I’m about 45 years into my guitar journey. The last 13 years have been the most productive. Being a Bernth VIP member on Patreon for the last few years has helped me tremendously. It’s a commitment to yourself. A few months ago I took a month long break because I had forgotten why I was doing it. I had turned it into work. It can’t be work, not solely anyway. In my effort to learn new things I forgot how to take joy in what I CAN do. This was very helpful, Bernth, thanks 🙏.
I'm glad you touched on being self tought... The hardest thing for me is learning to do something right after doing it for so many years, wrong. Bad habits are hard to break because you, or at least me, don't want to slow everything you know down and start over. All it takes is one time of reverting back to a bad habit to reduce all your progress to zero. One really does need to go into a woodshed (away from everyone) until your new technique becomes dominate over the old. This alone has been my biggest struggle.
What keeps me motivated are the people that actually make it far like Dimebag. I love their music and i makes me want to continue and eventually create my own music like them.
One of my biggest regrets about my personal journey with this wonderful instrument is that I feel I was born too early. I started in the late 70's/early 80's when there was no internet. I was self taught, and was able to play lots of songs, but struggled at playing solos. People my age learned by buying mail-order courses in the back of guitar magazines, or we would seek out more experienced players to teach us. I took lessons from many guitar teachers in the music stores, but most of them would hold back on what I considered vital information because they wanted my money. Every time I asked them about scales they would try to convince me to learn children's songs. Then I discovered a book called "Guitar Language" that is now out of print. That was my epiphany. I progressed exponentially once I saw theory explained clearly. I still have that book to this day for sentimental reasons. People today have it so easy. Everything they want to know is right at their fingertips. When you mentioned stage fright, that one hit me. My first time on stage was tough because I thought there would be so many guitarists in the crowd that were scrutinizing me. Like the old joke, How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb? One hundred and one...One to actually do it, and a hundred in the crowd to say, "I can do that!" 😄What cured my stage fright was that I told myself that sure there were other guitarists out there, and they had their day on stage and I was OK with that, but today was MY day on stage and it was MY turn to feel the rush of playing in front of the audience! That feeling cannot be duplicated.
What keeps me motivated is, that you dont have that time, Like a Football Player, where your Body will stop you from learning at an age of 30-40… started at 13 years old… on/off. Now im 28 and start again. I am Self taught and Never practice but the last 2 months I watched your Videos.. now i‘m Patreon VIP Member and try to be more than intermediate at least at an Age of 33.. when I can say, I started 20 years ago. I Hope your courses will help me If you want an overview of the skills I reached… I made some Videos on my UA-cam singe I was 15 y/o 😂 And I will do some more when I get better just for my Kids to See where I came from
I started around the same age as you except I'm 43 now. I've had, like you, times that were off and on. My last break ended around a year and a half ago, I didn't even touch an instrument for 3 years. But it was due to personal mental stuff. In the last 1.5 years I've probably made more progress than I did the previous 10 years I was playing. I approached it from a new pov and it was fresh. At first I had to kinda relearn how to move my fingers but it really kinda is like riding a bike. Good luck on your music journey and never forget to have fun.
Very sound advice & there's nothing wrong with having influences but they should be the ones that made you want to play but not copy as you will never find you own sound. I stared out as a kid in 67 & now I'm pushing 69 & i still play all the time. We all want to play as our heroes & there isn't anything wrong with learning to play those songs as we all do but we need to find our own ways & i never felt i was not growing but i did end up early on taking lessons for 5 years & if you love the instrument you won't give up. Learning is like tone you never stop trying to find it & you never stop learning & i agree 100% you must be happy with what you accomplish & don't compare yourself toothers as they had the same journey in their own way. 🎸🎶 ROCK !!!
The first topic you mentioned is probably the most important these days. 👍 The second one I would say: "Change strings in good time, maybe turn on the delay, and fly away!" 😉
I feel like a common trend of some UA-cam videos talking about progress (not this one) is the claim that they didn’t make “progress” until they started doing something different (what the video is about) but they forget that possibly all the practice they had done prior to this change may have also helped in some ways because practice is practice and gets your comfortable with the guitar.
I’m 100% guilty to comparing myself to better players. Personally I don’t mind it cause it fuels me to keep practicing and better instead of feeling discouraged.
