I worried that the video would be trivial when I first saw the title, but this was probably my favourite pieces of advice found on youtube covering issues I personally deal with every day. Thanks a lot!
Great reflection on being a better player. Thanks for posting this. Neil Young was asked why he kept playing with Crazy Horse rather than getting more technically proficient players. His answer was that Crazy Horse couldn't play well enough to ruin his music. As you said, sometimes great things come from limitations.
Neil Young said that ? It's kinda condescending, and seems like a simple quip to explain to simple mind reporter or something !? Wouldn't be the first time Neil Young said something condescending about musicians but man I love that band NY&CH !
@@AuntAlnico4 To be fair it was the interviewer who suggested that his band were not good enough. Maybe NY was mocking the interviewer by the way he worded his response? Like twisting his words back on to him, if that makes sense.
Great video. Music is about sharing and community. It's great to have a hobby that is there for you when you need it, but sharing it...that makes all the difference. I learned many years ago that most people are kind, and if you ask them for their help, they'll love to give it...so be one of those people too. It just keeps the whole thing going. Thanks for sharing Johan!
You are completely right. Take JD Simo and his bandmates - so friendly and polite guys! And JD has found the right and at the same time very important message: the love needs to be shared, then it will spread! It's in the nature of things that those "loudspeaker" populists get more attention; so - Let Love Show the Way - and share it!
Quite solid advice. One thing that I don't often hear from guitarists: repetition and muscle memory enable us to learn how to play awesome licks beautifully and quick. But they can also function as a trap that makes us end up playing the same things over and over, especially when we want to improvise. Jam with musicians till you all get over that painful stage where you play well for a couple of minutes and then everything becomes boring. Also, grabbing the guitar and trying to come up with something cool to play is not always the best way to build an idea, riff, or a solo because you may tend to play whatever your muscle memory is most cofortable with. Maybe the best thing in such cases is to leave the guitar entirely, build something in your head, then try to recreate it on the guitar.
Great comment, I always play so well after I've been away for some days and only 'thought' about the guitar, and really, you are spot in when you refer to muscle memory. I find periodically detuning to non standard pitch, or even making up my own tunings where absolutely none of the standard finger patterns work makes for some very beautiful new music.
I think Brian May said he got good when he started telling his fingers what to do rather than leaving them on autopilot. It's not that easy but if forces you to listen to what you're doing and to grow.
EXCELLENT ADVICE! This video can serve as a great reminder to refresh our perspectives. We often get caught up in routines and you make excellent points on how to reset these patterns and return to a balanced center. Thanks for posting this.
I've always been a guitar enthusist and only much later in life have I now found the time to commit to a new mid life passion. I've had so many questions and you have answered several and provide a fundamental road map. I also would agree Guitars are a drug as I'm severely addicted ! thank you !!!!
This video is so profound, real true and helpful, I’m sure many people can relate and needed to be reminded of these things. It could be called ‘make you a better guitarist AND person!
Two thumbs up from me, Johan! At first I thought "where are the marshalls?" but this was truly refreshing and to the point. I caught myself nodding several times throughout the video.
Excellent advice my friend!! I am 60 and you can learn many things from everyone if you will just watch and listen. Sometimes the advice is not directed towards you, but just set back and listen wherever you are and that brilliant thing you never expected or experienced will just show up. Peace.
The no perfect drug comparison- I often try to think back to the first time I wanted a guitar, played one or the first time I had one of my own. It had a magic in it, like in the feeling I had then, the RUSH, the possibilities and the wonder I had to know how to play. Addicts often say they are chasing that first "high" they ever got. That is what we players do with or without realizing it but if you try to remember your first "guitar high" that is where the magic lies. I am here over 35 years later still chasing that and I often forget what I am chasing but when I do remember those old feelings that is what really makes me satisfied and also keeps me interested and driven to do more. Great video Johan.
You absolutely nail it with the description of how some days you sound like the gods and other days I want to sell all my gear and start over. I get so depressed sometimes. Your really the first person I ever heard say the same thing I'm feeling sometimes with guitar playing. I try to play everyday even if it's just five minutes. But I agree a break is healthy and restarts the passion. Awesome video as always. I love your playing and style and tone. Rock on!!
Your candour, abstraction and truth is so refreshing...... A brilliant set of honest clues to being a better guitarist and person, as someone else has already mentioned. Well done! "Harvest the life, and trick them to get that, limitations vs ability, escape on the fret board, based on crappy, character rather than perfection"
Johan I am only on #12 and this list is already addressing the things I needed to hear. Thank you! I am still new to your channel, but I haven't found a single video that isn't awesome. You are helping many guitarists find what is "in their backbone" as you say. I prefer that to "in their heart". I think the difference in heart and backbone fits perfectly with your "prepared riffs" vs. "life" explanation. "Heart" is poetic, it's plans, what you WANT. "Backbone" is what is deep in you, it is more primitive, basic, and real. You can't change what's in you, so learn to use it.
I studied Classic Guitar and was introduced to technique which I have worked on ever since its something to be ever refined not a destination. I have seen comments where people ask if they can get their Guitar modified so it would play all the really hard things like practice isn't a thing and you can somehow purchase the skill ..Great video here Johan this is real advice.(comments i have seen on instruction vids)
#13. BB King said many times that his development of vibrato was due to his inability to play slide like many of his favorite players. It was another way to get a similar sound. His development of vibrato is one of the most important milestones in modern guitar IMO. And it was born out of necessity or inability to play in the previous style. His style of guitar vibrato is absolutely ubiquitous currently.
