If not for internet musicians I literally wouldn't have rediscovered my passion for playing guitar. Idk about any of you, but that, for me, is enough reason to appreciate the existence of online musicians. I've also progressed as a player way more BECAUSE of internet musicians and lessons than I ever would have had I done it all by myself.
Absolutely. I've been playing for going on 40 years but I kind of gave up on it about 20 years ago because all I want to do is record and everyone I know is stuck in the live only rut. I discovered Andy James and Angel Vivaldi about 10 years ago and at first they made me want to burn all of my shit. 🤣 Eventually I got the spark back and now I'm in a band that wants to do some live stuff, which is better than drugs, but they are most interested in recording now that it's become so easy to do. Our drummer is fucking amazing with a computer. I haven't been this excited about music in a very long time.
It's not the internet guitarists are hated, it's that anyone who's willing to put themselves out there with moderate confidence is going to get hate. Haters can't stand people being happy or good at stuff. That's the nature of hate.
Also remember that older generation hated rock music (like they hated Elvis Presley) & even they called it "The Devil's Music". Also Jazz musicians & jazz community hated it too lol & Jazz was once dominant the US before rock came. I think Rock is becoming the new Jazz unfortunately.
I love the earnestness of this video. Musicians should definitely do what they want to do. Play at home, play on stage. If theater has taught me anything, it’s that the world is your stage. Your audience will come.
Also they may not have considered that UA-cam musicians do this because they don't care to be on a big physical stage for whatever personal reason. That'd be like shaming a comedy youtuber for not hitting the venue circuit, which yes, some end up doing but it is far from mandatory, with the internet being what it is.
As someone who has toured their entire adult life, his comments about touring being "spending 95% of your time in a bus, van, or hotel room, completely bored out of your mind, probably hungover, and almost definitely with immense diarrhea from all the crappy food you've been surviving on" is absolutely... True.
I still remember the one video of the most hated guitarist from Stevie T He said he gets alot of hate but doesn't care because the things people told him like he makes them happy and feel less depressed . He said that he will gladly have all that hate just to hear the those things and honestly that's why I love him so much
As a guitarist born in the late 70's I always wished something like nowadays platform existed. Even if i still do not like the bait click system i really loved your approach in this video. Life's evolving and it's a good thing, big up to you and continue like that !
Got to say I'm 47. And growing up the traditional path was the way. But I also got to say that it's because of the content creators like the ones mentioned here then I've learned so much about my instrument and have been impressed by their prowess. I'm not in a band I don't make content but I still love music particularly heavy music and so the creators are feeding my love. Thank you for what you do, it'll be interesting to see how musicians will continue to evolve and how they connect to their audience
As someone who is pretty heavily introverted and has social anxiety, the whole social media thing is kind of confusing and exhausting. It's like the difference between performing for 20 bar patrons or performing at a family reunion, where the latter is a far more anxiety inducing experience. I can stand behind a microphone and sing at a room of strangers and still feel like I'm completely anonymous to them. That same barrier doesn't exist on social media, and I'm just not comfortable letting people into my world like that. The internet should have made it easier for people like me to retain anonymity, but social media seems to counteract that trend. You can't just make music, you need to make "content" and then avail yourself to everyone. I made a video not long ago announcing my patreon, and you can clearly see just how painfully uncomfortable I am just sitting alone in my room talking into a webcam. The internet has not been an inclusive platform for me, it actively wants more from me than I know how to give, and that trend doesn't seem to be changing.
That all depends on what you're trying to achieve. If it's just a hobby, then you really shouldn't feel pressured into doing something you don't want to do and just do what you love when you want and share it with people, but if you're actively trying to make a career out of it, then yeah, you'll get that pressure, but no more than doing any other job to survive. If it's your job, then it's gonna feel like a job, even if it's something you love, there's gonna be days where you're not feeling up to it, and you'll need to put the time in, just like a 'normal' job, you'll be putting in 35plus hours a week if you want to be able to live off of it, probably more as it's more like starting/running a business where you need to put all of yourself into it to make it successful, and it will feel like work sometimes.
@@kyleh1127 I don't really have a problem with any of this, but I would still like to push back on the notion that social media is providing a platform for people with social anxiety to be heard, because that claim comes with some pretty big caveats. Particularly, making socially anxious and introverted people engage in an economy that revolves around attention. I do hope the problem is self-evident because I don't really know how explain it any clearer than I already have.
Brad, you and Stevie T have been a big reason I started playing guitar again. You two showed me you don't have to be super serious to be freaking amazing players. Just because you guys make youtube videos doesn't take away the talent and dedication you guys have. Just remember even with all the "hate", you've inspired so many of us. Thank you for what you do.
This video is spot on, as someone who really struggles playing live. Being able to produce music from my room has been game changing and I likely wouldn't be making music otherwise.
->Hates "influencers" ->Uses Facebook It's also interesting to me that for people that much rooted in tradition, their view of guitar music seems strictly limited to rock and metal, without any knowledge of the thing existed before (and after) that is blues and jazz (and many other stuff).
So, I'm old but I totally appreciate this new generation of online guitarists. The internet has made me realize that no matter your age, location, or genre, everyone is better than I am lol. Dont let the haters get you down, nobody elected those assholes as the standard bearers. They should probably shut up and practice
Live musicians don’t get second chances or extra takes or edits. They have to impress you with the energy and skill that they have in that moment. I’m not against social media, but certainly I would rather be at an actual show seeing a person in front of me performing instead of watching it on my phone . I have much love for bedroom musicians, but I will never put them on the same level as live musicians because I don’t live online. My life is out in the real world.
UA-cam guitarists (like you, or Nick, for example) are the driving reason I got back into playing guitar after many years. Thanks to them, I rediscovered one of my favorite hobbies and avenues for expression. And every time I see a new video drop, it inspires me to play more :)
@@dragonballfanscantread2383 It really isn't. Everyone probably has one person that inspired them to play an instrument, and having someone that's better than you is really motivating to get you to practice and try to ''compete'' with them.
@@AtomicMeatballGuitar Music is NOT a competition. The motivation to pick up an instrument should be based around wanting express and communicate an idea, not on trying to beat someone to what is the musical equivalent of a schlong measuring contest.
"how many great guitarists have we missed from the '70s and '80s because they didn't have the internet". What an exceptionally profound statement that is. Really makes you think. Also, so glad that you showed footage of Max Ostro during that quote. Dude looks very odd, but he is quite possibly the next Guthrie Govan. If you've never seen him play before, do yourself a favor and check him out. You will absolutely be blown away
I was born in 75 and max creates the most addictive guitar solos I’ve ever heard. As a guitarist for about 35 years, I’ve heard a lot of solos. With the technical proficiency of a Govan, colorful ness of an EVH and Vito Bratta, and with the magical touch of a Jeff Beck, he is an unstoppable force.
Man, you and your channel are one of the main reasons I got into guitar in a more serious manner when I first met you almost 3 years ago. Seeing you and the discord homies always shredding it up served as an inspiration as well as a challenge for me, and it would have been possible without you, UA-cam, or the online guitar community overall. Thank you for making me take music seriously, and for being a driving factor behind my improvement.
You made a lot of good points and are obviously very passionate about what you just said - and I love watching online videos about guitar etc. It’s one of the biggest positives about technology in the last 15 years or so. Its great to have soma great community here and it’s very informative and interesting. It’s actually changed things. But you can’t compare a live gig to watching stuff online. Literally, you can’t. A live gig is something experienced with others and a memory created, it’s a proper night out - an online video is usually followed up by watching another or having a cuppa etc. The views or how many people watching aren’t that valid either imo as the content is usually forgotten quite quickly (sorry) compared to a proper live gig or concert.
