties and basically a bum. I went from living in a tent, to a van, to a bus and worked seasonally picking fruit, tree-planting, tree-spacing, etc. in British-Columbia. I met my wife at 37, got a steady job for a few years and went back to school at 40, working nights the first year before becoming a research assistant which saved my life as by this time I had three young children at home and would have a total of 4 kids, five years old and younger, by the time I got my law degree. Fast forward to 2018, the modest house we bought while I was in school is bought and paid for and our 4 kids are all sight-reading multi-instrumentalists...I am an average joe who had the good fortune to meet a good woman and enough sense to stop, although belatedly, self-destructing before it killed me. So, it is never too late as long as you believe in yourself, aren't afraid of a lot of hard work and sacrifice and have someone in your corner rooting for you. As a final note, I started playing guitar seriously about 2 years ago and cannot believe the amount of time and dedication it has taken me to play at a "campfire" level: I have never been more in awe of serious musicians than I am today and am amazed at the level of dedication required by even very talented and gifted people to become well-rounded musicians. Thanks for the inspirational rant, Rick.
thank you for the inspiring story
Wow, good for you. Guess Proverbs is right: "He who finds a wife has found a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord."
I taught myself guitar at 40 years of age. With a wife 2 kids and 2 jobs I didn’t have hours to practice so I’m not a high level musician but as a self taught hack I’ve done fairly well. I so admire high level musicians like Rick, love his insight and understanding .
Hey Marc, good for you! I hope you inspire your kids if they are so inclined.
I worked with 3 people that were very good guitarists, two rhythm players, and a lead player. It just never clicked with me. I practiced until my calluses had calluses, lol. I really have a deep respect for anyone that can play even moderately well (I knew a 15 year old kid that could pick up a song from the radio in like 10 to 20 minutes the same song I struggled with for like a week of 2 hour sessions a day) I am mostly tone deaf and really can not tell if a note is too high or too low when I get close to it. Feel blessed if you can do this. I now work on gear as a tube amp tech, I love the gear and that I am good at! We all have our place I guess.
nobody is born with the ability to play an instrument ... some people have an affinity with a given instrument ... i can do strings .. i cant do woods or brass .. i started on brass ... fail ... woods ... fail ... meanwhile i was toying with strings all the time and liking it and now 40 years later im at the other end of my career as a bass player and just bought myself an upright bass to have fun with
I’m almost fifty and for the last three years I’ve been changing my workflow decisions, shedding my preconceptions about my own abilities, staying out of the “no” zone, and making the best art of my life.
I'm sick of my excuses too! Self doubt is the silent killer.
63 years old on the downswing of my career. My whole life I kept saying to myself, one of these days your going to learn guitar (speaking to myself is common these days). There's only one reason I didn't learn, me! I was a talker. Pretty cliche. Last year I finally bought an acoustical and electric guitar. Every day since, I have picked up one or the other or both. Today, I am still a beginner, have no visions of grandeur but can say, I can play guitar. Watching your videos over the last several months has amped me up even more and am now enjoying when I play. Thank you for your enthusiasm and unending knowledge about music and the music business. It has helped re-kindle a beautiful fire. Take care and keep sharing.
Francis Murdock Playing guitar takes a lifetime to learn. Picking it up at 63 just means that it takes a whole lot less time to learn compared with somebody who started in their teens! Live the dream.
@@nicbrownable Rolling on the carpet, laughing! In my mid-seventies, it will take even less time. Livin' that dream, I am...
"Take care and keep sharing.
" . . . and you keep going Francis. You and I are kindred spirits.
I'm 50. This an inspiration to me. I took care of my Dad 24/7 from 2008 til he passed on New Year's Eve. So, I put off my goals in life. I am going to start a business. I started a hobby website. And, I want to make music to put on TH-cam. I may vlog too. But, after watching you, I feel my age will not get in my way.
I'm 55, and I'm right there with you. DO IT. :) You have many years left. Make this your second career, and make it all you do.
