5 Things Every Beginner Guitarist SHOULD Learn

[@ssent1]

Great exercise, Rick. Here's an index to jump to each exercise. 1. Continuous strumming (0:54) 2. 4-finger G-chord (2:00) 3. Mute low E-string (4:10) 4. Seamless chord changes (5:45) 5. Alternate string flat-picking (7:30)

[@magicrobharv]

Thanks for listing the exercises.

[@albertog7245]

Except that "4." is really the first of two "#5"s.

[@digletttexano678]

Thank you Rebecca black

[@summerbreezeau]

First 4 are about using a plectrum to beat a string topped wooden drum . 5 begins playing a guitar.

[@Goriaas]

@@summerbreezeau Found the fingerstyle elitist. I'm kidding but I fucking hate when people play all the strings open to cover up a chord change

[@davearchbell9921]

Hey Rick. I'm 63 started to learn guitar last year. I'm struggling. I'd love to see more introductory lessons like this. I promise I will try everything you just showed. Please and thanks. Dave

[@Ron4885]

Good for you Dave. I'm proud of ya.

[@dougbrown2920]

Try GuitarSage 30 free lessons and then google in youtube a band name, guitarsage. Lots there for FREE to learn and the 30 free lessons are great to build technique !!

[@Jamsville]

That’s awesome, Dave! Just keep at it and you’ll be able to play like a pro!

[@Diasporaliving]

Dave: You and me are exactly the same age (I'll be 64 next month) and at the same starting point. I also found this video pretty helpful. Best of luck! Let's keep in touch and exchange guitar experiences. I do a series of mind-numbing, yet useful finger exercises every day have help my hands get quicker and more relaxed. Cheers, Dave. P.S. Just watched your video playing "Stairway to Heaven." Not too shabby!

[@DylanL69]

What are you struggling with switching chords I've been playing for like 18 years and chord switching is hard at first I got that down one day in guitar in highschool it just happened practice alot or at least everyday

[@roy-batty]

One thing I learned when trying to change the chords seamlessly: Do not try to adjust finger by finger. Practice the position of all fingers at the same time. Don't press finger by finger, do them all at the same time. I know, you will fail a lot, but bad habits tend to persist. Also, all the "melodies" you know how to play, try to learn them again but by using only left hand, then only right hand, then combine.

[@thesnowleopardmusic]

This is great advice! I kept wandering why my dad couldn't change chords seamlessly while trying to teach him. I think he was adjusting finger by finger :)

[@JonesF024]

Ok babe I’m just going on a walk right up to my house to

[@annfitzgerald3767]

You are so right. I practiced for 2 years with the one-finger-at-a-time method, hoping it would get faster and faster til the fingers were going down all at the same time, but that never happened. I then determined to hover my fingers over the strings in the right shape before pressing down (not easy at first) and do that over and over. Hover, press/strum, remove hand, repeat. That got me going and now I can play lots of chords (but I’m still terrible).

[@calliopeshif7581]

Sorry, what do you mean by only with left hand and then only with right hand?

[@Khaab00]

@@calliopeshif7581 if you're right-handed that would mean learn the chords first and then the strumming method. Practice the chords first until you can switch them back and forth with your eyes closed. Once you can do that you'll be ready to start strumming with your right hand. Once you have both down then SLOWLY combine them together and speed it up until you match the tempo you're trying to get to.

[@AimingWanderously]

C'mon....being a beginner guitar player is EASY, I've been one for 25 yrs.

[@raithrover1976]

Not wanting to show off here but I've now progressed to beginner / lower intermediate after playing for 20 years. In other words, I can play barre chords where not all the strings are accidentally muted.

[@eliasswift2921]

LMAO that one had me rolling

[@PLANETWATERMELON]

That's too funny.

[@cboyfrmhell]

Haha, I feel that. Been a beginner guitar player for 12 years now.

[@joe-un1ky]

I love comments like this, they comfort me and my horrendous guitar skills

[@TheBroadcastNinja]

ok, just watching this has made me want to buy a guitar, I've never played one and I'm 53.... I think its time to learn with Rick!

[@bonek350]

Do it! My dad started playing at about 60. He just likes to strum these chords and sing rotten songs about his friends. I'll play leads for him sometimes. It's a lot of fun.

[@micahsharp4976]

I agree, do it. Get a guitar, maybe a few lessons and strum the tunes you like. Never too old. Music is something that doesn't care about age. Good luck to you!

[@lastsplash1993]

The Broadcast Ninja Do it!!

[@charlesbranch4120]

Alamo Music (Chris McKee/Cooper Greenberg videos) and Bob Taylor's The Ebony Project made me do that and I'm 65 now. Johnny Guitar (broadcast engineer at KCHU.org) and I talked about this: Guitar is easier to learn and a decent instrument is cheaper. Besides, neighborhood dogs don't howl as much with it. If you want them to howl, a harmonica works, too. Thanks, Rick!

[@jmmacb03]

Heck, with all Rick's videos, I am 62 and I think I am going electric! Maybe it is time for a female Rock drummer-it is never too late. ♥

[@fender4brad]

I realized this lesson is 45 years to late for me. I tell young musicians all the time how lucky they are to have the internet. I would have killed for information like this when I was young. Good luck with your girls. I hope they know how lucky they are having you knowledge and treasure trove!

[@ConciousCam]

how did artist know these things back in the day yet are so freaking good

[@RC32Smiths01]

Learning as a beginner will quite literally determine your motivation and desire to keep going, and that's why the beginner phase is the most important

[@susanmaggiora4800]

RC32 Totally agree. I was stuck with ‘classical’ & it ruined me for wanting to learn anything. Ended up playing trumpet in Jr High & later picked up the drums on my own.

