Tim, I'm 67 and just started guitar about a year and half ago. I bumped into your channel, and I swear you feel like a brother. You speak like me, and think like me......I think. 😋 I want to play like you. I'm giving myself twenty years, and perhaps another lifetime.😂 And I will get there! Thank you so much!
With you on that sentiment. I started at 69 and figure just to master one simple thing daily is progress indeed. Recording yourself and then listening critically to hear and improve on any mistakes is a great learning tool. Keep on plucking, bro!!
David Bailey I started at 55 and now at 58 my jam buddies at the bar cant wait for me to showup. But I have much to learn, the journey of sharing music wherever and with whomever you play with along the way is rewarding.
You guys are awesome. Younger guys like myself sometimes get stuck in cycles of "jeez I'll never put out anything great, these 12 year olds are already playing Bach!" But the reality is the only thing that matters musically is your own journey. There's no really competition or time based goals, only personal growth and enjoyment. Good luck!
Dave ..same here,.,played when I was younger I am 68 started lessons again a year in a half now ...Tim is so tuned in...so helpful...best to you on your lessons...stay focused my friend 😎
Well said Tim, lots of bands think they have to play really complicated stuff. I was in a band when I was around 20, we quickly learned some easy classic rock songs like Louie Louie etc for a gig for the singers dad and his buddies, these songs went over great and became our bread and butter for years. We abandoned a lot of our complicated set, because people respond overwhelmingly better to easy songs done well, over hard songs done so so. Was a great lesson.....
Tim's videos are brilliant. I wish I had discovered them years ago when I was a full time working guitarist who was mediocre at best and suffered with constant self doubt which led to losing sight of why we play music in the first place.
We love you, Tim Pearce. You are the Gandhi to our playing, the chalkboard to our learning and the anchor in our inspirational moments. What an incredibly humble decent human being you are. You rock - literally! :) Respect!
I love his advice and attitude about making mistakes and not let it bug you down and take away the joy. It shows he really understand what it's all about.
Love your channel, Tim. I'm 65, and just started playing in '73. Finally beginning to get the hang of it, ;-) I always learn something and enjoy the heck out of your commentary.
Hey Tim, I really dig what you've got going on....Whenever I'm down I watch your vids and how you smile doing what you do and it picks me up and inspires me every time. Sometimes I say to myself, " This guy's having way too much fun". Then reality kicks in and the thought comes to me that, there's no such thing as too much fun when playing guitar is involved. Thank you so very much for your brand of inspiration.
Your take on practicing a part over and over is spot on. I had to learn both parts of the solo for Hotel California. That took a lot of time to get down. I learned it phrase by phrase, and then put them together. And as it’s so iconic, I wanted to get it as right as I could.
You ARE one of those guys who blows my mind... not just for your technical prowess and the pure musicality of how you play, but also for your absolute joy in playing which is teleported in your sound.
Man, scary how relevant this advice is in my situation right now. You absolutely nailed it on every point and to see a guy with your ability talking about their insecurities with mistakes and watching virtuosos, etc. it's nice to know you can be human and be an incredible player. Thanks!
Tim is such an amazing player and kind person. Really comes through in all of these videos. I only wish I had discovered him sooner. I've been listening to his playing for 30+ years and didn't even know it.....
Tim. Words of wisdom. I'm late beginning my guitar journey (44 after a 20 year hiatus due to work, kids, house etc etc) and I find myself constantly overwhelmed by players like Tosin Abasi, Andy Timmons, Mark Holcomb, Matt Schofield, Tom Quayle, Yngwie, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, Jon Gom, Ariel Posen, Pete Thorn etc. Their precision, feel and technique used to leave me hollowed and feeling utterly defeated. But finding my way through that and the writing process starts again, I find little bits of what I've watched and heard filter through in a very much diluted way, but I sense progress as a consequence of that exposure. The mountain of knowledge I have yet to attempt to absorb is crazy and its hearing genuine insights like this video that makes me think, one chord at a time, one scale at a time, one phrase at a time, one technique at a time... I might not ever learn it all, but I will always be a better player than when I started...
Similar journey for me for the exact same reasons. And not surprisingly I’ve had similar thoughts, not so much about technique, but the “mountain of knowledge” conundrum can really mess with a person’s head. You make a great point regarding one scale, chord, etc. at a time. I think the other half of that equation is consistency. It’s surprising how techniques and knowledge can add up so long as you keep at it and move to the next challenge. Best of luck to you on your journey!
Me 3..... same . Forgot the scales, circle of 5ths, blah blah. I used to know and play and good bit . learned things like bach bouree in the 80's. Now.... Im trying to just get patterns fluid over typical progressions. Back to the pentatonic and learn Bonamassa, Phillip Sayce, Markus King ( makes me cry I stopped when I was younger) and my favorite Josh Smith. I do not want to go back through all that memorization. Too bad some one cant explain an... AHA moment. Like paying for ski lesson for days when you finished and they show you the hocky side stop..... like really? WTF? You couldn't show me that at the start? No money is in that.....
#5 is huuuuge for keeping up my hands on guitar time. Just leaving my strat out of its case and easily accessible means I pick up and play more often. This whole video is a brilliant inspiration for me right now, I was lost in the search now I feel I'm back on track, thanks Tim!