This person is correct. Will youtube covers with a different spin have the longevity of the original classic song? Of course not. There is an abundance of great playing on the web but I would say the criticism from the old guard is not the fact that people use the internet to perform. Rather It is the that the vast majority of internet musicians do not write songs, and when they do it exposes them as not very good at it. Which is a shame. It appears that The time it takes to make good music is not compatible with the need to make output on youtube almost every day. The two forms of content are vastly different in quality and emotional impact.
Btw I am happy to be corrected if someone wants to direct me to some great original compositions on line. I am sorry i have not solved anyone’s problem with my rant. For as long as music is free I fear we will all struggle to find good new music (or maybe i am just getting on. Lol)
@@violacomedy I agree that most internet -guitarists focus more on covers and memes than on orinals. However, here are some originals by UA-cam-guitarists that I like: Imposter - Kmac2021 Moonshine - Pete Cottrell Rain - Rob Scallon Also, Jared Dines' band SION with Howard Jones was very successful (no.1 in metal Album charts).
Thanks for this insight, it connected a lot of fragmented information I've heard and overheard through the past few years about the machinations of the modern music industry. Personally, I always saw "online guitarists", like you yourself could be described as, as a form of entertainment separate from bands (some, like Dean Lamb and Ola Englund, will tie in their bands tangentially though). I did however occasionally ask my screen why you guys aren't in bands because it always seemed to be the point of all of this. A band playing live is much greater than just the sum of its parts after all, something that holds true even more within metal due to the virtuosity aspect. This gave me a bit of a different outlook which, in hindsight, appears completely obvious. Cheers!
That's just the internet in general unfortunately. Never change, Bradley. I've picked the guitar back up after 12 years thanks to you and your vids. You lot do amazing work.
Great video, you really hit the nail in the head with a lot of your points I love making stuff and sharing them with other people online and live, its amazing and fun
Just think about this : if not for youtube and JTC guitar channel, Guthrie Govan would be an obscure guitar player/teacher. Now he is one of the most famous rock/fusion guitarist and played with Steven Wilson, Hans Zimmer, and have his own band with multiple albums with the Aristocrats and touring worldwide. So online presence can help your offline presence in music as well. And the most amazing thing is, Guthrie doesn't even has his own youtube channel lol, he got famous from other channel (mainly JTC) posting his improvisations over backing track.
The internet musicians especially guitarists are blessings in disguise,i couldn't have found many amazing bands and their music if there weren't you. So thanks for the beautiful music and new techniques which helps to learn everyday ❤️.
I've seen hundreds of live shows over the years, 80's/90's/2000's, and it was awesome. Now that I'm older I can sit home and have the musicians come to my house via the internet, and it is also awesome.🎸
I came of age, guitar wise, in Montana in the 1990s. There were clubs where people played rock and pop every night. I decided to start a blues band... We did very well! We toured a bit in the NW US and the band held together for a couple of years until I discovered jazz and the saxophone. Now there is no live music in the town where I grew up. I now live in Philadelphia and the music scene here is no better than it was in Montana in the 1990s. I don't know how live bands make it now. I was talking with a guitarist who grew up in Philadelphia and played in a a rock band for his full time job (!) in the 70s and 80s. He said that there were more clubs than bands in New Jersey and work was plentiful. Those times are dead and gone. I blame the demise of live music on record companies, people who listen to bad music, and the internet, but not on guitarists and other musicians who are able to eke out a living on the internet. That said, it is very different playing in a live situation vs making a perfect video and presenting it. Making a video is like making an album, you can have near ideal conditions and do takes until you get it right. Playing live, you get one shot and the conditions are rarely ideal and often terrible. Playing live music is tough. The bass player, always the bass player, will be late to the gig. The drummer will be a curmudgeon, regardless of age. Most of the band will be drunk by the second set. If you have a sound person, they will do the bare minimum for you at the maximum cost. The club owners will steal from you. They will tell you that they didn't do well that night, even if their bar is full of people who are very drunk and drinking. You will break a string in the middle of a song. Your amp will die. Your pedals won't work. You'll play to an empty house sometimes.
its no one surprise most people have a really bad time going trough changes. Im really happy to grow in this mad times and just enjoy creative talented and wholesome artists like you
I'll never know how someone could dislike Nik Noc. He's just an all round nice guy. Even when he doesn't necessarily like something he's still nice about it
I got frustrated with guitar years ago. I hit a wall and felt I was never going to "get it" and unlock the secrets of lead playing outside of noodling around. The internet has definitely re-lit a spark thanks to Bradley, Ola, Music is Win, Uncle Ben and several other UA-camrs. I realize now you can never really "master" the instrument and that it's always been about the journey rather than the destination. In addition to dedicated UA-camrs, it's been super helpful AND hopeful seeing guitar heroes of mine like Zakk Wilde, Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian and others embrace the internet and show techniques or even just play through songs that I love. I've definitely lost a lot from not playing all these years but I'm confident I can regain my old skills with practice and hopefully learn even more. I never realized people struggle with double picking, tapping and pinch harmonics as those all seemed to come naturally to me within the first year of playing. Without the internet and UA-cam guitarists, I might have never picked my guitar back up. So thank you Bradley for all the inspiration and laughs.
Dude this is an amazing video, and captures the modern touring landscape very well. I'm full-time guitar player here in the United States for a major country artist, but I still love following UA-cam musicians for great content. Metal and rock are still my favorite genres, and I believe content like yours is exactly the kick in the ass the traditionalist crowd needs right now, especially with the dying age of record labels, FM radio, etc. in order to keep things fresh and exciting
Great video as always Bradley! I saw that video from your Lux solo also passing by on facebook and was hyped to see you appear on a more mainstream channel, but then I was looking at the comments and just like you said, they were full of crap and was yet again really disappointed in the metal/rock or in general internet community where everyone is so close minded and see only things a certain way because some other person said it so… in the end just keep doing what you enjoy the most and dont let anything stop you! As long as you are happy and proud with yourself and how everything turns out, thats already more than most of those people will ever be! Youre amazing Bradley keep it up 😁
Great video, Bradley! I really enjoy these opinion pieces you put out from time to time. If you had a podcast I would totally support + listen. You 1. love lots of music 2. play guitar well 3. understand internet culture, memes, the music biz 4. articulate your thoughts in a balanced yet deep way. Keep it up!
Love your insight mate. I'm a fledgling youtuber and I think you truly hit the nail on the head with this one. Watching guitar channels such as yours keeps me entertained, inspired and humbled all at the same time. Bloody lovely stuff :)
It's not about internet guitarists being hated, it's that the guitar community is too full of haters, you can see it on comments on guitar magazines social media for example. Every guitarist that is not EVH, SRV and a couple more will get a storm of hate on every article. Don't take it personally and keep doing your thing 🙂
Anthrax had to cancel their European tour because economical issues. Jokes apart, they're not small local band. It just shows how the current situation looks. Other example: Metallica with they double shows in each city. From financial side it's good idea, you don't have move the gear, prepare stage etc. and you are able to play 2 concerts instead 1 (besides so expensive special tickets).
Well said man, some of these longer thought pieces you share do have plenty of insight and aren't just ravings from a crazed mind. I'm glad you give us your opinion on this and also break down the barrier between you and the audience. We all know you're filming this stuff in your apartment instead of a studio sound stage, you're a regular person and I can appreciate that. Keep it up!
You wouldn't believe how many normal people are playing guitar and covers alone in their room without being in a band or posting it on youtube. What's wrong with sharing it?
