10 THINGS I wish I knew as a beginner guitarist

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  • Опубліковано 6 тра 2024
  • In this video we go over 10 things every beginner should know and understand.
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    0:00 Intro
    1:04 1. The importance of a good timing
    2:35 2. Mapping out the fretboard
    3:48 3. Connecting the notes to your voice
    5:46 4. What chords sound good together?
    6:55 5. Don't be THAT guy at a party
    7:51 6. How you can find all chords everywhere on the neck
    9:17 7. A basic understanding of music theory
    11:25 8. When do you really need new gear?
    12:31 9. There are no wrong notes!
    13:48 10. Learn kid songs!
    Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on UA-cam.
    If you want to know more about me, check out PaulDavidsGuitar.com or check out my guitar courses at: learnpracticeplay.com and nextlevelplaying.com
    Thank you for watching!
    Paul
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,6 тис.

  • @m.i.stapes
    @m.i.stapes 3 роки тому +5975

    Don't stop playing. You'll miss it and start playing again and then regret that you weren't playing the whole time.

    • @paulmdevenney
      @paulmdevenney 3 роки тому +88

      I am currently regretting a 20 year gap. To be fair UA-cam, DAWs, even sites like ultimate guitar make it easier than ever to learn. Don’t stop!!!

    • @m.i.stapes
      @m.i.stapes 3 роки тому +34

      Seriously!! The access to information and numerous different teaching and learning styles is just a few button clicks away!

    • @jaezryl
      @jaezryl 3 роки тому +32

      Correct. I used to play a lot in college that I can play Andy Mckee and Tommy Emmanuel stuff. Stopped for 2 years and I can't play cleanly. The muscle memory is still there but I can't play clean

    • @bigboboluager5003
      @bigboboluager5003 3 роки тому +30

      My parents made me play guitar in school, but since i had no thrive i didn't ever practise. I had a 10 year gap where i didnt play at all and suddenly, when i heared a song i liked i just started again. I dont mind at all stoping to play. If you feel it, practise is not work but enjoyment and its never to late to start...

    • @Beanbuddy86
      @Beanbuddy86 3 роки тому +11

      Totally felt this!!! I didnt stop intentionally. I smashed my pointer finger in a wood splitter and couldnt play for solid month...and even after that i had to baby back into it. But that month of walking by my guitars I felt horrible not being able to do anything with finger cast on.

  • @champnessjack1154
    @champnessjack1154 3 роки тому +1147

    My tip: always have your guitar within easy reach. Just out and available, on the wall or on its stand, you're far more likely to grab it and play, rather than if you have to unlock some cupboard or dig it out of its case.

    • @josyjan
      @josyjan 3 роки тому +29

      I'm doing it all the time. And never get anything else accomplished. LOL

    • @michaelwiley1429
      @michaelwiley1429 3 роки тому +21

      Yes, but I just realized it's these moments of casual noodling that I have to remember to turn on the metronome. It's the casual moments that create habits and bad timing is a bad habit.

    • @m0j0b0ne
      @m0j0b0ne 3 роки тому +20

      For a period of years, I took my Yamaha acoustic everywhere I went, and played for anyone who'd ask. It was good training, but I probably annoyed a lot of people.

    • @andrewusher1033
      @andrewusher1033 3 роки тому +2

      Great tip tjanks

    • @samthon5374
      @samthon5374 2 роки тому +7

      I wanted to leave my Guitar outside like you are saying until I found out about humidity and temperature issues. So gotta keep my guitar inside a case with humidifier

  • @landodragon
    @landodragon Рік тому +581

    I loved the final comment and explanation. I picked up the guitar explicitly to play nursery rhymes and songs for my kids during the pandemic. Couldn't care less about sounding like Hendrix or Santana or whoever. But I can rock a mean twinkle twinkle. And the smile on my kid's face when I learned 7th chords to make itsy-bitsy spider sound better was the most rewarding Dad moment

    • @theyoungupstarts1243
      @theyoungupstarts1243 Рік тому +26

      Well done, James!
      The kids will never forget.

    • @WhoamI-su7pg
      @WhoamI-su7pg Рік тому +25

      As someone who grew up without a dad, this is amazing

    • @jordant4005
      @jordant4005 9 місяців тому +2

      what song is played at 6:38

    • @lightblue254
      @lightblue254 21 день тому

      Respect earned, I'm sure these will be core memories :)

  • @mototurkey5289
    @mototurkey5289 2 роки тому +183

    Favorite statement for the day, “we’ve only got six strings, sometimes we’ve got to pick the right ones”. Pure gold 🙌

    • @mikepawlikguitar
      @mikepawlikguitar Рік тому +5

      Sometimes picking the right string comes down to not fretting over minor issues that are merely intervals in one's journey of sweeping all past mistakes under the bridge.

    • @thesweetsummerbreeze
      @thesweetsummerbreeze Рік тому

      Underrated comment!

  • @joshing_
    @joshing_ 3 роки тому +2035

    1. Practice with a metronome
    2. Know the notes on the fretboard
    3. Sing the notes while we play them
    4. Harmonize the major scale
    5. Practice the entire song
    6. Learn CAGED
    7. Basic theory, triads
    8. The instrument does not make a great player
    9. MIx major and minor pentatonic
    10. Learn kid and birthdays songs

  • @NigramPecudem
    @NigramPecudem 3 роки тому +2172

    Paul is slowly transforming into Obi-Wah Kenobi. Waiting for his next video to open with "Hello there!"