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@susanmaggiora4800 Ahh gotcha. I'd still say to keep going forward, and as long as you remain true to why you began in the first place.

[@2gr82b4gotn]

@@RC32Smiths01 It is also why you want to learn the right way, bypassing all of the bad habits that many people form.

[@DylanL69]

That's correct

[@weinrotklitzerglanz6892]

very joyful nice little lesson!

[@glav1782]

Learned more in this 10 minutes than I've learned over the past 3 months as a brand new player. Thanks Rick!

[@Avatheskibidiaplphadog]

Yea me too

[@bryanrivera180]

That alternate picking sounded a bit like Into Dust by Mazzy Star.

[@Bellabaddi]

Bryan Rivera ohh Dont say that! poor Rick (no, he’s not poor) has been through enough recently from the ahole music industry...

[@tradinginfora]

I can relate. I feel so enlightened. Glad I found this video

[@deepfryerhouse6885]

Same

[@andyquinn1125]

Rick, These are all great lessons and I agree. I have one thing that I always start a student with. It is the only thing I wish that someone had told the young me when I was starting out. This might sound boring or innocuous, but there is nothing more important. Relaxation. Find your tensions. To all students, this will yield great results if you are mindful. I tell the students that tension does not just occur in the fingers and hands. It travels. Up the arm, to the shoulder, to the brain, and elsewhere. All students need to be reminded, but if you pay attention to your tensions your path to playing guitar is easier.

[@MMcG25]

This is great advice I just tried this and was more aware of my posture and it helped immensely. Thanks!

[@richarddeboer8934]

Thought it came from something else, it started in my shoulder bought a guitar and great fun to do it. Think the pressure and time playing it and stress holding acords is the real crime behind this 👍

[@KarlKrogmann]

I'm 59 and I just learned this 5 or 6 years ago. Took forty freakin' years.

[@runreilly]

Five things every advanced guitarist should continue to practice.

[@steveb9325]

Agreed

[@francescopagnini6230]

I've recognized the A.Watts face by scrolling down the comments ahahah...nice profile pic !

[@MrGavinspoppop]

I've a backing my singing for 50 yrs ... after seeing this ... I found out I'm doin somethings right !!! Hooyah !!!

[@garykuhlmann8149]

Agree. I'm only what I'd call an early intermediate or advanced beginner, but, yeah... this is a good refresher lesson. I'm adding these lessons to my daily practice, even if it's just to warm up.

[@Briandnlo4]

True dat. The video should be titled “Five Fundamental Guitar Techniques.” How many of us learned properly, then started playing loud, with a ton of fuzz & reverb and thought we were good... until sitting down with an acoustic and being faced with the cold fact that our technique had gotten sloppy, needed to take a step back before taking any more forward? 🤚

[@PlumpPotatoRump]

Rick Beato is slowly turning into Santa, I think he'll be there just in time for christmas.

[@dailydoseofblues7708]

Santana

[@moi01887]

The 4 phases of life for men (not my joke): 1. You believe in Santa Claus. 2. You don't believe in Santa Claus. 3. You are Santa Claus. 4. You look like Santa Claus.

[@donaldlariviere]

@@dailydoseofblues7708 that's what I read first lol

[@BobCraigmile]

You're confusing Santa with Yahweh...

[@Jamsville]

Next episode of Rick and Morty: Santa Rick Oh wait, wrong Rick smh

[@michaelscerbo35]

This is a prime example of why Rick is such a good player/teacher. He doesn’t mention scales once when speaking about what beginners should do because he knows developing a solid rhythm will make you so much better when trying to play lead. Great video for even me and I would consider myself intermediate at least!🎸 rock on Rick!

[@anshuuu9708]

I realised this very later on, I got in scales very early, playing scales while having a lousy rhythm.

[@Jamsville]

1. How to tune your guitar 2. How to play with a metronome 3. How to hold the pick 4. Open chords 5. Whatever rick says

[@Ron4885]

Yeah, good suggestions. Those would be nice starter courses.

[@tubemcg]

how to hold the pick - big time issue for most beginners

[@Jamsville]

Aaron B I put tune your guitar at number one because you have no idea how many of my students won’t tune their guitars before lessons. It’s like pulling teeth to get them to tune the damn things!

[@Jamsville]

tubemcg not just beginners! There’s so many ways to hold the pick that I think it’s a huge process to find exactly what works for you. But yeah some people just flat out hold it horribly and you need to at least have a good baseline to work with.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Tuning up. That is what killed my interest in learning to play guitar. Natural musicians and those with a good ear may not appreciate this but I found it so frustrating every time I picked up the thing. That was why I switched to keyboards.

[@johnmackay996]

I am a "long-time beginner" and these are very helpful. I am gonna use these for sure! Thanks.

[@songfulmusicofsongs]

Me too!

[@fadeskywards1245]

Plenty of longtime beginners like me here ❤

[@peartooz]

Longtime beginner is a perfect description!

[@kenzeier2943]

I hear yah

[@ThePhantazmya]

I dusted off my husbands guitar to begin learning since we're in lock down again. While I'm waiting for new strings to arrive, I've been scouring youtube for beginner content and out of all the "5 things for beginners" tip videos I've watched this is the best one. It's practical, is clearly explained, and it assumes no prior knowledge.

