The Secret To Being A Happy Guitarist ft.
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
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#music #guitar #wellness
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00:00 Intro
00:50 Have an outlet
03:42 Be unafraid of change
06:13 Healthy comparisons
09:42 Be willing to adapt
10:10 Success does not equal happiness
14:14 Work/fun balance
16:18 Embrace the journey
19:00 Develop a healthy relationship with gear
23:23 The experience is what matters
25:49 Embrace limitations
27:22 Actively seek joy
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im at a point in my life where a video of two dudes that i look up to talking about this kinda stuff is exactly what i need, thanks guys
Half of this is video low-key is just good life advice lol.
My watch later playlist is literally a rolling 40 videos of that exact thing.
Thanks for having me man! We got deep here, but I’m glad we talked about this stuff.
Thank you @RhettShull
Accept the level you are at and by having fun you will improve.
it's not a spectacular idea but really true. the only way which actually works.
"Don't compare; Don't expect too fast; Be kind to yourself."
~Tomo Fujita
I've been playing guitar for about a year and a half, and in the first 6 months I binged all of your content. Your videos really helped me to become a healthy guitarist.
I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this conversation. There were plenty of times, as I am sure with us all, where playing and practicing guitar did not result in an enjoyment of the instrument for me in a multitude of ways addressed in the discussion, which can really make one question if playing guitar is worth it in the end. I'm not quite sure where I will be with music and guitar in the next 3 months, 3 years, or 3 decades, but I can and will embrace any peak and valley that comes about. For me, it's a never-ending journey forever, and with that it's best to realize and understand that I will never be a "perfect" musician, but I will always be a better musician as time goes. Cheers.
I didn't know this was the video i need in this period of my life. I just don't know how to thankyou boys
Awesome vid! Thanks for not editing it down to 10 minutes. The more natural, free form chat is nice too once in a while ✌️
I'm going to send this to the many players I know. I am gigging over 30 years and it took me alot longer than you guys to realise much of what you touched on in this video. My kids play too and they are getting to the gigging age so I will be putting this up on the family chat!!!! Thanks for being so candid, open and all the best for the channels in the future!!!!
I feel like some of these suggestions can be applied to our own self and our overall happiness. Good ok sammy g coming in with that wisdom
This is a very good dou! It's so much fun watching you guys together.
A bullet list of wise and hard obtained life lessons. The one I relate the most with is "Embrace the journey", happiness is hard obtained and short lasting, the journey lasts until the last of our day. Enjoy the journey.
thanks for not cutting it back to 10 minutes 🙏 this was great!
Guys I enjoyed this more than I can express. Will be revisiting often. I compare myself to others WAY too much and a lot of what you had to say hit close to home. Thank you for putting this together for us. Much appreciated!
"If I could play guitar like THAT, I'd be happy" Oh man am I ever guilty of this one. Been strumming on and off for twenty years, still feel like a beginner 'cause I spend less time happily strumming than wishing I was more gifted.
Only ever compare your own growth to your own growth Comparing ones own growth to the growth of another can only wreck ones own inspiration and creativity.
_Music is a communication, not a competition._
The experience was the best one. I’ve gone through a lot of money in the last few years on gear and have had no experiences. When Samurai was talking about that one Tele he’s had forever it really hit me.
Great video guys! Love both of your channels.
I've got this.
You spend years finding the exact Les Paul that fits you personally, and write off other brands due to being "too consistent".
Amazing talk y'all, much appreciated
Healthy comparisons and finding an outlet really hit home with me. I have no idea if I'm a decent intermediate guitar player or if I'm just a punched up beginner. I've been playing on and off for over 10 years but only within the last 3 have I tried to learn theory and improvisation. I was an acoustic only player until then too. I haven't played in a band since high school pit orchestra. Now I just jam with my dad and very occasionally contribute lead to a friend that records artists. Sometimes I feel lost and overwhelmed by what I don't know.
I don't think I really had a point with this comment besides to say I have great respect for conversations like this. It's about guitar but its more about life.
I have been playing for about 15 years now and I’ve gigged but in recent years I just record video covers for Facebook and go to jam/open mic nights! Since I made this change and started doing that I have found that playing music is wayyyyy more enjoyable for me! I can keep it varied and play what I want when I want instead of having to play through the same 8 songs each night and I don’t feel the pressure to be at my best because past the 15 people who watch the videos who cares as I’m doing it for me not them :)
I really like what Sammy said about experiences... music has been with me for some of the most memorable experiences in my life and the connections with others, what Rhett followed up with, is the best part of those experiences! Great video guys! 😎🤘🎸
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and expertise. I resonate with everything that you guys are saying.