I never feel stuck anymore with all of these wonderful instructional videos on TH-cam. I keep learning and playing. It's slow progress but steadily upward.
Hey Tim, great stuff as usual. I was so fortunate enough to take several months of private lessons with you back in 86. It was so cool that we recorded them all and I still pull them out and listen. There's one sequence where you were showing me how to string certain phrases together up the neck and you self proclaimed a "clam" at the end. Of course you went on to finish it with razor precision, as usual. This lesson brings that back when you teach it's OK to fumble once in a while. You never know that it could show you something you weren't expecting. Thanks for the series.
Thanks so much, Tim! I resonated so strongly with your story about playing the G&R thing at the Grammies. I had to play a note-for-note show recently and every little miss-fret was agony. Hearing that you practiced it 80 times and still didn't get it perfect, lightens my harsh self judgement. I hope I can bring your attitude to future gigs like that.
Tim, your videos have been a Godsend! Your insight into all the little details is what really sets you apart from the hundreds of excellent guitar instructors on TH-cam. That, and you just seem like an incredibly humble, practical, down-to-earth guy.
Ever time I watch one of your videos, hear you play, listen to you talk; I'm always impressed. What a gentlemen you are, I love the way you express things. Love the way you play and I thank you for sharing the things you do on TH-cam. You deserve all the success, money and happiness you want.
This is so great, and so true! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and keeping us all reminded of what is most important in playing guitar, which is playing music.
"Take what you need from virtuosity, don't let it bring you down".... That's already the BEST QUOTE of my 2019. I follow you since few years and you gave me / us sooooo much thru your advices and especially by beeing such a great human beiing. Thanks Tim!
Tim, I love your channel. I just wanted to mention (as a Les Paul fan) that the String Butler really solved that tuning problem for me. Thanks again for all your great videos.
Of all the guitar cats on TH-cam, for me, Tim is the best teacher for my style/level and tone learning. I love the others, and use their teachings all the time. But I get Tim and I feel he speaks my language, without even knowing me. He is a great player, teacher and most importantly, a really nice personality that is so humble...
I never beat myself up about mistakes when playing with our band. I am past that stage. I am the best player I can be at any given moment. Funny you should say that your Gibson's G string goes our of tune. My 95 Gibson SG's G strings is forever going out of tune. You have confirmed everything that I think about in regards to my playing. I don't compare myself to anyone except myself. There are of course excellent days and then crappy days. I have my new Boss Katana amp set up so I can just plug in and go. I love this amp. I will never be a virtuoso or anywhere close. Maybe I really suck but I don't care because my passion for playing runs deeper then that. I am the best I can be!
Chasing gear for tone can become an obsession while play craft dwindles. I bought 3 swiss army knifes The new Katanna 50 watt, a PRS CE 24 with split coils, and an Epi 335 pro with split coils. So with those 3 things I can get as close as possible to any sound I like. I also dialed back my OCD for perfection in tone. 95% is good enough. polishing my craft in playing is more important. I try to record and play back a lot. Playing back is a great teacher. Throw a drum track on your DAW and create something fun.
Just wanted to say that of all the thousands of similar types of TH-cam vids that exist, Tims' is by far the most informational I've seen in a long while... thanks for sharing Tim.
Dang, we're so lucky to have access to videos like this! What awesome advice from a master. I have my guitars sitting in my living room with a Boss Katana ready to flip on with one switch. Simple amp, ready with 4 preset tones, and a half-watt setting to keep it reasonable. Having a guitar you don't have to fight, ready to go when you have a moment means everything when you're trying to grow. Tim, you are fantastic.
I'm a writer--and your advice about taking what you need and being the best version of yourself is spot on! Famous writer TC Boyle gave me similar advice: nobody else can write your story like you. Author and story are unique, so be the best version of the two. Thanks!!
Re-watching this after being in a Julian Lage trio concert, I hadn’t seen anything close to them in my life. I was thinking about selling all my gear and burning the guitar... so this video is helping me a lot now ^_^ it is wise and very encouraging!! Thanks !!
Best Advice I have ever heard on Guitar playing and achievement . Keeping your eyes and ears on one thing delivery of music at any cost no matter your skill level . Be the best "YOU" can be !!!
Sir, thanks for your wise words. This cools me down, like a soft summer breeze and a JJ Cale song. Simplicity and wisdom is a rare but unbeatable combination!
Tim, I’ve been watching guitar instruction videos a lot lately because I’ve been researching in hopes of improving my own videos. I have to say that your vids really stand far above the crowd on just about every level. Your playing is top- notch and the instruction gets straight to the heart of the matter. Very inspiring. I’m happy for you that you’ve accomplished so much well deserved success! Thank you for your generosity in putting these together and making them free for the world to see.
Although I think you're being modest, Tim, what you describe feeling watching Mark is what I feel watching you! I'll try and grab what I can take from your playing. Thanks for this video. It's really helpful.
Hearing you describe messing up the sweet child o mine intro despite practicing it 80 times really makes me feel better haha! Sometimes I don't think the youtube guitarists do enough to explain the struggles and challenges that they face even now, they make it seem like they can just do the things they show in their videos with ease. I think it's much more valuable to get a glimpse of a reminder that even the people who do the things you don't think you could ever do, have to struggle with growing/learning pains as well and despite the perfect take that makes the cut, it wasn't as easy as they made it look and that take was NOT their first time playing that piece!