    • @laurentbk9824
      @laurentbk9824 3 роки тому +35

      Don’t try it Anakin I have the high ground

    • @rodiebobwilliams1330
      @rodiebobwilliams1330 3 роки тому +4

      Rodiebobkenobi approves this message!

    • @bernardvandelft1591
      @bernardvandelft1591 3 роки тому +8

      General Kenobi

    • @liamsmith6628
      @liamsmith6628 3 роки тому +5

      It’s over, Paul has the high ground.

    • @tane4652
      @tane4652 3 роки тому +6

      I don't know if you meant to, but Obi-"Wah" Kenobie is so funny

  • @jarl4206
    @jarl4206 Рік тому +157

    I played guitar for about a year and then moved to piano with the intention of coming back to guitar. Well it took me 2 years to come back to guitar (which I regret) but music theory is sooo much easier to learn on piano. It’s helping a lot now that I’m getting back into guitar. Everything makes way more sense.

    • @daviddawson1718
      @daviddawson1718 Рік тому +9

      I played piano as a child, I wasn't good, but in junior high I switched to drums. The band director told me openly that I was" a drummer ." I moved up quickly, and was section leader by the time I was in 8th grade. Unfortunately we got a new director (a tuba player) and given control of the section. Decades later the piano lessons and early drum instruction are invaluable to guitar, bass,mandolin whatever I have.

    • @bddld8323
      @bddld8323 Рік тому +2

      Imagine quitting guitar because “it’s too hard” lol I couldn’t imagine being that kind of loser

    • @penfold7800
      @penfold7800 Рік тому +1

      Yeah, i still use a diagram of a keyboard when im transposing in order to simplify it

    • @penfold7800
      @penfold7800 Рік тому +10

      @@bddld8323 I quit the first time I tried..Turns out I just had the wrong size guitar. Sometimes the simplest difference can utterly change the circumstance.

    • @Keifer-D
      @Keifer-D Рік тому +1

      The answer. Kazoo! Maybe the easiest to play. You should give it a try sometime. Great for the kids songs too!

  • @tonyg656
    @tonyg656 2 роки тому +170

    50 years has gone by since I played, or rather hacked at a guitar! Watching your videos Paul has inspired me to do what my heart and love of music has been pushing towards all my life... to finally learn to play. As a 42+ year veteran of video production it has been a joy to watch you, your easy going style and inventive presentation. In the crazy time we live in, your videos are a breath of much needed fresh air and inspiration! Thank you

    • @xXBossManStatusXx
      @xXBossManStatusXx Рік тому

      50 years damn

    • @chrisfelix3967
      @chrisfelix3967 9 місяців тому

      couldn't have said it better and by me it was about 45 years and I'm having great fun with a lately opened heart! I'm full of gratitude

  • @BenLevin
    @BenLevin 3 роки тому +1550

    Wow you are so great at editing ! I can't believe how well my janky, overly-bright footage fit in with this cinematographic masterpiece of a video. Thank you for inviting me!

    • @zwudda9695
      @zwudda9695 3 роки тому +15

      You're the best Ben

    • @benoftroy
      @benoftroy 3 роки тому +10

      Loved the cameo!

    • @PaulDavids
      @PaulDavids  3 роки тому +115

      Thanks for saying it with me Ben!! There are no WRONG NOTES

    • @Lowly_Hollow
      @Lowly_Hollow 3 роки тому +1

      Good advice. I definitely should incorporate more (passing notes?) and what not.

    • @ej22_gc86
      @ej22_gc86 3 роки тому +1

      @@PaulDavids no WRONG NOTES!

  • @ShasCho
    @ShasCho 3 роки тому +556

    Thank you for including the part you felt insecure about.
    Your authenticity and vulnerability add so much
    to your power as a teacher.
    And you are a great teacher!

  • @TheSarkyGamer
    @TheSarkyGamer 2 роки тому +30

    I've been a guitarist for twenty-odd years (all my years are odd) and I still choose to listen to music lessons and music theory, because there's a small chance that I might learn something new. Doesn't happen often, but you're an inspiration to everyone here.

    • @TheSarkyGamer
      @TheSarkyGamer 2 роки тому +4

      Oh, and for tips I wish I'd known, how about the simple concept of noodling over a track? So many years before I realised how useful it was to turn on the TV, radio, or UA-cam and not even think about looking up the chords or the key. It makes you a better player, and certainly a better soloist.

    • @bouscal
      @bouscal 10 місяців тому

      @@TheSarkyGamerI use my looper often to just improvise. I find my hand/ear coordination has improved significantly.

  • @ancientheart2532
    @ancientheart2532 2 роки тому +13

    I remember when I finally could play an open Fmaj on guitar. It was such a powerful moment.

  • @pindakaas42
    @pindakaas42 3 роки тому +344

    Man the colour balance in your shots, and scene design is amazing, even Adam Neely could take a lesson about that from you. Just a whole other tier for youtube video production of this kind.

    • @PacMac123
      @PacMac123 3 роки тому +5

      Chiaroscuro everywhere and complementary colours. That's it

    • @nabhchandra_
      @nabhchandra_ 3 роки тому +4

      tier*

    • @pindakaas42
      @pindakaas42 3 роки тому +6

      @@nabhchandra_ Thanks, English and the god damn homonyms ^^.