I love everything encapsulated in this vid. There were a lot of things I teach my students as well! Thanks for using your platform for good 👊🏾
Really good advices, thanks for sharing these thoughts!
What a cool conversation! There’s some pearls of wisdom in here and a lot of relatable points. Thanks for this video.
Rhett, thank you for saying that we all have different paths. Self-assessment is very important, but the goal or success as you mention can differ so much from person to person. We just have to define our goals for ourselves, even abstractly is fine, and then just make moves to achieve them and what helps is... ha, practice. Happiness is fleeting, but satisfaction and understanding with where you are and where you still want to go are priceless.
A+++
Such a great conversation to listen to
The "outlet" I enjoyed for about 40 yrs was the feedback of self while developing playing listening and writing skills. When I was asked to a band practice I came for the experience of playing with others. I would not attend a performance of the band unless I was playing but I would come the the practices, even if there were no dates to perform. I would have no "stage fright" when we did perform because I was there for the interaction within the music makers. My feeling was the same whether there were 5 of 500 listening - or 3 to 5 at a time, walking by toward the restrooms (second position band at a wedding).
Need this video today! Especially the gear thing. Thanks
Lots of great wisdom from both of you !! And thanks for not editing it down to 10 minutes.
I'd add something of note: Feeling wrong only happens in the moments when you learn you *were* wrong. But you *were* wrong all along until you learned it, and *being* wrong feels normal. Like, we all know we're not perfect and must be wrong about loads of things, but we don't feel wrong about them... we feel normal.
The unpleasant feeling of being wrong happens when we are actively learning, which is kinda messed up, brains.
When it feels hard... when you feel wrong... that could be your brain's natural response to learning.
Some pearls of wisdom! Thanks guys!
one of my dream youtube collabs
I love the distinction between what makes you happy and what makes you glad. And thanks for the reminder 😊
I heard the first point as being ‘have an outfit for your work’ which felt like a great idea on many levels.
Amen guys! That'll preach!! Great words of wisdom!!
Wow, I love both of your channels. and the collaboration is awesome. Thank you...
How to be a happy guitarist.
Rule #1
Compulsively buy any gear you wish.
There are no more rules.
YES!
Tommy Emmanuel is known to play 8-12 hours a day, the people who tour with him can vouch that he doesn't ever stop playing. He is also divorced three times and has / had depression plus his children doesn't get to see him most days of a year. There's a price to everything, and sometimes the price is heavier than the prize.
Great conversation and great video! I died a little inside when you both said you like Journey more than Rush though 😢
amen
I’m really grateful that you guys shared this advice with us is just what I need it, thank you guys ❤
I've been a full time muso for about 5 years, everything you said in this video I've experienced and is spot on 👌
We as people spend so much time looking forward towards the next goal, that we often forget to look back and see how far we've come. Looking back at what we could do a year ago, or even a month ago, compared to what we can do now can be eye opening. My music might not be the best in the world, but a few short years ago I couldn't write music at all.
If I went back in time a year or two and showed myself what I can do now, I would be amazed. I'd probably even beat myself up comparing my abilities with future me the same way I do with other people. I often forget to look backwards like that - but when I do, I have moments of disbelief at how far I've come.
One of the greatest experiences of my life was when 6 of my co-workers, who sold organs for a living (the instrument, not the tissue) decided to cram inside of the spare bedroom of a 2/1 apartment and worked out Hotel California and an original by the best guitarist (who had up until then never worked with anyone else on it) and we spent 8 hours on a holiday (shop was closed) just being the best musicians that we could be. There is nothing like that first time.
I remember a metal band that was pretty good wanted me to try out. They kept telling me to stop having such a good time because metal is pain to them. Uh no I like to have fun and that is what I shall do. My day job is brutal enough...
I was playing in a punk band way back in the nineties when I started playing. They all dressed punk and I didn't get around to it as much as I did my playing so they asked me to leave so someone who carried the image could take over. That was fun for a while but I wouldn't conform not even to punk rebels lmao.
I would hang out at the college of music a lot wondering if that was worth applying for and found myself considering electrical work again after talking with an audio technician about jobs needed in parts of the audio industry. I figured maybe I would find like minded musicians in electrical work. And for a while I did jam with some sparkies haha. But that didn't last either mostly because of the jobs.