Thank you. Very insightful. I agree that consistency is key. A daily routine focusing on those areas you want to become proficient in is extremely useful. While I have no aspirations to be a pro guitarist, I do want to learn and conquer the techniques necessary to play the music I love (death metal). I've been a student for 7 months and really appreciate the structure you have brought to my playing and practice. I feel like I'm relearning the instrument after years of poor habits and I am very pleased with my progress. I would say to young guitarists out there that you shouldn't expect to get "better" every day on guitar. It's not how it works. Take a look at your progress over a month at a time and you will find noticeable improvements in some things (not all things). In 3 month and 6 month increments, with daily, 45-60 minute practice sessions, you will find that levels that you thought might take years are now reasonably within reach.
I remember trying to jump from 30 minute daily practice to 4 hours a day about 13 years ago because I wanted to get "serious" I did that for about 4 months. I don't remember how early the pain in my fretting hand started but I remember thinking I just needed to push through it because it was just weakness... eventually I realized I had caused an injury to my fretting hand because I ignored the pain. It really set back my progress as I had to take a long break from regular guitar practice and the injury still affects me to this day. I've learned to listen to pain, and with that I've been able to continue progressing despite the injury. I appreciate your content as it's really helped over the years.
I went into a band from my music school. Like a band coaching traject. So a band but mostly to get experience and learning so less pressure. Wich is good if you only played for 2 years. I was 20 at the time and I was a lot older then the other band members but decided to not have a problem with it. The first months it was amazing playing almost weekly on Fridays. However we all got burned out and rehearsing became shorter and shorter and their was also a bit of toxicity in the band. Like a loud drummer who refused to play soft etc. After a year we had a rehearsel. I went home pissed and decided in like 10 minutes to quit the band. After that 2 other people left as well. Because we werent a match due to the age gap. I was band leader and did lot of effort for it and became 'burned out'. I played way less for like 6 months. So I still played even started in a new band. But did the bare minimum for it. Only now I feel like practicing consistently. However I wont be band leader anytime soon😅
I believe that anyone who masters an instrument professionally has been through hell. Especially the electric guitar is extremely sensitive compared to something like a keyboard: Which guitar? Which strings? Which pickups? Which amplifier? Which cabinet? Drop tunings, etc., etc. But even when I absolutely don’t feel like it anymore, I still practice for at least half an hour every day-because I know you have to keep going. Everytime i went through the dark i came out better.
It would be encouraging to see your current failures. Like, the journey that everyone else goes through. Like, "i struggled to make this solo, i had to play it 500 times to perfect it", etc. Show the human side if you and how you overcome the issues. Maybe how you were having a hard time learning something new or whatever
I drilled a woodscrew into my left middle finger tip and kept practicing, learning to work without that finger for the 2 months of healing, then it took me 2 years to undo those bad habits. When you have an injury, don't push yourself to accommodate it. Take a break.
I still chase (more or less successfully) a dumb imaginary skill level I need for me in order to do „good songs“. Reality is: If I say „no I’m gonna write something now and sit into studio one!!“ I often end up sitting with plug-in and play songs or try practice improv. Wich is everything but Songwriting 😂 I think it has something todo with fearing there’s no out come so I do stuff I know worked before what obviously doesn’t work for everything. But somehow it’s kinda hard to keep the focus on writing and recording. Anyone familiar with that? 😂
I was only a year old when you were doing your first concert. Of course I suck compared to you and all those other players on the net. But little improvements keeps me motivated to go further. Thanks for the resources you provide on youtube❤❤
Some are born great, some attain greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Sometimes the best thing to do is look PAST your emotions and just humbly express gratitude.
Great video! I've struggled with a lot of these. I've been playing a little over two years now and I am a bit of a perfectionist, which doesn't help. I've let go of some of those tendencies but it's still been rocky when I'm not as good as I think I "should" be. My technique has massively improved in this time and I have a decent amount of theory knowledge. My problem is applying it. I am not content just learning songs in my basement. I want to write music and I want to be able to improvise and play with others. I have tried a little bit but am definitely not where I want to be. Would you ever make a video on that?
I appreciate this video, I feel stuck in the intermediate area, I've been practicing everyday and can feel improvements, but I know there is something holding me back, Maybe It's time to incorporate more theory!
