Most of tabs on the Internet suck. And I don't know how to treat it... On the one hand, I used to make worse tabs too, so it's just the process of learning (which is good). On the other hand, it distorts a beginner musician's vision and hearing... In my case, bad Metallica bass tabs made me angry in a good way, so I spent years improving my ear and making own tabs... So yeah, you must find a compromise between using someone's tabs and improving own ear for music.
ertegin theyre user submited, so some are perfect but some are garbage. Just try to use your ears. Im pretty shite at it so I just look at youtube covers. Unless theres some faster/more complicated part I can usually figure it out via ear and seeing peoples hands/fingers
Andriy Vasylenko yeah, I try to used a tab in my early days, even I can read it but I find it hard to understand and tricky, and some are suck. I end up use my ears.
Great observation. I recommend printing out the tab and then watching how the original performer plays the song on TH-cam. That way you have more then one way to play the song. Keep in mind many songs do not sound the same if you are playing and singing by yourself at an open mic vs what the original performer does with a band. That can be a night and day difference to why the tab plays way differently. Also, you know, idiots sometimes submit tabs...
I was successfully able to learn Never Gonna Give You Up's melody on a bass simply because I hit the first three or so notes by accident, then continued to "pick it out". Seriously though, I can't even remember how many bass lines and melodies I've learned simply because I accidentally hit the first few notes.
Yeah, I know that awesome moment. I learned that gay song from Police Academy by accident) Also there were some others songs I can't quite remember that I figured out like that in first years.
I've found myself sitting around mindlessly playing only to come to the realization that I'm actually playing Rick Springfield songs.... I blame my older sister....
Pitchaxistheorem well I started learning space oddity as my first song on guitar. The only the song I couldn’t do was the barre chords. And I made loads of progress just in one day🤷♂️
6 months after picking up a guitar I felt I was good enough to arrange pirates of the Caribbean theme song on fingerstyle it probably took me one and half year to complete the arrangement. I loved the song though. That's why I never felt frustrated
Because even if you learn subtle nuances and details every conversation that you have, you already know how to speak, so I think it's a bit biased. Plus, a conversation is held within two parties that can communicate to each other, jamming with a backingtrack is like speaking to a person repeating the same sentences over and over which is a rather limited form of conversation and jamming alone certainly isn't communication.
1. Relying on tablature. 2. Using blanket scales. 3. Partying TOO hard. 4. Playing too hard or soft. 5. Attempting advanced concepts too early. 6. Ignoring the music business. 7. Having distorted view of reality. 8. Waiting until you are "ready".
Octavio12341000 definitely check out Music is Win on TH-cam, he has a million videos on various scales ("normal" and exotic) and how to use them in a musical context
Octavio12341000 Buy a book called the guitar grimoire (I spelled grimoire wrong, i think) get the one called scales and modes. It's got everything in there. well worth the $20
Zen guitar was one of the reasons I was drawn to your channel. I figured if you offered even just few of the perspectives that the book did then this would be a channel worth watching. And it is, love your channel brother.
Thank you for acknowledging us guitarists that play for our own enjoyment! It seems like whenever anyone learns that I play, the first thing that they ask is if I'm in a band. No disrespect to the pros, but I just like the sound of my fingers playing over the fretboard.
I got a lot of validation out of several of the things you said on that last point. I have been involved in music my whole life, and have played in a bunch of bands, with varying levels of creative control, but it's only been about a year that I really started to work on my own music, and I decided that rather than trying to make something perfect I would just put myself into the music, releasing a piece when I felt like I had done what I wanted to creatively without making myself crazy trying to get the details perfect. I'm very much still honing my craft, and one of my goals in 2019 is to start marketing my music a bit, not trying to make money yet but just to build awareness of my music and get some kind of audience/community before I really start selling anything. Music is so incredibly easy to access these days that just getting people to listen to something they've never heard of is like pulling teeth - I can barely get my family members (except my mom) to click my links on facebook! I'm going to start releasing podcasts and youtube videos that feature my music, so keep an eye out. tothemains.bandcamp.com
Well to be fair there are people out there who genuinely can't recognize notes and chords by ear. Most people can with practice, but not quite everyone.
You recommended Zen Guitar a few videos ago, so I went ahead and bought it. It is a really great guide and helped reaffirm how I approach music. Keep up the fantastic videos!!
samurai guitarist I have been following/subscribed to your channel for a while now, and was very encouraged to hear you recommend Zen Guitar, as I still remember that this book was the very first thing I thought of when I first discovered your channel. As a fellow canadian with ethnic background and a passion for music, I have found both your channel and this book to be an endless supply of priceless advice. (Forever in debt ). ❤️ 📦
As a question/suggestion: While I was watching, I thought to myself, "what would be super-helpful would be having links to respective videos you've made covering any of the numbered mistakes that have a video." I remember some you did for mistake 1 and thought, "cool." But when you got to #2 I couldn't recall a specific video and thought about how great it would be to have a video link immediately available for me to click and watch rather than search out (which I will do regardless). Thanks for your work.
All very good tips. I have played guitar for many years BUT you can still keep learning musically. I loved the John Lennon/Yoko joke. I have always felt that listening to others in a band context and focusing on the 'song' is the important thing. My mantra is 'That the song matters'. Keep doing the videos - you're good, easy to listen and relaxed about everything. Good work.