    • @nabhchandra_
      @nabhchandra_ 3 роки тому +7

      @@pindakaas42 ikr, very troublesome

  • @RayJoneMusic
    @RayJoneMusic 3 роки тому +365

    "It's not sprint. It's a marathon." That's what I would say to my younger self.

    • @meadish
      @meadish 3 роки тому +20

      ...a marathon that never ends, so enjoy the running...

    • @masterkiller49
      @masterkiller49 3 роки тому +6

      I need to focus on that saying instead of getting discouraged.

    • @carlosclaptrix
      @carlosclaptrix 3 роки тому +8

      "Stay in the presence. There is a path AND there is the moment." And: "Don't buy, play."

    • @andrewusher1033
      @andrewusher1033 3 роки тому +2

      @@meadish always

  • @evanmcdonnal
    @evanmcdonnal 2 роки тому +4

    This was like a birthday present for me! Thanks for all the videos Paul, you've been great for my guitar playing over the years!

  • @garyscialdone7641
    @garyscialdone7641 2 роки тому +14

    You're such a good teacher. Enthusiatic, entertaining, clear and skilled. Thank you.

  • @hathaway.1166
    @hathaway.1166 3 роки тому +572

    *11: I wish i started earlier*

    • @nicolen.9642
      @nicolen.9642 3 роки тому +1

      Me too...

    • @emma11122
      @emma11122 3 роки тому +7

      When did you guys start?
      Also 12: Practice more

    • @ej22_gc86
      @ej22_gc86 3 роки тому +4

      Damn, for real
      I thought of getting a guitar since I was like 12, took 4 years to get one though.
      Surprisingly I only thought of the acoustic guitar, can’t imagine how much fun I’d miss out on if I didn’t get the strat

    • @viggowolff9191
      @viggowolff9191 3 роки тому +4

      I personally took lessons when i was around 8 an9, but picked up the guitar again and started taking it seriously at 14 and a half. Thank God for music!

    • @mickkraviz
      @mickkraviz 3 роки тому +3

      fuck I felt that

  • @seanmanuel5604
    @seanmanuel5604 3 роки тому +52

    1. The importance of good timing 1:07
    2. Mapping out the fretboard 2:35
    3.Connecting the notes to your voice 3:50
    4. What chords sound good together 5:46
    5. Don't be THAT guy at a party 6:56
    6. How can you find the chords everywhere on the neck 7:52
    7. A basic understanding of music theory 9:20
    8. When do you really need new gear 11:26
    9. There are no wrong notes! 12:32
    10. Learn kid songs 13:50

  • @cuentin_tarambana
    @cuentin_tarambana Рік тому +10

    I've been playing guitar since 1997 but I'm still learning with your videos, Paul!!! Thank you so much!!!!

  • @TjAitkenArtSongs
    @TjAitkenArtSongs Рік тому

    Paul,You provide not only excelent instruction, demonstration, and example, and connection to knowledge but you have produced careful artistic videos with subtley designed visual backrounds , and humor and examples that are quick and never tedious. Very fine. I've learned so much in minutes. Thank you.

  • @awesome0sour
    @awesome0sour 3 роки тому +338

    Learn to appreciate the small improvements in your own playing!
    That is what makes me pick up my guitar every single day.

    • @itguy8900
      @itguy8900 3 роки тому +6

      Thank you. No one will be EVH instantly!

    • @awesome0sour
      @awesome0sour 3 роки тому +3

      @@chopholtz4950 Well said!

    • @SecularSpinach
      @SecularSpinach 3 роки тому +1

      @@itguy8900 yeah, but only one in about a million guitar players WILL EVER be an EVH. Just aim to "make your own kind of music" without ridiculous expectations would be better advice... but what the H_LL do I know?

    • @Mujcanal
      @Mujcanal 3 роки тому

      So much gold in these comments, thank you good people,

    • @carlosclaptrix
      @carlosclaptrix 3 роки тому

      Yes! Don't wait for accomplishing a certain aim.

  • @LanceHuffmanAz
    @LanceHuffmanAz 3 роки тому +77

    Nice "Office" reference!
    Also, great tips. Wish I had started sooner, as others have said.

  • @haldorasgirson9463
    @haldorasgirson9463 2 роки тому +3

    Great video. Best learning guitar book I ever studied was Fretboard Logic. Explains why chords are shaped the way they are and makes it obvious where Pentatonic scales come from.

  • @johnrobinson7036
    @johnrobinson7036 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for this entire video! In particular your explanation of chord identification blew me away. Am going to have to watch this again. Relative newbie here. 10 months into my guitar journey and loving it. Peace.

  • @ThorneyedWT
    @ThorneyedWT 3 роки тому +517

    8. I'd agree that gear won't make you better player, but ONLY IF it is good enough. I had horrible guitar in my school days and then moved to bass which was even worse. I got so many bad habits from those and basically quit music until late 30's. Then I just wanted to record silly song on 3 cowboy chords (the limit of my playing at that time) but suddenly I liked how easy it was and felt that I can do much more on my new guitar (it was just cheap Yamaha acoustic, but it had great setup from factory). And when I got my hands on Gibson LP, my chops skyrocketed, because I just couldn't lay this beauty down and kept playing and practicing until my fingers hurt.
    So yeah. If your gear is good enough, it shouldn't hurt your progress. But getting something better can give decent boost.

    • @DJBuglip
      @DJBuglip 3 роки тому +8

      I had a Yamaha classical for decades, they're well-made guitars.