Tim you are the man everything you talked about I struggle with when it comes to practicing. I am 65 I played in several rock and roll bands during High School. Didn't play for 40 years then decided to try it again because I missed playing. Bought a guitar and amp and started trying to relearn everything I had known, let me tell you its much harder at my age....hah ha. Thanks for doing your videos and especially this one you give me hope that I can still play. Charlie
Fellow Albuquerquean here. Steve Maase used to tell me, "it's amazing how much better your tone is when you start liking what you play" Thanks for the video!
That was incredibly helpful, especially the part about making mistakes. I have song that I play at church that I practice over and over again, and even master it but when I play it live, I mess it up every time. Drives me crazy. Your 3 mode thing is helpful.
Yup, my Fender Highway One is always in tune even after drastic bending !! 😀 I use a boss od3, sd1 DD3, Ce5, a Hall of Fame,a crybaby and a POD 2.0🙃 for extra effects. That pretty much gives me all the tones I need for recording rock. Thanks so much for your channel! You have helped my guitar playing and overall musicianship enormously!! 😀
I recently had a skull cramp experience playing a song that I have played many times ....in front of a full house! I just blanked on it and ,of course, the singer passes me a solo spot. I was trying to lay down some slide but the voice just would not come and I played some of the worst crap I have ever played. It ruined my night and about 5 days after that. I was crushed. I even apologized to the band leader who said, "it sounded fine to me'. She was being nice I'm sure. Those kinds of things still devastate me but hearing your words on the subject helps me remember that these things are just a very brief moment in time and mostly no one remembers them except yourself. Thank you! Also, keeping a guitar handy and ready to go is great advice. I play way more if I have an acoustic sitting nearby or an amp and guitar ready to go at anytime. Cheers Tim. I admire your talent.
Sport psychology applied to music! Perfect! Trying to hit something is a totally different mindset compared to trying not to miss. One is positive and aggressive, confident while the the other is fearful and hesitant.
I absolutely love the tone of your conversation. Discussions that talk about ones own style and sound rather than becoming another player are very wise. That's a mindset that will lead to better guitar happiness in my opinion. I also smiled when you referred to Les Pauls and their G string staying in tune challenge. Sometimes it seems to me that when I've been playing my Les Paul, (or SG for that matter), for a few minutes it warms up and behaves better. Anyway, great post man.
Great vid man. Just found you on TH-cam recently. Love your stuff. Lots of wisdom and incite. I am a similar vintage player born in 63, started playing at age 13. Keep up the great work bro.
Why wasn't the internet and youtube around 30 years ago when I really needed this! Now that I've stopped gigging, the "secrets" are unveiled by Tim, Pete, and others! Thank you Tim for your gifts, and thirst for helping others get excited to pick up their instrument (and no become broke doing it)
Absolutely right on. A lot of what you've shared comes the maturity. I've been playing nearly 35 years (yikes) and am only now coming to grips with #4. Love your videos. Thanks for the insight!
I just watched this video and you solved a mystery for me!! The G string out of tune problem with my Gibson's. I noticed it more on my 335, just because I play it more than my Les Paul Studio. But, THANK YOU! Now I know, and it won't freak me out so much. BTW, I"m 69, been playing since about 15, but stopped for many years after I had learned open and barr chords. After having learned the Pentatonic scale about 5 years ago, after picking up the guitar again, a whole new world has opened up for me. Love your playing.
Wow ! ...Tim, I'm learning a lot from your videos, and appreciate you're putting them online for us all. This one, for me really has "Universal Wissdom" !!! On my quest to becomming a better Guitarist, I went through a lot of gear, untill I noticed that my playing did not improve, ...and the gear,programming,etc. was draining my energy and my goal to simply be ..... a better Guitarist. So when you spoke the magic words: "Gear is the Transportation, Music is the Destination" I immediately knew what you meant ! Thanks for this uplifting video, You've really made my day !!! Sharing real knowledge, ... is a rare thing ! Thanks !!!
Such a great point about the constant search for tone! I was way guilty of shopping and searching when all the tools that I really needed were right in front of me. Nowadays, I just crank a Deluxe Reverb style amp and use my guitar controls and the built-in reverb and tremolo. I'll occasionally add a wah, fuzz, or analog delay when needed and that's it. Along with focusing on playing songs and learning from other guitarists, this has really sparked my creative on the instrument again because the music has my primary focus again.
I’ve been playing 35 years and there is excellent advice in here. I’ve been tone chasing for too many years and it’s greatly to the detriment of my musicality. No more!
"K.I.S.S". principle: keep it simple, stupid. Get a guitar and amp that sound good together to start with. Add some dirt with a box, some 'verb and/or delay, and if it sounds good every time you've found it. He's right about that, completely right. And ... it's in the hands. Head>Heart>Hands. All the rest is window dressing.
Thanks for this! I needed this reminder. I get so bogged down by all the great guitar players and feeling like if I'm not there I'm no good. This helps me want to keep trying.