Hey I've purchased that Zen Guitar Book, I never had anyone really motivate me to read it as much as you have. Sadly it has just been collecting dust, but now I am more motivated to pick it up and check it out with a more serious approach.
when i was coming up you had to put the needle on the record over the spot you were trying to learn over and over and try to figure out by the sound what the guitar player was doing. timbre, pitch, where on the neck etc. it gave you much more understanding
at 6:00 you say, that there are things that every single great musician wishes they were better at it would be very interesting to know what things these are when you think about the virtuoses. For example john scofield and pat metheny or any other great guitarists... what do you think are their weaknesses.. or which musical subjects are they into.. maybe you could make a video about that
#6 creates one issue that was brought to light by classical pianist Hyung-Ki Joo when exaggerated focus is put into it, which is the fact that some musicians don't really talk about music at all, but are either only focused on the business side of making music or on the low level stuff (common among people with music degrees) and these are the only things they ever talk about, to the point of even sabotaging conversations where people are trying to have conversations about something else related to music.
this video is awesome, its so honest and on spot all of these mistakes i have made along the way and im really imspressed how well you explaned all of this thanks for this video!!
Number eight applies to a lot of areas in life as well. Perfectionism is one thing I struggle with and I find myself not wanting to put myself out there until I'm "perfect". However, it seems this "perfection" never comes because there is always something else to learn.
Wise advice, every single point made! I have no idea how I ended up here (because I don't play the guitar) but I am subscribing right now. Your music theory vids are super helpful, and I can even find common ground in your guitar segments as a (wanna-be) violinist as well! Thank you, you're AWESOME :-)
These videos are honestly so invaluable. Sammy just gives us all the best advice and says it in way all those other pretentious " guitar youtubers " can't.
I consider myself a beginner guitarist and have been considering myself a beginner guitarist for years because I have never felt that I am progressing. One thing I recently came to terms about myself that could be contributing to this is that I tend things to over think constantly and especially when I am trying to learn or figure something out. This has been especially true all these years as I struggle with the guitar. I have found myself taking a basic lesson in theory whether it be on scales or chord progressions to just name a few. I understand and agree that theory is extremely important but I found myself over thinking the how's, why's, and what's next that I forget learning and playing guitar or any instrument for that matter is supposed to be "FUN"! :) So if I may add to your list... "Get out of your head and enjoy yourself!"
As many of us know Tony Iommi lost the tips of two fingers on his left hand in a factory accident. As a result he always played pretty slow but IMHO he's one of the best riff writers in all of metal. Could you imagine if he waited till he was "ready" Instead of diving in head first? The history of rock would've been considerably different. And a side note: the rule of not wanting till you're ready is applicable in any creative, or business endeavor.
I use scales without knowing i guess as I never learned music theory ( feel like it thanks to you! ). I tried to play a lot of sax, piano and other instruments solos on the guitar. Now i use all that info and implement them in solos. I know i repeat myself but i'm always trying to improve! Theory is the next step to a better musicality i hope! Keep up these inspiring videos sensei!
I attempted and practice advance concepts when I first started out and I think that’s why I’m a better guitarist than I wouldve been if I had learned all the boring ass open chords. I jumped straight into bar chords, double taps, and switching smoothly from rhythm to lead while I’m jamming. I’ve never once played anyone else’s songs before, and each time I pick up my guitar I improvise a new one.
Love that about criticism. I have a couple of friends who have been playing a damn site longer than I have. It’s great because they’ll tell me it sounds awful at times, but they’ll also tell me how I could improve it. Sometimes as simple as using a different finger on whatever fret, that was a great lesson I had recently as I was really struggling to get from one chord to the neck. He looked at what I was doing then picked up his guitar. He said I should try it like that. Since then trying to play that song has become a hell of a lot easier. Constructive criticism is essential when learning music, especially from someone more skilled
When I started I looked up tabs, watched the artist play live, and tried it on my own at the same time. I believe you will get the best results from doing this. Its more time consuming but you will have the best results like I said :)
Dude, awesome and really helpful video, but I have a problem. I play the guitar in a nu-metal/groove-ish/core-ish/funk-ish band, so, not so hard for me (rhythmic riffs, some melodies, short solos, and some effects) but having so much fun! We have make around 8 well structured, cool, unique songs, but the issues came with our bass player. The rest of us feel just prepared to make our first appearance on stage, but he always says "we are not ready, we need to polish all the details before." I guess in the beggining was fine, but after like 8 months we are in the same spot and we were starting to feel frustrated. My question goes as, how we could say that just to make our first gig with what we have without hurting hist feelings? He is a great bass player, tho: cool slaps, funky scales and great rhythm. Thanks and cheers!
Sounds like you just need to book a gig. There is no perfection in live music. Best part is, since they're all original songs, nobody will know if you mess up!
He's the bassist. Bass + Drummer = backbone of your band. Unless this guy is just overly nervous in general, I would listen to him. As part of your rhythm section, bassists usually know what they're talking about and if he doesn't think the band is ready then it's probably a legitimate concern. I say all of this knowing that I am a bassist and so my opinion will be slightly biased, but I do believe it will be valuable input.
I've corrected the first seven!! Really great video! For those thinking these points don't make sanse, I can definitely backup the truth of correcting these mistakes. I've grown so much by doing it
Damn... Waiting from for when we feel ready. Couldn't relate anymore to that. Chickened out playing briefly with a band of pros when I realized and it was so glaring obvious the disparity was so great. I was like, ' what am I doing here '.Haven't been able to bring myself to go back.
How about creating tabs? Practicing using your ear and writing it down is a for sure away to better yourself at ear training, but also a way to contribute to the music community.