Johan thank you for your honest thoughtful insight. I believe you have gotten right at the center of what being a guitar player is. I would only add one small piece of advice to this great list: 21. Have FUN. Guitar playing shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joy. When I forget that one is when I get down on my self. Thanks again Johan!
I'm always struggling with these things as well, in one form or another. Thank you for the liberating advice. I really appreciate your time to put it out there.
Last night I stumbled upon your channel watching tone reviews, this morning I came back 6hrs later first thing this morning and find out you’re one of the brilliant and philosophical minds in the game.
I am a beginner Mr Johan at 50 & oh how I wish I could have you as my teacher,,, I'm not looking to join a band & all that stuff I just want to be able learn & to play well, I'm not looking to impress anyone, I just don't know where to start, I tried some of the online learning stuff & I get board with that so quickly,,,, 60's,70's & 80's is my era ..... Watching & seeing you play & listening to all your knowledge you give is PRICELESS ,,, thank you for all you do & I hope I find a teacher soon.
This is a great set of philosophical guidelines for becoming a better musician. Many of them reach far beyond into other aspects of life as well. This is my favorite video of this kind (and every guitar player on UA-cam has one. Great talk, Johan. Perhaps my favorite video of yours, and I like 'em all!
It's very rare now for people to be so honest and expose there true inner thoughts and feelings on any subject. This talk was very enriching and great advice. Thank you for being direct. By the way I have just ordered my first Marshall tube amp. The Vietnamese made DSL100H and I do hope it sounds like a Plexi. Cheers.
brilliant in several aspects. " harvesting guitar tones and sounds", that is the most insanely brilliant term usage in reference to that that I have ever heard. the absolute best view and description. ......great outlook on life and all things involved! !!!
Loved the video, its presentation with the 3rd right section displays sightseeing stuff, lol. Ofc the 20 explained points are rather cool too and true lol. Thanks for sharing so much.
Great video again Johan. I remember Jim Hall said that many times it's better to look at a painting than practising........ and that suggestion about the room to take it, while I'm testing the amps I cannot achieve it always.... thanks my friend. I love it.
Johan, I've been playing since I was 12 yrs old, I am now 65 yrs old, played in come on bands in the 60's and 70's for some bands that became very famous, I believe what you say about bringing out what's in your spirit or back bone only comes when you are in the zone and letting the music flow. Two of my favorite players are BB. King and Peter Green, they played mainly out of the Major and Minor Pentatonic Scale and never seem to over play but were able to take you on a journey of emotion of sound that were from the most inner parts of that person soul. I think a lot of players spend to much time learning other players styles and not developing their own, that there should be a balance of creativity joined with other styles, look at Keith Richards, Chuck Berry was his mentor, got him to be able to have a out let, but look what he did after he started experimenting with alternate tuning. I hear in your playing a ocean of emotion and style of many players but also the love you have for music, and it comes through as you let the music breathe and flow. Thanks for sharing John
I just came to hear your brilliant Swedish accent, thanks for the original advice I've never heard anyone else mention, you're right on point. ...I just made it to the end of the vid and this is a lifetime's worth of useful experience crystalised man wow... you're an inspiration - thank you so much!
Music is my life's project and hearing you sum up all the nuances of all the challenges I am working on is so awakening. I don't use philosophy in music or haven't, I think that is what I have been missing. Such a great lesson
Great to hear this Johan, good advices! Trivial advice #21 would be "have fun!" as it is (for me) the most important ingredient to achieve a good sound, practice a nice lick and developing skills. Without fun playing an instrument is so much more difficult.
All your videos rock, Johan! I am learning a lot here. I would just add that sometimes guitarists worry so much about their playing and tones and about other guitarists' playing and tones that it can be easy to forget how to just have fun. Also, the general audience usually enjoys what most guitarists do regardless of skills and gear.
This is brilliant, Johan. So much good stuff here. Nothing ground-breaking, but it's good to keep reminding ourselves of all this. I think the over-riding arc of everything here is not to worry about the little things, but to enjoy making the music you want to make. Thank you for sharing!
I think... thoughtful, introspective, philosophical... rare qualities on music equipment videos, and on this side of the pond dare I say? Nicely done, Johan.
Johan you've saved me a lot of time and money from questions and things/amps/cabs I've thought about getting and you've provided a treasure trove of info. I agree about one day u think your tone is great, then the next day average then great again, even though you've changed nothing and knowing that sometimes your interpretation of your tone can be clouded and giving your ears a rest from getting a 'better' tone is the best thing you can do. No tone fatigue.
Pete, I, just recently hit upon a way to make most amps very good tone dynamics. Not on their own but with the use of a CS3 pedal. as it turned my good amps tube or SS into very good .......Its my consideration that Sustain and compression are paramount in making a dry tone or a brittle or otherwise pitiful tone into the enjoyable modern equal to most decent amps. As as soon as I plug the CS3 into my pedal board my playing jump out as it would if I had just turned on my favorite band. So.....if you have a compression sustainer pedal, I need not say more. But if you do not. The in the least opportunity ....borrow one from a friend and use it for an hour or so and see if you are pleasingly suprized at how well your tone becomes. This is the most reasonable way to create good music until you can get that one amp your life has been wanting. It will put you ahead of your curve immediately
Johan, I found this incredibly helpful. Something as simple as setting a deadline, even if what I'm trying to record sounds poor at that time, might sound great to me a few days later. Powerful advice!