It takes so little effort to leave negative comments and the tendency towards hyperbolic "this is the worst/best thing ever" that the internet engenders doesn't help. I don't tend to leave negative comments or reviews on anything, and that there are people who seemingly get actually angry about stuff like UA-cam baffles me. Don't like it? Don't watch it. Simple
You're actually on point with this vid mate!! I do both- play in bands that do or have done tours, some others that are more just local circuit (which is okay but the pay is absolute trash and not sustainable and there can be a clash of views with how to market and present the band apart from the degree of professional mindset), and then remote/ digital/ bedroom only type projects for various reasons. Digital space sales and micro-transactions (and using segue hubs for merch production and/ or sales) is way more sustainable than touring, the money just isn't there in the Metal/ Rock world unless you "get made" and become a massive super-band like other mentioned before. Don't get me wrong, touring and playing live is fun and can be amazing, I enjoy it, but there are so many damn headaches that come along with it apart from the lack of survivable income. Its super enriching to be able to be as creative as you want with a small home studio (it really is wild how far tech has come nowadays) and be able to use the internet to start projects or appear on projects with bands all over the globe (which I do often), that in no way would be achievable and further exposure if we were relegated to just playing dive bars and suffering the regulars of travel with one band-- things are done differently now with much more ease regarding the creation and recording process but without taking away from experiences and interacting with the industry and scene as a whole in my opinion. Protecting/ retaining rights on your IP-- yeah, that's huge. Why I love Bandcamp so much apart from having the flexibility and freedom with musician-supportive companies/ entities like Distrokid, it really does open up the accessibility/ exposure and versatility for bands and labels alike. Social Media can be a super headache (and I hate micro-managing that stuff), but between that and working with the likes of Promotion Channels on UA-cam, the marketing game is massive. Some labels are just way better than others at both providing for the bands/ artists, but also doing all the typical managerial stuff. They come in all shapes and sizes and levels of business-minded aptitude (or lack thereof in some cases LOL). I still love Brick and Mortar Record Stores though, just something awesome about them, and it makes me sad that they're disappearing (RIP Earwax Records).
It's weird that rock music, which started out with the idea that "Rock is rebellion" or "Sticking it to the man", doesn't want to change. Guys like Sebastian Bach, who haven't done anything significant in 20+ years, sh*t all over the idea of change. And it's dumb. Thing is, if you hire a social media management service, you can even grow your online presence for way less than one would think.
I stopped gigging late 2019 after leaving my last band and to be honest, I really haven't missed it. The playing part, of course is fun, but I always found gigs super stressful. I have social anxiety, so being around so many people all at the same time was really draining. Since then, I've been trying to build my guitar channel and found it so much more rewarding and convenient. Nothing will ever substitute playing to a live crowd, but I'm perfectly happy to be doing what I'm doing now. It's awesome to be able to still make a career out of my playing without the need to tour.
I feel kinda the same, dude, i consider myself a very sociable person and love going to gigs and drinking beers with the boys and girls that always come to the local shows, but i try to play as few shows as possible because theres always the stress of having sound issues, playing unrehearsed, getting robbed in the backstage, etc and that stress kill the passion of playing live. Few shows a year in a small club its what i look for nowadays
Dude. I loved this video. It summed my thoughts about alot of my feelings to do with rock/metal music, playing live and the internet. Whenever you have to voice your opinion please do because I'm sure many people feel likewise and it's good to talk.
This is the video that made me hit the subscribe button. I’ve been watching tons of your goofy videos lately but this mostly serious deep dive into being a musician on social media pushed me over the edge. I’m with ya, Hradley Ball!
Think of the people who don't hate you. You have dedicated your time to entertain and bring a brief smile to those having a bad day. All those thumbs up mean something. Think of the kids you may have inspired to pick up a guitar, giving it ago....and some giving up to learn to play tambourine.
I'm glad that I'm in a band with other people who have a natural inclination towards social media, marketing and/or networking. I just can mostly focus on writing stuff and producing demos and the backings for our live set (which I both absolutely love), while the others promote the stuff we do and support me creatively when needed. I'm massively stoked that we're currently producing our first album together this way and am looking forward to finishing it early next year. So far we're also looking to self-release in order to keep the rights for ourselves.
Without y'all online guitarist, i would not have become the guitarist i am today, and since this is my therapy and favorite hobby, i could not be more grateful for you and all the online musicians. I literally never took lessons and made it to a pretty good Semi-Professional musician if i could say so, and that's pretty much all due to great online content, so thank you 🙏🏼❤️
What absurdity is this "ever-increasing divide between modern music fans and traditional music fans" ? I seriously doubt that's even a thing.I'm 45,been listening to rock and metal for over 30 years and nothing makes me happier than seeing the scene staying alive and thriving.It's comforting to see the new generation embracing the classic bands while being brave enough to explore new directions and experiment.And I do believe that live shows play an integral part in the smooth and seamless continuation of the genre's history. No "online concert" could ever possibly substitute the experience of the real thing.And that goes both ways. And Bradley,relax.Nobody hates you.
It's honestly so easy to hate on things. Unfortunately, like you said. Metal and Rock are steeped in tradition and have the most toxic and gatekeeper communites. I know that's not always the case. I admit I used to be that way, but I can't, or could never do what any of these guys do, and I learned to respect and appreciate it because what you guys do does take time and energy.
While I agree with most of your points I couldn't possibly disagree more with the ''tradition bad'' argument, rock is and always will be what these great bands from the past made it out to be and new garbage like Polyphia and such should never be considered rock. Hail traditions and the old may they never change.
I learn and am inspired by watching people play. Covid took that away from me in the form of live music. Then I found The Dooo on UA-cam, and started looking into more guys like Bradley. It kept my inspiration in a time where i was working 70 hours a week and was losing myself creatively while also facing my thirties knowing anything i could have done in live music is probably gone. So thank you!
I love the new way! It excites me that I may get around to engaging my own online presence, and burrow out my own niche for a creative outlet. That was SOOO much harder to do , when I was a young budding muso in my band from high school..
Right on the spot I love your channel and as much I would love to have more music with your name on it, I also love the memes and everything! It's great that I you have a perfect balanced view on things, and made it clear to a beginner musician how the market really is these days. I think its time I create a small channel for my bands and start creating content before I cry about not having any revenue at gigs! Thanks for the video YOU ARE A GOD OF MUSIC SIR You and others here on youtube that create the best contents for musicians without been so irritatingly clinged to the past!
I agree, you have to adapt if you want to be successful. I'm an older guy, and have no problem with the way things are now. And at the end of it do what works for you and makes you happy. The amount of information available and all the great stuff you guys put out is staggering. I remember how it was in the 80s, the info was out there, but it was much harder to get to. And as far as touring vs. internet goes, I agree there also. Touring is fine if you want that, but the exposure you can get on social media is unmatched. A combination definitely seems to work for guys like Herman, Ola, and all the rest.
This is something I never really bothered to think about in depth, but this video totally changed that! I love how you have a very balanced and well informed view between honoring the rockstars of days past and looking forward to how the rock industry will evolve in the future. Music is supposed to be a creative outlet to connect people, just because the medium is changing doesn’t mean the quality or soul behind it is. Besides, DIY bands are the foundation for basically every cool thing that has ever happened in rock. Thank you for spreading joy time and time again with every video ! 🤘💗
Totally agree with this man. I’ve been bands for nearly 30 years now and only started my UA-cam journey about 2+ years ago and had way more success with that than touring. I still love being in a band and playing live but UA-cam and social media has definitely given me more creative outlets and reach than ever before! Love the channel dude, keep it up!
Really love your channel bradley and of course do internet musicians have their reason to exist. If i look at how much a paul davids for example is teaching peoole for free, its absolutely amazing. But, i really have to say, the live musician remains the most important in my opinion. Nothing can give people the same experience as being on a good c9mcert in a good crowd and it just takes so much guts to play in front of people, especially if its technically difficult stuff.
As a touring musician, I agree with all of this. I can't explain why my band and I for example are so put off by creating online content for instagram for example. We are avoiding tiktok as well haha!
it's thanks to the internet that we get to see a very up close and personal look into the lives of bedroom musicians, and it just gives me this mysterious wholesome feeling to know that all these entirely random and continents-apart content creators end up creating a connection with each other, something like a web, and we get to witness that in almost real time it's so entertaining to see so many different kinds of personalities and approaches they take to content creation, and it's thanks to social media that we get to feel closer with the musicians we look up to and realise they're much more grounded on earth (i dunno if that's an expression) than we all previously thought, and that's another plus for the metal community cos most of us are pretty grounded by nature
Definetely I agree with u with almost all the points u said. Music careers are not only being on tour all ur life, u can also be musician, content creator and a lot of stuff thanks to internet. Good words putted on this mate! Cheers!
