To hear a master guitarist like you say that you struggle with cliffs of dover, makes me feel a lot better about myself. We all have mountains to climb!
Man, I really think your attitude has changed for the positive over the years. I recall your being much more dogmatic about what to learn and what not. Now, you express a far more open and accepting (and playful) attitude toward each student’s individual circumstances. Thank you.
My wife is always complaining that I can’t play any songs, after about 11 or 12 years playing. While that is not quite true, I don’t have 10 campfire songs, and I have attempted too many in the dreamer category, so I definitely need to write down a list.
Gareth, I hear your problem & you're not alone. Ive been fortunate enough to have played in cover bands over the years but I've not done that for a few years now & I'm finding that I'm really struggling to come up with songs to learn to be able to play
@@paulmundy8312 i am same prob because i was a bass player in bands and all i had to was remember chord changes because my bass lines would always depend on what the drummer did. its also harder to practice/remember when you dont sing....so i just suck it up pretend i can sing like jack black does and do easy strumming songs like horse with no name. just to get the ol noggin in the right mode.
I think it depends on what one's goals are as a guitar player. For a long time, I was only interested in playing metal guitar. I wanted to be able to play Van Halen and speed metal. That's what I enjoyed. And that is what I did. I didn't care that I didn't have any campfire songs. If there was a guitar around and someone wanted me to play, I'd explain that I don't play that kind of guitar and I'd politely decline. As it turns out, all that technical practice gave me an excellent platform from which to diversify and eventually develop a campfire song repertoire.
I just go all-in and learn the tunes I love. It took me 2 years to nail "Shape of my heart" by Sting. Every time I play it, it reminds me the reason why I picked up the guitar.
6:06 this is so reassuring to hear. I was trying to learn You Really Got Me by Van Halen and I had no idea how to do tapping. So I added tapping into a 5 minute block during my daily technique practice, and I integrated that new skill into application in that song.
this is a vital reminder that yes sometimes getting your backside onto the seat can be difficult.The point is, nothing ventured nothing gained. fairly regular practice if only for 15 minutes is the secret. Sometimes my playing of songs does improve simply by not OVERPRACTICING, maybe by taking a 2 or 3 days break. Amazingly this works good for me, as the stress has disappeared and confidence ensues..even with that, I try to practice at least 6 hours a week. Thanks for posting this Justin
@@shubhankarsharma8705 I've started the intermediate stage earlier this year and instead of learning new stuff every week I just thought i would put what i already learned to use lol and just listen to their songs and try and work them out myself without any help
I really enjoyed the "Dreamers" section, Justin. Like you said, "Have a go." Just learning bits and pieces of tougher songs is fun and it makes you a better player. For years I avoided trying to learn more "difficult" songs because I'd have trouble figuring out alternate tunings, intricate chord shapes, and so on. Lately, I've jumped in (with a lot of help from tutorials on TH-cam) and I'm now MUCH more comfortable having a go at more complex songs. Learning even a tiny bit of theory helps as well. Thanks for a great video!
Heart of Gold, Wish You Were Here, Hide Your Love Away, Cats in the Cradle, Perfectly Good Guitar, Sam Stone, Willing, Can't You See, City of New Orleans, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald... All simple, everyone knows the words. Finish up with the Star -Spangled Banner and Freebird. ☺ (I typed all that before I heard Justin's list)
going thru this course has been so refreshing. i played a few months, learnt a few chords and decided to learn never going back again. it took me about half a year and ever since ive been building my repertoire with tommy emmanuel songs. looking forward to becoming a well rounded guitarist and maybe finally a musician
Lockdown made me learn guitar which I couldn't learn in 30 years. Now I can play rhythm and can play at least 30 songs by heart. I am in the campfire level. All credit to you sir. I have learnt to catch chords by ear.
the campfire category is often overlooked, so thanks for bring them out in public. those are the songs to "teach" you confidence, musicianship and performance. music is not to play faster than anybody else, but to play less and still sound great. The art is not "to play", but to "not play"
12:42 - I can totally agree with this. Picked a guitar up just to noodle about yesterday while waiting for something. I ended up doing a small practice session for about 20 minutes
I really like the practice routine part of your website, it definitely adds structure and it takes the guesswork out of what to work on. The built in timers and videos make it so easy. And i love how excited you get at the end of each practice session- "And you're done!"
I've been playing since April and watching you has been instrumental and monumental in my learning. I'm 34 and learning the guitar has brought the excited and eager kid inside of me back to life.
Same here! I started in April, too. I can’t put it down. I have a higher level corporate job and all I can think about is one day I will be really good, cut this golden chain and hit the road!! I’m 36, but I guess you’re never too old to be crazy and dream new dreams. 😆
Fun story. I wanted to learn Dear Prudence for decades and couldn't wrap my brain around the fingerpicking. Blackbird was no problem because it was "fake" fingerpicking, but Dear Prudence was beyond me. I would try periodically but it never clicked. Decades later, watched a lot of Tommy Emmanuel and got curious enough to look up proper techniques, but didn't have a specific song in mind. Stumbled onto Doc Watson giving a little lesson and playing Deep River Blues. He mentioned "Travis Picking". I decided I wanted to learn Deep River Blues. Did some research on Travis picking and stumbled into a couple basic exercises for the pattern as well as Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotton. Could not and still cannot wrap my fingers around Freight Train but noticed that the basic Travis picking pattern sounded awfully familiar. Pulled out the big white Beatles songbook and looked up Dear Prudence for the intro fingerings. Within an hour I had it down. Within another day I figured out that Julia and Happiness is a Warm Gun used the exact same pattern. During a short interlude I realized that Dust in the Wind by Kansas uses almost the same pattern. Applied the same pattern to a bunch of songs I knew that don't use that pattern including original songs just to see if they would work. Some did. Still haven't sat back down to finish Freight Train. Tried picking up Deep River Blues but haven't been able to get it at all. But... ... I can play Dear Prudence now. And Dust in the Wind and Julia.