Wow what a great, insightful video. I love all of your videos Johan; you know what great tone sounds like, but this one was very philosophical and thought provoking - I didn't expect that when I clicked to watch it. Think I'll listen to it again actually...!
All were very true, and I really never thought about them until you pointed them out. Especially the parts about limitations, and that a tone that works for one part only works for that part.
Good stuff Johan. Being yourself and daring to put it out there on a small stage is the most important for guitarists. Take in the feedback from the audience but keep doing what you think is right.
Hi Johan, very open and sincere video... Only matters: knowing yourself, your emotions, personality, your smiles and tears, with all good or crap parts of playing... All that will provide sound together,... Understanding and accepting of your self as you are is key for happiness, is key for better life, is key for better music. No matter who gives us feedback, good or bad comments, whatever, we should take as much as we can from it... One famous player said to me in person: I play best when I'm in love... And, I can't play nice when I'm said... Music is all about emotions... You gather all this in one video,... Thanks again, and I hope we will share more thoughts...
This is really insightful, and its an artists viewpoint on the whole thing which you don't see much. There's more to guitar than alot of what people demonstrate on youtube, their skills etc. Great list man. It's all about playing from your heart.
Thanks for sharing again and exposing the subtle and beautiful truths. I really dig your channel for more than just awesome vintage rock tones. Keep it up!
Dude, I don't know how I missed this video. This is just awesome, hillarious. I was expecting all these tactics, and it was a different Dynamic/angle of behavior all together. "It would be the perfect drug" analogy is so spot-on. LOL - "energy and leakage". Killer sense of humor . I love your MO, man. Stay you, Jason.
Very insightful, you have a wonderful way of conveying the important things in relation to the guitar, equipment and music in general. Really enjoy your videos!
This is fantastic. I've spent a lot of time thinking about these exact things. Glad to have confirmation that I'm thinking in the right direction. Thank you!
One of the better videos on the subject, I’m learning a lot of this for myself. I just use my phone at the moment but at least I can get a idea down and recorded before I forget it forever! Cheers! Dan from the UK
Hi Johan. A very good video which talks about the fundamentals we all know (or should know at least), but we somehow tend to forget them or lose the focus. So thanks a lot for your summary, Iˇve enjoyed this video very much.
I quit tweaking. I had a hard time finding good tone then keeping it. So I stick a tubescreamer in front of my amp and I set it and forget it. Then I play and play and play and I have so much fun. Love your channel Johan. You're awesome!
This video made me inspired to go into a room, crank it up, and just see what happens. Excellent video bud. Almost feel like I'll revisit this a few times down the line. Thank you!
Great list, as a home player whom plays for personal enjoyment much of this list still applied to me. I am often trying to put in too many notes and I completely identified with the one day it sounds great and the next is is crap and the next it sounds good again. My biggest problem is I can sit and play and run off some stuff I think is very good and inspirational and then 10 minutes later I will forget all of it and be back to crap I rehash all the time.
+Dante Primm - MiddleAgedGAMR I record almost everything I play so I can always go back and see if something was as great or bad as it felt, and actually the correlation between how good it felt when I played it and how good it sounds recorded is not that obvious.
Johan Segeborn Yeah I need to start doing that myself. I have recorded a few things I thought were crap and when I went back and listened to it, it was much better than I thought.
#13 really hit the mark IMO. Limitations and advantages -- hand size? financial support? many things direct musicians into unique stylings. another example with Pete Townshend not affording strings growing up and mainly played on 3-4 stings. this really shaped his chord structures and HIS style. yep, #13 is where we take challenges and make something of ourselves out of it -- Cheers John!!
I should show this to every guitar player I know. Amazingly well thought out video that definitely made me look at things in a different way. I especially agreed with number 5 because my bandmates play too goddamn loud! Keep doing what you're doing Johan. I live for these videos.
Great observations on getting things done simply and go from there. Perfection will take forever. Tony Iommi has said that he captures a solo in a few takes as it usually does not get better after that for him.
I just love your way of thinking and acting. I took the chance to express to you my feelings about the way i see you. Of cource i play guitars, so this is the common ground my friend.Keep the good company and play more, i love your passionThanos, Athens Greece
Lots of valuable insight! I'm just coming out of a mysterious depression. Was energized for a week learning a difficult, up tempo jump blues. I would really did the satisfaction when I would pull off a complete rendition. Then, one day my enthusiasm was gone. To make a long story short, yesterday I was just doing some slow finger picking intro to stairway to heaven and the tone was there. The satisfaction was tangible. And it had nothing to do with difficulty, or achievement. It was just a connection of sound and what I was creating. Yes, it is a drug. And never a perfect drug.
Very insightfully deep.I would add..... that a song that gets rehearsed over and over and over can lose a lot of life. AC/DC used to work up their arrangements in the studio and get the basic tracks recorded in a couple takes. Catching lightning in a bottle right. If a song looses its excitement , it doesn't matter that its performed perfect. quick and dirty and hopefully catch the magic on tape. Love the video Johan.