    • @linzkirk
      @linzkirk 3 роки тому +6

      I Find buying a new guitar makes me play more. I bought a new Telecaster in December and i've played it every day since. I also had a crappy acoustic for years and I hardly played it.

    • @siesstad
      @siesstad 3 роки тому +27

      It's not really the guitar though. It's the proper setup in 99% of the cases. I would've added that as one of the tips. Make sure your guitar is set-up right.

    • @benallmark9671
      @benallmark9671 3 роки тому +2

      @@siesstad I’ve only been playing a little over a year so how do I know if my guitars are set up properly ? . I mean yes I’ve watched videos and read people’s opinions on measurements. Playing on some feels better then others but really , have no clue.

    • @ThorneyedWT
      @ThorneyedWT 3 роки тому +1

      @@siesstad My first guitar had passable string height, but abysmal intonation (any chord past 5th frets made my ears bleed) and even worse tuners. Then my first bass had so much upbow that even after grinding down half of fretboard at 1-4 frets it had 7-8 mm action at 12th fret (and it was far beyond what I hoped to get from its initial state). Some guitars just can't be saved.

  • @gdfggggg
    @gdfggggg 3 роки тому +384

    I found upgrading my guitar gave me extra enthusiasm to learn because the sound I could hear was so much sweeter. The appreciation of the quality and engineering. A crap instrument with maybe a high action or a boxy cheap sound just destroys it.

    • @nims1859
      @nims1859 2 роки тому +21

      Yes. This. I had this cheap guitar which was an impulse buy when i started. Switching to a fender (a damn pretty baby that is) at the 5th month made a huge change.

    • @callumsutherland2954
      @callumsutherland2954 2 роки тому +12

      Even style matters---I learned on my dream guitar, a Jazzmaster, and just how beautiful I thought it was as an instrument made me want to pick it up and practice, even when I felt I wasn't progressing at all.

    • @steveschroeder73
      @steveschroeder73 2 роки тому +1

      Bluey

    • @blueleaftuber
      @blueleaftuber 2 роки тому +4

      I agree. I have kept an old '67 Fender Coronado hollow body for a long time because it's real cool. But after finally getting a new Yamaha strat I realized how crap my old guitar was to play, lol. The frets are wwwaaayyy too worn out and the pickups inspire nothing inside me. But for a $300 Pacifica I am just blown away by the sound and feel that I'm loving it.

    • @jithinkrishna6394
      @jithinkrishna6394 2 роки тому +2

      i've been playing a $25 guitar for 2 years and i feel like i won't get any better at playing. I hate it. But my family can't afford to buy another guitar

  • @Oliers
    @Oliers 2 роки тому +2

    I love your videos. You’re so inspiring and thoughtful. You give me motivation to continue no matter how bad I suck. Thanks so much.

  • @samborn7120
    @samborn7120 Рік тому

    I love your videos Paul! Thank you for these very informative and enlightening pieces!

  • @KingofNY12345
    @KingofNY12345 3 роки тому +72

    5:00 honestly Paul, I’m impressed by the accuracy of your playing with your voice. It’s amazing!

  • @tobiaswittwer9398
    @tobiaswittwer9398 3 роки тому +163

    I'd add: Train your ears. Being able to play along with songs simply by listening to them and identifying chord progressions is very useful.

    • @meadish
      @meadish 3 роки тому +9

      @@boscobos6724 Using a metronome and recording yourself are crucial.
      Ear training and figuring out songs is also crucial, but the two activities only have limited carry-over effect, so do both.
      If you only figure out songs and never listen to yourself playing, except when you actually are playing, you will not be able to correct or improve as easily, because too much of your mind is occupied with other stuff than listening.

    • @InaN0377
      @InaN0377 3 роки тому +9

      With train your ears (YES!!!!) comes: don't. ever. rely. on. tabs. Listen whether they fit or not!

    • @nakiarobby3996
      @nakiarobby3996 3 роки тому +4

      Yes this is actually a very good one

    • @brainlessbot3699
      @brainlessbot3699 2 роки тому +1

      Any tips on how to do that? I can figure out basic chord progressions but that's about it.

    • @OfficiallyChris
      @OfficiallyChris 2 роки тому

      Sometimes i can tell that there's a very simple chord progression in the song but I just can't translate into my guitar if that makes sense like i can tell if it's a basic 1-4-5 or sometimes with like added minor 3rd but not very exact which major chord it is

  • @galenyoder5020
    @galenyoder5020 2 роки тому +1

    I love the way you make it simple. You are incredible. I’m learning a lot. Thank you

  • @lookingglassproject9679
    @lookingglassproject9679 2 роки тому

    The example you gave for singing with your notes was absolutely necessary and thank you so much for leaving it in the final upload!

  • @neodental7312
    @neodental7312 3 роки тому +230

    Also, singing with your soloing forces you to leave "breaths" in your playing. The spaces between licks is as important as the soloing itself.

    • @PianoGesang
      @PianoGesang 3 роки тому +8

      Wow, great advice. Reminds me of the famous phrase: "Das Wichtigste in der Musik sind die Pausen"

    • @neodental7312
      @neodental7312 3 роки тому +1

      @@PianoGesang "

    • @lennonhorrocks3754
      @lennonhorrocks3754 Рік тому +2

      Agreed. I personally find solos without breaks horrible to listen to. They are showoff riffs not music riffs.
      If your learning/writing these. Take Paul's first advice: Get new friends.

