Can I learn Playing God in an hour?!

Me struggling to learn the first 15 seconds of a Polyphia song. Why, Tim? Why would you do this?
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guitar!

[@BeyondTheGuitar]

It’s not fair that you’re this damn good at the guitar AND this damn entertaining

[@jonas8993]

XD

[@rainsarchive3134]

i agree

[@mmsmofo258]

As if you aren't talented in both Nathan get outta here lmao

[@SamGriffinGuitar]

Awww Nath bro I traded some guitar skill points for some goof points that’s for sure!

[@RunonMusic]

Nathan...you know who truly makes him entertaining ;-)

[@jesseang9186]

The difficulty gap between people who learn this song with and without tabs is huge.

[@theresnothinghere59]

imagine writing it

[@mghell34]

@@theresnothinghere59 polyphia have videos of how some songs were made... and its actually so effin cool.

[@bqlicious]

@@theresnothinghere59 writing CAN be easier lol

[@rebelliousfineart8202]

Some people find tabs are easier but what he is doing, is my preferred way to learn songs. I could spend hours reading tabs for something I could learn in a fraction of the time this way. It's like how different people have different learning styles in school.

[@cazza710]

Less of a difficulty gap, a talent gap. Not everyone can pick this shit up by ear like he can, it’s STUPIDLY hard to learn

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

Lol “I just know if I had those tats I could hit those harmonics..” 🤣🤣🤣

[@rookiebeotch]

Ah, Tim's secret sauce recipe revealed.

[@perfect-blues.97]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kyleheaser351boombaby]

🤣

[@localmilfchaser6938]

🤣🤣

[@Residuefingas]

🤣🤣

[@buffkirbothethird]

I love the complete change from 7:38 to 7:45 It goes from a confident “Easy money!” To a disheartened “that’s hard”

[@sonicboom20078]

Bro, you should 100% positively do more stuff like this. So good!!!!

[@mikehollinger6190]

Agreed

[@SamGriffinGuitar]

Dude i 100% will!

[@ben2808]

Jesus Christ loves you ❤️

[@ben2808]

@@mikehollinger6190 Jesus Christ loves you ❤️

[@ben2808]

@@SamGriffinGuitar Jesus Christ loves you bros

[@TheArtOfKrieg]

“I’m like Tim. I’m like Tim!!😄 ….I’m not like Tim 😞” lol that’s my favorite part

[@JudahSullivan]

Mine too😂 you literally felt the confidence zap away 😭 honestly did very good for having no tabs that song is insane especially when Tim is hybrid picking

[@prauxlaps]

Will never forget there is a guitarist named Tim in Polyphia who has excellent job security.

[@apmorf]

I mean.... I'm 100% straight but would consider switching side for Tim...

[@basedphilosopher]

Sounds like you're 99%

[@BatuWienholts]

@@apmorf same

[@FenrisEx]

@@apmorf 98%

[@brians7604]

trash

[@arcticterra2926]

I would unironically watch a 2-3 hour version of you learning the whole song like this lmfao. It’s crazy to me how fast you pick up on what he’s doing. Experience is wild, homie. Very epic

[@justanotherdaddd]

same

[@cookiepirate4471]

[@tareKk21]

Hey, i wanna learn the song as well. Could u link the video? ^^

[@AlexandreAlvesKribou]

Me too!!

[@babydiz970]

The "That's hard!" and 7:42 is me every time I try to learn anything new haha

[@normalwhiteguy1555]

LMAO CLASSIC

[@Goosethe]

I was laughing really hard at that

[@spinky342]

@@vibe7416 I could feel my own stomach twisting a bit from second hand frustration from similar experiences

[@pedropessoa2246]

Man I lost my sh*t watching this part... this guy is funny af

[@segueoyuri]

what got me is the self-illusion "oh that's easy I got this", followed by the "that's hard!" realization a few seconds later lmao

[@padtoles7537]

Seeing content like this legit makes me feel more positive about my practice time and hangups learning hard stuff. A lot more. I struggle with depression. Big thank you dude, this is awesome and super helpful.