I especially liked ”11 - Many guitar tones are based on very restricted playing”. So true! Also it gives inspiration to elaborate with guitar tones and try to find a certain sound for a certain guitar lick. I once heard something that is very simple to understand but hard to follow ”Try to listen to what your are playing, does it sound good?”. Very easy to ”be too busy” and not only having too few pauses, but also just sound too repetitive or boring :D When I started playing electric guitar (was schooled with classical guitar and classic music), on the electric guitar I played with very soft attack for many years. Something that really has changed my attack is that I started playing without an amp, just grabbed the electric and to be able to hear what I was doing I had to play harder, harder attack that is :D
Playing along with classic rock albums helped me big time. When I finally got to the tablature...half of it was wrong position and chords but it still helped me get my sound. And playing alone with a cranked tube amp helps too.
Great video, ive never really thought about anything specific while learning to play. I just started to copy records and i was focusing on making a lot of sound and be able to sound good while playing alone. I was always facinated by Clapton and Hendrixs styles where they sounded like a full band on their own. You are a brilliant player and your tone is always ace!
Would love to know your feeling on the Marshall 4140, Club and Country. Marshall's answer to the Twin. I love mine, and wondered if you've ever tried one. (I'm guessing you have?)
20 commandments of the guitar and they will ever kept in the vault of my heart case. Keep rocking. Great feeling awesome speech honest thoughts and true words. Cheers from Italy
That video isn`t just about guitar and music - it`s preatty much about life. Liked it really much, Johan.
+JacknCocaine I'm so glad to hear it man!
I worried that the video would be trivial when I first saw the title, but this was probably my favourite pieces of advice found on youtube covering issues I personally deal with every day. Thanks a lot!
+The Lion's Roar Thanks, I'm so glad to hear that!
loved the philosophical vlog about guitar, ty
+Carlos Reyes Thanks :-)
Great reflection on being a better player. Thanks for posting this. Neil Young was asked why he kept playing with Crazy Horse rather than getting more technically proficient players. His answer was that Crazy Horse couldn't play well enough to ruin his music. As you said, sometimes great things come from limitations.
+sassulusmagnus Thanks! Love that Neil Young quote :-)
that's brilliant
Neil Young said that ?
It's kinda condescending, and seems like a simple quip to explain to simple mind reporter or something !?
Wouldn't be the first time Neil Young said something condescending about musicians but man I love that band NY&CH !
@@AuntAlnico4 To be fair it was the interviewer who suggested that his band were not good enough. Maybe NY was mocking the interviewer by the way he worded his response? Like twisting his words back on to him, if that makes sense.
Great video. Music is about sharing and community. It's great to have a hobby that is there for you when you need it, but sharing it...that makes all the difference. I learned many years ago that most people are kind, and if you ask them for their help, they'll love to give it...so be one of those people too. It just keeps the whole thing going. Thanks for sharing Johan!
+Rick McCargar Thanks Rick, yeah most people are indeed kind.
You are completely right. Take JD Simo and his bandmates - so friendly and polite guys! And JD has found the right and at the same time very important message: the love needs to be shared, then it will spread! It's in the nature of things that those "loudspeaker" populists get more attention; so - Let Love Show the Way - and share it!
Rick McCargar Yes, keeping your musical world in all its dimensions to yourself can end up in huge frustration and emptiness.
Quite solid advice. One thing that I don't often hear from guitarists: repetition and muscle memory enable us to learn how to play awesome licks beautifully and quick. But they can also function as a trap that makes us end up playing the same things over and over, especially when we want to improvise. Jam with musicians till you all get over that painful stage where you play well for a couple of minutes and then everything becomes boring. Also, grabbing the guitar and trying to come up with something cool to play is not always the best way to build an idea, riff, or a solo because you may tend to play whatever your muscle memory is most cofortable with. Maybe the best thing in such cases is to leave the guitar entirely, build something in your head, then try to recreate it on the guitar.
+cripple horse That is a very interesting notion! I'm definitely gonna reflect on that one for a future clip. Thanks for the inspiration. Cheers Johan
:-) Thanks for all this sharing of info and experimentation as well
Great comment, I always play so well after I've been away for some days and only 'thought' about the guitar, and really, you are spot in when you refer to muscle memory. I find periodically detuning to non standard pitch, or even making up my own tunings where absolutely none of the standard finger patterns work makes for some very beautiful new music.
I think Brian May said he got good when he started telling his fingers what to do rather than leaving them on autopilot. It's not that easy but if forces you to listen to what you're doing and to grow.
Your channel is awesome, it is such a useful resource and you seem like a really cool guy.
+Jewdly Thanks, I really appreciate that!
EXCELLENT ADVICE! This video can serve as a great reminder to refresh our perspectives. We often get caught up in routines and you make excellent points on how to reset these patterns and return to a balanced center. Thanks for posting this.
+Nonah Yobusiness Thanks Nonah, I'm really glad to hear that!
Excellent, thank you very helpful!
+HisBlood Thanks, glad you liked it!
Excellent and thoughtful....not a usual list.....thank you!!
+rcolang1 Thanks, glad to hear it!
