This is Why You Suck at Guitar: Learning Scales SUCKS!

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
  • Assets for this video, downloadable practice tracks, bonus guitar lessons, and MORE here: / benellerguitars
    Here's the Major scale video I mentioned (you need this): • This is Why You Suck a...
    Snag your official SHRED TILL YOU'RE UNDEAD merch here!!!! vonkowen.threadless.com/colle...
    Get sweet deals on all the nice things i use here @Sweetwater !!! Sick deals on all kinds of good stuff: imp.i114863.net/jxdA0
    This is why you suck at guitar 28: You suck at learning scales!
    Scales? What are those, something a fish wears on its outsides??? Nah man, they're the basic building blocks of all music, and most players SUCK at learning them.... well, to be more accurate, the way we are taught to learn them sucks. Endless numbers of shapes the memorize, none of them telling us what's REALLY going on inside a scale... all that does is keep you tied to playing PATTERNS instead of MUSIC!
    But if you take Uncle Ben Eller here's advice and approach every scale 4 different ways, you're gonna be free as a bird and covering that neck in sweet sweet music. Lets go!!!!
    Using my Jackson USA Virtuoso into a Marshall 1987X Plexi, into the UA OX.
    What do you want to see on the next TIWYSAG? Let me know in the comments!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 337

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  2 місяці тому +25

    Thanks for watching This is Why You Suck at Guitar: Learning Scales SUCKS! Grab the charts to go along with it here, plus HUNDREDS of other bonus videos, posts, TABs, and more: www.patreon.com/posts/this-is-why-you-100315149?Link&

    • @joemartinez6025
      @joemartinez6025 2 місяці тому

      HEY BIG BEN. GREAT VIDEO
      CAN I ASK WHERE YOU GOT YOUR HEAD STAND? THAT SOUNDS WEIRD BUT I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO CALL IT
      HEAD FURNITURE
      HEAD HOLDER
      HEAD RACK
      FUCK I DONT KNOW
      LOVE YOUR VIDEOS MAN

    • @gib59er56
      @gib59er56 2 місяці тому +1

      Ben, my friend, you are the most accurate ,funny and solid type dude in what you teach. Take it from a guy who began in 1979 due to EVH and Joe Walsh, my main hombre`s along with a few others like Gibbons, Di Martini, Dimebag, Page, of course and Frank Zappa, jivin with his cosmic debris! I still learn every day and a big reason is your content on your channel. Keep it up Uncle Ben, ya don`t want a Sears Poncho, you need a real poncho, I mean Mexican pancho , hmmmmmm, ahhhh just forget it!!

  • @drnastybf79
    @drnastybf79 2 місяці тому +78

    My stepmom gave me few words of wisdom and encouragement: "Stepson, only I suck in this house."

  • @ponzo1967
    @ponzo1967 2 місяці тому +47

    "The missionary position of scale patterns." 😂

  • @theandiller
    @theandiller 2 місяці тому +32

    Ben deserves an Oscar for ALL THE wordings in this video. 😂😂😂
    Dammit, he uploaded it over a week later!

  • @MehYam2112
    @MehYam2112 2 місяці тому +46

    7:40 no exaggeration, this tip about 1-string scales had a bigger effect on my playing than any other single bit of advice. Why:
    1) seeing the scale linearly gets all of the "guitar junk" out of the way - you see the scale for what it is, a set of intervals that define harmony. This keeps you in the zone more like a vocalist or keyboard player. Guitar string tuning turns the simplicity of a scale into a maze.
    2) memorizing scale boxes wasn't necessary anymore. You just start on one string, and then try jumping to an adjacent string from any and every scale degree. You start to see the boxes and positions yourself on the fly when you always know what scale degree you're on, because you know what the next interval is.
    3) it works really great with the pentatonic scale. I never rehearsed the 4 other pentatonic scale boxes much, now I just sort of know them.
    4) no need to memorize modes or their scale boxes *at all*. They're just different starting points on what you've already been practicing.
    5) it demystifies how chords and scales work together. Triads work linearly too (they're just 3-note scales), so building little chord fragments on the fly happens just like it does for scale boxes, because you always know what degree of the scale you're on. It also helps with chord extensions, 11ths, etc.