Thank you Tim- that’s probably the best guitar lesson I’ve ever had! Many times I’ve been my own worst enemy- this info coming from you Sir is pure gold and so liberating! Thank you and Lord bless you
Thank you for the encouragement, Tim. I have experienced a number of the sticking points that you mention especially the obsession over getting the right tone. I appreciate your honesty and insights. I'll likely watch this one multiple times.
Whenever I go into a performance in front of people with my guitar, I make sure that I have prepared myself enough to play well in front of an audience so that if I do make a mistake, I can recover without locking up. I always go into each performance with the mindset that I will never be absolutely 100% perfect, so I make sure to be able to avoid metaphorically face planting when adversity hits. It’s ok to be nervous... just to let it hold you back from playing at your best.
My sentiments as well. In the version of this in his master class (which I recommend btw), he also has a short simple segment called "blank page" I guess for us procrastinators; "Start, just start." Simple and effective.
Priceless info from a true pro!! Thank you sir! Les Paul’s should all have a wound g string, it’s worth a try. Once I switched to a 21 gauge wound g I can’t go back. Sounds better, and feels better so you can play better.
I realize this posting was three years ago but I have an interesting anecdote on the Les Paul G string "out of tune issue". In 1974 I bought a 1971 reissue of a 1958 Gold Top Standard with mini humbuckers (Shovel headstock). For 3 years keeping the G string in tune was the bane of my existence. Then one evening at our rehearsal studio the guitar mysteriously and on its own accord fell face down off of a cradle guitar stand. The headstock broke in a "V" shape to the top of the neck. I was devastated. Fortunately for me and my guitar, the Old Town School of Music in Chicago (my hometown) had one of the greatest luthiers in America and he repaired the neck and headstock. From the day I got it back until today 44 years later...never a problem with the G string...or any others going out of tune. 😉
Amazing Advice !!!! You just addressed the absolute exact things that i have overlooked for years , I always searched for tone with pedals and equipment, tried to learn the hardest songs, worried about messing up too much, always put my gear away....and had to have a Gibson. and I thought it was crappy stock tuners making that stupid G string always go out of tune. Thanks Tim, this will change my practicing routine enormously
Thank you Tim, I'm in . A bit of rut right now,nothing sounds good and I feel like I've regressed,being hard on myself,the advice in this video was perfect timing for me,love your work space too
thank you for this tim...im 42 and play live regularly. im the frontman and play rythym and lead. its a lot of things to juggle...i just go have fun and do my best. and entertain first, musician second. as long as a shows music accuracy is in the 90 percentile your doing great.Especially 3 and 4 hour shows from 8 to 12 or 9 to 1. mistakes will be made sure...at the end of the night its all part of the show.
Tim, I'm 67 and just started guitar about a year and half ago. I bumped into your channel, and I swear you feel like a brother. You speak like me, and think like me......I think. 😋 I want to play like you. I'm giving myself twenty years, and perhaps another lifetime.😂 And I will get there! Thank you so much!
With you on that sentiment. I started at 69 and figure just to master one simple thing daily is progress indeed. Recording yourself and then listening critically to hear and improve on any mistakes is a great learning tool. Keep on plucking, bro!!
David Bailey I started at 55 and now at 58 my jam buddies at the bar cant wait for me to showup. But I have much to learn, the journey of sharing music wherever and with whomever you play with along the way is rewarding.
You guys are awesome. Younger guys like myself sometimes get stuck in cycles of "jeez I'll never put out anything great, these 12 year olds are already playing Bach!" But the reality is the only thing that matters musically is your own journey. There's no really competition or time based goals, only personal growth and enjoyment. Good luck!
I started this year at being over 40 so can appreciate your passion.
Dave ..same here,.,played when I was younger I am 68 started lessons again a year in a half now ...Tim is so tuned in...so helpful...best to you on your lessons...stay focused my friend 😎
Well said Tim, lots of bands think they have to play really complicated stuff. I was in a band when I was around 20, we quickly learned some easy classic rock songs like Louie Louie etc for a gig for the singers dad and his buddies, these songs went over great and became our bread and butter for years.
We abandoned a lot of our complicated set, because people respond overwhelmingly better to easy songs done well, over hard songs done so so. Was a great lesson.....
Tim's videos are brilliant. I wish I had discovered them years ago when I was a full time working guitarist who was mediocre at best and suffered with constant self doubt which led to losing sight of why we play music in the first place.
We love you, Tim Pearce.
You are the Gandhi to our playing, the chalkboard to our learning and the anchor in our inspirational moments.
What an incredibly humble decent human being you are.
You rock - literally! :)
Respect!
I love his advice and attitude about making mistakes and not let it bug you down and take away the joy. It shows he really understand what it's all about.
Love your channel, Tim. I'm 65, and just started playing in '73. Finally beginning to get the hang of it, ;-) I always learn something and enjoy the heck out of your commentary.
You are so right. I always tell people better equipment does not make you a better player, but it can motivate to play more...
More cow bell😊 lol… repetition is a great gift 🎁 SO TRUE ABOUT LP and the string gauge. Great point about high maintenance tuning distractions.