I've always been a guitar enthusist and only much later in life have I now found the time to commit to a new mid life passion. I've had so many questions and you have answered several and provide a fundamental road map. I also would agree Guitars are a drug as I'm severely addicted ! thank you !!!!
+Chesty Puller Thanks!, I'm a fellow addict ;-)
This video is so profound, real true and helpful, I’m sure many people can relate and needed to be reminded of these things. It could be called ‘make you a better guitarist AND person!
Two thumbs up from me, Johan! At first I thought "where are the marshalls?" but this was truly refreshing and to the point. I caught myself nodding several times throughout the video.
+troyguitarist Great to hear that. Cheers!
Johan is such a cool dude! 👍
Excellent advice my friend!! I am 60 and you can learn many things from everyone if you will just watch and listen. Sometimes the advice is not directed towards you, but just set back and listen wherever you are and that brilliant thing you never expected or experienced will just show up. Peace.
The no perfect drug comparison- I often try to think back to the first time I wanted a guitar, played one or the first time I had one of my own. It had a magic in it, like in the feeling I had then, the RUSH, the possibilities and the wonder I had to know how to play. Addicts often say they are chasing that first "high" they ever got. That is what we players do with or without realizing it but if you try to remember your first "guitar high" that is where the magic lies. I am here over 35 years later still chasing that and I often forget what I am chasing but when I do remember those old feelings that is what really makes me satisfied and also keeps me interested and driven to do more. Great video Johan.
You absolutely nail it with the description of how some days you sound like the gods and other days I want to sell all my gear and start over. I get so depressed sometimes. Your really the first person I ever heard say the same thing I'm feeling sometimes with guitar playing. I try to play everyday even if it's just five minutes. But I agree a break is healthy and restarts the passion. Awesome video as always. I love your playing and style and tone. Rock on!!
+anthony turco Thanks my friend! Cheers Johan
Your candour, abstraction and truth is so refreshing...... A brilliant set of honest clues to being a better guitarist and person, as someone else has already mentioned. Well done! "Harvest the life, and trick them to get that, limitations vs ability, escape on the fret board, based on crappy, character rather than perfection"
+Michael Wilson Thanks Michael, I'm really glad you liked it. Cheers Johan
Johan I am only on #12 and this list is already addressing the things I needed to hear. Thank you! I am still new to your channel, but I haven't found a single video that isn't awesome. You are helping many guitarists find what is "in their backbone" as you say. I prefer that to "in their heart". I think the difference in heart and backbone fits perfectly with your "prepared riffs" vs. "life" explanation. "Heart" is poetic, it's plans, what you WANT. "Backbone" is what is deep in you, it is more primitive, basic, and real. You can't change what's in you, so learn to use it.
Lots of great advice not just for guitar, but for life in general.
Thanks Johan!
+Erik Ross Thanks man, that's really good to hear!
Good talk. Yes it is true that people will add their own memories to music that they like
+Royalty Free Video Clips Thanks :-) yeah to me that's a bigger part of the song than the song itself.
I studied Classic Guitar and was introduced to technique which I have worked on ever since its something to be ever refined not a destination. I have seen comments where people ask if they can get their Guitar modified so it would play all the really hard things like practice isn't a thing and you can somehow purchase the skill ..Great video here Johan this is real advice.(comments i have seen on instruction vids)
not annoying at all, you're just an amazing person that shares your take and / experiences!
Kudos to you Johan !
All respect!
#13. BB King said many times that his development of vibrato was due to his inability to play slide like many of his favorite players. It was another way to get a similar sound.
His development of vibrato is one of the most important milestones in modern guitar IMO. And it was born out of necessity or inability to play in the previous style. His style of guitar vibrato is absolutely ubiquitous currently.
I'm loving the almost Zen approach to the guitar. Only discovered your Chanel today but liking what I've found so far. Great stuff.
Johan thank you for your honest thoughtful insight. I believe you have gotten right at the center of what being a guitar player is. I would only add one small piece of advice to this great list: 21. Have FUN. Guitar playing shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joy. When I forget that one is when I get down on my self.
Thanks again Johan!
I'm always struggling with these things as well, in one form or another. Thank you for the liberating advice. I really appreciate your time to put it out there.
Last night I stumbled upon your channel watching tone reviews, this morning I came back 6hrs later first thing this morning and find out you’re one of the brilliant and philosophical minds in the game.
I am a beginner Mr Johan at 50 & oh how I wish I could have you as my teacher,,, I'm not looking to join a band & all that stuff I just want to be able learn & to play well, I'm not looking to impress anyone, I just don't know where to start, I tried some of the online learning stuff & I get board with that so quickly,,,, 60's,70's & 80's is my era ..... Watching & seeing you play & listening to all your knowledge you give is PRICELESS ,,, thank you for all you do & I hope I find a teacher soon.
This is a great set of philosophical guidelines for becoming a better musician. Many of them reach far beyond into other aspects of life as well. This is my favorite video of this kind (and every guitar player on UA-cam has one. Great talk, Johan. Perhaps my favorite video of yours, and I like 'em all!
this is not just about improving guitar playing but also music and well... improving your life. thank you so much for sharing, johan!