This is spot on dude. Campfire songs are so important simply because they are about how good the songs make us feel when playing them. Which in turn if others can listen and watch and catch the feel good vibes coming out then the moments are magical. Great video.
Well there are many guitar tutors out there on you tube I settled on 4 to help me and here's why .....1. The first 3 easy songs I learned was stand by me - Ben e king ....wonderwall (like everyone).....and Wild thing - troggs and I using a guy called Andy gutar who I reccomend to anyone to start off with ....However I was bored fingers were falling off and going through tough times in lock down and was gunna give up on everything and then came across this country music guy called Matt who said dont give up ....so I picked up the guitar again learned the cowboy cords and this helped simplify everything develop my struming dynamics using rythem and timing over the more structured down up down up robotic stuff and things started to sound better and different I began voicing the guitar and am enjoying learning different strumming patterns learned lots of intro's to songs and I recomend him to any starter (starter only) but he's a really nice guy.....3 Development stuff you gotta try new stuff - finger picking is hard so I am trying Elvis Cant help falling in love as you can finger pick and strum this song and its slow enough to learn I reccomend a guy called Marty @Marty gutar who is a fantastic coach - muting I am still developing but learned - stuck in the middle with you steelers wheel going back to Andy guitar it was a great lesson.... Songs really i wanna learn you just gotta find someone who's good at teaching it - Angie ....Rolling stones just looked on line found some girl playing it and am following her - for goo goo dolls iris I found someone - re tuned guitar as he said but blew the high e string...Then I found you and am learning this open corded instead and blowers daughter Damian Rice currently I think you are and excellent tutor. Not confident enough with guitar yet - still like crunching the gears a bit struggle going from G to F bar cords and the B sus 4 but enjoying learning every day - and I think a little practice every day is essential for muscle memory on the cords which ... a great 20 mins here and there a few times a day is better than once a week for hours till your fingers drop off Sticking with these guys and feel guilty not paying for it ...will donate to them all if I ever master this....some guys are way too advanced a guy called steve teaches music theory stuff but he simplify's things a lot and knows a lot of short cuts - very knowledgable some of the others are a bit hard to listen to for long and some (play or teach a song) but it sounds nothing like the song lol.. Anyway this is my journey its kept me going through tough times and am enjoying it more and more - I want to split song practice with developing technique - throwing in a few of these more difficult songs is helping - but freeing the neck up triads caged system and penatonic scales can wait for the moment I can be confident to say I play guitar. I want to get a bit more comfy - I should try some scales n stuff soon - start splitting song pracice with techiques. Simply to much info to take in at once but I should persist - I struggle singing and playing at the same time but hopefully it will come....Anyway thanks for the lessons ....
I never touched a guitar until I was 46 and didnt even know how to hold one. 4 years later my guitar playing has become an addiction. Much thanks and appreciation to you Justin for your great lessons. I must say that some of my dreamer songs are outside the normal lesson songs taught online. I would love a lesson for the Acoustic version of Bottom of a bottle by Smile empty soul. Again, Keep up the great lessons and Cheers from Canada
At 50+ I took up guitar just over a year ago & loving it. The thing I love most is taking my appreciation of songs I love to another level by learning musically. Also discovering new gems like Cliffs of Dover & blues licks helps to broaden my taste in music, thanks Justin!! Any chance of a lesson on the classic Aussie band Ratcat?
You are a treasure for the guitar community. You give such a coherent structure to your knowledge and experience that helps us to grow. I have followed your courses and bought your theory book. Thanks! 🙏
You're right. I went through that. The GCD type "easy" songs. Then I went to Travis picking type (I still use them to work my fingerstyle). Then some solos of the same songs (sometimes). The blues too. Pentatonic scales...etc. All acoustic. You have helped me a lot. Thanks Justin. 🎶🎶🎶
Hi Justin i just wanted to send a message, im so so grateful for you, your talent and your general vibe. My dad was OBSESSED with acoustic guitar! He had 19 in his collection. I took it so for granted, im sure i thought i would hear the sound forever. I heard it everytime i saw him.. I havn't for a year now. I miss it so so much! So much i have picked up one of those 19 and started to play. AND YOU SIR ARE AMAZING!! I THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏🙏 I cant tell you what you have done for my soul. Your videos (i started from scratch with hurt- johnny cash) have made me fall in love with my guitar. So much so im surprising my brothers with metallica. I can make a sound 💃💃🤣 not quite like my dad, but one day ❤🙏
Important recommendation from Justin and applicable on basically all tasks in live: approach with curiosity. Remain playful. Good mood makes us more intelligent which brings better results.
So true about dreamers. I never imagined I would be able to play 'Tunnel of Love' by Dire Straits. And in a way, I still can't, because I'm not so good at it. But I can play it recognisably, solo and all, thanks to this channel. I started learning it thinking, 'What the hell,' assuming I would never really pick it up. But gradually the pieces fall together.
I cracked a smile when you mentioned the intro to Wish You Were Here as a Campfire plus. I've been working on the solo for the past few weeks and I've finally got it feeling pretty good under the fingers. Thanks Justin.