Fast forward a thousand stories about a thousand jars full of brown mms
Today I don't play as much as I used to because my body got all messed up from the jobs I did and it effects my song writing. I've had one long creative block since I got sick and I don't know what to expect anymore. Ok ending rant before I go on and on.
Don't worry... do0t do0t be happy...
This is a cool video especially for dedicated musicians. It’s a journey, and we are fortunate to play with these cool tools to create our own individual art form.
Not gonna lie. At first I thought this was just a lazy video so you could take some time off.
But that thought changed very quickly!
I love how thoughtful your guys thoughts are and said so many things that not just only apply to playing guitar but life in general.
It was a big pleasure to watch all of it.
Two of my favorite three youtube guitarists (plus Sean Daniel). Thanks guys.
26:45 loving Sammy G embracing the limitation (by displaying his bristol board 🤣). This could not be a better demonstration of the concept! ❤
Right from the start, I couldn't disagree with the first point more. I'm 53, I've been playing since I was 15. I've never played in a band and don't intend to. I write and record music occasionally because it's fun, but I don't have any expectation of anyone hearing it or caring about it. I play guitar every day, and have for 38 years, because it feels good and it makes me happy. That's all you need. As soon as you start placing expectations on yourself and setting goals you remove the joy and create a workload on yourself. You feel the need to set goals because you've connected guitar to your income. That's a mindset that you've imposed on yourself, it's not inherent in the enjoyment of the instrument or music overall.
I guess that depends on the definition of a guitarist. I would consider a guitarist as someone who has somewhat serious intentions about it
@@nicozwirner A guitarist is someone who plays guitar.
Sorry, you sound more like a settled down guitarist than a happy one. You didn't enjoy your journey and decided to stop and play in moderation, since working to get better was just a pain and removed the joy from your playing. I can't call this happiness.
@@nicozwirner That also depends on the definition of happiness. Living with no ambitions sure keeps you away from frustrations but I wouldn't call it happiness.
@@ClaudioBrogliato It would probably take a discussion that is longer than is practical in a youtube comment exchange to really come to an understanding. That being said, I'll try to elaborate a bit. I've enjoyed every bit of my 38 years of playing and I work on getting better all the time. What I don't do is hold myself to a rigorous practice regimen or feel the need to reach artificial goals. I've never been a wanna-be rock star or someone who sits around and judges myself based on what others can do. (not saying you are either of those at all) If I feel bored or stale, I learn a bunch of songs from a band I've never tried. If I feel like certain areas of my playing are rusty, I'll focus on playing stuff that utilizes those techniques to polish them back up. When it comes down to it I just fell in love with the sound of heavy music and I felt the need to make that sound. I've been loving the ability to do that my whole life. It is a journey, as you said, not a competition.
Great video!
rhett: i struggled in school i wassnt popular ect...
samurai:truly struggling
I just need one more guitar, then I’ll be happy.
6:28 Rhett politey asks if he can cuss and just says "shit" 😂😂😂
My alone at home playing sessions were either exploring a new technique and writing a piece with it or playing along to a recorded or live) piece.
This is low key good.
something I think about for practice is that while being able to shred a scale super fast is great for dexterity and makes other stuff feel easier making little diddies with scales can be fun and equally valuable its a way to have practice and inspiration merge together
I've been jamming all night, took a break from my semi hollow in drop d standard to restring my Strat broke a D and put this video on to pass the time....my. point is I wanted to play my Strat in Eb standard for some reason and now I have forgotten what I was going for,,,damn brain fart but great points and great message....love ya guys.
"It's got to be the going, not the getting there, that's good." - 'Greyhound', by Harry Chapin
Thanks!
I'm at exactly this point right now. I don't know how to find happiness after grinding away at it for the past 2 years of daily practice, especially when my peers don't think I play to a decent level yet. So the social aspect of it appears to be what's getting me down and why I rush to get better, dedicating at first 2 hours a day and now 4-6 hours a day. The feedback was crucial in helping me get better fast, but after 2 years of it, it just feels like I'm getting nowhere. I've decided not to record anything or play with people until I'm better.
One thing that I find is really important for me as a player to find happiness is to find my tone. I don't mean as an excuse to amass gear but that moment when you find just the right tone, be it from replacing pickups or trying a new pedal and getting that satisfaction that playing with this tone is gonna be _fun_ that's worth finding.
Of course then technique, or lack thereof, gets in the way and the joy gets replaced by a feeling of complete worthlessness but it's always good while it lasts.