+Zarg Thanks I'm glad to hear that :-)
It's very rare now for people to be so honest and expose there true inner thoughts and feelings on any subject. This talk was very enriching and great advice. Thank you for being direct. By the way I have just ordered my first Marshall tube amp. The Vietnamese made DSL100H and I do hope it sounds like a Plexi. Cheers.
sir
you are the man!
you find the time to answer everyone here..that make you a man before a guitar player...
tnx for your great videos
+eshar waiss Thanks my friend!
brilliant in several aspects. " harvesting guitar tones and sounds", that is the most insanely brilliant term usage in reference to that that I have ever heard. the absolute best view and description. ......great outlook on life and all things involved! !!!
+Bryan Keith Thanks Bryan, you make my day! :-)
The wisdom and how this man conveys himself is amazing. Ty johan for being an inspiration
I've been a guitarist practically my whole life so I can vouch for these 20 things. I hope you make some more videos like these Johan. Cheers
+sniff rat Thanks! It will be my pleasure! Cheers
Loved the video, its presentation with the 3rd right section displays sightseeing stuff, lol. Ofc the 20 explained points are rather cool too and true lol. Thanks for sharing so much.
+Rafa Dominguez Thanks, thats really good to hear! :-)
Awesome video! The subjectivity of our ears is so important to remember! Thanks for all your great input Johan!
+v mazzone Thanks, glad you like it!
Great video again Johan. I remember Jim Hall said that many times it's better to look at a painting than practising........ and that suggestion about the room to take it, while I'm testing the amps I cannot achieve it always.... thanks my friend. I love it.
+PureToneAmps Thanks my friend
Just found this video and I love it; it’s about so much more than guitar. I also can see all of these insights reflected in your playing. Thank you!
Thanks Mark, I’m glad to hear that
Johan, I've been playing since I was 12 yrs old, I am now 65 yrs old, played in come on bands in the 60's and 70's for some bands that became very famous, I believe what you say about bringing out what's in your spirit or back bone only comes when you are in the zone and letting the music flow. Two of my favorite players are BB. King and Peter Green, they played mainly out of the Major and Minor Pentatonic Scale and never seem to over play but were able to take you on a journey of emotion of sound that were from the most inner parts of that person soul. I think a lot of players spend to much time learning other players styles and not developing their own, that there should be a balance of creativity joined with other styles, look at Keith Richards, Chuck Berry was his mentor, got him to be able to have a out let, but look what he did after he started experimenting with alternate tuning. I hear in your playing a ocean of emotion and style of many players but also the love you have for music, and it comes through as you let the music breathe and flow. Thanks for sharing John
I just came to hear your brilliant Swedish accent, thanks for the original advice I've never heard anyone else mention, you're right on point.
...I just made it to the end of the vid and this is a lifetime's worth of useful experience crystalised man wow... you're an inspiration - thank you so much!
Music is my life's project and hearing you sum up all the nuances of all the challenges I am working on is so awakening. I don't use philosophy in music or haven't, I think that is what I have been missing. Such a great lesson
Great to hear this Johan, good advices! Trivial advice #21 would be "have fun!" as it is (for me) the most important ingredient to achieve a good sound, practice a nice lick and developing skills. Without fun playing an instrument is so much more difficult.
+Kees Groen Thanks! Having fun is kind of a hygiene factor to me.
All your videos rock, Johan! I am learning a lot here. I would just add that sometimes guitarists worry so much about their playing and tones and about other guitarists' playing and tones that it can be easy to forget how to just have fun. Also, the general audience usually enjoys what most guitarists do regardless of skills and gear.
This is brilliant, Johan. So much good stuff here. Nothing ground-breaking, but it's good to keep reminding ourselves of all this. I think the over-riding arc of everything here is not to worry about the little things, but to enjoy making the music you want to make. Thank you for sharing!
+Martin Cliffe Thanks Martin! A good summary!
I think... thoughtful, introspective, philosophical... rare qualities on music equipment videos, and on this side of the pond dare I say? Nicely done, Johan.
Thanks, I'm so glad to hear that!
Johan you've saved me a lot of time and money from questions and things/amps/cabs I've thought about getting and you've provided a treasure trove of info.
I agree about one day u think your tone is great, then the next day average then great again, even though you've changed nothing and knowing that sometimes your interpretation of your tone can be clouded and giving your ears a rest from getting a 'better' tone is the best thing you can do.
No tone fatigue.
Pete, I, just recently hit upon a way to make most amps very good tone dynamics. Not on their own but with the use of a CS3 pedal. as it turned my good amps tube or SS into very good .......Its my consideration that Sustain and compression are paramount in making a dry tone or a brittle or otherwise pitiful tone into the enjoyable modern equal to most decent amps. As as soon as I plug the CS3 into my pedal board my playing jump out as it would if I had just turned on my favorite band. So.....if you have a compression sustainer pedal, I need not say more. But if you do not. The in the least opportunity ....borrow one from a friend and use it for an hour or so and see if you are pleasingly suprized at how well your tone becomes.
This is the most reasonable way to create good music until you can get that one amp your life has been wanting. It will put you ahead of your curve immediately
especially his modding of small practise amps into 4x12s giving alotta good tones in less $$ and less dB
Thank you for sharing these, Johan. Many of these things I find to be true personally.
+Westley Antee Thanks, I'm really glad to hear that!
Johan, I found this incredibly helpful. Something as simple as setting a deadline, even if what I'm trying to record sounds poor at that time, might sound great to me a few days later. Powerful advice!