  • @szymonznamirowski135
    @szymonznamirowski135 3 роки тому +42

    "You can't forget that its all bout playing music,its not about what you can show people that you can do with a piece of wood in your hands that has strings on it"~John Frusciante

  • @clivephillips6758
    @clivephillips6758 2 роки тому

    Everything you said is spot on, learning the caged system to map out the neck and learning the major pentatonic as well as the minor which you may already know changed everything for me.

  • @jeromewesselman1654
    @jeromewesselman1654 2 роки тому +1

    I recently picked up an RC 500 loop station, and have found it quite useful in learning to solo over simple blues progressions as well as wanting to learn some other instruments like harmonica. I’ve even picked up my tenor sax I haven’t touched since high school. Things are pretty cool and fun again!

  • @hrs8073
    @hrs8073 3 роки тому +69

    For me the most important is playing with other people. i cant stress this enough
    how much can you learn from others

    • @Targon999
      @Targon999 3 роки тому +5

      I second that. It doesn't matter if you suck, as long as you suck together, it's still a lot of fun

    • @MaddogMD82
      @MaddogMD82 2 роки тому

      Or playing with yourself, if toy don't have friends :) (loop pedal)

  • @educostanzo
    @educostanzo 3 роки тому +39

    Learning the fretboard was a game changer for me. I always use the analogy of qwerty keyboards (either mechanical ones or touch screens). We type fluently because we know precisely where a specific letter is. It's literally the same thing. We can type\play with more speed and fluidity, cut unnecessary movements, and make our fingers always arrive where we're headed.

  • @datordd
    @datordd 2 роки тому +4

    Im 31 and just started learning the guitar. You've been a great help. Thank you so much!

  • @travelingimaginationworksh1376
    @travelingimaginationworksh1376 2 роки тому

    I watch your Travis picking video frequently, and I am finally understanding some of the rhythm issues I had. Your whole presentation makes your videos easy to watch and rewatch. Maybe your accent, you’ve got good timing with your speech, which makes sense. Great job.

  • @jacqueskouwenhoven7400
    @jacqueskouwenhoven7400 3 роки тому +47

    One tip I think it's worth to share:'WHEN YOU PLAY, NEVER MIND WHO LISTENS TO YOU' (Robert Schumann) in other words: don't feel ashamed to make mistakes, NOBODY is perfect!

  • @neodental7312
    @neodental7312 3 роки тому +34

    Totally agree with the timing thing. Ive been playing for over 40 years. BUT my playing improved exponentially when I started jamming with other players. This greatly improved my timing and also feeling the groove with the other guys forced me to really focus on not rushing my playing. Thanks Paul!!

  • @juliopalacios3712
    @juliopalacios3712 2 роки тому

    I enjoy your videos and I feel encouraged when I watch them. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.

  • @vivekgurumayum4434
    @vivekgurumayum4434 2 роки тому +3

    7:32 "become the assistant to the manager in a small paper company in Pennsylvania" ....
    As an Office fan,this got me in tears 😂😄🤣

  • @SirAsianInvasion
    @SirAsianInvasion 3 роки тому +73

    I am such an insecure singer - despite having my girlfriend tell me I'm pretty good. I get anxious every time. And your tip about singing with it and your example was tremendously inspiring for me brother! Thank you!

    • @sub3by08
      @sub3by08 3 роки тому +7

      I'm told I have a pretty good singing voice but when I sing w/ my guitar its terrible, flat, like I lose my ear. I don't understand it.

    • @Dr.Pepperdave
      @Dr.Pepperdave 3 роки тому +3

      I know lots of players but few singers. Lots of people are chicken to sing. Dont be that guy

    • @mbachmann6222
      @mbachmann6222 2 роки тому +3

      @@sub3by08 it's tough to do both! Even pros pause playing to concentrate on singing. Muscle memory applies to singing too! Try tightening your throat to play with pitch

    • @ata5855
      @ata5855 2 роки тому +4

      Only talented people get nervous

    • @FlatlandMando
      @FlatlandMando Рік тому +2

      @@ata5855 Wow. That is a cool thing to say

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 3 роки тому +43

    Your singing voice sounds great, man.

  • @kandibandii
    @kandibandii 2 роки тому +2

    I bought a guitar 2 months ago without any musical knowledge. I started learning chords and some easier songs (all from youtube), but couldn't keep up my motivation well... Now I found Paul, and I am overwhelmed by not only his joyful presentation skills, and the unquestionable extreme playing skills but the quality of these videos (from the video editing through the lighting to the sound editing). You are one reason for me to keep learning!

  • @AristocrateBienEleve
    @AristocrateBienEleve 2 роки тому +2

    That’s what a typical Paul Davids video seems to be like: you click on it, wondering about what it will bring to you, and at the endyour guitar player’s life has already evolued. He has motivated you, shown you a path, and invited you to move forward, with this warm atmosphere, a smile on the face, and his fantastic beard!
    Great work! I’m not a beginner anymore, and I’m already alright with some of these points, but I also find that I elude some of them too much, it’s so cool to have the advice of a better guitar player! Thank you so much!

  • @alanhenager50
    @alanhenager50 3 роки тому +64

    "Good gear is an accelerator, not an ignitor." That's the most succinct way of putting this concept I've ever heard.