[@mrsil5593]

:) same

[@jamesreid343]

Same. Thanks Sam:)

[@ravnak]

Depression makes you really frekkin god at playing instruments... keep at it, prove me wrong ;)

[@Weltall600]

I remember learning this, and was so happy when I could play it at 120 bpm, only to learn that it's at 138 bpm. It was a huge hurdle getting it to that speed. That boy is quick af.

[@shaun_M1]

Ummmm I think it's at 134 bpm

[@Weltall600]

@@shaun_M1 apparently it's 137* after looking it up.

[@shaun_M1]

@@Weltall600 Ahhhh, thanks mate

[@shivamsood1456]

120?? Bruh you a god. 90bpm here😃

[@meeton2990]

1bpm here 🗿 my goals are beyond your understanding

[@0_beenie_052]

as an intermediate guitar player i am in awe and can’t IMAGINE EVER playing or learning any of this WITH tab, let alone as well as he did in AN HOUR AND A HALF BY EYE AND EAR

[@BenitaMwanza-w5y]

you should give it a shot, i don't know where i'd put myself, ive only had my guitar for two weeks but i do have experience playing fingerstyle stuff on the ukulele so i guess im intermediate but still getting used to the instrument, learning this song has been so much fun, i believe it looks a lot harder to play than it actually is

[@JPBrooksLive]

The similarities to Sam's reactions and mine when learning stuff is hilarious, and makes me feel better as a guitarist lol.

[@MasDouc]

You talk to an invisible camera?

[@grizzerh4786]

I do the exact same...and no, it's not to a camera, it's to the war inside my head out loud while trying to practice something difficult over and over lol.

[@MasDouc]

@@grizzerh4786 no shit it was a joke

[@GavinSummers]

When he said what the fuck is that.. I laughed pretty hard and had the same feelings.

[@peppadsniper9920]

I like when he was like "what the fuck is thaaat??!" 😂

[@HArtDrawing]

As a guitarist who once spent a week trying to learn Goat (and used tabs as well) it’s borderline hypnotic watching how quickly you picked this up. This was so fun to watch

[@MrGoyler]

Please for the love of god - do more stuff like this. Was a joy to watch.

[@potatosalad68]

Like Steve Vai's..?

[@THEDRAWINGSTUDIO1]

I see what you did there

[@MrGoyler]

@@potatosalad68 Didnt realize i made a SV reference xD

[@guilhermemedeiros3243]

@@potatosalad68 yeah now he can try to learn Vai and Polyphia at the same time

[@rachelsibbald5116]

I love the transition from 7:40 with the confident "easy money right there!!" to 7:44 a whimper of "that's hard" xD. captures my whole experience trying to learn this in 4 seconds

[@shayes.x]

Your reaction at 3:47 is my exact reaction to learning new complex pieces 😂

[@DimitriSabadie]

Polyphia is such an incredible band. Clay Aeschliman, Clay Gober, Scott LePage and Sam Griffin are really killing it!

[@Lord_Verminaard]

Never heard any Polyphia songs before, sounds quite difficult! I enjoyed seeing your method for learning a song buy sight/ear. Sorry to hear your tour got cut short, but super glad I got to meet/see you guys a couple weeks ago.

[@SJNaka101]

check out this one and GOAT

[@CopperOpera]

@@SJNaka101 Yeah GOAT is damn good.

[@v1kt0us]

@@SJNaka101 Talking about GOAT kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5jUnquprb2heZI

[@NotSoNumb01]

OD

[@mr-everything3352]

seeing you slow these riffs down make them sound so much more obtainable to learn. this video gave me the confidence to learn this song cause it didn't feel as intimidating anymore I love it thank you for this

[@JoolsGuitar]

I never thought that a pro like you would search notes when playing by ear the same clumsy way as me. I feel better now. But I got to learn a couple of cues from you, like singing the parts before going to the fretboard. Awesome work, man

[@whae25_]

sorry do u mind telling me the time stamp for the part where he said he searches notes when playing by the ear?? 😭😭

[@rutabega306]

But he also plays whole chords with no searching hahahaha

[@reileyb]

"If only I had those tats, I know I could hit those particular harmonics" Love your style of humor throughout this video

[@justanotherdaddd]

Although I'm not anywhere near your level of playing I totally appreciate your struggle working out a piece of music one painful lick at a time. I love it! You are showing the actual tedious steps of learning

[@Jimbarleyy]

3:49 😭 Honestly man you did great. Can’t imagine seeing the tabs for this let alone playing it by ear. Need more Polyphia covers💯🙏🏻

[@segueoyuri]

the thing about Tim's clarity is not he's coming from electric. It's he's coming from electric studio sessions. You can hear EVERYTHING in studio, and you necessarily mute all the strings you're not playing. It's an acquired habit for sure.