+Chax858 Thanks, I'm glad to hear that!
Wow what a great, insightful video. I love all of your videos Johan; you know what great tone sounds like, but this one was very philosophical and thought provoking - I didn't expect that when I clicked to watch it. Think I'll listen to it again actually...!
+Paul Oliver You make my day man, Cheers!
All were very true, and I really never thought about them until you pointed them out. Especially the parts about limitations, and that a tone that works for one part only works for that part.
+Karl Beerman Thanks! Good to hear that!
Good stuff Johan. Being yourself and daring to put it out there on a small stage is the most important for guitarists. Take in the feedback from the audience but keep doing what you think is right.
+vdbdg Thanks!
Hi Johan,
very open and sincere video... Only matters: knowing yourself, your emotions, personality, your smiles and tears, with all good or crap parts of playing... All that will provide sound together,...
Understanding and accepting of your self as you are is key for happiness, is key for better life, is key for better music.
No matter who gives us feedback, good or bad comments, whatever, we should take as much as we can from it...
One famous player said to me in person: I play best when I'm in love... And, I can't play nice when I'm said...
Music is all about emotions...
You gather all this in one video,... Thanks again, and I hope we will share more thoughts...
+Djordje Stefanovic Thanks Djordje, I'd like that too. Cheers Johan
this is a fantastic video Johan...you're not just a musician ...you are more...
tack så mycket!
you have a new follower!
greetings from south Italy!
You are a humble, wise man. Thank you for teaching us!
This is really insightful, and its an artists viewpoint on the whole thing which you don't see much. There's more to guitar than alot of what people demonstrate on youtube, their skills etc. Great list man. It's all about playing from your heart.
+Gary G Thanks, great to hear it!
Thanks for sharing again and exposing the subtle and beautiful truths. I really dig your channel for more than just awesome vintage rock tones. Keep it up!
Dude, I don't know how I missed this video. This is just awesome, hillarious. I was expecting all these tactics, and it was a different Dynamic/angle of behavior all together. "It would be the perfect drug" analogy is so spot-on. LOL - "energy and leakage". Killer sense of humor . I love your MO, man. Stay you, Jason.
Thanks Johan! You've inspired me to finish up my songs and to put them out there.
+qmano123 Really glad to hear that! Cheers!
Very insightful, you have a wonderful way of conveying the important things in relation to the guitar, equipment and music in general. Really enjoy your videos!
The thing that makes this quite unique is the choice of items flowing by on the right most portion of the triptych
This is fantastic. I've spent a lot of time thinking about these exact things. Glad to have confirmation that I'm thinking in the right direction. Thank you!
+Gobi Grey Thanks, I'm glad to hear it!
One of the better videos on the subject, I’m learning a lot of this for myself. I just use my phone at the moment but at least I can get a idea down and recorded before I forget it forever!
Cheers!
Dan from the UK
Fantastic advice, well delivered. Thanks Johan.
+Tom Baer Thanks Tom!
Hi Johan. A very good video which talks about the fundamentals we all know (or should know at least), but we somehow tend to forget them or lose the focus. So thanks a lot for your summary, Iˇve enjoyed this video very much.
+Daniel Fiala Thanks Daniel, I glad to hear that!
I quit tweaking. I had a hard time finding good tone then keeping it. So I stick a tubescreamer in front of my amp and I set it and forget it. Then I play and play and play and I have so much fun. Love your channel Johan. You're awesome!
This video made me inspired to go into a room, crank it up, and just see what happens. Excellent video bud. Almost feel like I'll revisit this a few times down the line. Thank you!
+Brientnall Barnhart Thanks, you make my day :-)
Definitely appreciate the perspective on a lot of things. You made some very good and original points in there. Well worth the watch!
+Greg Jones Thanks Greg, that's really good to hear!
Great list, as a home player whom plays for personal enjoyment much of this list still applied to me. I am often trying to put in too many notes and I completely identified with the one day it sounds great and the next is is crap and the next it sounds good again. My biggest problem is I can sit and play and run off some stuff I think is very good and inspirational and then 10 minutes later I will forget all of it and be back to crap I rehash all the time.
+Dante Primm - MiddleAgedGAMR I record almost everything I play so I can always go back and see if something was as great or bad as it felt, and actually the correlation between how good it felt when I played it and how good it sounds recorded is not that obvious.
Johan Segeborn Yeah I need to start doing that myself. I have recorded a few things I thought were crap and when I went back and listened to it, it was much better than I thought.
#13 really hit the mark IMO. Limitations and advantages -- hand size? financial support? many things direct musicians into unique stylings. another example with Pete Townshend not affording strings growing up and mainly played on 3-4 stings. this really shaped his chord structures and HIS style. yep, #13 is where we take challenges and make something of ourselves out of it -- Cheers John!!
Some very sound advice, respect 🙂
+Dave Barlow Thanks! :-)
I should show this to every guitar player I know. Amazingly well thought out video that definitely made me look at things in a different way. I especially agreed with number 5 because my bandmates play too goddamn loud! Keep doing what you're doing Johan. I live for these videos.
+samwelljackson Thanks, that's so good to hear. Cheers Johan
What an insightful watch. I will be re-evaluating my approach now. Thanks so much.