Already implemented six months ago..!!!!!!!!..what u call the dreamer song list gave me a bad forearm, the triceps tendons along the elbow, left hand tendons :totally defunct!!!!!!!!, me questioning my left vs right hand coordination, ice packs..😐etc...... I hate you justin!!!! ....🤔🤔🤔🤔 nope, I don't......I learned a-shaped bar chords and a lot about coordination just by seeing your road-tripping lesson..... I live u man .... stay healthy and strong
Justin,that was great,it showed me exactly that,if i only know 4 songs and a few bits and pieces its ok once i keep trying,i got a good way of putting learning guitar by an old guy"its all repatition and movement"he said,i know its a bit more than that,but with "justin guitar" i will learn more👍👍👍
You are an absolutely unbelievable teacher! I have learnt so much from your teachings no words can ever describe how appreciative I am! I am definitely not alone in your boat of students grateful how you take the time out of your day to help teach and shape other peoples guitar playing! Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🤘😎
Hi Justin , love your channel. years ago I used to play in a band playing at social clubs and loved it. work life balance stopped that, and a change in career put paid to my playing. I am now at a point where I have time to play the guitar again. However, I have become so despondent when playing now because my skills have gone yet I think I should be playing to the standard I was at. I am really finding so difficult to go back to basics but this video has given me the inspiration to start again, which is something I am reluctantly coming to terms with. Your videos are inspirational, thanks
I love this one…gives players some perspective! A couple of years ago I used the beginner app to get started and it was instrumental in my intro to guitar and my passion grew from there! Thanks Justin!! 🎸
I have just started to play guitar but I write down all the songs I hope to be able to play one day. It;s a lot of fun finding out how to play certain songs. As you said you come along different technics. I use your beginners app but also have a teacher once in the 2 weeks, who also learns me to read notes. There is so much to learn, I wish I started years ago! Thanks Justin, your inspiring and a great help.
My playlist includes, Tulsa time, family tradition, why me Lord, jambalaya, only rock and roll, Lodi, crazy, sweet home Alabama. I've also found backing track chord progressions are awesome, lots of chords. Good luck everyone, practice, practice.
I just realised I'm the guy that Justin just described! I've been playing close to 20 years but I don't have a list of songs that I can just play if people ask. I always felt my guitar playing had hit the ceiling but this video just changes everything!
Love this video and I love your teaching style. My usual practice is playing songs I like, but adding things I should learn to my playing makes total sense.
Thanks for the great tips. Retired a year ago, so decided to pick up the guitar, started trying to play about 8 months ago. Started few easy songs and work on cord changes (House of Rising Sun, Country Roads, Take it Easy, Can't You See). Have seen some improvement. But then found you on youtube. Been watching some of your videos for awhile. Love the way you teach, so now have your app and using you methods. They seem to be working. Focus right now is on finger stretching since I have small hands and some chords are really difficult, finger accuracy. keep those tips coming!
Lol!! That was a great "warning"! I actually enjoy the ones where you speak and I don't have to have my guitar at the ready as much as the hands-on ones. Firstly, you always have something of value to teach us, and I save this type of segment for when I am out walking, etc. There is a whole world to learn when it comes to the guitar 🤗
Thank you Justin such excellent advice. One of the most important things I've come to realize is that if I just have patience and break something down to its simplest essense, get that down, then slowly add more complexity (whether increasing tempo or moving from simple 4 beat strum to complex strumming or from strum to fingerstyle) then over time sure enough songs that sounded impossible do become quite possible. You call these growers and I love having growers in my repertoire. My current grower is Landslide...been working on it for over a week and slowly but surely getting closer. I've started to reach 120 bmp (goal is 159) and have the standard fingerpicking rhythm down - next part will be adding your more complex fingering on the chorus :)
Fantastic. You’ve summed up in 20 minutes what it’s taken me 20 or 30 years to figure out. Your wisdom about practicing guitar easily applies to piano/keyboard playing as well. I would just add that it’s also helpful to work on getting down one song a day, and record yourself playing it. You don’t have to get it down perfectly, but well enough so that you can play it smoothly from start to finish.
what is not to like about this video? Another Great Video. Thanks Justin! I love the way you explain things in clear language that is easy to follow and understand.
"Once you sit there with your guitar it'll never be just one minute because its fun!" *sits there for 18 minutes and 43 seconds holding a gorgeous PRS and doesn't play it at all*
This is so good! 2 years into guitar, this really helps. I'm going to reorganize my practice.....I like the campfire, but also like blues and playing scales with backing tracks..... does this fit into this scheme?
Thank you Justin. I really needed this, I'm that guy that's been playing for years but knows nothing lol. I have a jam list on my phone, but I can't just pick up a guitar and play them. I've now made a camp-fire playing and I'm going nail these songs. THANK YOU!!
Great into but I learn a lot from you even though you don't play. I found that even though I may not know the correct chords when caught unaware to play to use G c D Em which works for most songs that I am able to play
Thank you for being my guitar teacher! I'm brand new and I will work on growing these categories. It's a great way to look at picking songs to practice.
Great advice Justin! You really need those memorized campfire songs! Songs you can sing and play on an acoustic guitar. If all you practice is electric guitar driven rock songs, scales, arpeggios, solo's, etc., someone could hand you an acoustic guitar at a party and you suddenly realize you can't even play a song. lol. I need to work on more campfire songs. Lyrics are important too and easy to forget if you don't practice singing them as well.
Learn songs, learn songs, learn songs. I've written my mantra hundreds of times and keep coming back to it for so many reasons. Cheers 😊 | close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum [ www.justinguitar.com/ ]
I literally learning Cliffs of Dover at the moment and hearing someone as good as Justin say it's hard just give me massive encouragement, thank you so much Justin
Another great lesson Justin. Once again, I never understand the negative comments and reactions.. what’s wrong with people? I’ve been alternating between Fenderplay and Justin for 2-3 years… it depends on what type of teaching suits your style of learning.. and Justin suits most. Always a pleasure 😊👍 🎸
I can't sing and play at the same time (can't really sing at all), and I don't like being around people when camping (or most other times to be honest), but this is great advice.
I don't play the guitar, but since a few month I've got a ukelele. I do like it but it's hard. I work at a daycarecentre so I'm practising childrensongs. But I love your videos about how to practise, it really helps me to structure the practising. Thank you very much!
good advice from the master, i have a good 20 songs i play from memory, 20 intermediate but that is my skill level at the moment i'm now looking at good finger style and learning those but these are taking me some time to learn but when i do ... wow. i checked out all my songs ie the song writer when they were released etc and what amazed me was 95% were from 1971... must of been a good year!!
probably the most useful guitar advice Ive gotten in a loooong tiiime! this is exaactly what I've been looking for. An idea for building my practice routine. Thaank you, siiir!