Hey Tim, I really dig what you've got going on....Whenever I'm down I watch your vids and how you smile doing what you do and it picks me up and inspires me every time. Sometimes I say to myself, " This guy's having way too much fun". Then reality kicks in and the thought comes to me that, there's no such thing as too much fun when playing guitar is involved. Thank you so very much for your brand of inspiration.
Your take on practicing a part over and over is spot on. I had to learn both parts of the solo for Hotel California. That took a lot of time to get down. I learned it phrase by phrase, and then put them together. And as it’s so iconic, I wanted to get it as right as I could.
You ARE one of those guys who blows my mind... not just for your technical prowess and the pure musicality of how you play, but also for your absolute joy in playing which is teleported in your sound.
Couldn't say it better.
Man, scary how relevant this advice is in my situation right now. You absolutely nailed it on every point and to see a guy with your ability talking about their insecurities with mistakes and watching virtuosos, etc. it's nice to know you can be human and be an incredible player. Thanks!
Tim is such an amazing player and kind person. Really comes through in all of these videos. I only wish I had discovered him sooner. I've been listening to his playing for 30+ years and didn't even know it.....
Tim. Words of wisdom. I'm late beginning my guitar journey (44 after a 20 year hiatus due to work, kids, house etc etc) and I find myself constantly overwhelmed by players like Tosin Abasi, Andy Timmons, Mark Holcomb, Matt Schofield, Tom Quayle, Yngwie, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, Jon Gom, Ariel Posen, Pete Thorn etc. Their precision, feel and technique used to leave me hollowed and feeling utterly defeated. But finding my way through that and the writing process starts again, I find little bits of what I've watched and heard filter through in a very much diluted way, but I sense progress as a consequence of that exposure. The mountain of knowledge I have yet to attempt to absorb is crazy and its hearing genuine insights like this video that makes me think, one chord at a time, one scale at a time, one phrase at a time, one technique at a time... I might not ever learn it all, but I will always be a better player than when I started...
neuk01642 great stuff n best of luck!
Similar journey for me for the exact same reasons. And not surprisingly I’ve had similar thoughts, not so much about technique, but the “mountain of knowledge” conundrum can really mess with a person’s head. You make a great point regarding one scale, chord, etc. at a time. I think the other half of that equation is consistency. It’s surprising how techniques and knowledge can add up so long as you keep at it and move to the next challenge. Best of luck to you on your journey!
Me 3..... same . Forgot the scales, circle of 5ths, blah blah. I used to know and play and good bit . learned things like bach bouree in the 80's. Now.... Im trying to just get patterns fluid over typical progressions. Back to the pentatonic and learn Bonamassa, Phillip Sayce, Markus King ( makes me cry I stopped when I was younger) and my favorite Josh Smith. I do not want to go back through all that memorization. Too bad some one cant explain an... AHA moment. Like paying for ski lesson for days when you finished and they show you the hocky side stop..... like really? WTF? You couldn't show me that at the start? No money is in that.....
This is a superb channel. Tim's intelligence and humanity compliment his musicianship perfectly.
#5 is huuuuge for keeping up my hands on guitar time. Just leaving my strat out of its case and easily accessible means I pick up and play more often. This whole video is a brilliant inspiration for me right now, I was lost in the search now I feel I'm back on track, thanks Tim!
I never feel stuck anymore with all of these wonderful instructional videos on TH-cam. I keep learning and playing. It's slow progress but steadily upward.
Hey Tim, great stuff as usual. I was so fortunate enough to take several months of private lessons with you back in 86. It was so cool that we recorded them all and I still pull them out and listen. There's one sequence where you were showing me how to string certain phrases together up the neck and you self proclaimed a "clam" at the end. Of course you went on to finish it with razor precision, as usual. This lesson brings that back when you teach it's OK to fumble once in a while. You never know that it could show you something you weren't expecting. Thanks for the series.
Thanks so much, Tim! I resonated so strongly with your story about playing the G&R thing at the Grammies. I had to play a note-for-note show recently and every little miss-fret was agony. Hearing that you practiced it 80 times and still didn't get it perfect, lightens my harsh self judgement. I hope I can bring your attitude to future gigs like that.
Tim, your videos have been a Godsend! Your insight into all the little details is what really sets you apart from the hundreds of excellent guitar instructors on TH-cam.
That, and you just seem like an incredibly humble, practical, down-to-earth guy.
I always love how encouraging you are Tim. I appreciate your humility. V this is good counsel.
Ever time I watch one of your videos, hear you play, listen to you talk; I'm always impressed. What a gentlemen you are, I love the way you express things. Love the way you play and I thank you for sharing the things you do on TH-cam. You deserve all the success, money and happiness you want.
Thanks for sharing, I dont think I ever watch one of your videos without gaining something that helps me play or understand better. What a gift.
This is so great, and so true! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and keeping us all reminded of what is most important in playing guitar, which is playing music.
"Take what you need from virtuosity, don't let it bring you down".... That's already the BEST QUOTE of my 2019. I follow you since few years and you gave me / us sooooo much thru your advices and especially by beeing such a great human beiing. Thanks Tim!
As great a player as you are, you're as down to earth as can be. It's very refreshing. Thank you for sharing as freely as you do.
Phenomenal advice at 5:09 et seq re: simplicity; taking selectively from virtuosity and not feeling defeated by it.... awesome stuff Tim.