Happiness is truly different for each individual. It is unique to every fiber of your being. Listen to your inner self and follow that voice…despite what others may and will say. Achieving this happiness is true success.
Empty platitudes.
I understood all of this…all of this…
The only thing missing from this talk is a good meal on the table between them and a decent bottle of something to lubricate the vocal chords! Really great stuff.
Thank you guys. A lot of this can be applied to other things in life, not just guitar.
Guitar and music in general is an outlet, but I also have a huge level of control on it. Sure, I've got GAS as much as the other guy, but knowing whether I can put more or less time and effort is just down to me. That makes it different from other aspects of of life (and different if it is your profession of course). So it's about what I can or choose to put into it. A lot of life stuff is about obligations in many ways, but at least with this I can I have control over the gas pedal. I honestly could be further along the path, but I'm also trying to enjoy the ride.
Let's share our music paths (and goals?) and see the differences.
I started out at 13 playing guitar to be cool. By 16 I thought I wanted some kind of pro career even though I was writing bad to mediocre Jesus tunes. I led worship off and on for the next decade and started and dropped two bands that were bad to mediocre. All this time I listened to tons of great music from prog, punk, metal, grunge, folk, gospel and developed a good sense of basic theory and what most instruments in a band did. I joined a local cover band in my late 20's, started writing some mediocre rock songs and singing backup in the mid 90s, now reviving that rock star dream. But then I watched some friends who made it (Graveyard Train) get signed, tour and fall apart. I went back to leading worship off and on again for about 20 years with no actual interest in being pro after watching my friends terrible experiences. But then two years ago, two good friends of mine that I met in recovery started fooling around with Ableton live, wrote a simple rock tune, recorded it in my office, and friends, family and even strangers seemed to REALLY like it. So we wrote another and it was well received. So we decided to just keep going until... whenever. Just this past March we published our first album for all 3 of us, and we are now on the second song of our SECOND album. No plans to be famous or tour or any of that nonsense, just doing it for it's own sake, to make music WE like to listen to. If you want to hear what is probably some decent Jesus rock (not Stryper, Switchfoot or Petra btw), check it out. You will probably recognize the many influences we had over the last 40 years 😃but I highly recommend this approach to creating music: music.ua-cam.com/play/OLAK5uy_kct-m7OOREGExT7H3CAVF2OWhs56SQaog.html&feature=share Share your path, too!!!
Its interesting watching you both who make a living with music discuss this.. because I think personally its a very different conversation that would be had for people like me who have a "day job/career" but for 20-25 years have been making music on the side as a "hobby". Practicing guitar I never enjoyed, it was always the writing and recording of music that is where my fun/escape is and.. because music isn't work, I want to spend all my free time making music so its harder to balance the life and music balance because.. the time I have to experience life is the same time I have to make music.. so its a huge conflict trying to make it balance. If I spend all of a weekend out with the girlfriend or friends or family.. than its going to be another 7 days until I can have the opportunity to make music and that.. depresses me, even though I may have fun in that time, it weighs me down knowing that I have to wait days to be able to do the other thing I am passionate about or the other thing that gives me happiness in life.. It is tough..
This is a good video.
2 things that helped me the most are:
1. Stop drooling over new gear - focus on the music
2. Stop trying to be the fastest and most impressive player ever -> focus on the music
Success and happiness are related but separate NET RESULTS that usually arrive slowly and leave quickly.
Making the most of everything is more worthwhile than getting forever stuck on one thing.
This video isn't only for guitar players, but for anyone doing something difficult and wants to get better.
In general...
you're never too old to start and years go by fast so play around a little bit everyday. Before you know it you are getting some chops with all that time under your belt. The skills you learn with guitar don't go obsolete like mastering video games or watching only Netflix and youtube. Invest in yourself!
I love playing the guitar. But as a now middle-aged Gen'X'r, I most definitely have other things that are infinitely more important than the guitar. I have a wife, I have children (one of whom has also taken to the instrument) and I also have one of those "real jobs'. As such, I don't make any money from making music so my definition of "success " is not tied to making it in the industry. A couple of points really hit close to home especially when it comes to finding a sense of purpose and having an outlet for what I do. For me, church has been a steady gig (of course it's more than a gig)for a number of years, but as changes in work responsibilities have changed I don't regularly attend so as part of the journey that I have to embrace is finding an outlet.
Nothing brings me out of depression but also causes me depression as much as guitar does.