I always enjoy your lessons and thoughts on playing. One thing I’d add to the “dreamer list” idea is going back to it a few months or years later. I’ve been very surprised and pleased to go back to songs I just couldn’t play and after, for me, a few years I can knock them out. Or at least see them as achievable.
Super ideas Justin thank you. I suddenly realise that after 2 years learning I can’t actually pick up a guitar and play anything!! I need to resolve that asap x
I am all for more talking and less playing, when I want to learn something myself. Or when I want to get information of any kind, for that matter, so this is also true for hear reviews. Big 👍 for the intro alone.
Sometimes I feel the tune Three Blind Mice may as well be in my dreamer category 🤪, but again another superb and inspiring lesson as always. The truth is there is no shortcut to a good job when it comes to learning
Your comment about curiosity is important. I was always completely blown away by Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel. But by taking it slowly, one measure a week, I'm almost fully there, 3 months later. Definitely a 'dreamer' song that I've achieved. This song also made me a much better fingerpicker - a 'grower'
This is great stuff, I am DEFINITELY that guy who plays everyday, quite seriously, but am always focused on skill development and writing original material, and subsequently never learn other people’s whole songs. That situation where someone puts a guitar in your hands has happened several times, pretty embarrassing…
Brillliant video. Highly motivating. I've been doing what you suggest since day one and it makes it fun. I just wish I had more time to devote to playing and practice. Thank you, Justin, for all your videos. You are a true star.
Finding songs to learn is the hardest part for me, I even find getting on with my techique exercises and practing scales easier to do! Thanks for the video :)
Try Justin’s Easy Song app. It’s got hundreds of songs starting at a basic level. It’s like “Guitareoke” with a backing track and everything. I’ve been using it with his online course and it’s been super fun.
Problem with me is I have been hopping around on a guitar since 2007 have alot of songs printed out in folders. learnt a few but forgotten them over time. So i keep moving on to a new one never really finishing it then try something else. i know crazy old fool well i am 71 years old! I like the video Justin great information.
Having some songs tackled completely will give you a great sense of accomplishment. Bite the bullet and secure a nice top of your song pyramid; with your best and most fun songs on top!
@@justinguitar Thanks for the reply Justin i will do that, i put out a video on you tube in 2012 but never followed on with another. Keep up the good work sir.
Being 40+ and not really knowing if this is the right instrument to learn "that late" in life, I want to say thank you for your motivational speeches and tips that are understandable even before owning an instrument.
you can. theres this famous blues player i forgot his name :( but he didnt start until he was like 50 and after his 2nd divorce got him into it......im 45 and i been only playing 6 string guitar for like 4 years but i been playing bass on and off since i was like 20 so it was easier for me
I’m 65 and have played trumpet since elementary school. While I enjoy trumpet and play every week, it’s still an effort and I’m actually glad when I’ve completed a practice session. I can play guitar for hours and it’s often just that my left hand has become so fatigued that I just can’t play anymore or I’d keep playing. The guitar is such a versatile instrument and I get much enjoyment out of playing it. A friend that was a trumpet major in college is also a very good guitarist. He once told me that the trumpet was his life but the guitar was his escape. I can relate to that now. Enjoy that guitar!
as soon as i pick up my guitar something good and bad happens to my brain at the same time, firstly it washes away anxiety and depression which is a GOOD thing however i also forget how a song goes which is a BAD thing not sure why this happens, im always listening to music and singing along to the songs i hear, i know the songs but when i pick up guitar my mind goes blank! all of a sudden i feel like a cabbage that doesnt know what its doing. its good that it instantly cures anxiety faster than any tablet could but sucks that my mind goes blank.
To hear a master guitarist like you say that you struggle with cliffs of dover, makes me feel a lot better about myself. We all have mountains to climb!
Absolutely! Keep at it :)
Maybe stop climbing mountains and focus on the guitar
@@albenmurcia4716 Yes, mountain tops are definitely for yodellers.
@@Expedient_Mensch Ha!! :)
Heck, I am seven months of 20 mins per day, and still on module 1.
Man, I really think your attitude has changed for the positive over the years. I recall your being much more dogmatic about what to learn and what not. Now, you express a far more open and accepting (and playful) attitude toward each student’s individual circumstances. Thank you.
I like to think I'm getting better at its teaching thing ;) appreciate the good vibes!
My wife is always complaining that I can’t play any songs, after about 11 or 12 years playing. While that is not quite true, I don’t have 10 campfire songs, and I have attempted too many in the dreamer category, so I definitely need to write down a list.
I am in the same shed as you
Gareth, I hear your problem & you're not alone. Ive been fortunate enough to have played in cover bands over the years but I've not done that for a few years now & I'm finding that I'm really struggling to come up with songs to learn to be able to play
@@paulmundy8312 i am same prob because i was a bass player in bands and all i had to was remember chord changes because my bass lines would always depend on what the drummer did.
its also harder to practice/remember when you dont sing....so i just suck it up pretend i can sing like jack black does and do easy strumming songs like horse with no name. just to get the ol noggin in the right mode.
You are not alone!
I think it depends on what one's goals are as a guitar player. For a long time, I was only interested in playing metal guitar. I wanted to be able to play Van Halen and speed metal. That's what I enjoyed. And that is what I did. I didn't care that I didn't have any campfire songs. If there was a guitar around and someone wanted me to play, I'd explain that I don't play that kind of guitar and I'd politely decline. As it turns out, all that technical practice gave me an excellent platform from which to diversify and eventually develop a campfire song repertoire.
I just go all-in and learn the tunes I love. It took me 2 years to nail "Shape of my heart" by Sting. Every time I play it, it reminds me the reason why I picked up the guitar.
Thanks!
You are very welcome. Thank you for your support. :)
And here Justin goes again helping us not to quit guitar 😂🔥
The way you teach always helps me to stay on track even when it's quite frustrating to do. I'm so happy to have you as a guitar teacher/mentor
6:06 this is so reassuring to hear. I was trying to learn You Really Got Me by Van Halen and I had no idea how to do tapping. So I added tapping into a 5 minute block during my daily technique practice, and I integrated that new skill into application in that song.
