3 Guitar Playing Pet Peeves -Pro Players Don’t Ever Do This!

[@ghijkmnop]

I think the "open string" thing is a piece of advice for beginners to keep the flow moving instead of breaking it by stopping to find a chord. I'm pretty sure the expectation is that this will stop as the player progresses. My practice wife told me a story about when she played "Pomp and Circumstance" during a decades-ago high school graduation on the piano. She had played it so many times that she started to zone out on it, and lost her place on the sheet music. She knew she had to keep the cadence moving for the ceremony, so she just bashed the keys on beat until she found her spot.

[@FrankPersico]

That’s a good story and shows she had good instincts.

[@tednelson996]

Really enjoy watching your videos. I'm so glad you said that about the open strings ,to me it makes it harder to play. Much easier going directly to the chord.Looking forward to a live video haven't been able to watch busy with the holidays.I'm in California so there's the time difference.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks so much! I agree with you on this one. Some are mistaking the video that I’m saying you should NEVER use open strings between chords… lol I’m glad that you and most of the people watching are getting my point. I think many people are doing it as a crutch and some even realize it . I see it with students a lot. Happy holidays and thanks for posting:):)

[@J.Blogsblues-ns4to]

I never used to do the peeve 1 thing of playing the open strings between cowboy chords until a guitar tutor (whose site I went to to learn a new song) suggested it, not just to give breathing space between chords but also some extra texture. As the open strings strummed together can form (according to my chord analyzer) all of these chords, Emin11, Asus9, G6/9 and Bm11(b13) which would probably helps keep it more less in tune for most basic keys. Luckily I never learnt that way so I only use it if feels right. I agree that it's a bad idea to teach it to beginners as it can be a difficult thing to break later. I also think it's bad to teach beginners simpler ways to play the apparently dreaded F chord. Eventually beginners are going to need barre chords to play G minor, F# major and minor B and B minor and others and it will be easier later if they learn and practice the proper F to begin with (which is easier to form as a barre anyway, I think). A song I've been practicing recently is Nobody Knows You When You are Down and Out, I would enjoy it if you did an instruction video on this song and also if you could do a roundup of some simple three chorders, which is an easy way to freshen up a repertoire.

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for dropping these knowledge bombs on us 💣 🎶…. Good stuff

[@GreenpointRemembers]

0:19 😂 there’s my first pet peeve right there, glad you took it off

[@FrankPersico]

Hahahaha I hate when I watch back my videos and realize I never took it off!!!

[@jghollowell4]

1:43 totally agree. You can do stuff on the upstroke but make it determined, like playing a melody note instead of all the open strings

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks for the comment!! Cheers

[@markhopkins8674]

you started to address how to avoid the open string strum, but went on to your 2nd pet peeve! could you show how to stop doing this. I find myself only doing this on very fast tempo songs with quick chord changes.

[@FrankPersico]

Hi mark. Thanks for commenting. I will address this in Monday via my live broadcast if you like. It is at 7PM EST and generally wraps up by 8:30. Come visit and ask me there and I will show some examples in real time. But this is a good idea for a future video as well so thanks for pointing it out! Cheers and hope to see you Monday

[@SunAndMirror]

Been involved in Guitar and Music Education for almost 2 decades now. On every point, you're absolutely spot-on, brother. Folks trying to fly before they can crawl.

[@FrankPersico]

Hi there. Thanks so much. Nice to get the nod especially from another instructor. Cheers!

[@drothberg3]

I totally agree, as a student and teacher. To take the musicality and theory training of exercises a step further, instead of moving them up the neck, take them around the circle of 4ths or 5ths.

[@FrankPersico]

For sure. I want to start teaching some theory here on the channel but there are so many different levels viewers in the community. I don’t quite know how to do it without alienating anyone. Hmmmm

[@eaglerider2012]

I fully agree with your ideas. Don’t waste time and brain capacity on learning pointless note patterns. Learn melodic scales and the chords within them instead. I have found that learning favorite cover songs with some music theory sprinkled in is the best way to learn beginner guitar and even intermediate guitar because you are actually playing music which is the whole point anyway.

[@FrankPersico]

Totally! We are on the same page

[@BankerBoy]

All very good points.....another is to teach new guitarist to play with feeling....playing 5 notes with touch and feeling is so much better that the mindless 1000 notes per minutes sweep picking robots.....Cheers

[@FrankPersico]

This is good stuff!!! Could make a whole video just on this subject. Thanks for sharing

[@donnacolwell3988]

Although I have always attended in-person lessons, I did watch a lot of online instructors when I first started taking lessons. I thought it was good practice to strum open strings when changing chords. OMG. I would appreciate any tips for shedding this bad habit.

[@FrankPersico]

Hi there Donna and thanks for watching. Come to the live broadcast this Monday at 7PM EST. I will cover there for you live if you ask. There is one other person also asking… if not you can watch in the replay … I may also do a video dedicated to this

[@donnacolwell3988]

@@FrankPersico I'll be there.

