A Guitar Technique That Transformed My Playing

[@soiledmytrousers]

For those complaining about tone... 1.) Tone is subjective. I think his tone is amazing and unique. Very expressive 2.) He is teaching you something, shut up

[@SuperUltra]

Dude that's exactly what I was thinking. All these gear nuts who talk about the technical aspects of tonality and amps and tonewoods and pickups... and they can't even touch Rick in terms of playing. Priorities!

[@jamesf5077]

His tone and playing remind me of Eric Johnson

[@soiledmytrousers]

@@smokingcrab2290 touche :)

[@shredder60]

I just bought Rick's lesson bundle and I must WOW what a massive amount of info and insight.this was WELL worth the money. thanks Rick

[@RickGraham]

+shredder60 Thanks man! Appreciate it.

[@shredder60]

+Ben Davella Just go to the linkin the description box and go to his hd guitar lessons store it will be the first thing

[@godwinbssdd]

holding the pick just right is a huge mile stone to get past, after a few years of playing i hit a wall but once i discovered the secret of loosely holding the pick it made it so much easier to play fast

[@Paulios04]

Amen to that brother woo praise the lord

[@Snowy0123]

Thanks for the Eric Johnson lick library dvd lessons. Not only did it show me HOW to play the songs, it showed me more thought out fingerings, how to approach a specific lick, and how to really get a technical lead under my fingers and got my head around the songs by watching you..

[@kungfuman82]

I've been turned on to economy picking lately due to stylistic and pragmatic choices. I like the smooth tone, so there's that. However, I like technical riffs that employ a lot of alternate picking, chugs, gallops, fast down-picked notes and chords, etc. Basically, by the time I get to a solo, my right hand is toast because my endurance is used up from playing aggressive riffs. I think not only would economy picking serve as a respite, but solos played in that fashion would contrast with the sharper riffs. That's my theory, anyway. Gonna buy Rick Graham's stuff soon.

[@coolumar335]

Rick, you absolutely nailed it man! It wasn't until I developed my dynamics and right hand (finally got to grips with economy picking too) that I realized the difference it had made in my playing. Very honest advice here - props to you, as always.

[@user-fz5wn4jy4i]

U know hes fcking serious when Bruce Lee comes in the theory.....

[@michael1]

But the "one inch punch" was complete and utter bullshit. The people flying back were stooges. Of course there's no requirement to punch a guitar to move the strings or use any significant effort in the first place.

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

Interesting way of thinking.But it also goes out of tune when you move string more.Note pretty much go sharp and return.

[@jameswelch2389]

Single most important aspect; that gets almost no attention. Thank you for teaching the whole instrument. Always a pleasure

[@Mattieval]

It's great to see that you teach preparation in regards to picking. I feel it's something a lot of plectrum guitar teachers aren't aware of. It's a really fundamental aspect of plucking a string that has huge ramifications for advancing. I describe it in terms of how much you push the string before sounding giving you control of dynamics but 'string displacement' sounds much better. I may steal it!

[@LesterMitchell]

I am amazed. I've been oblivious. I do this all the time, and never knew that I was mixing them both. That's crazy. I like minimal movement and I love alt picking. Thanks for opening my mind to what I was doing haha.

[@DVincentW]

Feeling dynamics is hard to describe. Good instruction

[@ERBarratt]

That guitar.... so good - those tight end bridges are magnificent.

[@vboy13]

the tension control is a HUGE part of FRIPP’s universe posture,hand and arm angle,and of course tuning in 5ths

[@robertdukarm2578]

this is very interesting. I instantly thought of my self as "loading pressure" into the string; this is really gonna help me as I've been studying and practicing my dynamics a whole lot lately.

[@MrSlimfinger]

You're the Bruce Lee of guitar Rick! Loved that analogy by the way, about economy of motion.