I just wonder if you, Bernth, were playing with Belphegor in London in 2015 with Hate and Vital Remains. It was amazing show. It's great to watch as somebody like you- just normal guy shows how he started to play with big ones, I hope it will be possible to watch your guest appearance with Tool what you played couple years ago. I have to agree with many points you've mentioned. Comparing to sky high guitarists is common killer. Fear of playing on big stages as well, even if I had no chance to play on them yet and I'm afraid it will never happen but who knows, maybe one day somebody will need some medicore guitarist ;) for one job. And losing fun... I know this pain. Thanks to that sometimes I give up with many exercises and come back after few weeks with worse hands condition. Mental stage is a messy thing...
Honestly, no one cares. Just go for it and have fun! Do it for yourself and no one else. I used to feel the same but took the plunge a couple months ago. Most of my vids only have a few hundred views but who cares! It's about you and no one else! Just enjoy. (If it really bothers you tho just film from the neck down or wear a mask.
BROOOOOOO! I HATE watching videos of myself. Whether it be playing guitar, or anything else, really. I hate the sound of my voice, and the stupid things my face does when I'm playing.... I'm trying to get over that so I can upload some of the guitars I've built. Case in point, you are NOT alone. We are our own worst critics! Keep at it, I want to watch your content!
@K.V.H. Ya, it's tough to watch yourself play. I even get a little nervous when I'm recording cause I know I'm no performer. I just try to keep a straight face. Lol!! Should you decide to take the plunge and start posting, send me a link. Cheers!!!! ( remember....no one cares)
Want to learn. Just cover songs. No need for this beginner BS of learn your chords or scales. That shit can come after you become good at covering music. Covering music is more fun than learning chords and scales. Want better Fret hand? Learn to type fast. Once you learn to type fast you will have nimble agile fingers. This the wax on wax off method of learning guitar. Punk Rock music is the most easy guitar playing you will ever learn for chords. Btw guys most girls DONT like guitar solos. If you want to impress guys go for it, but if ed sheeran can make girls get wet over chords so can you.
Download my 30-day guitar courses here: www.patreon.com/bernth
Please don't quit! It's not a competition. It's art and self-expression no matter where you are at.
❤
I’m about 45 years into my guitar journey.
The last 13 years have been the most productive.
Being a Bernth VIP member on Patreon for the last few years has helped me tremendously.
It’s a commitment to yourself.
A few months ago I took a month long break because I had forgotten why I was doing it.
I had turned it into work.
It can’t be work, not solely anyway.
In my effort to learn new things I forgot how to take joy in what I CAN do.
This was very helpful, Bernth, thanks 🙏.
I'm glad you touched on being self tought...
The hardest thing for me is learning to do something right after doing it for so many years, wrong.
Bad habits are hard to break because you, or at least me, don't want to slow everything you know down and start over. All it takes is one time of reverting back to a bad habit to reduce all your progress to zero.
One really does need to go into a woodshed (away from everyone) until your new technique becomes dominate over the old.
This alone has been my biggest struggle.
You are such a beautiful person! Thank you for sharing this most inspiring and insightful knowledge for all! 🎉
Not comparing yourself is so key 🙌
What keeps me motivated are the people that actually make it far like Dimebag. I love their music and i makes me want to continue and eventually create my own music like them.
One of my biggest regrets about my personal journey with this wonderful instrument is that I feel I was born too early. I started in the late 70's/early 80's when there was no internet. I was self taught, and was able to play lots of songs, but struggled at playing solos. People my age learned by buying mail-order courses in the back of guitar magazines, or we would seek out more experienced players to teach us. I took lessons from many guitar teachers in the music stores, but most of them would hold back on what I considered vital information because they wanted my money. Every time I asked them about scales they would try to convince me to learn children's songs. Then I discovered a book called "Guitar Language" that is now out of print. That was my epiphany. I progressed exponentially once I saw theory explained clearly. I still have that book to this day for sentimental reasons. People today have it so easy. Everything they want to know is right at their fingertips.
When you mentioned stage fright, that one hit me. My first time on stage was tough because I thought there would be so many guitarists in the crowd that were scrutinizing me. Like the old joke, How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb? One hundred and one...One to actually do it, and a hundred in the crowd to say, "I can do that!" 😄What cured my stage fright was that I told myself that sure there were other guitarists out there, and they had their day on stage and I was OK with that, but today was MY day on stage and it was MY turn to feel the rush of playing in front of the audience! That feeling cannot be duplicated.
What keeps me motivated is, that you dont have that time, Like a Football Player, where your Body will stop you from learning at an age of 30-40…
started at 13 years old… on/off. Now im 28 and start again.