Lostboy, you are a hero. Anyone that has been a care giver for a loved one can do anything. Your story is inspiring. My best to you!
It won’t get in your way! You are ace.
A guy who would take care of his dad for 10 years is sensitive, strong and has enough HEART to absolutely succeed at expressing the music inside and get it across to the people he cares about. Thanks for honoring us with your story.
Im 49, getting back into drumming and this time seriously, after disrespecting my talent for 25 years, and finding every time I practice or get involved with drums and music that i ABSOLUTELY have needed this, and I'm going the right way. You're stronger for your efforts with your dad, more blessed and capable of finding your music inside and getting it out. You have another 20-something years to do music, dream big because you CAN. I think you can do anything you can dream; there's a way if it came into your head and heart.
What an inspirational, motivational, and encouraging life story, Mr. Beato.
This man never gives up, always push forward despite his age, he is not embarassed for working. This man is incredible, good role model
Rick - subbed the second I heard "well screw it, let them demonetize it -- this is the stuff that needs to be taught on here, and I don't care. I'm going to take a chance..." -- I completely agree, and look forward to helping support your efforts here through the methods you've made available.
I only started studying music production in February 2018.
7 days per week, 8 to 16 hours per day. It's going very well and I appreciate the helpful vids on TH-cam. I am 48 years old.
I grew up in Rick's town and went to school with one of his older brothers. They lived in a little house right near American Can Co. The man speaks the truth..
TH-cam needs more white haired men with massive (and soooooo relevant) experience.
Exactly.
Not according to the social justice warriors out there. I say this not to be snyde....there's a real loss taking place with the current rejection of "old, white, CIS men" in the service of "diversity and inclusion" narratives. There is a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience that will quietly be lost if we allow this rejection of once-revered valuables to be sidelined by intersectional SJW's and feminists. Consider this a warning. ⚠️
Ok whatever keyboard warrior
Zoog Boog well, that’s ironic.
@@CapriciousBlackBox Your point is interesting because Rick is complaining about a fellow "old, white, CIS" man making excuses and acting like a little bitch. It's spelled "snide" btw.
In Italy "Beato" means "blessed"... Well, God bless you! 😇 Thanks for making great videos every week!
Beato blessed god all that guy can do these days is watch. Dont give god beatos credit for beatos work. Selfish isnt a sin
Behind the music, with Rick Beato. I loved hearing your story!
Rick Beato Is The GOAT!
Greatest Of All Time!
LIFTS DEPRESSION!
EMPOWERS THE FLOCK!
THANK U GOD FOR BLESSING THIS GURU!
I love hearing stories like this. Mr. Beato truly deserves the success he's had in his life. More young people early in their career should watch this.
There is no substitute for hard work/practice and putting yourself out there 100%.
Spot on! Rick Beato not getting into music college is utterly unimaginable looking at him now, but it shows how relentlessly hard he has worked on his knowledge and skills over the years out of sheer passion for music. Winners always come out on top! Bring on the Beato Club and the end of the incredible greed and selfishness exhibited by the blockers! I'd love to see a video of Rick ranting at the UMG fat cats and going nuts haha!!! :-)
work ethic is everything and never think you have to be an expert to do something. just do it!
Half of succeeding is just showing up. (meaning, get off your but and get out there)
Yes thank you, if you think you have to master every technique and understand every bit of theory you won’t get anywhere, learn as you go and just try to make Music!
We can also include simple Confidence, not braggadocio or arrogant Trumpian bullshitting but genuine quiet confidence, the kind that comes with the courage and wisdom to humble yourself to the Learning Process.
@@blueheron5232 l
Finding this out the hard way.
I started proper lessons in 1977. I was on stage for the first time in 1980. Gigged from then until 1991. Then back at it in 1995. During the 80s me and my bandmates gigged almost every weekend. 4 sets a night. Great club circuit. All those clubs are gone. I feel bad for young guys getting the chance to play. The clubs just arent there. Thats how you get good -playing in front of people. On the side I was playing weddings, bar mitzvahs etc....Play live any chance you get.