    • @erichobbs4042
      @erichobbs4042 2 місяці тому +2

      Yes. This is exactly what worked for me. Learning the interval pattern and then just applying it to the fret board. After a while you just know where all the notes are and even if you are in an alternate tuning, you can just make it work.

    • @jaredlackey9177
      @jaredlackey9177 2 місяці тому +1

      Totally agree, and I'd add that if you learn scales and triads on piano/keyboard, that helps with understanding a ton, too.

    • @julhelm1821
      @julhelm1821 13 годин тому

      It's also the case that, depending on the context, you do not necessarily need to be 'in scale' all the time, as long as you start and resolve in key.

  • @zugunruhebirdingtours329
    @zugunruhebirdingtours329 2 місяці тому +47

    Whatever your pastor did to you, it wasn't your fault.

  • @alortmeier
    @alortmeier 2 місяці тому +18

    Holy crap!!! Commentary was freaking on FIRE!!! Best. Channel.EVER!!!!

  • @ValSchnitzel
    @ValSchnitzel 2 місяці тому +15

    JESUS CHRIST!!! THIS IS THE BEST CLASS ON SCALES I'VE EVER HAD!

  • @ShredwoodForest
    @ShredwoodForest 2 місяці тому +10

    the pun per minute ratio is Airplane level. A++

  • @KevinNolin
    @KevinNolin 2 місяці тому +6

    Shoutout to your pastor for impregnating all this knowledge into you. Very helpful video Uncle Ben!

  • @DapperHesher
    @DapperHesher 2 місяці тому +9

    When I get good by the year 2160, my fusion band is soooo going to be called Intentional Holdsworth.

    • @Doomchild2XL
      @Doomchild2XL 2 місяці тому +2

      Mine is forever gonna be called Unintentional Holdsworth. For accuracy.

  • @haetfull
    @haetfull 2 місяці тому +4

    I stumble upon your channel every few months and think "how do I keep forgetting about this guy." Your knowledge will hopefully go down in youtube history as one of the great YT guitar teaches. I hope your videos live on for generations because the knowledge and technique is so crucial, especially as modern metal progresses the way it is. Much love from a long time silent follower!

  • @stevecaststringtheory8691
    @stevecaststringtheory8691 2 місяці тому +3

    When you said “corrected” I thought, “did he just slip in a reference to the Shining?” Masterfully done - the reference, the jokes, and most of all the lesson

  • @rianjohnsonsux4344
    @rianjohnsonsux4344 2 місяці тому +3

    I literally laugh out loud to the video…cause Ben is a MASTER who doesn’t take himself too seriously. Channel is bad ass 😎👍🏻

  • @patrickdallaire5972
    @patrickdallaire5972 2 місяці тому +1

    The chromatic scale is so underated.

  • @hikimad1523
    @hikimad1523 2 місяці тому +26

    When I think of scales I think of reptilian scales. Man I suck!

    • @GonnaGetYouBoi
      @GonnaGetYouBoi 2 місяці тому

      sounds like something a reptilian would say..

    • @B.O.L.T.
      @B.O.L.T. 2 місяці тому

      No you don't. Reptilians are cool as long as you don't attack them. Then it's your problem. 😂

    • @user-jo4tq5tk3i
      @user-jo4tq5tk3i 28 днів тому

      😂

  • @KILLA-J
    @KILLA-J 2 місяці тому +4

    The incredibly useful lesson was great but . . . when you top it off with humor, then it's better than great . . . thank you (I'm 65 and learning howta shred mang)

    • @mikemorgan4774
      @mikemorgan4774 2 місяці тому

      Me too, right! At 65 I'm just learning what I shoulda known back in 1966.

  • @nunolance23
    @nunolance23 2 місяці тому +1

    This was a step up in the humor part of the videos, stellar teaching as always hahaha

  • @BrandonEht
    @BrandonEht 2 місяці тому +2

    That Jackson gets me bricked upppp ❤

  • @huffdm
    @huffdm 2 місяці тому +9

    (1:41) excellent choice of axe Uncle Ben! Love the color too...❤

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 місяці тому +3

      Thanks!