Great video Bradley! I think you checked every box of what I was even capable to say. I 100% think (As a proud unsponsored DistroKid user since 2018) it is sooo much better to just self publish your music. Like it's honestly easier than letting a label do everything for you, because all you have to do is enter the song names and all that then publish it's super easy and convenient! And definitely UA-cam is a great outlet for us musicians to do other creative things than just put out music every now and then.
I did lessons for 2 years and my instructor had the students play gigs at coffee shops, bars, and the church he participated at. I’ve lost some motivation to play but part of me does miss playing for a live show.
Without youtube I would never have seen such a wealth of good guitarists, it doesn't matter what age, gender or skin colour. It also debunks a lot of myths, which is one of the problems the hate posters have. When idols are no longer who they were made out to be. Many haters are also shown their inability. You have raised a complex issue here. I think it's great that you have addressed this topic 👍
Well the only guitarists online I hate are the ones that think they’re better than everyone and telling people that we’re playing guitar wrong if you do it a certain way. You’re funny and incorporate cool guitar playing with humor, so I’m not talking about you. But the people that I described above are the kinds I do not enjoy watching. You and Shred are my favorite. Edit: I also love Carl Brown he is a very great teacher and has taught me many songs. He’s very humble and enjoys teaching us and never asks for anything except to sign up for lessons which is like a common sense thing to do lol.
Man I just love you and your way of doing your stuff here and wherever you wanna take it. I found your analysis of the changes in the music industry super interesting even if I didn't agree with everything, but then I always think: he is probably right for 98% of live musicians, only a very select few bands actually get some real money out of live performances and I dare to say almost none of them will have some meaningful private or family life as well. And don't get me started on the introvert points you made, just so in point! I mean you are literally preaching to the choir when arguing about that topic on UA-cam, of course I agree with you. Would love to see this in an online article somewhere and see what the more traditional crowd would say about that. Cheers mate, your are literally awesome and quite insanely hilarious. It hilariously insane. You choose.
I’m writing this comment about how people in the 70’s and 80’s didn’t have a lot of people to play with and form a band with. In my opinion this is still going on. I live in a small town but don’t have a lot of friends that like the type of music that I like (which is metal). This all changed when I went to a music academy called School of Rock. School of Rock is a very large music academy that do seasonal shows and lessons. I have been with them for about a year now and have done 2 seasonal shows. The Big 4 and Ozzy Vs. Dio. School of Rock has aloud me to play and connect with other kids that share the same music interests as me. Also I get the chance to form a band with those people. I have a friend that plays bass and keys that goes to the school of rock that I go to. We both share the same interest musically. I showed her Slipknot and Gojira (which are my favorite bands) and she loves them now. She told me that she listen to the entirety of Gojira’s Magma and The Way of All Flesh albums. Now she’s in my band. Way before I went to school of rock, I didn’t have anyone that was in my age group that like the music that I listen to. It was either one they lived too far or there was just nobody.
I totally agree with absolutely every point said. Music industry was way different 30 years ago. Keep up the good job, brother, I really think you are putting great content! Cheer!
I really like your content Bradley and I like the way you think and how you are not afraid to voice your opinions, I do like to fuck around but I also like to have some serious discussions every now and then
Hey Bradley, you can never please everybody anyway. When I started posting my music on UA-cam a little over a year ago, I found you and was just speechless and thrilled! You were the first person I subscribed to when I started/restarted! I will never forget how you introduced different metal genres and jumped past the microphone screaming at the top of your lungs! I almost fell off my chair laughing! That's the point, I think, success proves you right and you do what you enjoy. Isn't that actually great? My dream has always been to play on a big stage one day. I fulfilled that dream in the Markthalle Hamburg in 2002. We played third, right before the headliner "Undercroft" (Chile). They had three albums on the market and were on tour in in Germany. They only had the money for the outward flight and toured here until they had earned the money (mainly merch) to buy a ticket home! I would never have thought that before. So to each his own opinion, from his own point of view everyone is right and that's it. Live and let live! Joe
You changed my life bro, your sweeping and alternate picking are so cool that inspires me a lot to play. I also know Octavarium, a song that literally changed the course of my life just of how good it is, I'll always remember you, no matter what happens, and to me, thats what its important, being remembered
Hell yeah, brother. I love your content and the hard work you put in. I love the online guitar and metal community in UA-cam. It is unique, has brought tons of content and inspiration to millions of viewers, and exposed us all to new styles and musical idea. Never stop.
As much as i am a part of gen z, i still think that playing live is one of the core things of the music industry. I dont hate the more modern approach, i just have my focus elsewhere for the moment Granted, this might change in the future as im still relatively young and i dont have much experience in the industry
I would like to first thank you for everything you do for the metal community. As far as the haters and the trolls they can piss off your doing what makes your life feel successful and enjoyable. Most people that try to bring someone down when they are doing well is someone who is jealous and failing at life. So man keep doing what your doing.
Great video Bradley. I starting doing UA-cam music videos because as you get older life circumstances change. When you have a full time job and kids you can’t just be disappearing off with your friends for weeks to play gigs. Moving onto UA-cam let’s me keep making music from home and gives me a reason to keep playing and improving. Much love man and keep doing what you’re doing!
Perfectly put! As a member of a small band trying to get our shit out there, it can be a nightmare doing 1 show and if you’re thinking you’re going to make money doing this, nope! You usually end up paying more for gas, food and lodging then you make playing the gig. We definitely make more on our merch. Social media is the only way to reach people these days and as a band that wants to keep the rights to our music and would rather play live then in front of a camera in an empty room, it’s tough. We’re still trying to figure it out. So if anyone has any good advice… I’m listening! I think there’s an audience for us, we just need to get our sound out there.
If not for internet musicians I literally wouldn't have rediscovered my passion for playing guitar. Idk about any of you, but that, for me, is enough reason to appreciate the existence of online musicians. I've also progressed as a player way more BECAUSE of internet musicians and lessons than I ever would have had I done it all by myself.
Same 💪🏻
Absolutely. I've been playing for going on 40 years but I kind of gave up on it about 20 years ago because all I want to do is record and everyone I know is stuck in the live only rut. I discovered Andy James and Angel Vivaldi about 10 years ago and at first they made me want to burn all of my shit. 🤣 Eventually I got the spark back and now I'm in a band that wants to do some live stuff, which is better than drugs, but they are most interested in recording now that it's become so easy to do. Our drummer is fucking amazing with a computer. I haven't been this excited about music in a very long time.
SAME man!
Same boat here 🙋🏻♂️ 1:05 after a 15 hiatus totally rediscovered the love. Even have a UA-cam channel now lol
I’ve had the exact same experience. Hadn’t played for many years. Play every day now.
It's not the internet guitarists are hated, it's that anyone who's willing to put themselves out there with moderate confidence is going to get hate. Haters can't stand people being happy or good at stuff. That's the nature of hate.
@ghost mall I'd say that's no different from any given live scene.
Internet culture is hated because it's cringe and pointless. No subculture is immune.
Aced it my dude!
yo
A Nik in his natural habitat
It’s really funny how rock started as a rebellious music genre and ended up being one of the most closed minded genres out there
Also remember that older generation hated rock music (like they hated Elvis Presley) & even they called it "The Devil's Music".
Also Jazz musicians & jazz community hated it too lol & Jazz was once dominant the US before rock came. I think Rock is becoming the new Jazz unfortunately.
@@gx1tar1er it’ll stop eventually and I think rock will go back to its roots similar to how it did in the 90s
@@gx1tar1er jazz is the real art music. Rock gets repetitive and boring. For me it was just a phase. Now I listen mostly classical and jazz
Because the boomer rock stars sold out and became Bilderbergers. Today's kids are wimps who cry if someone tweets at them. You need to be meaner.