Happy to hear that! Keep going :)
this is a vital reminder that yes sometimes getting your backside onto the seat can be difficult.The point is, nothing ventured nothing gained. fairly regular practice if only for 15 minutes is the secret. Sometimes my playing of songs does improve simply by not OVERPRACTICING, maybe by taking a 2 or 3 days break. Amazingly this works good for me, as the stress has disappeared and confidence ensues..even with that, I try to practice at least 6 hours a week. Thanks for posting this Justin
It's normal to find Cliffs of Dover hard. If you see Erlc Johnson playing it live you realise that it's hard even for him! 😁
I'm on the intermediate stage and all I've been doing for the past 3 months is transcribe AC/DC songs and jam along to them... it's seriously fun
Glad you're enjoying it!
Hey! How much time back did you started. Did you learn it online?
@@shubhankarsharma8705 I've started the intermediate stage earlier this year and instead of learning new stuff every week I just thought i would put what i already learned to use lol and just listen to their songs and try and work them out myself without any help
This resonated so much with me, I kind of skipped the campfire part and it keeps me from really trying to play in front of others.
This may be the most practical guitar playing advice I ever seen ( and I’ve seen hundreds).
THANK YOU 🙏🏼
Kiitos!
Thanks, Mikko!
This is how I improve my skills the fastest. Learning songs that have skills I want to get better at.
I really enjoyed the "Dreamers" section, Justin. Like you said, "Have a go." Just learning bits and pieces of tougher songs is fun and it makes you a better player. For years I avoided trying to learn more "difficult" songs because I'd have trouble figuring out alternate tunings, intricate chord shapes, and so on. Lately, I've jumped in (with a lot of help from tutorials on TH-cam) and I'm now MUCH more comfortable having a go at more complex songs. Learning even a tiny bit of theory helps as well. Thanks for a great video!
What a gem of advice! I've been playing for 17 years, and I feel that this is really useful advice for me going forward. Thank you!
Heart of Gold, Wish You Were Here, Hide Your Love Away, Cats in the Cradle, Perfectly Good Guitar, Sam Stone, Willing, Can't You See, City of New Orleans, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald... All simple, everyone knows the words. Finish up with the Star -Spangled Banner and Freebird. ☺ (I typed all that before I heard Justin's list)
going thru this course has been so refreshing. i played a few months, learnt a few chords and decided to learn never going back again. it took me about half a year and ever since ive been building my repertoire with tommy emmanuel songs. looking forward to becoming a well rounded guitarist and maybe finally a musician
Lockdown made me learn guitar which I couldn't learn in 30 years. Now I can play rhythm and can play at least 30 songs by heart. I am in the campfire level. All credit to you sir. I have learnt to catch chords by ear.
the campfire category is often overlooked, so thanks for bring them out in public. those are the songs to "teach" you confidence, musicianship and performance. music is not to play faster than anybody else, but to play less and still sound great. The art is not "to play", but to "not play"
12:42 - I can totally agree with this. Picked a guitar up just to noodle about yesterday while waiting for something. I ended up doing a small practice session for about 20 minutes
I really like the practice routine part of your website, it definitely adds structure and it takes the guesswork out of what to work on. The built in timers and videos make it so easy. And i love how excited you get at the end of each practice session- "And you're done!"
Obrigado!
Obrigado!
@@justinguitar No no no, obrigado eu XD, keep up the good work! 💪
I've been playing since April and watching you has been instrumental and monumental in my learning. I'm 34 and learning the guitar has brought the excited and eager kid inside of me back to life.
Same here! I started in April, too. I can’t put it down. I have a higher level corporate job and all I can think about is one day I will be really good, cut this golden chain and hit the road!! I’m 36, but I guess you’re never too old to be crazy and dream new dreams. 😆
Fun story.
I wanted to learn Dear Prudence for decades and couldn't wrap my brain around the fingerpicking. Blackbird was no problem because it was "fake" fingerpicking, but Dear Prudence was beyond me. I would try periodically but it never clicked.
Decades later, watched a lot of Tommy Emmanuel and got curious enough to look up proper techniques, but didn't have a specific song in mind. Stumbled onto Doc Watson giving a little lesson and playing Deep River Blues. He mentioned "Travis Picking".
I decided I wanted to learn Deep River Blues.
Did some research on Travis picking and stumbled into a couple basic exercises for the pattern as well as Freight Train by Elizabeth Cotton.
Could not and still cannot wrap my fingers around Freight Train but noticed that the basic Travis picking pattern sounded awfully familiar.
Pulled out the big white Beatles songbook and looked up Dear Prudence for the intro fingerings. Within an hour I had it down.
Within another day I figured out that Julia and Happiness is a Warm Gun used the exact same pattern.
During a short interlude I realized that Dust in the Wind by Kansas uses almost the same pattern.
Applied the same pattern to a bunch of songs I knew that don't use that pattern including original songs just to see if they would work. Some did.
Still haven't sat back down to finish Freight Train. Tried picking up Deep River Blues but haven't been able to get it at all.
But...
... I can play Dear Prudence now. And Dust in the Wind and Julia.
Love your Warning at the beginning Justin!! I got a nice chuckle!! 😄
Justin is one of the best teachers that we can ever get for guitar learning. Kudos to you Justin ! 🙏
This is spot on dude. Campfire songs are so important simply because they are about how good the songs make us feel when playing them. Which in turn if others can listen and watch and catch the feel good vibes coming out then the moments are magical. Great video.