[@6672rock]

That really aggressive style of picking, while it may sound cool for playing SRV-style licks, can really slow you down. I was always told to choke off the pick so only the absolute tip protrudes from your picking hand, and then the tip should only lightly graze past the string to produce a sound. Apparently, light picking and minimal movement equates to playing faster runs more easily.

[@aidan.ristuccia1564]

6672rock Not necessarily. You can play aggressively and extremely fast too. It's just minimizing wrist movement and distance the pick has to move laterally.

[@viktorbuch5165]

How does the "new" bridges on the Ibanez's/Ibanee? feel. They look cool for sure.

[@SameBasicRiff]

wow that tone is raw, wild, and controlled. you people complaining are nuts.

[@dmac4793]

Amen..if one masters their tension , no one will be able too be " better" than you at playin, because there is unlimited freedom in mastering your tension playin the guitar in all degrees of playin attack gentle to furious...and with this comes unlimited creativity and fearlessness ..

[@gerardomartinez1806]

Thank you for share you secrets Rick! You are the best in the world!

[@chriswake5214]

That is a gorgeous guitar! Also very good approach to explaining tension and dynamics.

[@stevysound]

Very cool, I like this string displacement idea, never really consciously thought about it before.

[@hfish83]

I learned something like this from an instructor years ago but it was with playing notes with the left hand. He asked how much pressure should you really use to play a note? Basically start out playing a note muted with lite pressure in the left hand finger, each time gradually adding pressure until you can produce a note. He called it the " thump to pressure exercise".

[@TheZenytram]

Interesting, i've always thought that the dynamics appears when you stick the pick deep into the strings which actually do the same thing you showed here but just harder than it should be. thanks for this insight.

[@sergiocorrea2781]

Thank you for the lesson, Excellent!

[@alward5678]

I think he sounds great., and Ricks playing is KILLER.

[@kps2642]

is it me or he looks like elder brother of Henry cavill...

[@daoyang6055]

Vertigo 101 He looks like the more respected older brother of Henry Cavill. Lol

[@808zhu]

Good call. 👍

[@luminitabirzu7170]

Vertigo 101 he looks like Bruce Dickinson lol

[@luminitabirzu7170]

Vertigo 101 well, looked

[@celtacortacabezasxD]

and sounds like Bruce too :D

[@EpicHeavyStuff]

I never really thought about it that way but I've always automatically controlled the tension with both my playing and picking hand

[@jasonvawter3625]

finally I learned something new.. thanks Rick, for teaching us by these videos:)

[@Sh4tt3rd_vr]

Rick you made me fall in love with the guitar again. Thank you. If I could afford it, I would but all your stuff 😉

[@Sh4tt3rd_vr]

Buy

[@FreshBagelz]

I get great dynamics by using a really thin pick. I use a .88mm Dunlop max grip (nothing else lol) and I can go from soft and melodic to making my guitar roar.

[@BloopShow]

+FreshBagelz I like picks in that sorta measurement, and use them a lot for acoustic playing. I'd say that's quite thick to be honest, most acoustic players, and soul/RnB and Hip Hop players use .38's. Regular dunlop Nylon. Those dudes can shred, and have awesome dynamic control too. Different tones though, allows you to glide across the strings with a more 'economy' picking dynamic for more easily. Not as good for aggressive low gain alternative picking dynamics however. Different tools for different applications! :)

[@lukedavies6646]

Wouldn't call a .88 really thin. That's medium.

[@rogerweafer2179]

I hesitate to comment ...I totally agree with you.The difference between Recording Guitar music and playing live music is why I am typically forced to play less aggressively, when recording because some sounds on the guitar WILL be louder depending on WHERE you are fretting the note.My brother was a sought after drummer for recording(and in the Clubs) because he played so evenly! Add to that the fact that there is almost NO market for ROCK in my area,that my friends and I don't GIG,(what few of us there are)so I get in a bad habit of forgetting the DYNAMICS of playing live.This may be why WE as Guitarist LOVE to listen to live gig music rather than the watered down recordings we are accustomed to. I had to go OUTSIDE to listen to Ted Nugent, just to hear any dynamic in HIS playing! I am not saying that there are NOT some things you can do in the studio to suggest dynamic playing...just the Terror of watching the Recording level POUND in the RED! ...love your channel!