@@thejoker-go3fhDream Theater and Opeth and other Prog Metal are the cure to this ailment.
I love the earnestness of this video. Musicians should definitely do what they want to do. Play at home, play on stage. If theater has taught me anything, it’s that the world is your stage. Your audience will come.
Also they may not have considered that UA-cam musicians do this because they don't care to be on a big physical stage for whatever personal reason. That'd be like shaming a comedy youtuber for not hitting the venue circuit, which yes, some end up doing but it is far from mandatory, with the internet being what it is.
@@viscountrainbows2857
You're obviously not talking about stand-up comedy, right?
Or are you?
As someone who has toured their entire adult life, his comments about touring being "spending 95% of your time in a bus, van, or hotel room, completely bored out of your mind, probably hungover, and almost definitely with immense diarrhea from all the crappy food you've been surviving on" is absolutely... True.
Would still do it!
I have a lot of theories on this topic. We should chat sometime.
Hi
No you don’t Jared. You’re making me angry.
go away
I still remember the one video of the most hated guitarist from Stevie T
He said he gets alot of hate but doesn't care because the things people told him like he makes them happy and feel less depressed . He said that he will gladly have all that hate just to hear the those things and honestly that's why I love him so much
Common Stevie W
Yeah, he seems really cringey at first, but it’s a persona and he seems like a cool dude. Great player too.
He makes me sad and more depressed. Why are his fans feelings more important than mine?
Stevie T is cringe af.
God I hate him
As a guitarist born in the late 70's I always wished something like nowadays platform existed. Even if i still do not like the bait click system i really loved your approach in this video. Life's evolving and it's a good thing, big up to you and continue like that !
But why aren’t you in a band bro? LOVE this new format
Anyone who makes a living, and doesn't have to work at anything but playing music (touring, UA-cam, Spotify, whatever) has my respect.
Got to say I'm 47. And growing up the traditional path was the way. But I also got to say that it's because of the content creators like the ones mentioned here then I've learned so much about my instrument and have been impressed by their prowess. I'm not in a band I don't make content but I still love music particularly heavy music and so the creators are feeding my love. Thank you for what you do, it'll be interesting to see how musicians will continue to evolve and how they connect to their audience
As someone who is pretty heavily introverted and has social anxiety, the whole social media thing is kind of confusing and exhausting. It's like the difference between performing for 20 bar patrons or performing at a family reunion, where the latter is a far more anxiety inducing experience. I can stand behind a microphone and sing at a room of strangers and still feel like I'm completely anonymous to them.
That same barrier doesn't exist on social media, and I'm just not comfortable letting people into my world like that. The internet should have made it easier for people like me to retain anonymity, but social media seems to counteract that trend. You can't just make music, you need to make "content" and then avail yourself to everyone.
I made a video not long ago announcing my patreon, and you can clearly see just how painfully uncomfortable I am just sitting alone in my room talking into a webcam. The internet has not been an inclusive platform for me, it actively wants more from me than I know how to give, and that trend doesn't seem to be changing.
That all depends on what you're trying to achieve. If it's just a hobby, then you really shouldn't feel pressured into doing something you don't want to do and just do what you love when you want and share it with people, but if you're actively trying to make a career out of it, then yeah, you'll get that pressure, but no more than doing any other job to survive. If it's your job, then it's gonna feel like a job, even if it's something you love, there's gonna be days where you're not feeling up to it, and you'll need to put the time in, just like a 'normal' job, you'll be putting in 35plus hours a week if you want to be able to live off of it, probably more as it's more like starting/running a business where you need to put all of yourself into it to make it successful, and it will feel like work sometimes.
@@kyleh1127 I don't really have a problem with any of this, but I would still like to push back on the notion that social media is providing a platform for people with social anxiety to be heard, because that claim comes with some pretty big caveats.
Particularly, making socially anxious and introverted people engage in an economy that revolves around attention. I do hope the problem is self-evident because I don't really know how explain it any clearer than I already have.
Brad, you and Stevie T have been a big reason I started playing guitar again. You two showed me you don't have to be super serious to be freaking amazing players. Just because you guys make youtube videos doesn't take away the talent and dedication you guys have. Just remember even with all the "hate", you've inspired so many of us. Thank you for what you do.
Seriously, Stevie T? I can't stand that guy. He's a clown with a guitar.
@@RByrne That's his appeal to me 🤷♂
This video is spot on, as someone who really struggles playing live. Being able to produce music from my room has been game changing and I likely wouldn't be making music otherwise.
I would love to give an anwser to that, but I love most of the internet guitarists I follow. Never got the hate about them really.
->Hates "influencers"
->Uses Facebook
It's also interesting to me that for people that much rooted in tradition, their view of guitar music seems strictly limited to rock and metal, without any knowledge of the thing existed before (and after) that is blues and jazz (and many other stuff).
So, I'm old but I totally appreciate this new generation of online guitarists. The internet has made me realize that no matter your age, location, or genre, everyone is better than I am lol. Dont let the haters get you down, nobody elected those assholes as the standard bearers. They should probably shut up and practice
Yeah got me back into playing seriously. Everyone is still better but not by as wide a margin as before.
Live musicians don’t get second chances or extra takes or edits. They have to impress you with the energy and skill that they have in that moment.
I’m not against social media, but certainly I would rather be at an actual show seeing a person in front of me performing instead of watching it on my phone .
I have much love for bedroom musicians, but I will never put them on the same level as live musicians because I don’t live online. My life is out in the real world.
UA-cam guitarists (like you, or Nick, for example) are the driving reason I got back into playing guitar after many years. Thanks to them, I rediscovered one of my favorite hobbies and avenues for expression. And every time I see a new video drop, it inspires me to play more :)
That's such a god awful reason to be motivated into picking up an instrument.
@@dragonballfanscantread2383 who asked
@@dragonballfanscantread2383 It really isn't. Everyone probably has one person that inspired them to play an instrument, and having someone that's better than you is really motivating to get you to practice and try to ''compete'' with them.
@@AtomicMeatballGuitar
Music is NOT a competition.
The motivation to pick up an instrument should be based around wanting express and communicate an idea, not on trying to beat someone to what is the musical equivalent of a schlong measuring contest.
@@AtomsLab that tard is insuferable
"how many great guitarists have we missed from the '70s and '80s because they didn't have the internet". What an exceptionally profound statement that is. Really makes you think.
Also, so glad that you showed footage of Max Ostro during that quote. Dude looks very odd, but he is quite possibly the next Guthrie Govan. If you've never seen him play before, do yourself a favor and check him out. You will absolutely be blown away
Guthrie Govan is vanilla sausage.
I was born in 75 and max creates the most addictive guitar solos I’ve ever heard. As a guitarist for about 35 years, I’ve heard a lot of solos. With the technical proficiency of a Govan, colorful ness of an EVH and Vito Bratta, and with the magical touch of a Jeff Beck, he is an unstoppable force.
Man, you and your channel are one of the main reasons I got into guitar in a more serious manner when I first met you almost 3 years ago. Seeing you and the discord homies always shredding it up served as an inspiration as well as a challenge for me, and it would have been possible without you, UA-cam, or the online guitar community overall. Thank you for making me take music seriously, and for being a driving factor behind my improvement.
You made a lot of good points and are obviously very passionate about what you just said - and I love watching online videos about guitar etc. It’s one of the biggest positives about technology in the last 15 years or so. Its great to have soma great community here and it’s very informative and interesting. It’s actually changed things. But you can’t compare a live gig to watching stuff online. Literally, you can’t. A live gig is something experienced with others and a memory created, it’s a proper night out - an online video is usually followed up by watching another or having a cuppa etc. The views or how many people watching aren’t that valid either imo as the content is usually forgotten quite quickly (sorry) compared to a proper live gig or concert.