Thanks I appreciate it :)
Well there are many guitar tutors out there on you tube I settled on 4 to help me and here's why .....1. The first 3 easy songs I learned was stand by me - Ben e king ....wonderwall (like everyone).....and Wild thing - troggs and I using a guy called Andy gutar who I reccomend to anyone to start off with ....However I was bored fingers were falling off and going through tough times in lock down and was gunna give up on everything and then came across this country music guy called Matt who said dont give up ....so I picked up the guitar again learned the cowboy cords and this helped simplify everything develop my struming dynamics using rythem and timing over the more structured down up down up robotic stuff and things started to sound better and different I began voicing the guitar and am enjoying learning different strumming patterns learned lots of intro's to songs and I recomend him to any starter (starter only) but he's a really nice guy.....3 Development stuff you gotta try new stuff - finger picking is hard so I am trying Elvis Cant help falling in love as you can finger pick and strum this song and its slow enough to learn I reccomend a guy called Marty @Marty gutar who is a fantastic coach - muting I am still developing but learned - stuck in the middle with you steelers wheel going back to Andy guitar it was a great lesson.... Songs really i wanna learn you just gotta find someone who's good at teaching it - Angie ....Rolling stones just looked on line found some girl playing it and am following her - for goo goo dolls iris I found someone - re tuned guitar as he said but blew the high e string...Then I found you and am learning this open corded instead and blowers daughter Damian Rice currently I think you are and excellent tutor. Not confident enough with guitar yet - still like crunching the gears a bit struggle going from G to F bar cords and the B sus 4 but enjoying learning every day - and I think a little practice every day is essential for muscle memory on the cords which ... a great 20 mins here and there a few times a day is better than once a week for hours till your fingers drop off Sticking with these guys and feel guilty not paying for it ...will donate to them all if I ever master this....some guys are way too advanced a guy called steve teaches music theory stuff but he simplify's things a lot and knows a lot of short cuts - very knowledgable some of the others are a bit hard to listen to for long and some (play or teach a song) but it sounds nothing like the song lol.. Anyway this is my journey its kept me going through tough times and am enjoying it more and more - I want to split song practice with developing technique - throwing in a few of these more difficult songs is helping - but freeing the neck up triads caged system and penatonic scales can wait for the moment I can be confident to say I play guitar. I want to get a bit more comfy - I should try some scales n stuff soon - start splitting song pracice with techiques. Simply to much info to take in at once but I should persist - I struggle singing and playing at the same time but hopefully it will come....Anyway thanks for the lessons ....
You’re an insanely good educator, sir.
I never touched a guitar until I was 46 and didnt even know how to hold one. 4 years later my guitar playing has become an addiction. Much thanks and appreciation to you Justin for your great lessons. I must say that some of my dreamer songs are outside the normal lesson songs taught online. I would love a lesson for the Acoustic version of Bottom of a bottle by Smile empty soul. Again, Keep up the great lessons and Cheers from Canada
You're one of the greatest teachers of my life Justin. Thank you! No, really. Thank you for everything!
You are the ORIGINAL and THE BEST TH-cam guitar guru/teacher. Thank you for all you’ve taught us, Justin!
At 50+ I took up guitar just over a year ago & loving it. The thing I love most is taking my appreciation of songs I love to another level by learning musically. Also discovering new gems like Cliffs of Dover & blues licks helps to broaden my taste in music, thanks Justin!! Any chance of a lesson on the classic Aussie band Ratcat?
You are a treasure for the guitar community. You give such a coherent structure to your knowledge and experience that helps us to grow. I have followed your courses and bought your theory book. Thanks! 🙏
You're right. I went through that. The GCD type "easy" songs. Then I went to Travis picking type (I still use them to work my fingerstyle). Then some solos of the same songs (sometimes). The blues too. Pentatonic scales...etc. All acoustic. You have helped me a lot. Thanks Justin. 🎶🎶🎶
Thanks I appreciate it!
I keep exploring other online teachers but invariably, I always come back to You. You are the best, Justin.
Hi Justin i just wanted to send a message, im so so grateful for you, your talent and your general vibe.
My dad was OBSESSED with acoustic guitar! He had 19 in his collection.
I took it so for granted, im sure i thought i would hear the sound forever.
I heard it everytime i saw him..
I havn't for a year now.
I miss it so so much!
So much i have picked up one of those 19 and started to play.
AND YOU SIR ARE AMAZING!!
I THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏🙏
I cant tell you what you have done for my soul. Your videos (i started from scratch with hurt- johnny cash) have made me fall in love with my guitar.
So much so im surprising my brothers with metallica.
I can make a sound 💃💃🤣
not quite like my dad, but one day ❤🙏
Important recommendation from Justin and applicable on basically all tasks in live: approach with curiosity. Remain playful. Good mood makes us more intelligent which brings better results.
So true about dreamers. I never imagined I would be able to play 'Tunnel of Love' by Dire Straits. And in a way, I still can't, because I'm not so good at it. But I can play it recognisably, solo and all, thanks to this channel. I started learning it thinking, 'What the hell,' assuming I would never really pick it up. But gradually the pieces fall together.
I cracked a smile when you mentioned the intro to Wish You Were Here as a Campfire plus. I've been working on the solo for the past few weeks and I've finally got it feeling pretty good under the fingers. Thanks Justin.
Already implemented six months ago..!!!!!!!!..what u call the dreamer song list gave me a bad forearm, the triceps tendons along the elbow, left hand tendons :totally defunct!!!!!!!!, me questioning my left vs right hand coordination, ice packs..😐etc...... I hate you justin!!!! ....🤔🤔🤔🤔 nope, I don't......I learned a-shaped bar chords and a lot about coordination just by seeing your road-tripping lesson..... I live u man .... stay healthy and strong
Justin,that was great,it showed me exactly that,if i only know 4 songs and a few bits and pieces its ok once i keep trying,i got a good way of putting learning guitar by an old guy"its all repatition and movement"he said,i know its a bit more than that,but with "justin guitar" i will learn more👍👍👍
Classical Gas is my ultimate dreamer song….now that would be great to bang out when someone says “play a song”!
It’s possible but it has to be finger-picked.
@@geohaber absolutely.
Justin = a great inspirational speaker....and teacher.