[@fraa888grindr7]

I sustained a severe multiple fracture to my left wrist 30 yrs ago - the surgeon told me he couldn't understand why I still had a hand. I was told by guitar players I wouldn't be able to play. So I made the mistake & believed them. Now at 53, I've got lyrics I've written but no accompanying music. I've watched you a long time Rick, & gobble up everything you do, though I usually can't use it. But I can apply this immediately. I just want to play good enough to aid my writing & maybe a little singing too. Thanks for all you do!

[@EclecticHillbilly]

I'm missing two fingers on the right hand, middle doesn't work and the index works a little. Thumb is only thing that really works..........not as good as I once was but don't give up. You can still do some things with practice.

[@mral13131313]

It may not help but don’t forget cigar box slide guitar.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

@@mral13131313 Given that his injury is to his left hand, that's an excellent suggestion.

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

@ FrAA888 grindR...Some excellent songs can be created with just simple techniques if you have good “musical sense”, rhythm, timing, sense of melody and tone, etc. You don’t have to shred like Yngwie, Buckethead, or Eddie Van Halen! It may be showy and impressive, but doesn’t make a song great without the basics! Beato RULES!!! He ALWAYS has great advice!

[@freak49]

I'm 66. I was a rather competent lead player. But in the 80's I had to have brain surgery that trashed my left hand and knocked me down to beginner's level. I can't play any sort of lead beyond a simple melody to save my life. So I switched to acoustic. I sill have to "set up" complex fingerings, chord inversions, etc.

[@scubarojo]

Thanks again Rick, at 72, I'm still trying to learn skills I should have known 55 years ago.

[@nicolen.9642]

Same here at 61...Cheers

[@js-dz5bs]

52 just starting

[@hacunamatata6802]

If only I'd known as a teen what I know now. Ya know, "Money for nuthin' and chicks for free". But if a teen doesn't have access to a guitar and their parents won't buy one ... well, tough.

[@JB-bc9nm]

@@hacunamatata6802 Hmm? Where I came from kids were babysitters, had paper routes, collected cans and bottles, mowed lawns, painted someone's fence or a room, washed cars etc, There were many opportunities before us to make things happen.

[@hacunamatata6802]

@@JB-bc9nm Just think if you could've shredded on guitar by 15-16 how different life would've been. But most of us at 10 years old don't understand the potential brought into a life by mastering an instrument like guitar while young and attractive.

[@davidmoquin4276]

Been playing sax an keyboard all my life but have just begun playing guitar over past year. Am 77 yrs old and having difficult time getting comfortable on guitar but since seeing your five things to do has really been a huge help. Thank you.

[@bradh5613]

That’s EXACTLY what I tell my beginning guitar students. Makes me feel like a darn good teacher as I have immense respect for your knowledge and skill Rick

[@bigphil303]

This is gold, I've been having trouble with all 5 of these things... Keep the lessons coming Rick...

[@rksnj6797]

I'm 59 years old and just picked up a guitar to start learning how to play. I know starting a bit late in life. Damn Rick, I've learned more in this video than I have in the free online lessons that came with the guitar. I love how you explain the how but more importantly, the why! I'm going to add these tips to my practicing, especially the open stroke to give time to change the chord. These old fingers aren't as agile as they used to be!!!

[@baronessvarney9379]

I'm 68 and took up the guitar 7 years ago (I did play a little when I was a kid). Found out from guitar teachers that i have perfext pitch, so I pick up things fast. I play for about two hours every day! It's been so wonderful playing the guitar, you'll have fun and I think it's very good for your brain too. Good luck!

[@simondalzell5635]

Good luck. I'm 57 and am going to give it a serious shot. Ordered Fender CD 140SCE. Rick's video is very helpful.

[@JohnMcintosh-dm1gn]

I'm 54 and have just started also, it's never too late in life to learn. Keep going, small steps.

[@ThirdEyePried]

These are the EXACT rules my dad taught me 25 years ago. I'm kinda mind blown right now. I can't tell you how many times guys who've learned from a teacher give me grief about my thumb over technique. I always just tell them to go watch SRV and leave me alone. :)

[@XadjustmentX]

john frusciante, the legendary guitarist from the red hot chili peppers, plays with his thumb over the top all the time. John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix are a couple others who do this too. it actually gives you way more dexterity and options in your playing. im not too good at it. but most ppl who do this, and do it well, have large hands/long fingers.

[@DylanL69]

That technique isn't easy

[@johannjgeorge7297]

@@DylanL69 once whn u strt doing it...u'll get used to it.....

[@steveb9325]

Don't worry about the thumb over the top, especially if you have small hands. There are other things you can do down the road....I'm actually surprised Rick even included that for a beginner right now. It's just going to discourage people as its difficult enough already just learning the basics. Total respect to Rick. No one go off on this. .Pls. Life's hard enough right now

[@jeff7764]

I have long fingers/big hands and could only thumb over on very few open chords. It just never felt right to me

[@matthewmailman1923]

What a strong lesson delivered in such a pleasant way! The combination of his guitar skill sets, his music theory knowledge base, and his personality all show that he is an experienced, patient teacher. I admire him for that and for his taking the time to share his experience and wisdom.

[@staciepaul]

Rick, I'm turning 50 and finally decided to learn how to play. This video is so great. I can't wait to get to work.

[@fredoman1323]

Rick, please: DO THIS MORE! I even cracked out my dusty guitar that I've never really learned to play. Thanks!

[@davemckay4359]

The last part about the quickness between chords, is what makes not quantizing your mix more human.

[@ExasBits]

Dave McKay people don’t “cheat” chord changes using open strings enough when they’re human these days too. With good right hand control you can smooth out the most finger twisting changes and stay in key.