[@jorgeflores6306]

I love watching vidoes of people learning a song. Especially your breakdown and funny commentary. I was laughing but cheering for you the whole time.

[@JunoSorin]

OMG the way u picked it up so quickly. your understanding and mastery is wild dude

[@DacianGradaMusic]

never thought seeing others learn crazy difficult riffs would be so entertaining. Amazing!

[@chrismuratore4451]

I felt the same way trying to learn so many of Tim's riffs. Love em or hate em, Polyphia plays well. Looking forward to you doing a full cover of this Edit: I love that you did the nose and lip fretting at the end.

[@Idiomatick]

His patreon tabs show fingerings too which is generous

[@PPedroFernandes]

"I don't know what the hell... The fuck is that" - Literally everyone watching Tim play

[@soyboymia136]

It’s so nice to see someone better than me still struggle and do the same things when trying to figure out something by ear

[@Alex-rt3po]

Playing this on a classical guitar is just insane

[@JohnBiddleMusic]

What Tim Henson is playing is basically a classical guitar. They’re both nylon string guitars

[@jeromelim529]

Tim's Ibanez nylon has a cutout the one Sam is playing doesn't.

[@somsnosa_]

@@JohnBiddleMusic it isn't about being a nylon string guitar. in this case it almost only changes the tone itself. tim's guitar has a thinner neck, a narrower fretboard, a much lower action, and much better access to higher frets due to the cutout. all of this makes it much easier to play fast riffs like these, it's almost like playing an electrical guitar. the song is obviously still hard to play but it's a lot harder on a traditional classical guitar.

[@guitar_noodle]

@@somsnosa_ facts.

[@bolillo5013]

@@somsnosa_ yep I was only going to mention the cut out and width but you got it all

[@autumnbluejay294]

it's cool to know that I'm not the only one who learns songs this way, sitting and agonizing over whether it's an open string or a double stop or a whole different goddamn instrument haha

[@classicalguitarplaying]

You're the best man, having those sick aural skills, nice! Love to see your method on how you approach a new song, decompose the bars, comment on the techniques used, setting up the melody by singing it, it's really interesting and I learned a lot, thanks!

[@MrShay2077]

Thank you Sam! You re-inspired me to come back to guitar after being so dejected trying to learn one of Tim Henson's songs. As an amazing guitarist whom I revere, watching you struggle and achieve about the same level of success as I had (15 seconds) gives me faith that no mere mortal can pull off a Polyphia song in its entirety. Can't wait to see your ascension when you finally master those juicy riffs. Keep up the awe inspiring work!

[@drum.soldier]

the nose chord got me good, you should use this technique more often.

[@bishopchalik8561]

First time ever seeing your channel. This type of video will be your future bread and butter. I am not a guitar player but love to see breakdowns of how the music is made.

[@iparkedmycar]

"I just know if I had those tats I could get these particular harmonics" 🤣

[@lugelletuazon222]

Bros is so casual learning it, when i tried to learn this I immediately just sleep

[@jordanparker6771]

Two of my favorite worlds colliding.

[@ikee5687]

Have to give a huge shout out to you Sam for putting Polyphia on my radar. I dont branch out often for new music and this video got my intrested in Polyphia and now I can't get enough of them. Thank you for posting this video and hope to see more like this in the future.

[@scottdahneke1031]

Incredible dude! That is an absurdly difficult piece, and you got did a stellar job of putting it together. I also loved the commentary/instruction. Even if it was just you thinking aloud. More please!

[@richardfinch2296]

“Why?! Why would you do that Tim??” Is the most accurate thing we all say when trying to learn one of their songs😂

[@Zendreax]

13:05 Applies to every difficult song I've learned. It always gives that "digging a lake with a spoon" kind of feeling.

[@ChristopherVonnCornelio]

You sir earned my sub, i will study on how you study this song. Looking forward for the rest of it.