Best venn diagram I've seen in a while.
Rhett's "age of 25" comment resonates. I started gigging in bars and clubs when I was still too young to buy a drink. When I saw a seasoned cover band guitarist drowning his sorrows at an early afternoon jam session, I vowed to quit the music business if I was still playing sh*t clubs at age 25. Long story short, I did.
Rhett. This is a great video. As an outside viewer, it’s time for you to push into the uncomfortable next zone of releasing your own music with you singing and playing. You’ve built a platform most artists/bands would kill to have. You can use it in a way that won’t feel sleazy or turn off your fans if you release a song that comes from a real and true place.
Great video gentlemen. I took something away from each lesson.
I gotta ask though because you say it at the end of every video, is consuming cow flesh (steak) really taking care of the planet? Flesh from ruminate animals like cows is one of the most environmentally destructive “food” choices you can make. Not to mention the immense suffering an animal goes through to become a steak or burger. How do you justify this choice when there is a ridiculously large amount of alternatives at your finger tips in the grocery store?
Not judging, preaching, or hating, just asking the question. Keep up the good work. Love this channel.
Rhett!
Remember when Gear Fest was awesome and people like Steve Vai was there and not just a couple of UA-camrs talking about Steve Vai? That was cool. Even though we had to enjoy it on videos again this year instead of in person, at least we didn't have to suffer through Dovydas competing to see who could tune a guitar the fastest this year. Come on SweetWater, the pandemic is over.
Point one. Goddamn. That's what made me want to even start writing music. I just wanted to be able to put my own songs together and see what I can come up with. Now that I've been doing that, I really want to jam or put a band together to write songs or something. Sure, I have my own stuff, but there's no one to bounce off ideas with.
Is this the SweetWater warehouse? This place looks awesome!
Sound advice. I'll only add that if you enjoy playing, play on. Cheers....
I’ve recently been forced to move the goalposts on what I define as success. I’m on the verge of music being my day job, but it looks nothing like what it looked like when I was dreaming as a kid
How to be a happy guitarist:
1. Patience is a virtue, with guitar it is absolutely mandatory.
2. What you have between your legs does not influence your ability. If you need a penis to play guitar, then you’re doing it wrong… very, very wrong.
3. In life, we are given a finite quantity of f*cks to give. Choose wisely.
Bonus: No, you probably don’t need that new gadget/course in order to unlock your potential despite what your favourite UA-camr says. Leave it 3 months before you part with any fun voucher. That ‘limited time only’ sale is designed to make you spend on impulse. You’re a guitarist, therefore you have weapons-grade patience and ability to delay gratification. This is your superpower.
Hope that helps. Now, I’ll watch the upload.
Great video. Lots of good advice. I noticed you guys said the words, 'rush' and 'journey' a lot after the real topic, which was obviously... Rush or Journey? Is that even a real thing? Rush all day.
Limitations aren’t just gear or money. Your body and mind have limitations too. Some of these you can work through, but my fingers are my fingers. No amount of practice can change that. Understanding that can turn it into a strength. I don’t waste time on things that physically I have a low chance of success, and I make different chord shapes that don’t require long reaches. I do me, you do you. There are gear impacts, narrow or overly wide fretboards don’t fit. Neither do the longest scale lengths. That was a costly lesson that someone else will benefit from.
So , i guess the answer is , be aware ( but yeah , tell that to some young teenager : ) , thats why live is a journey and the destination does not matter . And this goes for all people , musicians or not .
Dude you should do more with Rhett. Or Dipped inTone
I think the most important thing, especially when you have some experience…don’t go broke or go into debt buying gear. We live in an era where you can achieve any tone or sound on a strict budget. Stop chasing the boutique bullshit.
@11:36 it is called Destination Happiness, it also doesn't exist
Rhett, you are now cool and popular 😊
My only problem is, I work so hard on these videos and then they get fewer views than the amount of hours they took to make. For example Hunger Strike barely passed 150 clicks, and it took almost 200 hours to make. I've even been talked about on some bigger channels (SonicScoop, Bonzoleum) and described as "severely underwatched" and "extremely talented, can sing and play with the very best out there," yet it never helps. After more than a decade I still only have 369 subs, and it just. doesn't. make. sense.
I seeked Joy, she put a restraining order on me 😂
Jokes aside good advice for all of us either hobbyists or professionals
No Rush and yes to Journey? Dear God, i loved you Sammy G. Lol😅
👽
Are these guys at a YMCA?