Tim, I love your channel. I just wanted to mention (as a Les Paul fan) that the String Butler really solved that tuning problem for me. Thanks again for all your great videos.
Of all the guitar cats on TH-cam, for me, Tim is the best teacher for my style/level and tone learning. I love the others, and use their teachings all the time. But I get Tim and I feel he speaks my language, without even knowing me. He is a great player, teacher and most importantly, a really nice personality that is so humble...
I never beat myself up about mistakes when playing with our band. I am past that stage. I am the best player I can be at any given moment. Funny you should say that your Gibson's G string goes our of tune. My 95 Gibson SG's G strings is forever going out of tune. You have confirmed everything that I think about in regards to my playing. I don't compare myself to anyone except myself. There are of course excellent days and then crappy days. I have my new Boss Katana amp set up so I can just plug in and go. I love this amp. I will never be a virtuoso or anywhere close. Maybe I really suck but I don't care because my passion for playing runs deeper then that. I am the best I can be!
licks n kicks fortunately for people like us the song matters, not virtuoso guitar playing
I just learned about that Gibson G-string curse yesterday!
Chasing gear for tone can become an obsession while play craft dwindles. I bought 3 swiss army knifes The new Katanna 50 watt, a PRS CE 24 with split coils, and an Epi 335 pro with split coils. So with those 3 things I can get as close as possible to any sound I like. I also dialed back my OCD for perfection in tone. 95% is good enough. polishing my craft in playing is more important. I try to record and play back a lot. Playing back is a great teacher. Throw a drum track on your DAW and create something fun.
barneycarparts Perfect is the enemy of good. What do drummers throw on their DAWs to jam with? 🤔
Now I needed to read/hear This ! Thanks friend...e
Just wanted to say that of all the thousands of similar types of TH-cam vids that exist, Tims' is by far the most informational I've seen in a long while... thanks for sharing Tim.
Tim, your videos are consistently fantastic but this one in particular is a gem. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!
Thanks Tim for being honest, real, inspiring .. its guitarist like you that makes me want to play my Guitar! 🙂
These tips, especially the last one about having things immediate and ready to go is so very much on point!
Videos like these are inspirational. I love your channel Tim. Thanks!
Dang, we're so lucky to have access to videos like this! What awesome advice from a master. I have my guitars sitting in my living room with a Boss Katana ready to flip on with one switch. Simple amp, ready with 4 preset tones, and a half-watt setting to keep it reasonable. Having a guitar you don't have to fight, ready to go when you have a moment means everything when you're trying to grow. Tim, you are fantastic.
#3 Borow from the best...... Duhuh thats why we are here !
I love these videos where you just sit and talk shop. SO interesting and helpful. Thanks Tim!
Maybe the best advice I've gotten from a TH-cam guitar video. Thanks!
THANK YOU, Tim - for making these videos and making them available for free. Dig your personality and teaching!
I'm a writer--and your advice about taking what you need and being the best version of yourself is spot on! Famous writer TC Boyle gave me similar advice: nobody else can write your story like you. Author and story are unique, so be the best version of the two. Thanks!!
Re-watching this after being in a Julian Lage trio concert, I hadn’t seen anything close to them in my life. I was thinking about selling all my gear and burning the guitar... so this video is helping me a lot now ^_^ it is wise and very encouraging!!
Thanks !!
Best Advice I have ever heard on Guitar playing and achievement . Keeping your eyes and ears on one thing delivery of music at any cost no matter your skill level . Be the best "YOU" can be !!!
Mr Pierce, Your Love to Music & Guitar Playing is CONTAGIOUS!!
Thanks For Sharing Wisdom.
Sir, thanks for your wise words. This cools me down, like a soft summer breeze and a JJ Cale song. Simplicity and wisdom is a rare but unbeatable combination!
Tim, I’ve been watching guitar instruction videos a lot lately because I’ve been researching in hopes of improving my own videos. I have to say that your vids really stand far above the crowd on just about every level. Your playing is top-
notch and the instruction gets straight to the heart of the matter. Very inspiring. I’m happy for you that you’ve accomplished so much well deserved success! Thank you for your generosity in putting these together and making them free for the world to see.
Jon thanks so much! Tim
Although I think you're being modest, Tim, what you describe feeling watching Mark is what I feel watching you! I'll try and grab what I can take from your playing. Thanks for this video. It's really helpful.
Thanks for the Wisdom Tim! As a beginner at electric in my 50's, Your videos are very inspiring!
Hearing you describe messing up the sweet child o mine intro despite practicing it 80 times really makes me feel better haha! Sometimes I don't think the youtube guitarists do enough to explain the struggles and challenges that they face even now, they make it seem like they can just do the things they show in their videos with ease. I think it's much more valuable to get a glimpse of a reminder that even the people who do the things you don't think you could ever do, have to struggle with growing/learning pains as well and despite the perfect take that makes the cut, it wasn't as easy as they made it look and that take was NOT their first time playing that piece!
“Holy grail tone doesn’t exist”- immediately plays holy grail tone.
You just can't buy enough pedals .......I need them all .
Eric Johnson would like a word with you
@@emptyarms6113 I totally forgot I left this comment lol. Thanks for bringing me back to a great video.