[@damonconley9437]

Great stuff man. Also learned this finger picking as that’s just what I prefer. Those harmonics in the 7th and 8th around 8:15 I found were more consistent if I just barred to the 6th fret in preparation for the next line. Makes hitting the harmonics at 5 easier since they’re slight further down on the string compared to others. Hope this helps!

[@samprice7462]

I’m actually really impressed you were able to learn that much and play it so well in only an hour and a half!! Good job for real. Your editing added humor too, great video.

[@MichaelB_93]

7:42 us regular guitar plebs when we try to play some of Sams tabs

[@honordevs]

Subbed! Man, there are a lot of youtubers that "fake" this type of thing; you, sir, do not seem to be one of them. I've played guitar for 20 years and ended up learning this song, along with improving the crap out of my picking hand, and it's cool to see you struggling with stuff that I did (then literally overcoming it in seconds, where it took me weeks lol).

[@crazymarva]

14:18 when the time can go back

[@legotechnictrains8999]

You should also listen to the song at 1.25 speed and then back to normal and it will feel slower! Thanks!

[@k_bsh]

More of these videos of you doing this process would be gold. Love the editing.

[@jonnypeters0]

Love this "watch me learn" type of video. Really shows a different side of guitar playing... where we all roast ourselves to self motivate.

[@conk4542]

That was awesome man, I think you should continue challenging yourself with this song honestly. This was great to see you learning and progressing.

[@elcoolhaag7737]

sick video been listening to a lot of polyphia later and its amazing how u got the riff so fast, yes an hour for 15 seconds is fast when we are talking about tim

[@EddieKingOfficial]

i like watching your process and the way your brain works out the complexities of tims playing. this is the first video of yours ive seen, great work

[@ShaunYan]

8:40 "I'm just like Tim"...2 seconds later... "I'm not like Tim" 😂

[@brett84c]

Just saw them play this live the other night. Was absolutely incredible. Mad props for playing what you did as well as you did.

[@selfconfidenceisnotacrime9031]

It’s so comforting to see him squint to count the frets. I do the same thing and i’ve always felt ridiculous

[@thefinalblaze9200]

Now we need a full version. Amazing Job Sam and it sounds beautiful on Acoustic Nylon

[@TiltCntrlz]

Charles Berthoud did a full version, but on bass :)

[@thefinalblaze9200]

@@TiltCntrlz Charles is insane lol. Him, Davie, and Ichika are really good

[@TiltCntrlz]

@@thefinalblaze9200 Davie is a bit overrated but still, hugely talented. Check out Tiago Andrée, too!

[@v1kt0us]

@@thefinalblaze9200 and Manuel Gardner Fernandez?

[@kyleheaser351boombaby]

A full version would be insane time, effort and stress commitment from this guitarist to cover well. Any guitarist ever to cover well!! Such a complicated song!

[@0whitestone]

It's so comforting see somebody else do and say the exact same kind of things I do and say when I'm learning a song

[@adecree]

I know for a fact Rob Scallon would collab if he has time available

[@pandasmooth]

“ I don’t have any tattoos”. Bruh I lost it there 🤣🤣🤣

[@offsidev6059]

This was so good and absolutely hilarious. Loved the nose chord attempt. 🤣

[@CoNfUzLeDaNdLoSt]

10/10 content my dude, so wholesome, keep these up!

[@rivervaughanmusicstuff5771]

It's people like you and Tim that make me want to give up on guitar. It's also people like you and Tim who make me want to never give up on guitar. So... Thank you and damn it all I am more jelly than Smuckers' brand grape jelly.

[@louisyou]

Timmy keeps hitting us with his Tim tricks! What dooo

[@JunoSorin]

Bro u gotta do a part 2. this series is awesome

[@gerardoalanis4016]

You definitely should be doing more content like this, your charisma and funniness will defintely make you connect with more people, I would definitely watch more videos like this!

[@mankypancakes]

You earned a subscriber at 15:40 🔥🔥🥵

[@AnaxiOusBVJ]

we all definitely need more of this! that was so interesting and hilarious at the same time 😄 your comments are on top

[@marusis4453]

You are clearly insanely good, but this song is insane for everyone. I want to learn it so much, but i know it would take it me over a year to learn it at half speed.