I would like to comment on No.5 I have had my experience going to music class and making no sense. E.g Your music teacher tells you that your solos/melody/phrase is like a story. There is a beginning middle and ending. For 30 minutes, one class a week, i feel like I am learning so little. Why wouldn't my teacher straight away tell me about cadences and chord functions? I had to figure out all of this on my own. I was so eager on theory to make my otherwise bland guitar playing into something with feeling and mood to cheer me up when all else fails. Thankfully, there are youtube channels that explain all the theory I needed to at least able to improvise with focus and in time. My 8 years of learning guitar was so gruesome until I found the right teachers. I remember starting with classical and parroting a sheet music without any sense of what the chord functions are. I couldn't even figure out a progression in my beginner years as I wasn't introduced to the concept of chord function and cadence. In the end, i know a lot and couldnt make heads or tail of the pentatonic although I have memorized the pattern all over the neck until I met people who explained to me theory did I know that phrasing over a chord progression needs to be focused on the chord tones or the character note which I had to figure out from hours of browsing and figuring out lessons on the internet. So, in conclusion, to end this TLDR comment, I believe that beginners need to be made aware of the underlying theory behind what they are learning and doing over hours of practice. I remember practicing legato without even knowing quantization. It was a horrible, depressing, agonizing experience. So now, i have to learn timing and phrasing, antecedent and decadent, with the risk of mixing up. Learning, today, requires the learner to be able to plan, organize their knowledge and know how to learn. It has become an indipendent bottom up approach with the advent of information on the internet. TL:DR T.T
Be rhythm master enough to enjoy jamming out to a number you're complimenting as well as learning on the spot from your local street musician who plays better than you because. Conviction or mind set isn't enough. We just need tho be putting every blistering learning experience behind us as quick as possible. Yeah that's proven teachers have helped, but I can't stand authority. So preferably mirror this street musician's precision and simplicity in rhythm going easy on the tempo then exponentially faster but only up to slightly past what I learned last time challenging myself. And then showing simple jams intertwined with my local drum circle. I've had a harder learning experience traveling to over 4 continents and plenty of alley way street bands from classical ranging all the way to noise (the genre lol I know but there's something to learn from everybody even if you learned it already better to reinforce it) and some funky west coast musicians who have shared their thoughts and views. In the end doesn't every Musician want to distract himself from being there that very moment transcends? What if hateful music, and what does loving humanity through music or leaving everyone a memory to which they remember us by?
Thank you sensi. This is a long thread, just warning you. I want to add a few things here. Tab is great to start. Its great to figure out those chords that are not quite, lets say, orthadox or traditional. That said what I like to do is play by ear first and then look up tab if the chord I am looking for is not forth comming (B7?). I still do things the old school way, put on a CD or my IPod and play songs I listen to but do not play on guitar by ear. Its funny but I learn quite a few new tricks by that. I will also watch live performances on TH-cam to see if thats the way the band plays it. Its funny but many times tab and the artist do not sync up (a good song for this is "The Last Time" by the Rolling Stones). I do not play it the same way as Keef because I play way more aggressively. A good band I use for rhythm guitar is Social Distortion since its heavily rhythm based. If you do this many songs are in the key of E flat tuning wise. If you see a capo on their guitars then you can capo it. If you are in standard tuning then subtract one fret for the capo (ie. capo the first fret if they have it on the second) E Flat will make you sound more like the records to standard tuning. If you can't play in time you are holding yourself back and if you are in a band you are making them suck harder. I can't tell you how many times the drummer or the bass player would go off on a tear and fuck the song up. There is something quite wrong if the guitar player has to keep the song on track. Just play rhythm to your favorite songs, don't embellish, and after a while it will be second nature. If you sing and play guitar you will have to relearn basic rhythm again as you are using your brain diffrently then just doing one or the other. If in doubt about your abilities, record on video your playing or your band to see what your audience sees. This can help with showmanship and give you an idea about the sound levels and where you are as a performer. The camera does not lie. I have used all of these myself, suggested them to friends and bandmates over the years. They tend to work. Good luck all on here! Congrats for making it to the end of this!😄
My friend (the bass player) says everyone’s guitar is always to loud, he always says it, he’ll turn us down to the point where we can barely hear ourselves over his bass and he even tells our drummer to soften playing the drums. I’ve just pretended I put the amp down and then when he’s not looking turn the setting back to what I had. Everyone else does this too and agrees with me.
Three months ago I made a holy vow to stop using tabs. after nearly 3 years I started to get skilled enough to just play nearly any riff i could find in a matter of minutes, and it completely the fun in learning rhythm to songs. I wish I had ditched tabs sooner
#1 My dad and my uncle used to do that with relative pitch, listen to a recording over and over again. I try to do that too, it’s alright but with the option of tabs it’s tempteping
You don't always need to get a boost. Honestly roll off the volume and turn you amp up louder. There...saved you some money! If you get used to using the volume and tone knobs you will be surprised how little else you need.
Was expecting a cheesy Buzzfeed video about being asked to play Fur Elise (or whatever the hell the equivalent is on guitar, Stairway maybe), but it turned out to be the video I wish I saw one year ago. I put way too much on plate, reaching for complex things without hitting the basics hard, and that shattered my self confidence, as well as giving me a host of injuries, including carpal tunnel and rotator cuff injuries. All because I tried jumping into material I wasn't ready for by forcing myself into it. Don't be like me folks! Lighten up and live life at your tempo!
In my opinion tabs are good for learning stuff that is more technical than your capabilities. If you want to push yourself and learn for example Cemetery Gates solo, or Tornado of Souls - if you are starting out on such difficult solos, it might be way too hard to hear what notes are being played there. So I try to restrict usage of tabs to learning difficult solos for me, like previously mentioned Cemetery Gates.