    • @APK-pn4qh
      @APK-pn4qh 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@BenEller I will be buying that exact guitar in a couple months. Is it as amazing as it looks and sounds?

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 місяці тому +2

      @@APK-pn4qhYES! It quickly became one of my favorites. It’s a 10.

    • @APK-pn4qh
      @APK-pn4qh 2 місяці тому

      @@BenEller ooh I can't wait! 🤘😎🤘

  • @daveydumpling
    @daveydumpling 2 місяці тому +4

    Nice shining reference

  • @EclipseAtDusk
    @EclipseAtDusk 2 місяці тому +3

    This is why I like Open C-esque tunings. Scales become less “a pattern to play on the neck” and more a proper roadmap because it’s Easier to learn

  • @Mojen_Marc_Music
    @Mojen_Marc_Music 2 місяці тому +5

    I just kept thinking you were about to bust out Sails of Charon 😁😁

  • @fortisch
    @fortisch 2 місяці тому +1

    Bro. I literally figured this out on my own yesterday and now i see this. Damn^^

  • @saltyphucker777
    @saltyphucker777 2 місяці тому +5

    Awesome as usual, Uncle Ben! My stepmom says hi.

  • @minisurfbanana
    @minisurfbanana 2 місяці тому +1

    Ouch...."tell her I said hi" 😂😂😂

  • @mikemorgan4774
    @mikemorgan4774 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks Ben, this is the absolute best video on the Phrygian scale ever created for guitar players. I absolutely heard and saw all the biblical references to Vai, Satch, and Edward. And accidental Holdsworth (LMAO) is where I live most of the time. I got it now!

  • @dorianfrank5024
    @dorianfrank5024 2 місяці тому

    This is amazing! Thanks Mr.Uncle Ben Sir, I've been so stuck in box patterns of scales for a long time ,this lesson is totally going to assist me in navigating my way outta there😀👍

  • @johnstillwell4353
    @johnstillwell4353 2 місяці тому

    I forgot how much I enjoyed being told why I suck on guitar. Ben has a special quality that allows to say stuff like that. It would probably get me killed. Seriously though, Ben is the best teacher on the internet and helped me out of a deep hole and back to really enjoying playing. Thanks again Ben.

  • @polishamoou
    @polishamoou 2 місяці тому +1

    Such a great lesson! Thank you for sharing! Also these tones are amazing. Would love to learn more about the gear you’re using.

  • @blakeanderson7906
    @blakeanderson7906 2 місяці тому +1

    Great lesson Ben! Rock on!

  • @TheMirrorify
    @TheMirrorify 2 місяці тому +3

    One of your best videos. Great info and very funny too. I absolutely concur about the single string scales. I instinctively learnt those first as it was way easier for me and I've never had too much trouble breaking out of boxes as a result.

  • @lhcsouth
    @lhcsouth 28 днів тому

    I see Pazuzu hiding out in the background. 🤘👿
    Love the pixelated video game intro on the videos!

  • @n00n3r
    @n00n3r 2 місяці тому +1

    The innuendos are slaying me!

  • @dylangrey2003
    @dylangrey2003 2 місяці тому +1

    Dude have you ever considered doing stand up? Cuz u r HILARIOUS!!!!

  • @jesselucero8503
    @jesselucero8503 2 місяці тому +1

    Fantastic explanation and demonstration. Thanks man!!

  • @brendanshervington3560
    @brendanshervington3560 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks Uncle Ben!Whow!what a lesson, Something for everyone, and everyone gets a mention, Mel Bay, Tom quale, Allan Holdsworth!but pastor Frank sounds disturbing 🤔🤔

  • @TheTeaDubz
    @TheTeaDubz 2 місяці тому

    Yet another banger of a video, friend. You are an excellent teacher! I have spent time learning a lot of scale shapes and I know the shapes but as you've pointed out I have never been able to pull back the curtain and learn to have freedom across the whole neck. I can see how combining the vertical shape, three note per string shape, one string shape, and the little shape provides a clear roadmap to getting there. Your videos always make me feel excited to pick up the guitar and learn something new!

