87% Guitarists Learn Scales but STILL Can't Play

[@johanndaart7326]

The only thing I would add to this vid, that helped me to move from just practicing scale fingerings, is to stop being obsessed about what notes to play, but being creative about creating small rhythm ideas, that are sentence like. Obviously targeting the right note from a chord adds emotion and color, but it's the rhythm that conveys the intent and attitude. Also call - response framework helps, playing the same, "call" rhythm sentence that ends on a weak note, then trying out multiple responses that end on strong notes.

[@edigabrieli7864]

My son used to love the three little piggy story just because I changed the outline every night from a Pirate setting to the western saloon to the Knights of Malta making up stuff every time as I went on. He was never bored and always asked for more variations.

[@CaptainKarma8]

Good stuff, I play major/minor pentatonic and know it in all keys across the fretboard. It has a voice that can be manipulated to evoke certain feelings. The human vocabulary just can’t do justice to the way guitar should be explained, some say it’s wax poetic but its such a feel thing that theory can’t teach. My best playing comes when I just stop thinking and feel. Your way of explaining guitar is one of the best I’ve heard, thanks.

[@slimeslayer7220]

genius video man really helped me see improvisation in a new light

[@TwistedMind86Chern]

This is pure gold. Very wise words David.

[@miltonalmonte7126]

I am ready to stay focused on learning more stuff now that I am retired since 2019 until Covid 19 disrupted every day life

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

I AGREE ..TOTALLY..The problem is when I started And when most people start they know nothing...How do tell a story without words. vocabulary..like trying to describe the Ark of the Covenant with the vocabulary of 2year old. I was trying to learn Jeff Beck and Van Halen without knowing what a blues scale was...it's a paradox.

[@steven3484]

Great analogies! Very helpful, I have a better way to approach my guitar playing in the terms of letters, words and stories. I love the old blues players, they tell the best stories.

[@Kipperbob]

Cool thanks, I'll keep this in mind cause I have a serious problem with getting stuck in the scale this past while as time goes by.

[@farshadyazdanian9721]

"Music is a language, song is a story,... " , Amassing description! BUT I think Scale is an "Accent"!

[@HQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQHQ]

Learning scales (not only scales) improves your speed of thinking. It's kind of basis (theory + harmonic hearing and other stuff) on which you can improvise and tell a story musically, you're free of thinking of which note to play next, you just know that's gonna be that and this and we end it like that. And practise playing by ear! Learning theory + practise every day = improving every time even if you think you're stuck and think you're going the wrong way. There's so much interesting in music... I knew that, but when i heard Jacob Collier, saw his sheet music and explainations, i was amazed. You can think that Jacob is top of a music mountine, but even he with his massive knowledge is progressing. Just don't stop! Don't give up!

[@TheSubconsciousness]

1:13 looove it! 😍😍😍 edit: 3:11 sooo important! It's always the same. If you imagine how a piano player applies scales and learns them... Every Key is individual. Only 1 shape. the guitar is the complete opposite. Every Key is identical (except limitations of the instrument/open strings...), but several shapes.

[@humbleguy1163]

this vids is like The Sword of a thousand truths frfr

[@Snotboxrocked156]

I respect you for exposing this truth. Reason? Because 99% of guitar teachers will not.

[@krzysztofmichalik9310]

Very interesting and important issue and video! Ofc I gave Like & Sub :) I fully agree from my modest personal perspective. I'm not musician (computer scientist in fact) and after almost deadly accident I had to stop my earlier long hobby of karate kyokushin training and did remind myself that as a young person (now +65) had a relative perfect pitch. So I started 2 years ago my new hobby: guitar, especially guitar improvisation. I started learning a bit of music theory, especially the mentioned in your video scales and positions :) Totally overestimating their role, reading forums and comments from novice guitarists in general, the scales seem to be like the Holy Grail for them (for me was too for a while) :). At the beginning of my studies, I wondered what made eg. jazz sound so different from the rest of the music, and what did I think? Yes, that jazzmen must use some mysterious scales :D. And as you said later, I noticed that each scale has its own atmosphere/climate, but it is strengthened by harmony, chords and intervals are important. Now, after 2 years (having very little time for music), I notice that when I improvise to some background, I choose the scale, but the chords guide me which sounds to choose and I don't know them, but I know where to put the finger of my left hand so that it sounds good and without falsity . IMHO learning the basic positions of the scales, especially the intervals in them, is a shortcut, but later it is discovered that there are sounds outside the vertical box or a horizontal play (in the most extreme case, on 1 string - here you can see the mentioned intervals), but you should gradually gain freedom in playing diagonally on the fretboard, breaking the learned vertical patterns most often and following the sounds (in places on the fingerboard) prompted by our ear. Sorry for a bit long comment, but I wanted to share my personal experience, as a beginner and amateur, which confirms 100% what you say in this video. My next problem is how many and which chord voicings i should know perfectly? May be the problem for 1 of your next videos on chords and voicings? :) May be the answer is analogical to scales? Learn these chords/voicings which you really need for some song or you often uses? Regards! P.S. Sorry for my poor English, I live in Poland so it's my native language.