For harpists, it’s playing too softly, so I always consider it a compliment when people tell me my playing is too loud :p (but then adjust accordingly)
even volume on all channels. This is a big one. When playing live, if you have a quiet clean tone and a loud distortion, guess what, everything will be lower in the mix. The soundguy in your local dive bar doesnt know when you are switching so he will set your loud volume to match your band, but they wont crank you up when you switch to a quieter tone.
Not to mention, tabs are a lot of the time wrong but a lot of people don't know. There's been countless times where a guitarist would come in and play a song terribly wrong and they would tell me "but that's what the tabs said to do"
I'm not a guitarist, but i'm probably the biggest offender of number 5 (learning the advanced stuff too early). I want to go into classical and symphonic metal, but had no theory knowledge, so i was desperate to learn. As soon as I thought i could do the basics, I jumped straight into the hard stuff without knowing what i was doing.
Please make a video on banned, cult, or prohibited music and a musical experience for our philosopher musicians. Get those sticky details usually withdrawn from society. I started thinking about these subjects during a banned books visit at my local public library's exhibit. There, they stated the books and movies and music that were liquidated or therefore thrown out of reach and destroyed permanently. For example they explained details upon which a material was found "unfiltered and not classified safe for public consumption. I sunshine why, even so there was a reason. Still I needed to experience more. If not exploration and the general tendency for discovery then what if there would be authoritative hold on creativity even more so in a world where our grandchildren live?
I disagree with 'taking on advanced concepts too early' I started off learning acoustic percussive in open tunings by watching CandyRat artists (andy mckee, antoine dufour, don ross, etc) I then tried to tackle understanding freeform jazz, jazz improv, and hardcore/polyrhythmic metal Now, 15 years later, I finally know what the Major Scale is and how to make triads (....ok maybe you're right >_>)
Around 1:48 I think you meant chord tones? At least that's what you called it in your other videos on the subject, which is why it caught my ear. Or can the terms be used interchangeably?
Man if I could count the times I've had a board guy at a club say "yeah, you're not in the board. Can you even turn that thing down at all?" I had an old Ampeg VT-22.
Every chord is a word that you can spell. Example: If the chord is E7, knowing where every E G# B D (namely tonic, third, fifth and flat seventh) is on the neck are and seeing that instantly when you play the chord. then when the band goes back to an A, knowing where all the A C# E G# on the neck are. it helps to underline the progression when soloing if you know where the guide tones are. when you're comfortable with that you can go deeper and include 9ths, 11ths, 13ths,
"If you're gonna make a mistake, make it loud and proud!" I agree 100% on that. That reminds me of BB King's performance of Sweet Sixteen live in Africa.
In the words of Bob Ross. "We don't make mistakes, we make happy accidents"
True
My mother once called me a happy accident
Most of tabs on the Internet suck. And I don't know how to treat it... On the one hand, I used to make worse tabs too, so it's just the process of learning (which is good). On the other hand, it distorts a beginner musician's vision and hearing... In my case, bad Metallica bass tabs made me angry in a good way, so I spent years improving my ear and making own tabs... So yeah, you must find a compromise between using someone's tabs and improving own ear for music.
Andriy Vasylenko how good are songsterr bass tabs?
ertegin theyre user submited, so some are perfect but some are garbage. Just try to use your ears. Im pretty shite at it so I just look at youtube covers. Unless theres some faster/more complicated part I can usually figure it out via ear and seeing peoples hands/fingers
Andriy Vasylenko yeah, I try to used a tab in my early days, even I can read it but I find it hard to understand and tricky, and some are suck. I end up use my ears.
Andriy!!!!!
Great observation. I recommend printing out the tab and then watching how the original performer plays the song on TH-cam. That way you have more then one way to play the song. Keep in mind many songs do not sound the same if you are playing and singing by yourself at an open mic vs what the original performer does with a band. That can be a night and day difference to why the tab plays way differently. Also, you know, idiots sometimes submit tabs...
I was successfully able to learn Never Gonna Give You Up's melody on a bass simply because I hit the first three or so notes by accident, then continued to "pick it out".
Seriously though, I can't even remember how many bass lines and melodies I've learned simply because I accidentally hit the first few notes.
Yeah, I know that awesome moment. I learned that gay song from Police Academy by accident)
Also there were some others songs I can't quite remember that I figured out like that in first years.
This is how I accidentally started figuring out songs by ear.
Pretty awesome feeling, no matter how common.
i learned a black sabbath from accidentally playing the notes on guitar and that's impressive because I don't even know which song it is
I've found myself sitting around mindlessly playing only to come to the realization that I'm actually playing Rick Springfield songs.... I blame my older sister....
"attempting advanced concepts too early"
This is why it took me longer to get better.
imagine never playing any instrument and as you pick guitar, you start with a sweep picking.
Saber lol ok bud
I often write riffs I just cannot pull of in the correct tempo
Pitchaxistheorem well I started learning space oddity as my first song on guitar. The only the song I couldn’t do was the barre chords. And I made loads of progress just in one day🤷♂️
6 months after picking up a guitar I felt I was good enough to arrange pirates of the Caribbean theme song on fingerstyle it probably took me one and half year to complete the arrangement. I loved the song though. That's why I never felt frustrated
On the flip side of 5, I feel like I often find myself jamming for hours without actually learning anything new.
HiJackedRadioRocker no work and all play is how my music time ends up going usually
Not every conversation is a study of the language you're using to have it, is it?
CrimSun perfect way of looking at it
Because even if you learn subtle nuances and details every conversation that you have, you already know how to speak, so I think it's a bit biased. Plus, a conversation is held within two parties that can communicate to each other, jamming with a backingtrack is like speaking to a person repeating the same sentences over and over which is a rather limited form of conversation and jamming alone certainly isn't communication.