  • @CyberDocUSA
    @CyberDocUSA 2 місяці тому +1

    Scales and Mel Bay, Hal Leonard publications, and many others were the backbone of my learning. Those crusty, brittle yellow pages are missed. P.S. Mom says hello.

  • @psneary88
    @psneary88 2 місяці тому +1

    Love this channel! My guitar teacher loves this channel! #BenEller for prez! Make America shred again!

  • @andyracksthecams
    @andyracksthecams 2 місяці тому +2

    Great video made even better with mention of the almost forgotten Bubble Trousers and the almighty Alvin. Thank you. Some important messages and tips here and some answers to awkward questions too...

  • @PeterLucibelli
    @PeterLucibelli 2 місяці тому +3

    Incredible knowledge and dude you are hysterical

  • @jeremyquinlan7245
    @jeremyquinlan7245 2 місяці тому +1

    Amazing Uncle Ben. You make my guitar playing mo better.

  • @juturna
    @juturna 2 місяці тому +2

    your lessons are the best sir, Thank You!

  • @ianisaacs2340
    @ianisaacs2340 2 місяці тому +2

    Thank you uncle Ben! I’m an intermediate bassist trying to get to the advanced stage. I want to lay down some Cliff Burton style bass.

  • @michaelduncan2995
    @michaelduncan2995 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks Ben, good video!

  • @johnfeole1971
    @johnfeole1971 2 місяці тому +1

    Excellent overview!

  • @gloriahancock8358
    @gloriahancock8358 2 місяці тому +1

    Very Rad!! Love that guitar and color too!!!

  • @donaldlaporte4227
    @donaldlaporte4227 2 місяці тому +1

    Absolutely gold right there folks!!!

  • @hopingtocollidewith
    @hopingtocollidewith 2 місяці тому +1

    Gotta love Francis Bubblestrausers

  • @theogdw1
    @theogdw1 2 місяці тому +1

    Some legit advice and a great lesson, questionable comparisons. Classic Uncle Ben

  • @tHiNk413
    @tHiNk413 2 місяці тому +1

    I have no business with playing guitar, only listening, but you are so effin entertaining, this is a like and subscribe. Oh, I suck at playing Warhammer 40k. Doing it for 12 years now and can't, for the love of the False Emperor, build a competetive list. Not if my life depended on it!

  • @edskiedski6256
    @edskiedski6256 2 місяці тому

    Great lesson, that one string scale pattern was game changer for me when I learned it years ago.

  • @duwaynesteurer4287
    @duwaynesteurer4287 2 місяці тому +1

    Damn Ben, slid the "your mom" joke in there in the first 90 seconds.

  • @mhenkka
    @mhenkka 2 місяці тому

    Excellent Ben. Thank you!🎉

  • @allengarrow6295
    @allengarrow6295 Місяць тому

    Very helpful! I’ve been doing the single string scales using a metronome and doing legato, helped tremendously!

  • @jimforce2690
    @jimforce2690 2 місяці тому

    This is one of my favorite videos that you have done. Gave me a new way to look at things that I already use. Also a master class in double entendre lol

  • @pinkyellowblue007
    @pinkyellowblue007 2 місяці тому +2

    I've never had a problem learning scales, it's the other stuff like really understanding theory, phrasing and being musical I suck at.

    • @crouchjump5787
      @crouchjump5787 2 місяці тому

      Never learn a scale without knowing all intervals

  • @paulcollins8122
    @paulcollins8122 2 місяці тому +1

    Brilliant video, yes you're right I too always seem to start on the root note on the bottom e string...good advice

  • @vomito72
    @vomito72 2 місяці тому +1

    Great lesson and fun as usual ! thanks!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 місяці тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @afterstars
    @afterstars 2 місяці тому

    I kind of hit a wall with my guitar playing years ago because I never fully decided to dive head first into learning this stuff. I’m going to really make a challenge for myself and check out your site and give it a go.

  • @reverendg5937
    @reverendg5937 Місяць тому

    Love the fret board on that guitar!!!❤❤❤

  • @bodhiboy4775
    @bodhiboy4775 2 місяці тому

    Great advice! Thanks UB!