[@markhopkins8674]

ok, will do. thanks for reply. mark

[@FrankPersico]

Cheers, mark! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@AcousticAaronKC]

Great points but a little one-sided. For me personally, finger exercises helped me develop much need coordination without worrying about musicality. Musicality came later. Additionally some styles incorporate more chromatic playing and finger exercises fit right in. I also enjoyed working on rhythmic changes with finger exercises. Frank, your points are valid but there is value in the things that bother you as an experienced player. These things are beneficial for new players and super fast strumming demands some open string cheats...but i agree about the modes. It's a total music flex that makes my eyes gloss over. Different strokes for different folks.

[@FrankPersico]

Totally get where you are coming from… thanks for sharing 👍

[@randallhaney7909]

I don't know ? But in my world and musical journey in my lifetime? With friends family and other people I have known. I have noticed basically there are 2 ways to learn to play guitar, The proper music teacher way. Typically includes exercises, theory chords, chord names, and why they are named that way, eventually playing songs. (And they are not always the songs you want to learn/play) I've seen a 60% to 70% dropout rate utilizing this method exclusively. (All Work and no play) Method 2 is simply to learn songs and riffs (playing for fun) Worry about Circle of 5th theory, Chords names and why they have that name later, This will absolutely come naturally. Of course The folks that I know that did the learn the song first method, and picked up well; then went to a proper music/guitar teacher by and large became the better players/musicians. But not always. Some of the no proper lessons self learners that jammed with friends joined bands, Became outstanding players. Well that's how it went in my lifetime.. Not trying to convince anyone, Not written in stone; no data to back it up. Just talkin' here. Simply what I had observed and my opinion on it. Sorry for the long diatribe.. Just tryin' to help your KZbin Algorithm Brother.

[@FrankPersico]

Dude I love this comment! And I totally agree with you. There is no one size fits all approach for everyone. When I teach students I am always careful not to push unnecessary theory on them it’s not helping. There are many ways to approach a music concept. I am more of a stickler though when I see them using bad technique. Because this can hinder their ability to play well and cause them unnecessary frustration by making something harder than it needs to be. Thanks so much for your well thought out out post. This is the kind of thinking I love to see posted here in the community !!!!

[@piggybakkers]

Good video as always Frank. I'm sort of with you on the open strings strum thing. I do think that it can become a bad habit but to a point there is a place for a form of it. I refer you to a video Brian May did a while back on House of the rising sun. He analysed the way the song is played and how he thought it was correct to include exactly what you are talking about. Just a point of reference.

[@FrankPersico]

Good point! When those open notes are harmonically in balance with the song. Would not be too great if you were in the key of B flat or something like that.

[@robertgrimsted877]

I’m playing my strat as well this afternoon frank I don’t play in between chords love the vids 😀

[@FrankPersico]

Thanks Rob for commenting… love the strat!!

[@billywright8252]

The open string hit was a John Lennon thing. (Not to mention SRV!) Mostly for percussive effect and has its uses. It's not completely atonal either, can fit a lot of Em, Asus4, Dsomething or other. But definitely should be purposeful, and not just a tic.

[@FrankPersico]

Totally! Paul even used it in yesterday … it’s not “wrong” per se. But only when people use it as a crutch to change chords

[@konradhof7318]

I think some pros do strum open strings between chords in songs we cover. Maybe like John Lennon in the Beatles’ All My Loving. But I agree it shouldn’t be an all-the-time technique. I’d only do it where I know it’s done in the original tune, so doing it will make my cover version sound authentic.

[@FrankPersico]

As long as it doesn’t become a crutch. We should be doing it knowingly and by choice but should be able to NOT do it. I know some players who cannot change chords without it because it has become part of their built in technique. To me that is worth fixing

[@konradhof7318]

@@FrankPersico agree wit all dat!

[@pawpatina]

1:20 they are playing in open tuning, usually. or they think they are.

[@FrankPersico]

Hahaah well in a way I suppose they are lol 😂

[@MCSA210]

Some of these may have a small place in learning, especially the chromatic if ur goal isnto be a shelredder but in general i agree .. . Practice time is better spent on more practical things

[@FrankPersico]

For sure 👍… good point and thanks for sharing

[@TheFeelButton]

The scale missing from most ears is the under practiced chromatic scale. Technique is what is hampering most player progression. Patterns and muscle memory are everything in playing fluidly. Teacher flip that guitar to the other hand and show me all your theory and knowledge and I'll watch you crumble into a flailing beginner. Cheers Frank!

[@FrankPersico]

Good point. Probably could add the whole tone scale in there as well for good measure … boom! All bases covered

[@FASFatherandSon]

Lol, I have to check to see if I do the first peeve.