[@vaeliux7635]

You're really funny, I've always thought your end of video talks were hilarious. You should do more of these. Kbye!

[@raysofrosie]

Stopping every 5 minutes just go cry a lil and go “that’s hard 😩😭” is literally me any time I try to learn ANY of the things tim does, much less polyphia as a whole 😭😭

[@lemonPorridge]

You're crazy good, I had a tab and still needed two months

[@marth.]

such a crossover ily

[@TheAtomicDimebag]

Man. I didn't realize you were learning Tim Henson/Polyphia. I'd have clicked sooner if it was in the title!

[@EnkiSvohden]

You should try Goose by Polyphia. It's a decently chill jam. Or another good one with some blues vibe is Worst. Either way, I'd love to see you learn more Polyphia in general. They're kinda blowing up right now in popularity and I'm going to see them live in Texas next month for the first time, so I'm super stoked!

[@Drew_5252]

This video was not only hilarious but also a great reminder it doesn’t matter where your at on your progress of playing guitar just have fun!

[@latiremo9133]

13:55 if you play the video in 1.5x speed he’s basically playing it

[@djentlover]

Love your humor, you got a new subscriber

[@JimNoel1]

Never clicked so fast

[@techwatch4202]

I love seeing a guitarist way beyond my level of playing getting frustrated learning a Polyphia track, it comforts me knowing it's okay to be frustrated for 2 months trying to still learn and play the first to 2 bars clean

[@yaboicrimmm]

“I’m just like Tim” “I’m not like Tim” 😂 Absolutely insane how well you did man.

[@TheRoboticFerret]

the stare at the camera at "pretty much all of playing god" was so good

[@markusszelbracikowski956]

Dude you need to do more stuff like this. It's like a reaction video but while trying to play what you are reacting to at the same time. Mind blowing

[@yhhoasacura]

I teel you what I loved the most about this video: your learning process is very much alike mine. I also speak with myself, cursing and asking how and why lol

[@KuroiYuki88]

Whenever I see him counting the frets I can't help but laugh and feel assured that even pro would count on frets to make sure they hear it right😂

[@Live2ride2live54321]

Awesome work!! Plus that was super entertaining you’re hilarious. You’re goofy outer dialogue is basically my normal inner dialogue so it’s relatable 🤣

[@Arin4Life]

Great contents! Without Tim, I could not know great guitarists from other genres like you. Subbed!

[@benstanfill363]

Very quick subscribe. Would love to see more of these. And song will do. Maybe even try your at different genres. I mostly listen to metal so that would be fun.

[@benstanfill363]

Grace from lamb of God would be cool. Very pretty into and super fast main riff.

[@joshuavanrhee340]

Playing God should be called God Playing

[@arenbautista8906]

The little dance he did after he just ripped on the guitar at full speed had me on the floor haha

[@fibonacci112358s]

My favourite part is the bit with the diminished chords, about 75% of the way through the song - and then the melody line that follows afterward.

[@grantos7868]

This was insane! Your channel is so underrated.

[@Abovegroundcool]

That was so entertaining. You and Tim need to collab

[@androiduser1234]

To think, tim sits in front of a computer for hours and days, recording these bar by bar till perfection, and then relearning it himself to play it all together just for someone like you to come along and learn it in a couple hours. Crazy how that works.

[@pro-v7500]

The part you skipped over, but is the most impressive… is that Tim is writing these bars. Huge props to anyone that can play the song, bigger props for someone to learn as much as he did in an hour. But let’s not look past the actual creation of the song, not just the ability to play it.

[@SLD_SHTNG]

@@pro-v7500 not only that but the man generally creates songs on his pc with software, breaks it into chunks, translates those chunks into chunks that are playable on a guitar, then pastes them back together. Man is a genius

[@ytuseracct]

@@SLD_SHTNG I read in an interview once, that he was originally a classical/ violin player, maybe that explains why he could make music well

[@bradlfsh]

I had never heard of this youtube channel or the band Polyphia , but I gotta say I'm thoroughly impressed by both now lol. This song is pretty sick

[@commissardante]

Doing a whole "Can I lean X in and hour?!" series would be amazing.

[@tommycummings006]

I feel like I’m hanging out with you in this video Sam. I agree with some of the other comments. You should do more stuff like this.