This person is correct. Will youtube covers with a different spin have the longevity of the original classic song? Of course not. There is an abundance of great playing on the web but I would say the criticism from the old guard is not the fact that people use the internet to perform. Rather It is the that the vast majority of internet musicians do not write songs, and when they do it exposes them as not very good at it. Which is a shame. It appears that The time it takes to make good music is not compatible with the need to make output on youtube almost every day. The two forms of content are vastly different in quality and emotional impact.
Btw I am happy to be corrected if someone wants to direct me to some great original compositions on line. I am sorry i have not solved anyone’s problem with my rant. For as long as music is free I fear we will all struggle to find good new music (or maybe i am just getting on. Lol)
@@violacomedy I agree that most internet -guitarists focus more on covers and memes than on orinals. However, here are some originals by UA-cam-guitarists that I like:
Imposter - Kmac2021
Moonshine - Pete Cottrell
Rain - Rob Scallon
Also, Jared Dines' band SION with Howard Jones was very successful (no.1 in metal Album charts).
@@thifry8829 many thanks buddy. Will check out
Thanks for this insight, it connected a lot of fragmented information I've heard and overheard through the past few years about the machinations of the modern music industry. Personally, I always saw "online guitarists", like you yourself could be described as, as a form of entertainment separate from bands (some, like Dean Lamb and Ola Englund, will tie in their bands tangentially though). I did however occasionally ask my screen why you guys aren't in bands because it always seemed to be the point of all of this. A band playing live is much greater than just the sum of its parts after all, something that holds true even more within metal due to the virtuosity aspect. This gave me a bit of a different outlook which, in hindsight, appears completely obvious. Cheers!
That's just the internet in general unfortunately. Never change, Bradley. I've picked the guitar back up after 12 years thanks to you and your vids. You lot do amazing work.
Great video, you really hit the nail in the head with a lot of your points
I love making stuff and sharing them with other people online and live, its amazing and fun
Keep those videos coming Bradley.
You do good work.
Just think about this : if not for youtube and JTC guitar channel, Guthrie Govan would be an obscure guitar player/teacher. Now he is one of the most famous rock/fusion guitarist and played with Steven Wilson, Hans Zimmer, and have his own band with multiple albums with the Aristocrats and touring worldwide. So online presence can help your offline presence in music as well. And the most amazing thing is, Guthrie doesn't even has his own youtube channel lol, he got famous from other channel (mainly JTC) posting his improvisations over backing track.
The internet musicians especially guitarists are blessings in disguise,i couldn't have found many amazing bands and their music if there weren't you. So thanks for the beautiful music and new techniques which helps to learn everyday ❤️.
I've seen hundreds of live shows over the years, 80's/90's/2000's, and it was awesome. Now that I'm older I can sit home and have the musicians come to my house via the internet, and it is also awesome.🎸
I came of age, guitar wise, in Montana in the 1990s. There were clubs where people played rock and pop every night. I decided to start a blues band... We did very well! We toured a bit in the NW US and the band held together for a couple of years until I discovered jazz and the saxophone.
Now there is no live music in the town where I grew up. I now live in Philadelphia and the music scene here is no better than it was in Montana in the 1990s. I don't know how live bands make it now. I was talking with a guitarist who grew up in Philadelphia and played in a a rock band for his full time job (!) in the 70s and 80s. He said that there were more clubs than bands in New Jersey and work was plentiful. Those times are dead and gone. I blame the demise of live music on record companies, people who listen to bad music, and the internet, but not on guitarists and other musicians who are able to eke out a living on the internet.
That said, it is very different playing in a live situation vs making a perfect video and presenting it. Making a video is like making an album, you can have near ideal conditions and do takes until you get it right. Playing live, you get one shot and the conditions are rarely ideal and often terrible.
Playing live music is tough.
The bass player, always the bass player, will be late to the gig.
The drummer will be a curmudgeon, regardless of age.
Most of the band will be drunk by the second set.
If you have a sound person, they will do the bare minimum for you at the maximum cost.
The club owners will steal from you. They will tell you that they didn't do well that night, even if their bar is full of people who are very drunk and drinking.
You will break a string in the middle of a song.
Your amp will die.
Your pedals won't work.
You'll play to an empty house sometimes.
its no one surprise most people have a really bad time going trough changes.
Im really happy to grow in this mad times and just enjoy creative talented and wholesome artists like you
I'll never know how someone could dislike Nik Noc. He's just an all round nice guy. Even when he doesn't necessarily like something he's still nice about it
I got frustrated with guitar years ago. I hit a wall and felt I was never going to "get it" and unlock the secrets of lead playing outside of noodling around. The internet has definitely re-lit a spark thanks to Bradley, Ola, Music is Win, Uncle Ben and several other UA-camrs. I realize now you can never really "master" the instrument and that it's always been about the journey rather than the destination. In addition to dedicated UA-camrs, it's been super helpful AND hopeful seeing guitar heroes of mine like Zakk Wilde, Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian and others embrace the internet and show techniques or even just play through songs that I love. I've definitely lost a lot from not playing all these years but I'm confident I can regain my old skills with practice and hopefully learn even more. I never realized people struggle with double picking, tapping and pinch harmonics as those all seemed to come naturally to me within the first year of playing. Without the internet and UA-cam guitarists, I might have never picked my guitar back up. So thank you Bradley for all the inspiration and laughs.
Dude this is an amazing video, and captures the modern touring landscape very well. I'm full-time guitar player here in the United States for a major country artist, but I still love following UA-cam musicians for great content. Metal and rock are still my favorite genres, and I believe content like yours is exactly the kick in the ass the traditionalist crowd needs right now, especially with the dying age of record labels, FM radio, etc. in order to keep things fresh and exciting
Your videos are always on point and a lot of fun! Keep up the great work!!
Great video as always Bradley! I saw that video from your Lux solo also passing by on facebook and was hyped to see you appear on a more mainstream channel, but then I was looking at the comments and just like you said, they were full of crap and was yet again really disappointed in the metal/rock or in general internet community where everyone is so close minded and see only things a certain way because some other person said it so… in the end just keep doing what you enjoy the most and dont let anything stop you! As long as you are happy and proud with yourself and how everything turns out, thats already more than most of those people will ever be! Youre amazing Bradley keep it up 😁
Great video, Bradley! I really enjoy these opinion pieces you put out from time to time. If you had a podcast I would totally support + listen. You 1. love lots of music 2. play guitar well 3. understand internet culture, memes, the music biz 4. articulate your thoughts in a balanced yet deep way. Keep it up!
Love your insight mate. I'm a fledgling youtuber and I think you truly hit the nail on the head with this one. Watching guitar channels such as yours keeps me entertained, inspired and humbled all at the same time. Bloody lovely stuff :)
Great video. Very informative. Thank you.
It's not about internet guitarists being hated, it's that the guitar community is too full of haters, you can see it on comments on guitar magazines social media for example. Every guitarist that is not EVH, SRV and a couple more will get a storm of hate on every article. Don't take it personally and keep doing your thing 🙂
Anthrax had to cancel their European tour because economical issues. Jokes apart, they're not small local band. It just shows how the current situation looks. Other example: Metallica with they double shows in each city. From financial side it's good idea, you don't have move the gear, prepare stage etc. and you are able to play 2 concerts instead 1 (besides so expensive special tickets).
Great points and keep doing your thing! What an amazing time to live in with all the available technology to create.
Well said man, some of these longer thought pieces you share do have plenty of insight and aren't just ravings from a crazed mind. I'm glad you give us your opinion on this and also break down the barrier between you and the audience. We all know you're filming this stuff in your apartment instead of a studio sound stage, you're a regular person and I can appreciate that. Keep it up!
You wouldn't believe how many normal people are playing guitar and covers alone in their room without being in a band or posting it on youtube. What's wrong with sharing it?