[@FrankPersico]

Let us know:)

[@LearnEasyGuitarTunes]

Your first video I disagree with as it depends on the song. There are songs that absolutely have an in-between chord strum. Exercise wise, it depends on personal experience. and how it changes the journey. For each of us, there are things that made an impact on our playing that other players felt no impact. We teach from experience. Like you, I have been playing for almost 40 years. I will teach my journey and you will teach yours. Still love your channel and hope you respect my approach. In the end, we are all troubadours. No mushroom for me today I hope. Much love Frank!

[@FrankPersico]

Hahaha never a mushroom for you!!! I totally get what you’re saying and I was not intending to make these “peeves” seem like absolutes. I mean I used to do the 4 finger exercises as per my teachers demands and they did help me. But over the years I’ve seen people get stuck on those exercises as an end goal not realizing that it was holding them back. So I think the point here as that these “peeves” are only that when the player or student starts to rely of them as a crutch. So I offer up alternatives that I believe help dexterity (as in the 4 finger exercise) while simultaneously giving the player some music vocabulary… so at least if they get stuck they are getting stuck learning a musical phrase rather than a random finger exercise. As for the in between chord strum again I mean when using it as a crutch to change chords. I’ve seen students unable to switch that off when it is not appropriate. To me that is a weakness so I’d rather start them out NOT doing that. Because the tendency is to do it… so when you want to do it because it works for the song it’s ez…. But NOT doing it is very hard when it’s become a bad habit. Whew that was a lot of typing lol!!!! Cheers and thanks for the comment. U get a 🍺 not a 🍄

[@LearnEasyGuitarTunes]

@@FrankPersico BTW did I hear you say you had 3 shows on NYE??? WTF???

[@atombombtom8615]

Important point: We play music on the guitar, we do not "play the guitar". Happy New Year!

[@FrankPersico]

For sure! 👍 Happy New Year to you as well!

[@Sheri...]

Wow, all of that was way over my head.

[@FrankPersico]

Hi there! Sorry:( maybe some of the other lessons here will be more your speed! Cheers

[@Sheri...]

@FrankPersico Yeah. I'm new. I will save this & rewatch in the future.

[@FrankPersico]

@@Sheri... sure thing. feel free to email if you ever were interested in a private tutorial lesson.. it can help you supplement your lessons and breakdown problem areas.... not a hard sell here just letting you know the option exists. my email is at the bottom of all descriptions in the videos:) wish you the best in your playing

[@konradhof7318]

I almost heard Let it Be in your practice chord progression 😎🎸

[@FrankPersico]

I actually wrote that song in a former life….. oh wait no that was in my dreams 😂

[@MikeAngelovsky]

I very much like your videos and yoa nu youak accent also😉

[@FrankPersico]

What accent? 😉

[@MikeAngelovsky]

@@FrankPersico and sence of humor too 😅

[@AcousticGuitarsForMe]

Many pros would disagree on your take on the open string thing. You are way over emphasizing it. When done correctly you can't even hear it.

[@FrankPersico]

Which pros think it’s ok to rely on strumming open strings as a crutch to help them change chords?? I’m curious 🧐

[@AcousticGuitarsForMe]

@FrankPersico For one, Justin Sandercoe. Rob Fennah, a UK pro for years. When done normally you can't hear it but for your video you over do it to try and make a point. In the House of the Rising Sun, even thought you won't find a tab that shows it, the G string is almost always played open. Was it intentional or because he's moving to the next chord??

[@FrankPersico]

Wow Justin guitar and an English session player! I need to retract my video now. Lol The point is not to use it as a crutch as I see many students do. It becomes a bad habit. If you happen to be in a key where the open strings work then that’s great. There is a difference between doing it by choice as the players you mention. They are able to use open strings or not depending. I don’t know if you teach but if you did you would see this is a bad habit many people develop…. Furthermore try doing this when playing on a key such as Bb Db or Eb… It would sound like crap. Judging by the musical intelligence of the comments you make I would imagine you don’t play in those keys much. Here is a mushroom 🍄 for you .😅

[@PhatPhysique]

@@AcousticGuitarsForMe wow you really are a dimwit. It is pretty clear that the point in this video is not that you can't use open strings ever. Or that you can't use them when they are a meaningful part of the composition. That seems to go without saying. I think what the instructor (Frank) is talking about is relying on playing open strings in order to help you change chords and NOT being able to NOT do it.

[@AcousticGuitarsForMe]

@FrankPersico Sorry if I hurt you. Good luck on getting clicks.

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

😂😂LOL

[@FrankPersico]

👍👍👍😉

[@bradleywilliams894]

lame

[@FrankPersico]

🍄 you earned a mushroom

[@J.Blogsblues-ns4to]

@@FrankPersico That's not fair Frank, all you gotta do to earn a mushroom is make a gormless one word comment!

[@bradleywilliams894]

@@FrankPersico I like mushrooms. Thank you!

[@PhatPhysique]

@@bradleywilliams894 I bet you do. That is the food of choice for internet trolls I hear tell.