[@carlmedgaus2114]

Rick, I taught guitar to help pay my way through undergraduate school…1965-1969. I travelled to their homes here in Pittsburgh. (What a pain in the butt). The VERY FIRST THING I TAUGHT WAS THIS VERY SAME PATTERN!!! I am laughing my butt off right now. BTW, Love your stuff and have bought your courses.

[@GooberNumber9]

I've played guitar for 27 years and taught guitar for seven of those years, and I learned stuff from this video. Thanks!!!!

[@blahdiblah2169]

LOL Rick. It's so cool to see you with a guitar. Man your kids are lucky to have such a father.

[@larrybobbitt8452]

I've learned more from this lesson from Rick than anyone over the past 44 years. Great job thanks Rick .

[@xaviconde]

Every beginner guitarist should practice with a metronome, specially when changing chords. And non beginners too.

[@allarpold9829]

Not true!

[@melodymakermark]

Are you calling him a liar? 🤔

[@allarpold9829]

Yes i am!

[@SoiledWig]

Completely agree. Rhythm/tempo is king. In performance, a "wrong" note is far less noticeable than a hesitation, tentative chord change, or other stumble in the rhythm.

[@xisotopex]

absolutely. out of time playing is just sloppy. if you cant play it in time, you cant play it.

[@jlight1965]

A friend of mine introduced me to Rick's channel at the start of lockdown. All the videos I've watched are extremely informative and Rick comes across as extremely engaging and knowledgeable. Then what pops up out of nowhere? Rick giving a guitar lesson. I knock about on a guitar most days. This lesson is absolutely fantastic. Anyone who wants to criticise because of their own virtuoso skills should ask themselves why they are watching a video titled '5 Things every beginner guitarist SHOULD Learn' in the first place? As far as I am concerned Rick joins Marty and Justin at the top of the tree. More of this please Rick.

[@paulp5988]

Rick is the man- I put music down long before covid. I was in working bands through the 90's and early 2000's (at one point in 5 bands at one time) and I just got burned out and decided to get a day job. Covid came and I was searching for something to do that I'd like- I tuned into Beato after a friend mentioned his youtube and got interested in playing again kind of immediately. Haven't stopped since- Rick reminded me about what I loved about playing and hearing him relate the tidbits on the biz-I realized it was biz side that burned me out- not the music. I feel like I owe the guy.

[@matthewwynn3025]

I'm gonna teach my first guitar lesson tomorrow, thank you for your tips. I'm still quite nervous, but I incorporated a few of your ideas into my lesson plan Edit: the first lesson went great! Planning some before hand was definitely a good idea. My new student is excited, and I am too. Doing the first lesson has significantly reduced my anxiety about teaching and has increased my confidence

[@talaniel]

Yeah, i have some experience with teaching/presenting and yep, preparation does miracles!

[@itsmorphed6416]

Exciting for sure . I would love to teach in time .

[@4ctmam]

I think it's actually useful to learn both versions of G right at the beginning. The one with the open B is good for basically becoming comfortable with bigger stretches on the weaker fingers and also you can do cool variations on it easily (Gsus4 or C/G).

[@NoSinInEden]

Hey, guitarist for "No Sin in Eden" I am completely self taught... and I have always done everything you are showing in this video... and I've always been told that I am playing "wrong" (especially with my thumb mutes) and my response has always been... there is really no wrong way to play music if you love what you do... and you can make the instrument sound good (of course its debatable whether or not I accomplish this)... not that I am a beginner (been hacking away at guitar for 30+ years yet I will always be a novice) this is a great video... love your page...

[@soulscanner66]

What I love about Rick is that he is as amazed and enthusiastic by how good these basic chord changes are as the most complex Bach or Jazz chord progressions.

[@rjc7289]

I wish I learned my open G chord that way when I was taking lessons as a kid. It sounds so much richer and fuller with that extra D note.

[@rhythmace1]

I know, right? I can't believe it's taken me years to learn this!

[@mifeke6149]

I reckon that extra D note makes it sound empty. The low B is pretty soft to pick up, and it's especially empty when playing a bass G note with the thumb and plucking the top three strings as a shell chord, it completely loses substance without the high B there. Absolutely should learn it for the reason he said but use it sparingly.

[@neophytosdm]

The extra d note sometimes sounds better and sometimes worse depending on the rest of the chords. In reality you should know both because each one has its advantages. In my opinion, the pinky and ring finger is actually more useful and EASIER overall for two reasons: 1. You can actually play it with ONLY TWO FINGERS. Use ring finger for the E string 3rd fret but let it touch on the A string and MUTE it because that B note is actually unnecessary a lot of the times and it just makes the chord sound muddy. Use little finger for high e string 3rd fret. 2. While the other version makes the chord change from D to G easier, this version makes the change from G to C and from G to F easier, plus it frees your first finger (and your middle finger if you use the version I explained above) to embellish the chord with other notes or melody lines.

[@jimvickers381]

I wish someone showed me this method of chord change from G to D when I was starting out. I ended up bastardizing my D chord by playing it without my index finger and using the pinky on the b string.

[@teleguy5699]

@@neophytosdm That's the way Fender is teaching me "Wild Horses". Only the middle finger for the E sting mute the A, and the ring finger for high E. It works for me.

[@ChrisGarmon]

Would love to see more guitar teaching, especially on picking!

[@Jamsville]

Picking is deceptively complicated lol

[@DylanL69]

@@Jamsville it can be

[@rikfemff4169]

As a beginner who started this april, but have made very good progress, I can say the hardest things that beginner guitarist will come across is timing, chord changes, and isolating strings. These were and still sometimes are my biggest challenges. Thank you for covering them all in this video.