It takes so little effort to leave negative comments and the tendency towards hyperbolic "this is the worst/best thing ever" that the internet engenders doesn't help. I don't tend to leave negative comments or reviews on anything, and that there are people who seemingly get actually angry about stuff like UA-cam baffles me. Don't like it? Don't watch it. Simple
You're actually on point with this vid mate!!
I do both- play in bands that do or have done tours, some others that are more just local circuit (which is okay but the pay is absolute trash and not sustainable and there can be a clash of views with how to market and present the band apart from the degree of professional mindset), and then remote/ digital/ bedroom only type projects for various reasons.
Digital space sales and micro-transactions (and using segue hubs for merch production and/ or sales) is way more sustainable than touring, the money just isn't there in the Metal/ Rock world unless you "get made" and become a massive super-band like other mentioned before.
Don't get me wrong, touring and playing live is fun and can be amazing, I enjoy it, but there are so many damn headaches that come along with it apart from the lack of survivable income.
Its super enriching to be able to be as creative as you want with a small home studio (it really is wild how far tech has come nowadays) and be able to use the internet to start projects or appear on projects with bands all over the globe (which I do often), that in no way would be achievable and further exposure if we were relegated to just playing dive bars and suffering the regulars of travel with one band-- things are done differently now with much more ease regarding the creation and recording process but without taking away from experiences and interacting with the industry and scene as a whole in my opinion.
Protecting/ retaining rights on your IP-- yeah, that's huge. Why I love Bandcamp so much apart from having the flexibility and freedom with musician-supportive companies/ entities like Distrokid, it really does open up the accessibility/ exposure and versatility for bands and labels alike. Social Media can be a super headache (and I hate micro-managing that stuff), but between that and working with the likes of Promotion Channels on UA-cam, the marketing game is massive.
Some labels are just way better than others at both providing for the bands/ artists, but also doing all the typical managerial stuff. They come in all shapes and sizes and levels of business-minded aptitude (or lack thereof in some cases LOL).
I still love Brick and Mortar Record Stores though, just something awesome about them, and it makes me sad that they're disappearing (RIP Earwax Records).
True words, very reflective and differentiated
It's weird that rock music, which started out with the idea that "Rock is rebellion" or "Sticking it to the man", doesn't want to change.
Guys like Sebastian Bach, who haven't done anything significant in 20+ years, sh*t all over the idea of change. And it's dumb.
Thing is, if you hire a social media management service, you can even grow your online presence for way less than one would think.
Rock sucks and was never truly rebellious.
Dragon Ball fans can't read , look at Mr. Hot Take over here. Someone frame his opinion.
I stopped gigging late 2019 after leaving my last band and to be honest, I really haven't missed it. The playing part, of course is fun, but I always found gigs super stressful. I have social anxiety, so being around so many people all at the same time was really draining.
Since then, I've been trying to build my guitar channel and found it so much more rewarding and convenient. Nothing will ever substitute playing to a live crowd, but I'm perfectly happy to be doing what I'm doing now.
It's awesome to be able to still make a career out of my playing without the need to tour.
I feel kinda the same, dude, i consider myself a very sociable person and love going to gigs and drinking beers with the boys and girls that always come to the local shows, but i try to play as few shows as possible because theres always the stress of having sound issues, playing unrehearsed, getting robbed in the backstage, etc and that stress kill the passion of playing live. Few shows a year in a small club its what i look for nowadays
Also, good luck with your guitar channel 🤘
Dude. I loved this video. It summed my thoughts about alot of my feelings to do with rock/metal music, playing live and the internet. Whenever you have to voice your opinion please do because I'm sure many people feel likewise and it's good to talk.
This is the video that made me hit the subscribe button. I’ve been watching tons of your goofy videos lately but this mostly serious deep dive into being a musician on social media pushed me over the edge. I’m with ya, Hradley Ball!
"Bradley has the potential to be a great musician", that's so humilliating...
Think of the people who don't hate you. You have dedicated your time to entertain and bring a brief smile to those having a bad day. All those thumbs up mean something. Think of the kids you may have inspired to pick up a guitar, giving it ago....and some giving up to learn to play tambourine.
I'm glad that I'm in a band with other people who have a natural inclination towards social media, marketing and/or networking. I just can mostly focus on writing stuff and producing demos and the backings for our live set (which I both absolutely love), while the others promote the stuff we do and support me creatively when needed. I'm massively stoked that we're currently producing our first album together this way and am looking forward to finishing it early next year. So far we're also looking to self-release in order to keep the rights for ourselves.
Without y'all online guitarist, i would not have become the guitarist i am today, and since this is my therapy and favorite hobby, i could not be more grateful for you and all the online musicians. I literally never took lessons and made it to a pretty good Semi-Professional musician if i could say so, and that's pretty much all due to great online content, so thank you 🙏🏼❤️
What absurdity is this "ever-increasing divide between modern music fans and traditional music fans" ? I seriously doubt that's even a thing.I'm 45,been listening to rock and metal for over 30 years and nothing makes me happier than seeing the scene staying alive and thriving.It's comforting to see the new generation embracing the classic bands while being brave enough to explore new directions and experiment.And I do believe that live shows play an integral part in the smooth and seamless continuation of the genre's history. No "online concert" could ever possibly substitute the experience of the real thing.And that goes both ways. And Bradley,relax.Nobody hates you.
It's honestly so easy to hate on things. Unfortunately, like you said. Metal and Rock are steeped in tradition and have the most toxic and gatekeeper communites. I know that's not always the case. I admit I used to be that way, but I can't, or could never do what any of these guys do, and I learned to respect and appreciate it because what you guys do does take time and energy.
always love it when you put out vids like this.
Me: Wants to perform live.
Anxiety: Not on my watch.
you do sound a little bitter yourself tho... don't let other people's bad attitudes infect your happiness
While I agree with most of your points I couldn't possibly disagree more with the ''tradition bad'' argument, rock is and always will be what these great bands from the past made it out to be and new garbage like Polyphia and such should never be considered rock. Hail traditions and the old may they never change.
I learn and am inspired by watching people play. Covid took that away from me in the form of live music. Then I found The Dooo on UA-cam, and started looking into more guys like Bradley. It kept my inspiration in a time where i was working 70 hours a week and was losing myself creatively while also facing my thirties knowing anything i could have done in live music is probably gone. So thank you!
I love the new way!
It excites me that I may get around to engaging my own online presence, and burrow out my own niche for a creative outlet. That was SOOO much harder to do , when I was a young budding muso in my band from high school..
Yet another random guy in his bedroom fantasizing he's in Metallica smh..
This was a very well thought out video and you made some great points. Keep up the good work Beanly
Right on the spot
I love your channel and as much I would love to have more music with your name on it, I also love the memes and everything!
It's great that I you have a perfect balanced view on things, and made it clear to a beginner musician how the market really is these days.
I think its time I create a small channel for my bands and start creating content before I cry about not having any revenue at gigs!
Thanks for the video YOU ARE A GOD OF MUSIC SIR
You and others here on youtube that create the best contents for musicians without been so irritatingly clinged to the past!
I love the genuineness of this video. Keep doing whatever you want to do, man!
I agree, you have to adapt if you want to be successful. I'm an older guy, and have no problem with the way things are now. And at the end of it do what works for you and makes you happy. The amount of information available and all the great stuff you guys put out is staggering. I remember how it was in the 80s, the info was out there, but it was much harder to get to. And as far as touring vs. internet goes, I agree there also. Touring is fine if you want that, but the exposure you can get on social media is unmatched. A combination definitely seems to work for guys like Herman, Ola, and all the rest.