[@theelderskatesman4417]

I enjoy your videos and your emphasis on listening and musicality over a merely mechanical approach to learning. But I want to let you know that I have been avoiding your stuff for ages because I find your ad - the one where you say 'sorry for interrupting' - really annoying. It feels like a hard sell for a possible scam and I always skipped it as soon as I could. Hope this isn't too annoying to you! It's honest feedback. The thing that I think pulls people in for guitar lessons online is free advice like this, not ads that seem to make implausible promises. I'd consider saving your bucks for those ads and letting your tips speak for themselves. Because it turns out you are a really good teacher with a well thought out and unique method for teaching guitar👍🙏😈

[@Wallimann]

Thanks so much man!! I totally get it my friend! Unfortunately free advice online doesn’t pay the bills. I so wish they did!! But after 11 years of doing it and resisting hard not doing any paid ads, I had to give it a try and truth is they work and allow me to continue providing free lessons on a regular basis. I get it though! :)

[@peterwaksman9179]

"Music is a Language" - I have watched about 15 of your videos, and you NEVER talk about melodies - which is the heart of the music language.

[@thepickerhat6996]

Definitly some great Advice here! :)

[@alward5678]

What are you talking about, I do not just practice scales all the time. That being said , one must know a certain amount of scales to advance on your instrument along with playing by ear and learning tunes. Have a great day.

[@Wallimann]

You too!

[@richardlenz2655]

First rule: Never learn grammar when learning a language. This also applies to music. 🤓😋🥰

[@miltonalmonte7126]

Good morning Dave lost contact with your wonderful lessons but ready to continue working

[@Wallimann]

Welcome back my friend!

[@Anthul65]

Ok you learn all these scales, but how do you find them in a blazing fast solo? Like Yngwie Malmsteen does?!

[@jjjimmer]

Legato - start a run / lick slow and build up your speed when your accuracy allows. Also a very light touch, minimal movement off fretboard and scalloped frets help :)

[@elvisAronPresleybyRusty]

I have typed 4 comments regarding lessons I purchased. Yet received ...???

[@Wallimann]

Hello! I'm not seeing the, on my end. Could you please email [e-mail] and I'll be on the lookout for them!

[@r.w.soundhouse82]

I never set and learn scales I think the best players I hear are self taught play from the heart

[@JimmyGeikie]

You can be self-taught and still learn scales my friend ;) Just because you know them doesn't mean you're not playing from the heart, knowing the scales and modes allow your heart to effectively take control of the notes.

[@r.w.soundhouse82]

@@JimmyGeikie I guess its just instinct to me now I been playing so long

[@alward5678]

@@JimmyGeikie Exactly Jimmy

[@persistentpedestrianalien8641]

The best players are extraordinarily gifted, for typical people to assume they are going to do it the exact same way as someone who is extraordinarily gifted might not be the best approach.

[@Ibanizt]

You'll never be able to memorize all of them unless you're Shawn Lane... :p

[@P_Ezi]

Why is there always an elephant in every room?

[@78tag]

I don't know what the intent here was but that progression alone tells me there is nothing here for me. This intro sounds like a pillow sales pitch.

[@mandanglelow1442]

I am a music teacher of over 45 years and what he is trying to explain to you here is how to be eloquent when using a scale. Running a scale up and down as fast as you can like so many shredders do is not actually speaking an eloquent language. It's like reciting the alphabet in English as fast as you can abcdefghijklmnop...etc. David is trying to explain to you how to design words sentences and phrases from those scales.

[@robertbrawley5048]

The video is over and you haven't got to a point

[@Wallimann]

Rewatch it! I think you missed it! ;)

[@robertbrawley5048]

@@Wallimann I will rewatch the last 3 minutes where you say or in mply that this video is an teaser for a future video

[@HeadbangoO]

Hmm... no. That was an easy shortcut, I understand what you're trying to say, but would you tell your son not to learn his alphabet, although he's a good story-teller? Of course everybody can play a few things with a couple months practice and no theory. But at the end of the day, it sounds like a kid telling a story about zombies 😜 Some will stay like that and say they prefer playing with "feel"... and some will learn their scales, and everything that comes after that... (like you did, huh?)

[@Wallimann]

Totally agree. Mainly the point was not to mindlessly learn scale without purpose. ;)

[@Snotboxrocked156]

Your sadly mistaken, and if you don’t believe so. Take this, some of the best guitarist. Fusion, rock, modern jazz etc within those genres don’t even know or practiced scales to get to the level that they are. Some of those guitarist even admitted to not being able to read music which is pretty “key” when it comes to learning scales efficiently. Scales could be explained at best as a tool to help you learn the fretboard, play faster, and not hit the wrong strings or notes when playing. Try creating licks and solos or even improvisations by using chromatic scales for example. You will, and I assure you you will have a hard time progressing with the guitar.

[@HeadbangoO]

@@Snotboxrocked156 They lied to you 😂 And I don't see how it's sad... earned my living as a musician, theory addict, and haven't met good musicians not knowing at least their basics.