  • @IngmarK1979
    @IngmarK1979 3 роки тому +73

    “Assistant TO the manager of a small paper company in Pennsylvania”
    😂😂😂 That was amazing, what an epic comment. You deserve a Dundee for that one.
    I bet you that Dwight Schrute from Dunder Mifflin agrees 👍

  • @isaiahproctor8070
    @isaiahproctor8070 2 роки тому

    What a beautiful video! This is the vibe I have been looking for my whole life!

  • @DatHombre
    @DatHombre 2 роки тому +44

    Something I think that is waaay more important than any of this, absolutely first and foremost, is to be extremely aware of and focused on your muscle tension when you first start playing any instrument. This was never something I thought about despite how obvious it seems for the first many years of playing, and that has been my number one "roadblock" in my playing to this day (10yrs later), because once you've really ingrained the tension in your muscles, it can (eventually) be nearly impossible to undo it without outside help. Im finally setting up a doctor's appointment for it after hoping that it would be fixed by taking things waaay slower than I ever have and taking multiple day breaks in between playing for a very long time now, but the muscles are so fully adapted to being tense that I'll need to do specific wrist/shoulder/neck exercises to strengthen the opposing muscles, rather than just being able to stretch and focus on being free of tension as I play as you would normally be able to do.
    With all that said, everything in this video is of course important too, I just think that attention to tension should absolutely have been mentioned (apparently ima rapper).

    • @vi-id1jh
      @vi-id1jh Рік тому

      whats the right way to go about it?

    • @Humiliated1234
      @Humiliated1234 Рік тому

      What would you have done then from the beginning of your journey? To make sure this didn’t happen?

    • @DatHombre
      @DatHombre Рік тому +6

      @@Humiliated1234 Ive found some good guitar-exercises that I wish I would have done really consistently.
      One is picking really hard (harder than you ever would normally) while playing a riff n putting all of your focus on your fretting hand, ensuring that you arent mirroring the tension of the picking hand in it/are remaining completely relaxed with it despite the required extra-picking tension. That way when you pick harder while normally playing (to accent notes), you've practiced separating the tension enough to know that you arent subconsciously adding any extra to the fretting hand like you naturally would.
      Another one kinda connected to that is slowly pressing onto a fret while strumming the string n making sure you're only pressing JUST hard enough onto it to make the note ring out, not any harder. Same with chords of course. You should keep periodically doing this while playing until youve fully programmed your body to remain naturally tension-free with the fretting hand.
      Not an exercise, but one last super important thing that I wish I did was take breaks every hour for like 5-10mins n walk around while swinging your arms around a bit. I used to sit for like four hours straight playing guitar- I now know sitting for long periods is terrible for posture already, let alone adding super tense guitar playing on top of it.

    • @DatHombre
      @DatHombre Рік тому +1

      @@vi-id1jh sorry Im just now seeing your comment but my last response has some tips.

  • @flyhawk7918
    @flyhawk7918 3 роки тому +9

    Hey Paul, thanks for your wise insight, once again. I'm in Module 6 of your Learn Practice Play course and it has helped me immensely...it surely has brought to the front the inadequacies of my poorly learned habits and helped me to correct them. It's a great course with plenty of challenging material yet offers plenty of things that provide quick progress that is satisfying to achieve and fun to play.

  • @sordel5866
    @sordel5866 3 роки тому +438

    “Younger self, there's going to be this pedal called the Klon: buy as many of those as you can.”

    • @R_Amen
      @R_Amen 3 роки тому +27

      yeah fuck bitcoins

    • @summerofchaz3249
      @summerofchaz3249 3 роки тому +4

      Also GameStop

    • @QuikdethDeviantart
      @QuikdethDeviantart 3 роки тому +8

      Hell, might as well throw in a handful of Tom Brady rookie cards, some Microsoft, Apple, and Google stock, Rare beanie babies, Star Wars toys in the box... i could go on...

    • @jensneumann5147
      @jensneumann5147 3 роки тому +3

      MusicIsWin hates this trick

    • @coolman1610
      @coolman1610 3 роки тому +1

      @@QuikdethDeviantart thats all? Get bitcoin asap lol. And get doge as soon as it comes out

  • @jerrymckissen1617
    @jerrymckissen1617 Місяць тому

    Thank you, you exude patience, knowledge and common sense. I am just beginning this journey for myself, to relax and have fun learning something new that I have wanted to do for quite some time. Thank you for the motivation.

  • @kichigan1
    @kichigan1 8 місяців тому +1

    Beginners have the greatest guitar emotions. I remember being able to play "And I Love Her" from The Beatles", "Somebody" from Adams and "Sandman" from America. You only feel that Once in your lifetime.

  • @user-hv1so9vu8u
    @user-hv1so9vu8u 3 роки тому +40

    “First, Find new friends...”
    Damn boii~

  • @carlen1111
    @carlen1111 3 роки тому +12

    Awesome video. You really are a music/guitar professor. Can’t agree more about timing and learning a multitude of rhythm styles which make you a well rounded player. Also, I think playing with a variety of players is a huge benefit.

  • @artvandelay1555
    @artvandelay1555 Рік тому +2

    I have never heard of or forgot the "4 magical cords" and they are so cool the way you did it here. Sounds like a Neil Young tune, no coincidence. You are are so right on the rhythm being so important. In the beginning i had a heck of a time with it. The Beatles "It's Only Love" is a good place to start. Much better now, but always room for improvement. Thanks for your humeur and knowledge.