This is something I never really bothered to think about in depth, but this video totally changed that! I love how you have a very balanced and well informed view between honoring the rockstars of days past and looking forward to how the rock industry will evolve in the future. Music is supposed to be a creative outlet to connect people, just because the medium is changing doesn’t mean the quality or soul behind it is. Besides, DIY bands are the foundation for basically every cool thing that has ever happened in rock. Thank you for spreading joy time and time again with every video ! 🤘💗
Totally agree with this man. I’ve been bands for nearly 30 years now and only started my UA-cam journey about 2+ years ago and had way more success with that than touring. I still love being in a band and playing live but UA-cam and social media has definitely given me more creative outlets and reach than ever before! Love the channel dude, keep it up!
Really love your channel bradley and of course do internet musicians have their reason to exist.
If i look at how much a paul davids for example is teaching peoole for free, its absolutely amazing.
But, i really have to say, the live musician remains the most important in my opinion.
Nothing can give people the same experience as being on a good c9mcert in a good crowd and it just takes so much guts to play in front of people, especially if its technically difficult stuff.
As a touring musician, I agree with all of this. I can't explain why my band and I for example are so put off by creating online content for instagram for example. We are avoiding tiktok as well haha!
That was educational. Hopefully someone will get the message
it's thanks to the internet that we get to see a very up close and personal look into the lives of bedroom musicians, and it just gives me this mysterious wholesome feeling to know that all these entirely random and continents-apart content creators end up creating a connection with each other, something like a web, and we get to witness that in almost real time
it's so entertaining to see so many different kinds of personalities and approaches they take to content creation, and it's thanks to social media that we get to feel closer with the musicians we look up to and realise they're much more grounded on earth (i dunno if that's an expression) than we all previously thought, and that's another plus for the metal community cos most of us are pretty grounded by nature
"Rock... steeped in tradition and incredibly reluctant to any kind of progress" Remember when rock was sticking it to the man?
Definetely I agree with u with almost all the points u said. Music careers are not only being on tour all ur life, u can also be musician, content creator and a lot of stuff thanks to internet. Good words putted on this mate! Cheers!
Great video Bradley! I think you checked every box of what I was even capable to say. I 100% think (As a proud unsponsored DistroKid user since 2018) it is sooo much better to just self publish your music. Like it's honestly easier than letting a label do everything for you, because all you have to do is enter the song names and all that then publish it's super easy and convenient!
And definitely UA-cam is a great outlet for us musicians to do other creative things than just put out music every now and then.
You're doing great mate, keep up the good work!
I did lessons for 2 years and my instructor had the students play gigs at coffee shops, bars, and the church he participated at. I’ve lost some motivation to play but part of me does miss playing for a live show.
Without youtube I would never have seen such a wealth of good guitarists, it doesn't matter what age, gender or skin colour.
It also debunks a lot of myths, which is one of the problems the hate posters have. When idols are no longer who they were made out to be. Many haters are also shown their inability.
You have raised a complex issue here.
I think it's great that you have addressed this topic 👍
Love this!! Well said, bud! You do you! 🤘
Well the only guitarists online I hate are the ones that think they’re better than everyone and telling people that we’re playing guitar wrong if you do it a certain way. You’re funny and incorporate cool guitar playing with humor, so I’m not talking about you. But the people that I described above are the kinds I do not enjoy watching. You and Shred are my favorite.
Edit: I also love Carl Brown he is a very great teacher and has taught me many songs. He’s very humble and enjoys teaching us and never asks for anything except to sign up for lessons which is like a common sense thing to do lol.
Man I just love you and your way of doing your stuff here and wherever you wanna take it. I found your analysis of the changes in the music industry super interesting even if I didn't agree with everything, but then I always think: he is probably right for 98% of live musicians, only a very select few bands actually get some real money out of live performances and I dare to say almost none of them will have some meaningful private or family life as well. And don't get me started on the introvert points you made, just so in point! I mean you are literally preaching to the choir when arguing about that topic on UA-cam, of course I agree with you. Would love to see this in an online article somewhere and see what the more traditional crowd would say about that. Cheers mate, your are literally awesome and quite insanely hilarious. It hilariously insane. You choose.
I’m writing this comment about how people in the 70’s and 80’s didn’t have a lot of people to play with and form a band with. In my opinion this is still going on. I live in a small town but don’t have a lot of friends that like the type of music that I like (which is metal). This all changed when I went to a music academy called School of Rock. School of Rock is a very large music academy that do seasonal shows and lessons. I have been with them for about a year now and have done 2 seasonal shows. The Big 4 and Ozzy Vs. Dio. School of Rock has aloud me to play and connect with other kids that share the same music interests as me. Also I get the chance to form a band with those people. I have a friend that plays bass and keys that goes to the school of rock that I go to. We both share the same interest musically. I showed her Slipknot and Gojira (which are my favorite bands) and she loves them now. She told me that she listen to the entirety of Gojira’s Magma and The Way of All Flesh albums. Now she’s in my band. Way before I went to school of rock, I didn’t have anyone that was in my age group that like the music that I listen to. It was either one they lived too far or there was just nobody.
I totally agree with absolutely every point said. Music industry was way different 30 years ago. Keep up the good job, brother, I really think you are putting great content! Cheer!
I really like your content Bradley and I like the way you think and how you are not afraid to voice your opinions, I do like to fuck around but I also like to have some serious discussions every now and then
Totally agree with you with everything
whole video was amazing and inspiring, whole edit just kept going.
I love content creators, and I think that UA-cam is an amazing way to let guitarists and other musicians share their music and talent.
Hey Bradley,
you can never please everybody anyway.
When I started posting my music on UA-cam a little over a year ago, I found you and was just speechless and thrilled! You were the first person I subscribed to when I started/restarted!
I will never forget how you introduced different metal genres and jumped past the microphone screaming at the top of your lungs! I almost fell off my chair laughing!
That's the point, I think, success proves you right
and you do what you enjoy. Isn't that actually great?
My dream has always been to play on a big stage one day. I fulfilled that dream in the Markthalle Hamburg in 2002.
We played third, right before the headliner "Undercroft" (Chile). They had three albums on the market and were on tour in
in Germany. They only had the money for the outward flight and toured here until they had earned the money (mainly merch) to buy a ticket home!
I would never have thought that before.
So to each his own opinion, from his own point of view everyone is right and that's it. Live and let live!
Joe
100% spot on Brad! Keep up the good work
You motivate me to improve as a guitarist and as a gentleman. Thank you x
You changed my life bro, your sweeping and alternate picking are so cool that inspires me a lot to play. I also know Octavarium, a song that literally changed the course of my life just of how good it is, I'll always remember you, no matter what happens, and to me, thats what its important, being remembered
Hell yeah, brother. I love your content and the hard work you put in. I love the online guitar and metal community in UA-cam. It is unique, has brought tons of content and inspiration to millions of viewers, and exposed us all to new styles and musical idea. Never stop.
As much as i am a part of gen z, i still think that playing live is one of the core things of the music industry. I dont hate the more modern approach, i just have my focus elsewhere for the moment
Granted, this might change in the future as im still relatively young and i dont have much experience in the industry
I would like to first thank you for everything you do for the metal community. As far as the haters and the trolls they can piss off your doing what makes your life feel successful and enjoyable. Most people that try to bring someone down when they are doing well is someone who is jealous and failing at life. So man keep doing what your doing.
I just left a thumbs up and subscribed.
This is gold
Great video Bradley.
I starting doing UA-cam music videos because as you get older life circumstances change. When you have a full time job and kids you can’t just be disappearing off with your friends for weeks to play gigs. Moving onto UA-cam let’s me keep making music from home and gives me a reason to keep playing and improving.
Much love man and keep doing what you’re doing!
Perfectly put! As a member of a small band trying to get our shit out there, it can be a nightmare doing 1 show and if you’re thinking you’re going to make money doing this, nope! You usually end up paying more for gas, food and lodging then you make playing the gig.
We definitely make more on our merch.
Social media is the only way to reach people these days and as a band that wants to keep the rights to our music and would rather play live then in front of a camera in an empty room, it’s tough. We’re still trying to figure it out.
So if anyone has any good advice… I’m listening!
I think there’s an audience for us, we just need to get our sound out there.