[@freak49]

This is the first time I've heard somebody refer to "anchors"...very useful with fingerstyle playing!! My advise to beginners: You can go as far as you want if you get past two milestones. 1) your fingers don't hurt anymore, build up callouses 2) you no longer have to "set up" chord fingerings. After those two, play all your major and minor chords without your index finger...try it!

[@jamesnegus4261]

I've been playing guitar for almost 10 years and learned something from this, you're never too progressed to learn something from basic learning

[@jackgriffith9229]

Beginner guitar 🎸 is beautiful and lovely! Think of all of those sing along songs that you know but don’t know that you know. Sing Brown Eyed Girl Sing the acoustic version of Layla Sing Just The Way You Are Billy Joel Sing Tequila Sunrise Eagles you actually know a lot of songs that lend themselves to acoustic guitar strumming and singing yet it’s not actually EASY!

[@jackgriffith9229]

I forgot to mention songs by Neil Young!

[@guitarraecia6107]

I play and study the guitar for over 10 years and those tips are gold. For me, if I want to be smart I go back to the basics.

[@davidgent6381]

Just blown away by this guy

[@davidbrown2806]

After not playing for 10 years, I just went out and bought a new Strat and amp. I am going to focus on "re-learning to play" as if I never knew, to clean up bad habits from the past. You hit every item on my list with this video. Keep going ...... bar chord shapes and fingering with the thumb mute on the low-E would great. Most great guitar players use it to maximize their fills.

[@adambrown5172]

I’ve been playing guitar for 18 years. It’s imperative for new guitarists to start making you’re own songs as soon as you can no matter how simple they are. You don’t want to spend years learning how to play and theory then years pass without making your own stuff, I did for like 5 years. I envy a 10 year old guitarist already making their own little power chord songs because I know they’ll slowly get better and better. You’re never a finished product so put out what you have

[@felixputz5190]

how do i know which chords go along with the lyrics i've written?

[@adambrown5172]

@@felixputz5190 usually the music is written first and you write lyrics over it, if you write music around the lyrics it can sound very forced, it’s not a rule to write the lyrics over the music but it generally works best that way. If you have lyrics you want to put into a song and are writing the guitar part, just start off with the basics, is it a minor key for sad or major for happy

[@astro6393]

agreed

[@JJ_TheGreat]

@@adambrown5172 This is true… If you want to hear a song in which the lyrics were written before the music, listen to “We didn’t start the fire” by Billy Joel.

[@coddmodd]

​@felixputz5190 playing in a key is always good. I keep practicing natural major key and that helps to learn natural minor cause they're actually the same they just start at different points. 2 books that helped me was Guitar Grimoire but you could also look up the modes of the natural major scale online. For instance natural major scale is root note, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, whole step then half step to return to the root note. Root note is like C for playing key of C. The modes are just the same scale but starting on the non root notes so D is the second note in C major so if you start on D it's the second mode. When you memorize all 7 mode shapes you start to be able to combined them to play in key anywhere on guitar. The 6th mode is also the minor scale so if you start with the 6th mode of the major scale you are playing the minor scale, example notes of C major are C D E F G A B and the notes for A minor are A B C D E F G, no sharps in there. So by learning the mode shapes you can play in the key of major and minor and if you stick in key no matter what you play always sounds good. It's easier then to learn the 5 note (pentatonic scales). Another book I liked a lot was How to Write songs on guitar by Hal Leonard. One more thing I learned in classical music is a lot of the times do One style then switch to another style then return to the first style used. So style A then B then A, or they would just do A style then switch and end in B style. Lastly all the chords in a key for the major will be Major minor minor Major Major Minor then diminished, so for C it's C maj, D min, E min, F maj, G maj, A minor, then B dim. These are based on 3 notes in the scale notes1 3 5 for C maj, notes 2 4 6 for D min, note 3 5 7 for E min, and so on. Then for A minor the chords are the same but starting on A min. A minor, B dim, C maj, D min, E min, F maj, G maj. Wrote a little song myself after practice these things for a few weeks and it came pretty naturally. After learning the chords and modes of the scale then the trick to find the root notes things are starting to flow.

[@JimSlimjimCassi]

When i use to teach guitar, my students always said that the continues strumming, weather or not your playing notes, helped them the most when it came to rhythm guitar. When started playing, i use it to help keep in time with the songs.

[@NinerFourWhiskey]

As an entirely self-taught kid, I really wish someone had sat me down with a metronome and taught me how to clap and count time properly. That and to play through my mistakes, rather than stopping and backing up to "get it". Now as a much older guy, when I practice (bass especially) I warm up for a few minutes with the Dr. Beat and plucking muted strings to settle my time.

[@AndrewCCM]

NinerFourWhiskey me 2. Never came naturally for me and I still work at it and have to concentrate 38 yrs later.

[@tootynooty]

My favourite bass track to practice my timing is The Sisters Of Mercy's cover of Hot Chocolates 'Emma' steady, beautiful beat. (They never had a drummer so it's all a drum machine so no timing float and a great song to play along to).

[@koolbeans8292]

NinerFourWhiskey Put a wired metronome in your ear while playing every time you play. Every time, Every time , Every time , Every time, Every time, Every time, Every time, every time you play have a tick tock going in your ear to the beat to the song you are playing. Every time. People don’t get up and leave because you forgot the words or played a wrong chord. They leave because the frequency (the beat) changes. You’re welcome.....

[@melodymakermark]

You didn’t/don’t need a metronome according to Allar Po(squiggly line atop the o)ld.