For yucks I checked here in Phoenix to see how many places are still in business from late 1970's. From "Clubs" to neighborhood bars and taverns 75% are gone and the remaining places that had live music had converted to "sports bar's" decades ago. The only places in North and west Phoenix offering live music today are universally mexican specializing in mariachi or ranchero music.
I'm 53 and you've inspired me to get back to mixing and doing the thing I love. Thanks mate and all the best.
Good luck les.
Thanks for sharing. Inspirational.
Aspiring guitarist, 41yrs old 😅
RatWolf don't quit your day job!!
Word dude!
Dude, I’ve been playing guitar badly since I was 16. Now at 42 I’ve starter learning the bass. I still suck but I jam once a week with some of the kids I teach at school. They’re so talented and play better than I ever will, but they love jamming with me and it’s the highlight of my week. Moral of the story, just play.
@@Newzchspy why do say that, cuz he's old??
Someone in live chat said "Rick was a late developer". I disagree. Hearing this I'm convinced that Rick is a "Constant Developer"... always learning, growing, and pressing forward with no excuses.
Love that! "constant developer" the best always are
Rick didn't fit into the box that the University setting had created.
Those that find an early path that's rather easy may be cheated out on a lot more that life may have otherwise offered them. Rick didn't take a long time to find his path, his path was this whole journey to here. none of his history was wasted. It all lead to him becoming who he is and what he has to offer us all now. Yes, this is also yet another chapter in his story, The TH-cam years. At least that's how I perceive things.
I agree with some of this but honestly becoming famous is extremely difficult and requires a lot of luck. You need to be at the right place, the right time and society has to be ready for your music. Not talking about cover bands, I"m talking about becoming famous for original music.
Your testimony just inspired me,as a singer songwriter, who got saved. Now the Lord has called me to lead worship. So there it is. Forgetting all my secular songs ,and playing only in the spirit (improv).to you secular guys. I'm ready after hearing you rick. I'm 56. So it's not to late✝️
Thank you Rick!! You are a mentor to thousands, and I consider myself lucky to have found your channel and be one of your students. Beato University!!
Django Reinhardt only had 2 fingers on his fretting hand.
He had all his fingers but could only use two properly.
But he had Lebron James level talent-Most do not
this comment undermines his hard work so much
@@jakemf1 Lebron's talent is overrated. He's physically gifted but technically lazy.
sam .t that’s why he’s entering his 16th NBA season....
"NO EXCUSES!" Thank you again Mr. Beato.
Your stories like this give us underlings hope. Someone with your musical intelligence was beaten down repeatedly, but you stuck to it! This inspires me!
I was a talker, but now I'm a doer. Is it too late? No.
Keep on keepin' on, brother!
Pat Gannon Just like Liam Gallagher said.
I’m not even a talker...
19:20 "Who'll watch my channel at 54?" I do. I don't play an instrument, I'm not in the music business, and I still find your videos to be very interesting.
Me too!
Rick - You have to be the best you can be in the music industry
Johnny Ramone - That's right these 3 chords arent gonna play themselves!
Screw excuses I finally got an ssl 4056 g+ console 64 channel. I never knew how I was gonna make it happen but I said however long whatever it takes and it’s finally happens it will be my mixing console and drum recording unit. I have a full pro tools setup with great pre’s and mics plus I just got my ns 10s. To sum up the only way you get what you want is hard work there are no short cuts.! If you are a doer you too busy to talk.
I just put on my channel I totally can understand. I’ve been producing for15 years. I just decided to put one up and do a somewhat similar approach talk about how to record and mix and be able to show people in my ssl 4056 and also put up videos of me playing songs doing all the instruments and vocals and using pro tools and so on
Anyone can play 3 chords, what's the big deal about Johny Ramone? The Ramones are so fkn' boring , even a child could come up with their chord progressions, all their 1min. songs sound the same too and with nihilistic lyrics like "jenny's a punk rocker..blah blah blah" Talk about mindless repetition ad nauseam. Just WHAT is the big deal?
But you have to get on stage and play the 3 chords and do it with a unique style.