I am Self taught and Never practice but the last 2 months I watched your Videos.. now i‘m Patreon VIP Member and try to be more than intermediate at least at an Age of 33.. when I can say, I started 20 years ago.
I Hope your courses will help me
If you want an overview of the skills I reached… I made some Videos on my UA-cam singe I was 15 y/o 😂
And I will do some more when I get better just for my Kids to See where I came from
I started around the same age as you except I'm 43 now. I've had, like you, times that were off and on. My last break ended around a year and a half ago, I didn't even touch an instrument for 3 years. But it was due to personal mental stuff. In the last 1.5 years I've probably made more progress than I did the previous 10 years I was playing. I approached it from a new pov and it was fresh. At first I had to kinda relearn how to move my fingers but it really kinda is like riding a bike. Good luck on your music journey and never forget to have fun.
Very sound advice & there's nothing wrong with having influences but they should be the ones that made you want to play but not copy as you will never find you own sound. I stared out as a kid in 67 & now I'm pushing 69 & i still play all the time. We all want to play as our heroes & there isn't anything wrong with learning to play those songs as we all do but we need to find our own ways & i never felt i was not growing but i did end up early on taking lessons for 5 years & if you love the instrument you won't give up. Learning is like tone you never stop trying to find it & you never stop learning & i agree 100% you must be happy with what you accomplish & don't compare yourself toothers as they had the same journey in their own way. 🎸🎶 ROCK !!!
The first topic you mentioned is probably the most important these days. 👍 The second one I would say: "Change strings in good time, maybe turn on the delay, and fly away!" 😉
I feel like a common trend of some UA-cam videos talking about progress (not this one) is the claim that they didn’t make “progress” until they started doing something different (what the video is about) but they forget that possibly all the practice they had done prior to this change may have also helped in some ways because practice is practice and gets your comfortable with the guitar.
Still learning lessons next Wednesday
I’m 100% guilty to comparing myself to better players. Personally I don’t mind it cause it fuels me to keep practicing and better instead of feeling discouraged.
Thank you. Very insightful. I agree that consistency is key. A daily routine focusing on those areas you want to become proficient in is extremely useful. While I have no aspirations to be a pro guitarist, I do want to learn and conquer the techniques necessary to play the music I love (death metal). I've been a student for 7 months and really appreciate the structure you have brought to my playing and practice. I feel like I'm relearning the instrument after years of poor habits and I am very pleased with my progress. I would say to young guitarists out there that you shouldn't expect to get "better" every day on guitar. It's not how it works. Take a look at your progress over a month at a time and you will find noticeable improvements in some things (not all things). In 3 month and 6 month increments, with daily, 45-60 minute practice sessions, you will find that levels that you thought might take years are now reasonably within reach.
Really loved this content man! Awesome!
I remember trying to jump from 30 minute daily practice to 4 hours a day about 13 years ago because I wanted to get "serious" I did that for about 4 months. I don't remember how early the pain in my fretting hand started but I remember thinking I just needed to push through it because it was just weakness... eventually I realized I had caused an injury to my fretting hand because I ignored the pain. It really set back my progress as I had to take a long break from regular guitar practice and the injury still affects me to this day. I've learned to listen to pain, and with that I've been able to continue progressing despite the injury. I appreciate your content as it's really helped over the years.
You have a very good attitude, mate!
Good video with excellent advice, Thank you
I went into a band from my music school. Like a band coaching traject. So a band but mostly to get experience and learning so less pressure. Wich is good if you only played for 2 years. I was 20 at the time and I was a lot older then the other band members but decided to not have a problem with it. The first months it was amazing playing almost weekly on Fridays. However we all got burned out and rehearsing became shorter and shorter and their was also a bit of toxicity in the band. Like a loud drummer who refused to play soft etc. After a year we had a rehearsel. I went home pissed and decided in like 10 minutes to quit the band. After that 2 other people left as well. Because we werent a match due to the age gap. I was band leader and did lot of effort for it and became 'burned out'. I played way less for like 6 months. So I still played even started in a new band. But did the bare minimum for it. Only now I feel like practicing consistently. However I wont be band leader anytime soon😅
Johnny Cash said "If I COULD play faster I WOULD"...
I believe that anyone who masters an instrument professionally has been through hell. Especially the electric guitar is extremely sensitive compared to something like a keyboard: Which guitar? Which strings? Which pickups? Which amplifier? Which cabinet? Drop tunings, etc., etc.