[@sionmichel]

The flat picking exercise is Champion! Been playing for 7 years and this exercise has helped me incredibly. Do it whenever I have the guitar in my hands and my lazy right hand is improving its accuracy 10 fold. Thank you Rick for all you do! Amazing inspiration and resource and much Respect!

[@lobster-music]

#1 is a really good one - I would generalize it into trying to play all the strumming patterns (in even signatures) without stopping your right hand - it should act as a metronome. Goes a long way later on, especially with funk.

[@robbyzee9237]

"especially with funk" -- so true!!

[@pallhe]

Rick is looking increasingly like a Jedi master, which he is obviously.

[@frankzelazko]

But Rick should shave his beard off :)

[@Eagle-eye-pie]

Begun, the guitar lessons have.

[@DanielBarronProfile]

Count Dooku's little brother.

[@briansnead4787]

@@Eagle-eye-pie There is no try with guitar, only do

[@doncavalier2237]

maybe it is a corvid beard.

[@lancescudder11111]

I have been playing guitar for about a year and a half and pretty solidly for the last 4 months and I have to say that these 5 steps are probably the best beginner tips that I have heard! This video shows Rick's experience and that he truly gets teaching guitar. Nice work Rick!

[@thomasmorrison3279]

Very helpful exercises. That D chord alternate picking exercise is the beginning of "More Than A Feeling" by Boston.

[@JoeDoe2]

I've always wanted exercises for knowing how to go from any string to any other string, which involved judging the distance between the string you're on and the one you play next. But guitarists don't always do alternate picking. If the piece is slow enough, and it's arpeggios for example, they'll just do all downstrokes, which requires a different distance between the same strings cause the pick come at the string from the other side of it. Make sense? #5 is a good starter exercise, but there should be more such exercises to cover more types of picking directions between all combinations of strings. I haven't seen any youtube guitar teachers come up with that and I've watched a lot of them.

[@DarkHouse135]

..that eases my mind, I wasnt sure if strumming all of the open strings during a chord change was ok....

[@djdavis1420]

As a complete beginner who picked up a guitar a day ago, this video covers a number of the things I'm struggling with. Looking forward to my next practice. Thank you so much. :)

[@1badsteed]

Your fingers are sore today. You might be doubting. Hang in there and just keep practicing. You'll get better and your fingers won't hurt any more. Good luck and best wishes...and get Rick's Beato Book!!!

[@russellbateman3392]

Here's the lesson lay-out: #1 0:57 Learn basic strumming pattern #2 2:02 Play the G chord with ring finger on the G string #3 4:11 Mute the low E string #4 5:47 Change chords seamlessly by playing open strings on up strum #5 7:30 Learn flat-picking pattern

[@thigson189]

Thank you, Russell.

[@EM-cg4iy]

Third finger on the b string if I’m not hearing incorrrectly.

[@345kobi]

#2 may be the most valuable lesson. Don't underestimate it based on the description here.

[@tims001]

Been playing for 20 years, the first 12 months was me figuring all this out myself... Lol, all 5 of these are absolutely the most important and are the basis for every level of playing. Well done Rick, great teacher

[@swssfms]

Seriously, I've played for 25 years and this is the first time that strumming pattern has made sense to me! Thank you Rick!

[@TG-zq6bq]

I think this pattern without the up stroke after beat 4 is even more common and works for almost any song.

[@1badsteed]

The first three chords I always teach are G, C and D major and always as "Ring finger above middle finger". Middle finger is always 1 fret back and 1 string below the index finger for those 3 chords. That's why I show them a G chord with ring finger on the root G, middle finger on B (1 fret back and 1 string below) and pinky on bottom G. Then for the root C, E and C notes, middle finger is again 1 string immediately below and 1 fret back (E) from the ring finger (C) with the index fretting the high C. The D chord being D, F# and A, A is index, D is ring and F# is middle (1 fret back and 1 string below ring finger).

[@οτρόποςπουείμαι]

please, don't ever teach Dsus4 on that progression.....let's stop it

[@itsmorphed6416]

That seems like hard first three chords with the c . 3 years ago I was first taught d a e . It was to mainly demonstrate the pivot finger principle and the first finger slide. I think I then learned c am f g . What a journey tho 😂😂

[@KasperD1979]

The trick regarding muting the low E-string also provides "better support" for your left hand thumb. When you are pushing with the palm of your left hand (against the back of the guitar) instead of your thumb you don't have to use as many muscles. A lot of beginners lack the muscles in the thumb to play for a long time...It is also really handy when going in to the barre chords where you typically press somewhat harder.

[@joelluth6384]

Wow, so simple and yet eye-opening. A(nother) beginning guitarist thanks you. I know your channel is targeted at more advanced concepts (and I'm fine with that) but it's nice of you to throw a bone to us newbies :)

[@cameronroot]

I’m in a smaller town and I’m thinking of doing some lessons based around my learning experience with instruments and music. Thinking more of teaching how to write songs and how to think of structures within them. I’m self taught and haven’t ventured super deep yet into theory but I plan to continue biting little pieces off. Great video Rick!

[@WarDimensionOfficial]

2:04 I play a G chord with my 3rd finger on the B string, but I do made some exceptions for some songs if I can clearly hear that they're not fretting the B string...

[@rustyeddy]

I have been trying to be a beginning guitar player for a couple decades, it took me about 45 minutes to (almost) learn that strumming pattern (yea I still got work to do :). It takes me to a whole new level! Thanks for throwing us newbs a bone Rick!!!