@@starcloud4959 Clearly you don't get it. That's ok, that happens, everyone is different. Millions bought Garth Brooks, Milli Vanilli, Ted Nugent and Scooter😃
It's the emotion, the feeling and the energy you put into music that has to Connect and stir the emotions and feelings of the listener.
I have been watching your videos religiously, thank you for being who you are Rick. The world needs more friends, dads, musicians, sons Etc. Like YOU. Thank you Rick.
You're truly one in a billion Rick. Much respect to you and your perseverance to succeed through the muck and foggy darkness of the music industry. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. You change lives.
Dougsie what Dougsie said :-)
Sitting here at age 47 and getting inspired (and getting a welldeserved kick in the butt, haha). Thanx for being who you are!
Thank you man for your Love of Music , your knowledge of Music and your perseverance without which we would never had known of you.
Thank you !
It’s actually my 23 year old son who advised me to check out Rick’s TH-cam channel. So happy I found him (same age as Rick, but not his skills).
It is never too late! Never give up! Thanks for all your inspiration.
Your parents house/couch can be a portal to success.
Tired of my excuses? But I have some new ones you haven't heard!
Thank you so much for posting this Rick! Very encouraging!
"If you put your mind to something, you can be successful" - that is the thing that so many universities fail to actually teach. If you are lucky, as a student, you develop a relationship with a teacher who can serve as a mentor and teach the wisdom necessary to make it to a career in music. The technical skills are, at best, half of the requirement.
My story wasn't too dissimilar from yours. I had plenty of technical talent at age 18, relative to my peers, and didn't have trouble getting into a music program, but I lacked people skills and never really connected with any teachers or fellow students. As my taste in music broadened as a result of my education, I was exposed to more and more musicians who were enormously more skilled than I was, and I started to experience peers who were comparable or better players than me. Without a mentor, I had no one to tell me that what I needed to do was practice and play and get exposure to as many forms and players as possible, rather than comparing myself unfavourably to players who had put in more time on stage than I had spent alive. Instead of being inspired by those better, more experienced, players, I was intimidated by them and I ended up walking away for the better part of 20 years.
When I finally came back to music, I was still pretty talented relative to peers of similar experience and education level, and I was able to learn quickly and get much better than I had ever been in my early 20s. Had someone only explained to me at that age, in terms I could understand at the time, that the difference between where I was and where I wanted to be wasn't talent, it was hard work and skill, I'd have persisted. Weirdly, I gave it up for something I was much less naturally talented at, but I think that's why I was able to learn the value of hard work in that context. I kicked ass in my career, but largely because I quickly learned that I had to do work and practice in order to excel at it. I had no belief in my own innate talent, so I put in real work in order to excel. Music had never seemed like work, so I never understand that was how to get better at it. All of my knowledge and most of my skill had been so easy to acquire that I never had to learn how to properly practice or even listen. The plateau I had reached at age 20 was the plateau that occurs at the edge of natural talent, when work and practice has to take over in order to retain momentum. I failed that test and gave up a potential career in music, as a result.
Maybe I'll find my way to something resembling a music career in middle age, and I've certainly found my way to the enjoyment of music performance and composition, but an empathetic teacher in the right place when I was withdrawing from school could have gone a long way to helping me realize my original musical dreams. Instead of responding to excuses with anger or shaming, focus on teaching why those excuses or ONLY excuses. Teach how to learn instead of just teaching what needs to be learned. Teachers who laugh a kid out of an audition, instead of providing them guidance and assistance in order to make it through next time, really have no business being teachers at all.
Wow. Thank you so much for your story - taking the time to write it down. It means something to me.
I am currently 29. I wanted to pursue music in high school and beyond, but everybody told me it wasn't a career. It crippled my spirit and I lost any sense of direction in life.
I ended up in the trades and have been learning the value of hard work and dedication to consistently bettering oneself because of it. If only I had the mental fortitude to pursue it harder when I was younger. Could have gotten a scholarship.