  • @shadehunter
    @shadehunter 2 місяці тому +2

    Very useful information. You explained it way better than I ever could when I've tried.
    Also, heavy on the Uncle Ben jokes. Loved it. Lol

  • @randykalish7558
    @randykalish7558 2 місяці тому +1

    I visited Mel Bay in '91 at his store in Kirkwood, Missouri, where he tried out and liked a guitar I had built. And yes, I seem to recall that even he employed some scale forms in his recital 😃

    • @jeffro.
      @jeffro. 2 місяці тому

      @randykalish7558:
      Are you sure you were talking to "The" Mel Bay, and not Junior, or some other random person working there?
      Cuz I'da thought ole Mel would be RIP in '91, lol.
      That guy's been around for a looooong time.
      I had his books when I was a kid, by the photos he was a grown-ass man. An' THAT was a loooong time ago!
      🤪

    • @randykalish7558
      @randykalish7558 2 місяці тому

      "The" He showed me photos of himself with Johnny Smith aboard their boat, fishing on a high Colorado lake: their favorite thing to get away from it all, except they couldn't get away from the scales. Mel Bay: Feb.25, 1913 ~ May 14, 1997 🙏

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 2 місяці тому +1

    Uncle Ben (and his similes) is on fire 😎

  • @CounterRhythms
    @CounterRhythms 2 місяці тому

    Endlessly entertaining and instructive. I feel more better now.

  • @franksutopiahead940
    @franksutopiahead940 2 місяці тому

    Thank you Uncle Ben... love you man! ✌️💜🙋🏻‍♂️

  • @curtiseickhoff5189
    @curtiseickhoff5189 2 місяці тому +1

    :41 in, what do I suck at the most…? This is broad, it encompasses a LOT and not to say I don’t have hundreds of other issues but clicking my brain on AS I’m playing. Making it multi-task. Can’t plan much further ahead than identifying octaves for position shifts while keeping my groove and playing my changes and lines.

  • @andrewsmall4865
    @andrewsmall4865 2 місяці тому +1

    Ben your metaphor game was on point for this one. 😂

  • @TheAlexCruz
    @TheAlexCruz 2 місяці тому

    Duuuuuuude!! The snark jokes were off the charts for this one! 😆 Well done!...oh yeah, the video was helpful, too

  • @horrorshowbass
    @horrorshowbass 2 місяці тому +1

    Key takeaway was play 6 string bass tuned E to C 😊

  • @steph4n
    @steph4n 2 місяці тому

    thanks for your great videos and the eloquent stuff, my kind of humour 👍

  • @CookbookAdventures
    @CookbookAdventures 2 місяці тому

    I have to sub, this is too funny. You had me rollin in less than 3 mins with useful info. Plus that is a pretty nice gitfiddle you got there.

  • @rynoriffs6505
    @rynoriffs6505 2 місяці тому

    Funny, informative and Useful information, Thanks my good friend Uncle Ben!

  • @mukmuk775
    @mukmuk775 2 місяці тому +2

    Ben’s got spring fever.

  • @al6377
    @al6377 3 дні тому

    Top notch humour and top notch lesson!!

  • @petemeyers5342
    @petemeyers5342 2 місяці тому +1

    You should patent the phrase “accidental Holdsworth”!

  • @vethwynwetfeather
    @vethwynwetfeather 2 місяці тому +2

    UNC! Creepin up on 500k. Woot! 🤘

  • @DrJamesAshfield
    @DrJamesAshfield 2 місяці тому

    Good video . Thanks for posting :) Gonna go try this out

  • @bladezstudio666
    @bladezstudio666 2 місяці тому +2

    Explained in a way even my crazy brain comprehends!

  • @novelty_nostalgia
    @novelty_nostalgia 2 місяці тому +1

    That guitar looks awesome

  • @EL_DUDERIN0
    @EL_DUDERIN0 Місяць тому

    My brain mostly knows this stuff, but it gets a lot more better to my hand fingers when Uncle Ben 'splains it.

  • @chucksaeger7500
    @chucksaeger7500 2 місяці тому

    You’re as entertaining as you are brilliant on guitar! I suck at speed although I have improved.
    Thanks for all your lessons!