I never make mistakes. I make jazzy improvisations on the fly.
ok
Only happy accidents
where little squirrels live.
And lets add a couple nice trees for the squirrels to live in.
this is how the ap theory teacher taught non chordal tones 😂
1. Relying on tablature.
2. Using blanket scales.
3. Partying TOO hard.
4. Playing too hard or soft.
5. Attempting advanced concepts too early.
6. Ignoring the music business.
7. Having distorted view of reality.
8. Waiting until you are "ready".
DreamComa
9. Sleeping with bandmates' girlfriends...
#9: Fanboy over an internet personality who so happens to do music.
Well. Shit.
Sgt.LMAO Happens to all of us.
That may or may not be how I started music altogether.
+1 Being the only member in a band, who pratices at home, and the other bandmates dont know the own songs, or covers.
Probably end up learning everybody elses parts so you can teach them too I don't miss that.
Quit and join a better band
Sounds faniliar.
Can you teach us different scales and how to use them? pleaseee.
Octavio12341000 I second this
Octavio12341000 definitely check out Music is Win on TH-cam, he has a million videos on various scales ("normal" and exotic) and how to use them in a musical context
There are SO MANY different resources on TH-cam alone, I simply cannot understand this comment.
Octavio12341000 Buy a book called the guitar grimoire (I spelled grimoire wrong, i think) get the one called scales and modes. It's got everything in there. well worth the $20
Chase Evis Thank you!!
My mind went so dirty with the bedroom thing. I feel so bad but the gripping the pick too tightly and squeezing the neck to much was so funny XD
If you are squeezing the neck in the bedroom too tight, BE CAREFUL
samuraiguitarist
Are you being rude, Samurai? Cos I won't tolerate that . . .
Tony Bates It's a joke. Have you been on the internet?
My biggest musical mistake was watching *CATS*.
Zen guitar was one of the reasons I was drawn to your channel. I figured if you offered even just few of the perspectives that the book did then this would be a channel worth watching. And it is, love your channel brother.
This is honestly the best guitar video without even picking up a guitar. Everything you said is pretty spot on.
Thank you for acknowledging us guitarists that play for our own enjoyment! It seems like whenever anyone learns that I play, the first thing that they ask is if I'm in a band. No disrespect to the pros, but I just like the sound of my fingers playing over the fretboard.
I cant play too loud... every time I play I'm told to turn it down.
My brother literally told me to turn it down before I plugged it in once....
I got a lot of validation out of several of the things you said on that last point. I have been involved in music my whole life, and have played in a bunch of bands, with varying levels of creative control, but it's only been about a year that I really started to work on my own music, and I decided that rather than trying to make something perfect I would just put myself into the music, releasing a piece when I felt like I had done what I wanted to creatively without making myself crazy trying to get the details perfect. I'm very much still honing my craft, and one of my goals in 2019 is to start marketing my music a bit, not trying to make money yet but just to build awareness of my music and get some kind of audience/community before I really start selling anything. Music is so incredibly easy to access these days that just getting people to listen to something they've never heard of is like pulling teeth - I can barely get my family members (except my mom) to click my links on facebook! I'm going to start releasing podcasts and youtube videos that feature my music, so keep an eye out.
tothemains.bandcamp.com
Well to be fair there are people out there who genuinely can't recognize notes and chords by ear. Most people can with practice, but not quite everyone.
You recommended Zen Guitar a few videos ago, so I went ahead and bought it. It is a really great guide and helped reaffirm how I approach music.
Keep up the fantastic videos!!
samurai guitarist I have been following/subscribed to your channel for a while now, and was very encouraged to hear you recommend Zen Guitar, as I still remember that this book was the very first thing I thought of when I first discovered your channel. As a fellow canadian with ethnic background and a passion for music, I have found both your channel and this book to be an endless supply of priceless advice. (Forever in debt ). ❤️ 📦
LOL! Don't mind me... Just watching the audio track in the timeline on your computer get bigger as you record. XD
love you and your videos so much, you're such an inspiration, peace
3:45 I feel called out. Thanks for this video.
man, please... don't ever stop doing these videos... cheers from brazil!
As a question/suggestion:
While I was watching, I thought to myself, "what would be super-helpful would be having links to respective videos you've made covering any of the numbered mistakes that have a video." I remember some you did for mistake 1 and thought, "cool." But when you got to #2 I couldn't recall a specific video and thought about how great it would be to have a video link immediately available for me to click and watch rather than search out (which I will do regardless). Thanks for your work.
Your book changed the way I played guitar for good. I had no idea you wrote it. I Highly recommend it
It wasn't me! I have never written any books, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
All very good tips. I have played guitar for many years BUT you can still keep learning musically. I loved the John Lennon/Yoko joke. I have always felt that listening to others in a band context and focusing on the 'song' is the important thing. My mantra is 'That the song matters'. Keep doing the videos - you're good, easy to listen and relaxed about everything. Good work.
Hey I've purchased that Zen Guitar Book, I never had anyone really motivate me to read it as much as you have. Sadly it has just been collecting dust, but now I am more motivated to pick it up and check it out with a more serious approach.
This is right up there as possibly the most useful clip I've ever seen on the webs - you're a good man. Respect.
Your content is in my opinion some of the best on TH-cam right now.