I have certainly fallen into the trap of comparing oneself to greater players instead of learning from them and I still do it. Social media almost seems to encourage it - one reason I steer clear.
Great story Rick. I went to Berkeley in '79 to audition for the music dept. after a couple years gigging on Long Island and knowing that Simon & Garfunkel were not going to get me into the major. So I, also, took some classical guitar lessons (Sor etudes, etc.) to have at least SOME kind of 'legitimate' ax as my instrument. I got through the dictation and harmony phase and when I completed the musicianship/sight-singing part, successfully, I waited, tremblingly, to be called to play my 'instrument.' But, to my surprise, their question was not, 'What do you have to play for us?' It was, 'So, do you already have a teacher, or are you going to want to study with someone here in the department?' 'Huh?' I said, or words to that effect. 'You're a singer, right?' they asked. 'I'm a singer...oh, yea...right, yea, of course, sure, yea, I'm a singer, right, that's it.' Or words to that effect. Seems they were impressed enough with my so-fa vocalizing that they decided they didn't need to hear any more. (Too bad for the money wasted on learning Bourré!) The short story: I went on to sing with the San Francisco Opera; had a vocal career of a couple decades and now work with the music publishing industry; very happy to have made it. And it just sort of fell in my lap. Moral: Amazing how clueless we are when we are young, but somehow we progress nonetheless. Keep making music, Rick!
C. A. G., lovely story.❤️
that's an incredible story!
I watched this today and could not be more pleased! I am a true believer in doing the work and not bitching, making excuses etc. work hard to be great and put yourself in a position to get the gig. I am not the greatest bass player in the world but my work ethic beats anyone I come in contact with. The hang and attitude is also super important. 54 years and still playing all the time. Rick you are always a true inspiration to me. TYVM!!!! Brian…
Great story...thanks for sharing.
The reason you've been successful is that you aren't afraid to put yourself out there, do the hard work, and you're real.
Keep on hitting it!👍
Wow!! This video really encouraged me as a musician and person. It just reassured me that no matter how old you are you still have time to be great and fulfill your dreams. God bless you my man!!!
I studied music with Dick Grove when I was 18. Up until that point, I practiced 10 or more hours a day. I had a roommate while at Grove that had that "music theory and practice ruins feeling" approach. I call it lazy. Wed sit and jam, and I was rapidly improving, yet he couldn't even handle a 1 4 5 progression that wasn't in E or A. I moved back to my home state. I continued to practice pretty intensively, and study the material I learned at Grove more. I concentrated on improv, chord scale relationship and Holdsworth, my hero. I began playing out. I was shocked at people's response to my playing, because to me I was just this cat that liked to play. But I was getting recognized on the streets as "the guy with the blue guitar". I was getting gigs simply by word of mouth that I could play over anything. I had many requests for lessons, so I took on some students. I recorded several CDs with bandsbi was in, getting the nickname "one take" because I would often nail things in one take. Life was way groovy.
Fast forward years: My roommate in college still can't improvise, and doesn't even know basic theory. I taught myself to compose orchestral music, and began to venture down the road of scoring film and video games. Then my relationship of 10 years ended under much pain. I ended up homeless. I lost everything. I had to sell everything to live. Then just as I got my life back together, I lost the vision in my left eye, and got gangrene in my left leg. My leg was amputated at the knee. I persevered, with relentless and unstoppable forward motion. I got a.$45 dollar Rogue acoustic and my dad's friend gave me his old Washburn electric. Both are blue. They are all I have right now. I don't even have an amp. But I won't stop. I have no excuses, and whining isn't in my vocabulary. I think of my heroes that I have met, and talked to, especially Holdsworth. He told me to find my voice. My voice. Not my version of his. I practice, study and got my chops back. I have one leg, one eye, and two cheapo guitars and no amp. Yet I am happier and have a sense of purpose greater than most people I know. Why? Its because of something that I don't have, and never will: Excuses.
High Zenburgh standing ovation for your fighting spirit. Be well brother
A.H. is one of my musician heroes too. You have revealed the secret of secrets to playing and composing well: study and practice. Your story reveals how up and down life takes us but more so how much you love music in spite of challenging circumstances.