Thanks, Tom!
One of the OG's of guitar yt still going strong in 2021. The vids keep getting better tbh
You are an absolutely unbelievable teacher! I have learnt so much from your teachings no words can ever describe how appreciative I am! I am definitely not alone in your boat of students grateful how you take the time out of your day to help teach and shape other peoples guitar playing!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🤘😎
The Dreamer song for me was Classical Gas. It took a year of working at it daily, but now it is a campfire song.
Great song!!
Hi Justin , love your channel. years ago I used to play in a band playing at social clubs and loved it. work life balance stopped that, and a change in career put paid to my playing. I am now at a point where I have time to play the guitar again. However, I have become so despondent when playing now because my skills have gone yet I think I should be playing to the standard I was at. I am really finding so difficult to go back to basics but this video has given me the inspiration to start again, which is something I am reluctantly coming to terms with. Your videos are inspirational, thanks
I love this one…gives players some perspective! A couple of years ago I used the beginner app to get started and it was instrumental in my intro to guitar and my passion grew from there! Thanks Justin!! 🎸
I have just started to play guitar but I write down all the songs I hope to be able to play one day. It;s a lot of fun finding out how to play certain songs. As you said you come along different technics. I use your beginners app but also have a teacher once in the 2 weeks, who also learns me to read notes. There is so much to learn, I wish I started years ago! Thanks Justin, your inspiring and a great help.
My playlist includes, Tulsa time, family tradition, why me Lord, jambalaya, only rock and roll, Lodi, crazy, sweet home Alabama. I've also found backing track chord progressions are awesome, lots of chords. Good luck everyone, practice, practice.
I just realised I'm the guy that Justin just described! I've been playing close to 20 years but I don't have a list of songs that I can just play if people ask. I always felt my guitar playing had hit the ceiling but this video just changes everything!
Love this video and I love your teaching style. My usual practice is playing songs I like, but adding things I should learn to my playing makes total sense.
Thanks for the great tips. Retired a year ago, so decided to pick up the guitar, started trying to play about 8 months ago. Started few easy songs and work on cord changes (House of Rising Sun, Country Roads, Take it Easy, Can't You See). Have seen some improvement. But then found you on youtube. Been watching some of your videos for awhile. Love the way you teach, so now have your app and using you methods. They seem to be working. Focus right now is on finger stretching since I have small hands and some chords are really difficult, finger accuracy. keep those tips coming!
Lol!! That was a great "warning"! I actually enjoy the ones where you speak and I don't have to have my guitar at the ready as much as the hands-on ones. Firstly, you always have something of value to teach us, and I save this type of segment for when I am out walking, etc. There is a whole world to learn when it comes to the guitar 🤗
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you Justin such excellent advice. One of the most important things I've come to realize is that if I just have patience and break something down to its simplest essense, get that down, then slowly add more complexity (whether increasing tempo or moving from simple 4 beat strum to complex strumming or from strum to fingerstyle) then over time sure enough songs that sounded impossible do become quite possible. You call these growers and I love having growers in my repertoire. My current grower is Landslide...been working on it for over a week and slowly but surely getting closer. I've started to reach 120 bmp (goal is 159) and have the standard fingerpicking rhythm down - next part will be adding your more complex fingering on the chorus :)
Fantastic. You’ve summed up in 20 minutes what it’s taken me 20 or 30 years to figure out. Your wisdom about practicing guitar easily applies to piano/keyboard playing as well. I would just add that it’s also helpful to work on getting down one song a day, and record yourself playing it. You don’t have to get it down perfectly, but well enough so that you can play it smoothly from start to finish.
what is not to like about this video? Another Great Video. Thanks Justin! I love the way you explain things in clear language that is easy to follow and understand.
"Once you sit there with your guitar it'll never be just one minute because its fun!"
*sits there for 18 minutes and 43 seconds holding a gorgeous PRS and doesn't play it at all*
Haha true! 😂
Hence, the beginning "WARNING": Watch again. This time comprehend what was said. 👍😁
@@justinguitar what PRS is that ?!?!? ❤️
@@stephensmith60 Hey man, as well as developing a a selection of practice songs, try also developing a sense of humour.
This is so good! 2 years into guitar, this really helps. I'm going to reorganize my practice.....I like the campfire, but also like blues and playing scales with backing tracks..... does this fit into this scheme?
Wise words i laugh smile at my mistakes and a massive grin when i achieve even a few chord changes without errors (well not too many).
Excellent advice 😊😊
I'm a beginner and currently just learning songs I like and thankfully at least for now they are pretty easy
Thank you Justin. I really needed this, I'm that guy that's been playing for years but knows nothing lol. I have a jam list on my phone, but I can't just pick up a guitar and play them. I've now made a camp-fire playing and I'm going nail these songs. THANK YOU!!
Great into but I learn a lot from you even though you don't play.
I found that even though I may not know the correct chords when caught unaware to play to use G c D Em which works for most songs that I am able to play
Thank you for being my guitar teacher! I'm brand new and I will work on growing these categories. It's a great way to look at picking songs to practice.
Great advice Justin! You really need those memorized campfire songs! Songs you can sing and play on an acoustic guitar. If all you practice is electric guitar driven rock songs, scales, arpeggios, solo's, etc., someone could hand you an acoustic guitar at a party and you suddenly realize you can't even play a song. lol. I need to work on more campfire songs. Lyrics are important too and easy to forget if you don't practice singing them as well.
Learn songs, learn songs, learn songs. I've written my mantra hundreds of times and keep coming back to it for so many reasons.
Cheers 😊
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I literally learning Cliffs of Dover at the moment and hearing someone as good as Justin say it's hard just give me massive encouragement, thank you so much Justin
Another great lesson Justin. Once again, I never understand the negative comments and reactions.. what’s wrong with people? I’ve been alternating between Fenderplay and Justin for 2-3 years… it depends on what type of teaching suits your style of learning.. and Justin suits most. Always a pleasure 😊👍 🎸
I can't sing and play at the same time (can't really sing at all), and I don't like being around people when camping (or most other times to be honest), but this is great advice.