Great down to earth advice! Very helpful.
when i was coming up you had to put the needle on the record over the spot you were trying to learn over and over and try to figure out by the sound what the guitar player was doing. timbre, pitch, where on the neck etc. it gave you much more understanding
at 6:00 you say, that there are things that every single great musician wishes they were better at
it would be very interesting to know what things these are when you think about the virtuoses. For example john scofield and pat metheny or any other great guitarists... what do you think are their weaknesses.. or which musical subjects are they into..
maybe you could make a video about that
#6 creates one issue that was brought to light by classical pianist Hyung-Ki Joo when exaggerated focus is put into it, which is the fact that some musicians don't really talk about music at all, but are either only focused on the business side of making music or on the low level stuff (common among people with music degrees) and these are the only things they ever talk about, to the point of even sabotaging conversations where people are trying to have conversations about something else related to music.
this video is awesome, its so honest and on spot all of these mistakes i have made along the way and im really imspressed how well you explaned all of this thanks for this video!!
You have truly made me a better guitarist, and I haven't even met you! Thanks!!
Number eight applies to a lot of areas in life as well. Perfectionism is one thing I struggle with and I find myself not wanting to put myself out there until I'm "perfect". However, it seems this "perfection" never comes because there is always something else to learn.
#8 was very encouraging. Great video
Wise advice, every single point made! I have no idea how I ended up here (because I don't play the guitar) but I am subscribing right now. Your music theory vids are super helpful, and I can even find common ground in your guitar segments as a (wanna-be) violinist as well!
Thank you, you're AWESOME :-)
Just bought the book! Thank you for doing such great videos. I especially love your humorous ones... you have an excellent dead pan delivery! :)
These videos are honestly so invaluable. Sammy just gives us all the best advice and says it in way all those other pretentious " guitar youtubers " can't.
I love that book! I've read it at least 5 times, and made it required reading for my students for almost twenty years. Thank you for that validation.
0:26 Beelzeboss
One of your best videos IMO, nice job.
I consider myself a beginner guitarist and have been considering myself a beginner guitarist for years because I have never felt that I am progressing. One thing I recently came to terms about myself that could be contributing to this is that I tend things to over think constantly and especially when I am trying to learn or figure something out. This has been especially true all these years as I struggle with the guitar. I have found myself taking a basic lesson in theory whether it be on scales or chord progressions to just name a few. I understand and agree that theory is extremely important but I found myself over thinking the how's, why's, and what's next that I forget learning and playing guitar or any instrument for that matter is supposed to be "FUN"! :) So if I may add to your list... "Get out of your head and enjoy yourself!"
I've come to pretty much all of these conclusions myself this past year, but gaaaawd is it good to hear someone else who thinks the same!!
about #3, as Weezer once said, "if it's too loud, turn it down!" hahahaha
It's not loud enough unless you can play a duet with your feedback.
Man number 8 hits home... love your videos :)
As many of us know Tony Iommi lost the tips of two fingers on his left hand in a factory accident. As a result he always played pretty slow but IMHO he's one of the best riff writers in all of metal.
Could you imagine if he waited till he was "ready" Instead of diving in head first? The history of rock would've been considerably different.
And a side note: the rule of not wanting till you're ready is applicable in any creative, or business endeavor.
Your videos are great. Full of wisdom and inspiration. Thanks a lot and keep on doing what you do.
Love your videos man. Really inspiring
YESS. Thank you Samurai for making a video on these subjects! 🙏
você é genial! cada video é uma aula incrivel e mais musicos deveriam ver isso!
I had that book for years. Excellent for getting your head in the right place. I remember the first rule. Tune you guitar before anything, everytime.
I use scales without knowing i guess as I never learned music theory ( feel like it thanks to you! ). I tried to play a lot of sax, piano and other instruments solos on the guitar. Now i use all that info and implement them in solos. I know i repeat myself but i'm always trying to improve! Theory is the next step to a better musicality i hope!
Keep up these inspiring videos sensei!
Had a friend give me 'Zen Guitar' awhile ago and it almost instantly addressed a bunch of issues I was having with my playing. Highly recommend it!
I attempted and practice advance concepts when I first started out and I think that’s why I’m a better guitarist than I wouldve been if I had learned all the boring ass open chords. I jumped straight into bar chords, double taps, and switching smoothly from rhythm to lead while I’m jamming. I’ve never once played anyone else’s songs before, and each time I pick up my guitar I improvise a new one.
Love that about criticism. I have a couple of friends who have been playing a damn site longer than I have. It’s great because they’ll tell me it sounds awful at times, but they’ll also tell me how I could improve it. Sometimes as simple as using a different finger on whatever fret, that was a great lesson I had recently as I was really struggling to get from one chord to the neck. He looked at what I was doing then picked up his guitar. He said I should try it like that. Since then trying to play that song has become a hell of a lot easier.
Constructive criticism is essential when learning music, especially from someone more skilled
BEST! Very timely video for our band too. Thanks, Samurai. Namaste. :)
Very inspirational video mate, nicely done - subscribed.
When I started I looked up tabs, watched the artist play live, and tried it on my own at the same time. I believe you will get the best results from doing this. Its more time consuming but you will have the best results like I said :)
Solid!
you the man, thanks for the real talk !
Dude, awesome and really helpful video, but I have a problem. I play the guitar in a nu-metal/groove-ish/core-ish/funk-ish band, so, not so hard for me (rhythmic riffs, some melodies, short solos, and some effects) but having so much fun! We have make around 8 well structured, cool, unique songs, but the issues came with our bass player. The rest of us feel just prepared to make our first appearance on stage, but he always says "we are not ready, we need to polish all the details before." I guess in the beggining was fine, but after like 8 months we are in the same spot and we were starting to feel frustrated. My question goes as, how we could say that just to make our first gig with what we have without hurting hist feelings? He is a great bass player, tho: cool slaps, funky scales and great rhythm. Thanks and cheers!