[@carltroia6235]

roger weafer that's why they use compression

[@oostenmusic]

"Ultimate picking"

[@bsnf-5]

FIFA ultimate team

[@gui18bif]

@@bsnf-5 yes ultimatum

[@jonasbylund5875]

omg the best guitar lessons dude, ill just have to go and buy them ALL !!!!

[@FedericoTeti]

As always new concepts and ideas to try!!! Thanks!!!

[@lyresmyth]

Hey Rick, yes you are making perfect sense. It always takes someone like you to break this down in such a way that totally changes thought process and how to move forward. I have been trying this since I first watched the video and it definitely makes all the difference for removing unwanted tension. Just wondering is there any specific things that one could practice to push this alone even more? Great vid Rick!! Thanks

[@MrShredHead24]

Great lesson, thanks for all your honesty!

[@zackwhite1]

wonderfully instructed... off topic: something irks me about hearing the pick making a note by virtue of touching the string... is that something due to recording for this video? cause it sticks out quite a bit.

[@DanHains]

That is a fine guitar indeed. Nice, Rick.

[@johndsouzaguitartoday3075]

The last topic that you were talking about - the thumb movement - which is you didn't complete... Is it in another video?? I find that thumb movement very beneficial for my playing since there's a economical movement of my hand while playing fast lines..

[@milangg2590]

dude you are my hero

[@fabiovera7956]

the greatest teacher i have on guitar

[@Robylazarus]

Excellent lesson Rick. Thanks for sharing. Kind regards. Roby.

[@traderpapertiga]

Liked the one inch punch analogy 🤜

[@shaunmcinnis566]

One inch punch starts from the rear planted foot and builds power up through the body, then quickly releases through the fist, haha. I studied jeet Kune do for many years.

[@baetar7]

Great video, Rick!

[@RFWMusic]

Wow, this was deep bro!

[@suphatpornanek5298]

time has controlled everything even music

[@courtcomposer]

You are a great player. I have been having a hard time muting while sweeping. I use my palm muting on the way to the 1st string and my index of the left hand for coming back. Can you help me? Thanks.

[@SihtamEmperor]

true guitar guru

[@clarkfeeley1959]

Kinda left the more important part IMO to the buy section with the thumb articulation at the fade out. Regardless excellent video and really, really important info on that 2% advanced guitarists seek out for years.

[@Tombrosapien]

Rick Shifty-Eyes Graham

[@jochenstark6348]

That's my second first today :) thanks Graham.

[@LimitIsIllusion]

Damn this is just the kinda thing I was looking for

[@fabiovera7956]

hi Rick can you some time talk about how to Bild your lead tone on the Axe FX ?

[@sackasilver]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@karsguitarchannel6088]

I like the example with Bruce Lee Great!

[@gleydsonbastos4968]

i love your job!! i from brazil

[@professorellisaki]

Be 1 with the string - focus tension Frethopper ! (**)

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

Rick, thanks for this lesson. I've been seeing you play Strats on most of these videos - this looks like an Ibanez. Could you also comment on how you apply these different guitar models.

[@jakeynez]

Amazing stuff. Hope you're doing well mate. Let's catch up soon :)

[@aarongrubbs8699]

How do you keep your guitar so consistently close to the "proper" classical form to avoid strain? Do you use a footstool?

[@SuperlocoGypsy]

great Rick!

[@leetattoo1976]

I was thinking about getting one of those guitars, how is it???

[@mamatmat1888]

Good dude!

[@DragonDethKlaw]

yeee!

[@pabloantuna717]

where the lesson continues? thanks

[@Pink_surfer]

I am hearing that strong displacement of string leads to some tone shift and sounds little scary..