[@justinthyme2666]

I really don't get doing the G chord technique unless you just like the sound of it being played like that better. Eventually they'll have to learn to change to chords without anchors.

[@albertofourie3294]

I'm 64 and started playing guitar one year ago. Found this lesson and Rick's way of teaching, awesome!

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

Psychiatrist: Rick Beardo is not real. He can't hurt you Rick Beardo:

[@arrictinegames3089]

Omg stop bullying his beard 😂

[@skeletonshorror5184]

Hhahahahahah💀🔥

[@fly4doe2]

That statement is so wrong. First it is a terrible run-on sentence. It should be: "Rick Beardo is not real. He can't hurt you." Comedy writers are writers first of all. Second, he can hurt you. He is really Wolverine come back from the future to slash your throat.

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

@@fly4doe2 As you wish

[@ScottFree4all]

I’m a drummer that bought my first guitar yesterday. Rick this is SO helpful to me. I’m off to a great start now.

[@janwillemvs3854]

Me2 man, playing the drums for like 10 years now en bought my first guitar 2 weeks ago! Really helpful video.

[@adamchatterton2966]

Looks like there's a few of us doing this ahah.

[@Frederick307]

Ha! Same here brothers. Been drumming for +/- 18 years now. Just bought my very first acoustic guitar today!

[@jpar19835]

I'm 38, and I've been learning on my own for about 5 months and need these kind of beginner lessons. I love it, practice as often as I can, just wish I had the time and money to invest in lessons for myself.

[@DrakeSteve]

I can usually tell when somebody plays a "ghost" chord (strumming the open strings) between strumming chords on the guitar. I understand why people do it-- as Rick said, it buys us time to properly position our fingers for the next chord. So, we've all done this and some of us still do. Myself, I prefer not to do that as much as possible because even though the ghost chord is only played for a moment, it most often clashes musically with the other chords and is frequently very noticeable, especially at slower tempos. With enough practice, one can increase his/ her skill in changing chords without having to "cheat" using the ghost chord. Just my opinion...

[@trhuffer]

These might be useful techniques to add to the arsenal early on as Rick says though, and more difficult to add later? Then use or not with discretion later on? As noted, other techniques of course don't require muting the 6th string, and are better off with the thumb riding the back of the neck; and, "ghost" chords at slower tempos are both inappropriate and unnecessary. At any tempo if you are capable of switching fingers rapidly, actually. I think it's an interesting teaching/learning technique that promotes better fingering at the beginning. Just my worthless opinions from study of classic guitar many, many years ago though. The flat-picking exercise, I was thinking "use your fingers!" but of course I get it!

[@MultiAxisDiscipline]

I've been playing guitar for over 40 years, casually, and professionally, and teaching for over 30 years. Rick is spot on with using this "ghost strum" technique to enable seamless chord changes for beginners. It can also be used with great success for intermediate and advanced players. The "ghost strum" can develop into a strictly percussive accompaniment by palm muting the strum, and when muting the strings, a player can consciously allow a selected open note, or notes that might be complimentary to sound out during the "ghost strum"/percussive moment as well. Similar to when playing slide guitar in standard tuning. You have to mute every string except the string(s) that you wish to be sounding. Whereas when using open tunings, it is usually complimentary notes across all 6 strings at all times.

[@xebio6]

There are several genres where "ghosting" notes/chords is an essential feature.

[@davidchavanel1715]

I strongly agree. I find it extremely annoying to hear this 'ghost chord' sometimes. For instance, the end of 'What's up' by 'Four non Blondes' is absolutely awful ;o)

[@MultiAxisDiscipline]

@@davidchavanel1715 Matters of personal taste, and preference easily cloud, or colour our perception of what sounds good. When I was a younger man, I immediately disliked anything new that was outrageously popular, or that embraced techniques that I did not personally like to use.

[@therealnotanerd_account2]

Rick Beato's videos: I hit "Like" and then I watch the video. Never disappointed.

[@babacofobia]

O cara é foda pra caralho

[@therealnotanerd_account2]

@@babacofobia O Rick além de manjar muito parece ser super gente boa. Aquele cara que todo quer ser amigo.

[@eldrixxx]

I've been playing guitar for about 4 years and luckily unlike other Beginner Guitarist I've actually practiced and learned a lot in those 4 years, I'd say I'm really good. And I can also say that this are amazing tips for beginners, things that no matter how "skilled" you get, you will use everyday.

[@nablog]

That "little thing there", which came naturally to me when changing between some chords, drove my first guitar teacher crazy :)

[@cisco680]

Great tips!!! The 5th tip you might as well teach them Boston’s song, More Than a Feeling. It is so close to what you’re teaching, they might as well learn a song to learn alternate picking. That is the song I taught myself how to alternate pick. I didn’t even know that is what I was learning, I just wanted to learn how to play that song.

[@robertgold2643]

That was awesome - perfect intro to flat picking (the right way) 😎

[@pscottphoto2435]

Rick, consider recording the lessons you are giving your daughter(s). I'd join your Beato Club for access to those videos for my own children.

[@voodoochile80]

That's a great, great idea.

[@karu6111]

that 4 chord progression, when me and my friends would hang out drinking, we have this game where we try to sing over that same simple chord progression, with any song we know. ANY SONG. As long as it fits, as long as the verse or lyric, no matter how we bend the melody and pitch and everything fits within that chord prog. We'd go on rotation until one of us either can't think of any song to sing over it or sang something that doesn't really sound decent, then that person downs a shot of wine or whatever we're drinking. good times...