But even when I absolutely don’t feel like it anymore, I still practice for at least half an hour every day-because I know you have to keep going. Everytime i went through the dark i came out better.
It would be encouraging to see your current failures. Like, the journey that everyone else goes through. Like, "i struggled to make this solo, i had to play it 500 times to perfect it", etc. Show the human side if you and how you overcome the issues. Maybe how you were having a hard time learning something new or whatever
I drilled a woodscrew into my left middle finger tip and kept practicing, learning to work without that finger for the 2 months of healing, then it took me 2 years to undo those bad habits. When you have an injury, don't push yourself to accommodate it. Take a break.
I still chase (more or less successfully) a dumb imaginary skill level I need for me in order to do „good songs“. Reality is: If I say „no I’m gonna write something now and sit into studio one!!“ I often end up sitting with plug-in and play songs or try practice improv. Wich is everything but Songwriting 😂 I think it has something todo with fearing there’s no out come so I do stuff I know worked before what obviously doesn’t work for everything. But somehow it’s kinda hard to keep the focus on writing and recording. Anyone familiar with that? 😂
Thank you
well said... 🤘🤐🎶🎶🎶💔💕👍
I was only a year old when you were doing your first concert. Of course I suck compared to you and all those other players on the net. But little improvements keeps me motivated to go further. Thanks for the resources you provide on youtube❤❤
Thanks for this man. Your skill and humility are inspiring.
Some are born great, some attain greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Sometimes the best thing to do is look PAST your emotions and just humbly express gratitude.
Great video! I've struggled with a lot of these. I've been playing a little over two years now and I am a bit of a perfectionist, which doesn't help. I've let go of some of those tendencies but it's still been rocky when I'm not as good as I think I "should" be. My technique has massively improved in this time and I have a decent amount of theory knowledge. My problem is applying it. I am not content just learning songs in my basement. I want to write music and I want to be able to improvise and play with others. I have tried a little bit but am definitely not where I want to be. Would you ever make a video on that?
I appreciate this video, I feel stuck in the intermediate area, I've been practicing everyday and can feel improvements, but I know there is something holding me back, Maybe It's time to incorporate more theory!
I just wonder if you, Bernth, were playing with Belphegor in London in 2015 with Hate and Vital Remains. It was amazing show. It's great to watch as somebody like you- just normal guy shows how he started to play with big ones, I hope it will be possible to watch your guest appearance with Tool what you played couple years ago.
I have to agree with many points you've mentioned. Comparing to sky high guitarists is common killer. Fear of playing on big stages as well, even if I had no chance to play on them yet and I'm afraid it will never happen but who knows, maybe one day somebody will need some medicore guitarist ;) for one job. And losing fun... I know this pain. Thanks to that sometimes I give up with many exercises and come back after few weeks with worse hands condition. Mental stage is a messy thing...
Study and practice as much as you can while your still young.
What if you want to make guitar content but feel like a total awkward mess when you see yourself recorded?
Honestly, no one cares. Just go for it and have fun! Do it for yourself and no one else. I used to feel the same but took the plunge a couple months ago.
Most of my vids only have a few hundred views but who cares! It's about you and no one else! Just enjoy.
(If it really bothers you tho just film from the neck down or wear a mask.
BROOOOOOO! I HATE watching videos of myself. Whether it be playing guitar, or anything else, really. I hate the sound of my voice, and the stupid things my face does when I'm playing.... I'm trying to get over that so I can upload some of the guitars I've built.
Case in point, you are NOT alone. We are our own worst critics! Keep at it, I want to watch your content!
@K.V.H. Ya, it's tough to watch yourself play. I even get a little nervous when I'm recording cause I know I'm no performer. I just try to keep a straight face. Lol!!
Should you decide to take the plunge and start posting, send me a link.
Cheers!!!!
( remember....no one cares)
❤
Next lesson 😊😊
why it does not show in INR :(
Want to learn. Just cover songs. No need for this beginner BS of learn your chords or scales. That shit can come after you become good at covering music. Covering music is more fun than learning chords and scales. Want better Fret hand? Learn to type fast. Once you learn to type fast you will have nimble agile fingers.
This the wax on wax off method of learning guitar. Punk Rock music is the most easy guitar playing you will ever learn for chords. Btw guys most girls DONT like guitar solos. If you want to impress guys go for it, but if ed sheeran can make girls get wet over chords so can you.
I will never understand why the need for such click bait and dramatic titles...