I don't play the guitar, but since a few month I've got a ukelele. I do like it but it's hard. I work at a daycarecentre so I'm practising childrensongs. But I love your videos about how to practise, it really helps me to structure the practising. Thank you very much!
And right after I posted this I found your ukelele videos🤗 Can't wait to practise with those!
good advice from the master, i have a good 20 songs i play from memory, 20 intermediate but that is my skill level at the moment i'm now looking at good finger style and learning those but these are taking me some time to learn but when i do ... wow. i checked out all my songs ie the song writer when they were released etc and what amazed me was 95% were from 1971... must of been a good year!!
Thanks Justin, needed to have more focus for my practice routine. Excellent advice
probably the most useful guitar advice Ive gotten in a loooong tiiime! this is exaactly what I've been looking for. An idea for building my practice routine. Thaank you, siiir!
I just got my guitar yesterday and I learned my first three chords thanks to you I'll continue this journey with your videos!♥
Welcome to the JustinGuitar course! Make the most out of your journey, and good luck!
Best decision ever! Good luck, the journey of learning is more fun than actually being able to play!!! ☀️
I always enjoy your lessons and thoughts on playing. One thing I’d add to the “dreamer list” idea is going back to it a few months or years later. I’ve been very surprised and pleased to go back to songs I just couldn’t play and after, for me, a few years I can knock them out. Or at least see them as achievable.
Super ideas Justin thank you. I suddenly realise that after 2 years learning I can’t actually pick up a guitar and play anything!! I need to resolve that asap x
What's that guitar?? Looks cool. Can't read the headstock.
Thanks to you. I have been doing this practise routine without knowing it. And it’s working. Cheers
I am all for more talking and less playing, when I want to learn something myself. Or when I want to get information of any kind, for that matter, so this is also true for hear reviews. Big 👍 for the intro alone.
Ten Years Gone. My dreamer song. I can currently play it great somewhere around half speed.
Thanks for this Justin……this is exactly what I need now in my guitar learning journey. Good stuff
Happy to help! Have a great weekend, Craig.
Thank you Justin! I needed a little boost in motivation and energy about now, and you just provided it! 👏🙂
Sometimes I feel the tune Three Blind Mice may as well be in my dreamer category 🤪, but again another superb and inspiring lesson as always. The truth is there is no shortcut to a good job when it comes to learning
Love that!
Your comment about curiosity is important. I was always completely blown away by Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel. But by taking it slowly, one measure a week, I'm almost fully there, 3 months later. Definitely a 'dreamer' song that I've achieved. This song also made me a much better fingerpicker - a 'grower'
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Justin, this just makes sense... and Tommy Emmanuel's Lewis and Clark - there's my dreamer.
This is great stuff, I am DEFINITELY that guy who plays everyday, quite seriously, but am always focused on skill development and writing original material, and subsequently never learn other people’s whole songs. That situation where someone puts a guitar in your hands has happened several times, pretty embarrassing…
I spend 3 months learning my favorite song ascend by the dooo im pretty satisfied
I didnt get discouraged somehow
Awesome motivational advice Justin. Thank you! 👍
Many thanks Justin, great lesson, you always motivate me to push my playing, I'm an old geezer with a Gibson, best wishes to Pat and Ian.
Always first rate information and instruction. Thank you for all you do to motivate and inspire us.
This man hasn’t missed a beat for 10-years. Thank you.
Brillliant video. Highly motivating. I've been doing what you suggest since day one and it makes it fun. I just wish I had more time to devote to playing and practice. Thank you, Justin, for all your videos. You are a true star.
Finding songs to learn is the hardest part for me, I even find getting on with my techique exercises and practing scales easier to do! Thanks for the video :)
Try Justin’s Easy Song app. It’s got hundreds of songs starting at a basic level. It’s like “Guitareoke” with a backing track and everything. I’ve been using it with his online course and it’s been super fun.
Problem with me is I have been hopping around on a guitar since 2007 have alot of songs printed out in folders. learnt a few but forgotten them over time. So i keep moving on to a new one never really finishing it then try something else. i know crazy old fool well i am 71 years old! I like the video Justin great information.
Having some songs tackled completely will give you a great sense of accomplishment. Bite the bullet and secure a nice top of your song pyramid; with your best and most fun songs on top!
@@justinguitar Thanks for the reply Justin i will do that, i put out a video on you tube in 2012 but never followed on with another. Keep up the good work sir.
Im sure glad I'm not the only one who fumbles the tung. Your by far my favorite !
Being 40+ and not really knowing if this is the right instrument to learn "that late" in life, I want to say thank you for your motivational speeches and tips that are understandable even before owning an instrument.
you can. theres this famous blues player i forgot his name :( but he didnt start until he was like 50 and after his 2nd divorce got him into it......im 45 and i been only playing 6 string guitar for like 4 years but i been playing bass on and off since i was like 20 so it was easier for me
I’m 65 and have played trumpet since elementary school. While I enjoy trumpet and play every week, it’s still an effort and I’m actually glad when I’ve completed a practice session. I can play guitar for hours and it’s often just that my left hand has become so fatigued that I just can’t play anymore or I’d keep playing. The guitar is such a versatile instrument and I get much enjoyment out of playing it. A friend that was a trumpet major in college is also a very good guitarist. He once told me that the trumpet was his life but the guitar was his escape. I can relate to that now. Enjoy that guitar!
as soon as i pick up my guitar something good and bad happens to my brain at the same time, firstly it washes away anxiety and depression which is a GOOD thing however i also forget how a song goes which is a BAD thing not sure why this happens, im always listening to music and singing along to the songs i hear, i know the songs but when i pick up guitar my mind goes blank! all of a sudden i feel like a cabbage that doesnt know what its doing. its good that it instantly cures anxiety faster than any tablet could but sucks that my mind goes blank.