  • @jaredwilliams1031
    @jaredwilliams1031 2 місяці тому

    Knowing intervals helps, and it will help you in a bunch of other ways, too.

  • @jrflattop
    @jrflattop 2 місяці тому +1

    After mentioning the helicopter move I lost my train of thought and didn’t get it back. Hmm, guitars, helicopters, step moms, unsheathing….oh yeah something about Phrygian style.

  • @humphet
    @humphet 2 місяці тому +1

    Can't think of a better sales pitch. Thanks again Uncle Ben

  • @ElrondHubbard_1
    @ElrondHubbard_1 29 днів тому

    I just a few days ago read Allan said that "when I do practice scales" I practice 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 to facilitate moving around the neck. Ugghh.
    I also read him talking about how whenever he heard a normal 7th chord it made him sick or something. Haunting...

  • @MickH60
    @MickH60 2 місяці тому

    I worked all that out by myself years ago but with a slightly different approach. I used the pentatonic minor scale, then added the two notes to get the natural Minor scale, then moved one note from the natural minor to get Dorian mode , moved one note to get Phrygian and so on.... then I did the one string bit....cool video Ben...

  • @robertmeyer4318
    @robertmeyer4318 2 місяці тому +1

    Uncle Ben is giving us the keys to the Lamborghini. Let's ride Shredmaestros....🤘

  • @billhicks9056
    @billhicks9056 2 місяці тому +4

    Funny bugga!
    "Eddy Van Scalin'" 😂
    And leave my mum out of this and I'll leave *this* out of your mum
    Cheers for the video!

  • @clemclemson9259
    @clemclemson9259 2 місяці тому +1

    Ben you are very funny and are awesome thank you. for all your hard work- I love the channel!

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 місяці тому

      I appreciate that!

  • @randykalish7558
    @randykalish7558 2 місяці тому

    I had a Mel Bay book in the late '60s, but I never finished it, which I regret because if I had gotten through it I'm sure I'd've been ready for this lesson.

  • @BonesJonesMusicMD
    @BonesJonesMusicMD 2 місяці тому

    So good. Wish I could those references 😂😂 love it! 🤟🤟🎸

  • @ghanssperling9890
    @ghanssperling9890 2 місяці тому

    Awesome. Wish I'd seen this video before spending 2-3 years working it all out on my own. Nice to have all that work confirmed tho.

  • @SJSharkByte
    @SJSharkByte 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Ben, this came at the right time. Just like me right before my parents get home from Costco.

  • @Chris_Nouvelli
    @Chris_Nouvelli 2 місяці тому +1

    O’ how ironic it is that the ‘Breakthrough Guitar’ bloke is the ad that appears before Uncle Ben comes to teach something of actual value. Thanks, Unc.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 місяці тому

      And for cheap as free, no less!

    • @Chris_Nouvelli
      @Chris_Nouvelli 2 місяці тому

      @@BenEller 100%. Although I am one of your ever-loyal Patrons so here’s a big bundle of literally some cash 💰
      In all seriousness, this is a great lesson. Many thanks. Glad you’re loving the KM Schecter too. I’m a recent convert to Schecter with my Aaron Marshall and Nick Johnston Indonesian models. Incredible instruments.

  • @chriss1492
    @chriss1492 2 місяці тому

    I always enjoy your wicked sense of humor but you are on a roll today!! 😂

  • @Crovax
    @Crovax 2 місяці тому

    for scales i just learnt the whole "12 frets" shape, using those "whole neck" graphs. noticed how all the modes are just the same shape but with the root on different places, so i learn where the root goes in the pattern depending on the mode. it's really liberating because you can improvise with the whole neck with your own patterns.

  • @cliffdavis6122
    @cliffdavis6122 2 місяці тому +2

    Scales not a problem. Major issue for.me is speed. Cannot get past a plateau/barrier. Simply cant break through it

    • @ChainsawChristmas
      @ChainsawChristmas 2 місяці тому +1

      Get that metronome out every single time you practice scales. Slowly increase the speed while playing your scales on time. Obvious advice, but we're all guilty of playing without the metronome.