Playing gigs live is part of the learning process. You will never be fully comforable playing live till you've done it a tone.
So, Shia LaBeouf philosophy again?
Sounds like you just need to book a gig. There is no perfection in live music. Best part is, since they're all original songs, nobody will know if you mess up!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Nailed it, man!
He's the bassist. Bass + Drummer = backbone of your band. Unless this guy is just overly nervous in general, I would listen to him. As part of your rhythm section, bassists usually know what they're talking about and if he doesn't think the band is ready then it's probably a legitimate concern.
I say all of this knowing that I am a bassist and so my opinion will be slightly biased, but I do believe it will be valuable input.
Plz make a vid on how to get off pentatonics
Check out my two videos "All you need to know about modes"
thank you sm
you get it off with consent
Try useing more fingers ;)
More lube
I've corrected the first seven!! Really great video! For those thinking these points don't make sanse, I can definitely backup the truth of correcting these mistakes. I've grown so much by doing it
Damn... Waiting from for when we feel ready. Couldn't relate anymore to that. Chickened out playing briefly with a band of pros when I realized and it was so glaring obvious the disparity was so great. I was like, ' what am I doing here '.Haven't been able to bring myself to go back.
your content is very refreshing.
How about creating tabs? Practicing using your ear and writing it down is a for sure away to better yourself at ear training, but also a way to contribute to the music community.
I would like to comment on No.5
I have had my experience going to music class and making no sense.
E.g Your music teacher tells you that your solos/melody/phrase is like a story. There is a beginning middle and ending. For 30 minutes, one class a week, i feel like I am learning so little. Why wouldn't my teacher straight away tell me about cadences and chord functions? I had to figure out all of this on my own. I was so eager on theory to make my otherwise bland guitar playing into something with feeling and mood to cheer me up when all else fails. Thankfully, there are youtube channels that explain all the theory I needed to at least able to improvise with focus and in time. My 8 years of learning guitar was so gruesome until I found the right teachers. I remember starting with classical and parroting a sheet music without any sense of what the chord functions are. I couldn't even figure out a progression in my beginner years as I wasn't introduced to the concept of chord function and cadence. In the end, i know a lot and couldnt make heads or tail of the pentatonic although I have memorized the pattern all over the neck until I met people who explained to me theory did I know that phrasing over a chord progression needs to be focused on the chord tones or the character note which I had to figure out from hours of browsing and figuring out lessons on the internet. So, in conclusion, to end this TLDR comment, I believe that beginners need to be made aware of the underlying theory behind what they are learning and doing over hours of practice. I remember practicing legato without even knowing quantization. It was a horrible, depressing, agonizing experience.
So now, i have to learn timing and phrasing, antecedent and decadent, with the risk of mixing up. Learning, today, requires the learner to be able to plan, organize their knowledge and know how to learn. It has become an indipendent bottom up approach with the advent of information on the internet.
TL:DR
T.T
Be rhythm master enough to enjoy jamming out to a number you're complimenting as well as learning on the spot from your local street musician who plays better than you because.
Conviction or mind set isn't enough. We just need tho be putting every blistering learning experience behind us as quick as possible. Yeah that's proven teachers have helped, but I can't stand authority. So preferably mirror this street musician's precision and simplicity in rhythm going easy on the tempo then exponentially faster but only up to slightly past what I learned last time challenging myself. And then showing simple jams intertwined with my local drum circle. I've had a harder learning experience traveling to over 4 continents and plenty of alley way street bands from classical ranging all the way to noise (the genre lol I know but there's something to learn from everybody even if you learned it already better to reinforce it) and some funky west coast musicians who have shared their thoughts and views. In the end doesn't every Musician want to distract himself from being there that very moment transcends? What if hateful music, and what does loving humanity through music or leaving everyone a memory to which they remember us by?
Thank you sensi.
This is a long thread, just warning you.
I want to add a few things here. Tab is great to start. Its great to figure out those chords that are not quite, lets say, orthadox or traditional. That said what I like to do is play by ear first and then look up tab if the chord I am looking for is not forth comming (B7?). I still do things the old school way, put on a CD or my IPod and play songs I listen to but do not play on guitar by ear. Its funny but I learn quite a few new tricks by that.
I will also watch live performances on TH-cam to see if thats the way the band plays it. Its funny but many times tab and the artist do not sync up (a good song for this is "The Last Time" by the Rolling Stones). I do not play it the same way as Keef because I play way more aggressively.
A good band I use for rhythm guitar is Social Distortion since its heavily rhythm based. If you do this many songs are in the key of E flat tuning wise. If you see a capo on their guitars then you can capo it. If you are in standard tuning then subtract one fret for the capo (ie. capo the first fret if they have it on the second) E Flat will make you sound more like the records to standard tuning.
If you can't play in time you are holding yourself back and if you are in a band you are making them suck harder. I can't tell you how many times the drummer or the bass player would go off on a tear and fuck the song up. There is something quite wrong if the guitar player has to keep the song on track. Just play rhythm to your favorite songs, don't embellish, and after a while it will be second nature.
If you sing and play guitar you will have to relearn basic rhythm again as you are using your brain diffrently then just doing one or the other.
If in doubt about your abilities, record on video your playing or your band to see what your audience sees. This can help with showmanship and give you an idea about the sound levels and where you are as a performer. The camera does not lie.
I have used all of these myself, suggested them to friends and bandmates over the years. They tend to work. Good luck all on here!