@@mqostergaard haha, definitely was a great video!
The last tip about different modes is gold. Thanks Tim !
Great video Tim! #3 is why I keep coming back to your channel
This is absolutely the best, most useful guitar instruction video on the whole internet!
Thanks to Tim, I went from being stuck to feeling overwhelmed 😄. I have so much to work on now. His masterclass is great.
Tim you are the man everything you talked about I struggle with when it comes to practicing. I am 65 I played in several rock and roll bands during High School. Didn't play for 40 years then decided to try it again because I missed playing. Bought a guitar and amp and started trying to relearn everything I had known, let me tell you its much harder at my age....hah ha. Thanks for doing your videos and especially this one you give me hope that I can still play. Charlie
Fellow Albuquerquean here. Steve Maase used to tell me, "it's amazing how much better your tone is when you start liking what you play"
Thanks for the video!
Great guy...honest real person right there....pro in every way..thanks tim
Pearls of wisdom from the master.
That was incredibly helpful, especially the part about making mistakes. I have song that I play at church that I practice over and over again, and even master it but when I play it live, I mess it up every time. Drives me crazy. Your 3 mode thing is helpful.
Yup, my Fender Highway One is always in tune even after drastic bending !! 😀 I use a boss od3, sd1 DD3, Ce5, a Hall of Fame,a crybaby and a POD 2.0🙃 for extra effects. That pretty much gives me all the tones I need for recording rock. Thanks so much for your channel! You have helped my guitar playing and overall musicianship enormously!! 😀
Your a great guitar player, and teacher M; Tim Pierce thanks a lot , for all your videos. From the bottom of my heart.
Tim.....your a motivational speaker and a phenomenal guitar player/teacher!....your way up on the "awesome factor!" In my opinion brother...!
I recently had a skull cramp experience playing a song that I have played many times ....in front of a full house! I just blanked on it and ,of course, the singer passes me a solo spot. I was trying to lay down some slide but the voice just would not come and I played some of the worst crap I have ever played. It ruined my night and about 5 days after that. I was crushed. I even apologized to the band leader who said, "it sounded fine to me'. She was being nice I'm sure. Those kinds of things still devastate me but hearing your words on the subject helps me remember that these things are just a very brief moment in time and mostly no one remembers them except yourself. Thank you! Also, keeping a guitar handy and ready to go is great advice. I play way more if I have an acoustic sitting nearby or an amp and guitar ready to go at anytime. Cheers Tim. I admire your talent.
I really appreciate this video Tim. I am learning guitar and I am sooooo stuck. It can get quite aggravating.
This was a big encouragement.
Sport psychology applied to music! Perfect! Trying to hit something is a totally different mindset compared to trying not to miss. One is positive and aggressive, confident while the the other is fearful and hesitant.
I absolutely love the tone of your conversation. Discussions that talk about ones own style and sound rather than becoming another player are very wise. That's a mindset that will lead to better guitar happiness in my opinion. I also smiled when you referred to Les Pauls and their G string staying in tune challenge. Sometimes it seems to me that when I've been playing my Les Paul, (or SG for that matter), for a few minutes it warms up and behaves better. Anyway, great post man.
Great vid man. Just found you on TH-cam recently. Love your stuff. Lots of wisdom and incite. I am a similar vintage player born in 63, started playing at age 13. Keep up the great work bro.
This is the best video I’ve ever seen on youtube. It answered many questions that I needed answers to. Thanks Tim
Why wasn't the internet and youtube around 30 years ago when I really needed this! Now that I've stopped gigging, the "secrets" are unveiled by Tim, Pete, and others! Thank you Tim for your gifts, and thirst for helping others get excited to pick up their instrument (and no become broke doing it)
awesome advice. There are just so many pedals out there. Best thing to do is find what sounds resonate with you and roll with it. Thanks Tim!
That is some of the best musical advice I've ever heard. You are a wise man sir. Cheers
Same here Tim, I started about 40 years ago, Now I 'm 66 " I Think ? " your lessons are the Greatest !!
Absolutely right on. A lot of what you've shared comes the maturity. I've been playing nearly 35 years (yikes) and am only now coming to grips with #4. Love your videos. Thanks for the insight!
Tim you are a humble nice talented teacher. Keep doing what you do
Thanks for a great video, Tim! Great words of wisdom! It articulates (and validates) what I've learned through the years.
I just watched this video and you solved a mystery for me!! The G string out of tune problem with my Gibson's. I noticed it more on my 335, just because I play it more than my Les Paul Studio. But, THANK YOU! Now I know, and it won't freak me out so much. BTW, I"m 69, been playing since about 15, but stopped for many years after I had learned open and barr chords. After having learned the Pentatonic scale about 5 years ago, after picking up the guitar again, a whole new world has opened up for me. Love your playing.
Wow ! ...Tim, I'm learning a lot from your videos, and appreciate you're putting them online for us all.
This one, for me really has "Universal Wissdom" !!!
On my quest to becomming a better Guitarist, I went through a lot of gear, untill I noticed that my playing did not improve, ...and the gear,programming,etc. was draining my energy and my goal
to simply be ..... a better Guitarist.