We're all doomed
We'll never make it
Damn, that's a hell of a story. I'm glad you've got your outlook in the right place! Keep on rocking man, best wishes
My hat off Sir, what a story, what a lesson to all of us, thank you.
Sometimes resentment is a powerful motivator! Good for you Rick! Love this story...and the Rant! Class of '74 and living room musician who enjoys your videos
AN AMAZING STORY RICK! I've come away with new-found respect for you. I wish I had known you years ago to inspire me with your "get up and do it " attitude. I write classical concert pieces and am almost 80 years old. God bless you Rick and much continued success and good health!
I would've become a plumber if I lived through nine people and one bathroom and you parlayed that into a music industry career... amazing.
For real....I had to deal with my parents, two sisters and a brother and I was the youngest person in the house. I'm surprised I'm not an infamous serial killer that started in his own house and worked his way out into the community...
Funny americans. There're no houses with more than one bathroom here in Russia. What a whinners! For example, we live 5 people, two rooms plus kitchen, 40 sq. meters total. And we are supposed to be middleclass.
Rick for president. No Excuses.
Powerful story!! Every kid who coasted to the off ramp because they heard a discouraging word needs to hear this. Pick up a habit worth pursuing and keep at it...and keep at it.
Love your videos. The Beato Book is the Bible. Well organized and massive. Perfect shutin COVID reading. Thank you so much man. You’re on the right track.
This is so inspiring. I've had classical piano lessons since I was 8 yrs old. When I got older I joined the Army when I was 19 to escape drug addiction and to have enough money to buy my first Mbox and Pro Tools rig. I got chaptered out for medical and got a job at a mom and pop music store where I learned about the music industry first hand. I met a friend and started a recording studio in town. My gf at that time was moving to California so I called studios in LA asking if I could work for them, and got a job at an indie label. They moved me out and let me stay at a house for free and I helped them bring high value clientele into the studio. I'm 33 now, decided to move home to PA about a year ago and bought my first guitar. Not long after that I subscribed to your channel, Rick and have been thinking about starting a band. I literally teared up when you said Shinedown happened in your late 30's. I totally understand feeling sick of their excuses. You can do anything if you REALLY put your mind to something. Thank you so much for making a youtube channel. Thank you for this video.
But Rick, _you're_ a doer & a talker:^)
Mr. Beato understands that there is a whole world of difference between merely having to say something and truly having something to say... That point is too simple for most people to ever grasp yet Rick clearly did.
Rick walks it like he talks it!!!
You are such an inspirational person, and a real down to earth person; I could listen to you tell stories all day long. You deserve every ounce of success that you have. Like you said, "you are either a doer, or a talker." You obviously went after what you wanted, thanks for sharing!
Your honesty is very important and helpful thank you R. B.
Great speech! You have the gift of encouragement, Rick!
Preach it brother.
Grit, determination, and lots of practice.
I love your channel. You're me!!! I'm 54 and have played and been a producer my whole life. I have a full studio and am broke and hungry. I have a guitar curriculum... I don't know what to do. You inspire me
This is why I really enjoy your positive get on with it no nonsense attitude! You've been there and lived it, up down and all around the world! Keep up the great work Rick, youve inspired me to pick up my old yamaha beginners classical guitar and practice/start reading music again!
Thanks rick for all you've done and shared . So much to learn from all your stories and information
Rick.Each "What makes this song great"is a book in itself, a whole collection available.
Steve Vai has a publishing company and is your friend.
Maybe he can make it happen with you.
"Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel; you can't always see light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place." -Iroh
Thank you Rick. This is very important testimony. I will share it w/my son & daughter and my HS students. (Wow, we are about the same age, and I can relate to so much of what you are saying.) Thank you for taking the time to share your talent and videos w/us!