[@JoakimSeverinsen]

Hey Rick. I saw a video where you had egg-white pickups in this guitar (kinda yellowish). What sort of pickups was that?

[@ZabalaGuitarrak]

What 's this lesson , economy picking 1 or 2 ?

[@adilsonobelard9690]

Rick Thanks for the KT. Please I just order the same guitar which pickups you have add in your Ibanez RG721RW-CNF? Thanks

[@lavemrai6880]

2:33 I want to be this happy in life :)

[@SuperUltra]

I noticed some weird patterns on your wall next to your elbow and I thought "Wow... the bumps on the wall make it look like a Chinese character" and then noticed that it's a wallpaper LOL

[@daoyang6055]

When I play heavy metal, I get tense. Anything else, I feel relaxed.

[@avidia_music]

What model of Ibanez is that? it looks fuckin' beautiful!!!

[@brucesmith5248]

looks like a rg950qm very beautiful guitar

[@brucesmith5248]

or something very similar

[@TheMagicSchlyde]

Ibanez premium 721rw great guitar for the price!

[@r.p.7283]

Same with classical guitar...with pressing the String down...

[@univibe23]

Dynamics is the most important element in music period. It's the number one thing Jimmy Page uses in his songwriting and it worked out good for him.

[@DavidLuzi]

i wonder wich pick ups do you use on your Ibanez 721 ?

[@danmaynez9664]

pachtobeur probably stock man, some sort of dimarzios

[@B0TDIT]

Hey Rick I have An ibanez RG721RWL-CNF Its a great guitar but one thing that bugs me about it is just under the pickup on the body there's a shiny spot through excessive playing. Is there anyway of getting rid of the shiny spot? Thanks!

[@andreybyl]

Which monitors u use? Hard to see name )

[@Samurai78420]

Sometimes I wonder if this guy knows just how terrifying his playing is.

[@troyfrost1980]

Rick Grham " ? Do You Teach Guitar Lessons. Troy Frost / Troyster.

[@frenchiesfrankieandhenry]

The delay isn't helping.

[@courgeonaute]

I don't think it's necessary to push/pull on the string that much... personally, i control my dynamics by varying the pressure i apply when holding my pick. When i do so, the pick will either move thus slide across the string creating a softer around or "force its way through" (essentially displacing the string before popping through to the other side) creating a harsher sound. Doing so allows me to have a very good control of my dynamics without having to use multiple techniques

[@gregorybrian]

You have the same accent as John Lydon. What is it?

[@MrEug23]

Rick, some greatiest gitarists are moved when playing guitar, Clapton for example. But you strongly motionless. What you think about that? p.s. this video very impotant and usefull, big thanks.

[@faridzayish]

i thought u sold off that rg.. glad u didnt :)

[@mgutting7]

I trust this guy's accent

[@furryz666]

Cause meet effect

[@joepaul9855]

If I don't really think about it my economy picking is ok I guess....If I start thinking about it ....It sucks....dies that make sense? Tension?

[@YazanZar]

I think Guthrie Govan do that but not sure thanks Rick

[@jackerickson2184]

2:53

[@lukeelliott6328]

like swinging a golf club.. nice and easy

[@adolfpickler4295]

What model Ibanez is that?

[@seymur312]

RG721RW. There are new 2015 similar models without inlays, gold stuff and trem, but with killswitch, RGIR walnut.

[@adolfpickler4295]

thinkfloyd312 Sweet thanks!

[@thebodiesofeverest961]

Every body talking shit about tone please shut it, I'm trying to learn from the legend..

[@MrBiggysmalls87]

It should be the OTHER WAY ROUND

[@Israakos]

what a beautiful ibanez! and it would be even way much better with reverse headstock! haha!

[@ArKoLiChanell]

pls add russian subtitles!

[@PrzemysawPL]

Im the only one who want to see how Bruce Lee play guitar ?