  • @andreamarinucci9758
    @andreamarinucci9758 2 роки тому

    Man, that was fun! Nice video :)
    Keep goin and thanks for the hints!

  • @prism6
    @prism6 3 роки тому +17

    4:30 Your singing does exactly what it needs to for that exercise. Kudos and thanks for keeping it in for the demonstration.

  • @ianwilliams1529
    @ianwilliams1529 3 роки тому +11

    Paul, you’re totally inspirational. I’m a 54 year old bloke who’s played guitar since I was 15 and can probably fool non guitar players! But never learned the basics. Surprisingly, when I’ve watched some of your top tips I’ve realised that I’ve figured out quite a lot of them on my own over the years (which has been a big confidence boost). Even so, it’s high time that I understood the instrument I’m trying to play and start learning again. Your latest course sounds perfect! Thank you for your fantastic channel...you’ve reignited my passion for guitar!

  • @donovandeschamps681
    @donovandeschamps681 2 роки тому

    Thank you for this video, I play guitar for years now but I still learn new things watching your video... Great Job...

  • @guywithafedora3247
    @guywithafedora3247 7 місяців тому

    Seriously helpful! Thanks!

  • @adri7352
    @adri7352 3 роки тому +3

    You matched the notes so well, Paul! I had to play that part twice because I didn't even realize the sound was coming from two sources. 👏

  • @adriepram
    @adriepram 3 роки тому +4

    Thank you Paul for stressing the importance of rythm/timing as the 1st one 👍🏼.
    Having internal rythm will always help every musician. Especially if someone going to do many recording/tracking.

  • @LarryKooper
    @LarryKooper 2 роки тому +1

    Paul, thanks for this! A few of your tips that really have helped me (as a beginner) are play with a metronome, learn an entire song, and "there are no wrong notes."

  • @scooterstoked
    @scooterstoked 2 роки тому

    Awesome video editing! Wise words , thanks 🙏🏾

  • @BentleyBob2024
    @BentleyBob2024 3 роки тому +5

    Paul, you are a wonderful teacher! You have a unique gentle way of learning the guitar and making music theory digestible. Thank you.

  • @Solar_P
    @Solar_P 3 роки тому +41

    This is the most captivating vibe I have ever witnessed

  • @PouyaLucky
    @PouyaLucky 2 роки тому +3

    I came for guitar lessons recommended by a buddy ! I stayed because now I am more interested in your storytelling, film making, set design, lighting, audio incorporation, transitions, and every other freaking amazing thing you do that makes your content POP ! 😂

  • @BuenoReviews
    @BuenoReviews Рік тому +2

    You + Art-of-Guitar + Ben Eller are three of some of the best humans on this planet. Thank you for all the amazing lessons and insights. You constantly inspire me to keep playing.

  • @danfran47
    @danfran47 2 роки тому +5

    Well, I'm brazilian so I speak Portuguese and don't understand everything in English.. But those videos are so well edited and with such good quality I stay here and watch they completely even without understanding everything.. You Paul is a awesome guy for making all this content available here! So thank you so much!

  • @aradieschen4880
    @aradieschen4880 3 роки тому +5

    Wooooow you did it - you finally sang for us 😍. Nice voice - I’d love to hear it more often.

  • @sethsmusic2326
    @sethsmusic2326 2 роки тому +9

    The singing was actually pretty good dude. Really helped to show us what you meant and that you do actually practice what you preach. The rest of the tips were also very great. I’ve been playing for over 2 years but I’d still consider myself a beginner so this will be really helpful especially since I’m entirely self taught and have no idea what I’m doing.

  • @brentspradley64
    @brentspradley64 2 роки тому

    Ive been subscribed for quite some time and i tell you now. You are great at what you do. Thank you for the videos

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths01 3 роки тому +19

    Hey man, there are do many things we all wish doing differently when we're starting out! Thank you for all the learning and advice

  • @kh2716
    @kh2716 Рік тому +5

    I have played on and off for years - but it’s been a weird relationship. I’ve recently picked up the guitar again but I’ve never understood the theory, I think now is the time to finally understand it. I think you’re going to help a lot! Great channel, thank you.

    • @specfever2
      @specfever2 11 місяців тому

      Weird relationship with the six-string here as well. Somehow figured out some basic theory early on - so I understood barre chords early on. that allowed me to play in church wiht different musicians who might have music in any key. I could either play barre chords to make it work or slap a capo on and then 'transpose on the fly'. However, I'm a leftie and learned to play right-handed. I have a strange theory that I'll never be able to solo (flatpick) b/c what I hear in my head can't get to my fingers b/c of a right-brain left-brain thing. Oh well, I gotta just keep on practicing.