[@jeff7764]

Karl Glenn cool story bro 🤘

[@B0K1T0]

Good times maybe, but sounds like pretty much sober nights at least? :P

[@sherresturm819]

I love the way you show other music, e.g. Martha Argawal and Yuja Wang----so glad you share your great love and appreciation for great musicians, .

[@AxelAlexK]

Hmm, I learned G with the pinky and have never thought that jumping to D from G was difficult. I always preferred 345 over 234 because it frees up the 1st finger to play the 1st fret so I always had the opposite experience...seems to make transitions easier. I have tried to learn both ways though but still almost always use 345 as the muscle memory is so ingrained at this point.

[@mandolinka29]

Excellent video You should do more beginner videos such as these, a fundamental series if you will

[@GaryBook]

His intro course is good, but there are so many beginner videos. Rick went to Berkeley School of Music, he has advanced knowledge that most of the teachers on KZbin don’t have. It is better he handles the advanced material for graduate school level folks.

[@littlebr4d]

I've been casually and sporadically playing for 25+ years and this is an excellent set of foundational skills/exercises that all players should practice in perpetuity. You're the man, Rick!

[@vinisun9171]

Rick, you're amazing. I rly needed this! Just thought you forgot to mention 'now add a metronome to your practice' cause even though any musician should know this, beginners especially always like to run away from it xD

[@obiwan042]

Exercise 5: play More than a Feeling by Boston

[@88pynogrl]

What a FABULOUS teacher.

[@conorstevens3771]

Classical guitarist (me included) going full rage when Rick brings his thumb around the neck to mute the E string. Great video rick

[@AndySalinger33]

who is this man not wearing a black t shirt? I sort of recognize him.

[@pstraussman1]

New 54-year-old beginner, I keep coming back to this video because all five are great nuggets I just didn’t understand half of them until I learned more.

[@Sanjarih]

Ladies and Gents, When Rick Beato is giving a lesson, you should halt everything and listen

[@GuilhermeSilva-rp2it]

My last guitar lesson was in 1984, when I was 19. Now, august 8th 2020, I picked up my guitar and did as Rick taught. A Rick free lesson should not be wasted.

[@charlesweaver3427]

Hey Rick - love your videos! One more trick I've used is to analyze the chord changes and identify "pivot' notes, or finger/string locations shared by two 'adjacent' chords. A to D, for example, share the first finger/second fret of the g string in common (the way I was taught to play an A chord).

[@steveredick9045]

😮

[@thomaspospiech6764]

With over 50 years of playing guitar and preforming, and being self taught, (well for most of it), your videos are wonderful. After struggling for my first few months, it was only after I started playing along with much better guitarist that I finally realize how much there is to learn. And now, after I came across your channel..... I'm still learning how much more there is. Thank you for your time and knowledge being shared.

[@chrismurray2978]

One more thing for all beginners that actually comes first-no1 learn to TUNE the instrument well.More time spent on this helps your ear to hear music in tune without which you can't develope.

[@jmmacb03]

I only found out recently about tuning a guitar with a 24.5" neck versus a 25". THAT explains a lot. Good grief. My ears always told me something was off.

[@AlmostDon]

Woooo man, I'm a great fan, I'm trying to take to your advise for my music and I even decided to start my channel and adding some of my humble guitar playing in my songs because of u, thank you!

[@kilgoretrout3966]

same here...with my oldest Son, who makes me look like a hack with his playing...kid is good.

[@AlmostDon]

@@kilgoretrout3966 I agree, it's much better to start when you are a kid, but I think I appreciate and enjoy it more now!

[@benjaminanousheh478]

Hey Rick. I’ve been playing for about 10 years. I think youre great. Your videos are not intimidating, they are accessible to anybody with an open mind. Every time I tune in I learn something. Thanks man.

[@leltraco1983]

KZbin: 5 Things Every Beginner Guitarist SHOULD Learn Me: meh KZbin: By Rick Beato Me: *click on it*

[@5882300rickroll]

Exactly

[@J.Artistry]

LeL traco Lol I used this same logic

[@leltraco1983]

@@J.Artistry Rick is the holy grail of music channel

[@frederickthorne2496]

haha same

[@voronOsphere]

Exactly!

[@markntexas8265]

Holy cow 🐄 mind blown 🤯 how freaking simple. But as Clausewitz said “Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult”

[@adamjones6252]

been playing guitar since 1993 and i'll be a student until the day I die. There is always something to learn even in the simplest of lessons. A good teacher always gives a useful lesson :) I know these would have been useful to me when I started out for sure.

[@localmusiclover605]

Hmm, you seemed to learn a lot of time signatures very quick

[@thelesls]

Well, I'm a beginner and that's one of the best lessons that I have ever taken... thanks!

[@brushman20]

All I need now is a guitar! When I get one, I’m coming straight back to this video! 😁

[@UndercoverRat]

You don't need a guitar. Just use a cabbage.

[@steveb9325]

Buy one on Reverb. Dont know your price range though you can get 100 dollar guitar or 50 dollar guitar used guitar. Or whatever your price range might be....good luck! Enjoy!

[@UndercoverRat]

@@leadbelly1495 What about cabbages?

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Act fast now! And get 3 cabbage for the price of 2!

[@JS45678]

My friend, may I ask why you do not have a guitar? You sound extremely interested. Thank you and my apologies if too personal a question.

[@m444ss]

Speaking of anchoring a finger during chord changers whenever possible: I form my open A chord with the index finger in the same position as in the open D chord. This not only facilitates movement between A & D, but also I can just slide the index finger back a fret when moving to E (and E to A).

[@TheHistoryTellers]

What an EXCELLENT LESSON!!!