So when you spoke the magic words: "Gear is the Transportation, Music is the Destination" I immediately knew what you meant !
Thanks for this uplifting video, You've really made my day !!!
Sharing real knowledge, ... is a rare thing !
Thanks !!!
Warts and all: love your channel. You ALWAYS make me pick up my guitar. Thank you
Such a great point about the constant search for tone! I was way guilty of shopping and searching when all the tools that I really needed were right in front of me.
Nowadays, I just crank a Deluxe Reverb style amp and use my guitar controls and the built-in reverb and tremolo. I'll occasionally add a wah, fuzz, or analog delay when needed and that's it. Along with focusing on playing songs and learning from other guitarists, this has really sparked my creative on the instrument again because the music has my primary focus again.
I'M ADOPTING YOU AS MY GOD FATHER! Man I LOVE this musical WISDOM!
harry searia hey.. I guess we're brothers now..
William Chatman IV What's up brother from another!
I’ve been playing 35 years and there is excellent advice in here. I’ve been tone chasing for too many years and it’s greatly to the detriment of my musicality. No more!
"K.I.S.S". principle: keep it simple, stupid. Get a guitar and amp that sound good
together to start with. Add some dirt with a box, some 'verb and/or delay, and if it
sounds good every time you've found it. He's right about that, completely right.
And ... it's in the hands. Head>Heart>Hands. All the rest is window dressing.
Thanks for this! I needed this reminder. I get so bogged down by all the great guitar players and feeling like if I'm not there I'm no good. This helps me want to keep trying.
Thank you Tim- that’s probably the best guitar lesson I’ve ever had! Many times I’ve been my own worst enemy- this info coming from you Sir is pure gold and so liberating! Thank you and Lord bless you
Thank you for the encouragement, Tim. I have experienced a number of the sticking points that you mention especially the obsession over getting the right tone. I appreciate your honesty and insights. I'll likely watch this one multiple times.
8:22 - 9:45 Thank you, thank you, thank you for that! Hearing that from a pro like you is such a relief!!!
I truly appreciate you for taking the time to do this, wonderful.
Dude, this was the most helpful and inspiring thing I've seen. You're the best and God bless you
I went to a Gibson Firebird just because of the tuning issues of a Les Paul. Great video. Keep em coming!!
This advice is essential no matter what instrument you play. Thanks Tim!
Thanks Tim for inspiring me to play again..I always improvise when i play..I love the way u make the songs ur own..Thanks again..I enjoy ur videos..
Whenever I go into a performance in front of people with my guitar, I make sure that I have prepared myself enough to play well in front of an audience so that if I do make a mistake, I can recover without locking up. I always go into each performance with the mindset that I will never be absolutely 100% perfect, so I make sure to be able to avoid metaphorically face planting when adversity hits. It’s ok to be nervous... just to let it hold you back from playing at your best.
This is a guitar lesson that had more impact on me that teaching me licks and chord progressions. Thank you Tim, very helpful.
My sentiments as well. In the version of this in his master class (which I recommend btw), he also has a short simple segment called "blank page" I guess for us procrastinators; "Start, just start." Simple and effective.
Priceless info from a true pro!! Thank you sir! Les Paul’s should all have a wound g string, it’s worth a try. Once I switched to a 21 gauge wound g I can’t go back. Sounds better, and feels better so you can play better.
That's good, common sense Tim, we tend to lose sight of that, thanks for bringing it home again... we can ONLY be ourselves...
Pearls of wisdom! I keep my guitar right next to my amp, I want no excuses, grab-play.
I realize this posting was three years ago but I have an interesting anecdote on the Les Paul G string "out of tune issue". In 1974 I bought a 1971 reissue of a 1958 Gold Top Standard with mini humbuckers (Shovel headstock). For 3 years keeping the G string in tune was the bane of my existence. Then one evening at our rehearsal studio the guitar mysteriously and on its own accord fell face down off of a cradle guitar stand. The headstock broke in a "V" shape to the top of the neck. I was devastated. Fortunately for me and my guitar, the Old Town School of Music in Chicago (my hometown) had one of the greatest luthiers in America and he repaired the neck and headstock. From the day I got it back until today 44 years later...never a problem with the G string...or any others going out of tune. 😉
You have to be one of the best guitarists ever. I seriously mean that!!!!
Amazing Advice !!!! You just addressed the absolute exact things that i have overlooked for years , I always searched for tone with pedals and equipment, tried to learn the hardest songs, worried about messing up too much, always put my gear away....and had to have a Gibson. and I thought it was crappy stock tuners making that stupid G string always go out of tune. Thanks Tim, this will change my practicing routine enormously
Thank you Tim, I'm in . A bit of rut right now,nothing sounds good and I feel like I've regressed,being hard on myself,the advice in this video was perfect timing for me,love your work space too
thank you for this tim...im 42 and play live regularly. im the frontman and play rythym and lead. its a lot of things to juggle...i just go have fun and do my best. and entertain first, musician second. as long as a shows music accuracy is in the 90 percentile your doing great.Especially 3 and 4 hour shows from 8 to 12 or 9 to 1. mistakes will be made sure...at the end of the night its all part of the show.
Great video. Absolutely nails the early SRV tone on the opening lick!