  • @michaelreynolds6543
    @michaelreynolds6543 2 роки тому +2

    Im picking up my instrument again after a long hiatus its never been that far away but im enjoying playing again.
    I do find that i have retained lots of technique and theory and my study of Mark Knopflers playing has definitely helped me to improve especially inso far as the hybrid chords that he uses this really does unlock the fretboard making it easier tp play and all my pentatonic "box" patterns are right where i left them. Im not really interested in copying the Steve Vais of this world but I can relate to Knopfler and Clapton and i think that developing a nice "touch" is far more impoprtant that playing notes at a million miles an hour.
    When i began studying Knopfler and learning the penta patterns all up the neck I was soon jamming along to Dire Straits I found it really satisfying to discover that he wasnt all that technical and often he would simply "milk" a pattern for all it was worth I found that i could work out what he was doing relatively easily, to my delight of course.
    His unusal and very conservative style of playing really did open my eyes most of the time he is only really playing the D G & B strings! his chord hybrids are very easy to adopt and enable many smooth transitions all over the neck at the same time these chord inversions gave a distinct tone and flavour to the songs which really improves your ear

  • @isaacjohnson3503
    @isaacjohnson3503 2 роки тому

    On #8 I wholeheartedly agree. I taught myself flamenco guitar by buying martin high-tension ball end string and put them on a $97 Jasmin acoustic guitar. Sounds great and i have learned so much. (had to file the nut down to stop the risk of breaking though on the treble strings)

  • @juancarrasco6598
    @juancarrasco6598 2 роки тому +3

    Just picked it up myself and I’m so addicted.
    I practice at least twice a day for about 10-15 minutes.
    I absolutely love it.

  • @jaakkoikkela-koski3218
    @jaakkoikkela-koski3218 3 роки тому +16

    11:30 The guitar you start with is the best for you because you learn everything with it.

    • @jhay3966
      @jhay3966 3 роки тому

      THIS right here, truth

  • @timgermanyjr
    @timgermanyjr 2 роки тому +2

    Id love to see you throw together a video on practice sessions and how to best structure them for varying skill levels. One of the hardest things for me has been where to start and what to work on. I grab the guitar, strum the Em chord just out of habit and before you know its Im playing Nutshell and/or Cover Me for 20 min before I hit my first vibrato or scale rundown. Then 10 min later something interupts me and what was suppsed to be a 30 min practice turns into 5 min of getting set up and comfortable, 20 min of strumming/picking the riffs I do know well, 5-10 min of actual practice, and 3 min of being mad I didn't have more time before stopping.

  • @williamarnold4715
    @williamarnold4715 2 роки тому

    Great vid! Keep'em coming!

  • @AlexAegisOfficial
    @AlexAegisOfficial 3 роки тому +5

    I knew from the beginning that my destination is being able to play instinctively, without thinking about my hand placement etc. And your second point gave me the best possible direction to achieve this! It's such a good Idea! You don't think how to produce a voice, you just do it, and doing it together with the instrument will certainly help in mastering it. Thank you Paul!

  • @paulrosenbaum1678
    @paulrosenbaum1678 2 роки тому +3

    Also, I would like to add you make a great point about rhythm. I have been playing for a while now and have struggled to play with a band and have found rhythm to be the most difficult thing about the guitar. A lot of people will tell you it is memorizing the fretboard or scales or something else, all good thing and all have their own difficulty but to get rhythm right is something one can struggle with even after all those other things are mastered.

  • @nandeshrasiklal3914
    @nandeshrasiklal3914 8 місяців тому

    I love your videos Paul, it's nice and easy to watch, like the sense of humour too

  • @nikoairaksinen9254
    @nikoairaksinen9254 2 роки тому

    Paul, this video was amazing! Thanks for keeping the singing part!

  • @coryflintoff9872
    @coryflintoff9872 2 роки тому +11

    I loved the part where you sang your note names. It feels silly no doubt, but it checked off two huge boxes. For one it makes you relatable as an audience because I feel insecure about my music and think " if only I could play like Paul" but everyone feels insecure at times. Thank you for trusting us enough to share. And most importantly, you practice what you preach. Giving advice is easier than following it.

  • @taunokekkonen5733
    @taunokekkonen5733 3 роки тому +39

    Number 1: shake the guitar after every chord.

  • @bloosietone2868
    @bloosietone2868 2 роки тому

    Inspiring info. Thank you for making this video:) Subscribed.

  • @tyeyephotography5627
    @tyeyephotography5627 Рік тому +1

    Really late to the show, but I accidentally fell upon your channel and wanted to extend my appreciation for how you've broken things down and helped me in my guitar journey, now 12 years in the making. Thank you again

  • @davelowry123
    @davelowry123 3 роки тому +7

    Love this video! You should do another multi-guitarist response for playing something outside their staple. Shredder Paul, Death metal Mary, etc ;)

  • @katlynncoulson5278
    @katlynncoulson5278 2 роки тому +3

    Honestly, i spent 2 years studying music in Post-Secondary and it was the hardest, most nerve wracking experience, but everything i learnt from it changed the way i play music to this day! Music Theory can literally transform the way you play for ever!

  • @8KilgoreTrout4
    @8KilgoreTrout4 2 роки тому +1

    your intro made me tear, right up to the word "Nostalgic". You shined a light on a beautiful thing from my childhood

  • @spencer6606
    @spencer6606 2 роки тому

    Thanks Paul for this article Godbless

  • @dr.debajyotibose2928
    @dr.debajyotibose2928 3 роки тому +47

    So Paul Davids watches "The Office." Michael Scott likes that.

  • @mpactdesignmedia
    @mpactdesignmedia 3 роки тому +10

    7:35 - CORRECTION! I became the Assistant Manager. ~ D. Schrute

  • @kevinwadsworth4492
    @kevinwadsworth4492 2 роки тому

    Thank you Paul! Very helpful!

  • @heyitskaif4411
    @heyitskaif4411 Рік тому

    played for 3-4 years now and never really tried acoustic but finally bought one yesterday and its really inspired me improve in aspects I've never really played or practiced.