Great observations on getting things done simply and go from there. Perfection will take forever. Tony Iommi has said that he captures a solo in a few takes as it usually does not get better after that for him.
+Richard Hollis Thanks! :-)
many wise thoughts johan. really listerned to all your words. thanks
+STEVE SHAW Thanks man, that's good to hear
Johan, I enjoy watching your videos, you are a very humble guy and a fantastic player! Thanks for making these videos!
+brandon harrison Thanks Brandon! Good to hear that!
Great advice, Johan. Thanks for the words of wisdom.
+Dave Kaplowitz Thanks Dave, glad you liked it!
I just love your way of thinking and acting. I took the chance to express to you my feelings about the way i see you. Of cource i play guitars, so this is the common ground my friend.Keep the good company and play more, i love your passionThanos, Athens Greece
Lots of valuable insight! I'm just coming out of a mysterious depression. Was energized for a week learning a difficult, up tempo jump blues. I would really did the satisfaction when I would pull off a complete rendition. Then, one day my enthusiasm was gone. To make a long story short, yesterday I was just doing some slow finger picking intro to stairway to heaven and the tone was there. The satisfaction was tangible. And it had nothing to do with difficulty, or achievement. It was just a connection of sound and what I was creating. Yes, it is a drug. And never a perfect drug.
+rbauer1632 Thanks! Nothing beats that connection!
wow johan. such insight into your guitar mind. Thank you again and again for such knowledge
+jaydenjames104 Thanks, I'm really glad you liked it!
Excellent insight, thank you Johan! I made this video part of my personal growth library, again thank you Johan!!!
"No one is going to notice you fucking up, because they're too busy trying to not fuck up themselves"
+Aaron Grimwood Thanks man :-)
Thanks for putting this together Johan, a well considered list with some great advice.
+Matt Evans Glad to hear that
Totally agree! Really enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing.
+Wayne van de Klee Glad you liked it!
I understood everything you said and was able to relate to all 20 points. Thanks for sharing these thoughts
Very insightfully deep.I would add..... that a song that gets rehearsed over and over and over can lose a lot of life. AC/DC used to work up their arrangements in the studio and get the basic tracks recorded in a couple takes. Catching lightning in a bottle right. If a song looses its excitement , it doesn't matter that its performed perfect. quick and dirty and hopefully catch the magic on tape. Love the video Johan.
+whip's cheap guitars Thanks, that's a good point!
I especially liked ”11 - Many guitar tones are based on very restricted playing”. So true! Also it gives inspiration to elaborate with guitar tones and try to find a certain sound for a certain guitar lick.
I once heard something that is very simple to understand but hard to follow ”Try to listen to what your are playing, does it sound good?”. Very easy to ”be too busy” and not only having too few pauses, but also just sound too repetitive or boring :D
When I started playing electric guitar (was schooled with classical guitar and classic music), on the electric guitar I played with very soft attack for many years. Something that really has changed my attack is that I started playing without an amp, just grabbed the electric and to be able to hear what I was doing I had to play harder, harder attack that is :D
By the way, are you a physicist, engineer or something on that road. Your reasoning about stuff seems very scientifically based :D Love your channel!
Playing along with classic rock albums helped me big time. When I finally got to the tablature...half of it was wrong position and chords but it still helped me get my sound. And playing alone with a cranked tube amp helps too.
Good words for music, guitar and life. Thank you!
+Jim Brown Thanks man, glad to hear it!
Excellent insight for any level of musician I appreciate you sharing your experience...we ride on the shoulders of giants! Cheers!
+Nathan Hassall Thanks Nathan! Cheers!
Great advice that can be applied to life in general and not just guitar playing! Lovely visuals as per, keep up the good work!
+kyarsm Thanks! Good to hear that!
Frickin great stuff here...never thought of alot of these suggestions till now. Some of the best videos on UA-cam! Cheers from Chicago, Il
+Brick Breaker Thanks, glad to hear that! Cheers from Gothenburg, Sweden!
Yo Boss, How high are the ceilings there? Looks like a historic building.
Great video, ive never really thought about anything specific while learning to play. I just started to copy records and i was focusing on making a lot of sound and be able to sound good while playing alone. I was always facinated by Clapton and Hendrixs styles where they sounded like a full band on their own. You are a brilliant player and your tone is always ace!
+Lars Sig Thanks my friend!
I should see this video 2-3 times a year. Very valuable thoughts and ideas and very well presented. Thank you.
Johan your an inspiration brother, your views are very refreshing 😊
Thanks my friend!
Thanks for sharing man! Your philosophy/advice transends guitar playing.
"use deadlines, it wont be perfect but it will be some entity that exists"- great advice, thanks
+neptune sundial Thanks!
Thanks Johan! Love your vids on amps and gear. You have saved me mucho money over the years. Thanks again, and keep them coming!
+Tony Camin Thanks Tony :-) I'm glad to hear that!
Would love to know your feeling on the Marshall 4140, Club and Country. Marshall's answer to the Twin. I love mine, and wondered if you've ever tried one. (I'm guessing you have?)
Johan, great advice. There's a lot of life experience behind those.
Thanks man, glad to hear it!
20 commandments of the guitar and they will ever kept in the vault of my heart case. Keep rocking. Great feeling awesome speech honest thoughts and true words. Cheers from Italy
+Matteo Nobili Thanks :-) Cheers from Sweden