Congrats for making it to the end of this!😄
My friend (the bass player) says everyone’s guitar is always to loud, he always says it, he’ll turn us down to the point where we can barely hear ourselves over his bass and he even tells our drummer to soften playing the drums. I’ve just pretended I put the amp down and then when he’s not looking turn the setting back to what I had. Everyone else does this too and agrees with me.
2:42 um excuse me? I can only make good music when I'm three days without sleep and halfway to suicidal. Tf
Thank you for your insight, much respect.
Lost my copy of Zen Guitar years ago, but it's influence remains huge.
I never use tabs but learn the songs by dividing into sections
I actually feel like it's easier that way cuz i can't read rhythm in tabs
Three months ago I made a holy vow to stop using tabs. after nearly 3 years I started to get skilled enough to just play nearly any riff i could find in a matter of minutes, and it completely the fun in learning rhythm to songs. I wish I had ditched tabs sooner
#1
My dad and my uncle used to do that with relative pitch, listen to a recording over and over again. I try to do that too, it’s alright but with the option of tabs it’s tempteping
You don't always need to get a boost. Honestly roll off the volume and turn you amp up louder. There...saved you some money!
If you get used to using the volume and tone knobs you will be surprised how little else you need.
Was expecting a cheesy Buzzfeed video about being asked to play Fur Elise (or whatever the hell the equivalent is on guitar, Stairway maybe), but it turned out to be the video I wish I saw one year ago. I put way too much on plate, reaching for complex things without hitting the basics hard, and that shattered my self confidence, as well as giving me a host of injuries, including carpal tunnel and rotator cuff injuries. All because I tried jumping into material I wasn't ready for by forcing myself into it. Don't be like me folks! Lighten up and live life at your tempo!
In my opinion tabs are good for learning stuff that is more technical than your capabilities. If you want to push yourself and learn for example Cemetery Gates solo, or Tornado of Souls - if you are starting out on such difficult solos, it might be way too hard to hear what notes are being played there. So I try to restrict usage of tabs to learning difficult solos for me, like previously mentioned Cemetery Gates.
For harpists, it’s playing too softly, so I always consider it a compliment when people tell me my playing is too loud :p (but then adjust accordingly)
even volume on all channels. This is a big one. When playing live, if you have a quiet clean tone and a loud distortion, guess what, everything will be lower in the mix. The soundguy in your local dive bar doesnt know when you are switching so he will set your loud volume to match your band, but they wont crank you up when you switch to a quieter tone.
Thank you Samuraiguitarist, wise words...
Not to mention, tabs are a lot of the time wrong but a lot of people don't know. There's been countless times where a guitarist would come in and play a song terribly wrong and they would tell me "but that's what the tabs said to do"
i really needed that last tip!!
I'm not a guitarist, but i'm probably the biggest offender of number 5 (learning the advanced stuff too early). I want to go into classical and symphonic metal, but had no theory knowledge, so i was desperate to learn. As soon as I thought i could do the basics, I jumped straight into the hard stuff without knowing what i was doing.
Please make a video on banned, cult, or prohibited music and a musical experience for our philosopher musicians. Get those sticky details usually withdrawn from society. I started thinking about these subjects during a banned books visit at my local public library's exhibit. There, they stated the books and movies and music that were liquidated or therefore thrown out of reach and destroyed permanently. For example they explained details upon which a material was found "unfiltered and not classified safe for public consumption. I sunshine why, even so there was a reason. Still I needed to experience more.
If not exploration and the general tendency for discovery then what if there would be authoritative hold on creativity even more so in a world where our grandchildren live?
I like that he records a little bit more on his laptop every time he stops on the camera
I disagree with 'taking on advanced concepts too early'
I started off learning acoustic percussive in open tunings by watching CandyRat artists (andy mckee, antoine dufour, don ross, etc)
I then tried to tackle understanding freeform jazz, jazz improv, and hardcore/polyrhythmic metal
Now, 15 years later, I finally know what the Major Scale is and how to make triads
(....ok maybe you're right >_>)
Around 1:48 I think you meant chord tones? At least that's what you called it in your other videos on the subject, which is why it caught my ear. Or can the terms be used interchangeably?
Man if I could count the times I've had a board guy at a club say "yeah, you're not in the board. Can you even turn that thing down at all?" I had an old Ampeg VT-22.
this is helpful thank you mate!
thank you samuraiguitarist for the tips.
“I’ve met song writers who thought they were John Lennon but in reality they were more of a Yoko.” SHADE HAS BEEN THROWN
zen guitar is a really good and relatable book for anyone... not just guitar players/musicians
What do you mean seeing the neck as scale tones?
I must have misspoke I meant "chord tones" check out my videos "All you need to know about modes pt 1 and 2" for more info
Every chord is a word that you can spell. Example: If the chord is E7, knowing where every E G# B D (namely tonic, third, fifth and flat seventh) is on the neck are and seeing that instantly when you play the chord. then when the band goes back to an A, knowing where all the A C# E G# on the neck are. it helps to underline the progression when soloing if you know where the guide tones are. when you're comfortable with that you can go deeper and include 9ths, 11ths, 13ths,
@Iberville Music
In simplified terms for idiots like me, are you saying that scales are letters and chords are words?
Chord tones makes more sense, really appreciate your answers!!!
WRAITH
I think of notes as elements and chords as compounds.
Trouble is, I'm shit at chemistry.
"If you're gonna make a mistake, make it loud and proud!" I agree 100% on that. That reminds me of BB King's performance of Sweet Sixteen live in Africa.
Thank you master🤘🏼
Seriously waiting until I'm ready......great point