I never heard this story before. My respect for you just went up even higher bro. I appreciated your knowledge before but after hearing what you went through over the years and your determination just speaks volumes. Thank you so much for sharing.
i love rick's quote"THE ONLY TRUTH IS ACTION"!!!!!!!!!!!!,,,basically if you have the HEART and PASSION and DESIRE regardless of what endeavor you persue.........YOU WILL NEVER NEED EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mate, I loved Shinedown growing up, and I love your videos as a grown up. Perfect combo. You're the man!
You are truly inspirational. Thank you, brother. My life has been a stream of excuses. Time to change.
It's funny how often TH-cam suggests this video to me, even though I've already watched it at least twice. Apparently TH-cam must be sick of some my excuses! 😀
Let me add that I'd love to hear a "What Makes this Song Great" about Deep Purple's "Hush". And some song from Shinedown's "Attention, Attention" album would be great, or maybe their "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)" song. There's a very cool video where someone used that song with a lot of clips from the various TV series for "Stargate". It must have taken them weeks to put together that video, and they did a good of picking clips which match what's happening in the song.
well...i mean there are three types of people, really: Doers, Talkers, and Rick Beato
So... Dokers?
Thoroughly enjoyed the background story (first time hearing it) and the shear honesty of it. Pure unfiltered honesty. Love it. As I type this I'm a 66 year old songwriter who hasn't had one song accepted by someone in the music industry. Doesn't matter. I carry on as if I own a gold record. I'm going to write and play my guitar until I no longer can. Nice inspirational message Rick! I appreciate it.
Steve Douglas, Live it! 🔥🔥🔥🤘
Been watching for a while now Rick. Gotta say, you're one of life's good guys. Many thanx.
This is one of the best motivational videos I've ever seen, not just for musicians but for anyone. Thank you for posting this. You've really done a public service by sharing your story.
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
Thank you for the video!😊👍🏻
Rick is my favorite youtubian GURU. Life is merciless. I am 50 and just picked up flute, alto sax, and harmonica - after I realized my father started to fade away... so now every moment counts. I also got serious about my guitar playing which I self-taught when I was a young boy. I have a MIM strat too! Thanks for sharing your life story! I will be watching this inspiring video many times in the future! Thanks Rick!
Sorry, had to say this...I'm literally waiting for my buttercream player series strat to arrive at my apartment 😄
This testimony is epic Rick, really inspiring--->> explains so much about your tenacity & excellence. Thank you!
I agree and applaud you, Mr. Beato. I've been listening to you for quite a few years and this is the toughest clip I've ever watched. And it a great wake up call. Tnks for this...
Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to share your story. It was just the inspiration I needed today
I toured internationally at age 18. Lasted about five years, came close to making it big but crashed and burned HARD. I ended up with late stage alcoholism at 24. Went to jail, the works. For years I kept at music while working construction, then high end dining, then being an executive assistant in NYC. Making good money. Then..finally had a band start to break big, charting on alternative radio unsigned. Got a deal, went BROKE AF to chase it for years. In my 30s. This pandemic is the first time I’ve been off tour in 6 years. Making a living as a musician full-time. To the young ones out there: you can do it you just have to push no matter what. Now I’ve got a wife and kids and if you think it’s hard to do it in your early 20s I’ve got news for you: it gets WAY harder once you’re married and the kids come. Like WAY harder. But people are doing it. So go do it. I’m still not rich by the way, my wife makes more as a nurse!! But that is part of it. Keep pushing to be great, it’s what musicians do
Wow, that's amazing. Thanks for sharing.
This is very inspiring Rick. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your story, Rick! A reminder to chase our dreams, put in the work, and good things will happen. Keep the music alive!
Thanks to great guys like Rick and others sharing such useful information I am finally starting to get a handle on music after many years. Thank you very much.
Your stories are inspiring and gives us the hope to keep chasing our goals.
Rick you're such a rock and inspiration. I truly mean it. Hearing about your path towards this very moment of your life and career gives me chills... as well as making me feel such a weak looser. I gave it all up too quicky, too soon. I've been a talker during my dream, and you just made me realize it.
You are amazing too Rick.
Thank for all you do on your channel.
Much appreciated.